Help on picking a truck

[Rookie at 53]

Hi Everybody,
I need help on picking out a truck. I'm not going to lease out. I'm going to schedule my own loads, I hope. I plan on getting a flatbed and haul fright. I looked at a 2003 Volvo 450 Cum. 10 speed auto-shift 675,000 miles on it. It looked to be in pretty good shape. They where asking $48,500.00. Is the 450 hp Cum. Strong enough to pull through the west mountain ranges? Also when I decide on a truck what test should I have done on the truck to make sure the truck is ready to go? Thanks for any help.

[mikey4069]

Your new and your going to buy a truck ?How long have you had your cdl ?

[Rookie at 53]

Your new and your going to buy a truck ?How long have you had your cdl ?

On and off over 30 years I've had my CDL. I haven't driven in a while the last 10 years. I just don't want to drive for someone else. This way I can set my own schedule at least that's my plan.

[Sealord]

Have you asked this on the O/O Forum? BOL

[GMAN]

I would want to see a history on the truck. Cummins could do that for you and tell you about any major work that has been done. I suggest doing an oil analysis and dyno. You could also have the computer checked and that would tell you a lot about the truck. You may want to have a mechanic give it a once over. Before you buy any equipment, you may want to check on insurance. If you have had a CDL for a number of years, it may not be that difficult to find insurance. Insurance tends to be difficult to get and afford without current experience. It isn't impossible, but something to check before you start spending money. From your post, I gather you plan on getting your own authority. Doing that will be your largest expense after the cost of the equipment. Good luck.

[Rookie at 53]

I would want to see a history on the truck. Cummins could do that for you and tell you about any major work that has been done. I suggest doing an oil analysis and dyno. You could also have the computer checked and that would tell you a lot about the truck. You may want to have a mechanic give it a once over. Before you buy any equipment, you may want to check on insurance. If you have had a CDL for a number of years, it may not be that difficult to find insurance. Insurance tends to be difficult to get and afford without current experience. It isn't impossible, but something to check before you start spending money. From your post, I gather you plan on getting your own authority. Doing that will be your largest expense after the cost of the equipment. Good luck.

Thanks GMAN, if you don't mind I have a few more questions. Do you think that 450 cum. is a strong enough motor through the mountains? Do you think that the going price for the truck is a fair price?
I appreciate your help.

[mikey4069]

Sorry your name says rookie so i thought you were a newbie. I thought you were one of those newbies who wants to go right to being an o/o .They have learned everything they need to know in trucking school .

[PackRatTDI]

I would want to see a history on the truck. Cummins could do that for you and tell you about any major work that has been done. I suggest doing an oil analysis and dyno. You could also have the computer checked and that would tell you a lot about the truck. You may want to have a mechanic give it a once over. Before you buy any equipment, you may want to check on insurance. If you have had a CDL for a number of years, it may not be that difficult to find insurance. Insurance tends to be difficult to get and afford without current experience. It isn't impossible, but something to check before you start spending money. From your post, I gather you plan on getting your own authority. Doing that will be your largest expense after the cost of the equipment. Good luck.

Thanks GMAN, if you don't mind I have a few more questions. Do you think that 450 cum. is a strong enough motor through the mountains? Do you think that the going price for the truck is a fair price?
I appreciate your help.

An ISX 450 should be just fine. The ISX 450 can easily be turned up to 500 with simple reprogramming anyways. When I worked for Stevens, I ran a 435hp/1450lb-ft Cummins N14 and it didn't do too bad climbing mountains.

Some fleets do just fine with an ISX 400 with the SmartTorque feature.

[Mack2]

I know I'm only 17 but here is what I would go with.

International 9400, KW T600, or a Freightliner for under $25,000 with a Cat 475HP + and a 13 or 18spd transmission. That way you don't have allot tide up in the truck but have something that will run in the mountains.

[yoopr]

450 is plenty enough power to get up the mtns.

[Jumbo]

Just my two cents. A Volvo is a pretty heavy truck for flatbed isn't it?

[uglymutt]

if I were to buy a truck, I would go new, a used truck will need work, I heard storys of guys buying a volvo and 2 weeks later spend $3000 to get it fixed, I think I would do new, get lots of miles and pay it off in 3 years......

New truck hhmmmm maybe a kenworth w900 with an auto trannie , make is a shiny bright red .....now the engine mmmm I like cat or a detroit ....., there all good but I like cat for the mountains...

[Rookie at 53]

if I were to buy a truck, I would go new, a used truck will need work, I heard storys of guys buying a volvo and 2 weeks later spend $3000 to get it fixed, I think I would do new, get lots of miles and pay it off in 3 years......

New truck hhmmmm maybe a kenworth w900 with an auto trannie , make is a shiny bright red .....now the engine mmmm I like cat or a detroit ....., there all good but I like cat for the mountains...

Sounds good but I'm affraid those payments would eat me alive :rock:

[Rookie at 53]

Just my two cents. A Volvo is a pretty heavy truck for flatbed isn't it?

Why do you say that? Just curious

[GMAN]

I would want to see a history on the truck. Cummins could do that for you and tell you about any major work that has been done. I suggest doing an oil analysis and dyno. You could also have the computer checked and that would tell you a lot about the truck. You may want to have a mechanic give it a once over. Before you buy any equipment, you may want to check on insurance. If you have had a CDL for a number of years, it may not be that difficult to find insurance. Insurance tends to be difficult to get and afford without current experience. It isn't impossible, but something to check before you start spending money. From your post, I gather you plan on getting your own authority. Doing that will be your largest expense after the cost of the equipment. Good luck.

Thanks GMAN, if you don't mind I have a few more questions. Do you think that 450 cum. is a strong enough motor through the mountains? Do you think that the going price for the truck is a fair price?
I appreciate your help.

The 450 is more than enough to do the job. We used to do pull with a lot less power. The first truck I owned had 238 hp. The price you noted seems to be about average for the year. One thing to keep in mind with that many miles, is that you are closer to having an overhaul unless engine work has already been done. You could go more than a million miles before needing an overhaul, but you need to look at the norm. I don't know about a Cummins, but it is about 750,000 miles for a series 60 Detroit.