Penske Used Trucks Shopping Checklist
July 17, 2012
You’re a small business owner and things are starting to pick up, and it’s time to add a few new used trucks to your fleet. Or maybe you’re a fleet manager needing to replace aging, non-EPA compliant equipment.
<p>How do you go about the process of acquiring used trucks? The experts at Penske Truck Leasing can offer you a few tips. Penske <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/">annually sells over 23,000 late model trucks</a> still in great condition, to help freshen a North American fleet of over 210,000.</p><p>“The first thing to look for is to find a truck that fits your application,” explained Bob Glenn, Penske’s director of remarketing. “What type of specs do you need in a vehicle?”</p><p>The choice generally is between tractors and box trucks. Here are Glenn’s checklists for each.</p><p>When it comes to light- and medium-duty trucks, a prospective buyer needs to determine:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Weight requirements</li> <li>Need for a commercial driver license-required vehicle, or non-CDL unit</li> <li>Type of body: refrigerated, standard or flatbed?</li> <li>How many cubic feet are needed? e.g. will it need to hold six or eight pallets?</li> <li>Are you seeking a gas or diesel-powered unit? Automatic or manual transmission?</li> <li>What are the skill sets of your drivers?</li></ul><p>When it’s time for tractor shopping, be sure to consider:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Day cab or sleeper?</li> <li>Over-the-road, or local hauling usage?</li> <li>Number of axels needed, to correspond with the type of freight to be hauled</li> <li>Is fuel efficiency a strong consideration?</li></ul><p>Once the buyer has made a list of needed specs, attention must be paid to budgets.</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f4343eb68019f0c8d365f870e0ace6d9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="d42d1" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyNjkzMC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NzI1ODgxNX0.s8hZtar3Bax3DcU_XJyPqC4Jgyq8g2s67NRphf0spOA/img.jpg?width=980"/>“Will you be financing the vehicles, or will you be paying cash?” Glenn asked. ”When your budget is set, you’re able to look at a variety of vehicle types. With a smaller budget, you may have to take a harder look at adjusting vehicle age and mileage.</p><p>“When you choose to go the financing route, the lender has a significant say in the type of vehicle purchased,” Glenn added. “They’re looking at the risk of vehicle failure and the size of the note.”</p><p>Some mileage tips from Penske: After hitting 100,000 miles, light-duty trucks generally have three to five strong years of run time before major engine work is required; Glenn noted that medium-duty trucks “are highly serviceable through 300-350,000 miles.”</p><p>For heavy-duty Class 8 trucks, Glenn likes to point out they likely will run great through the 600,000 to 700,000 mark.</p><p>Other truck buying tips Glenn is able to pass on after 18 years of experience in the transportation industry:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Look to obtain maintenance history reports</li> <li>Seek an extended warranty (most reputable companies offer one to two years)</li> <li>Request an inspection, by your fleet manager or senior maintenance technician, before taking ownership</li></ul><p>Be sure to visit <a href="https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/">https://www.penskeusedtrucks.com/</a> for a sizable inventory of equipment, financing and warranty options.</p><p>“Good luck with your used truck shopping,” Glenn said. “There are a lot of great options out there.”</p><p align="right"><em>By Alen Beljin</em></p></div>
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