I have found several trucks in the 1999 to 2002 year range that I can afford to purchase. I have seen several company's and brokers specify that they wont give a load to a truck over 8 years old.
Is this a problem in real life ?

 

Probably has to do with insurance. I'm not too sure on that so don't take my word on that, I'm sure one of the other professional drivers can answer your question!

 

Nobody cares even though they say they have age requirements.

Got a truck? You got the load!

 

I wouldn't really care as long as it passes DOT inspection.

 

Most of the better carriers don't care about the age of your truck as long as it looks decent and will pass a DOT inspection. There are a few who will not lease on trucks that are older than a certain age, such as 5 years. Those are usually carriers who may low mileage rates. I have NEVER had a broker to ask the age of my equipment. They are only interested in whether you have authority and insurance. There may also be a few who will not load your truck until you have been in business for a while. A friend of mine just went through this with a broker. They would not load him until he has at least 6 months experience.

 

It might be an issue if you're leasing on to but I've never had that question asked of me (I have my own authority).

 

Some loads dealing in expedited high-value freight have equipment age requirements, but for the most part it's a non-issue.

 

With your own authority, you are treated as a carrier (or business), and all they want is authoriy and insurance documents, except for some that want references, such as BEAR Transportation that wants 2 years in business. There are probably others like that.

In my short tenure, I have been surprised at how easy it is to do business with the large brokers even though you are new, but you have to remember, they are contracting business to business and you are signing contracts, which protects the brokers, and puts the liability on you.

If you are leased on, you are basically an employee with no benefits and all the risk. They can stipulate whatever requirements they want.

As long as you operate under someone else's authority, you are just that, UNDER THEIR AUTHORITY. It works for some and not for others.

Having said that, I can see why some carriers want new trucks, and I believe it is because they want to run you a bazillion miles a year (at low rates, while they keep the spread), and they want dependability. New trucks can provide that, till they depreciated with excess miles, and then they have to get rid of the truck and start all over again.

I still think it is better to run less, for more, but what do I know, I learned everything I could from you guys, and I'm still stupid.

I have been hearing of more companies that offer a lease with only 10% commission, and very minimal requirements, which is somewhat appealing to me, but I think the "dispatch" option, that GMAN has been speaking about is the best of both worlds.

jonboy

 

As a business owner, it could be in your interest to maintain a newer truck. However, the same goes for older equipment that is maintained better than the fleets of the large carriers with newer equipment. I'm sure some of the tricked out west coast reefer haulers with the super spreads have newer paint on their frames and newer (rebuilt) engines than 4 or 5 year old equpiment.

Whats gonna last longer? 5 year old century class with a original detroit or a 80's pete thats been done-up from the fground up? 8)

 

DUDE!!! I think the age of your truck is the least of your problems. I would think that black lipstick you're wearing probably scared the broker and he used the age of the truck to get rid of you.

I did see a man? in a truckstop the other day with manboobs and long painted fingernails, and when he came out of the shower, he had on sandals with red painted toenails and shaved legs.

I'm still creeped out about it.

jonboy