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Box Trucks Buyer's Shopping Guide
Box trucks are an excellent means of transporting goods for businesses of any size. Whether delivering a good to a customer or transferring inventory between buildings, a box truck is made up of a cargo van and a passenger compartment. It's this separation of components that makes these cube vans different from a cargo van, which is designed to more closely resemble a one-piece passenger van. Most of these trucks are rated classes 3 through 6 for gross vehicle weight, meaning they'll weigh upwards of 26,000 pounds. It is possible to find a class 7 box truck, but such larger vehicles will require a commercial driver's license. As such, it's common for a small business to get a class 3 or 4 truck.
Comparing Trucks
The most important thing to consider when comparing a medium-duty truck relies on your business. Before contacting a seller, think of your needs. What kind of cargo are you carrying? What will a typical load be? What is the absolute maximum? The answers to these questions dictate the body type and size of your new box truck. How many miles are you planning to use? What kind of driving will be done? There are different trucks made for local deliveries compared to long distance driving on the highway, for example. The truck you get must also meet your expected growth. With proper use and care, a box truck will easily go on for over ten years.
Diesel and Gasoline
On the lower-end of the medium-duty truck spectrum, there is plenty of wiggle room for getting an affordable vehicle with either gasoline or diesel. If you need a vehicle greater than class 4, it's probably going to be diesel. A diesel engine offers more power at a lower RPM, making it less of an effort to start moving the truck. They'll also outlive more gasoline engines, but they're a big pricier and noisier than a gasoline engine. If your objective is to get a class 3 box truck with low mileage, you can easily save money with a gasoline truck. In most other cases, diesel works out better for the long run.
Four-wheel Drive
Since box trucks usually don't go off-road, most are made as two-wheel drive to get the better gas mileage. If your route requires frequent off-road driving, however, it only makes sense to get four-wheel drive. Don't get this just in case you might need it; it comes at a costly premium and offers less gas mileage.
Choosing a Seller
A box truck can earn its keep for a small business with consistent use, reducing the amount of time it takes for it to transport cargo along the line. Unfortunately, that means that a business will start to lose money if the truck breaks down. In other words, you not only need a good truck, but you need the right seller that is prepared to offer support.
One of the best places to get a box truck would be from a commercial truck sellership rather than a car sellership. That's because commercial truck places offer a few exclusive benefits:
- Better selection: A car dealership might have one or two trucks, but a commercial truck dealer has a whole range from which to choose.
- Better customization: A commercial dealership can provide an exact body type that you will need for your business.
- Specialized support: When the truck breaks down, you want someone who has specialized in box truck repair and the intricacies of medium-duty trucks that standard cars don't have.
- Quicker response: Commercial dealerships know how fast you need a response -- and they'll get it to you.
Think of it like a relationship, which is more or less what you're building; trust your instincts and ask around about different sellers. You'll be tied to the dealership for a number of years, so you want to stick with a company that makes you feel secure and reassured. A good seller offers a consultative approach, finding a truck that meets your exact needs. Other sellers might try to sell anything from their inventory in an effort to make any sale; if they keep offering something you have no use for, go elsewhere.
Finally, ask other businesses where they've purchased their trucks along with some other questions:
- How long have you owned the truck?
- Is the truck good?
- Did you have much customization done?
- Was it a good deal?
- Are the repairs fast and thorough?
- Would you buy another truck from the seller?
- Nobody's perfect -- what's something you'd change about the dealership?
Pricing
The cost of a medium-duty box truck is quite varied, since one company might use the most basic 14-foot truck while others may need a customized refrigerated unit that spans more than two feet. The price ranges offered here are mere guidelines to consider, but the exact cost will fluctuate considerably depending on various factors, such as seller inventory, your business location, customized options that are selected upon purchase, as well as the overall truck size.
A class 2 truck, which is considered to be light-duty, may go for anywhere between $25,000 and $35,000, though most commercial dealerships you'll find only carry trucks rated class 3 or above. As such, it's unlikely that you'll find a class 3 truck that sells for under $30,000, but by no means impossible; however, it's more likely that you will find them ranging between $32,000 and $45,000.
For class 4 trucks, you can expect to pay between $34,000 and $50,000 or even more if you thoroughly customize it. Class 5 trucks go for between $40,000 and $70,000, while class 6 trucks go between $50,000 and $85,000.
If your business requires transporting perishable items, then a refrigerated truck is going to ad at least $10,000 to the total cost. Other bed choices can tack on another $5,000, while customized rigs will generally cost even more than that up front.
Buying Tips
When buying a new box truck, here are a few final tips to help keep you in the right place:
- Plan for the future: Consider your maximum load weight, not just average, over the next few years; trucks are not temporary purchases, and you're not going to want to buy a new one in just a few more.
- Efficiency features: If drivers must stop frequently, look for features that make the process more efficient, such as lower steps and grab handles.
- Long warranties: You may drive carefully, but you're not everyone. Adding a good warranty to your purchase will help protect the truck and your business.