Buying the Right Dump Truck
There’s something special about watching a monstrous truck haul and dump nine yards of material. This power transfers to a whole lot of efficient work getting done on a job site. When buying a dump truck for your business, you want the best your money can get you. To get the most out of your purchase, you’ll need to know what to look for and where you can find it.
At Palmer Trucks, we want our customers to get the most they can out of any purchase without wasting money on features or extras you don’t need. In that spirit, we’ve put together this short article with some tips to keep in mind when buying a dump truck. Read on for more information or head into one of our dealerships in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio.
Body and Box Type
Truck body specifications are a good place to start when shopping for a dump truck. Body will determine capacity, which is probably the most important specification in a dump truck. It won’t do you any good to have a truck that can’t handle the loads you expect it to. Carrying capacity is often measured in yards or cubic yards, depending on the size of the truck, and can also be used to determine whether or not the truck’s body can handle your operations.
What material the dump bed is made of can be important too. Aluminum or steel are most common. Aluminum is much lighter and, perhaps best of all, rustproof. Lower weight transfers directly into either fuel efficiency or heavier loads to haul. On the other side, steel truck beds are considered the more durable. So if you plan to transport rough material like rubble or scrap, consider a steel truck box.
Vehicle Condition
You can save big when you take your time inspecting vehicle condition. This ensures it will work how you need it to work. Frame rails and axles are of particular note, as they’re what the dump box depends on to support heavy loads and keep the truck moving without interruption. Check for signs of damage, wear, or corrosion. If you spot any bends in the frame rails, consider moving on. Sagging bends are the result of overloading and upward bends could mean improper operation on a variety of levels.
Engine and transmission have a high potential for pre-existing issues. Listen for odd sounds, look for leaks, and be careful of anything that could be a warning sign that the dump truck isn’t being represented honestly by the dealer. Consider potential repair costs to bring a vehicle up to the baseline of operation condition.
Consider bringing along someone who knows about mechanical issues if you don’t. They can serve as an adviser when shopping when your knowledge isn’t quite enough. When buying online, make sure to look for sites that offer lots of details and photos. You shouldn’t hesitate to ask questions of dealers or individual sellers, and if they don’t have the answer or records you need, walk away.
Dump trucks add hauling power and utility to a wide variety of businesses, but it’s worth your time and effort to make sure you’re looking in the right place. Remember to take your time with any vehicle inspection and to do your research so you know what you want by the time you’re ready to visit a dealership. And when you are ready, don’t hesitate to call or head into Palmer Trucks in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio. Come in today and let our team of experts answer all your questions and help you find what you’re looking for.