Tips for buying a used semi trailer truck

Tips for Buying a Used Semi-Trailer Truck

You probably know that semi-trailers are vital to the transportation industry. Retailers, manufacturers, and even people living in remote areas rely on them to carry large quantities of goods through cities and remote areas alike. Used heavy trucks are for sale everywhere, and they can be a valuable addition to an expanding business, proving to be an investment that can pay off in some surprising ways. Here are some common uses for semi-trailer trucks and a hot tip or two for buying them in each usage situation.

Delivery for Hire If you've seen the new TV show 'Shipping Wars', you know there are an awful lot of opportunities out there if you're selling delivery services. Do you live near farmers who regularly have crops they need hauled after harvest? A semi-trailer can haul 1,000-1,200 bushels of grain. Do you live near a military base where families need to move frequently? A semi-trailer can transport the belongings of several families at once, and all the big stuff will fit. Know someone that needs to carry a few cars from one place to another at a cost that's cheaper than a commercial driver? A semi will solve that problem.

The semi-trailer side of the used heavy trucks market is a goldmine of opportunity for someone wanting to get into the heavy transportation business. Many people who work for a trucking company buy their own semitrailer as soon as they can to increase their profits, and the profits are even better if you are an independent contractor. Tip: when looking at used heavy trucks for sale, check the trailer carefully for structural damage, mold, and rust. Get on the ground and slide under the truck to look at its undercarriage too. This is where a lot of damage gets missed during an inspection.

Pickup and Hauling Services Do you own a successful landscaping or construction business? Maybe you've found a great source for cheap quartz and gravel if you can pick it up, or you know a place to get inexpensive lumber for fences and decks. Are there businesses around that hire out heavy duty pickup or hauling jobs? A semitrailer can haul up to 80,000 pounds in most places without requiring an overload permit. This type of used heavy truck really gives you an awful lot of cargo space, and the opportunity to rent out your services or equipment.

Tip: are you interested in used heavy trucks to haul planks, soil, rock, demolished buildings or other materials regularly? Ask to see the maintenance log before you commit to buying any used semi-trailer. If the seller tells you it "got lost" or he will "find it later," refuse to buy unless you see proof that regular maintenance was performed. You don't want to risk the truck breaking down if it's something your bread and butter depends on daily.

Semi Storage During down times semi-trailers are, oddly enough, sometimes used as storage units!If it's not being used for hard labour, some truckers are opting to double its value and use it for temporary storage. If you live in an area where parking a semi is permissible or you can rent a space inexpensively for one, you too can use a semitrailer as storage space. Your semi-trailer can store equipment for your landscaping business during the offseason, from tractors to lawnmowers. If you're waiting to move into a new home and don't want to pay extra for a commercial storage unit, use your semi-trailer to house items that do not require climate control. You might even retain its income capacity during periods of inactivity by renting it out as a short term alternative to a storage locker.

Tip: used heavy trucks for sale by the owner are always in variable condition. Ask if you can take one to a mechanic to be inspected before you buy it. Check specifically for leaks or cracks in the trailer so the elements don't ruin any goods that might be kept there for periods of time.

Sources: http://www.entrec.com/services/heavy-haul-platform-trailers/

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