Give me your thoughts on this truck

[RostyC]

Been looking around on my spare time and came across this one on Saturday, then stopped in on my way through today for a another look. This is from the used truck appraisal that Baltimore Peterbilt did.

1997 Peterbilt 379
Manufactured...12/96
engine....Detroit 430 hp@ 2100 rpm
Sleeper....48" flat
Transmission.....Eaton 10 sp RTO16210C
wheelbase.......260"
Suspension......Air ride
FA.....Eaton 12000
RA.....DS404 40000
Ratio........4:11
Tire size.....24.5
wheels front....aluminum
Wheels rear....steel......outer chromed
miles.........707459
inframe done at..500,000 (performed at this dealer)
Brakes front....80%
Brakes rear.....100%
new drums
steering..... manual
fuel tank....Left..135 gal....right....135 gal.
Tread depth front...17/32
Rears.......20/32
Remanufactured fan hub
PM done at 704559 miles
Electric wipers, heated mirrors,dual horn, single exhaust, single breather, engine brake, no dyno test done,steel frame, 4 batteries, Fontaine air fifth wheel.

Appearance rating....2 (1 is the highest 5 is the lowest)
Mechanical rating....2

There are some small dings and dents. I also noticed some paint peeling or blistering. I would say average for a 9 yr old truck. Some rust spots on frame, nothing I couldn't fix. Interior looked clean for that many miles. Floor looked good. Can't think of anything else at this time.

Asking price....23,500.00

What are your thoughts?

[Rawlco]

It is ten years old. Most companies that you can lease on with require 7 years or newer, some allow 10 year old trucks. At most you could lease it on with one company for a year and then need another. In that year the value will drop like a rock.

With a 48 inch sleeper and a detroit engine it is not worth as much to some people. I think the price is a little high - Ask GMAN what he would pay. The nice thing about the 379 with a short sleeper is that it is lightweight, you will be able to haul heavier loads.

What are you going to do with the 6 feet between the back of the sleeper and the kingpin? It might not be that much but a 260" wheelbase and a 48" sleeper leaves a lot of space. If you are going to be pulling a flat you will have plenty of room for a headache rack. If you pull a van/reefer the air gap will kill your aerodynamics.

[yoopr]

If you're interested in buying it get a Dyno and Oil Analysis done on it..

[brian]

It is ten years old. Most companies that you can lease on with require 7 years or newer, some allow 10 year old trucks. At most you could lease it on with one company for a year and then need another. In that year the value will drop like a rock.

and any company that pays ya worth a **** won`t care what year your tractor is as long as its in good shape, do you know why the lower paying companies want a 5 year or newer tractor? because they know your probably making payments and they`ve got ya by the balls paying 90 cents a mile.

anywho i`d pass, who the hell would spec a 379 with single exhaust

and any company that pays ya worth a $&!+ won`t care what year your tractor is as long as its in good shape

Yes, I agree. I've actually talked to some places and even though they had an age requirement they said they really didn't care just as long as it was in good shape. They did want to check it out in person also.

I would put out an offer to this person for like $17k, leave your phone number and walk away. You may get a call pretty quick.

[GMAN]

It sounds like a decent truck. The recent overhaul helps the value. In some parts of the country the smaller sleeper actually adds value to a 379 Pete. Some like the classic look afforded by the smaller sleeper. A smaller sleeper can get a bit cramped if you have a lot of stuff with you and stay out for extended periods of time. 379 Pete's have small closets. The 48" has a very small closet for hanging your clothes. It is rare to find a 379 Pete in good shape for less than $25,000. My guess is that you could probably buy it between $18,000-21,000. You could offer less, but I would not pay more than $21,000 for it from your description. In fact, I would try to buy it for less than $20,000. The market is somewhat depressed right now, so this dealer may be more willing to deal. The 411 rears will burn more fuel, but will pull good. The Series 60 has a good reputation with most drivers. I used to own a Pete with a Series 60. It seems all Detroit's have a problem with oil leaks. The series 60's are not as bad as some of the older Detroit's. I never got more than 5 mpg in my Pete. I don't recall the ratio of the rear's. I doubt if you will get more than 5 mpg with the aerodynamics and rears. The upside is that you should not loose much money on the truck provided you keep the maintenance up. If the truck has a recent rebuild you may want to check the paperwork to see what was done. Having a rebuild at 500,000 is unusual. The average rebuild on a series 60 was at around 750,000 miles. You may want to check maintenance records, if available and have a dyno done. I would also check the computer. If it is the original processor, it will have the actual mileage and give you a lot of useful information about the truck. If it has had a recent oil change, the oil analysis may not do you much good. But I would probably have one done anyway. Some companies can do the oil analysis on site. If you want to do a thorough check you may want to pull the inspection plates on the rears and check the king pins and front end. If you need to put new king pins and tie rods on the front, you are looking at spending about $1,600 at a dealer.

The better paying carrier's won't care about the age as long as it looks decent and can pass a DOT inspection. Some carriers will require you to inspect an older truck with greater frequency. Some may require a DOT every 3-6 months on an older truck. A smaller sleeper and long wheelbase will work fine pulling a flat bed.

[RostyC]

Thanks for the replys so far, they were pretty much in line with what I thought, actually. I really hadn't planned on buying anything right now, but if I could get it for 18 to 20M (that's for you G) I might do it, provided it checked out ok.
Do most dealers mind if you take it to another facility to have it checked out? For me, I'd feel more comfortable with a third party looking at it.

Here's why I like this truck or I should say this set up. What I think I'm going to do is keep my construction business going and try to pick up some local work around here (power only, intrastate). I know a few people who could probably help me get started. My business partner can run the construction stuff so that would give me some extra time. That way I can start slow and let the truck business build itself and I still have income and less financial pressure. I'll have a small to none truck payment to worry about also easing the pressure. The small sleeper would allow me to do a longer run if the opportunity presented itself. It would be nice if the wheelbase was shorter but I think it could work.

I checked on insurance last night it's what I expected. However, I have a question about cargo ins. If someone wants to sub contract some work to me does my lack of recent experience raise their cargo ins? If I'm power only (to start anyway) then I don't need cargo right?

EDIT: brian, you're right the single stack does blow. (no pun intended)

[GMAN]

Rosty, most dealers won't mind your having someone to check out the truck. If not, it would send up a red flag to me. if you run your authority, you are required to have cargo insurance. I think you are wise in taking it slow.

[solo379]

Cheap specs, company truck. I've sold my Volvo(96 old stile, like WGMC), for half the money, and double specs.
Oh! And that was in 2004.

[RostyC]

I think I will look for something with a little shorter wheelbase and a 3' sleeper. The dealer has my number if he gets desperate he'll call.

[brian]

3 foot sleeper? dude they dont call em coffin sleepers for nothin

[RostyC]

hmmm.... I could paint it black, tint the windows put some of those draw curtains in the windows, and some hearse badges on it, and across the back it'll say....."Last Ride in Style"

[NascarFan]

We have a truck speced exactly like that truck except for it has no sleeper and a 430/470HP Detroit and we use it to pull dump trailers and have had no problems with it except it only has 481m for miles.

Ps. Gman I like the use of M instead of K.

[GMAN]

I really hadn't planned on buying anything right now, but if I could get it for 18 to 20M (that's for you G) I might do it, provided it checked out ok.

Ps. Gman I like the use of M instead of K.

Guys, we may have the beginnings of something here.[/quote]

[nrvsreck]

M is so two thousand years ago! GMAN, you must really be an old fart to keep using those old numerals. :P

[NascarFan]

M is so two thousand years ago! GMAN, you must really be an old fart to keep using those old numerals. :P

Hey, GMAN may be old but I'm only 27 do you call that old.

[brian]

hmmm.... I could paint it black, tint the windows put some of those draw curtains in the windows, and some hearse badges on it, and across the back it'll say....."Last Ride in Style"

you`ll have no room for anything, I did some work to a 359 for a guy and part of it was ditching the 60 incher for a coffin sleeper, I drove it back to texas instead of trailering it and it was actually pretty cozy in that tiny sleeper but you could never work in it.

[BanditsCousin]

I need a big sleeper to keep my stuff in. I do a lot of paperwork in the sleeper as well, so I'd need more than a spot to sleep. I see a lot of those reefer haulers with these trucks and longwheelbases, and they usually look pretty sweet!

[RostyC]

I really hadn't planned on buying anything right now, but if I could get it for 18 to 20M (that's for you G) I might do it, provided it checked out ok.

Ps. Gman I like the use of M instead of K.

Guys, we may have the beginnings of something here.

[/quote]

I'm not sure whether to keep it between us or try to find some type of medium where we could introduce it to thousands or even millions of people.

[RostyC]

hmmm.... I could paint it black, tint the windows put some of those draw curtains in the windows, and some hearse badges on it, and across the back it'll say....."Last Ride in Style"

you`ll have no room for anything, I did some work to a 359 for a guy and part of it was ditching the 60 incher for a coffin sleeper, I drove it back to texas instead of trailering it and it was actually pretty cozy in that tiny sleeper but you could never work in it.

Well my thinking was is if I could find some local work doing power only the 3' box and shorter wheelbase would be beneficial, then later if I decided to do some longer stuff I'd still have a truck to get started with. What do you think?