Pricing and Costs of Heavy-Duty Trucks

Prepare yourself for the heavy-duty pricing and costs of heavy-duty trucks
By Harrison Howe Whether you're already in or are going into the trucking business, you know or will soon discover the high pricing and costs of heavy-duty trucks. Heavy duty truck prices are steep, no matter if you're buying new or dealing with used heavy duty truck pricing. Even comparatively cheap heavy duty trucks can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
 

Besides the heavy duty truck price, you'll also incur operating costs and maintenance costs. Factors such as stricter emissions standards, diesel fuel prices and over-the-road expenses are all added into the pricing and costs of heavy duty trucks. To budget accordingly, consider the following before looking for heavy duty trucks for sale:

1. Price new heavy-duty trucks;

2. Factor in costs to run and maintain heavy-duty trucks;

3. Look at used heavy duty truck prices.

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

• 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.