The Complete Semi-Truck Buyer’s Guide for Fleet Managers
Buying a semi-truck is a huge decision for your business. Not only are they an investment, but different trucks are designed to do very different things. If you aren’t aware of your fleet’s exact needs, you could end up making a purchase that you’ll be paying for with much more than money. Whether you’re replacing an aging truck or increasing the scale of your operation, it’s important that you choose the right truck for your fleet’s needs.
Before you start your search for a new truck, you should make a plan. In this guide, The Larson Group will teach you what you need to consider when searching for your perfect truck, what to look for to avoid bad truck investments, and most importantly, how to get the whole search process rolling. Read on to learn all about the ins and outs of the semi-truck purchasing process.
First, Define Your Fleet’s Needs
Start your search by outlining exactly what it is you need. With your fleet’s needs in mind, you’ll have a better idea of the type of truck that would work best for you. There are four main questions you need to ask yourself:
- What am I going to use the semi-truck for?
- What sort of payload requirements am I going to have?
- What sort of preferences do my drivers have?
- Should I focus on fuel efficiency or power?
Semi-Truck Applications
The first thing you need to determine is what you’re going to use the truck for. Does your fleet handle a lot of long-haul freight runs, or do you focus on local last-mile-delivery routes? Does your fleet frequently take on specialized loads that require HAZMAT certifications? The answers to these questions will help guide the type of truck you’ll eventually buy. For example, if you mostly handle local or regional delivery jobs, you might opt for a day cab semi-truck.
Your Estimated Payload Needs
Consider what your typical freight is. What is the average weight and cargo size? Do you typically handle extremely heavy or wide loads? You’ll want to pick a semi-truck with a chassis and engine that’s able to pull an average payload for your fleet. A mismatch here could cost you more money in expensive maintenance, additional fuel usage or inefficient route planning.
Driver Preferences
At the end of the day, your greatest asset is your drivers. Just like any job, if employees aren’t provided with the right equipment for the job, it can lead to frustration. It’s imperative that fleet managers involve drivers in the purchasing of new vehicles to an extent. Talk to your drivers about what they like to see in a semi-truck. Learn what sorts of features they absolutely need to have, and what sorts of things they’d consider nice-to-haves. What technologies that make their lives easier?
Fuel Efficiency vs. Power
Should focus on fuel economy, or more on engine torque and horsepower? It depends on what your trucks are doing. If you do a lot of long-haul or regional routes, you may be focused more on fuel efficiency. However, if your trucks usually haul heavy loads or are involved in specific vocational jobs – you’ll want to research off-highway, PTO and tough terrain capabilities. While a more powerful engine uses more fuel, it may save you money in maintenance costs. Our knowledge team can help spec your trucks to ensure they are designed correctly for the job.
Should You Buy a New Semi-Truck or a Used Semi-Truck?
Like understanding the needs of your fleet, it’s a good idea to understand what different types of semi-trucks can provide before beginning your purchasing journey. It's essential to determine whether you’d rather aim for a new semi-truck or a used semi-truck, giving you a more concrete direction to look during your truck search.
Your decision here is an important one. Whether a semi-truck is new or used will have a large impact on your maintenance costs, overall budget and driver satisfaction. Think carefully about the pros and cons of each before deciding which type of truck is right for you.
New Semi-Trucks
New semi-trucks will cost more upfront than a used model. The initial cost is the biggest con to buying a new truck. However, new semi-trucks come with some strong pros that are worth consideration:
Warranty Coverage: Most new trucks come with manufacturer’s warranties covering the truck and composite parts for a certain period of time. Depending on what type of warranty you get, some maintenance services may also be covered. Warranties give you peace of mind that if something does go wrong with the performance of your new truck, you won’t have to spend a lot of money to fix it.
The Latest Technology: Semi-truck technology has evolved rapidly over the past couple of years with the advent of advanced telematics coupled with AI. Buying a newer model truck means your drivers will have access to all the latest equipment to enhance safety and efficiency. Some of these advancements help drivers avoid accidents and stay safe, while others improve fuel economy and route planning to make sure your trucks get the most profits for their uptime.
Lower Initial Maintenance Costs: New trucks have not seen the wear and tear that used trucks have and require far less investment in maintenance plans.
Used Semi-Trucks
Buying a used semi-truck will save you money during the initial purchase but may come with some additional costs. When you buy a used semi-truck, there’s a higher risk of maintenance costs since they have been on the road and have wear and tear. Finally, used trucks either come with a more limited warranty or none at all, meaning if something goes wrong, you will need to cover it.
Despite this, used semi-trucks also come with a lot of pros that make them an appealing option for most fleets:
Lower Initial Costs: Like cars, trucks depreciate over time. This means buying an older used semi-truck will cost less than trying to buy a newer equivalent. Additionally, some older models may not come with all the technology that newer models do. This further cuts down the initial investment as the technology adds extra value.
Proven Performance: If a truck has been well-maintained over its lifespan, a used truck can continue to deliver strong ROI during its tenure with your fleet. It’s important to check maintenance and dealership records to determine whether a used truck has been taken care of prior to purchase. Select used Peterbilt trucks that meet certain criteria come with the Red Oval Warranty, which provides a very comprehensive protection plan.
In-Stock and Ready to Roll: Most dealerships that sell used trucks will list the inventory they have at a given location. Unlike newer truck models that sometimes need to be pre-ordered. If you’re looking for a truck to quickly fill a gap in your fleet, used trucks are a solid choice.
Features to Look for in a New Truck
Semi-trucks come with so many bells and whistles these days. With so many different technologies now included in the cab and under the hood, you will need to decide what is an absolute must-have, and what are bonus features that are nice-to-haves. If you’re on a tight budget, this is where you can save on the final cost before making a purchase if you know what you can cut. On the other hand, if you have a little more in the budget and want to treat your drivers, you can pick up a couple of the more luxurious features to make their routes even more comfortable and safe. With a new Peterbilt, you know that you’re getting the latest and greatest in technology, safety and efficiency.
There are a few must-haves that you should look for:
- Engine Power: As we’ve already discussed, making sure you have the engine power you need to accomplish the jobs your fleet typically has is an absolute must. Under-specing your engine can have serious consequences that lead to more maintenance, less uptime, and greater costs in both lost ROI and maintenance bills. At the same time, over-specing your engine can lead to increased fuel usage and fuel costs.
- Fuel Economy Ratings: Fuel is one of the biggest expenses the average fleet needs to contend with on an annual basis. You can save yourself a huge headache by ensuring you're getting a truck with fuel economy ratings that suit your needs.
- Safety Features: The safety of your drivers should be a chief concern when selecting a new truck. Technologies like lane assist, collision warning and mitigation systems, auto-braking, and more are worth the additional costs. Not only do they keep your drivers safe, but they also help avoid costly insurance fees, and downtime and maintenance costs from accidents.
- A Comfortable Cab: As drivers ourselves, we at TLG know what a huge difference it makes to drive a long-haul route crammed into the tiniest sleeper cabs versus making the same trek with more room to spread out. Look for cabs with a little extra breathing room, extra storage space, amenities like longer battery life to keep the air conditioning from needing to be recharged overnight, and additional cab modifications like ergonomic handles and dashboards to allow drivers to comfortably adjust while on the road.
- Warranty: Review warranty options that are available. Warranties reduce the burden on you if something with the truck goes wrong. A new truck will come with warranty, while used trucks might come with some existing warranty or possibly none at all, depending on the truck.
If you have extra room in the budget, there are some additional nice-to-haves you can include:
Touchscreen Infotainment System: Infotainment systems are designed to increase driver satisfaction. Some decent add-ons to get include upgraded sound systems, Bluetooth connectivity, touchscreen displays, and built-in navigation systems. While not necessary, these small quality-of-life improvements can make a driver’s trip much more pleasant.
Premium Interior Package: Expanded cabs with better headroom or insulation, and better storage options can make your trucks the envy of trucking fleets across your region. Memory foam mattresses, blackout curtains, and auxiliary heating and cooling units help seal the deal. These are all things drivers consider when deciding which fleet to work for and can play a role when a driver is exploring companies to work for.
Custom Paint or Chrome Trim: Think of your trucks as highly visible brand ambassadors as they cruise up and down the interstates of the nation. And like any brand ambassador, they need to look the part. Getting extra cosmetic packages like chrome trim or custom paint, leather-bound steering wheels, and accent lighting can help your trucks stand out for greater brand awareness.
Advanced Tech Add-Ons: We’ve already discussed what sorts of tech needs to be present in the cab to ensure your drivers succeed, but there’s even more tech that can boost efficiency further. Digital dashboards and advanced fleet telematics can help with route planning and ensure drivers are operating as efficiently as possible. Adaptive cruise control and advanced lane-centering can help make the ride much smoother.
Things to Watch Out for When Evaluating a Semi-Truck for Purchase
When you finally begin to look for a semi-truck, there are several key factors you want to keep an eye out for. These “red flags” and “green flags” are great indicators of how a semi-truck may likely perform after being purchased. This includes predicting whether you may need to invest in maintenance after purchase. If you’ve decided to go for a used semi-truck, paying close attention to these indicators is a must.
Red Flags: When a Semi-Truck Might Not Be a Good Deal
The first thing to look at when considering a used semi-truck is its mileage. A truck’s mileage can be an indicator of its condition. However, a higher mileage used truck can still be a good investment if it’s been well-maintained and cared for.
The next thing to look for is visible rust or corrosion or irregular tire wear patterns.
Finally, check the truck’s maintenance history if you can. Many trucks have maintenance records available, but keep in mind there could be missing information. If the truck came from a well-known, properly maintained fleet, you can have greater peace of mind.
Green Flags: Signs a Semi-Truck is a Great Investment
Just as a lack of a maintenance record can be a warning sign, a detailed maintenance record with a clean history means the semi-truck was likely well cared for. Other things indicating the truck saw plenty of care over its lifetime are up-to-date DOT inspection stickers, upgraded or replaced OEM parts, and a clean title history.
Give the exterior and interior a thorough look as well. If everything looks clean and there are no visible signs of rust, it’s a good sign the truck is in good condition.
Buy the Latest Addition to Your Fleet at The Larson Group
Looking for a semi-truck? The Larson Group has high-quality pre-owned, all-makes semi-trucks from brands including Peterbilt, Kenworth and Freightliner and more, and of course is a leading dealer in brand new Peterbilts. As truck drivers ourselves, we know just how important it is to have a truck that’s dependable and a perfect fit for your fleet’s needs. That’s why we hold ourselves to a higher standard.
All our new trucks come with a warranty and there are multiple warranty options for used trucks so you can be rest assured you’re getting a good deal. Additionally, we offer in-house financing with a team who knows your business and offers flexible and competitive financing options. If you need a custom trucking solution, our team of expert engineers can help create a truck solution to your specifications.
But most importantly, The Larson Group is here to help you succeed. We don’t believe our responsibility ends when you drive your truck off the lot. Our entire network of dealerships and semi-truck maintenance facilities is here to continue offering support to you and your fleet quickly and efficiently so you can keep your business moving forward.
Browse our selection of new and used semi-trucks today or get in contact with one of our truck experts today to discuss what your perfect truck looks like.