Class 8 truck questions for the experts

[25Elmn8r]

I was recently laid off from my corporate IT job and based on what I am seeing, as well as the recent thread here and my conversations with other people in the same situation, my son and I are considering starting a new business. He is in the excavation business and says his company and others are always looking for more trucks to haul dirt. The numbers look great so the hunt for a good truck begins.
Working on my CDL now.

So here I am looking for advice from some of the experts here on these trucks.

We are looking at used trucks only for start-up. Once we get going we will be looking to upgrade.
We are looking for a truck with a rock box and at least one drop axle.
What Manufacturer would you recommed? Who do I stay away from?
What engine? Again, who do we stay away from?
Leaf springs or air bags?
I know based on the terrain we have here I'm looking for 13 or 18 speed. I know the 10 speed will do the job, but the others will be better. No automatics!
I've got some good contacts here that are helping us, but I like to get more input to help make a decision.

Couple pics for examples of what we're looking for.
Just missing the drop axle

A bit older but a nice truck!

Thanks!

 

[Cdog]

Where are you located? That’s the foundation of what you can and can’t use

I work for Rush truck & build new dump trucks every day.

 

[25Elmn8r]

Where are you located? That’s the foundation of what you can and can’t use

I work for Rush truck & build new dump trucks every day.

We're in North Idaho.

 

[12vMan]

Good luck on your new endeavor. When I first clicked on this I thought you were referring to class 8 race trucks. That, I know something about!

 

[RIVERBORN]

I know there a lot of cali trucks being sold off because emissions. maybe snag one for a good price.

 

[25Elmn8r]

I know there a lot of cali trucks being sold off because emissions. maybe snag one for a good price.

That's what I'm shooting for.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Avoid Paccar power. If looking at used, make sure it wasn't a converted otr truck. A lot of them look nice, from being on road, but the chassis still could have a million miles. Worn bushings, bearings and such you won't see until they fail.

 

[pixrthis]

Have a good friend who bought a super 10 about a year ago and says getting the dispatchers to get him work is political and getting paid can be a challenge. He recently took a job at the dump who’s being sued that’s paying for his truck and fuel but he’s limited to 8 hours a day. He’s not getting rich but not sliding backwards like most studio drivers. He bought a truck and had the bed built. He says in So Cal there aren’t a lot of white guys in this business.

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

I have a buddy here in San Diego that does just that. He would be more than happy to talk to you and give you the information regarding this business if you like.

 

[Cdog]

So you’re looking for a Super 10. If you’re hauling dirt as you stated I don’t know why you want a demo body. The heavier body reduces your gvwr. If you’re hauling boulders & busted concrete that’s a different deal and a demo body is needed to make the box last.

Ca trucks are built funky due to their limit of only one drop axle. Pusher or TAg.

Paccar engines are just fine. Mx13 for flat land hauling. If you’re in the mountains & hills the x15 might be a better option but will cost your 1200 ish lbs in payload.

The preferred trans for the big boys is the Allison 4500rdsp.

The cheapest oldest proven manual is an 8LL manual.

I sell a shit load of the new Eaton automated manuals tx18 P.

I don’t have a cdl and have driven a 165k heavy haul up a 15% grade with this trans at the Eaton proving grounds. It’s pretty amazing.

That’s should get you started

 

[Cdog]

Have a good friend who bought a super 10 about a year ago and says getting the dispatchers to get him work is political and getting paid can be a challenge. He recently took a job at the dump who’s being sued that’s paying for his truck and fuel but he’s limited to 8 hours a day. He’s not getting rich but not sliding backwards like most studio drivers. He bought a truck and had the bed built. He says in So Cal there aren’t a lot of white guys in this business. View attachment 1426864

Strange to build a dump truck out of a 579 too. I wonder if that was a purpose built or modified? 367/567’s & 389/589’s are the vocational go to chassis for dump trucks.

 

[Cdog]

That's what I'm shooting for.

You could be severely limiting your ability to make money with a CA dump truck over a Simple 16 or 18 which can carry much more material. Tonnage capacity = $$$$

 

[Lunatic Fringe]

Avoid Paccar power. If looking at used, make sure it wasn't a converted otr truck. A lot of them look nice, from being on road, but the chassis still could have a million miles. Worn bushings, bearings and such you won't see until they fail.

I second the "avoid Paccar motors" and would add avoid any C13's.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I second the "avoid Paccar motors" and would add avoid any C13's.

13's no...15's and 16's, go for it!

Depending on the area, fuel hogs but do really good pulling the hills with less strain and shifting.

 

[monkeyswrench]

So you’re looking for a Super 10. If you’re hauling dirt as you stated I don’t know why you want a demo body. The heavier body reduces your gvwr. If you’re hauling boulders & busted concrete that’s a different deal and a demo body is needed to make the box last.

Ca trucks are built funky due to their limit of only one drop axle. Pusher or TAg.

Paccar engines are just fine. Mx13 for flat land hauling. If you’re in the mountains & hills the x15 might be a better option but will cost your 1200 ish lbs in payload.

The preferred trans for the big boys is the Allison 4500rdsp.

The cheapest oldest proven manual is an 8LL manual.

I sell a shit load of the new Eaton automated manuals tx18 P.

I don’t have a cdl and have driven a 165k heavy haul up a 15% grade with this trans at the Eaton proving grounds. It’s pretty amazing.

That’s should get you started

The Eaton automateds are probably great for some things, I would assume for open road stuff ideally speaking. That said, in situations like short haul and transfer, they kind of suck. For instance, coming down a small grade of maybe a few hundred feet at 6%, approaching an incline, the automated deals stumble trying to get a gear and the slope...where a driver already knows what gear they intend to be in. They just need a bit more input I think. They're better than they were, but not quite right.

The Paccar's are great, while still under warranty or with a good dealer near by. Buying a used rig can be a crap shoot. Most dealers and independent parts houses, not on an interstate, carry parts in stock for CAT and Cummins. Paccar parts can be days to weeks out depending. Detroit is hit or miss it seems depending on locale. Big trucks are just tools to make money, down time means none coming in.

 

[Cdog]

The Eaton automateds are probably great for some things, I would assume for open road stuff ideally speaking. That said, in situations like short haul and transfer, they kind of suck. For instance, coming down a small grade of maybe a few hundred feet at 6%, approaching an incline, the automated deals stumble trying to get a gear and the slope...where a driver already knows what gear they intend to be in. They just need a bit more input I think. They're better than they were, but not quite right.

The Paccar's are great, while still under warranty or with a good dealer near by. Buying a used rig can be a crap shoot. Most dealers and independent parts houses, not on an interstate, carry parts in stock for CAT and Cummins. Paccar parts can be days to weeks out depending. Detroit is hit or miss it seems depending on locale. Big trucks are just tools to make money, down time means none coming in.

Sure the auto shifts were garbage in vocational settings. They were an adaptation automating a manual box. But the new versions, particularly the vocational pros are purpose, built, automated manuals, and are much different than what you had previously experienced. Hill descend, Rock crawl mode, performance settings. I had a head guy of a fleet try to beat the trans manually and couldn’t do it.

I can give you several examples of 50 to 100 dump trucks fleets like Matt Brown Trucking that runs all MX 13 Allison combos 500 K plus miles. I’m friends with Josh the manager and he’s giving me the DL on their equipment.
Fisher, sand and gravel., Lincoln constructors. Etc..

Sure there are turds and early issues with the MX platform but they’ve been pretty good since 2018 to current.

A lot of guys buy what they can get their hands on instead of buying the proper spec to do what the job requires.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

@bigdawgmini is in the truckin business like you're looking at. Maybe he can chime in.

 

[25Elmn8r]

So you’re looking for a Super 10. If you’re hauling dirt as you stated I don’t know why you want a demo body. The heavier body reduces your gvwr. If you’re hauling boulders & busted concrete that’s a different deal and a demo body is needed to make the box last.

Ca trucks are built funky due to their limit of only one drop axle. Pusher or TAg.

Paccar engines are just fine. Mx13 for flat land hauling. If you’re in the mountains & hills the x15 might be a better option but will cost your 1200 ish lbs in payload.

The preferred trans for the big boys is the Allison 4500rdsp.

The cheapest oldest proven manual is an 8LL manual.

I sell a shit load of the new Eaton automated manuals tx18 P.

I don’t have a cdl and have driven a 165k heavy haul up a 15% grade with this trans at the Eaton proving grounds. It’s pretty amazing.

That’s should get you started

The plan is to haul dirt, but we don't want to limit what we can haul so we're going with the demo box. If in the future we find the demo box isn't needed, the next truck will not have it.

I wasn't aware of CA's limitations. Doesn't surprise me.

Avoid Paccar power. If looking at used, make sure it wasn't a converted otr truck. A lot of them look nice, from being on road, but the chassis still could have a million miles. Worn bushings, bearings and such you won't see until they fail.

On the Paccars, one thing I read is they are ok and the next they are dog shit. CAT and Cummins seem to have most of the marketshare here.

Have a good friend who bought a super 10 about a year ago and says getting the dispatchers to get him work is political and getting paid can be a challenge. He recently took a job at the dump who’s being sued that’s paying for his truck and fuel but he’s limited to 8 hours a day. He’s not getting rich but not sliding backwards like most studio drivers. He bought a truck and had the bed built. He says in So Cal there aren’t a lot of white guys in this business. View attachment 1426864

Thankfully we got out of So Cal over 8 years ago.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Sure the auto shifts were garbage in vocational settings. They were an adaptation automating a manual box. But the new versions, particularly the vocational pros are purpose, built, automated manuals, and are much different than what you had previously experienced. Hill descend, Rock crawl mode, performance settings. I had a head guy of a fleet try to beat the trans manually and couldn’t do it.

I can give you several examples of 50 to 100 dump trucks fleets like Matt Brown Trucking that runs all MX 13 Allison combos 500 K plus miles. I’m friends with Josh the manager and he’s giving me the DL on their equipment.
Fisher, sand and gravel., Lincoln constructors. Etc..

Sure there are turds and early issues with the MX platform but they’ve been pretty good since 2018 to current.

A lot of guys buy what they can get their hands on instead of buying the proper spec to do what the job requires.

That last statement says a lot really. Two weeks ago I was called out to scan codes on a 2019 super 10 Pete...with the aforementioned power package. Nice truck, dirt work contractor. With 60k on it, had already had DEF issues and a couple other hiccups. That said, the fellow who was buying it, bought it because it was the cleanest unit he could find under 150k.

As for fleet owners, we all know why there is a resurgence of the "auto-stick" It's much easier and cost efficient to rely on programming instead of a new hire. Instead of one driver burning down the tanks, another the clutch and yet another turning a 13spd into a glitter factory, all the bills are consistent with miles hauled. My biggest bitch about all the automatics, they aren't able to predict changes in elevation or terrain. That is something that takes practice. They run fairly basic inputs, throttle angle, output and wheel speed and use rpm to figure load and desired gear. They still can't see what's coming up.

As an owner/operator, first starting out, and in an interesting economic time, I'd avoid anything brand new, anything with DEF if possible, and really look around the area and see what support is available. Some shops won't work on some brands due to software costs and parts availability. Idaho is nothing like LA or the Phoenix Metro area. Probably more like here, where I am.

 

[25Elmn8r]

. Idaho is nothing like LA or the Phoenix Metro area. Probably more like here, where I am.

Your last statement is 100% dead on. Thanks for your input.

 

[aka619er]

I give everyone credit who can do this in today's ages. I ran dirt and lowbed trucks around Socal from high-school through college and it was insane then 20+ years ago. I will say I enjoyed it but back then it was racing around the streets at either per load or hourly wages, scared to go across any scales at the land fills or other facilities cause CHP just sat there watching the numbers. Getting pulled over anytime for inspections. Always having to push the limits. Like mentioned above you have to be in good with a few different dispatchers as its a game and they pick their favorites.

 

[Racer56]

I recommend looking into buying a hook lift truck. You can switch out bodies at will and they are super versatile. One our truckers we us has one. He has a standard dirt/concrete box, a 40 CY trash box and a flat bed.

 

[Cooter01]

Sucks to hear about being laid off, yet I wish you the best on the new business venture! I would learn the finance side as it will help overall. Also, get real good on bidding, they can make or break ya on projects!

 

[Romans9]

Truck market is super soft here in the Midwest.

I’ve been on the hunt for a 378 Peterbilt (used 2000-2004) with a C15 and have probably 25 I’m sorting through.
One dealer that has several low mile trucks (350-550,000) has been dropping prices every week to me.
I’m going to build my next (and last) service truck out of it.
New 16 foot service body and 14k crane, but trying to get one of the crane manufactures to build a 20K corner mount crane for me.

What is your budget?
What are you looking to haul?
What kind of mileage per year?

I disagree about some of the engine information you have been offered in this thread.

 

[nordictom]

If it hasn't been said, Look at the trucks at the Ritchie Bros. auctions. Especially the one in CA. You might find a deal......

 

[Andy B.]

Look at insurance costs,licensing, etc. more overhead than you think.
Good luck in your endeavor and I hope it's very profitable!!

 

[arch stanton]

I bought my first dump truck in 1989 so with 35 years owning and driving dump trucks and about 15 years running the field doing grading and demo I may be able to help.
First thing is what are the local dealers selling won't do you any good to have a better truck if parts and service are not close by, and what are the local mobil mechanics set up fix ? unless you are going to do all repairs in house.
I have 2 peterbilts and 3 kenworths they are both owned by Paccar and have been for more than 50 years I have not been buying peterbilts recently because the Local Rush truck center sucks in the service side of things and so much that my local Kenworth dealers repair facility is overrun with them effecting my ability to get prompt service witch is one of the reasons I switched to KW.
One thing you said is of concern to me the people around my area that can't get trucks are usually the ones that don't want to pay enough or are really late payers or can't plan a job well enough to order trucks in advance of there need or want to run 4 trucks half a day to get their job done early but don't want to pay you for a full day instead of running 2 trucks all day. there is a never ending supply of people that want to own a truck and will do it for less but can't keep them running to be dependable so before you jump in this business start talking with companies in your area find out what they charge and the daily minimum charge what the brokers take as a percentage, go to a local truck parts supplier and get numbers for the small and large independents in the area, and talk with them.

While the Paccar engines are much more dependable than they were I think the current price to have a service computer to talk with them is 20k about 3k for the computer to talk with a Cummings engine but you are in an area that you could run the old stuff and not have to put up with the new smog requirements problems.

I have 3 newer trucks with automated 18 speed Eatons they can be programed to work very well but the driver will still need lots of training to use it correctly and the dealer told me what I wanted programed into my trucks was not possible even after showing them the eaton print out of available programing options I had to get the eaton rep involved to get it done, the other 2 are manual 18 speeds I have run a C model 10 speed and don't like driving them for a number of reason but in a super 10 they are more tolerable but not a A or B model they are geared wrong for the dump business.
Learn what the Idaho weight laws say and how it pertains to your operation then what is enforcement like in your area will you be crossing weigh stations or do you have mobil enforcement. I run right weigh load scales on my air ride trucks they have been very accurate and the customer is really happy when you tell them load another 2 buckets because if not heavy enough yet.
there is really a Bunch more that you should know but this really should be a phone conversation and you should record it as I talk fast and you will want to review it later to tell me I was full of shit or maybe I know my shit.

 

[25Elmn8r]

Truck market is super soft here in the Midwest.

I’ve been on the hunt for a 378 Peterbilt (used 2000-2004) with a C15 and have probably 25 I’m sorting through.
One dealer that has several low mile trucks (350-550,000) has been dropping prices every week to me.
I’m going to build my next (and last) service truck out of it.
New 16 foot service body and 14k crane, but trying to get one of the crane manufactures to build a 20K corner mount crane for me.

What is your budget?
What are you looking to haul?
What kind of mileage per year?

I disagree about some of the engine information you have been offered in this thread.

What dealers are you seeing the soft market ? I'm not scared to travel a ways.
Our budget right now is up to $100k.
The plan is to just be hauling dirt, but want to be open to haul anything.
Mileage is unknown at this time. Working on this estimate still.

Look at insurance costs,licensing, etc. more overhead than you think.
Good luck in your endeavor and I hope it's very profitable!!

Already spoke with insurance, just a bit more than anticipated but within reason for us just starting. Thanks!

Sucks to hear about being laid off, yet I wish you the best on the new business venture! I would learn the finance side as it will help overall. Also, get real good on bidding, they can make or break ya on projects!

Thanks, and i'm a numbers guy so we're good there.

I bought my first dump truck in 1989 so with 35 years owning and driving dump trucks and about 15 years running the field doing grading and demo I may be able to help.
First thing is what are the local dealers selling won't do you any good to have a better truck if parts and service are not close by, and what are the local mobil mechanics set up fix ? unless you are going to do all repairs in house.
I have 2 peterbilts and 3 kenworths they are both owned by Paccar and have been for more than 50 years I have not been buying peterbilts recently because the Local Rush truck center sucks in the service side of things and so much that my local Kenworth dealers repair facility is overrun with them effecting my ability to get prompt service witch is one of the reasons I switched to KW.
One thing you said is of concern to me the people around my area that can't get trucks are usually the ones that don't want to pay enough or are really late payers or can't plan a job well enough to order trucks in advance of there need or want to run 4 trucks half a day to get their job done early but don't want to pay you for a full day instead of running 2 trucks all day. there is a never ending supply of people that want to own a truck and will do it for less but can't keep them running to be dependable so before you jump in this business start talking with companies in your area find out what they charge and the daily minimum charge what the brokers take as a percentage, go to a local truck parts supplier and get numbers for the small and large independents in the area, and talk with them.

While the Paccar engines are much more dependable than they were I think the current price to have a service computer to talk with them is 20k about 3k for the computer to talk with a Cummings engine but you are in an area that you could run the old stuff and not have to put up with the new smog requirements problems.

I have 3 newer trucks with automated 18 speed Eatons they can be programed to work very well but the driver will still need lots of training to use it correctly and the dealer told me what I wanted programed into my trucks was not possible even after showing them the eaton print out of available programing options I had to get the eaton rep involved to get it done, the other 2 are manual 18 speeds I have run a C model 10 speed and don't like driving them for a number of reason but in a super 10 they are more tolerable but not a A or B model they are geared wrong for the dump business.
Learn what the Idaho weight laws say and how it pertains to your operation then what is enforcement like in your area will you be crossing weigh stations or do you have mobil enforcement. I run right weigh load scales on my air ride trucks they have been very accurate and the customer is really happy when you tell them load another 2 buckets because if not heavy enough yet.
there is really a Bunch more that you should know but this really should be a phone conversation and you should record it as I talk fast and you will want to review it later to tell me I was full of shit or maybe I know my shit. View attachment 1427085

Got your message. Thanks!

 

[DRYHEAT]

@brgrcru to the “damn truck drivers” courtesy phone

 

[monkeyswrench]

@arch stanton , I recently (2 months ago?) picked up a scanner that's been really handy, and wasn't too expensive. So far it's worked on everything they said it was going to. Paccar, CAT, Detroit and Cummins...and stuff like Bobcat and Deere. The only issue I've had was the interface from Paccar to Pete, I couldn't mess with the speed limiter. Main reason I picked it up was for the DEF stuff. You can get pirate versions of factory software for near all the big names, but it gets real pricey for all of them, and isn't really legal either. For the most part, I'm not looking to reprogram ecu's, but coding injectors and stuff is nice. I'm small time, but I see it being a tool a business owner could use.

 

[Deckin Around]

Class 8

 

[Smitty7]

@arch stanton , I recently (2 months ago?) picked up a scanner that's been really handy, and wasn't too expensive. So far it's worked on everything they said it was going to. Paccar, CAT, Detroit and Cummins...and stuff like Bobcat and Deere. The only issue I've had was the interface from Paccar to Pete, I couldn't mess with the speed limiter. Main reason I picked it up was for the DEF stuff. You can get pirate versions of factory software for near all the big names, but it gets real pricey for all of them, and isn't really legal either. For the most part, I'm not looking to reprogram ecu's, but coding injectors and stuff is nice. I'm small time, but I see it being a tool a business owner could use.

I have the Autel x7hd. It seems to do a fair job and not overly priced.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I have the Autel x7hd. It seems to do a fair job and not overly priced.

I went with a Launch x431-something. I'd used the Autel Maxis HD, and it is great...but wouldn't do construction equipment. The other drawback, to do small cars, you needed another scanner. Me being both cheap and broke, this one fit my bill

 

[arch stanton]

@arch stanton , I recently (2 months ago?) picked up a scanner that's been really handy, and wasn't too expensive. So far it's worked on everything they said it was going to. Paccar, CAT, Detroit and Cummins...and stuff like Bobcat and Deere. The only issue I've had was the interface from Paccar to Pete, I couldn't mess with the speed limiter. Main reason I picked it up was for the DEF stuff. You can get pirate versions of factory software for near all the big names, but it gets real pricey for all of them, and isn't really legal either. For the most part, I'm not looking to reprogram ecu's, but coding injectors and stuff is nice. I'm small time, but I see it being a tool a business owner could use.

Yes I have an aftermarket code reader and diagnostic tool that I pay 600$ per year for a subscription but they all seem to run into limits on what they can do
Since I don’t have any paccar engines my experience is second had talking with independent mechanics that have to work on them.
Most problems are pretty simple just replace sensors or update computer but then you get the ghost problem that keeps moving around the repair tree and after weeks of down time and numerous attempts at diagnosing the problem is finally fixed after weeks and thousands in repairs and down time
I am considering buying an extra truck so my drivers can get a steady paycheck or it maybe cheaper to just pay them for sitting at home .
California is going to require us to download our trucks computer to the state twice a year and then 4 times a year to confirm that the smog equipment is in working order while a lot of people are against this I hope these new regulations knock the cheaters out of business and allow the rest of us to raise are prices and make even more $

 

[monkeyswrench]

Yes I have an aftermarket code reader and diagnostic tool that I pay 600$ per year for a subscription but they all seem to run into limits on what they can do
Since I don’t have any paccar engines my experience is second had talking with independent mechanics that have to work on them.
Most problems are pretty simple just replace sensors or update computer but then you get the ghost problem that keeps moving around the repair tree and after weeks of down time and numerous attempts at diagnosing the problem is finally fixed after weeks and thousands in repairs and down time
I am considering buying an extra truck so my drivers can get a steady paycheck or it maybe cheaper to just pay them for sitting at home .
California is going to require us to download our trucks computer to the state twice a year and then 4 times a year to confirm that the smog equipment is in working order while a lot of people are against this I hope these new regulations knock the cheaters out of business and allow the rest of us to raise are prices and make even more $

The Paccar's are a bit different, that's for sure. The scanner I ended up with was about 1500$, two year updates for free, then I think 300 annual after that? The scanning the Pac hasn't been so much the issue, it's been the different programs I assume. For some reason identical motors are different depending on chassis. To be fair, the scanner may actually do fine, it may be the operator. I'm still trying to figure it out, and don't do big trucks every day. The biggest problem I have with Paccar's isn't so much the reliability, or the working on them. Really, all trucks are pretty much the same. It's just the trying to get parts here. Like you say, broken trucks don't pay bills.

I hadn't heard about the uploading. That's scary, and if it happens there, EPA will push it elsewhere.

 

[25Elmn8r]

I bought my first dump truck in 1989 so with 35 years owning and driving dump trucks and about 15 years running the field doing grading and demo I may be able to help.
First thing is what are the local dealers selling won't do you any good to have a better truck if parts and service are not close by, and what are the local mobil mechanics set up fix ? unless you are going to do all repairs in house.
I have 2 peterbilts and 3 kenworths they are both owned by Paccar and have been for more than 50 years I have not been buying peterbilts recently because the Local Rush truck center sucks in the service side of things and so much that my local Kenworth dealers repair facility is overrun with them effecting my ability to get prompt service witch is one of the reasons I switched to KW.
One thing you said is of concern to me the people around my area that can't get trucks are usually the ones that don't want to pay enough or are really late payers or can't plan a job well enough to order trucks in advance of there need or want to run 4 trucks half a day to get their job done early but don't want to pay you for a full day instead of running 2 trucks all day. there is a never ending supply of people that want to own a truck and will do it for less but can't keep them running to be dependable so before you jump in this business start talking with companies in your area find out what they charge and the daily minimum charge what the brokers take as a percentage, go to a local truck parts supplier and get numbers for the small and large independents in the area, and talk with them.

While the Paccar engines are much more dependable than they were I think the current price to have a service computer to talk with them is 20k about 3k for the computer to talk with a Cummings engine but you are in an area that you could run the old stuff and not have to put up with the new smog requirements problems.

I have 3 newer trucks with automated 18 speed Eatons they can be programed to work very well but the driver will still need lots of training to use it correctly and the dealer told me what I wanted programed into my trucks was not possible even after showing them the eaton print out of available programing options I had to get the eaton rep involved to get it done, the other 2 are manual 18 speeds I have run a C model 10 speed and don't like driving them for a number of reason but in a super 10 they are more tolerable but not a A or B model they are geared wrong for the dump business.
Learn what the Idaho weight laws say and how it pertains to your operation then what is enforcement like in your area will you be crossing weigh stations or do you have mobil enforcement. I run right weigh load scales on my air ride trucks they have been very accurate and the customer is really happy when you tell them load another 2 buckets because if not heavy enough yet.
there is really a Bunch more that you should know but this really should be a phone conversation and you should record it as I talk fast and you will want to review it later to tell me I was full of shit or maybe I know my shit. View attachment 1427085

Thanks again for your time and all the info yesterday. It is very much appreciated!

 

[arch stanton]

Thanks again for your time and all the info yesterday. It is very much appreciated!

Your welcome there is so much more that you need to know but it’s had to remember it all, call me again as needed
And while I’m sure I said this on the phone,Construction has a business cycle you want to know what it is for your area, I’m in San Diego and run a 50 mile radius what happens outside my area only effects me in that when other areas of the country are in a construction crash I can buy equipment 25 cents on the dollar we slow down after everyone else and pick back up before everyone else on average,just don’t start before a crash start just after it only takes a year for most small trucking companies to go BK and then there is work for the few that remain in business

 

[Blackmagic94]

That last statement says a lot really. Two weeks ago I was called out to scan codes on a 2019 super 10 Pete...with the aforementioned power package. Nice truck, dirt work contractor. With 60k on it, had already had DEF issues and a couple other hiccups. That said, the fellow who was buying it, bought it because it was the cleanest unit he could find under 150k.

As for fleet owners, we all know why there is a resurgence of the "auto-stick" It's much easier and cost efficient to rely on programming instead of a new hire. Instead of one driver burning down the tanks, another the clutch and yet another turning a 13spd into a glitter factory, all the bills are consistent with miles hauled. My biggest bitch about all the automatics, they aren't able to predict changes in elevation or terrain. That is something that takes practice. They run fairly basic inputs, throttle angle, output and wheel speed and use rpm to figure load and desired gear. They still can't see what's coming up.

As an owner/operator, first starting out, and in an interesting economic time, I'd avoid anything brand new, anything with DEF if possible, and really look around the area and see what support is available. Some shops won't work on some brands due to software costs and parts availability. Idaho is nothing like LA or the Phoenix Metro area. Probably more like here, where I am.

Wrong

New DD12 auto has a gps and topo maps so it knows when you are climbing etc. pretty badass

 

[monkeyswrench]

Wrong

New DD12 auto has a gps and topo maps so it knows when you are climbing etc. pretty badass

I've only seen one DT12, but it was in a Cascadia behind a DD15...It was a slug, but also a fleet truck so probably neutered too. I hadn't heard about them being gps and topo capable though. If the gps is accurate, that would work for the issues I've seen. Topo maps on a job site moving dirt wouldn't though. Now you have me wondering, what transmissions are in the self driving trucks out of Tucson? They have to run something like that.