Purchasing a fleet of vehicles for your business is a massive step. While these trucks will be assets for your organization, they are still an enormous investment.
People put days into researching and finding the right vehicle for their personal use. So, you can imagine how stressful buying several trucks for a company can become.
Therefore, you can look at the tips below for some guidance and help. Other than buying commercial vehicles, you also need to look into trucking authority packages. The reason is that it takes a lot more than a transaction to fully introduce new assets like these into your organization.
NEW or USED Trucks?
The first and most crucial part of commercial truck shopping is choosing between new or used.
No matter what you look at, you will see a bunch of pros and cons. Therefore, you need to assess your needs and the availability in the market to make this decision.
A used vehicle will undoubtedly be cheaper than a brand new one. The resale value of the truck will not be far from the current price if you decide to sell it down the road. You can also look into loans to purchase these vehicles in installments.
With new vehicles, you won’t have to worry about any repairs, replacements, or possible damages for quite some time. There will only be a need for maintenance. It gives you peace of mind, and it may last much longer.
After you make this decision, you can look into the following.
Consider the Power of the Engine
The right engine size is an important decision. If you overestimate your needs, you may end up spending more money. Not only on buying the truck, but also on maintenance, fuel, and other ways.
On the other hand, underestimating your needs can leave you with a truck that doesn’t fulfill your needs.
Trucks come in various engine sizes, from 4 to 12 cylinders. You can determine which of them will be the best for your business’ needs.
Look Into Cabin Sizes
The trucks you purchase may most likely be for long-distance transportation. Therefore, you need to pick something that will adequately cater to your needs.
A basic two-door cabin will seat two people, three at the most. If the cargo needs more men for transportation, you should consider getting a four-door cabin. This can comfortably seat five or six people.
However, you should be mindful that a larger cabin can mean a smaller truck bed.
Find the Safety Features
Most trucks will come with basic safety features like driver and passenger airbags, along with seatbelts. However, some trucks have more to offer than others.
Before looking at trucks, take a look at the regulatory safety standard guidelines. The safety features they mention are essential. There is no way around them.
Additionally, you can look into trucks that offer more features if you would like to offer them to your drivers. The safety features may also reduce your insurance premiums.
Test Drive Every Vehicle
If you have the relevant driver’s license, then great. Otherwise, you should initially keep a driver on while you look into different vehicles.
It is imperative that you do a test drive of every truck you’re looking to purchase as a part of your research. A test drive can help you or your driver examine the brakes, gears, acceleration, tires, speed, and other essentials.
A test drive can also allow you or your driver to go through its features. Along with that, you or your driver can check its maneuverability by taking turns and curves while driving it.
Consider Your Financing Options
Finally, the investment. Unless you have the money to buy those trucks, you’re probably going to need financing for your commercial vehicles.
Therefore, start by assessing your costs. Figure out the precise amount of cash you can put as a down payment. Remember, more will definitely be better.
You should then look into your financing options very carefully. Assess the pros and cons of each option to find the most suitable one for your business.
If you’re purchasing from a dealership, it would be useful to check financing options with other lenders. Your dealership may offer to finance, but, this way, you will have a better idea of what to expect.
