2016 peterbilt 579

[Waterloo]

It is tough out here to find the right truck for the job. So few owner operators are buying new trucks, and if they are, it is what is sitting on the lot, which means tall gears, and in many cases an automatic transmission.

The days of the true "Owner Operator" package are a thing of the past. The trucks with the 3:55 to 3:90 gearing, 18 and 13 speeds along with the full gauge package and the Horse Power to round it all out.

If you are doing hopper and bull wagon, a mid roof would be the best. I know with my mid roof ProStar, with a flat bed, I was getting 9 mpg on paper. Currently I am pulling doubles, with more than my fair share of mountain driving, so getting 6 mpg is now the norm.

Here is the beast...

   

The bumper really killed the fuel mileage, but I am keeping it, with two in frames under that hood, long story... You need an in frame, you take your truck to Mr Hag in Griffin GA, not to the corner Cummins shop or dealership.

I would be looking for something like a ProStar, so you will not be paying top dollar like you would for that Pete. It is easy to work on, and every bug in these things known to man has been covered on Rawze.com. Parts are plentiful and cheap if you know where to look.

And, you can do cool things to the interior...

   

I used to hate this truck, two in frames and more issues than Carter has liver pills. But after spending time with Rawze at his place in GA, it has finally come together. It is reliable, powerful and makes me money. That first one, reliability, now allows me to keep my money. I've done most everything on this truck myself, other than a few items out of my wheelhouse where I did not have the heavy equipment or tools to do the particular job. But, I found a good shop, with an honest mechanic for when the need arises.

Everything else I take care of myself, and at this point, there is not much to do other than GTO, Gas, Tires and Oil. She has all new virgin rubber, she ain't a fuel sipper any longer, and I just had the truck serviced today at the TA. I'm leased to LandStar, so the fuel is not so much of an issue at present, but I do try my best to get the most out of her as I can, which means leaving the cruise off, rpm's high, and turbo boost low. That is how you properly drive and make money with an ISX.

On the gearing, I thought of going to say a 3:55, but with the 18 speed, and having the motor running as it should be, the 3:42 gears are workable, so I am keeping them. The 18 speed makes all of the difference in the world, anything taller gear wise, like your 3:36, I would be swapping out to the 3:55. Just my personal take, as I do go fast at times playing beat the clock with the ELD... A sad state of affairs.