Hi guys I’m gettin closer to decideing whether to rent a unit or purchase as a new starter. However, I’m a little intrigued why tractor units that are petrol regs compliant can be considerably cheaper than their counterparts of similar year, miles etc?
I should explain at this point that the fact are mostly day cabs, with lightweight tag axles etc does appeal, as I want maximum chassis space to fit cng. Is there something ive overlooked and not realised that I’m gonna feel embarrassed about as soon as u guys answer 
?
Thanx in advance
Most Pet reg tractors are normally knackered after 3 years. They would have been worked 24/7 365 for most of there life’s.
With a multitude of different drivers and at least max weight 50 % of there life.
But if they’ve been on fuel station deliveries its quite easy work on them, lots of motorway miles and lots of engine off time. Usually driven by better than average drivers. (though not always).
In a word yes. They are cheap because most blokes wouldn’t tramp in them. You have earned your first gold star as an owner driver.
For the love of god, rent the unit, do not purchase unless you have a gold contract & loads of money. HGV’s literally eat money in maintenance if they ain’t newish & can finish many a new start.
Case in point, I’ve just had a wheel bearing go, written off tyre, recovery, new axle, least I ain’t taking him up the wrong un on this one as he’s rented! Yay for me, only lost one load as well.
bought a couple of ex nestle day cabbed erfs one time ex Chepstow 350■■■■■■■ things were dirt cheap maintained regardless of cost ,they ran forever for me … 
Thanks guys for your posts,and whilst I’d love to get a nice shiny looking all singing all dancing top of the range mo-sheen, to fly my flag from, Ive got to be realistic that I’m a new starter, without many contacts, and if honest I’m reluctant to sign up to a 2year, 2grand a month rental, in essence I’m being a little bit of a jelly baby. Unfortunately I can’t rent or buy that commodity you lads will have, called experience, so think I’ll have to play it safe, however I’m always welcome to any advice from you guys -as the old saying goes “you guys av forgot more than a new guy knows” will never get tired in this racket, so thanks again.
Nothing wrong at all
Looked at couple fm13’s few months sho
Day cabs
Lightweight axles
Was gonna put one on aggregate bulker
Decided to go for another FH so not to be tied to one job which is lucky as said lorry is tramped in all week
Now with scrap bulker
Why do you want to fit CNG?
Whilst there is a margin and argument for being fractionally cheaper, but prob not noticeable unless you’ve a fleet of them, it’s more a personal choice, partly because it’s a renewable energy, cleaner, more efficient, longer service intervals, and the list goes on…
Its good that you have an environmentally aware conscience but to be perfectly honest I think that as a one-man-band you would find a CNG powered truck massively more expensive to operate. If there was any kind of cost saving from running on CNG then everybody would be doing it. The only fleets that operate on CNG seem- to me anyway- to be fleets that do not depend on haulage for their living but who use trucks to service their core operation, and are prepared to take a hit on the cost of this in order to earn some Brownie points from the sandal-wearing, lentil-eating tree-hugging brigade. 
London waste done it about 10 years back but they were a disaster and went back to derv
Yeah like I said, it’s a preference rather than a sound business choice. And as for London waste I’m not sure their probs but it certainly isn’t the technology of the engine, it’s normally the horrendous cost of a dedicated fast fill refuelling station.but hardstaffs seem to be enjoying their own system. You ready to put me in your truck yet Harry for six months so u can enjoy ya narrow boat
Not sure but this was 10 years ago and a major problem was the engine would switch from derv to gas at the worst possible time such as halfway up a wet haulroad on a landfill site and the break in power would result in loseing traction.
Well iv never known a derv engine with duel fuel run alone on the cng LPG LNG or whatever else it has fitted, all it does is substitute part of the diesel with gas etc, it has to have at least some diesel to ignite if it’s duel fuel. I have known dedicated cng engines in lorrys but these use no diesel and are basically a spark plug ignition, , I think the system was jus poor on the London stuff. If its a aftermarket system fitted to a standard diesel engine it’s fairly basic , tried and tested and bullet proof, which is what I’m after, maybe a prins or hardstaffs.
In answer to your question yes you can use one on general haulage,
turning the battery isolator on & off when you leave the truck will soon get on your ■■■■ (marker lights stay on if you don’t)
as a new starter i cant believe you are thinking of wasting your money in converting to CNG,
get the wheels rolling & get some profit under your belt first!
Thank u towman, all advice gratefully received.to be honest it is only a preference at this stage and at best something I see much further down the line, but at the time I did wonder why I could purchase a 09 scania for 17k ex pet reg but struggle to get a 1999 scania for 10k? I just couldn’t get my head around what the difference was , but thanks again lads, iv a lot to learn and still taking it all in
The 09 Scania for £17k does sound very cheap, has it been to the moon and back?
in my experience late pet reg vehicles usually make a few grand more than non, its a narrower market but when you need pet reg,…you need it!