5 Top Costs of Maintaining a Used Semi-Truck: What Every Trucker Should Consider Before Buying Their Own Truck

5 Top Costs of Maintaining a Used Semi-Truck: What Every Trucker Should Consider Before Buying Their Own Truck

Thinking of getting into the trucking business and purchasing a used semi-truck?

Our advice to you: “Don’t do it! Commercial trucks are expensive, they break down, and half your investment could be gone within a few months if you decide the trucking business isn’t right for you.”

You might think this is strange advice coming from a used truck dealership, but who better to hear it from.

It’s not that we don’t want you to get into the trucking business—we were truckers before we began selling trucks. We understand the business of trucking. It’s expensive, it’s long hours, but it can be incredibly rewarding and profitable if done right. The harder you work, the luckier you will get. But you must educate yourself on the key steps in all the stages of the process.

We encourage you to slow down, which is why we often advise future truckers to rent or lease a semi-truck first. This way, you can begin to understand the true cost of owning your own truck. Do yourself a favor and do a mock up business plan of what it could look like. If you are driving for a company pay attention to your time clock, fuel and loaded miles.

When you are ready, and If you decide you’re all in on buying a pre-owned big rig, here are five costs you should include in your business plan before making your purchase.

5 Costs of Maintaining a Semi-Truck to Consider Before Purchasing a Used Semi-Truck

1. Fuel Costs

Fuel costs will show you gross revenue and some of your running expenses.

It doesn’t take long to realize that diesel fuel is often the largest ongoing expense for operating a semi-truck. The more miles you drive, the greater the cost. Whether you listen to the experts or use your trusted Ouija board, forecasting long range fuel costs is close to impossible.

While the price of diesel may rise, fall, and rise again, there are things you can control to maximize your fuel savings:

• Limit idle times
• Improve truck and trailer aerodynamics
• Slow down
• Maintain proper tire inflation
• Avoid peak traffic hours if possible
• Compare fuel mileage between older and newer model trucks. A less fuel efficient older truck may save you a few bucks upfront but could cost more in the long run.

2. Tires

Tires for semi-trucks can be mind-blowingly expensive. Despite this, minimal importance is often placed on managing commercial truck tires. For both improved safety and reduced expenses, give tires the attention they deserve.

• When purchasing a pre-owned semi, don’t roll off the lot with worn tires. If you’ve financed the truck, the last thing you want to do a few months later is finance new tires. Have new tires or better tires put on before your purchase.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, proper tire inflation can save you 11% on fuel costs. For more semi-truck  maintenance safety tips visit the USDOT.
• Balancing, alignment, and proper inflation can add thousands of miles to your tires’ lifespan. Over the life of your commercial truck, this could save you tens of thousands of dollars.
• Inspecting and managing tires daily saves fuel, improves longevity, enhances driver safety, and minimizes costly road repairs.

3. Compliance Costs – Licensing, Permits, and Insurance

Believe it or not semi-truck maintenance costs includes licensing, permits and insurance. While keeping up on your paperwork and fees takes time and has nothing to do with how well your truck runs, not doing so can make this your biggest headache.

Below are some of the licensing, permits, and insurance you will need to consider before becoming an owner-operator or owning a semi-truck:

• Class A driver’s license
• Business license
• US DOT registration number
• Motor Carrier Operating Authority number
• IFTA fuel tax decal
• Unified Carrier Registration
• State transportation permit
• Commercial liability insurance

Be sure to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles to determine what permits and licenses you need to operate in your state. Not complying with state and federal guidelines usually doesn’t end well.

4. Used Truck Preventive Maintenance

As we talked about in previous articles preventive maintenance is essential to keeping your truck on the road and avoiding more costly breakdowns, as well as expensive tow bills.

• Emissions Care: Infuriating and expensive, make sure you keep up with your emissions system—it may be the most expensive part on today’s new trucks.
• Oil and Fluid Changes: So easy to do, yet often ignored. Save yourself money and headaches by performing timely oil and fluid changes.
• Create a strict maintenance schedule: Address potential issues before they become major problems.
• Keep accurate maintenance logs: Accurate record keeping will help your resale value when it’s time to sell your semi-truck.

5. Engine and Transmission Repair Costs

Today’s engines (including emissions systems) and transmission repairs are costly in both money and time.

• Before you purchase a used commercial truck, do your homework. Today, data is king, reviews are plentiful, and while inspections are not foolproof, they help improve your odds of choosing the right truck engine and transmission. A truck that needs extensive work on either component can cost tens of thousands of dollars and will have your semi-truck sidelined for weeks.
• Ben Franklin once said, “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” The engine and transmission is the heart of your vehicle, don’t skimp out on inferior parts or workmanship.

The Last Word on Commercial Truck Expenses

Understanding the costs of owning a commercial truck are paramount to your long term success. Don’t hesitate to reach out to people in the business to seek advice.