Alright, let me clarify. Manufacturers always have a maintenance schedule for their vehicles. Replace such and such a part at 25,000 miles for example. Maybe the CTIS should be inspected every some miles and some parts need lubing and/or replacing. Maybe the air brakes need to be disassembled, lubed, and reassembled. I’m just starting out on my research making a list of of all recurring or PREDICTABLE costs. All the repair costs I’ve heard here are unpredictable costs. I want the predictable annual cost of maintenance from those of you experts. These are costs that will always be there. Then from there I can see if I’m able to save up enough money for those unpredictable costs. All companies list recurring costs on their balance sheets. The unpredictable costs are always a separate entry. That’s what I’m doing here. I haven’t taken the plunge and bought one yet. I’ve also been asking Walt Grigsby a ton of questions.
Filters always need to be replaced, it’s just a matter of when. The coolant should be drained and replaced usually, again just a matter of when. Certain lines will get clogged and need to be cleaned. I should be able to do all of that myself saving me some money.
You're looking at the problem all wrong, and asking the wrong question(s) because of it.
The "predictable costs" are very small. Most are not time based, but rather mileage based. Because these trucks are not driven like a daily-driver, the maintenance schedules don't mean as much as they might otherwise. For example, I've put several thousand miles on my truck, in the several years I've owned it - this would barely be enough for one oil change, according to the book.
The "unpredictable costs" are so high, they render the "predictable costs" trivial and meaningless. As I explained in my "EDIT:" post above, the "predictable costs" I've paid as a result of routine maintenance are basically just a couple hundred dollars (one oil change and some grease is seriously all I can think of). But I've spent $25-30k (on top of the purchase cost of the truck) fixing, repairing, replacing, and upgrading stuff. I keep a detailed list, but you're basically looking at $500/mo (not including fuel, insurance, etc.), if you do the math ($25-30k / 5-6 years).
Maybe 1/2 of that $25-30k was critically necessary (e.g. new engine after previous one broke, rebalance driveshafts because they destroyed the engine, get custom hydraulic line made to replace broken trans cooler line, $500/ea batteries QTY 4, etc.), and 1/2 was preventative or upgrades (e.g. high speed axle gears, new driver's seat, step bumper, crane, etc.).
And that's not including the thousands of dollars of tools I've bought, because I do all the work myself. (So to be clear, that $25-30k number above is without paying anyone to work on my truck, and doing it all myself!)
