If you drive a truck for a living in California and are an owner-operator, purchasing a used semi truck is a major decision. The truck will be your livelihood for many miles to come. Finding a good semi truck for sale isn't difficult, but it's important to get one that will meet your specific needs -- particularly in California where state laws are especially strict. As you shop for a used truck, make sure not to make any of these three mistakes.
Not Getting an Axle Configuration That Delivers Power
Most semi trucks come with plenty of power. According to Popular Mechanics, turbocharged diesel engines usually deliver between 1200 and 2050 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to move a semi and trailer.
If your truck doesn't have the proper axle configuration, however, it will have a hard time taking advantage of the engine's power. Semi trucks usually have six wheels, but how many wheels are powered differs:
- 6x2 trucks only have two wheels that are powered
- 6x4 trucks have four wheels that are powered
- 6x6 trucks have six wheels that are powered
How many powered wheels you'll need will depend on how heavy your loads are and how slippery the roads you drive on are. If your truck and trailer weigh California's maximum limit of 80,000 pounds and you drive through any of the state's mountains, you may want a 6x6 axle configuration for the most traction and power. If you only have two, or even four, powered wheels, they could slip when you're going up wet mountain roads.
Not Getting a Retrofitted Engine
As ForceChange.com reports, California has the strictest diesel emissions laws in the country. Many stock engines on used semi trucks don't meet the state's current standards and must be retrofitted. Whether you're based in the state or occasionally drive through it, you'll want to make sure your semi truck's engine has a smog filter or other cleaner engine technology, and a soot filter. If these aren't on your truck's engine, you'll have to pay to have them put on after buying the truck.
Getting a Truck That Was Driven in the Snow
In California, especially in Southern California, there are lots of semi trucks for sale that haven't ever seen snowy roads. Other trucks for sale in the state have been driven through lots of snow. After all, some cities in the state, like South Lake Tahoe, see over 400 inches of snow annually, but others, such as San Diego, don't see any snow.
Used semi trucks that weren't driven in the snow are preferable to ones that were driven through lots of snow, because ones that haven't seen snow roads have never been exposed to the salt that's used to melt snow. The salt that's sprayed on roads can, of course, corrode the metal components of a truck.
There are several ways you can find out where a semi truck that's for sale was previously driven. You might try the following:
- ask the salesperson if they know where the truck was driven
- check the semi's past registrations to see if it was ever registered in snowy states (e.g. Colorado or Montana)
- Check the maintenance records for any record of service performed in or near a snowy city
If a truck was registered in a state that gets lots of snow or was serviced in a snowy city, it was likely driven at least a few miles on snowy roads. Try to find one that wasn't registered in a snowy state and was only serviced in southern or coastal towns.
As you look at semi trucks that are for sale, tell the salesperson who is showing you the trucks that you'd like to avoid these mistakes. They'll understand your concerns, and they'll be able to direct you towards good used semi trucks that have the proper axle configuration for your needs, a retrofitted engine and haven't been driven in snowy areas.
For help with finding a used semi that fits your needs, contact a company like Arrow Truck Sales.
