How much does a straight truck cost?

In this blog post, we will answer the following question: ​​How much does a straight truck cost? We will then give you advice on what to check and how to make the best deal when buying a straight truck. 

How much does a straight truck cost?

A straight truck can cost you between $25,000 to $100,000 depending on the truck’s size, the geographic location and the dealer’s markup.  Please see the table below for more details. 

Straight truck cost in the US

Truck size	MSRP
Light duty class 2 and 3 trucks	$25,000 to $45,000
Medium duty class 4 trucks	$35,000 to $50,000
Medium duty class 5 trucks	45,000 to $70,000.
Medium duty class 6	$50,000 to $90,000

How to choose the best straight truck?

It’s very easy to get carried away with the majesty of a truck and forget about your real needs. In turn, you spend more than you really need to get a truck that does just about everything but what you need. 

Here are our tips for the successful purchase of a straight truck:

1. Identify the purpose you have for the truck: If the primary use is for towing, then you will focus on its power and towing capacity. Consider how you will use the truck, in the city, on the highway, in the countryside off-road, for what commercial purposes, whether it will be used on a daily basis or only occasionally, etc.

2. Consider your preferences:  Once you have covered the real needs, it is now important to work on your personal preferences and the convenience that each model of truck offers. For example, don’t buy a big truck if you don’t have enough space or intend to use it in the city, as you’ll have cornering and parking issues as well.

If you’re an off-road enthusiast, you may need to forgo the comfort of highway driving and get yourself a rock-solid off-road vehicle. However, you should always keep other users of the truck in mind.

Likewise, despite the tremendous progress that has been made in equipping vans with luxury items, not everyone appreciates them. Sometimes the extra luxury comes at the expense of something else you value more. 

It is therefore important to weigh all the options and determine what your experience in the truck will be. Another important consideration to make at this point is whether you want to have a gasoline or diesel engine. Each has its advantages and conveniences, but budget can also play a role, especially in the case of a van intended for the regular transport of heavy loads.

3. The total cost of the truck: When you make comparisons, the first is usually the price of the truck. These could be comparisons between different truck models or between different dealerships you are considering buying from.

Most people tend to only use the given price when making comparisons, but this is not the right way to do it. You should use the total cost which takes into account the maintenance and repairs you will have to do on the truck.

These include any improvements you plan to make and any repairs you find you need to make to properly use the car. You shouldn’t bear the cost of repairs and upgrades. Simple things like replacing nuts and bolts, new wheels, transmission parts, brake parts, door parts, new engine parts, etc. and upgrades like paint, upholstery and trim, the sound system are very expensive when you consider the total sum.

This will allow you to decide if you are going to stick with a truck that you may buy at a much cheaper price but requires some investment to fix it or better equip it, or if you choose one that is quite expensive but which is already operational. Whichever you choose, you need to know the total cost.

4. Private seller or dealer: This is usually one of the most important considerations before buying a used truck because different options have different advantages and disadvantages. For example, working with a private seller gives you the advantage of getting the vehicle from someone with intimate knowledge of the truck, and you can ask questions like why the truck is sold and find a more recent history of checks.

You also have more leeway to negotiate and test the truck than with a dealer. On the other hand, with a private seller, you buy the van “as is”, which means there is no warranty on the truck. You also lack financing options if you need them, and you must be prepared to do the necessary paperwork and meet the various private sellers.

Working with dealers offers variety, warranties and certifications from full expert inspections, take-back options and increased legal protection. On the other hand, you are dealing with pushy sales agents who can blind you to the whole picture, little room for negotiation, and much higher prices.

5. Test drive the truck: The only way to properly assess whether the used truck will be a good choice is to drive it. Not just a short drive around the neighbourhood, but a real test drive long enough to allow you to get a good feel for the truck and to submit it to several tests and if possible under conditions similar to those in which it will be used most of the time. times in your possession.

In fact, two test drives are recommended instead of the usual one for new trucks. You are looking at both the quality of the driving experience and the mechanical strength of the truck.

Among the things to check and assess their quality are:

• the windows should all function smoothly, with the doors locking inside and out,
• the headlights, brake lights and turn signals should all work,
• the entertainment system should work properly,
• the air conditioning should also function without problem for the duration of the test drive,
• check the acceleration, turns, braking and control of the car,
• listen for the weird noises and run the car at different speeds, as lower speeds may prevent you from detecting any mechanical or body problems.

6. Find out about the use of the truck: An important part of your checklist is knowing what job the truck was used for before it was sold. When you get it from a private seller, you first need to know why the truck is being sold, and then for the dealer and seller, you need to find out what tasks the truck was used for. 

This is important because you will be using it to know what to look for when inspecting the truck and even to measure the type of pressure it has been subjected to. It will help you know if the car can be right for your purpose, but more importantly, whether to skip it or buy it.

You should be wary of vehicles that have been used for rental purposes. This is because they are hardly driven with care compared to personal vehicles. They also have more mileage.

Additionally, you should be wary of mechanical issues that go unnoticed since most of them are only subject to general maintenance and may have a few knocks in parts and below. It is also not a good idea to get trucks that have been doing heavy work for a long time because most of their parts have been used and will be prone to failure after a short time.

7. Make sure to check under the truck: Underneath the truck is the only place you should focus on when inspecting it. It reveals several aspects of the truck, its use, and a number of mechanical issues it may face. This inspection should be done in daylight and with the truck elevated. Some things to check for are leaks or damage, and even repairs made to previous damage.

Other parts to check to include the brakes, steering, driveshaft, and U-joints. These parts are generally subject to a lot of stress and movement, which means they are more susceptible to damage. and will have an impact on the performance of your truck.

8. Don’t forget to check the inside just as carefully: Usually, the inspection of a used utility vehicle will focus on the exterior and under the hood, but this should not come at the expense of the interior sections. While the test drive will tell you a lot about the driver’s cabin, it won’t help you get the passenger feel and overall comfort, as well as the space offered by the truck.

First, you need to inspect the seat padding, gaskets and fasteners and make sure there are no loose or broken parts.

When checking the space, check every aspect, for example, foot space, seat size and adult seating capacity, luggage space and any special arrangements for comfort. In addition to the space and integrity of the seats, check that other devices such as seat belts and window levers work and are in good condition and that the seats are easily adjustable. Also check that the passenger airbags are in place, especially if you have a truck.

Final thoughts

There are many key factors to pay attention to when buying a straight truck, except the costs. Of course, having a budget is important, but don’t forget to check the above-mentioned factors as well. 

If you have any questions or anything to add to the topic, please let us know!

FAQ on How much does a straight truck cost?

What are straight trucks?

Straight trucks are also known as box trucks, and they are vehicles with fixed trailers.  They have all the amenities for passengers to travel comfortably. In addition, the rear box allows a greater load capacity than any trunk.

What is the longest straight truck?

The longest straight truck currently on the market doesn’t exceed 40  feet. Most straight trucks have a length between 10 to 26 feet and are 8 to 10 feet tall.

How heavy is a straight truck?

A straight truck’s GVWR varies depending on the number of axles: a two-axle heavy truck is limited to 19 tonnes, while another with three axles is limited to 26 tonnes. Single vehicles with four or more axles, as well as articulated buses, have a maximum GVW of 32 tonnes.

What is the most reliable brand of truck?

The truck brands Daf, Scania and Volvo Trucks are considered the most reliable brands currently on the market. 

Other FAQs about Truck campers that you may be interested in.

How do you sleep in a short bed truck?

Is a box truck a good investment?

Do I have to remove my tailgate to carry a truck camper?

References

• New and Used Box Truck – Straight Truck For Sale
• Heavy Duty Box Truck – Straight Trucks For Sale – Commercial Truck …
• How To Buy Used Commercial Box Truck, Truck-n-Trailer, Moore …