Stuck with a Little Truck
Posted on Apr 12th 2015
When most people think about commercial trucks, they imagine the big rigs and 18-wheel semis out on the freeway. They represent one aspect of commercial trucking; however, the vast majority of commercial trucks come in a smaller, more common variety. The average Joe who runs his independent business is much different from the long haul contractor out on the highway with his CB. Most small businesses do the majority of their driving and delivery in and around the home town.
Commercial trucks come in all shapes, sizes, and official classifications. They often require an entirely different set of skills and drivers license. Many vehicles that we do not typically think of as “trucks” fit into this category as well: This includes vans, box trucks, flat beds, mixers and sprayers, and dump trucks. The one thing that most of them all have in common is work. Trucks do things other than just get people from Point A to Point B. They also haul precious cargo, building materials, and service machinery.
Some small contractors can do amazing things with a small truck. Putting racks on a four-cylinder import pick up can make a painter just starting out very successful. Paying $1,500 for a runner that can carry a 20-foot ladder and 20 five-gallon buckets of paint with all the brushes and tarps is all some people need to become wealthy. Throwing a $200 dollar pressure washer in a $1,000 GMC van is all some people need to get into a very lucrative business. Cleaning foreclosure homes out of a minivan is a great way to make a living. Many people would not consider these to be “commercial” trucks; but they actually make up the vast majority of the category. These successful businesses virtually live in their trucks. These people do not consider themselves to be stuck with a little truck.
However, if you are the “go big, or go home” type; then there are plenty of more hefty alternatives to satisfy your appetite. It is amazing the size and caliber of commercial vehicles that can be purchased through online classified ads. People can find fire trucks, food trucks, old ambulances, you name it. Many of these can be purchased at surplus auctions, because they were once fleet vehicles. Often, truck rental places such as Penske and U-Haul will have a clearance sale of their old commercial trucks. Some people like to buy these old box trucks and make mobile homes out of them!
Whatever your fancy or your need is, you can find the type of truck, either stock or modified, to suit your desires. The best way is to visit a reputable online automobile sales site and do creative searches. Not everyone calls a box truck a cargo van, for example. So, take your time searching, and you will find the truck that is right for you.
You can always educate yourself about commercial trucks and other motor vehicle technology on the MotorsHiFi site, located on the web at www.motorshifi.com. Here you can go to get your dream vehicle.