Buying An Over-the-road Truck

Hi, I'm about 1 year away from buying my first truck to go over-the-road. I constantly look at the different web sites offering trucks for sale so I can get used to prices, mileage, and different options. My question is this......how many miles are too many miles for an over-the-road truck? At some point, most all trucks accumulate too many miles and become regional or local service trucks no longer suited for over-the-road. In general, terms, mileage-wise, when does a truck require an overhaul? Should I be leary of selecting a truck with 500,000 miles or more?

Are you currently a driver? How much experience do you have? An overwhelming majority of us on this forum believe being a company driver is the best way to make a living in this industry.

The type of repairs a potential truck will need is dependent on maintenance. You could have a 200k mile truck in need of very spendy repairs because it didnt follow the maintenance schedule. Meanwhile you pass up a 700k mile truck that has had preventative maintenance done before its needed that will run with no issue for a long time.

Don't bother. And checking out prices doesn't help. It fluctuates. When freight goes up, people buy up used trucks which drives those prices through the roof. My friend planned and planned on buy 5 trucks at $60k. And a few months later when she was ready those same year/mileage trucks were over $85k due to demand. When the freight drops the used prices drop but then you are making less on frieght. So catch 22.

Run to a high paying company..get benefits and be happy.

Hi, My question is this......how many miles are too many miles for an over-the-road truck? At some point, most all trucks accumulate too many miles and become regional or local service trucks no longer suited for over-the-road.

Sounds suspiciously familiar, but the name is different.

In the last two days I’ve spent $16,000+. Complete suspension overhaul, all shocks ,brake chambers ,airbags ,torque rod and bushings, a laser alignment, A TPMS system, 10 tires for tractor, and 3 axles centrimatics.

I have years of experience and this is not my first truck where I have owned

This also includes some quality of life things like a belly box for my trailer.

Two months ago I spent $11000 on wiring harnesses and a davco unit and some other work. $3000 on e track and vents for the trailer

Six months ago I put all new tires on my trailer that was another $4100 after a 40% discount because of the tire program I have. $1800 on digital scales.

As an owner operator I go home less and pay myself less then I did as a company driver.

Whether you drive or not you still have your insurance and truck payments and the taxes for paying your self.

If you do not have three years of driving experience without accidents as a company driver your insurance can cost over $30,000 a year for your first year as an owner operator. That does not include the additional insurance that may be required because you have a lien from the bank on your tractor which requires gap as well.

I replied to somebody else recently just asking them questions about a list of things they need to know and have ready before they even tried to become an owner operator and I never got a response and my list was only 75% of the basics.

You can look for that post if you want.

Hi, My question is this......how many miles are too many miles for an over-the-road truck? At some point, most all trucks accumulate too many miles and become regional or local service trucks no longer suited for over-the-road.

Sounds suspiciously familiar, but the name is different.

Verbage IS eerily similar....ie: 'Leary of selecting a truck ..et al ... ' <<<< okay ?!?!? Hmm... yep.

Dan F. . . . love the belly box~!!!! Other O/P's don't reply to your 'advice' because the REALITY of it, scares them away! I love your posts, good sir!

Thanks :)

The box lets me move everything out from my under bunk storage so that I’ll have more room for the wife’s stuff when she comes with me.

It will be a great place to put dirty laundry :D

And of coarse The fabled leaf blower of trailer maximum cleanliness

Dan F. . . . love the belly box~!!!! Other O/P's don't reply to your 'advice' because the REALITY of it, scares them away! I love your posts, good sir!