What Else to Think About When Buying a New Commercial Truck
When you're looking to buy a new heavy-duty truck for your business, you want to think about more than just the condition of a used truck or the features you'll get in a new truck. There is much more to consider when it comes to owning and operating a truck than just the expected gas mileage and size of the cargo space; note a few things you don't want to overlook when buying a commercial truck, other than mechanical durability and other such obvious features.
Licensing required
If you're buying a commercial truck for your company and plan on hiring drivers to operate it, note the licensing requirements for the size and type of truck. How difficult would it be to always find skilled drivers with that licensing? What salary would they expect, and would a median salary go up if there is a shortage of drivers? How often would the licensing need to be renewed, and would you be expected to pay for that renewal? The cost of the salary of someone properly licensed to operate a large truck can be more than you expected, and especially if those types of drivers are in high demand, so be sure you've figured this cost properly.
Parts
Even a new truck will eventually need parts replaced; note the cost of those parts when considering a brand name versus a lesser known make, the availability of parts and their expected durability. Some lesser known truck brands may have less costly replacement parts, but those parts may then have a shorter warranty and won't last as long as more reputable brands. In many cases, it can be worth investing in Volvo trucks with higher-quality parts, even if they're a bit more expensive, if you know you can easily find those parts and can expect them to last.
Deliveries
When considering a large truck, note your typical customer and if there would be an issue with space and size for their deliveries. Production facilities, warehouses and department stores may have docks with easy access, but office buildings, smaller retail stores, restaurants and other such businesses may have limited access when it comes to the parking lot, entryway and the like. Be sure you've considered how easily you can manage your deliveries with a larger truck, as delays from parking and entry issues can then delay those deliveries or make them outright impossible to fulfil, and this could hurt your business in the long run.
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