Anybody consider a semi for a tow vehicle?

I was there and it was cool in apr,we got a light dusting of snow one night.

2oldman wrote:

Nutinelse2do wrote:
If you are truly interested in an HDT, the 2014 Rally is next week in Hutchinson, KS. A nice HDT can be had, singled out, and custom designed, for much less than a newer truck.

That is a great idea for the OP.

As for the 'much less', I think you'll find that as the price goes down, the looks and comforts do too. Full automatics can be found in Volvo tractors, which are the crème de la crème. It's doubful you'll pay bottom dollar for a newer, clean, automatic, singled, conversion truck. Those kind are in demand, and it might take a while to find one. Now, the older, ugly, stick shifts, which are still quite capable, are the real bargains. You can spend $30,000, or $100,000. Really depends on what you want.

I just watched 3 utube video on the HDT rally in tenn. It was a cooler weather so it must have been a late winter or early fall deal but they showed each truck and how and what made it custom. Some carried their smart cars on the back behind the cabs. Motorcycles etc. I watched these with glee in my eyes. Pretty cool when you think about it.
randy

Gib3633 wrote:
Hone eagle: I bet it would be enjoyable driving that truck in the evening through the French Quarter of New Orleans never mind trying to park it.

Depends on how much the pedestrians have had to drink! Do like New Orleans drivers do, drive with your eye closed. Back up until you hear glass break....

Bedlam wrote:
I think we're on the same page as to what we are thinking, but it doesn't always come across that way when written.

Class 8's will be a consideration if we full time. In the mean time I working toward a class 5 that can sit in the driveway and still be used as an auxiliary/backup/foul weather vehicle. Right now my desire for that vehicle with 4wd that is allowed to be parked in my drive like a pickup is driving my choices.

We had to go all the way to a class 8 with sleeper to be able to plate it 'motorhome' , as any truck over 4500kg cannot be plated a private vehicle here in Ontario.
Many states have similar restrictions.

mich800 wrote:

06Fargo wrote:
We are looking at class 8 because of these highly suspect economics:

2015 Ram 3500 Laramie DRW 6.4 gas - $58,000? Diesel $66,000? ciphers inta "bi weekly payments" of $340 for only 8 years according to the build and price website. Add depreciation over 8 years of RV towing 10,000 miles a year of say $32,000 for easy figgering? So pay back $58,000 and absorb $32,000 = $90,000 minus the residual value of the truck of $25,000 = $65,000 spent before the fixing. Not to mention the lost opportunity value on the $65,000 paid out.

Compare to a fleet maintained $20,000 Class 8 tractor that has more brakes in one front wheel than the above pickup, and own it over 8 years and put 80,000 miles on it. How much less is it going to be worth?

Please note we live in a place with room to park and store it, and a province that allows class 8 trucks to be registered as personal trucks like a pickup if that is what you use it for.

You do not add depreciation to costs. It is solely an accounting number. Your cost is the purchase price plus interest minus residual only if you sell it. There is no opportunity cost on $65k as in your example you are financing it.

As you can see my figgers were highly suspect :) that's why I'm not a finance genius -

I think we're on the same page as to what we are thinking, but it doesn't always come across that way when written.

Class 8's will be a consideration if we full time. In the mean time I working toward a class 5 that can sit in the driveway and still be used as an auxiliary/backup/foul weather vehicle. Right now my desire for that vehicle with 4wd that is allowed to be parked in my drive like a pickup is driving my choices.

God no , a truck in warranty will be $70,000 (converted to RV) especially a Volvo.
They are just cool the money part is tough to justify in fact RV'ing is tough to justify ,its all burnt money eh?
To me its the longevity ,my Volvo will out last at least another pick up ,so Iam that much ahead ($50,000) but only at the point the first truck is used up .In the mean time it cost me $50,000 singled and RV ized.
So a wash.
Repairs of anything major do not bear thinking about ,but these are treated like a machinery transaction
VIS check ,dyno, and barring bad luck you should be OK .
I have spent only maintenance (one oil change ) so far.
So cheap to run -so far-
Mileage is a very individual thing we average 10,000Km with the wife still working ,that will triple when she is free to wander with me.

I cannot agree that pickup is worn out after four years. However, I do agree with your other points.

I put about 10,000 miles a year on my truck camping while still working full time. Does a typical retiree do considerably more mileage? I'm pretty sure that $20,000 will not get you a 4 year old class 8 with 500,000 miles just like it will not get you a 4 year old pickup with 50,000 miles.

A four year old pick up towing heavy say for a full timer is about 'done' as far as Iam concerned.(worth zero)
A four year old class 8 with less then 500,000 is still under warranty .
Extremely difficult to make the numbers work,if you need the new truck smell don't buy a class 8 unless your wealthy ,the numbers only work if you keep it long enough for your widow to sell it.
Plus try and get a loan for one,most of the members here buy on 'payments' ,
can I make em?
Old retirees like me are having a blast ,I would not recommend it for a working/family man.
But to each his own.

You also are looking at depreciation off a used unit verses a new one. If you were to buy 2-4 year old Ram, the original owner would have taken the majority of depreciation.