Why Do Used Truck Sales Continue to Increase in the US?

The dilemma whether to buy a new or used truck primarily depends on an individual's budget and his need for getting a truck. American families are choosing to exchange their aging vehicles with less-expensive used trucks instead of swanky new models. Numerous factors, such as economic meltdown, industry consolidation, and economic threat to implode the U.S. auto industry attributed to the brisk incline in used cars sales post-9/11
Thus used truck sales continue to increase in the US for the following advantages:
• Latest model used trucks are not only a safe bet; they also make good financial investment. You can save enormously on licensing fees, registration, financing costs and insurance premiums. Used trucks are exempted from sales tax.
• Some used trucks are still under the factory warranty.
• Bigger bargains are possible for the smart used truck shopper.
• Used trucks are more reliable today than ever before. The history of a used truck can easily be traced using the vehicle identification number (VIN).
• Most new carmakers now sell certified used cars, which include warranties.
• If you buy from a known party, the negotiation process is less stressful.
New Vs Used Trucks:
It is only natural that everybody would love to own a brand new car with all the upgraded features. But if new cars come with a price tag beyond ones reach its best to look the other way. Before finalizing your decision whether to buy new or used trucks, it is wise to understand the pros and cons of both types.
• It has been observed that new cars lose a fair amount of its magnificence and market value by nearly 50 percent within a couple of years of usage. Depreciation begins to hit the owner in terms of its investment. Whereas if you decide to buy a used truck, you will be able to get a good deal due to the depreciation. Used cars that are only a year old are at least 20-30 percent cheaper than brand-new cars.
• In recent times, used trucks are sold as certified pre-owned (CPO) by manufacturers bridging the gap between new and used models. They are subjected to systematic monitoring and evaluation of various aspects like repair and replacement to ensure that high standards of quality are met. In extreme cases, the only difference is the nameplate.
• Sometimes warranties for the new cars are covered by the manufacturers for the first three years and in certain cases the warranties may even go beyond 3-4 years or a whopping fifty thousand to sixty thousand miles. The possibility is higher to find a used truck still under the factory warranty.
The true value of a used truck is based on its condition, mileage, reliability, performance and popularity. The following checkpoints will help you finalize a used car that will meet your needs:
• Get the VIN and run a vehicle history report on all pertinent information.
• Test-drive the car under your normal driving conditions.
• Take the car to a mechanic if it is not certified by the manufacturer.
• Read the contract carefully before signing and always make sure you get a clean title.
• Inspect the car for dents, dings and scratches before taking final delivery.

Conclusion:

Finally, the choice of buying a new or used truck is yours. You have to take into consideration the funds you have and the requirements for which you need the truck. In case, you choose to buy used trucks, you can follow the points give above to make a successful purchase.

Truck Repair: Essentials of Wheel Alignment

What is wheel alignment?
Wheel alignment is done during truck repair to ensure the wheels are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another. If the wheels aligned perfectly, the vehicle will move straight even when the steering is held idle. If you find the truck tends to veer to the right or the left side, it is an indication that the alignment is not proper and that it needs to be checked and corrected immediately.

What is wheel balancing?

This is an altogether different procedure, which involves the balancing of the wheels properly in the disks after truck repair. Even experienced people are found to confuse these two items. While both of these procedures are equally important truck repair jobs, in this article I propose to discuss only about "wheel alignment."
The importance of wheel alignment
1. Faulty alignment results in uneven pressure on the tires and increased frictional resistance from the road surface, leading to higher fuel consumption.
2. Improper alignment causes uneven wear and tear on the truck tires and therefore needs frequent re-treading or replacement of the tires.
3. More fuel consumption, which means more environmental pollution. This is an important consideration for today's "Green" world.
4. Improper alignment puts more strain on the truck driver, as the vehicle tends to pull to one side all the time.
5. Faulty alignment makes it riskier to drive on roads which are wet or covered with thin ice.
6. Bad wheel alignment leads to problems in other systems of the truck like steering, suspension, brakes and so on. There is therefore so much more strain on the vehicle's performance and longevity.

When should you do wheel alignment?

Checking and correcting the alignment on the truck becomes necessary under any of the following conditions:
1. When steering becomes a problem due to the truck pulling to one side while pointing straight forward.
2. When one side of the tires is found to be wearing out more quickly than the other.
3. When a new set of tires is being fitted on the truck.
4. When the vehicle has hit something on the road.
5. When worn out or damaged suspensions or struts are replaced with new ones on the truck.
Choice of 2-wheel or 4-wheel alignment:
Until about a decade ago, 2-wheel alignments (only the front wheels) were the norm, because proper equipment or trained persons for doing 4-wheel alignment were difficult to come by. However, this situation has changed now with the availability of computerized equipment for 4-wheel alignment. Also, many truck repair shops have installed the latest state-of-the-art laser alignment systems, which are simpler, portable, more accurate and easy to operate. It is better to opt for 4-wheel alignment, even though the costs may be marginally higher, as all the wheels of the truck will get the advantage from this arrangement.

Where to get the wheel alignment done?

Truck owner-operators, as well as fleet owners, should bear in mind that alignment should be done only by trained professionals and with the correct equipment. Quite often, even after the wheels have been aligned strictly as per the vehicle manufacturers' specifications, some fine tuning by the experienced technicians is required to "complete" the job. Hence, it is not advisable for them to attempt such alignment work by themselves. They should get the work done only in an up-to-date, well equipped truck repair shop, if they wish to get the maximum benefit out of the exercise.

Nine Tips for the Best Truck Repair Experience

It is well understood that, to an extent, some amount of truck repairs is unavoidable. Your truck works at least twice as much as you do, all day long, in dense traffic, under all sorts of climatic conditions like heat, cold, rain and snow. You probably spend more time on your truck than in your home with your wife and kids. No wonder your truck starts rebelling once in a while and goes into repair mode!

But, all said and done, truck repair is an expense in your business in more ways than one. There is the actual expense of getting the truck repaired and back on the road. Plus, the loss in earnings during the period the truck was off the road. After all, a truck makes money only when it is running and carrying its cargo; if it is idle it is not earning its keep.
So, here are some tips on how to minimize the downtime for truck repairs and to increase its earning capacity.

Tip 1:

Don't wait till an emergency develops. As soon as you begin your trucking business, start looking around for a good truck repair shop where you can entrust with confidence your most valuable asset, your truck, for regular maintenance and repairs.

Tip 2:

The repair shop you are going to choose should have up-to-date equipment and ASE certified technicians.

Tip 3:

Visit the chosen repair shop personally and have a feel of the place and the staff. The type of reception that you get will give you an idea of its quality of service. If the atmosphere is warm and friendly, it is a precursor that your truck is in good hands and you can build up a healthy and mutually satisfying relationship with the repair shop.

Tip 4:

Ascertain when the shop was started and how many are its repeat customers. If the truck repair shop has been around for a long time, it is an indication that it is giving trustworthy service to its clients.

Tip 5:

Look at the housekeeping standards. If the shop and the technicians are shabby, you may be sure that your truck will get the same shabby treatment. You would better beat a hasty retreat.

Tip 6:

Observe how they keep their surroundings. If they are untidy and filling over with trash and rejected materials, you may have to rethink your decision. With all the current emphasis on pollution and greening, the least that you would expect from a responsible company is environmental cleanliness.

Tip 7:

Inquire and make sure that the parking lot for the trucks under repair has adequate safety arrangements against theft or vandalism. Some reputed shops are known to even have insurance cover for the vehicles in their custody.

Tip 8:

Compare their repair costs with those of their peers in that area. However, bear in mind that the cheapest is not always the best choice, nor is the dearest always the highest in ultimate quality.

Tip 9:

Study their terms of guarantee for repairs and warranty for replacements. A guarantee period of 180 days is generally considered great, 90 days is good and 30 days is deemed suspect.

A shop selected on these lines may be expected to give you the best truck repair experience and will be the key to your peace of mind as well as your pocket book.

How to Choose the Right Truck Repair Shop

An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure:

Let's face it! Truck repairs are a necessary evil and are an unavoidable part of truck operations. This is because of the huge loads they transport all the time between states and across borders, and the long distances they travel, often on rough inhospitable terrain. Their engines and bodies are thus constantly subject to wear and tear. The objective of the truck owner-operator is to reduce this wear and tear, so that breakdowns do not occur and the consequent costs, time losses, etc. are minimized.

Preventive maintenance programs:

The best way to reduce repair costs is to have professional preventive maintenance programs for the trucks. A preventive maintenance program is a cost-effective measure that will reduce the possibility of future breakdowns or more expensive repairs later on. Based on these programs, the trucks will be serviced regularly headlight to tail-light as per laid down schedules. In this way, defects that are developing in the trucks will be detected and corrected early on, before they become major problems entailing much costlier repairs. Worn out parts like alternators, timing belts, bearings, etc. will be replaced before they break or stop functioning. This will save the time and money spent on embarrassing wayside breakdowns and repairs and will help to keep up the delivery schedules for the goods being transported.

Search for the right truck repair shop:

Such a preventive maintenance program is a long term project and has to be a well-planned venture. It also needs the support of a good and reliable shop. Here are a few suggestions on how to search for the right truck repair shop which will meet the desired purpose.
• The search for the right repair shop should start sufficiently early, much before a contingency arises. Use your Yahoo local and Google local search facilities to locate the available repair shops in and around your town. Using the website data, make a short list of 8 to 10 truck repair shops which will likely meet your requirements.
• Visit each of these shops in person and have a look around. Collect details of the equipment available, the number and qualifications of the technical staff, the shop's terms of business, its guarantee and warranty policies, and other related details. The visit will also give you a feel of the place, the work ethics, housekeeping methods, attitude of the management and staff, the age of the establishment, and so on.
• You can also ask around and try to get firsthand information from past customers of these shops. Word of mouth is a valuable source of information.
• Finally, get cost estimates from each of these 8 to 10 truck repair shops for undertaking regularly the proposed preventive maintenance program for your trucks. Make a comparative analysis of these estimates and arrive at an informed decision on the right shop for you. It should be borne in mind that the cheapest estimate may not the best; by the same token, the most expensive estimate may not necessarily give the best service in terms of quality.

• After a particular repair shop has been selected, you can give them one or two small orders to try out the actual performance. Once you are satisfied, you can enter into final negotiations and make a long term contract with the truck repair shop for implementing the preventive maintenance program.

Managing Simple Truck Repair

Have you been stranded because of truck repair? Here are a few tips to manage simple truck repair with good service and effective maintenance as well.

What are the causes that lead to truck repair?
Mechanical parts are always subjected to wear and tear. Your utility truck runs within the town heavily loaded, stops and waits, has to be loaded and unloaded, and idles at traffic points. It needs frequent service and maintenance as its parts will surely start to wear off after traveling a few thousand miles.

What are the common areas of truck repair?
Constantly pulling around extra weight, some of the vital engine parts in your truck will need service. Other parts include water pumps, fuel pumps, bearings, radiators, starters, tires, brakes and batteries.

What simple inspections can you do?
1. The Engine Lights: It indicates a malfunction in the engine control as well as the evaporative emission system.
2. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Light: When the light is on, the brake system becomes disabled. The ABS manipulates the front and rear brake pressure to decrease the wheels lock-up.
3. The Wheel Alignment: An accurate wheel alignment ensures long tire life. When there is an unusual tire wear, or when your tire steers towards one way or another, or even when the tire vibrates when driven on smooth roads, great care has to be taken to rebalance the wheels
4. The Spark Plug Wires: It produces a spark to start the engine. Make sure it is clean.
5. Battery Connections: Battery wires must be connected appropriately to avoid power leak and short circuit.
6. Fluid Levels: Check the fluid levels regularly. If the fluid level decreases frequently, check with your truck repair shop.
7. Tire Pressures: This gives longevity to tires for better stability and smooth run. Without the correct tire pressure the tires will wear out soon.
8. Radiator: Take care that it doesn’t heat up; the engine’s heat wears away its parts.
9. Out of ordinary sounds: Uncommon rattles, bangs, etc are warning signs that need immediate attention.
10. Belts: Belts will wear away soon. Check the belts regularly and change when necessary.
11. Fuel Leaks: Make sure that the fuel does not leak. If it does, it can lead to engine backfire.


What should you do to do simple service and maintenance tasks?
Read the manual thoroughly and understand how your truck works and the standards prescribed for your truck. Follow them meticulously. Moreover, you can find solutions to truck repair over the internet. Get free information on facing common problems and understand how the basic repairs work.

You need to know some basic terminology and electronic training on how your truck engine works. The more information you gather, the more awareness you gain on truck repair, service and maintenance.

You may even need a few electronic tools like a digital voltmeter, a check engine light scanner, a spark tester, a light tester, a test light for electronic components and basic hand tools – all available under $300.

Even a paid membership to an online automotive repair club will help clarify your technical problems through e-mails.

Check all the information gathered with a second opinion and ensure proper diagnosis.

Always take care to see that you know what you are doing. In case you are not sure seek the services of a qualified mechanic.

Now that you are armed with these tips to manage simple truck repair, use them to gain an edge in your business!

How to Sell Used Trucks and Trailers Online

What would you look for if you wish to buy used trucks and trailers?
Just think for a moment. Shouldn’t you offer the same features that you'd want when you sell your used trucks in order for it to fetch you a favorable price from the consumers? As a seller you have to provide all the facilities in your used trucks and trailers which buyers will consider to make valid purchase.

From a Consumer’s Point of View
When it comes to buying used trucks and trailers, a prospective buyer will be keen to identify the substandard quality of imitation parts in the vehicles. Before buying, consumers will think twice to spend on repairs on a vehicle with duplicate parts.

Genuine Parts versus Imitation Parts
It is apparent that used trucks and trailers with genuine parts have higher value than those fitted with duplicates. Consumers will seek an average reduction price for such vehicles. The seller will face a loss in the resale value due to the loss in the vehicle value. Even if you offer a reduction in price, 20% of the consumers who are highly aware of the imitation parts will not take the risk of buying used trucks and trailers repaired with duplicate parts.

Areas of Substandard Value
Consumers are wise to identify three areas where imitation parts are fitted in used trucks and trailers. Undoubtedly, these parts reduce the resale value.

1. The ‘red dust’ on the imitation sheet of metal parts reveals that it is substandard as galvanized steel sheets replace genuine parts.
2. Imitations of inaccurate dimensions leave apparent gaps and edges.
3. Paint flaws cover the imitation sheets while genuine parts are molded flawless in its final colors.

Compared to the time taken to install new genuine parts, even a certified auto body technician will take a lot more time to fit duplicate parts in used trucks and trailers.

How do you prepare for the Sale of Used Vehicles?
Determine the value of your vehicle based on its make, model, year of manufacture, miles covered and its present day condition.

Be wise enough to use as many venues as possible:
1. Use newspaper classifieds
2. Use classifieds in an auto sales magazine
3. List on to an auto trader, to his magazine or his website or both
4. Use the online network of buyers

Benefits of online classifieds to sell your used vehicles
The online classifieds provide more chances of making a better sale. Today, it is the most popular classified receiving an accessible wide audience. Upload your ads with more photos of your vehicle for a greater exposure. Print your ads, post photos, and videos. It is easy, fast, and effective, providing customer satisfaction. Response will be quick.

How do you respond?
Be alert to callers at all times. Conduct personal transactions whenever offers are made. Get your negotiations covered; receive the payment before making the shipment. Sometimes, you may face dishonest online buyers. So be cautious. For payments with credit cards, the address bar should begin with ‘https’ –‘s’ indicates secure connection.

Other Websites Available
There are websites dealing with resale, through auctions on eBay, such as motors.eBay.com. All you have to do is list an auction format or a do-it-now format.

So, what are you waiting for? Go online and look for new consumers. You don’t have to worry anymore on how to sell your used trucks and trailers.

Dealing with Rip-offs by Truck Service and Repair Providers

The Dos and Don’ts of Selecting a Truck Service and Repair Shop:
The success or failure of a truck business depends on how well truck service and repair is executed. A truck repair can kill a business due to the high costs involved. So analyze well before you spend on truck service and repair. Always do your homework when selecting a repair facility. The first step to get your truck serviced is to do some groundwork by visiting a number of shops and analyzing their advantages and the disadvantages. Take a second opinion from your friends and family for good referrals and personally visit them to get an idea about the place. Find out the shop’s warranty or guarantee policy before taking the plunge. Choose one based upon its reputation, quality, and workmanship guarantee and ensure that he provides you with a written warranty on the repair. After you are convinced, take your truck in for maintenance or minor repairs before trusting the shop with major work.

Rule out the “cheapest” price factor, it is not fair. Your truck needs to be serviced by someone with the right skills, service, knowledge, and reputation. Low estimates like any other purchase will take its tolls on your truck.

Never go by the reference of your insurance companies, claims offices or agents, however hard they attempt to influence your decision. For that reason, many insurance companies tie up with repair shops on the basis of an agreement to include the shop on the insurer's "list" in exchange for discounts, use of non-original parts and other cost-cutting techniques. In essence, these repair shops are working for the insurance company with a hidden agenda and not for you, the vehicle owner who is likely to get victimized for selecting the wrong shop.

How can You Stay on Top?
You may be a layman, but it pays to know about your truck, the more you know, the harder it will be for someone to take you for a ride. Even basics can be helpful. Keep a track of the recommended maintenance guidelines for your truck; by doing so, you will save yourself from saying, “Do whatever you think it needs.” The humble preventive maintenance will save you from getting into a situation where you can be taken advantage of.

When in doubt, get a second opinion. For example, if your truck is disabled and you don't trust the diagnosis from a new mechanic, it's worth the extra hassle to tow it to another shop if need be. Always ask for a written estimate and a "No repairs authorized without owner's consent" before proceeding with any repairs.

Be specific and describe the symptoms carefully. Clarify your needs, and understand the process before taking a call.

If any of the parts needs to be replaced, ask for the particular part and the old part to be shown to you, just examine them briefly, to your best satisfaction.

If by some chance, you have a problem after getting your truck repaired, take it back to the shop as soon as possible. Give them a chance to fix the mistake. How they handle the situation will help you decide whether to re-visit or not.

Last but not the least; be aware of your rights. Know the right forum to approach in a worst case scenario. Such unpleasant instances can be avoided it you spend enough time to do research and analysis. Always remember the profitability of you business depends on the way truck service and repair is executed.