The evolution of information technology is coming at us fast. So fast they we can be given information before we figure out how to use it. I know that in the trucking industry the modern truck can give us information that we never had before. If a modern truck has a hiccup, it tells you that it had a hiccup. It will send you an email telling you why it had the hiccup. Then it can tell you if it needs to be serviced immediately, at earliest convenience, or not at all. An older truck may have had the same hiccup and won't tell you anything. While the modern driver complains about the check engine light coming on, yesterday's driver may not have noticed the hiccup and drives happily on their way. Ignorance is bliss, until it bites you in the hinder and the truck breaks down.
Information technology can improve our used truck buying decisions. Back in the day we went on appearance and miles. If we were lucky we might get an oil sample. We could look at tire wear, but many dealers routinely put new rubber on used trucks and changed the oil. In the old days if you saw 2 identical looking trucks on the lot. Truck #1 had 320,000 miles on it. Truck #2 only had 300,000 miles. They were “twin” trucks and came off the line one after the other. Truck #2 would have been the logical choice – all things being equal.
Today, I would ask for the engine report. I could make a pretty good argument that the amount of fuel used is a better indication of wear than miles driven Take those two trucks from the previous example. Truck #1 has an idle percentage of 7.5% and has used 40,000 gallons of fuel. Truck #2 has an idle percentage of 25% and has used 42,500 gallons. Beware of the information and use it wisely. Like the Faber College motto says “Knowledge is Good!”.
Buying a truck is a big decision. New or used try to buy the right truck for your operation. Real cost of ownership is what matters. Excess idle time increases your real cost of ownership. It may raise more than your fuel costs. Excess idling can raise your maintenance costs and lower the resale value of the truck.
Now, I am not saying that fuel usage will supplant odometer mileage in determining the value of used trucks. I am saying that it matters. When buying a used truck get a copy of the engine report. Inform yourself. Then make the best decision for your business. Freightliner wants you to succeed.