Tractor type
 

Just a quick question or consider it a poll if you want.

I decided to not drive OTR.I have a lot of things going on and need the time to tend to them but still want to drive.
I got my CDL permit on my own,but still need to take the driving test.
My buddy who owns his own rig is gonna let me use his for that part.
If I go to work for the company he drives for I can either drive one of their junkers or buy my own.So here are the questions.
There are very few layovers,but a sleeper would be nice for several reasons.He has a Century Class which seems a little big for his line of work to me.
BTW they drive within a 150 miles radius of the terminal.

1. COE or conventional for city driving? They do hit some tight docks.

2. A good hearty truck..Freightliner?Mack?International?Ford?GMC?

3. HP and trannies?

4. Max. wheelbase?

5. Max. milage without a major overhaul?

6. Max. age of tractor?

Thanks for input...even if it's a smart remark. :lol: :lol:

Re: Tractor type
 

:? Have you ever undressed in front of a dog? :evil:

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...d10/103563.jpg

Was that smart remark too dumb? :lol:

I'd get me a sweet little Freightliner Century, 209" - 222"wheelbase, easy to turn and back...yet comfortable...as you still will be in it all day. A sleeper you can reach back and touch the bunk....but why not be comfortable for a quick nap as well.
I'd want a C-12 Cat with a 10-speed, and around 2.79 Ratio.

But to start with...honestly...I'd drive their crap first...and for awhile to see if I even like working for them, and want to invest later into my own rig. I'd say minimum of 6 months to see how well you like this job and your future with this Company.

Re: Tractor type
 

GMC. Get a GMC General. :lol: :lol: :P

Is that dog laughing,....or attacking??

:evil: I drop my drawers...and he acts like that. :evil:

I would have rather he attacked. http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...zx11pissed.gif http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...10/grumble.gif http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...10/cussing.gif


http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...10/Muttley.gif

Re: Tractor type
 

If you do mostly tight backing a cab over would probably do best. The shorter the wheelbase the shorter the turning radius. Other than a cab over a Century or Volvo would probably be your best choice for a short turning radius. Something around 400 hp would be pretty good all around. You didn't mention the type of terrain you will be driving, only that you would be driving a 150 mile radius. Unless you drive in a lot of mountains with heavy loads you don't need more than about 400 or so hp. You could probably get along with something around 350 hp. You may not stay with this carrier, so I would look for something around 400-435 hp. A 10 speed transmission is usually good for most applications. You will need to plan on an overhaul somewhere after 750,000 miles, although I have met a number of people who have gotten well over 1 million miles before needing an overhaul. It is all in how you take care of your truck. Maintenance is key to longevity. The age of a truck is much less important than how it has been maintained. Some carrier's put restrictions on the age of your equipment. Most of the better paying carriers will only care about the truck's condition and that it looks decent. I would not rush into buying a truck. You need to get some experience first.

i drive a cabover & love it. it gets into tight spots. it is light & the view out of it from every angle is great. drive thier truck first. when you go to buy your own... if you go for style looks horsepower comfort & most popular... you may regret it. as ive often run into 9 out of 10 that had champane taste on a beer budget. :lol: buy a dependable well maintaned truck. not something to look good in.. just my 2 cents. i have a cabover bought in 99' still driving. hit 1 mil miles over 3 months ago. no major work done to it yet. i dont look cool in it & nobody compliments me on it, but if they only knew how nice it has been making money from 99 til now with no truck payment. :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Thanks for all the good replies!

Roadhog......I've undressed in front of several dogs.......do you mean the 2 or 4 legged kind? :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


Jackrtabbit.....I drove a GMC general once.....a tandem dump.....it was a real POS........air leaks every where........the PTO was difficult to engage and disengage and the air gate didn't work half the time either,no A?C,heat,fan or radio.Good thing I never took it off site. :shock: :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol: :P

Some Generals out there have seen their better days.

The old Mack was in just as bad shape.I think they were used for parts before we got them. :lol:
I hit a bump and the rear windshield fell out....it was a dusty job after that,not to mention cold.

I think this is excellent advice. You should buy a truck for it's functionality. If it meets your needs and is sound, it would be much better to buy it than getting yourself heavily into debt. One of the main reasons so many new owner operators get into trouble is high debt. They let their hearts or wants over power their heads or needs. When you first begin thinking about buying a truck, you should first decide what you really need. The main thing you need is MAKE MONEY! You can make more money with a no frills truck that is in good shape than an expensive hood. Don't worry about the brand. Take away the skin and they are all pretty much the same.

thank you for the compliment g- man

Good advice Gman!
Same thing about cars my fasther told me and I told my daughters when they got their first car.The main thing was to get from point A to B without breaking down and having a car payment they could afford.....$0.
Then there's insurance.

Yeah, I do part time farm work for an outfit that have 2 R model Macks. Both of them are worn plumb out, but they still can burn a hole in the wind. These 2 Macks still look the same as they did 15 years ago, when I was in high school :P

I will bet you that those 2 Macks don't drive any differnt now than they dod when they were new.

Probably right. :lol: Im sure they smoked the same when they were new, too. :P

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Gear for gear....that old Mack could run circles around the GMC
Me and the other guy(mack driver) would race to see who could get loaded and dump first........he'd pass me standing on the tank holding himself.....wonder what he meant by that???????? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Yep I bet they sure did.