Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/14583
HOW TO BECOME AN O/O Price is Right Finding a good deal in the used truck market requires research and planning Singer finally took the plunge and bought his first truck to become an owner-operator. Last August, Singer and his wife A and team partner Vicki bought a 2005 Volvo 780 with 443,000 miles for $42,000. On September 1, they leased on to For- ward Air. That ended a two- week process of tests and inspections that Singer estimates cost them about $500. But the Singers found the truck they wanted and believe they landed a good deal. “If you’re going to do this pro- cess, it’s going to cost you some money out of pocket,” Singer says. For an operator, buying a truck is the major investment. Most 32 TRUCKERS NEWS AUGUST 2010 fter years running the num- bers through his head, Ralph operators choose to buy used because of the lower price and cur- rent uncertainty about new engine technology meeting stricter federal standards for emissions reduction. Yet finding a used truck that fits Fuel economy was a major consid- eration for Nihad Mustafic of Kan- sas City, Mo., who’s leased to FedEx Ground. This spring he bought a 2006 Volvo 670 with 575,000 miles for $28,500. He kept his 2004 Volvo 670 with more than a million miles and has team drivers operating it. “I’m getting 6.6-6.8 mpg pulling doubles,” he says. “And they gave me a better rate than my bank. I’m paying $799 per month for 36 months.” your business needs and provides dependable, long-lasting service at an affordable cost requires research and planning. RIGHT SPECS Choose a truck with the equipment you need to do the job. A truck designed for heavy haul- ing probably carries too much engine and weight for most over-the-road applications. With fewer trucks available in the used market, ATBS maintenance consultant Bill McClusky says it may be difficult today to find the After spending two weeks and $500 in tests and research, team drivers Vicki and Ralph Singer bought this 2005 Volvo 780. best truck for your situation. “It’s important to look for your specs, even if it means spending more time looking.” ENGINE DYNO TEST The dynamometer test uses a device that simulates driving conditions, which helps you assess the engine’s health. McClusky says it’s worth paying the $300-350 to give you a good idea of the engine’s condition. ECM REPORTS Among the various electronic con- trol module data, the two most useful reports are the life history trip activity report, which tells how the truck has been driven, and the diagnostics report, McClusky says. The life history report details items such as idle time, fuel economy and driving speeds. The diagnostics report will detail any current and past problems with the engine’s electronic control system. If you’re buying through a dealer, ask for the ECM download — if you’re lucky and past informa- tion hasn’t been erased, you can ask continued on page 78 MAX KVIDERA COURTESY OF DUSTIN LOFDAHL COURTESY OF RALPH SINGER