God **** it guys, this forum has always been so helpful, im always so impressed with the amount of effort and knowledge you guys are willing to share with a newcomer. I appreciate each and every one of you and your replies. Thank you!
Key statement stated above:
If you can't turn a wrench yourself, stay away...-
...Some guys try to tear up their trucks by the way they drive them and the terrain.
A lot just want to cruise and simply enjoy the truck.
How/where you drive (mud/rocks/etc) will determine a lot on the upkeep cost.
Im pretty used to working on machines and i love to get my hands dirty with it all but it comes with limitations at what i can do, 1. because of experience, and 2. because soaked in water i just about push 120lbs. So id have to get a boy to fix things for me if its heavy stuff.
Most of my experience comes from working on 50-65ft barges in europe. I own a military motorcycle there too and always love the way these machines were built. To the point and durable to get the job back on the road.
Other than that im a good driver, im careful and mindful of my machines and the others on the roads, plus it will keep to the main roads, not much offroading for me in the mean time.
Most diesel shops that have an "old school mechanic" can work on them...-
..For services (oil changes, greasing, coolant change, etc) you will pay about what a civilian truck will pay for materials plus the labor charge.
If you get an A2 with the super single tires bear in mind the tires with rims weigh right at 500 pounds each. You will not be changing tires on the side of the road without a service truck and technician. If they are not familiar with the CTIS and break something you will have more problems. Unless you know the field expedient fixes for the CTIS you will be sitting on the side of the road.
These trucks are not built for driver/passenger comfort. They were built to move massive amounts of war material over improved and unimproved roads. Hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Minimal windshield wipers and defrosters and no heated mirrors. They ride like oxcarts and the long wheelbase trucks have the turning radius of the Titanic.
They are also notoriously slow on the road especially when loaded. We just had a member rear ended by a commercial vehicle while pulling a hill. Check out his thread. A minor miracle that no one was killed. A few years ago we had a member killed when his truck was rear ended by a semi.
If you think it is expensive to get a small vehicle towed wait until you have to call a big rig tow service. My guy charges 200 bucks to take the wrecker keys out of his pocket and crank it. Get that M934 stuck out in the boondocks and you better have a wad of cash or a credit card with a very high limit.
They also suck fuel at a prodigious rate. My M927A2 gets about 6 MPG empty going downhill with a 40 MPH tailwind. An M934 has the aerodynamics of a concrete block, it will get a lot less. You will visit a lot of fuel stops in your travels.
Unless you are going to do a lot of off roading you will be better served by a motorhome.
Thank you for your detailed reply! So for oil changes and all the basic stuff i guess its not going to kill me to get work done? I just wonder how common are the diesel shops these days for non commercial/civilian trucks.
My worst fear is getting stuck on the side of a road and obviously i cant just call up triple A to swoop me up. As far as getting a technician to the side of a road, how much would that go down? And how accessible are these guys, or are there few around these days? But then what the **** am i talking about, there are semi's everywhere i imagine at least i can count on that to save me if **** hits the fan? Right?
Fuel is fun huh? I mean im lucky not to have to travel too much but jesus christ i know ill be plotting pit stop to pit stop, unless ive underestimated it, i think i can manage the fuel alright.
Ahh dude, sorry to hear about the guys getting hurt.
What can i say, i hope they enjoyed the **** out of their rides, i hope everyone does.
As far as comfort, i get you, but **** it
I see these trucks as a thing of beauty. Sure i could get a motorhome, was considering it even but at the end of the day you can get a horse or you can get a dragon. Id rather put up with getting burn with the latter in exchange for the amazing experience.
I personally don't think they are that bad.
I've owned from deuce to hemtt and not a one of them has cost me a first born child lol. It's not the cheapest hobby but also not the most expensive one. Buy a helicopter or a plane then you better have some cash. Find a truck that looks good and not beaten to ****.
I really hate the filters, if didn't have so many dam pu$$ys in this world we'd be far better off.
Hehehe, id hope if youre not comfortable handling a naughty word or two that youd stay away from handling a 5ton machine.
Thanks again for all the replies guys. I'll keep looking and doing research. So far im still pretty determined to get the M934 since im thinking getting work done on it / service wont be a more than at least 5k a year. (is that a fair estimate or am i crazy?)
