How to Choose the Right Used Truck for Your Business?

Choosing the right used truck for your business is more about planning, anticipation, and intent than it is about the power, size, and model. You will need to select a truck that becomes the muscle behind what you or your workers are doing, even if you are managing a fleet of service vehicles or transporting goods. In this regard, making the right choice can be a bit confusing as there are so many models, payload capabilities, manufacturers, and customisation options. Questions come up like, What truck should I buy?, What should I consider when looking to buy a new versus a used truck? We will learn a few ways to choose the right used truck for your business.

Understand What Your Needs Are?

Before exploring the ocean of commercial options, it is essential to conduct your due diligence when it comes to your business needs. Consider the following:

1. Purpose

What is the truck’s primary purpose? Will it primarily be used for long-distance freight transport, short-distance freight transport, heavy equipment transport, or specialised transportation to include refrigerated transport?

2. Cargo Size and Type 

What size and type of cargo are you transporting? Perishable goods? Construction material? Over-sized equipment? Matching the specifications of the truck to the correct application for your cargo will be essential. 

3. Terrain and Environment

What kind of terrain and environment will the truck be operating in? Will it primarily be driving in the rugged terrain, or on the highway? Knowing the environment in which you will be using the truck can help narrow down the appropriate truck types.

Learn What You Want to Buy?

Now that you've established your needs and the kind of truck you need, it’s time to begin examining your truck & car sales buying options. 

1. New vs. Used

Consider the benefits and drawbacks of investing in a new truck vs purchasing a used truck. Trucks are usually a safer investment when new, offering reliability and the latest features, but may not be inexpensive. Used trucks can be a smart place to save money if you are at a startup and in need of a less costly option.

2. Financing Opportunities

When purchasing or leasing commercial trucks, you will want to take a look at financing deals. Whether you're looking for loans through banks, dealer financing deals or leasing options, a financial plan that works for your business should be a plan that considers your budget, income and operations.

3. Maintenance and Warranty

When you're making that decision, consider the maintenance cost and warranty package. It is best to select trucks with warranty packages and without limitations to proper maintenance, so you can reduce downtime and save on repairs. 

4. Contracting

Contracting is an effective alternative to just buying your commercial vehicle outright. Contracting offers not only flexibility but also often costs less than outright buying. When contracting, you can short-term or long-term rent or lease the vehicle that your business needs or wants without making a capital expenditure, as you would if you had bought the vehicle. When you contract vehicles, you have a more predictable cost, and your resources are better used. 

Contracting allows you access to vehicles that you may not otherwise own. When contracting your need for transportation, you are also able to contract specialised equipment vehicles, which is better than making every long-term decision of ownership. Maintenance and repair, and other incidental costs, are typically included in your contract package as a service package. Whereas when you own the vehicle, you bear the burden of maintenance and repairs.

Types of Trucks

1. Pickup Trucks: These vehicles offer a lot of flexibility with small parcels, transport and light-duty work. Many small businesses, contractors and entrepreneurial individuals buy pickup trucks for personal work purposes - and yet are engineered for flexibility to accommodate urban deliveries, as well as good economy. Light Commercial

2. Vehicles - Light commercial vehicles are best used with courier and delivery services. They utilise good economy with fuel and are simple to maneuver in traffic. They can carry small to mid-size deliveries, make deliveries on small streets, usually allow you to get the closest parking to a residential home, do not get stuck, and most importantly, are reliable. 

3. Medium Duty Trucks - Medium-duty trucks are suitable for transporting loads like vegetables, fruits, more freight, and building materials. In an urban context, these trucks will cover lots of distance on the highways and have a useful purpose in the cities as well. There is a reasonable amount of time spent driving on city streets, as well as interstate or highway miles. 

4. Heavy-Duty Trucks - Heavy-duty trucks are used to transfer heavy materials from one place to another. They transport large payloads over long distances. They are functional for long-haul freight or shipping from state to state. These trucks are accustomed to bulk or freight, but they are not practical inside cities where truck movement becomes restricted.

5. Box Trucks: Box trucks are good for making deliveries locally or transporting light loads. Their covered cargo area helps protect items from the weather and theft. 

6. Flatbed Trucks: Flatbed trucks allow you to transport the big, bulky items like construction material, machinery, and sometimes, vehicles. Because they have an open flat surface, loading and unloading are made easier compared to using enclosed box trucks. 

7. Refrigerated Trucks: Refrigerated trucks, also referred to as reefers, are essential for any business that deals with perishable goods. The refrigerated trucks supply a temperature-controlled environment to keep items at the proper temperatures, allowing goods to remain fresh and undamaged. 

8. Dump Trucks: Dump Trucks, which usually only apply to construction and landscaping, have hydraulic systems to easily dump materials such as gravel, sand, and debris. 

9. Semi-trailer Truck (also referred to as a tractor-trailer): Semi-trailer trucks are used to transport items long distances, such as freight, food, and materials for manufacturing. They are commonly used for intercity and interstate transportation.

Regardless, it's a box truck for local deliveries or a fleet of refrigerated trucks for perishable items, purchasing the right commercial vehicles represents a significant move toward the success of your local business goals, and Car/Truck Sales will help you to find the best used truck for your business!