Should you buy old or new that is the question #Smooth operator trucking #Veteran trucker #Owner operator truckers
Пікірлер: 71
@Franchise383 ай бұрын
I respectfully disagree. I love my old trucks.
@Smooth_Operator_833 ай бұрын
What are you running? I can only go by my experience and my data since putting this truck into operation back in 2022. What’s your maintenance cost per mile?
@WISHBONEL72 ай бұрын
Therer are a lot of different variables . The main issue that many don't discuss is *GOOD CONSISTENT FREIGHT RATES* Overall , are you really making enough money ?? .. Do you think that a general contractor , HVAC company , or electrical outfit is debating the issue of old trucks verses new trucks ????. Plus , you are not getting any younger . Are you thinking about the bog picture which factors into your health and retirement ??.
@Smooth_Operator_832 ай бұрын
@@WISHBONEL7 always think f about the big picture. Out of those careers you mentioned, trucking is the only one that has made it easier to get into over the years which is another problem.
@WISHBONEL72 ай бұрын
@@Smooth_Operator_83 Are you making money that you never have to touch again and put towards that business ?. I am talking about *CLEAN MONEY*
@lorenzojennings34314 ай бұрын
The old truck are more reliable than the new truck
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Hopefully I have turned the corner and that will prove to be true
@TheFlatbedChickАй бұрын
Buying an old truck is a gamble, but so is buying a new one. Do your research and buy what fits your comfort level and needs. Stay safe and have fun 😊👍
@Smooth_Operator_83Ай бұрын
@@TheFlatbedChick absolutely 💯!!!
@Ball.Daily114 ай бұрын
Nah, old trucks rules, My 2005 Volvo has brought me a house, scat pack and a 2006 Peterbilt I have completely customized and takes care of my whole family. When I had a newer truck with thousands of dollars in payments I had to work very hard to turn a profit, I was never home and the mfer did indeed break down. By the second year It blew the engine under 150k miles. I spend around 7k a year in maintenance to run my paid for equipment, this brother experience is not the rule, sounds like that truck is a lemon or just has bad luck and those repair prices sounds extremely inflated me sounds like you where being extremely overcharged.. If you’re paying yourself under a thousand dollars a week running your own equipment just go be a company driver.
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Damn yeah im totally doing something wrong. Been around trucking my whole life so I thought I knew what I was doing. Right now it’s about the long term goals. I do want to build a fleet so being a company driver isn’t an option for me. I get retirement and compensation from the military so I don’t need much. I can more than survive off $700 a week. I just want to be able to stack as much as I can for repairs and growth. Only $7,000 though? Damn you do all of your own work? I don’t think that’s the norm either lol.
@Ball.Daily114 ай бұрын
@@Smooth_Operator_83 I don’t do none of my own work, the business should be generating enough so that you don’t gotta be pulling out no tools, first thing you should do is get the hell away dry Van and Refer. Get into tanker work, moving or car hauling, just anything but Dry Van and Refer and your profits will skyrocket. You want to get as far away from what a new person that got his CDL yesterday can haul if you want to be able to run for decent rates at this point. For transparency sake the first year I with my Volvo I did spend 25k doing a full rebuild but that was back in 2021 and that engine hasn’t given me a issue yet, sounds like you unfortunately delt with dudes that had no idea what they doing with it comes to a overhaul and that overhaul should have came with a warranty, you shouldn’t had have to pay for there shitty work and if a place won’t warranty there overhaul don’t do it.
@jram00012 ай бұрын
The fuel savings on new trucks is incredible i got a 2021 cascadia and getting 9.5 mpg
@Smooth_Operator_832 ай бұрын
@@jram0001 yeah I ran the numbers even if I would get at least 7.5 compared to 6.5 now and had a $1,500-$2,000 a month truck payment with half the maintenance I would do better.
@theRealAntowan11 күн бұрын
Ive been driving Freightliners for almost 4 years. Ive driven from a 2017- currently driving a 2025. Never have I had a breakdown under the hood. Only breakdowns I have seen are blown tires. The company makes nothing but money and I have made nothing but money. New trucks put money in your pocket and they rarely breakdown or I am the luckiest driver ever. Old trucks are boots. I never drove an old truck but not ever having a breakdown issue under the hood, only driving New Freightliners, sings to my pockets. I lie not.
@Smooth_Operator_8311 күн бұрын
@@theRealAntowan I believe you. Seems like it’s one of those 50/50 deals. Minus censors, def and dpf newer anything is going to be more reliable 9/10. I spend $3,000 a month average or repairs. That would put me in a nice new or close to new truck with a lot better fuel mileage
@theRealAntowan11 күн бұрын
@@Smooth_Operator_83 2025 Freightliner, I get 8.3mpg. I believe I can get more, just haven't figured out how. I'm at about 64k miles on the truck and been driving it since March. I drove several 2023s also. I would not trade New Freightliners for any other brand. Because I never had breakdown issues driving any year or model Freightliner, I am bias. I would not want an older truck if I had choice. Frieghtliners are comfortable, fuel savers, cheap parts, and flat out money makers.
@Smooth_Operator_8311 күн бұрын
@@theRealAntowan yeah I’m going to be looking at a newer freightliner once I get back in position. 2020-2022 most likely
@flyingrv64 ай бұрын
If your spending $34k in a year in maintenance on a 2007, guess what you could have spent that money on? You could have bought a 2024 Truck, depreciated the expenses on your tax liability and have a new truck. Plus, when the old truck breaks down, guess what you ain’t doing? Making money!!! But hey, however you wanna do it is cool. Ain’t my money.
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
You live and learn. I’ve seen guys have brand new trucks and still have a lot of downtime. If I had to go back and do it again I would still run my truck I just would’ve done a crated engine vs an overhaul. Right now if I had the funds though I would buy a newer truck since the used truck market is so low right now.
@ICYPROFITS3 ай бұрын
You want a truck with an apu that has not been idled. Idling is the newer truck killer. If someone has the discipline to not idle i guarantee that truck has also been maintained properly. So looking at engine hours are more important than miles today.
@Smooth_Operator_833 ай бұрын
Thanks. Yeah having an older truck isn’t working for me. Most guys swear by it, but I wonder if they actually know their numbers. 2-3 years I have a the data in my operation to support change based on facts not feelings.
@ICYPROFITS3 ай бұрын
@@Smooth_Operator_83 believe nothing that you hear and half of what you see. I don't follow companies but there's some fleets out there with no idle policies I'd buy their trucks.
@Smooth_Operator_833 ай бұрын
@@ICYPROFITS true facts thanks
@crazyburkey36774 ай бұрын
Actually, once you fix stuff on an older truck, it stays fixed, if you buy a new truck, you'll keep fixing the same issues, again and again
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Hoping that I’ve turned the corner and repairs will be to a minimum now
@timmay2k4 ай бұрын
I was paying $1800 a month for 2016 579. If i could go back id get a truck with either a detroit 60s or cat c15 in it. Yeah youll be replacing every part within the first 1-2 years of owning it but at least you have a truck note. I had to pay $65000 my first year owning the truck. Granted once i got it deleted i had no issues. Had to sell it bc rates are crap.
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Yeah making modifications might be an option at some point.
@bernardleejr35024 ай бұрын
I have a 2001 paid for freightliner Columbia 12.7 Detroit I do majority of the work on it so I’m good 👍🏽
@TheRightWayToTruck4 ай бұрын
Egr cooler might be bad that’s why you are losing coolant
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Thanks
@robertcussen80394 ай бұрын
Gotta get an antique truck, parts are so cheap and basic, breakdowns are easy to diagnose too.
@marcusdenning76194 ай бұрын
I run three trucks and don’t spend that
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
I am working on changing my business model, but it is a slow process
@marcusdenning76194 ай бұрын
Man where are you located because my people will keep you straight because somebody see you coming
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
I’m everywhere mostly southeast though
@shaun10844 ай бұрын
Just bypass the egr cooler and valve and put a hp intake manifold and 171702 turbo truck will run strong
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Thanks I will most likely look into that.
@unrulygt35043 ай бұрын
Those turbos are $900 171702 Borg and Michigan Performance manifold is $600
@pchange3184 ай бұрын
Y'all not doing any research. What excessive maintenance are you having with an older truck, that you wouldn't have otherwise????????????
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Outside of the expected accusation cost of around $30,000 for an overhaul, brakes, clutch, MD Alignment, brake drums, front hubs,I spent another $20,000 on engine work the first year. Head gaskets, reverse oil return line, crankshaft wear, and had to replace the hood because it all but came apart for another $4,000. Replaced turbo in second year, then vpod, turbo actuator, another blown head gasket, exhaust manifold gasket, misc little other things, Third year replaced turbo again, radiator, alternator, replaced turbo oil return line gasket twice, then throw in the other normal wear and tear tires, and pms it adds up quick. Outside of replacing the turbo twice and internal engine work everything else is to be expected.
@marshallmotorfreight95474 ай бұрын
Yeah, there's no such thing as a "free" truck. I'd say a "free truck" is the most expensive. When you total up your repair costs and revenue lost, you already paid for a brand new truck. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for older trucks...running a 2007 right now...but you have to be very selective when picking one out. Have you had any oil samples run? You should not be going through turbos or head gaskets like that. There's something going on with that engine.
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
@@marshallmotorfreight9547 I think most of my problems originate with a bad overhaul. The guy came highly recommended, but during the first rebuild it threw a rod while it was just sitting there idling. The guy stood behind his work and found another block and did another rebuild. I had to come out of pocket for a new ECM, since the rod damaged the original one. Then the turbo oil return line was backwards, apparently he used the wrong kind of sealant and didn’t properly torque some bolts which led to premature wear and cracked rings and pitting. I think I just got a bad turbo the first time I replaced it. That’s common among reman turbos since the don’t make new ones for the 60 series.
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
@@marshallmotorfreight9547 the truck belonged to a FedEx ground contractor I was working for and I was familiar with the truck. He takes good care of his trucks. I don’t regret acquiring it from him, I just wish I would’ve went with a crated engine with a warranty.
@RedskinzFan4 ай бұрын
If you CANNOT work on your truck yourself then a new truck is better
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Fair statement
@AzAz-oz4ey3 ай бұрын
Most guys with new trucks are playing another game . Shop near my home is full or older trucks . Bro thats some money
@Smooth_Operator_833 ай бұрын
Yeah I thought operating an older truck would keep my cost low with no truck payment, but I was wrong
@AzAz-oz4ey3 ай бұрын
@@Smooth_Operator_83 No you not you doing what works for your business . As a future fleet owner it just makes senses to go new with payment's because I can say you see guys newer truck I can't say all but some are playing a different game besides trucking . I can't go beyond that because that's the pay conversion .
@AzAz-oz4ey3 ай бұрын
If break all the numbers down older truck cost more on the back end over time . I don't come up on my own it from someone that top industry without being maga Co . Not say sell your EQ you will never go to the next level in trucking with a older truck .
@duddyphilb36194 ай бұрын
Yea bro go to lone mountain
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Thanks
@drjewreal4 ай бұрын
Lone mountain mountian truck sale have 10speeds in stock
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Thanks
@zackdebestyt29594 ай бұрын
Awesome video father
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Thank you
@rundontwalk88484 ай бұрын
My dude I have an 07 Columbia also I don’t run the road anymore I stay local but you maintenance cost seem pretty high from my experience I would stay away from Detroit shops they would drain all your cash ask old head where they go….good luck and stay positive
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Thanks
@chubbytx10424 ай бұрын
Its your egr that maybe the reason you are losing coolant
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Cooler or valve? Last time I had my head gasket replaced they said I have protruding liner so the gasket could be going bad again.
@dynasty5074 ай бұрын
@Smooth_Operator_83 It could honestly be both man. I had a 2005 freightliner Columbia that use to leak from the valve or cooler on a yearly basis. I would end up having to replace both every year even when I put a delete on. Your truck sounds like mine..a money pit. I had alot of the same issues you had. My advice? Sell it. Your issues will never end with that truck..you shouldn't be having to spend that much on it. Go work for a LTL company doing linehaul for a year or so and stack your money and buy a 99 or older truck for no more than 25k. Detroit 60 series 12.7. Make sure the owner has maintenance records on it and start your own authority.
@ZanixB4 ай бұрын
You can buy any truck age and have a great or horrible truck. The key is to do a thorough inspection of the engine (oil sampling) and air system. You can find cheaper readily available parts for an older truck and can possibly repair yourself.
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
Thanks
@ZanixB4 ай бұрын
I bought a 2004 Freightliner Centry with a 60 Series for $5k. It needed cleaning on the inside and a new turbo, which i replaced myself, got it tuned by a shop and it made me $60K in 4 months before i sold to buy a 2018 Cascadia, I spent $20k on that to get it stretched, double frame and added and third axle . That truck made me $500k in tow years.
@58wheelerL4 ай бұрын
You'll learn, older is better.💯
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
That hasn’t been the case so far, but maybe I’ll stick it out, instead of buying something newer.
@LaChankluda4 ай бұрын
Cash out yungster get a newer truck just enough that 2000 k months won’t keep u from the house
@hebrewworld88724 ай бұрын
I felt touched watching ur video, my personal opinion as a 2 yr OTR Driver at a Mega carrier, a new truck has a lesser chance breaking down than an old truck, been using my 2022 cascadia for almost 2 yrs without any breakdowns, just PMs when required, a newer equipment will always be more profitable than an old equipment, have u asked yourself why Mega carriers use newer equipments then sell them at 500k miles or thereabout and get other newer equipments? Once my lease is up on d truck in a yr or so time will just buy d truck . A newer equipment is the key to profitability. Pls sell that old tractor and use the money as down payment for a newer tractor ( cascadia) Even with a down market my net revenue for over a yr has been $2k per week to my account, note am a lease operator and pay $1200 every week in truck payment and am still able to go home with a net of 2k. Pls sell that tractor, their is nothing like a newer equipment, ignore all those telling u that old equivalents are better, do they know better than shnider, Seift, Prine, Walmart etc that changes their trucks after a few yrs
@Smooth_Operator_834 ай бұрын
What you said makes a lot of sense. I think it’s 90 percent skill and good business habits and 10 percent luck. Thank you for commenting.