earnies2 Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 I need some advice...I am about to buy a used truck to pull a flatbed..that being said There is a lot of owner operators that tell me to stay away from all the emissions trucks and look for a good 2000 truck...I don't want to spend my time fixing a million mile beater I would rather be driving making revenue than wrenching loosing revenue...I have been looking at tall sleeper Mack's with MP8's I would like a 13 speed trany I have found them in the $50k range I plan on puting 1/2 down and financing the rest financing is all set at 2% I am also planning on buying a new trailer the same way....I think that would be better than buying a 2000-2003 truck at $25k and if the motor goes south and i need a rebuild at $20k i would be upside down on an older truck My question is are the newer Macks with a MP8 a safe truck to buy...and does the newer ones have the injector cup and bull gear problems like the older ones sorry for the long post http://www.truckpaper.com/email/view-page/4028437 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamsterGrrrl Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 2010 and later are better bets than the real lemons, the 2007 thru 2009 trucks that thanks to a bandaid approach to emmissions control get lousy mileage and are unreliable to boot. As far as going back to a 2000 or earlier, those trucks are 16 years old now and good luck finding one that doesn't need a complete end to end rebuild. Good luck finding parts 10 years from now too when those trucks are a quarter century old.For flatbedding, unless you're hauling high loads, might want to go with a low rise sleeper and get better MPG- No point in pushing a bunch of wind around for an upper bunk you'll never use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earnies2 Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 (For flat bedding, unless you're hauling high loads, might want to go with a low rise sleeper and get better MPG- No point in pushing a bunch of wind around for an upper bunk you'll never use)thanks for the reply .I rely like the tall sleeper I like to stand up and stretch...I wonder what is the difference in fuel I have been told to buy a truck that uses DEF they are more reliable than the 2008-2010 trucks what did you think about the truck in the link?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbigrig Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 I have both 08,09 and 2013's. I've spent the same money on the 08-09's that I have on the 13's. Fuel mileage is close on all. No one has a Def system older then 5 years old so no one can say how expensive they will be the older they get. Egr coolers on my 13's are starting to plug up with no other engine issues present. I found out the coolers on the 13 production an up trucks have coolers with tighter internal passages. Guess what, 500000kms an it's out of that warranty. I've got them to agree to pay for parts but I'm stuck with the labor. Just had injectors put in with a few days left of warranty. My 08-09 have over 1million kms and original egr coolers. I'm saying my 08-09's are doing as good or better then the 13's. The bottom end of these MP's seem bullet proof. Keep up on the top end and they run well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamsterGrrrl Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 (For flat bedding, unless you're hauling high loads, might want to go with a low rise sleeper and get better MPG- No point in pushing a bunch of wind around for an upper bunk you'll never use)thanks for the reply .I rely like the tall sleeper I like to stand up and stretch...I wonder what is the difference in fuel I have been told to buy a truck that uses DEF they are more reliable than the 2008-2010 trucks what did you think about the truck in the link??You might want to "test stand" in a mid roof sleeper- they're not that bad, much more height than the old cab high sleepers. As far as fuel economy, air resistance uses up about half the fuel needed to get a big truck down the road, and the foot or two of extra height in a tall double bunk sleeper probably cuts MPG by 5 to 10%. If you're running at the legal weight limit, a smaller and thus lighter sleeper can mean more weight hauled and revenue earned too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earnies2 Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 I'm saying my 08-09's are doing as good or better then the 13's.That's good news i was looking at 2011-2012 models i did see a 2008 that i liked but it had a rebuilt title that's why it looked so good it just came out of the body shop.....thanks for that info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earnies2 Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 As far as fuel economy, air resistance uses up about half the fuel needed to get a big truck down the roadthat's interesting i always thought it was the square box hood non aerodynamic design that lost all the fuel mileage that is one of the reasons i am looking to buy a aero style truck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mackdaddy2030 Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Looks like a good price for the truck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earnies2 Posted October 23, 2015 Author Share Posted October 23, 2015 I am leaning toward something like that there are several 2011-2013 Mack's in that price range and i like the red... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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