Some truckers believe buying a new truck is the best deal for compliance and mileage. However, opting for a used semi-truck is one of the smartest things you can do to save money. It is crucial that you know exactly how to go about this. Are you wondering how to buy a used semi-truck? No sweat about that! The following tips and tricks would help you acquire a high-quality used truck without placing too much pressure on your wallet.
How do you buy a semi-truck? When buying a used semi-truck it is important to carry out a detailed truck inspection to save yourself from additional repair costs. You also need to take adequate measures in avoid ending up with an already impaired used semi-truck with technical faults beyond minor repairs. Check out the following list of steps to take when buying a used semi:
- Make a budget to plan for your purchase.
- Consider the mileage of the truck you’d like to buy.
- Consider the loads you expect to haul.
- Check your credit using a service like Credit Karma.
- Find a dealer, online classifieds like TruckPaper and TruckertoTrucker make this simple.
- Visit the dealer for a test drive.
- Evaluate the truck using a checklist (see below).
- Find a lender.
- Put your new truck to work!
Buying a Used Semi Truck is not rocket science, but it is not an easy exercise as compared to a new semi-truck which offers more confidence in terms of parts and functionality. A semi-truck is a vital asset you need to acquire when running a haulage business; therefore, you will need to maximize your budget by opting for a used semi-truck. To have a hitch-free experience when buying a used semi-truck, follow the points below:
Plan Your Purchase
The decision of buying a semi-truck is a great one for an owner-operator or fleet owner and deserves thorough plans before making contact with a dealer. Make sure you work with your budget. Your business plan will help a lot during this time, since you are in the business with the aim of growing it and amassing profits.
Another significant opportunity for having a plan before setting out to buy a semi-truck is to secure lending. When you show the lending institution or individual your plan of generating money from that truck, it becomes easier for you to secure the loan.
Mileage Consideration
Ordinarily, used semi-trucks in the market will have considerable higher mileage than new brands. This is because trucks are designed to run as fast, and as far as hundreds of thousands of miles without issues. However, you need to ask for the truck records as this will help you to know how best to operate the equipment with less concern.
The route in which you plan on plying your truck is crucial when considering the truck mileage. Driving around your local area within a particular geographical location in the country will require you to get a used semi-truck with fewer mileages, but the reverse is the case when planning on driving your truck across the country.
What to Haul with the Used Semi Truck
Prior knowledge and consideration of what to use the semi-truck to carry is also fundamental when buying your used semi-truck. Do you need a trailer? Or a semi-truck with reefer? Do you need a semi-truck with a side lifter that can help when carrying pallets? Make sure you consider these factors before setting out to buy your used semi-truck.
The prior knowledge of what exactly you want to use the semi-truck to carry will make it easier to narrow down your search.
Get Your Credit Report Checked
Whether you are buying a used semi-truck yourself or through a company, a lender will use your credit report when evaluating whether to offer you a loan or not. A credit report will show lenders how much they can trust you to repay their loan. If there are any discrepancies on your report, they should be dealt with and fixed prior to trying to get a loan for a semi-truck.
Looking for a Dealer
Visiting a dealer is another step you need to take before securing the semi-truck you need to get your business running. The following points will help when considering which dealer of used semi-truck you should patronize:
- Choice a more popular brand: You need to think about the future when the semi-truck will develop some faults, because it comes with the territory. If your choice is a popular brand, it becomes easier to manage in terms of getting spare parts. However, if it is a brand that is not so popular, you may encounter problems when sourcing for parts, which is bad for business.
- Seek out your local repair shop: Consider talking to the technicians at your local repair shop. They will inform you of the best brand you can shop for while considering factors such as the engine power, the one they specialize in working with and the brand that will not break your pocket.
- Meet owner-operator: Consider meeting owner-operators who have been in the business for years. You can always bank on their words due to their experience in buying used semi-trucks and in doing businesses with many dealers.
- Surf the internet before you set out to dealers’ shops: Make sure you go online before you start visiting dealers in person and check for semi-truck dealers that are closer to your areas. Check through their websites and make your choice before setting out to their places.
Once you have done that, you can now proceed to their places to meet them in person. Doing this will save you the cost and stress of going from one semi-truck dealer to another without knowing what they offer. You can always see what you will meet at a dealer’s place if you scour their sites quite well.
One more thing. Look at the reviews of past businesses the dealers have had with clients and see what they are saying about their conduct before you finally make the decision of where to buy your used semi-truck.
Truck Evaluation
Evaluating the trucks in the lots is a huge task, and you must do this with absolute concentration and the right amount of patience. Pay due attention to every detail the dealer tells you, or you find out yourself. It will help to decide whether to buy or not.
Ask for the maintenance and the inspection records from the dealer. Maintenance records will reveal to you if the used semi-truck has been carefully managed by its previous owners and what you need to know about its major or minor issues.
The inspection record will further tell you if the truck is still legal to drive presently and whether or not the truck is still up-to-date in terms of inspections. Once you are through with your initial inspection, invite the certified mechanic you came with to do his job too.
The mechanic must be thorough in his inspection, and you need to tell him not to make any assumption. The mechanic must be someone you trust and can always tell you the actual state of the use semi-truck without hiding anything. Follow the listed points below with your mechanics, and you are sure of getting a great deal without regrets.
- The reason for selling: Knowing the reason your dealer is selling the used semi-truck will save you a lot of stress when deciding on buying. You need to ask if there are mechanical issues with the truck to deal with yourself or the dealer is selling the truck because of an upgrade. If it is an upgrade, then there is no cause for alarm.
- The maintenance history: Once you are satisfied with the reason the truck is in the market, you need to also check the maintenance records with due diligence. Has any part of the used semi-truck been replaced before? Which part was replaced? Having this information will help you to preempt what is going to happen after buying the truck.
- Oil change records: It is crucial to know the frequency of oil changes for the semi-truck you are buying. Too many times indicate a red flag as it suggests an engine problem. If the oil change record is not frequent, you also need to be cautious as it may mean the truck has been poorly managed over its lifetime and this can be a real issue for the potential buyer.
- Accident history: Knowing the accident history of the used semi-truck you are buying is also important. Ask the dealer to provide answers to the following questions regarding the accident history of the truck:
- What kind of accident has the truck been involved in?
- How bad was the damage?
- Are there parts replaced because of the crash? Name the parts.
Having prior knowledge of the accident history will prepare you as a potential owner of such truck and what you may expect in the future.
Know what you need to replace: Note the parts you need to replace once you acquire the used semi-truck, but give special attention to the engine and transmission. Worn out parts tell you they are due for replacement. If many parts have been recently replaced, it means you need not worry as it puts little pressure on your purchasing power. Check the truck’s brakes, lights and horns, and make sure they are working well to adhere strictly to safety standard.
- Check the engine model’s track record: Certain specific engine models are renowned to be problematic and must be considered before buying. Some engines wear out after they reach a certain mileage or work for a certain period. Make sure you do a thorough research on the best engine for your trucking needs and make your decision around that.
- Check the oil: Check the situation of the oil, the current oil levels and its condition. The overall health of the engine can also be determined if you pay close attention to the transmission and engine status.
- Check for body rust: Check the exterior surfaces of the semi-truck to see the extent of rust on the body. Inspect for structural rust by looking at the doorframes and other parts of the truck. If the rust is pronounced on the truck, it could suggest the semi-truck was not managed well over its lifetime before getting to the market for sale.
- Check for body damage: As simple as this may sound, it is also essential. Make sure you check to inspect the truck in broad daylight without overlooking any damaged part.
- Inspect the tire tread: While it is critical to focus on the mechanical and maintenance history of the truck, pay attention to the tire. Make sure you inspect the tires of the used semi-truck you are buying especially the amount of tread left on the tires. Knowing the status of the truck’s tires will let you estimate how far the current tires have covered and when to replace them.
- The best axle layout: There are different types of axle layouts based on the purpose for which it was designed. Put these points into consideration before deciding on which to go for and you won’t regret it.
- Are you hauling goods short distances more frequently?
- Or are you going for long distances in a dangerous or difficult terrain?
Make sure you know what exactly you want to do with your used semi-truck and you will have little or no problem in the future when using the truck.
Horse power and towing capacity: Make sure you inquire about the capacity of the used semi-truck you are paying for. Enquire about the towing capacity and horse power of the truck in question. A truck with a higher horse power is appropriate for carrying excavators, bulldozers and all other heavy duty machines unlike one with lesser horse power.
Transmission types: Know the transmission type you want your semi-truck to have, whether you prefer automatic to manual. Whatever the case maybe, consider the transmission system before purchasing your used semi-truck to avoid disappointment.
Where to get the replacement parts: Make sure you do some background search of suppliers who can get you parts of the used semi-truck model you are buying comfortably. Once you can source at least two, you are in the right direction. Failure to do this may render your purchased used semi-truck useless if you can’t find replacement parts.
Budget for upgrades and repairs: Based on your inspection, you need to earmark some amount for upgrades and to repair those faults which you have identified. Factor all the repair and upgrade costs into consideration before making your final decision and check if it is a worthy investment.
Try more financing options: You can always try out more financing options especially when you are borrowing from lending institutions that offer a variety of financing options. However, you have to meet the loan criteria to be eligible. Sometimes, financing approval needs official inspection from the one buying with the help of a certified mechanic.
Opt for the best insurance option: As you go around looking for the right truck for your trucking needs, you also need to look out for the best insurance option. Rates depend solely on the insurance provider and it is advisable to explore as many options as possible. It is essential to look for an insurance company which will cover your business significantly in case of losses.
Extended warranty: Many dealers of used truck offer extended warranty. Make sure you inquire about this from your dealer as it will relieve you of some financial burden after buying a used semi-truck.
When to walk away with no hard feelings: Of all these tips that have been mentioned, knowing when to walk away is arguably the most important tip to note when buying your used semi-truck. Once you notice the truck on sale does not fit your required specification in terms of mileage, model, extent of rust or the dealer seems to be hesitating in providing maintenance and inspection history, walk away.
Find a Lender
Finding a source of finance is the next line of action once you are done with your evaluation of used semi-trucks in the lot. Don’t forget your choice is limited as to securing a loan for your use semi-truck. Traditional banking institutions can always help in this regard and you can also secure a loan for your truck through online dealers that provide such options.
Do not bother; it is not as difficult securing a loan for your used semi-truck as obtaining it for personal vehicles. The lending institution knows you need the semi-truck for your trucking needs which will ultimately bring forth money.
You need to compare some few quotes from lending institutions to know which offers the best rate for your present needs before accepting any loan.
Why Truck Paper?
Truck paper makes it easier to shop for your used semi-truck you are looking for; the website is easy to search through and avails you the opportunities of comparing features and pricing. All you need to do is navigate to the truck manufacturers section; you will get the desired models such as Scania, Peterbilt, Kenworth etc.
Another interesting thing about Truckpaper.com is that it provides lots of financial institutions who are willing to help finance the purchase of your semi used truck. You do not have to bother about who is going to be driving your truck after purchase. You can always get a driver at the click of a finger. Even if you would like to become a truck operator, no problem, there are provisions for that on the site.
Once you have commissioned your purchased truck into service of hauling goods from one place to another, you will need to protect it to the best of your abilities. Truck paper suggests many websites where you can adequately insure your truck in case of loss.
Truck paper also provides you with information on meteorological stations around your vicinity when you need them in case of bad weather and you will have adequate compensation when you incur loss.
Furthermore, if your used semi-truck is stolen, after reporting and registering with the police, you can take it a step further by posting such information on the truckpaper.com and keep your fingers crossed and see what transpires thereafter.
Additionally, you have access to different types of information on truck paper such as where to source parts, accessories, driving schools, publications and periodical for members.
Which Is the Best Reliable Semi-Truck?
The most reliable semi-truck must epitomize what trucks do best and that is, work. So if you are hauling for a company whose goal is to do off-road delivery and pick up, trust me you will need to consider Kenworth T -680. With Paccar 13L engine programmed, the machine is dependable and very reliable for such work.
However, if your work is to drive across the city, then you have to consider a different maker as much pressure will automatically be on clutches and shifter linkages. Freightliner is a very good model but seems to have problem with sensors which means another unnecessary investment for the owner.
Similarly, reliability is more achievable when you opt for models such as Volvo, international, Paccar as most of their engines perform the same function. If you go with propriety engines of these producers and perform due preventive maintenance and test drive in the best possible way they are to operate, will find them amazing and really worth every penny invested on them.
What Next After Buying a Semi-Truck
First things first. After purchasing your used semi-truck from a reputable dealer, most likely the interior and exterior of the truck would have been taken care of in terms of washing it thoroughly. However sometimes, the overall state of the truck interior and exterior may need total cleaning due to the way the previous owner handled it. If you feel it is not going to be easy handling the cleaning yourself, call on the professional cleaner, they will handle it for you.
After cleaning, you will like to have a feel of the driving state of the truck. Go for an extended test drive for some days or weeks before engaging your newly acquired semi-truck for hauling goods. Take it for a spin and get yourself familiar with all its components and limitations. This will help you to figure out any usual noises or vibration that happens in the truck. Knowing these elements will push you to sort them out before setting out for the real deal of hauling goods.
Buying a used semi-truck is a big decision. It is pertinent to check the overall state of the vehicle and buy from a reputable dealer to protect your investment.