nice one lee, i for one on here always thought you was just kicking tyres “so to speak” and just messing around with all the questions etc, the man is a good motor really i have had a few in my time f2000 range last one i got was when i was at goodways it was a 414 it came brand new reg T360 LUP i think or LPU , it was a lovely motor but i only had it for one week and left “lol” goodways, lot better cab then the 3 series scania i had but wasnt a match on pulling power of the old 3 series i had, anyway good luck and all the best
i used to have an 18 403 roadhaus… LUHT90 was the reg…loved it 
but as times have moved on… i’ve had to… 
the tgas have a bigger cab… but everytime you hit a pot hole it brings up an fault code 
were as the old f2000 just kept goin like the old ERF’s 
good luck any way lee
lee mat:
money ! easy as that anyone can buy an expensive truck i just got it into my head that no matter what you pay for a truck if its going to break down it will then you have the big cost of the repair plus the big cost of owning it so i just got the best i could for the money i had all be it not a lot and going to give it a go also covering big monthly cost on owning a truck is one thing but covering the big fuel bill til you paid is another
Fair point monthly finance cost can be be crippling especially if the work goes quiet. I did know a couple of O/D who always ran older motors and did thier own maintainance however both were very capable HGV mechanics to start with.
My only concern would be that an older motor might not be as reliable as a newer one when it’s working all the time. We’ve just had this problem at work with a van it’s only an 03 reg but it’s started to spend more time in the garage then on the road. Management has bit the bullit and ordered a new one. Saying that it’s a pool vehicle and gets a fair bit of abuse, so maybe an owner driver would be able to keep an older motor running well for longer.
Finally good luck.
I had a 22.403 on goodways N748FJN, my first artic ! It had the older twin bunk set up, which was a waste of space tbh.
I had this one on DFDS (R300MSC), this one had the later single raised bunk, much better. The only bug bear was the bunk lamp, as it stuck out to far into an already narrow bunk, behind the drivers seat.
All in all though they were solid motors and pulled well at 44 tonnes (Intermodal) for the time.
done a month at it now OUCH ! dear god is that tank expensive i no you put fact and figures down on paper but its not til you stand there filling it and its you paying for it do you realise just how expensive it is (-PLEASE NOTE ! anyone asking shall i become an owner driver ) thanks for the good lucks appreciated
keep at it mate, it starts getting easier when the cash starts coming in 
will do just keeping it plodding along nice and steady
what sort of work are you doing with your truck?
and are you enjoying the work you are doing?
stuck with what i no for now its a dirty job but its what i no so i can concentrate on everything else that i dont i.e running my own business could do with looking at a lot lighter work like tnt
we’d all love to do light work mate… but its not always there… aslong as you rate the jobs wright you’ll still make on heavy work…
lee mat:
done a month at it now
Glad you’re doing OK and nothing has fallen apart in the first few weeks. Hopefully not too long now before you start getting paid and that’ll make those fuel bills a bit easier to swallow.
So what is the work you’re doing? Got any photos of the new bus at work?
Paul
lee mat:
will do just keeping it plodding along nice and steady
Wise words, + I know what you mean about filling up, when its your cost, I used to feel feint EVERYTIME 
The M.A.N is a good choice for a start up, a good old bus IMHO, cheap parts @ Imexpart, or they were, not had any dealings with Arthur for a long time…
All the best for the future
time to open a bottle i didnt think id do it but thats the 1st 12 months over and done with
lee mat:
time to open a bottle i didnt think id do it but thats the 1st 12 months over and done with
Well done mate 
lee mat:
time to open a bottle i didnt think id do it but thats the 1st 12 months over and done with
Well done 
How has it been?
Have your earnings been something like what you expected?
Were there any costs you estimated way under or over?
and most importantly… have you made a profit?
I’m not 6mo in yet but so far I’ve spent a lot more on tyres than I had budgeted for, but that has been offset by spending a lot less on servicing and repairs.
Paul
Well done, hats off, especially in these very difficult times.
Nerves of steel, balls of granite
Well done mate, takes guts!
Well done, I think it’s always been tough to start as an owner driver, probably even more so in the last year.
thanks for that ive enjoyed it …for sale man f… only kidding its been a roller coaster made money lost it big time now pulling back it slowly (fingers crossed) the general stuff has been roughly what i thought it was but what has hit me is the unexpected stuff i.e wrecker chesterfield to sheffield £700 ouch .down time was the biggest under estimated cost no wagon no work ,no work no money ,standard bills going out plus the costs of the repairs hard to put money aside for it but its a killer .still glad i got the wagon i did though ,trailers been good,changed accountant bad accountant waste of time, also changed garage they are spot on owe him big time and many many thanks to them.its onwards and upwards i hope ,or should that be onwards and bigger !..
I’ve not had the joys of needing recovery yet although there’s no doubt it’ll happen sooner or later. In fact so far in 5 months I’ve only had one problem that has caused downtime and that cost me about 500quid in lost earnings after fuel and another 400quid to fix the problem. I’m also running a fairly old truck though so I’m sure my time will come…
It’s good you’ve found a decent mechanic. I’m very pleased with the one I chose and I’m sure that having a good one dramatically increases the profitability of your business. The same goes for accountants.
I’m sure we’re all looking forward to another positive post in another 12 months.
Paul