Experience Owner Operators Which Used Tractor To Consider?

Hey All, When considering purchasing your own tractor, which brands or models would you experienced owners recommend? I know it's really all about how the previous owner cared for the vehicle, but are some brands more prone to poor quality and breakdowns than others? New driver, but over 50 & do most all of the mechanical work on my own car, just don't have the experience with Tractors. We used a Sterling Auto day cab for testing and practice and it was a piece of junk. Which sleeper would you purchase used if you had to do it all over again? Thanks

Kenworth. I've had 4 and they've all been great trucks with just regular maintenance.

I have heard that Freightliners will make all kinds of noises over time.

I have heard that Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks will leak water from the windshield and cause the fuse panel to corrode. I have seen the one in my truck leak.

The only Mack I drove could be held back better with a wet paper bag than the jakes in that truck.

No experience with Volvo but a friend said it took forever to get parts.

Western Star, I have not heard anything bad except those that think that because they are owned by freightliner they are built the same. I do have some experience with these trucks and I can say that they are very well built with lots of room. I can touch the armrest of the passenger seat where on the Pete and KW I can reach half way across the seat.

In other words, in a Western Star you have to stop for lunch because it is all the way on the other side of the cab.... LOL

All in all, it comes down to more of what motor and transmission that you want. I love the Cat motors but I am not opposed to a Detroit. For some strange reason, I do not like the Cummins. The other motors have yet to be proven to me but I did drive a KW with a Paccar motor and the only issue was that twice now I have hauled a truck to the shop because of the sensors in the DEF system.

Hey All, When considering purchasing your own tractor, which brands or models would you experienced owners recommend? I know it's really all about how the previous owner cared for the vehicle, but are some brands more prone to poor quality and breakdowns than others? New driver, but over 50 & do most all of the mechanical work on my own car, just don't have the experience with Tractors. We used a Sterling Auto day cab for testing and practice and it was a piece of junk. Which sleeper would you purchase used if you had to do it all over again? Thanks

Hi William, when you say "new driver," are you saying that you are new to the trucking industry? As in you have not driven a truck before?And yet you're looking at buying your own truck and getting started? If I'm correct in that assessment, you will find that virtually all the experienced drivers on this forum will strongly discourage you from pursuing that path, for a large number of reasons. They can explain it much better than I can (and I'm sure they will!), but it comes down to it being a very risky business venture with slim profit margins that is very hard to get established in and compete with the major carriers...

Stay as far away from Internationals as you can. Once they hit between 250k-300k miles, they start falling apart at the seams. You might save money up front on the purchase price (I've seen 2 year old Internationals listed at half the price of the same vintage Freightshaker or Petercar), but you're going to be eaten alive by repair bills and downtime. When a 2 year old truck is going for less than a brand new Kia, that should tell you something.

For the record, I'm not an O/O, I'm a company driver, but I've driven an International and talked with enough drivers who have to know how they behave over time, as well as talking to the shop personnel who have to deal with the aftermath. Also, I'm a firm believer in the old standard "you get what you pay for."

Thank you one and all for your insight. Just trying to learn as much as possible from those who have been around.

William, I would not even consider it unless you also had 90 days worth of expenses and a 20-30k repair fund. For me, I personally want 50k per truck set back for repairs. If I lose everything at one time I can replace it. Repairs and lack of planning for them are the biggest downfall of owner operators. Just the costs for the major parts are 5k for 1 rear end, 5k for a rebuilt transmission and 20-30k for a rebuilt engine. Now you have to add in all the labor to get the work done. Not to mention all the little things such as brakes and axle seals.