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Pay top dollar for new heavy-duty trucks and get your money's worth

If you're already running a successful business, then purchasing a new heavy-duty truck is probably a good bet, as you're likely to make a return on the money you'll spend. Still, be prepared to pay $100,000 or more for a new heavy-duty truck. When assessing new heavy duty truck value, decide whether special features are worth the added expense.

I recommend: Find several models of 2009 Freightliner heavy-duty trucks for up to $130,000 at Trucker.com. View a new 2009 Kenworth heavy-duty truck complete with a refrigerator/freezer and TV installation package, for sale at Truck Paper for about $133,000.

Budget for other costs that add to heavy duty truck prices

What you'll spend on heavy-duty trucks doesn't end with the price of the vehicle. You also need to factor maintenance and operating costs into the pricing and costs of heavy-duty trucks. From the price of diesel fuel at the pumps to stricter emissions standards by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are many hidden costs to consider when buying a heavy-duty truck.

I recommend: DieselNet details new EPA emissions standards and how they will affect the cost of heavy-duty trucks. Check out cost estimates relating to heavy-duty trucks, including $8,000 added to the purchase price of new trucks due to new federal emissions standards, at Trailer-Body Builders. Get an idea of labor rates to repair your heavy-duty trucks, which cost up to $70.00 in a shop after hours and $95.00 on the road after hours, from Heavy Duty Tire & Brake.

Save on initial costs by selecting used heavy-duty trucks

If a six-figure price tag on new heavy-duty trucks is too far out of reach, turn to more attractive, and attainable, used heavy-duty truck pricing options. In some cases for a fraction of the cost of new trucks, you can get behind the wheel of a used heavy-duty truck. Even many late-model heavy-duty trucks sell for half or less of what you'd pay for new heavy-duty trucks.

I recommend: Find a huge inventory of used Kenworth heavy-duty trucks for between $20,000 and $65,000, most only a few years old, at American Truck Buyer. Discover why you should consider a used and reliable Mack truck for between $20,000 and $60,000, less than half of what a new Mack truck would cost, at truckys weblog. View a comparison chart to see the price difference, about $30,000, in buying a new vs. used heavy-duty truck, at UsedBigRigs.com.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Figure in the cost of insurance for heavy-duty trucks when budgeting to purchase a new or used vehicle.
• •  Consider leasing options for heavy-duty trucks, which may offer incentives such as 100 percent tax deductions in full-service heavy-duty truck leases.

Guide to Heavy-Duty Trucks

Shop intelligently among the array of heavy duty trucks for sale online

By Christine Margiotta, Freelance writer

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

Find reputable makers of heavy-duty trucks

Search online for heavy-duty trucks manufacturers that deliver quality trucks at reasonable prices, new or used.

I recommend: Freightliner Trucks, a division of the largest North American manufacturer of heavy-duty autos, Daimler Trucks North America, lists nearly a dozen truck models on its site. The Construction Equipment website offers a list of heavy-duty truck dealers country-wide. Gibbs Truck Centers lists numerous truck makes and models.

Back up your purchase with the support of parts for heavy-duty trucks

Your heavy-duty truck dealer or manufacturer should provide you the support of quality replacement parts. But you can also get what you need from reputable truck parts dealers online.

I recommend: PartSeek, an online dealer of used heavy-duty truck body parts, allows you to create a profile that enables you to quickly make parts requests without filling out the same information more than once. T.H. Evans Enterprises, which specializes in rebuilding heavy-duty truck engines and other components, lists its parts online as well.

Heavy-duty truck value is important

Whether you're looking to sell an existing fleet or want an idea of how different truck makes compare, find a reputable truck valuation source online and get the best deal on used heavy duty truck pricing.

I recommend: Truck Market lists heavy-duty truck price and mileage, while the Truck Blue Book is to heavy-duty trucks what the Kelly Blue Book is to automobiles.

Find out if your new truck meets emission standards for heavy-duty trucks

It's important to ensure your truck runs efficiently and meets national standards for emissions and fuel efficiency.

I recommend: DieselNet lists emissions standards based on truck model year. The Environmental Protection Agency's website can give you the latest national standards for diesel efficiency.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While heavy duty truck price is often the most important factor in your decision, sometimes it pays to spend a little more up-front. Newer trucks are most often designed to the latest fuel efficiency standards and will help you save more money in the long run.

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Know what to expect when your heavy-duty trucks hit the road

Heavy-duty trucks operate under strict federal and state regulations. From safety laws relating to the operation of heavy-duty trucks governed by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards, it's smart business to keep up on heavy-duty trucks news and trends regarding these issues.

I recommend: Find a list of the top ten trends in heavy-duty trucks, from talk of NHTSA's new stopping distance rule to changes in the life cycles of heavy-duty trucks, at Bulk Transporter. Join the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and get publications that deal with heavy-duty trucks news and trends from new heavy-duty builds to maintenance.

Save on fuel consumption with new designs and innovations being introduced into heavy-duty trucks

Fluctuating gas prices often leave the trucking industry scrambling for ways to reduce these costs. No matter what the current prices are at the pumps, it's always a good idea to look into ways to save fuel consumption to offset any crises in the future. Keep up on heavy-duty trucks news and trends to learn how manufacturers and owners are dealing with fuel consumption.

I recommend: Read a recent article about how a change in heavy-duty truck design such as adding sideskirts can save up to 15 percent on fuel consumption, at Green Car Congress. Check out the blog of Commercial Truck Trader for an introduction to "fuel-saving hybrid technology" in some commercial trucks by Mack Trucks.

Research recent and future improvements in the manufacture of heavy-duty trucks

From improved performance and handling to stronger body parts, major manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks are continually introducing better components into their products. Peterbilt, Freightliner, Mack and others are seeking and finding ways to give heavy-duty trucks smoother rides, better suspension and more.

I recommend: Visit FleetOwner to find out about a new front suspension being introduced by Peterbilt, which will improve control, handling and weight capacities in heavy-duty trucks. Get the latest about another suspension system, the PriMaax EX Air Suspension System, from TruckingInfo.com. DieselNet.com discusses a new engine for heavy-duty trucks coming soon from Cummins Engine.

Keep up on the newest models offered by makers of heavy-duty trucks

As with any product, it helps to see what top manufacturers are producing to get the best idea of latest trends. Most likely, it won't do to research cheap heavy duty trucks. To really get an idea about heavy-duty trucks news and trends, it's best to look at the products with the highest heavy duty truck value.

I recommend: Read about and see pictures of the latest models of Kenworth heavy-duty trucks at Truck Trend. GizMag has an in-depth article about the most recent heavy-duty truck from Freightliner.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with local state agencies regarding any changes or trends in the rules and regulations regarding heavy-duty trucks.

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GVWR

GVWR stands for gross vehicle weight rating as defined by the U.S. Government. The rating includes the truck with all its components plus the maximum allowed load. GVW, as used by the trucking industry, does not include cargo. You will find heavy-duty trucks classified by the GVWR, and most fall into the Class 7 category for GVWR.

I recommend: Changin' Gears explains GVWR, GVW and categories of trucks and clarifies the various classifications.

Wheelbase

Wheel base refers to the length of the truck as measured by the distance between the wheels from front to rear. The overall length of the truck uses the measurement from the front to the rear of the chassis. For trailers, wheelbase is measured from the kingpin, which connects the trailer to tractor, to the rear wheels.

I recommend: For a diagram and explanation of terms used in measuring truck sizes, see FleetWatch Magazine. It explains the measurement process when the rear end of the truck has more than one axle.

Tandem

Heavy-duty trucks and trailers often have two rear axles, referred to as a tandem axle. On the truck, the first rear axle will utilize power, and in some cases, both will.

I recommend: Roscommon Equipment Center illustrates a typical tandem axle and how to figure wheelbase for purposes of determining weight distribution for each axle. For an illustration of several axle configurations go to Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute.

OEM

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) refers to the companies such as International, Isuzu, Mack or Volvo that make heavy-duty trucks. OEM usually refers to replacement parts for repairing trucks. The alternative would be aftermarket manufacturers that make parts to fit trucks, usually for a cheaper price.

I recommend: Gibbs International Truck Centers is a typical supplier of OEM parts and includes a list of OEM companies. Just-auto.com covers aftermarket replacement parts for heavy-duty trucks, concentrating on the outlook for parts suppliers.

Suspension

The suspension system supports the truck chassis on the wheels and frame of the truck. The driver's seat may also have a separate suspension system.

I recommend: Hendrickson U.S.A. lists and pictures air, rubber, spring-mount and solid suspension systems. For everything you want to know about seat suspension, go to ExpediterOnline.com.

Over-the-road

You can divide truck driving jobs into two classifications, over-the-road, or long-haul jobs, where you will be gone for several days at a time and short-haul jobs where you will drive in a local area that allows you to stay at home.

I recommend: Davis Cartage provides information detailing the job responsibilities for long-haul truck drivers.