Overdrive

April 2018

Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info

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36 | Overdrive | April 2018 I t's been something of an own- er-operator maxim in the era of emissions controls on diesel trucks: Hold on to those pre- 2007 emissions-spec engines as long as you can to avoid main- tenance headaches. There's evidence that thinking has changed a bit as equipment performance has improved, but that's not the only reason. A growing economy is offering new freight and business-expansion opportu- nities for owner-ops looking to expand, and continued availability of credit is helping most buyers get financing. When it comes to general mainte- nance, truck models since 2014 generally have been lower cost than their 2007-13 emissions-spec counterparts for a variety of reasons, says Todd Amen, president of owner-operator business services firm ATBS. After the 2006 engines, truck cost per mile for maintenance jumped from around 7 cents per mile to 12 cpm, Amen says. Post-2014 for new units, "we are back down to about 10 cents," Amen says. Improved engine performance itself also might be a primary factor in this change, says Pat Daily of Nacarato Volvo, which has five dealerships in three states. He also points to sensor and other component improvements in the emis- sions systems themselves. Volvo engines' relatively new "wave piston" technology helps "burn diesel more efficiently, so there's less soot to capture after the fact. As the engines get better, you have fewer pollutants running through the aftertreatment system." All of which creates fewer problems. An owner-operator's decision to purchase a truck, whether new or used, is influenced by much more than just improvement in emissions issues. Efficiency gains have driven better fuel mileage as well, with 8 mpg no longer an uncommon average in many applications. Todd Dills Economic conditions, tax changes, productivity pressures and equipment improvements have spurred a big increase in truck purchasing by owner-operators and fleets of all sizes. BY TODD DILLS Buyers welcome

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