Fleet Vs. Owner-Operator: Which Previous Owner Gives You The Best Chance Of Finding A Reliable Used Truck?

Automotive Blog

Whether you're an owner-operator or looking to expand a small fleet, you'll find that buying a used truck will save you a substantial amount of money compared to buying a brand new one. However, purchasing a used truck does involve some risk. You're banking on the fact that the truck was maintained well and doesn't have any serious issues that require immediate repair. In order to protect yourself financially, you need to maximize your chances of receiving a truck that's in good condition. Purchasing a used truck that was previously part of a fleet is usually a better idea than purchasing one that was previously owned by an owner-operator. Here's why.

Fleet Truck Drivers Are Typically Less Likely to Damage Their Trucks

Treating fleet trucks badly as a driver for a trucking company often ends with the driver being fired. Riding in a high gear on the highway without downshifting or using a downhill slope to accelerate past the truck's speed limiter places stress on a truck's drivetrain – trucking companies watch out for this behavior and generally fire offenders once they're caught since this behavior causes damage to their fleet.

When it comes to buying from an owner-operator, you'll find that most of them treat their trucks well. After all, it's a large investment for a single individual. Some owner-operators, however, will switch trucks every two to three years. In this case, they may not care about damaging the truck and will push it harder than designed. You'll be the unlucky recipient of all the damage done to the truck's drivetrain.

Fleet Trucks Are Part of a Strict Maintenance Program

Every good trucking company will have a comprehensive fleet maintenance program in place. This includes regular oil changes and inspections, with repairs being made as necessary. Regular maintenance is important for a trucking company since their fleet is an investment, and it's important to protect it. When you purchase a used fleet truck, you reap the benefits of the regular maintenance that the trucking company was performing on the truck.

Owner-operators, on the other hand, vary in how well they maintain their trucks. Some owner-operators try to save money by neglecting regular maintenance. Others have trouble managing the business side of trucking and find themselves with little money to make necessary repairs. While you can minimize your risk by asking for a full maintenance log, including records of oil changes and repairs made to the truck, this information is sometimes not available or not reliable.

Trucking Companies Don't Wait Until a Truck Needs Major Repair Before Selling

Fleet owners sell their trucks for a variety of reasons. Some fleets may have a contract with a manufacturer such as Freightliner that requires them to periodically update their fleet. Others update to meet new government regulations or to lower their carbon emissions.

While owner-operators also sell their trucks for a variety of reasons, sometimes those reasons aren't great for the buyer. The truck may be close to needing an expensive engine rebuild, or it may need major repairs that the previous owner simply couldn't afford. Unfortunately, you may be stuck with these expensive repairs shortly after your purchase.

Overall, it's much safer to purchase a used truck that was previously in the fleet of a large trucking company instead of owned by a single individual. You'll have a better chance of buying a truck that was maintained and driven well. No matter which you choose to buy, make sure you find a reputable dealer offering as much information as possible about their used trucks for sale. When you have more information about a truck's origin and history, you're better able to make an informed purchasing decision.

For more information, contact a company like Arrow Truck Sales.

27 August 2018