What grain hauling trucks are best on the farm for low cost repairs and quality build?

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Just wonder what you all have for opinions on grain trucks (18 wheelers). Brands, nitpicks, specific things that speak to the quality good/bad of truck makes/models.  We’re looking to upgrade a truck and not sure where to put our money. Not looking for new, probably something 2010-2016ish

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We use older Freightliners and Wilson hopper bottom trailers b

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I have a 2002 T600 I would part with,  13 speed, Cat C12 with bigger single turbo, 60 inch bunk, has 8 bag air suspension,  good for those country roads! Put so many new parts,don't know where to start, been used very little miles the last 10 years,

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We have 6 Mack's, 95,97.99,06,06,07.  They have mack engines and 9 and 10 speeds.  I put tires that are very aggressive,  We take them into the field when we are filling 2018 grain trailers,  66' high, 42" long.  They haul 80,000 easy and when 90,000 is the rule in the fall we can get that but not a lot more, which is very good because I have a person that will fill the whole trailer and I don't want a trailer that can haul a lot more that legal.
We also haul manure into the field and the agresive tires and good gears make every thing work.  I think the Macks are a tougher truck than freightliners, IH,.  They are better in the field.

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Something affordable and reliable. does not matter the color or the make everyone has their own preference, I have owned my own trucks for 40 years use to haul all my own stuff very little custom hauling. Trucking is another business altogether if you don't have the help or the time having it hired is OKAY too! We have a family operation run an older line of equipment and as my dad aged and became less capable the shine came off of running the trucks and hauling grain! Maintenance of not only the trucks on the road and the rest of equipment and facilities became a bigger priority than sitting in the truck, I found my time better spent on managing and doing my own repairs was the better option, I have a reliable trucker who gives me excellent service and when the truck leaves my worries are over all I need to work on is making sure we have the next load in the load out bins and we load 1100 bushels in about 4 minutes they have several loads out in a day and have virtually no waiting. I get a good rate based on convenience and for me spending the money on the facilities and leaving the hauling to an experienced driver was a best option. I still have 3 trucks capable of getting crop out of the fields not Junkers but high mileage low cost working vehicles they are maintained and clean could haul a longer distance if needed but no huge investment. May be different of others but a good option in my opinion new trucks are expensive and if they don't run daily they are not paying their way.

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international 9200 or 9400 (day cab is the 8xxx) for semi (but more so the cummins N14/ISX engines). Wilson for trailers.  solid pair, yet support is only 30 minutes away for either if needed.

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Kenworth has more heavy haul trucks than most brands. They have done good for us. 13 speed alot nicer for hauling than 10 speed.

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The aluminum cabs on Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks hold up longer if you have to run them in the winter. They also ride a lot nicer on rough country roads. I have a 13 and a 10 speed. The extra range of gears is much nicer. I prefer Cats but get plenty of power regardless of brand. We can haul up to 92k out of the field and we usually run it close to that. Timorese and Wilson pull nicer but Cornhuskers are lighter. Older trailers will often need rear and or front subframes repaired or replaced. I try to keep that in mind when buying used trailers.  Pretty easy to stick 7-8k into subframes but then you know they are good.

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I don’t have a lot of truck experience myself, but I compared lots of them locally. We’ve got a ‘07 Freightliner Columbia, daycab with a 425hp Detroit 14L 60 series, 10-speed manual trans. The truck is super short, like 180” wheelbase. Turning in and out of gates is super easy, and has very tight turning radius too! Biggest downfall, plastics in the cab weren’t intended for bouncing  around county roads, it has several rattles after running farm routes nearly every day for the past 6 years.

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Pre-emissions Detroit series 60 engines or post 2014 Cummins ISX engines if you need something newer. I don’t put a ton of value in creature comforts, so we lean towards used freightliner fleet trucks.  The cabs are plastic junk, but they keep the cost per mile down on depreciation. We get by alright with 10 speed Eaton transmissions, but sometimes 13 would be nice.  I recommend daycabs for short turning radius in and out of fields and weight savings. Aluminum trailers are worth the extra money in weight savings and longer life. I’ve had good luck with second tier trailer brands, avoiding the high cost of a Timpte, Wilson or cornhusker. Those may be nice for full time hauling, but a farmer can do with less.

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I have three VNL Volvo day cabs. Love them. ISX Cummins with ten speeds, one is auto shift. Auto shift is nice for hauling long distance but prefer manual in and out of fields and dumping at the elevator. These are 2007 models pre tier 4 emission. Have just purchased two 40' x 72" x 96" Timpte trailers and also like them over my older high side trailers.

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My opinion 40’ aluminum trailer Timpte or wilson. 72” sides allows plenty of room for most crops but can still see in with grain cart. Steel seems like a good deal but if your gonna keep it for any amount of time haul fertilizer not wash on regular basis etc spend the money & get aluminum. As for trucks either pre 2008 or post 2012 or 2013 (years they were figuring out emissions). As for brands I’m not all about the Pete’s & kenworths. Let’s be honest are we really putting substantial miles on them. The turning radius is terrible. Great trucks but are they really worth the extra money?  Status symbol not necessary unless your trying to keep up with the neighbors. Cummins & Cat are my choices because of parts availability & local service. Hope this helps just my opinion though.

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What grain hauling trucks are best on the farm for low cost repairs and quality build?

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