How Can A Used Semi-Truck Benefit Your Drayage Business?

As global demand for products skyrockets, drayage operations are more crucial than ever. Unfortunately, many drayage companies have found themselves dealing with driver shortages or issues hiring independent operators. For example, regulations in California have made it significantly more challenging for small-time operators to perform drayage runs.

The result is simple: smaller drayage operations face too much work and not enough capacity to haul goods. While this is a complex problem with no silver bullets, used trucks can offer one way to help get your company through these trying times. This article will discuss three ways that used semi-trucks can be helpful for drayage companies trying to navigate a unique business landscape.

1. Rapid Expansion

New trucks aren't cheap, but they're a necessary part of expanding capacity. If you cannot hire enough independent operators to cover your business needs, growing your own fleet is the next best thing. Unfortunately, purchasing brand-new vehicles may not be cost-effective, especially if you're already facing potential cash flow issues.

The lower price of used trucks means you can expand your fleet sooner and with less initial capital outlay. Rapidly expanding your fleet beyond one or two trucks can mean the difference between barely scraping by and successfully meeting your growing business needs.

2. Cost-Effective Upgrades

The same regulations affecting small owner-operators are impacting the entire industry. Meeting local laws often means buying newer, more environmentally friendly vehicles. In many cases, this means upgrading trucks to models that are a decade old or newer. While many operators choose new vehicles to meet these requirements, used trucks with appropriate emissions equipment also work.

If your fleet is aging to the point where these regulations may negatively affect your business, used trucks can offer a cost-effective way to upgrade to compliant vehicles. By replacing your oldest trucks first, you can bring up the average age of your fleet and comply with EPA recommendations for clean drayage operations.

3. More Options

The high cost of new trucks means that your options may be limited, and you may need to sacrifice features or power to afford new vehicles for your fleet. By purchasing used, you'll have more options and the ability to buy trucks that are better suited to your business needs. The relatively short distances traveled by drayage drivers also mean you can consider higher mileage (and thus cheaper) options.

While buying a used truck might not suit every situation or company, used trucks offer many potential benefits for drayage carriers. If you haven't considered adding used trucks to your fleet before, now may be the perfect time to investigate this cost-effective option. Contact a company like Arrow Truck Sales to learn more.

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