Purchasing a used commercial box truck can be a smart economic move. Yet getting an excellent deal on a truck goes far beyond scoring a great price. You also have to know what you’re paying for. Every system and component, including its liftgate, should be in good operating order. But how can you find this important information? This guide to buying a used box truck helps you understand what’s involved — how to evaluate its benefits, learn about the truck’s history, and more.
Benefits of Purchasing a Used Commercial Box Truck
A used commercial box truck offers many years of faithful service when kept in good to excellent condition. Many deliver solid performance past the 100,000-mile mark, the 200,000-mile point for trucks with diesel engines. With a high-quality used truck, you can enjoy several key benefits.
- Budget-Friendly: Used box trucks can provide significant cost savings when compared to brand-new models. These savings depend on the truck’s condition. A pre-owned vehicle that’s in good shape with a solid maintenance history delivers more bang for the buck than a used model that’s not been maintained well. Doing your homework is vital when assessing a vehicle’s true value.
- Less Depreciation: You’ve heard that new vehicles begin to depreciate in value the moment you drive them off the sales lot. Depending on the make and model, depreciation can fall between 20% and 30% during the first year of ownership. With a used truck, you don’t take that first-year hit to its value.
- Instant Advertising: The enclosed cab on a box truck is usually blank, with no print or graphics. You can imprint your own visuals there — your company’s logo, slogan, and phone number, for instance. For a modest price, a box truck can serve as a billboard on wheels for your services.
What To Look Out for When Buying a Used Commercial Box Truck
Not all used commercial box trucks are alike. That’s why you need to investigate each truck’s condition before you sign any contracts or put money down. The previous owner’s care, wear, and tear will manifest in both its appearance and some key maintenance indicators.
- Condition of Its Tires: If the previous owner hasn’t replaced the truck’s tires, you can learn some valuable information by inspecting them. Tread depth and condition can tell you how the vehicle was (or was not) cared for. Meanwhile, don’t forget to check the insides of each tire for the presence of grease or leaking brake fluid.
- Engine Coolant Levels: Proper maintenance includes maintaining engine coolant levels and flushing the coolant when needed. Take a look under the hood and inspect the truck’s coolant. Brown or rusted fluid points to possible rust and other deposits inside the radiator, heater core, or engine.
- Air Filter and Engine Surface: Air filters should be changed every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, but each truck’s maintenance needs can vary. With that said, excess dirt in the air filter is not a good sign. If you also notice lots of grease or oil on the engine’s surface, that points to a lack of regular maintenance.
- Engine Oil Cleanliness: Clean engine oil ranges in color from pale yellow to golden amber. Anything darker means that the oil must be changed. If the oil’s both dark and sticky, that can point to neglect in regular oil changes. There may also be sludge or other debris in the engine that can eventually cause major damage. You should ask to see the truck’s oil change records to get an idea of how well it’s been cared for.
- Truck Body Condition: With a used commercial box truck, you should judge the proverbial book by its cover. You’ll already look for the obvious, like dings and dents, but don’t forget to check for rust. That includes key areas such as the wheel wells and its roof.
- Door and Window Seals: A used truck’s door and window seals should be in good shape. If the doors and windows or their seals aren’t properly working, they pose a serious security risk. Moisture can also leak in and lead to mold and mildew, plus damage to upholstery and electronics.
- Lighting Functionality: All lights on a used truck should be in good working order. You should check the obvious ones like headlights, taillights, turn signals, and backup lights. Make sure you also confirm that interior cabin lighting, dash lights, and brake lights work. Lighting problems may point to underlying electrical issues.
- Mileage Compared to Condition: Mileage is another important factor when evaluating a used box truck. While its age and condition are important considerations, it’s also wise to check the odometer. A low-mileage truck with lots of wear results from either careless ownership or an altered odometer. Proceed carefully.
Additional Information You’ll Need When Buying a Used Commercial Truck
We’ve covered some of the basics to consider when purchasing a used commercial box truck. But there are just a few more details you should investigate before closing the deal. These additional points can guide you as you make your decision.
- Detailed Vehicle History: Before you buy any vehicle, you need its thorough history. You should find out what it was previously used for, plus any modifications and repairs performed. This information should also include records for regular and preventative maintenance.
- Traffic Record and Accident History: Accidents happen, even with commercial box trucks. Just like consumers get info on any used passenger vehicles they buy, you need to do the same with any truck you’re considering for purchase. This includes its accident history. Along with its service records, you can learn more details on how any damage occurred. This includes the body and structural issues sustained during collisions. You should also inquire if the vehicle has ever sustained flooding, vandalism, or other types of non-collision damage.
Check out our inventory. We offer a wide variety of used box trucks that we carefully inspect and test to make sure they are in good condition. We offer quality, financing options and provide a more reliable and convenient truck buying experience. We’ve got the wheels you need to drive your success.
Source: Texas Hydraulic & Equipment
