How to Choose Your First Truck as an Owner-Operator

This Article is Brought to You By Logity Dispatch.

The right truck buying is an essential first step in becoming an owner-operator. It is a thrilling experience and a significant financial commitment. While it’s simple to get carried away and become excited, it’s also simple to purchase a vehicle without fully understanding what it includes or how you’ll utilize it. This error, which might cost you tens of thousands of dollars, is much more likely to occur if you’re new to the pickup truck industry.

However, after buying the first truck, everyone who decides to become an owner-operator faces many tasks that need to be solved. Where to get the loads? What licenses and documents are required? How to make your business grow and prosper? Fortunately, there are services that provide any necessary support to the owners of operators in the conduct of their business, which is especially important during an unstable market situation in times of crisis. For example, Logity Dispatch helps you search for loads, negotiate the highest rates, manage all the paperwork, and coordinate the details.

There are certain crucial factors you should consider if you’re an owner-operator looking to purchase your first vehicle. You may focus your search using this guideline and purchase your first vehicle confidently.

A new truck or a used one?

New vs. used trucks is an old yet never-ending argument. New automobiles are more dependable, have priceless warranties, and have modernized technology and safety features. Buying used will save you money since you won’t have to repay a loan with interest, and the purchase price will be lower. While purchasing a used truck has benefits and drawbacks, there are three reasons why doing so is preferable to buying a brand-new vehicle.

• Cheaper Price

Trucks are costly. If you’re searching for a full-size version, many of them have an MSRP that starts at approximately $30,000. But not with a secondhand vehicle. Due to depreciation, a used model is substantially less expensive. Granted, pricing will be slightly higher than when they aren’t in great demand since trucks and SUVs are now in demand. However, even if you purchase a used vehicle between 10 and 20 years old, it will still be much less expensive than a new one.

Is that beyond its prime? Okay, so it’s not. Full-size trucks are often employed for demanding tasks, but if you avoid purchasing one of those models, everything should be alright.

• A More Durable Design

The two terms, reliability and durability, are distinct, and durability has declined with some vehicles on the road today. Most new versions are built of aluminum. Although most of the 

body is, the frame is not. Both the truck bed and the hood are constructed of aluminum. The vehicle’s integrity is compromised, and its safety is compromised. The appropriate force will cause a vehicle like this to collapse like a tuna can in a collision.

However, some older, used ones were constructed of steel. The majority of the new Silverados and Rams are still built of steel. However, others contend that the versions with older designs are still more robust.

• CPO Programs

If you are concerned about its dependability, you can purchase something other than an older secondhand vehicle from the 1990s. There are several CPO programs available that can offer you a used vehicle with a maximum age of five years and a warranty that will be dependable and of excellent quality had no problems.

Is it worth financing your first truck? 

Most drivers choose to finance when purchasing a vehicle for the first time when given a choice between the two. You don’t have to spend a lot of money all at once, and if you have a solid credit history, you will be given favorable financing terms. Additionally, there are a few advantages to financing:

1. There is a wide range of truck finance options

• Finance Lease

• Commercial Hire Purchase

• Chattel Mortgage.

• Novated Lease

• Business Loan

1. Numerous business tax benefits

Your company may qualify for tax benefits depending on how much you spend and the business vehicle financing option you choose. For instance, if your company’s yearly income exceeds $10 million, you may instantly claim a tax deduction on a vehicle under $20,000.

Nevertheless, depending on the truck loan option, there are significant differences in how much of the corporate vehicle you may deduct from taxes.

1. Business vehicle finance is flexible

“Flexible” means you have a variety of financing alternatives at your disposal, and most of them let you choose a repayment plan that works for your small business’s demands and budget.

The length of the term associated with your business vehicle financing is significant because it can affect the amount of money you must pay to acquire ownership; alternatively, for loans that grant you ownership immediately, the term is also significant to take into account the purpose of budgeting payments in the future.

Most truck financing choices have durations of between 12 months and five years, but if you want more flexibility, you should put a finance lease at the top of your list of possibilities.

Should I buy a truck from a transport company? 

If you are a company driver for a large fleet, they could be trading in some good vehicles. Consider purchasing one of their old vehicles that you can see the maintenance and repair records on and that you know have been professionally taken care of. Not all fleet vehicles would fit into this category, but certain trucking businesses take great care to keep their cars in top condition.

This is an excellent approach to switch from business driver to owner-operator if you’re one. This can be a wise approach to becoming a truck owner if your working relationship with the firm has been good and you love working there.

You may have your eye on a particular vehicle at your business. It can be a vehicle you’ve operated since beginning your work with the industry. This is a smooth and straightforward method for switching from a corporate driver to an owner-operator.

Which type of truck to choose?

It’s essential to be clear about the kind of work the vehicle will do. This is crucial since the vehicle’s specifications will determine the truck you get. For instance, a double frame is optional if you want to transport ordinary freight. A powerful engine is also optional if your payload will be at most 80,000 pounds.

You’ll also save money since you won’t be paying for extra features. Only what you want to use the vehicle should dictate how adaptable it is.

How much money should I have for the initial truck maintenance?

Get the greatest vehicle you can afford, but retain at least $5,000—$10,000—or perhaps more—in funds set up just for the truck. Keep in mind that you will require more luck the less money you have.

How do you understand when you are being deceived when buying a used truck?

We have a list of common red flags to look out for when buying a car. Be alert to the following warning signs while purchasing a truck, whether in person or online:

• The cost is less than the going rate. A secondhand vehicle’s pricing is generally too reasonable to be true if it looks low. When you approach fraudsters regarding a rare or exotic automobile, they often claim that it is located in another state or outside of the United States while posting images of the vehicles for cheap rates. Before sending the automobile, they will try to get you to transfer their money, which is probably different.

• Escrow services are a simple method to safeguard your funds, but scammers may try to persuade you to use a fraudulent escrow service. Before sending the automobile, they will ask you to pay the account, only to cancel the deal after the money has cleared.

Purchasing a vehicle online without first seeing it. Scammers may make excuses like being too busy or far to see you. If the automobile is real, they can even provide you with a bogus inspection report to persuade you that it is in good condition.

Check Special Fees and Regulations

Choosing a bigger vehicle can include additional costs or a special license depending on where you reside. Even a light-duty pickup truck is considered a commercial vehicle in California, for instance, and is subject to a weight tax of $80 or more; the heavier the truck, the higher the price. 

Before committing to a purchase, check with the motor vehicle authorities in your state. Although these costs may not be dealbreakers, it’s still a good idea to be aware of them before making a purchase.

Buying Your First Truck – Take Your Time!

As an owner-operator, purchasing your first vehicle is a significant undertaking. It is a considerable investment. Taking your time to locate the greatest vehicle is worthwhile if you can do so.

Find the manufacturer, model, and specifications that best fit your requirements by doing some research. Find the best local dealership by researching, then pick a trustworthy technician. By taking your time, you’ll get a far better value and a vehicle that is reliable and best suited to your needs.

Who can help your transport company succeed?

Logity Dispatch is an honest dispatch company that takes care of its clients and has provided dispatching services for owner-operators and truck fleets since 2015. Broad experience in the trucking industry, streamlined processes, and professional staff provide you with high-quality services to make your business grow.

Logity Dispatch suggests not only searching for loads but an array of services for drivers and carrier companies:

• negotiating the highest rates and coordinating the details

• billing 

• document management

• broker and shipper communications

• SAFETY& DOT compliance

• IFTA reporting

• company formation

• trucking Invoice services

And much more.

Logity Dispatch doesn’t embellish reality or oblige clients to anything. They take a personal approach and are ready to replace a personal dispatcher if you’re unhappy with them.

Just drive; Logity Dispatch will do the rest.