Buying a Peterbilt that it was used for logging.

Hi ralin, oh, be careful with an old "stick hauler". Those loads are always pretty heavy ( 50K or more) and that takes it's toll and on a 10 year old truck, that may not be the best idea.

 

The roads those trucks run on tend to beat the suspensions pretty bad.

 

First off, that truck was intended for on highway use, and it was put to work as an off road truck. The weight and the conditions in which those trucks are used are extreme, even for trucks that get spec to do that work. If you want a rebuilder, then this could be a great project truck, but for a an everyday worker that will make your living, I would think long and hard about it. This truck has had a hard life and will need a lot of attention in the future. One of the things most people don't think of is the all the twisting a truck and it's frame does over the life of a truck. These trucks do so much twisting and bending loaded on rough roads, every bolt and rivet in the frame and everywhere else gets loose over time. Good luck on your decision.

 

You would be better off to avoid a prior logging or oilfield truck. Those things get beat pretty badly, and I am speaking from personal experience.

 

Hi ralin, I work in a similar industry hauling loads around 100k and occasionally going off road and it really depends on if the truck is spec'd right for the job. I've noticed the peterbilts/kenworths tend to hold up better in severe duty applications like off road heavy hauling applications. The way the frames are built tend to hold up better. A lot of other light duty trucks the frame bolts loosen up or crossmembers and frame tend to crack. How heavy are the axles and suspension rated for? Does it have a double frame? What type of transmission and axle ratio does it have? A lot also depends on how the truck was taken care of. Does the guys stuff seem pretty decent or is it all look like its been neglected?

 

Yup that truck sounds like its heavy specd. All our trucks got 46k rears, 12 or 14k fronts. Usually those heavy haul petes got either 3.91 or 4.11 ratios. if you're in an area where you get snow you should inspect the inside of the frame. Those double frames are good for holding up for strength but the salt from the road spray in the winter works its way in between the frame rails and the corrosion will push them apart. We regularly wash the insides of the frames on our trucks especially in the winters to stop this. We got two trucks with a full double frame and one with a just a 10 ft section of double around the 5th wheel. I know those logging trucks tend to live a harder life than a "normal" truck, but I've always believed if its speed right and its been well taken care of, you shouldn't have a problem. Also, if you're buying it from a pete dealer they can run the serial number and give you a line set ticket which gives a list of every option that truck was spend with. I find it very helpful when buying used trucks because you see every single thing that truck has.

 

No problem good luck with whatever your next truck may be.