What To Look For When Buying Your First Used Semi Truck | Don't Buy Until You Check These 3 Things 

For information about financing your first semi truck or trailer? My team will do a soft pull that can get you the info you need to buy your first semi truck. Www.thefundingbooth.com/muthatrucker

That’s a lot.when I was a owner operator I had a 2006 freightliner Columbia with Detroit 60 it made it 1 million 300thos b4 a 4K break down did pretty dam good

Damn man I’m staying away from automatic.

A truly friendly and humble technician. He literally stopped everything to answer your questions. Flat rate ain't easy...

Could you have Steve pretend he's someone's mechanic and looking over the truck for them before purchasing and just a step by step of how he would inspect it. Or maybe what he looks for before LRM purchases one? Hopefully you see this and help us have some peace of mind before buying a semi, thank you Alex!

Alex used dt12 are not that expensive, more than manual but $12k is bit extreme. You could probably get it installed for half that price. Shop around ppl..

I regret getting rid off my 04 Columbia w a CAT15...I had a clouded and short sided vision. I love manual trans, it will never compare to automatics.

Long story short, if you're gonna become an O/O, buy a manual truck! They're a lot more reliable, fun to drive, less expensive to replace. This goes for cars too.....

I’m motivated to get my cdl I’ve been watching your videos for 2 weeks straight. I love the information & all the personality’s you come across. Keep doing what you do brother your changing lives wish me luck.

I've trucking for a long time and can remember when you could not give a series 60 Detroit ( 12.7) away and now every body wants them. I have a 1999 volvo with a 500 horse 12.7 and love it.

This mechanic is the man! Watched his first video with the red freightliner. Been keeping my eyes peeled for bad quantity control valves ever since.

I've watched this video and the first one at least a half dozen times. I've taken down notes and tomorrow morning I'm going to inspect my first new (used) truck purchase in Tifton GA. Thank you so very much for the channel and great information you provide. Steve, thank you as well for all the straight forward no BS insight you provide.

I keep my 13 speed. #LONGLIVETHEMANUAL

Priceless advice. Thanks a million

Bro get rid of the jeep and buy a Toyota you won’t have transmission issues

You really should do a segment with him ever month! I’m ready to buy now an I need that education

Every successful fleet owner that’s been at it for over 20 years I’ve ever talked to (5 of them) says the same thing as far as equipment goes: if you’re running OTR the best driveline is: either a 12.7 dd60 or N14 Cummins, a 10 speed roadranger with the C ratio set (this is important!!!!), and either Rockwell or Eaton 40k rears in a 4.10/4.11 ratio. This combo will last forever and when they do fail, each component is cheap and easy to find, fix or replace. I’ve seen several C ratio 10 speeds with over 1.25 million miles on them that are still quiet and tight, you’ll hardly ever see that with a 13 or 18, let alone an auto shift. The 15 speeds are also a good option being as they’re built off a 10 but they add weight and they don’t make them in the high torque ratings that you can get in a 10 to keep up with the 1,500 lb-ft plus engines on the road today.

My warranty covers mines, all I have is a 700.00 dollar deductible 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

You can get transmissions anywhere Kentucky everywhere man you tripping not until now you can get them for about 8 Grand or less at the market parts too😂😂😂😂

Good information! It’s great that Steve is willing to share his knowledge! I might purchase my next truck from him!

Detroit 60 series 12.7are the best save you a lot of money when you have to fix something

Moral of the story is, don’t get a automatic truck. Unfortunately that’s the way this damn industry is going

Well looks like my first truck will be a manual then😂😂hopefully a PeterBilt 359😎

Where are they located? I'm thinking about getting my own truck, but I need a lot of help. I've just been working as P&D/LTL driver for over 3 years now.

Thanks for your youtube. I am planning to purchase a used Freightliner Cascadia 125. Would you please let me know your advice on which one is better to purchase for the OTR of the owner-operator? *2016 Freighliner Cascadia 125 SLP Evolution: Manual, 375,000 miles, $60,000 vs *2017 Freightliner Cascadia 125SLP: Auto, 455,000 miles, $69,000

Here is some facts to keep in mind about the new detriots. The engine has over 3,000 sensors internally and externally that the ecm calculates while the engine runs. The fuel pressure in the line is measured in thousands of pounds. Enough pressure in one of those file lines to cut your fingers off if you don’t know what your doing. The def filters cost about 3,000$ each. Half a dealerships service department bays is regen and def related issues. Not engine or trans. Def and regen issues.

What about a 10 speed automatic. I drive a 2019 day cab international. It shifts like crap and I really don't like it. Our old manual 10 speed truck was 100 times better. I drive for a company BTW.

Detroit 60 S is the Best motor!👍🏾

Alex!!! Easy way to figure out how much it costs. Take your "guess" for the part and multiply by 3.25, if you end up paying less than that for the job then you got a good deal.

Thanks so much for the valuable info. approaching my 1 year mark with my cdl and entertaining the idea of getting my own truck.

I NEED MY FIRST TRUCK... what about that place? Good for getting first semi truck

Alex......Dont get mad at me dude....... Can we get some more interviews with Hard Hustle......That gentleman has so much knowledge that's untapped and he gives it to the driver in a way where he doesn't talk down to you. I know he loves trucking but he's a guy that might have to be featured on your podcast bi weekly or monthly but there are alot of drivers that are willing to learn and you and your growing forum would be the perfect jump off for young drivers to get this information!!! He doesn't charge, you don't charge so drivers get there information and knowledge. Hard Hustle pulls out files.....Your dam right he keeps great records!!!! Appreciate you again and your hard work Alex......Stay Safe........

best combo I've ever drove. 12.7 detroit 550hp/2050tq, 13spd double o, 3.36 rears .

Real truckers don’t drive automatic.

The problem is, ppl don't do maintenance on automatic transmission. Maintenance ppl

Either you got manual or automatic money!

Need more of these plz

A real trucker won’t drive a automatic

I want no how involved it would be to swap out a 10 speed automatic transmission to a 18 manual transmission in a 2010 Cascadea with a DD15 or maybe some other manual transmission. Thx

That's where I'm going to get my 1st truck I hope it comes soon im saving n praying 🙏thx for the info

66 year old mechanic agree 100%. Great information. Thank both of you for your time.

I glad i bought a older freight shaker with a 10 speed eaton fuller manual transmission lol 😂

I've got a 300k 2020 DD15 WHY DO THE PASS THRU SEALS ON THE INJECTORS KEEP GOING BAD??

Always good to have a couple trained honest Technicians at your service. 👍

How to make it in trucking with no warranty 101 i should do a vlog 🤔

More videos with this guy's mechanical knowledge please. (Possibly with some cummins isx15) 😁

I'm surprised anyone is surprised about the expense of an automatic. Automatic on a four wheeler is super expensive too, compared to a manual. It's not rocket science folks!

Oh man. I really want the luxury of driving an automatic. I have champagne dreams on a mini can of soda budget. 🤣

Manual is where its at

Listen they told me i couldnt remove automatic from my 06 T600 & i did put manual in it

@12:00 Where the hell and when the hell are you guys with the so-called shortage of truck-tractors...? Here in Chicagoland there is a GLUT for the past 5-10 years. Dealers, both new and pre-owned, are crying that they can't get rid of their inventory. It's very much the environment of the banker you had on one of your videos where he basically can't finance fleet vehicles because there's too many of them to compete with. I drove an automatic transmission truck once and got a speeding ticket in it been working a 14-hour using the previous 16-hour once-a-week exemption. Yes-- if I were in the city all day in a vocational truck I would deal with it, but I do not like the way the automatics go from 1st gear to 4th gear 1 starting out. It's also more difficult to gently back underneath the trailer. That transmission fluid on automatic has to be cooled so now your cooling the coolant, the charged air, and now the automatic transmission. And of course the emissions equipment radiates heat like the sun. Once you fill fuel tanks you know got to fuel the DEF tank. I'll stick with my pre missions free EGR Relic truck-tractor. For one: I'm not at risk for an $85,000 hit via depreciation over the next nine to eleven years as if I bought a brand new Fleet truck.

Wish there were freightliner guys around my area in Minnesota that could fix the wiring issue in the dump truck I drive... trailer lights go all whacky. I know for a fact the signal switch is bad, you can tap it an the wipers go off. Trailer brake lights/ signal lights go out.. or when you hit a signal the whole side of the trailer flashes etc. None of the guys at boyer could figure it out, freightliner themselves couldn't figure it out.. so I can't pull a trailer with it.

This is a great video. I have a different question but totally related. How to buy a tractor from a private party without getting scammed? Which are the things to do ahead of time so that one does not show up to a deal where one is robbed, sold a stolen vehicle, or one that is ghost?

I bought my truck it’s paid off. I’m 22 what’s your advice on getting approved for insurance with clean driving record? May just lease onto my uncles company to bring that cost down for a the first year. Is that a better plan

Yeah this is a great video I wanna have some knowledge about going to purchase a truck just got fired from a company today and I’m good at saving money and your channel would lead me in the right direction

12gs you can swap a auto for manual for 7gs and junk that auto for parts

20 years, I definitely want steve working my truck..

ask this guy about automated manual eaton vs eaton manual shift? I feel like automated manual eaton would be best because it removes driver error of grinding and clutch wear. im an apprentice mechanic and have seen the clutch lasts longer on an automated manual.

Where is he located?

Lazy drivers cars and 18 wheelers like automatic transmission

It's the same with the trucks as a whole. I could go out and buy some nice Peterbilt or Kenworth for 70-80k with maybe 500-800k miles, maybe more that are manual. But the automatic trucks that have about the same mileage I've seen going for well above 100k

How do you change a fuel pump on a semi? Would be a great video...

Eaton Automatic is 2500-4000 I thought I got Robbed That’s 2008-2017 on the Cas

If you get that guy again since he's an expert on Freightliner can you get him to go over the service intervals currently recommended for these trucks. Things such as bearings, wheel seals, valve adjustments, or even pm maintenance and recommended brand filter and oil type.

Hey brother. I know my phone is definitely listening to me cus I was speaking about this topic to a of couple people and I open the app and BANG, the first video I see is yours lol. Thanks for information 👍

Great information and humility...

As far as manual transmissions. Which one's are the strongest most durable or are they all the same? Example: is a 13 speed just as strong as a 10, 15 or 18.

I drove a truck with a super 10 transmission . With a box that shifts for you . Exact same trans as a manual. But with a box that makes it auto. Seems like a cheaper more dependable route .

What’s the best transmission for a Peterbilt 2018? Thanks for your videos, brother.

Wrong already done this $5,500 at kenworth the lies

I'm looking to buy my 1st truck to buy. What brand, engine, and tranny do you recommend. I was told not to buy anything new like 2008 or newer.

That's crazy 12 grand

I have a 2018 Freightliner with D12 transmission when do I need service the D12 transmission?

I love it,make more videos with him

Good video. Thanks for making this. The guy your interviewing probably needs his own mic

Any opinion in the 2010 peterbilt 387 automatic transmission

Love the advice but I don't think anybody will let us take their whole truck apart before buying it.😅

2016 freightliner DD15 450 hp automatic is a good truck?🤔

Great i have 2000 fld with Detroit 60 ser and 2016 freightliner with dd15 thanks for info

Use MotorKote oil that’s the only oil on the planet that is 100% anti-friction

Wow what a awesome video. Thanks so much on this type of information. I’m currently saving up to buy my truck. I currently drive a freight liner for my current job an loved them. It’s a great starting point to know how these trucks function. Thank you for this video I look forward to buying my truck soon. 2023 let’s get it 💪🏼

That's great advice thanks

I started off with gears, but I love my 60series detroit eaton autoshifts. And I purchased my truck years ago from LRM Leasing and still rolling

Yeah he a crook I got my whole transmission rebuilt for 3,500

This is the reason why I go for manual over automatic, just purchase 2015 Cascadia with Cummins engine, droping the walk through video soon

They they are really trying to rip truckers off. 12000 for a transmission is totally theft

I'd still take a manual transmission

I'm all about the third pedal life

Shoot im driving a 2016 volvo automatic i hope i dont forget how to shift Gears

Automatic trans go out... swap it for a 10 speed 🤣

Are dd13 good and reliable for city driving with triaxle loads

where are this guys located ?

Down here in Baja, I’ve seen people make automatics into manuals lmaooo

Does anyone know the range of how many hours before a manual transmission goes out or is it just a matter of neglect.

Thank you for all the videos you do it's helping me out because I want to be a owner operator and I know there's big money in it half of my family drives a 18-wheeler I don't see any wrong that I can do it I've been around it most of my life it just it just comes natural and the truck I prefer to get is a Kenworth w900l

The dt12 is an auto stick, Allison is the only true automatic.

HEy Great video Alex. would like to see a similar videos about Volvo's pls.

You might buy a cheap truck...but the truck aint cheap

Big Thank you for your Video.. helped out alot

I absolutely loved this one very informational and educational 👏🏾