Buying a Used Box Truck

If there’s one thing most people associate with box trucks, it’s getting the job done. They’re expertly designed to make parts of your project much, much easier, especially when it comes to transporting supplies. But it may not be the piece of equipment you want to spend top dollar on, so a great way to get what you need and not break the bank is to buy used. Finding the right used box truck is going to be key, so take some time to read through some of the tips we here at Palmer Trucks have provided so you can get the right vehicle. If you need additional advice, stop by one of our many locations in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Size and Use

Some of the factors you’ll want to think about are identical to what you’d consider when buying a used vehicle. You’re going to want to think about what you need in order to get the job done. Start with size. Not just size as in length and height and width, but also size as in weight. That’s going to be the most important point of consideration when you’re narrowing down your options. After all, you don’t need the same hauling power for a lot of really lightweight things as you would for a few, really heavy items. Making sure everything is going to fit is important, but never overload a vehicle as it presents a road hazard for you and other drivers. Because of this, be mindful of how much weight you’ll need to haul so when you stop by the dealership, you can properly inform the staff what you’re going to need.

Vehicle Condition

As with any used vehicle, there are going to be additional considerations you’ll want to keep in mind that you wouldn’t necessarily have to worry about with a new model. For example, you’ll want to carefully inspect the vehicle’s condition. Odds are, the box truck has been through tough times and has already been worked pretty hard. You’ll want to make sure it hasn’t been worked too hard that it’ll wear out on you within the first few years. The cab and cargo box are great places to check for this. The condition of these areas are usually a good indicator of the condition of the parts you can’t see as well.

You’ll also want to match what you see to service records and vehicle reports. This can further help you spot any red flags that might steer you away from a particular model. Some more specific quality checks should include the wheels and tires, the cargo box floor, and the rear door. Odds are, you’ll find a handful of issues with each used vehicle you encounter. It’s bound to happen when a model isn’t fresh out of the factory. Rather than turn your nose up at them, you’ll want to think about which problems you can live with and which ones are total dealbreakers.

Buyers Beware

Generally, the biggest fear when it comes to buying any used vehicle is that you’ll be saddled with an expensive piece of junk that throws an ungodly amount of maintenance and repair problems your way. The process can be confusing and difficult enough as it is, but trying to work with sellers who don’t know what they’re doing or will say anything to get the vehicle off their hands isn’t going to make things easier. That’s why you’ll want to work with a reputable dealer. Even if it’s not Palmer Trucks, you’ll want to make sure that previous customers were well taken care of and were ultimately satisfied by a vehicle’s performance.

And, as we mentioned earlier, always ask to see vehicle history and maintenance records. You can usually get that through a private service, although a trusted dealer should be willing to hand that over themselves. If not, you should be a little suspicious of the seller and take your business elsewhere.

We want to make sure you find the right used box truck that’ll fit your needs. Consider everything we’ve suggested and then stop by Palmer Trucks so we can show you exactly what you’ll be looking at and what you might want to be wary of when search for the right vehicle. We proudly serve Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio.