Helpful Tips For Purchasing A Used Semi-Trailer Truck
Posted on: 17 June 2016
Do you need to purchase a semi-trailer truck so you can start making deliveries as an owner-operator? If you want a commercial truck for sale that is in a good condition without spending a lot of money, you can opt for a used one. Just make sure the truck will not need any vital repairs done after you have driven it off of the lot. This article will give you tips that can help you choose a used semi-truck that will not cause a lot of problems shortly after it has been purchased.
Make Sure the Brakes Are Functional
The brakes are the most important parts of all vehicles, but especially for a semi-trailer truck because they can cause so much damage in a collision. Be sure that the brakes in the trailer area of a used truck are functional before making a purchase. Simply start the truck up and figure out how long it takes for air to reach the back brakes before you are able to drive the truck. Although it naturally takes air a while to reach the back brakes on a long trailer so they can function, it can also mean that the air line, air bladder or glad hand seal to the brakes are broken.
Check the Odometer for Mileage
Being that you will be frequently traveling in your truck to make deliveries, it is important to make sure that untimely problems won't occur from it being driven over so many miles. Used semi-trucks that were primarily used locally are the ones that are the best to invest in, as they won't have as many miles on the odometer as the ones used for long distance tasks. You can ask the salesman at a dealership if he or she knows what a truck was used for before you make a purchase.
Find Out About the History of Repairs
You can get a general idea about the condition of a used semi-trailer truck by learning about the types of repairs it has undergone. When you visit a dealership and find an interesting truck, ask the salesman for the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can then use the VIN to get a vehicle history report (VHR) on the truck to find out what kinds of repairs were made by every previous owner. The VHR will give you a good idea of whether or not the truck will last for a satisfactory amount of time. Visit a used truck dealership to start shopping for the commercial vehicles that you need.
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