Heavy Vehicle Dealerships Basics
Find the right commercial vehicle dealers to buy or lease the vehicle you need
Buying any vehicle can be a stressful experience, but buying industrial vehicles--with all their options and wide variety of make and type, not to mention high price tags--can be even more stressful. Is it better to buy new or used? What features do you really need? Would a lease be a better value? These and a myriad of other questions may concern you. That's why it's so important to understand heavy vehicle dealerships basics.Generally, when "heavy duty vehicles" are being discussed, professionals mean semi trucks or dump trucks. The latter is commonly used in the construction industry, while the semi trucks are the life blood of owner-operator truck drivers, shipping companies or other businesses that must haul cargo from one area of the United States to the other. Other types of heavy vehicles include work trucks (used primarily in construction), garbage trucks, and tankers (used for hauling liquids).
There are three general steps you'll need to consider when buying a new or used industrial truck. These are:
1. Find the best commercial vehicle dealership to suit your needs.
2. Learn how to compare heavy duty vehicles.
3. Consider whether to buy an industrial truck or lease it.
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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: Read "Truck and Trailer Financing Tips" at TruckerToTrucker.com and "Commercial Truck Leasing" at ChristiaNet.
- 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.
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