Selecting the right truck parts can pose a significant challenge. But getting the perfect truck can be even harder. For many people, used trucks are the best option in terms of availability and affordability. But you have to take extra caution before you purchase one. You want a used truck that will last you for numerous trucking trips across the country. Here are some tips that will help you isolate the used trucks to avoid. When buying a new truck, be on the look-out for these key factors.
When buying a used truck, be on the look-out for these red flags.
Poor Tire Condition
You can tell a lot about a used truck’s condition by the condition of its tires. Of course, tires aren’t everything, and they’re easily replaceable. But you can look at them and get a pretty good idea of how well the truck has been treated as a whole.
Inspect the tires and see how worn they look. Were all of them made by the same manufacturer? If your inspection of the tires’ condition checks out, you’re off to a great start.
High Mileage
A heavy-duty truck should last quite a while. After all, they have to. Heavy-duty trucks are meant to be able to withstand countless trips across the country while having minimal issues. Still, they do have a limit. Every machine will break down over time and require increasing degrees of maintenance to keep running smoothly.
If you’re looking for used trucks to avoid, you should be cautious of any truck with more than 750,000 miles on it. At that point, the vehicle is probably on its last legs—or should we say on its last wheels?
Rusting Trucks
Lots of issues your used truck might have can be fixed with a little maintenance. But you should avoid any used trucks with noticeable rust. Sure, a little bit of body work might be able to take care of rust on your hood. But what if the truck is rusting under the hood?
The rust itself might not pose too much of an issue. But what it does do is indicate that the previous truck driver who owned it wasn’t doing his due diligence to give it a proper lifespan. Your money would be better spent elsewhere.
A Truck Without Papers
When buying a used truck or any other used vehicle, having access to its papers is extremely important. There is no better way to get a good sense of its history. You should be able to look up its VIN—vehicle identification number—and flip through public records about traffic violations and accidents. If all of this information isn’t easily accessible, you should leave the truck behind.
Baltimore Freightliner-Western for all Your Trucking Needs!
Whether you are looking to upgrade your fleet to tow trucks or simply interested in the latest trucking technology, you can rely on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. We have provided top-notch service for the trucking industry for 30 years and would love to assist you in buying a new top-of-the-line truck, finding the specialty parts you need, or repairing your truck. Give us a call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474, or contact us online. To find out more about what we are up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter,and Pinterest.
Tags: trucing basics, truck dealers, used trucks