Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Seek a dealer who is well versed in industrial truck sales

Perhaps the most important step you can take when you want to a buy a heavy duty truck is to work with an excellent dealer. Choose a dealership that's been in business for a while; this indicates they know how to treat their customers' right. Your dealer should also carry a wide variety of heavy duty vehicles so they can truly help you find the right one for your needs.

I recommend: Review BuyerZone's article on buying semi trucks, offering tips from features to look for, to comparing prices, to buying used. Heavy Truck and Equipment Wholesalers provides a list of dealerships throughout the United States, plus their new and used inventory. If you're unsure what type of truck you should be looking for, check out Munley, Munley & Cartwright's glossary of commercial trucks.

Effectively compare new and used industrial vehicles

The spec sheet on a new heavy vehicle is usually about 10 pages long. It's important, however, to compare it carefully to any other new vehicle you're considering buying. Often, significant differences in price come down to which features the truck has--features a salesperson may not point out. When you purchase a heavy duty truck used, check the engine compartment before and after your test drive, keeping an eye out for any leaks, and never neglect to have a qualified heavy vehicle mechanic look over the truck.

I recommend: Read JobMonkey.com's "Buying Your Own Semi Truck" for tips on financing a new heavy vehicle. TradeNet Services blog offers a number of "Tips in Getting Used Semi Trucks."

Consider leasing from an industrial vehicle dealership

Dealerships can also lease you a new or used heavy vehicle. Leasing offers advantages such as a potentially lower monthly payment and no down payment. In addition, the vehicle may be purchased at a reduced price at the end of the lease.

I recommend: Read "Truck and Trailer Financing Tips" at TruckerToTrucker.com and "Commercial Truck Leasing" at ChristiaNet.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you purchase any heavy vehicle, make a numbered list of the features you want, with the most essential item being number one. This list will make it easier to effectively compromise when you begin working with your industrial vehicle dealer.

Guide to Heavy Vehicle Dealerships

Buy from reputable heavy vehicle dealerships with good selections of commercial and industrial trucks

By Angela Roe, Freelance Writer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for continuing service when you buy an industrial truck

Take into account more than just the price when making your industrial vehicle purchases. Discuss warranties, delivery services and follow up maintenance and service to find out what you can expect from each dealership.

I recommend: H&K Equipment is an industrial vehicle dealership ready to meet your needs for forklifts, rail car movers or any other style of industrial vehicle you require. Motrec Industry Driven is prepared to supply you with your industrial vehicle needs for either personnel or burden carriers.

Check out the history of commercial vehicle dealers

While each commercial vehicle dealership may specialize in a certain type of vehicle, they should all have a solid history of customer satisfaction. That old saying about the best way to predict the future is to review the past is an old saying because of the truth behind it and the same is true for the history of a commercial dealership.

I recommend: Ag Power Enterprises specializes in agricultural commercial vehicles and stand ready to help provide you with financing and servicing, making them quality business partners. Agri-Tech Industrial Services is ready to supply your agricultural needs or any other commercial vehicle needs including snow plows or tractor trailers.

Save money by choosing a used heavy vehicle

While there's a certain amount of pleasure in the ability to purchase the newest and latest in heavy duty vehicles, there's also a certain amount of pleasure in retaining as much of your capital as you can. Choosing to purchase a quality used heavy duty vehicle meets all of your vehicle needs and may help you more easily meet your financial needs as well.

I recommend: Truck Discount Mart has a wide variety of used heavy duty vehicles available for you to choose from. Wyatt-Johnson GMC is prepared to help you choose the perfect used dump truck to meet your used heavy vehicle needs.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Explore the possibility of leasing industrial vehicles rather than purchasing them. Leasing can save you money and help you with the maintenance of your industrial truck fleet, making it an option worth looking into.

Guide to Making the Most of Heavy Vehicle Dealerships

How to find industrial truck financing, vehicle history info and a one-stop repair shop

By Virginia Franco, Freelance Writer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Run a vehicle inspection report prior to purchasing an industrial truck

Before purchasing one or many industrial trucks, make sure each one gets a clean bill of health. Don't just take the dealership's word that the truck has never been in an accident. Verify the information via an online vehicle inspection report site that will allow you to obtain vehicle and title history using the vehicle's VIN number.

I recommend: CARFAX searches its nationwide database and provides a vehicle history report in seconds by entering the vehicle's VIN. Experian's AutoCheck service allows you to get title information and vehicle information on one or several vehicles.

Arrange for financing from a company used to handling industrial truck sales

Whether you are an owner operator or are purchasing more than one heavy duty vehicle and are concerned about preserving cash flow, you will want make financing arrangements with a lender that has heavy vehicle lending expertise. These lenders are skilled in the nuances involved in heavy vehicle finance.

I recommend: Florida-based Trucks & Parts specializes in financing for commercial trucks, semi trucks, heavy trucks, garbage trucks and other heavy equipment. The TruckLenders - Construction Equipment Financing site has an online credit application. Complete it and press "Quote Now" for more information.

Look for one-stop-shops where you can purchase, maintain and repair your industrial vehicles

When it comes to heavy duty trucks and other industrial vehicles, not just any mechanic is skilled enough to fix problems that may arise. It is important to know where to service and take your truck for repairs when the time comes. Consider locating a dealership that can not only sell you a new and used heavy duty truck, but can repair, replace parts and perform regular vehicle maintenance.

I recommend: If your business is in the Nashville, TN area, consider Nacarato Volvo & GMC Trucks. Their body shop, parts and service department offers one-stop shopping to its customers. The National Truck & Trailer Services Breakdown Directory allows you to search for industrial truck repair facilities across the country. This guide can help you find dealerships that offer repair service in-house as well as those offering roadside assistance.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Whether you buy or lease a new or used industrial truck from an industrial vehicle dealer, make sure you are satisfied with the terms of the warranty. Be sure to inquire about obtaining or purchasing an extended warranty.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Ergonomic

Ergonomic is a design term that means that a product is designed to make the work of the operator easier. Ergonomically designed equipment is better for the operator's back, bones, muscles and general health.

I recommend: Discover more details about ergonomically designed work areas at SafeComputingTips.com. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website also supplies information about ergonomics.

Pneumatic

Pneumatic engines use compressed or gas air to operate the machine. With most heavy equipment, pneumatic engines are used to power the machine.

I recommend: Read more about pneumatics at BusinessDictionary.com. LoveToKnow also provides information about pneumatics.

Air-ride suspension

Air-ride suspension uses an air compressor or an air pump. Air-ride suspension is similar to hydro-pneumatic suspension, and is a common type of suspension used in heavy trucks and cabs.

I recommend: Answers provides details about air-ride suspension systems. Discover even more at AccuAir.

Coil suspension

Coil suspension is a type of suspension that uses coil springs to adjust the suspension of the vehicle. The coil spring, or helical spring, is specifically designed to absorb shock and maintain force.

I recommend: Chris Longhurst provides information about coil spring suspension systems. The Wolfram Demonstrations Project websites supplies more details about coil suspension systems.

Leaf springs suspension

The leaf springs suspension systems, also called the laminated or carriage spring suspension, is a vehicle suspension system that uses specific types of springs on the vehicles wheels to provide suspension.

I recommend: Read more information about leaf spring suspension at MuscleCarClub.com. HowStuffWorks has more details about leaf spring suspensions.

Self-adjusting drum brakes

A self-adjusting drum brake system uses pads, or shoes, to apply pressure to the brake drum to cause the vehicle to stop. With self-adjusting systems, there is no need to periodically adjust these brakes as the system positions itself for best use.

I recommend: AbsoluteAstronomy.com has more details about self-adjusting drum brakes. Babcox Publications also has information about self-adjusting drum brakes.