The cost of having a big sleeper behind you

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Starline, Jul 24, 2012.

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  1. Jul 24, 2012 #1
    Starline

    Starline Medium Load Member

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    Last yr I was staying at a motel in OH while my truck was getting some work done when I found myself eating breakfast with a Estes driver. I thought he was local when I found out that he was OTR. It seems the company has dedicated runs with dedicated layovers at certain motels where the driver relays the load and then does their 10 hrs in a motel room.

    Ever since seeing this, I've often thought about the cost vs trade offs of having a day cab or what I would consider a coffin sleeper and using the money saved to utilize a motel room. Lets speculate over some numbers here... Today's truck prices for a 76" - 82" sleeper truck is about $135,000 - $155,000 and is about 21,000 lbs wet and loaded with your stuff & equipment. Now lets look at a day cab or small sleeper truck... what $90,000 and several thousand pounds lighter and easier to maneuver due to shorter wheelbase ?

    Now lets say we're out 225 days and the avg cost is $45 for a room = $10,125 x 5 yrs = $50,625 and your able to haul heavier and you get better fuel economy = $$$ No idling, sleeping in a real bed, showering in a clean bathroom, usually next to real food. Its quiet, your better rested and generally you don't have to worry about losing your hood in the middle of the night.

    Let the discussion begin........
     
    Starline, Jul 24, 2012
    Starline, Jul 24, 2012
    #1
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  3. Jul 24, 2012 #2
    Clasix1055

    Clasix1055 Even when I'm wrong I'm right

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    Ever get 8 hrs sleep wake up refreshed, shower, breakfast, coffee, pre-trip, get 2 hrs down the road and want a nap?

    Ever have an appt time get there and told its lunch time or dog walking hour?

    Ever try to spend 11hrs tucked in a box 5 days a week with a 6'3 245lb frame?

    Ever run in an area where the weather is so bad you just hit the next safest place to park and wait it out?

    Ever wonder why the H E double hockey sticks you got rid of your rolling sancutary?
     
    Clasix1055, Jul 24, 2012
    Clasix1055, Jul 24, 2012
    #2
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  4. Jul 24, 2012 #3
    rodknocker

    rodknocker Road Train Member

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    Mr Estes don't buy anything unless it's one heck of a deal. He buys new day cabs though. I drive a sleeper truck with them and stay in motels all week long. I'm looking out the window at my truck right now. I'm sure he has a lot more money tied up in the day cabs. They are pretty relaxed about everything here. They are debt free.
     
    rodknocker, Jul 24, 2012
    rodknocker, Jul 24, 2012
    #3
  5. Jul 24, 2012 #4
    Quickfarms

    Quickfarms Heavy Load Member

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    You also need to factor in food since you will no longer have a fridge unless you have a cooler
     
    Quickfarms, Jul 24, 2012
    Quickfarms, Jul 24, 2012
    #4
  7. Jul 24, 2012 #5
    bender

    bender Road Train Member

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    I'm with you 100%, I hate truck stops and like the versatility of a day cab.
     
    bender, Jul 24, 2012
    bender, Jul 24, 2012
    #5
  8. Jul 25, 2012 #6
    rodknocker

    rodknocker Road Train Member

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    Estes drivers don't sleep in their trucks (day cabs or sleepers) unless they want to or they are running a team schedule
     
    rodknocker, Jul 25, 2012
    rodknocker, Jul 25, 2012
    #6
  9. Jul 25, 2012 #7
    Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    i would take a sleeper over a day cab any day even if it was a small sleeper you just never know what might happen or where you might end up let alone availability of hotels with truck parking unless you are running a dedicated route. snow storms. delays loading or unloading ect. also gives you more room for bags and supply's ect. no under the bunk storage on a day cab for tools. just to name a few things
     
    Ezrider_48501, Jul 25, 2012
    Ezrider_48501, Jul 25, 2012
    #7
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  10. Jul 25, 2012 #8
    bigdad7

    bigdad7 Road Train Member

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    kinda tough to speculate on hotel/motel costs......they vary so widely plus i believe those daycabs actually get lower fuel mil as they are spec'd for p and d so you would have to spec order the rear ends etc lowering your savings
     
    bigdad7, Jul 25, 2012
    bigdad7, Jul 25, 2012
    #8
  11. Jul 25, 2012 #9
    bigdad7

    bigdad7 Road Train Member

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    though i enjoy my hotel rooms on resets ....food for thought my wife reminds me that they never wash the top blankets in hotel rooms and not all allways wash the sheets for every guest just saying i know who sleeps in my bunk every night
     
    bigdad7, Jul 25, 2012
    bigdad7, Jul 25, 2012
    #9
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  12. Jul 25, 2012 #10
    rodknocker

    rodknocker Road Train Member

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    The benefits of a sleeper at Estes. Longer wheel base which equals a better ride. No city drivers will use your truck so it will always be there without chicken bones and Sun flower seeds on the floor. 300 gallon tanks equals filling every other day instead of every day. More storage. We drive terminal to terminal and don't really need a small truck. Most of us has been to each motel about 500 times and know exactly where to park.
     
    rodknocker, Jul 25, 2012
    rodknocker, Jul 25, 2012
    #10
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