So you wanted to be a owner operator

[BIGBARNEYCARS]

YO Commando---- Compadre. Over the yearz I've flown the O.O. flag and the Yes Mastah flag. The only thing I find the same iz that I still try to give birth to ah new Dispatcher everyday. I found advantages AND disadvantages to both for very different reasons and Day Cabs and Long Haul Sleepers wern't amoung 'um. Their are no sissiez that can do 30-40+ and stand to say up yourz Bubba and walk away with their head held high. We that have done it ALL have ah milloin storys Pal that regular folkz wouldn't understand, Jer

 

[commando1]

to you, Dave, and
to you, Jer.

 

[bigmoparjeff]

One of the many reasons I try to stay under 20K in the box. Though I doubt that my wimpy C-12 could generate enough torque to bust a U-joint.

Sometimes, with a little luck and good timing, you can come across something fun between the run of the mill stuff.

Jeff

 

[70NEWYORKER]

The first photo had me thinking it was a shrink wrapped helicopter.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

@bigmoparjeff That would have been a fun load on a open flat/no tarp. The 4 wheelers would be swerving all over the road.
I was not even in it just rolling up to a left turn, pick up gave me the lights to go ahead and turn in front and as I started pedaling it bang.
Looking at.what is left of the joint it appears to have been partially cracked for a time. I'll get it cleaned up and get a couple of pictures.

 

[twostick]

Was into some $$$ carnage of my own in January...

Kevin

 

[bigmoparjeff]

The first photo had me thinking it was a shrink wrapped helicopter.

Funny! Yes, it does look a bit like the tail of a chopper.

 

[bigmoparjeff]

@bigmoparjeff That would have been a fun load on a open flat/no tarp. The 4 wheelers would be swerving all over the road.
I was not even in it just rolling up to a left turn, pick up gave me the lights to go ahead and turn in front and as I started pedaling it bang.
Looking at.what is left of the joint it appears to have been partially cracked for a time. I'll get it cleaned up and get a couple of pictures.

Yes, they would probably get way too much attention if hauled that way! The big guy travels on a double-drop trailer, but it has a custom tarp to protect it. I don't have a good photo of that one, just this with the head still covered.

Sounds like a case of metal fatigue on the joint, or possibly a flaw in the casting that finally let loose.

Jeff

 

[bigmoparjeff]

Was into some $$$ carnage of my own in January...

Kevin View attachment 170411

Ouch! That kind of work starts at 15 grand, and goes up from there.

Jeff

 

[twostick]

Ouch! That kind of work starts at 15 grand, and goes up from there.

Jeff

CAT wanted $45K for their Platinum inframe. I declined their generous offer.

The shop that does my work hired a guy I know that retired from CAT and did the job with genuine CAT parts for $20K less. No big warrantee mind you but given the difference in price, I was going to be paying CAT for any failures up front.

Kevin

 

[LocuMob]

The stepson is an owner operator, and I just about crapped my pants when he said an engine overhaul was 30k. Makes me feel better about my cars.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Ouch! That kind of work starts at 15 grand, and goes up from there.

Jeff

And that yellow paint is BIG $$$$
Of course the red ones and their single head are in the same $$$$ neighborhood.
I'm feeling good about my 17k at a certified Cummins dealer.

 

[twostick]

And that yellow paint is BIG $$$$
Of course the red ones and their single head are in the same $$$$ neighborhood.

CAT = Can't Afford This.

Kevin

 

[twostick]

It's a 99 I bought in June for what I thought was a steal. Low mileage for it's age (700K) and all it's done for the last 14 years was haul the boss's Featherlite racecar trailer a total of about 200K. It did work for a living for the first 500K tho.

The plan was to fix the A/C which was the only thing on the truck that didn't work, drive it until the spring and flip it for no emission E-log exempt $$$ and buy another 99 International 9300 or older with a Series 60 and put the change in the bank. It came with 10 of Yokohama's latest and greatest, all new brakes and drums and a new front diff. What could go wrong?

Man plans and God laughs...

Fix the A/C turned into replace the entire HVAC system ($6K $3500+ in parts and 10 hrs labor) when I took delivery in Winnipeg and didn't clear the city limits before the hi/lo synchro in the 13 speed voiced its impending demise. That made it home and another $6K.

Delivered in Arlington TX after New Years and as I was leaving to go to Houston every check engine light and alarm went off as the heat gauge headed off the end of the scale. 5 gallons of coolant had vanished without a trace. Made it to Houston and the coolant level seemed to stay put and did so all the way home. Failed the combustion gas in the coolant test so off comes the head and #4 liner is dropped.

So much for the flip as I'm knocking hard on $60K now.

Kevin

 

[commando1]

It's a 99. I...

Ouch x 1,000.

Question to you O/Os: Everytime I thought of quitting my job because a good opportunity for a lucrative contract popped up, I ran the numbers and it always made more sense if I chose to lease from someone like Penske or whatever.
As you see, I never went that route but why dont you guys lease?

Oh, btw, every one of those easy peasy lucrative dedicated route drop n hooks evaporated after a few years leaving those o/o's up the creek with huge payments and no loads.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

That's a looker, but I'm out on anything with a CAT. I have no luck with them, even as a company driver for a stint, they will not stay running right.

 

[twostick]

That's a looker, but I'm out on anything with a CAT. I have no luck with them, even as a company driver for a stint, they will not stay running right.

I've had the same experience with yellow paint.

They do get big resale numbers especially pre ACERT 6NZ and earlier.

I was looking at easily tripling my investment before all the grief...

Could likely still break even.

Kevin

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I ran the numbers and it always made more sense if I chose to lease from someone like Penske or whatever.
As you see, I never went that route but why dont you guys lease

Mainly because O/O spec trucks are few and far between at leasing companies. Once I am riding around in a New Yorker or Imperial, I am not going back to a Duster. Leases can be set up different ways, you pay for all the maintenance and repairs but the payment is smaller. You pay for only the wear items brakes, tires, wipers etc. and it is on a full P. M. Schedule and payment is bigger. All of which give you a direct write off but with no extra of depreciation schedules. Your paying one way or another. I do most repairs at my house/shop therefore putting all the mechanic labor in my pocket. Your choice and depends on your situation.
Nowadays 2000 up needs e-logs, not to many 1995 Penske trucks out there.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Well bad news, longer bolt trick is not going to work. Out it comes off to driveshaft shop for a new yoke and I'm going to get carrier bearing R/R while it's there. At least the weather is nice for my couple of days off.

 

[commando1]

Company accountant does not approve.