So..... you buy a new truck, right?

[S. L. Schrader Co]

It's in great running condition, fresh motor, low miles, decent body condition, a bit of paint fade, maybe not a color you like and definitely not enough chrome/stainless bolt on goodies. You're financially stable, not rich, not poor but comfortable.

Do you:

a) Repaint it and trick it out to your liking, heaven forbid you drive a truck that isn't sweet lookin'.
b) Leave it alone and make sure it really IS in as good a condition as you were told, then slowly trick it out.
c) Leave it alone entirely, if it's not ratty looking enough to alert a DOT officer, run it as it is.
d) Who has time to do this stuff anyway???

It know it's a stupid question, but one I've often wondered about seeing some of these awesome trucks on the roads........

[BoyNextDoor]

Don't get me wrong, b/c i like the show trucks I've seen down the road, and they sure are cool. BUT i'd be more worried about the mechanical condition of the truck. I'd want it to never leave me on the side of the road. Looks is second. yes, wash it, and keep it clean, but don't kill yourself over it, and trick it out as it goes.

sometimes you go into a truckstop that has a lot of goodies, and you just want to buy it. and a day or so later you go into another and seee the same item for 1/3rd the price.

i wanted some chrome mudflap weights, and seen them anywhere from $15-25 a piece and found a small mom/pop shop that had 2 for $12. same item, same good chrome... so i took those.

it's like this

truck = make money.

you want it to keep making money, so keep the mechanics working.
than you can impress yourself/ladies with the looks...

cheers

[S. L. Schrader Co]

I agree, but some of these guys had to have put more into a work truck that the truck makes in a years time, that just makes no sense to me.

[CaptCaveman]

Don't get me wrong, b/c i like the show trucks I've seen down the road, and they sure are cool. BUT i'd be more worried about the mechanical condition of the truck. I'd want it to never leave me on the side of the road. Looks is second. yes, wash it, and keep it clean, but don't kill yourself over it, and trick it out as it goes.

sometimes you go into a truckstop that has a lot of goodies, and you just want to buy it. and a day or so later you go into another and seee the same item for 1/3rd the price.

i wanted some chrome mudflap weights, and seen them anywhere from $15-25 a piece and found a small mom/pop shop that had 2 for $12. same item, same good chrome... so i took those.

it's like this

truck = make money.

you want it to keep making money, so keep the mechanics working.
than you can impress yourself/ladies with the looks...

cheers

I'm with him, number is making sure the truck gets down the road. I like a clean truck but shiny never did a thing for me. If I have extra money to throw at the truck I would go for creature comforts, an APU, a good mattress for the bunk, a big fridge, microwave, HDTV/DVD and the most comfortable drivers seat I can find because at heart I'm a shameless hedonist.

[brian]

I do lots of stuff to my trucks, helps bring in money when i`m not on the road with shop work, that and I want it to look good since I spend a big chunk of time in it.

[big truck driver]

A wise man told me keep it clean and keep it running its just a tool to do the job.

[GrayBeard]

It's in great running condition, fresh motor, low miles, decent body condition, a bit of paint fade, maybe not a color you like and definitely not enough chrome/stainless bolt on goodies. You're financially stable, not rich, not poor but comfortable.

Do you:

a) Repaint it and trick it out to your liking, heaven forbid you drive a truck that isn't sweet lookin'.
b) Leave it alone and make sure it really IS in as good a condition as you were told, then slowly trick it out.
c) Leave it alone entirely, if it's not ratty looking enough to alert a DOT officer, run it as it is.
d) Who has time to do this stuff anyway???

It know it's a stupid question, but one I've often wondered about seeing some of these awesome trucks on the roads........

My choice has always been C. I look at the truck as a tool. I don't even look at all the goodies out there. I prefer to put money into maintenance and service. In the past, I always serviced the truck every 10k miles, this was oil, filters, lube chasis, monitor ph level in coolant. I changed out tranny and rears twice a year (spring and fall). I was often told I was a fool for performing this extensive service on my truck. I have to say that I never had a truck leave me sitting on the side of the road. Must have been doing something right.

I like the looks of a dressed out extended hood Pete or KW; however it just isn't my style. I will stick with a good clean truck that is mechanically sound. It is all about the money in my account!

Be careful and stay safe!

[Truckdobe]

B

I sold my '07 that I hated and bought a '92 in June. Checked it over and made a list of what had to be done before she went to work, including mechanical, maintenance, looks and comfort.

Drove it across the street and put steer tires on before driving it home, would've bought all 10, but they didn't have them in stock.

Drove home and installed:
-Qualcomm
-3 shelves
-LCD TV
-DVD player
-coffee maker
-soap dispenser
-new seat
-new steering wheel (bought the day I bought the truck, the original was HUGE!)
-cover on fantastic fan vent
-pigtail
-shocks

Then:
-caulked the sink & shower
-siliconed all the lights
- " all the TV, vent, and a/c accessories on the roof
-serviced the truck
-serviced the generated and installed new belts

Then she spent a day at CAT getting the overhead run and fuel tank repaired. On the way home, I got the other 8 tires and we were off to work.

First week out I bought 6 new mudflaps with SS weights, 30 new toggle extensions, replacement handles for the johnson bar & engine brake, some interior lighting and 3 new glass bullet lights with SS rings (it already had 2). Not much $$, just enough to make me feel at home. :wink:


30k miles since July 1 and the only problem I've had is a broken shock hanger, fixed for around $200.

While I was at home I tried to get in to have the suspension rebushed, but they couldn't get the roller bearings that I wanted for the air ride steer axle, so it'll get that done whenever I get home again... Oct or Nov. Nothing broken, but I'd rather do it when I want to rather than when it needs it, usually at the most inconvenient times.

When I'm home, I landscape my yard; when I'm at work, I landscape my truck.

[rank]

30 new toggle extensions

:shock:

[yoopr]

30 new toggle extensions

:shock:

LOL

[Truckdobe]

Well, if I left them out, I'd be lying... I did buy them. I spend 8-10 hours a day looking at my dash and I didn't like the way it looked without them. 8)

[carolinatrucker]

With my current truck it is B. However there hasn't been a lot of "tricking" out. Much of the "add-ons" are necessities. I do need a new bug shield (mine broke over time). Though it looks cool on the truck, it did help a little.
For some truckers, tricking out their trucks is a hobby. Nothing wrong with that! My opinion is, why not have the sharpest looking truck pulling into the customers lot! They're going to remember it and might want to see it again, which could mean another load in your favor, which means more $$ in your pocket. Of course, this doesn't even matter if your leased to someone or going through brokers. For me it's about pride in my ride!!

[GMAN]

I think of my trucks as tools to make money. What chrome is on them came that way when I bought them. I want them to look good, but cant see spending a fortune on chrome and accessories. There is nothing wrong with having chrome, as long as you can afford it. I have never heard of chrome making more money. The main thing a shipper is interested is whether you can get his load from point a to point b in the prescribed time and at an agreed price.

[Truckdobe]

I do see a lot of people spending $$ that they don't have on chrome etc., or I assume that they don't b/c they are whining heavily about how far behind they are.

I disagree with carolinatrucker (Howdy, Neighbor!) on it not mttering if you are leased or pulling for a broker. Many times, because of my truck, I have gotten direct contacts while picking up or delivering a brokered piece.

I've given countless shippers and receivers tours of our truck, had many take pictures and many ask for pictures if I had any to give (I do). I don't do tours in my current little truck, the bunk is less than adequate and other than having a shower etc., is really just a work truck to get me through until my other one is done. Not enough room for walk-thrus in this one. :wink:

Some shippers care, some don't, but rarely do I pick up or deliver without being noticed. Anything good that makes you stand out and starts a dialogue could lead to a valuable contact.

[S. L. Schrader Co]

That's pretty much what I figured, as long as it runs well, it can't hurt to make it look good. I agree that a sharp rig can turn heads and make people remember you, and if you drivers are going to spend the better part of your days (and nights) in it it may as well be the way YOU like it and are comfortable in it. I was just curious if it was a competition or just a personal preference.

just myself sitting behind the drivers seat makes my truck better looking than all the others out there...damn i am one good looking s.o.b.

[CaptCaveman]

just myself sitting behind the drivers seat makes my truck better looking than all the others out there...damn i am one good looking s.o.b.

And humble too

[S. L. Schrader Co]

Good to see modesty is still a strong point in todays society LOL!!