4 Things To Consider Before Buying A Used Semi-Truck
Posted on: 12 July 2016
With close to 70 percent of America's freight tonnage being moved on trucks, now is an excellent time to invest in a used semi-truck and start working as your own boss. But not all semi-trucks are created equal, so you'll want to do some comparison shopping when searching for a truck to ensure that it will meet your specific needs and expectations as time goes on. Following are a few things to consider when searching for that perfect truck for your business:
Depth of Tire Tread
An important consideration to make when shopping for your semi-truck is tire tread depth. Because tires cost hundreds of dollars each, having to replace them right after buying your truck can increase your overall investment costs dramatically. Look for a semi-truck with front steer tires that have at least 4/32 inches of tread depth on them so you won't have to worry about replacing them for at least a few months. The other tires on the truck you decide to buy should have no less than 2/32 inches of tread depth on them.
It's also important to make sure that each set of tires on the truck you buy are similar in tread depth, or the tires with more tread are likely to succumb to unnecessary wear and tear and require replacing before expected. You should find that tires with optimal tread depth improves your truck's overall gas mileage as time goes on and saves you some money on operating costs.
A Convenient Body Design
It's helpful to find a used semi-truck that has a flat, sleek body design on the exterior so you can effectively advertise your services while transporting goods for your clients. If your truck has lots of ridges, curves, and customized paint embellishments on it, you may find it tough to incorporate your magnetic signs and stenciled advertisements. Look for a truck with flat surfaces that you can easily print your company phone number on or attach a small banner to. Make sure your rig isn't covered with textured paint, as the texture will likely make it hard to printed designs, paint a custom logo, or apply vehicle magnets to the truck long-term.
Extended Warranty Options
Because you are investing in a used semi-truck, the manufacturer's warranty may already be expired or about to expire – so it's a good idea to find out about extended warranty options before making an investment. Look for a truck that qualifies for extended warranty coverage that will cover the cost of repairs for major components like the drive train, transmission, and the engine so you don't end up having to spend thousands of dollars on repairs out of pocket if something major goes wrong.
Ask your dealer to provide you with a complete list of extended warranty options that are available for each semi-truck you consider buying so you can compare your options side-by-side and determine which should save you the most money on repair costs in the long run.
Maintenance and Repair Records
Another essential aspect to consider when shopping for a used semi-truck is past maintenance tasks and repairs that have been done. To help ensure that the truck you buy will stay in great running condition once you drive it off the lot, you need to know about every repair, oil change, upgrade, and tune-up that has been done. Make sure that the trucks you consider purchasing come with full records of past maintenance, repairs, and body work so you can gain insight into how well each truck has been taken care of before deciding whether or not to make an investment.
By making these considerations, you should be able to ensure that the semi-truck you purchase is reliable and easy to maintain as the years pass. Contact a used dealer, such as Arrow Truck Sales, for more information.
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