schneider retired trailers, trucks any good?

I bought a 2006 Freightliner Century in Schenider in Atlanta GA. It had 591000 miles. So far after a Month of Work pulling Containers here in Florida, it's been great. This truck was in very good shape like if they were holding it for somebody. The first ones they showed me were beaten. This unit that i bought was confused with another by one number and that mistake save me $15,000. They cought it late when it was in my name and still cut the price down. The only thing is that the drives will be cheap recaps, i need shocks and two new steering tires and thats it. Well maintaned unit with manitenance history. It's a pick and hit kind of thing and so far it worked for me.

 

Can you get maintenance records for trk?. Generally i stay away from mega fleet trucks who knows how many different drivers have beaten the crap out of the trucks. Fleets generally stretch maintenance out past manufacturer requirements. Take truck to a person or dealer for a complete inspection including oil analysis of all fluids especially coolant. As for trl have tandem assembly and slider rails checked for cracks bushing wear and king pin and pin box for cracks. In addition to a complete visual inspection of leaf springs. Those trl's have been to rail yards and were not treated the best and spring ride trl will somewhat limit your ability to haul some loads that require air ride.

 

just to give u a heads its hard to make a living pulling dry van mega companies pretty much got it all wrapped up i'd try and somewhat specialize if i were u or if u dont have a lotta expierence being an o/o try to lease on some where thaat way u can get ur feet wet first. running off of strictly loadboards is especially tough because they are known to throw the cheap loads on there that no one else wants read this thread if u want some valuble insight from a guy that a lot of us know i wont spoil it but maybe u can avoid some of the mistakes he did

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...erator/70022-instant-o-o-and-load-boards.html

 

If you want dry van, try to get air ride. Some loads require air ride such as high dollar electronics, etc. Best bet would be reefer air ride. I know a guy that bought an old trailer, not air ride, at a farm auction & put air ride decals on the trailer; but, if he ever gets caught damaging a high dollar load, he's bankrupt.

 

i would think real hard about a spring ride trl. some shippers wont allow them. plus your truck would ride better with a air ride trl. however the decal is a clever idea jon

 

I own retired Schnider shaker for more a year. Old one, '99 S/T

some list I had to fix for one year

1. two air bags
2. sleeper air bags
3. tail lamps
4. front shoks
5. Leveling valve
6. Brake shoes
7. Water pump rebuild kit
8. Batteries
9. Some wires
10. Air switch manyfold (to pass truck inspection)
11. Headlamps and marker lamps (for inspection too)
12. fifth wheel with used Jost form Volvo FH and fifth wheel plate from Mercedes Actros.

Really it is all. Not bad for so old truck.

Really I have to change something cheap every trip. But fortunatly no repare in trip.... (crossing fingers)

 

I would stay away from spring ride on a trailer for the reasons mentioned.

 

As for SNI trailers, I see them on a daily basis as they are dropped at the mill I haul out of and I run a yard truck part time for them. Some have seen better days but they are all road worthy. I do see a lot of used orange trailers going down the road so how about keeping your eyes open and asking someone pulling one?