New truck maintenance budget?

That is the question of the Century. Maybe you could ask the dealer what their number is on a full service lease. When I worked for Penske Truck Leasing long term leases had cost of truck and maintenance per mile broken out separately.
There doesn't seem to be any consistency in the maintenance costs of the current emission trucks. We have guys in our fleet that find them manageable, and several who have declared bankruptcy because of them. Adjusted for inflation, IMHO maintenance costs are probably double what they were in 2000 when I purchased the tractor you see in the avatar, now with 1.7 million miles on it and starting to give me similar fits. I do know that early emission trucks were much worse than the current 2017-2018 models, they are learning on our dime.

 

My buddy had 6 new trucks, he said it's about $12-15k per year per truck including def, repairs not covered by warranty, maintenance, etc..
The trucks ran 120-140k per year and would get traded in before warranty expired

 

My old 2000 Pete never cost me less than 7-8g a year from new. That was doing 60 to 70 thousand miles a year pulling heavy. Nowadays its up to 1200 a month like yours and l cant justify a new unit. But mine gets reasonable fuel economy for my work. If you escape with less than 10 a year with a new engine I'd be surprised. Plus the new warrantees are as long or as good. Don't forget the actual cost of the rental. Good luck on your decision.

 

You are on the right track IMO. Even if you buy a 2014 680 with 300k on it, your still going to be ahead. I like the dealership loaner idea. Otherwise you'll end up renting a truck once or twice a year.

I would maybe bump up the .12 per mile to .15 but this will mean your in very good shape no matter what happens. Besides, your fuel savings will far far make up for this extra maintenance hold back.

You will likely save around $8500 just in fuel.

Most importantly you can focus on driving and your business, not keeping up with problems.

One last thought, consider keeping the ol girl but run your new truck. Just park it. You may decide you want to use it for a back up or test putting on another driver. Options are your friend.

Note: all numbers and suggestions based off his 120k/yr miles.

 

Bingo, that's perfect.

I don't know a ton about lease options but have tried to be sold on many of them. They all seem high to me and a lot of times rightfully so because there is more hand holding. You will hate turning in all your fueling and mileage data to them all the time though. Just like a rental.

I think it comes down to do you like owning your equipment and having that goal to pay it off keeps you driven.

Good luck!

 

I have ZERO problems with emmissions engines, don't floor it, they are designed to punish drivers that constantly over throttle. Why some of you try to drive 70 when you know the next 300 miles will be an avg 61 mph congested cluster fxxx amazes me.

Only give it the fuel it needs and you wont clog filters. Ease up to seventy, stomping on it is preventable.