Sold the 2004 C4500 today

[Mark Rinker]

...to the father of PBR series bull rider Matt Bohon. http://www.matt-bohon.com/ The truck will be used to haul rodeo bulls in its new life.

I bought the truck in spring 2007 with 20K miles, and in a little under two years, rolled on an additional 115K miles, nearly 100% towing miles mostly boats cross country. The truck saw both coasts many times, and many of the Canadian provinces as well.

In those miles,

two sets of injectors were replaced under warranty by GM;
new rear brake pads and rear seals were installed at 130K;
all six tires and shocks were replaced at ~120K;
two exhaust seals and an exhaust manifold were replaced, I attribute all to heavy and constant use of the exhaust braking system.Truck depreciated in value (buy price vs sell price) by $15K, while generating ~200K in gross revenues. Fuel/lube costs were ~60K. Consumable part costs (tires, brakes, etc.) were ~5K. Other repairs (not covered by warranty) were under $3K total.

Very pleased with overall service of this truck.

[Duramaster]

Hey Mark since I am pretty new to the forum, did you use to do all this towing with your 6.5 TD trucks as well? I also notice your fleet is down to two trucks now, do you have another one coming or is this just an unfortunate sign of the times?

[Mark Rinker]

The 6.5L trucks were used mostly for plowing and local/regional deliveries. One summer, I had an ongoing contract to deliver aluminum barstock to Yankton, SD which was a 700 mile roundtrip. That was about the longest hauling I did with those trucks. They were pretty well worn by the time I purchased them used, from the KCMO municipal fleet.

As for the Kodiak sale, it is a sign of the times. However, if times were better, I'd be trading for a single axle hauler with a sleeper this year. So, the sale may be 1) the first step to a downsizing/rightsizing for the market, or 2) the first step to a 'going out of business sale', or 3) a temporary self directed trade-in before buying a single axle tractor to pull boats more efficiently, nationwide.

Wish I knew the answer, today. Time will tell!

[Duramaster]

Well, I hope all turns out well for you. I am slow here as well on the west coast. Working at a Medium Duty dealer has been pretty good until the last three - four months. The economy has finally caught up to us. I still get most of my hours in each week, but the parking lot isn't busting at the seams by any means.

[Mark Rinker]

We had good snowfall in December, that really helped to bridge the gap this winter. Have cleaned up a few small ones in the last week as well.

Hotshot flatbed deliveries basically stopped in December. We have never been this 'flat-lined' in the 7 years we've been doing this.

Boats are both seasonal, and highly discretionary. We are seeing lots more repo/bank sale listings, and value buyers of older used boats. Spring will tell if the recreational boater still gets out their wallet...low fuel prices will definately help.

[JohnC]

We had good snowfall in December, that really helped to bridge the gap this winter. ...Boats are ... highly discretionary..

Mark, I hate to be the one to tell you, but I think you're doomed. Global warming will kill your plowing business and rising taxes on the rich will kill the boat market. Time to start thinking government job...

;)

(Sorry - couldn't help myself...)

[Mark Rinker]

Yeah I was thinking maybe a DOT enforcement officer. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em - right? :rolleyes:

[JohnC]

Perfect!

I'll apply to the FAA as an airworthiness inspector!

[TATUZINHO]

Flat line pretty much describes it. Purchased used 2007 Topkick and now the truck is working me! Houston, TX taking grubbing for peanuts runs to keep hope alive....not a sound business model but jaw is set to survive.
Best to all in the bidness
Paul