Finally scored a deal on a new work truck

"Katsumoto" (katsumoto)
06/20/2019 at 20:50 • Filed to: Semi-Truckolopnik, sterling, #AutoTransport, Car Hauler

I know it’s completely different than the normal Oppo vehicles. Matter of fact, it could haul about 90% of the vehicles owned by Opponauts. If you’ve got a dually, probably not, but maybe.

It’s a 2007 Sterling LC 9 car, with a 07 Cottrell trailer. I owe 12,700 on it. That’s including all auction fees. I head up tomorrow to Morris, IL to pay for her and bring her home.
I went up a couple weeks back to look at the 3 they had in person, and of them all this was the one I was interested in.
I spoke with the shop manager at the company that used to run it, and was told over the phone some of its more major services. He wasn’t allowed to email it, but could do over the phone. It got an engine rebuild at 570k, and it’s basically at 630k now. I knew this going into the auction, and it’s what drove me to this specific one over the other 2 that were there also.

It’s got a Mercedes motor. Which was some of the reason I was sheepish about it. All I’ve ever heard with these specific engines, is electrical or major malfunction. But for basically 13k if I get a year or 2 out of it, it’s paid for itself.

I’m replacing my not so worn out Ram 5500 and 5 car trailer. I’ve got everything I need to hopefully bring it home tomorrow. Cash in hand, insurance on it, it’ll get Illinois temp tags so I can drive it back.

The old workhorse. Sure doesn’t look anything like that anymore. Back of the cab is damaged from an F250's bumper. I loaded an F250 to close to the edge and went to load another. It fell off and smashed the cab.
I did a ghetto fix and threw in a plexi back window. It’s just a work truck, and they aint worth shit when they get mileage on them. So I fixed it, and insurance still think she looks like this. LOL.

I was worried they’d total the truck, I’d be without it and not be able to work. So I did what I needed to keep working and nearly 2 years later, no leaks, no problems. Other than it kinda looking crappy on the back top of the cab.

I know this isn’t normal Oppo fair, but I’m an Opponaut and I transport cars for a living. To maybe even one of you.
Especially if you’ve bought a car in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky at a dealer I transport for. It might have been on my old Ram truck or if it was cool, like 392 Charger or something similar I took it down the test track just to feel what it had in it.

DISCUSSION (21)

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Katsumoto
06/20/2019 at 21:22

Nice man!!!

RooseveltDad > Katsumoto
06/20/2019 at 21:26

Uh, that’s a STERLIG. Says so right on the grille.

Cash Rewards > Katsumoto
06/20/2019 at 21:27

Cool! We need a detailed write-up

Katsumoto > RooseveltDad
06/20/2019 at 21:27

Someone stole the N or it fell off. TBH I’m not worried about it missing the N.

SiennaMan > Katsumoto
06/20/2019 at 21:30

V ery cool, congrats.

Katsumoto > Cash Rewards
06/20/2019 at 21:46

I mean its a 2007 Sterling LC 9 Car. 629k miles, eaton fuller 10 speed, um

https://www.rbauction.com/2007-sterling-lc-ta-9-car-open-headrack-car-hauler-truck?invId=11239243&id=ci&auction=chicago-il-2019195

Theres the auction listing of the truck, It’s got all the info there. Including more pictures.
I dont know what else to write up about it. It’s just a car hauler and an old one that was in a 20,000 truck fleet.

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Katsumoto
06/20/2019 at 22:49

Edit: Nevermind, probably not the same guy... unless the moniker "USS Unfathomable" happens to ring a bell.

Sweet hauler though. Congrats!

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Katsumoto
06/20/2019 at 22:54

Nice! I dabbled a bit in that business for a few months back in 2007ish between careers. I had time, a dually and contact with a 52 foot trailer that knew people who needed primarily spe cial cars moved (and often halfway across the country, to be at a racetrack or somewhere else yesterday) . I considered doing it as a legitimate business, but the commercial liability insurance quotes I got for my then under 25 self were scary. Combined with payment on a new truck and trailer actually speced for the work and I got gun shy. I enjoyed spending time doing it, though.

facw > Katsumoto
06/20/2019 at 22:57

Good stuff! Now it’s time to start saving up for a truck truck truck:

Kinja'd!!!

speedyboi > Katsumoto
06/20/2019 at 23:16

You ever deliver to Dayton? Do any private work?

RacinBob > Katsumoto
06/20/2019 at 23:29

Enjoyed the topic regarding what we do for a living. If you ever see and U plander with a World Challenge and LeMons stickers on the rear door give it a honk!

shop-teacher > Katsumoto
06/21/2019 at 00:33

Cool!

Katsumoto > speedyboi
06/21/2019 at 06:01

I live in Dayton. I really dont do private work unless its along my way. Cuz it typically involves winching or residential streets. I dont have a winch, and my truck doesnt work in residential areas.

Katsumoto > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
06/21/2019 at 06:02

If it wasn’t for my grandpa still being a “driver” on the vehicle my insurance would be ridiculous.

I paid 2k last night for the next 3 months of insurance.

Katsumoto > RacinBob
06/21/2019 at 06:33

I hardly pay attention to most cars that pass me. Only look at cute girls or girls who think they cab play with their self driving and no one will see.

Katsumoto > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
06/21/2019 at 07:16

I had a savings and bought my ram and trailer in cash. It cleared my entire savings out. 46700 for the truck, 20800 for the trailer. Plus insurance was like 5600, registration and misc shit. I paid out like 80-82k.

It felt good for a while holding that much cash, but it went faster than I realized.

I walked into the dodge dealer, sat 50k on a salesman desk and said I need a 5500. He was shocked and then said, we’ll find you one. I took a leftover 2014 in 2015, and got almost 9k off sticker.

Ssalesman said he’d never seen that much cash. I said I probably wont ever spend that much in cash ever again. I spoke with the dealership owner, he gave me 4 free oil changes and 2 fuel filter jobs.

I took all kinds of pictures with that money too, lol. One of friends saw it all sitting on my table the night before I spent most of it. He was shocked. I told him I sold drugs on the side, he almost believed me. Cuz I’m a cheap person, if I eat out, i get cheaper meals, buy cheaper clothes. Drive an older car now, I had a hellcat at the time lol. He never believed that was my entire life savings on the table. Everything I saved from the military, and here and there.

I think I had 150 bucks left after it all was done. I had a very nice steak, and tipped the waitress what was left. I missed seeing that money sitting in my savings account.

Now its not quite back up there, but it’s getting there. Going to sell my old truck and trailer to someone, put that up in savings. Then I’ll have a little more than 85k in savings. Provided I get 20-25k for my current set up.

Manny05x > Katsumoto
06/21/2019 at 11:11

I just got my CDL not too long ago and car hauling is a business i am looking into. I hear there is good money there.

Katsumoto > Manny05x
06/21/2019 at 12:32

There is, just gotta work for it.

If you’ve got the money buy a truck like I just bought for relatively cheap and run it. My grandpa started his business, now mine, with an old truck. Then bought new when he could.

Khalbali > Katsumoto
06/21/2019 at 19:32

I appreciate the write up, I’ve kind of been toying with the idea of doing something like this for a while now, so I may have more questions for you in the future if you don’t mind. Do you just hot shot or are you an actual employee? I just have a class C now but my boss is thinking of getting an f450 and sending me to get a class A, I wouldn't have manual or air brakes but I don't think I'd really want to drive a semi anyways. My current job is ok but I don't see myself there long term and I don't really know what else to do when my only real skill is driving.

Katsumoto > Khalbali
06/21/2019 at 22:59

I own my truck, and business. I really have alot of weekly work that I can survive off of. Some weeks I find internet work going 5-700 miles out from my home. Nothing too long distance.

I’m an A with airbrakes. I tested with them, by mistake and actually passed the test with them. Even though I intended not to have them. Although Im glad I do now. My state, Ohio, is stupid. If I didn’t have airbrakes. I would have to retest everything like I never had a CDL to add that endorsement. So I was glad I passed the test with them, even though the exam person said I’m sorry but you had airbrakes on your test. I know you said you didn’t want them. But you passed, so if you want I can just give you that endorsement. So I took it.

speedyboi > Katsumoto
07/03/2019 at 20:00

Got it. I volunteer at the British Transpiration Museum and we might be eventually moving locations. Which means moving 50+ cars to another place, some of which do not drive or move under their own power.