If you’re expanding your commercial fleet or are planning ahead for equipment replacement, you’ll likely need to Buying a Semi-Truck in the near future. While adding a semi-truck to your fleet’s family can be exciting, it’s important for fleet managers to understand what matters most when making such a purchase. By following the guidelines below, fleet managers can quickly identify which semi-truck is worth the investment.
5 Key Factors for Buying a Semi-Truck
Just like your personal daily-driver, semi-trucks should be thoroughly evaluated prior to making a final purchase. Before purchasing your new or used semi-truck, be sure to consider the following key elements:
- Vehicle History: Prior owners will sell their trucks for many reasons, and it’s important for you to find out the underlying cause for the sale. If the semi-truck has experienced increased repair requests, for example, you’ll want to avoid purchasing the vehicle and making a poor investment for your fleet.
- Physical Damage: Be sure to thoroughly inspect the truck in-person for signs of physical damage, including damaged doors and windows; signs of rust or corrosion; and undercarriage damage. When going to inspect the vehicle, consider bringing an additional team member to help catch things you may have otherwise missed during the inspection process.
- Truck Tires: Semi-truck tires are one of the most crucial components for safe vehicle operation. If you notice that the semi-truck tires or wheels are damaged, you’ll need to factor the cost to replace them into your overall budget. Especially, if other damage exists, it may be best to pursue alternative prospects for your semi-truck purchase.
- Engine Check: When inspecting the semi-truck for damage, it’s critical to check its engine. Even minor issues with a semi-truck engine can result in overheating or premature breakdown. Ensure all the fluid levels are full (with no evidence of leaks), belts are running smoothly, and all mechanical and electrical parts are in good working condition before purchasing. If you see heavy exhaust smoke, for example, or hear noise that might indicate some form of internal damage, it would be well worth it to have a knowledgeable mechanic do a more thorough inspection or compression test.
- Horsepower & Capacity: Depending on your load-carrying needs, you’ll need a certain amount of horsepower relative to the freight capacity to ensure safe travel on the road. The higher the horsepower and capacity, the more weight your new semi-truck will be able to carry.
By fully inspecting your semi-truck before making a final purchase, you’ll ensure no lemons get mixed in with the rest of your commercial fleet.
Partner with STTC for Your Semi-Truck Service Needs
Whether you need semi-truck tires or vehicle maintenance, or someone to inspect a rig before you purchase it, STTC has the services you need to get the most out of your semi-truck investment. Our team of knowledgeable technicians are happy to provide you with preventative semi-truck tire maintenance and reliable products proven to help your fleet avoid unnecessary downtime. Contact STTC today to find out more about what partnering with our team can do to help your fleet!
