Buying a Dump Truck
Dump trucks are hugely important for all manner of construction work, usually when a whole lot of debris or material needs to be removed from a work site and dropped off somewhere else. There’s something primal about watching these hulking machines in action, whether it’s the durability of having tons of material dropped in the bed without a care, or the power to keep working despite all that extra weight. When buying a dump truck, you want the best quality and most useful model in your budget. Getting the most out of your purchase takes knowing what to look for!
At DeBary Truck Sales, part of our job is making sure our customers have all the information they need to make an informed purchase. We don’t want you wasting money on features you don’t need, and we don’t want you going home with equipment that won’t get the job done! In that spirit, we’ve put together this short guide with some tips to buying dump trucks. Read on or head into our location in Sanford, Florida, near Jacksonville and serving Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.
Body and Bed
Figuring out what type of truck body best fits your needs is a great place to start when buying a dump truck. The body type helps determine capacity, and going with something too small or too big could render the truck useless for your needs. Carrying capacity is often measured in yards or cubic yards, depending on the size of the truck, and can also be used to determine whether or not the truck’s body can handle the work you have in mind.
This consideration should be applied to the bed as well. Dump beds come in several varieties designed to handle different materials. The beds are usually made out of aluminum or steel, with aluminum being much lighter and rustproof. Lower weight transfers directly into either fuel efficiency or heavier loads to haul. However, steel dump beds are considered the more durable. So if you plan to transport rough material like rubble or scrap, consider a steel truck box.
Vehicle Condition
It really pays to take your time whenever shopping around for a new or used vehicle of any kind. You’ll want to inspect the dump truck’s condition to ensure it will work how you need it to work. Frame rails and axles are of particular note, as they’re what the dump box depends on to support heavy loads and keep the truck moving without interruption. Check for signs of damage, wear, or corrosion. If you spot any bends in the frame rails, consider moving on. Sagging bends are the result of overloading and upward bends could mean improper operation on a variety of levels.
Engine and transmission are great places to check when examining any potential vehicle purchase. Listen for odd sounds, look for leaks, and be wary of anything that could be a warning sign that the dump truck isn’t being represented honestly by the dealer. Consider potential repair costs to bring a vehicle up to snuff.
If you don’t have personal experience with dump trucks, consider bring along someone who does that can serve as an adviser when shopping. When buying online, make sure to look for sites that offer lots of details and photos. You shouldn’t hesitate to ask questions of dealers or individual sellers, and if they don’t have the answer or records you need, walk away.
Buying a dump truck doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Use a few of these tips and you’re sure to be well on your way to finding the right model for you and your business. Like with any vehicle purchase, take your time and do your research. When you’re ready to take a look at our stock of new and used dump trucks for sale, head into DeBary Truck Sales in Sanford, Florida, near Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. We serve our neighbors in Atlanta, Georgia and across the sea to Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and Panama!