Need Help with 1st Truck purchase ?
 

Hello all...

New guy here.. 55 going back to work and getting ready to buy a truck. Here are the three I've narrowed it down to.

2009 Pete 387
450K
Auto
450 Cummins
3:36 rears
73" Sleeper
$ 62K...$55 buys it
Private O/O trade In
2008 Volvo 780
453K
Auto
450 Cummins
3:42 rears
77" Sleeper
$ 49K ..$45K buys it
USX Lease turn in
2009

All three choices are automatics (Very Bad Knees) All three rode great

the last choice was a

2009 KW T-660
453K
Auto
C-15 Cat
3:36 rears
72" Sleeper
$49K..$5K buys it
Trans Am Lease Trade In

Any other info ...advice or direction would very much appreciated...Thank You !

out of the choices... the pete.

Out of all the trucks that I've looked at...The pete was the one I'm leanin heavy on.

If any of them have the Meritor Freedomline auto shift run from them.

OK...I'll have to check...Out of the three...the KW had a very similiar autoshift to a car.The Volvo was ok...The Pete ran like a top. I wanna say the Pete & KW had an Allison automatic. They were very smooth. My other concern is how much MPG will I loose by not using a manual 10-13 spd trans...?

For the record...I did look at a few Internationals,Freightliners & Macks....but all had the same mileage...and all of them were half the price of the KW,Pete or Volvo...?

I have had a 387 with a 465hp Cummins and a Freedomline autoshift for the past 4 years. You will get better mpg with a autoshift than a manual. I average 6.85mpg with mine. They won't have a Allison in them, probably a Eaton. I have driven both and the Eaton is alot smoother than the Freedomline.

The cost to repair a Freedomline is unreal is why I said run from them. I replaced the clutch in mine and it was $4K. Mine needs a kit in the Control unit right now. The kit consists of 6 o-rings, 3 pistons, 6 screws and a gasket for $1200 plus trying to find someone who will even touch it. A rebuilt control unit is $5200 from the factory in Germany. When it gets cold the o-rings shrink and I get a air leak past the pistons and the trans won't shift into gear until it gets warm and builds 120lbs of air pressure. I have fought with mine for hours in the winter trying to get it to build a 120lbs of air after it has sat and got cold.

Pete dealer wont install it..? I know its a fortune to bring anything in to the dealer...however I've always found at least you have some sort of recourse with the install.
First call Monday morning is to find out what auto is in that Pete. Otherwise its "Run Forest...Run" Thanks for the advise...HS !

I don't know nuthin' much about trucks, and not much about being an O/O... but, you didn't give much info on yourself and why you think you can make it as one. Bad knees? How much longer do you think you can drive?

I'm just saying that the Freightliner at HALF the cost would be a good start. I know that's the way I'm thinking for when I take the plunge to O/O. With the economy the way it is, I want to make sure I can be profitable before I spend $50k or so on the truck I WANT.

What kind of payments are you looking at for the three (or the one) that you narrowed it down to?

What are your plans and income expectations? Leasing on as a power only unit? Who to?

I noticed the Volvo had the bigger sleeper. I drive a 770. I like the extra room. How much time will you spend on the road? My brother drove a Pete 387... hated it.

Not sure, but I think the Volvo has more room to move about even in the cab area (thinking of your knees,) and might be easier to get into and out of.

Anyway.... good luck on your venture! Keep us posted.