5 Tips for Buying Your First Big Rig

When you’re a commercial truck driver, there’s no more important investment you can make than the purchase of your own big rig. Owning a truck of your own means you’ll earn more income, but it can also help provide you with the freedom to take on the jobs you choose. If you’re buying a truck for the first time, you’ll want to keep the following considerations in mind.

Save Money with a Used Vehicle

No matter what year it is or what type of vehicle you’re planning to buy, some things never change when you’re buying a new mode of transportation. Perhaps the most reliable advice you’ll get when you’re buying a vehicle is that you stand to save a substantial amount when you opt for a used vehicle, even if it remains in fantastic condition.

Getting Advice from Commercial Truck Experts

If you’re running a company that requires the use of heavy-duty commercial trucks but do not know much about what kind of truck you’d like to buy, the best option is to find a dealership that you can trust to help you make the right decision. Talk to other truck drivers you know to find out more about the best models for your needs, and then visit a dealership specializing in that truck. For example, if you find out that you’re interested in Western Star trucks, find a dealership that sells that make and discuss your needs with a salesperson to find out more.

Inspect Your Potential Purchase with a Trusted Mechanic

If you know a mechanic with experience working on big rigs, then make sure that you get them to look over any truck you’re planning on purchasing before any money leaves your hands. Even if the truck you’re looking at is reasonably new, it could have mechanical problems that you won’t be able to recognize easily. You won’t want to waste money paying for a vehicle that will break down on its first trip or continue to cause you massive headaches over the years.

Offer to Pay a Mechanic for Advice

While you stand to save a lot of money by buying a used truck instead of a new one, a poor choice could also end up becoming a major expense if you’re repeatedly paying for the cost of repairs. If you don’t know a truck mechanic, it could also be worth your while to pay one to look at the truck for you. You’ll also want to know exactly how many miles your potential truck has travelled, so you can estimate when it will need a new engine.

It always pays to consult with an expert when you need to make a significant purchase and aren’t confident that you know all of the details that you need. Talk to the truck drivers that you know to get their opinion on what model to look for, consult with a mechanic, and then contact a truck dealership so that you can learn more from a salesperson.