Your first truck is an important milestone in your career as an owner-operator. On the business side of things, your first truck is the single largest investment you’ll have to make to get your company up and running.

The time and attention you put into selecting the best truck for your situation will affect your long-term success, for better or worse. So, what is the best truck for a new operator? It’s a simple question with a sophisticated answer. There are a lot of factors to consider, and what may work for one driver may not be an optimal choice for another driver because there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all truck. 

Personal preferences also play a role. For example, some drivers swear by Peterbilts and will only purchase and operate Peterbilts, no matter the costs. Cosmetic differences are another example of personal preference. However, when it comes to running a successful trucking business, personal preference has to take a back seat to practical considerations.

We recommend approaching your first truck purchase with a business frame of mind and setting aside personal preference.

To that end, we have put together this guide for purchasing your first truck with a focus on the practical business considerations that go into the decision.

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Decide How Much You Are Willing to Invest

Your start-up budget is going to be a key determining factor in the truck you choose. As with all decisions, consult your business plan and consider the following before you begin shopping for a truck:

• Research price ranges to answer the question: How much is a semi-truck worth? (Prices can range from $70,000 to $200,00, depending on what you are looking for.)
  
  
• Decide how much of your budget you can allocate for a truck purchase.
  
  
• Weigh the pros and cons of leasing versus purchasing.
  
  
• Decide what type of trailer and types of cargo you intend to haul.
  
  
• Decide on your operating range. Local, regional, or national (OTR).
  
  
• Once you’ve established the answers to these issues, it’s time to look at some finer details involved in making your purchase decision. 

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The Equipment You Buy Should Be in Outstanding Shape

When possible, we recommend enlisting the aid of a mechanic you trust to assist you with evaluating the condition of any truck you are planning to purchase. They have the training and experience to notice problematic issues that you may overlook. 

New Truck Considerations

If you’re starting a trucking business with the cleanest slate possible, you may consider financing a new truck. This decision comes with some hefty benefits, along with some potential downsides. 

Pros

New trucks often come with full warranties. When those inevitable repairs and maintenance milestones come along, the dealership covers those appointments at little to no cost, which can save you money. 

New trucks also often require less immediate maintenance. With newer parts and lower mileage, new trucks can run long and strong before needing more intensive maintenance, so the maintenance that you’ll need to do is more routine and less costly. 

Last but certainly not least, new trucks often come with the latest features. Those bells and whistles may seem like perks at first, but they can elevate the driving experience and make life a little bit better and easier for your employees (and by extension, for you!).

Cons 

New trucks are going to be more expensive, with a higher down payment and monthly payments. Semi truck financing for a first time buyer is already intimidating enough, and stretching your budget for a new truck may be a tough hurdle for your burgeoning business. 

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Ever heard how a car loses 10% of its value when you drive it off the lot? Unfortunately, new trucks are not the exception. The newer a truck is when you first purchase it, the faster it will depreciate as you use it. 

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Insurance is one of the major costs you will have as an owner-operator, and much like a sports car will have higher insurance rates than a reliable commuter car, a new truck may have higher insurance costs to maintain. 

Is it worth the trade-off?

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You will have to weigh these pros and cons for yourself and see whether they match your own goals for your business. You may find some surprising trade-offs to consider in the long-term. For example, new trucks depreciate quickly—however, they may also retain a higher resale value in the early years compared to older trucks. 

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Second-Hand Trucks Could Be a Great Option

A used vehicle with a good record of reliable, safe operation and no damage may also offer the advantage of cheaper annual insurance prices. Certain makes and models may contribute to this advantage, making them a viable option for new companies.

If a new truck isn’t in the cards for your business, a used truck may be just the solution that you need. 

Pros

Used trucks are generally more affordable than new ones. Not only do they generally have a lower purchase price, but insurance premiums for used trucks are also often lower than they would be for newer vehicles. 

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Used trucks might be available immediately, instead of having to ensure long wait times for a new vehicle that meets your needs. 

Cons 

Since used trucks come with higher mileage and more wear and tear, these old trucks might require more frequent repairs and maintenance. There may be some uncertainties about the truck’s past usage and maintenance record as well; because you are relying on the past owner’s transparency, you may have unanticipated and costly repairs pop up unexpectedly after buying your truck. 

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Used trucks often come with limited or no warranty, which means any repairs or maintenance are usually coming out of your own pocket. 

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The Initial Costs to Purchase a Truck Vary

Look for dealerships with a good reputation and payment options that fit your budget. For a quality, reliable truck, plan on spending anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000 for a down payment and $80,000 to $160,000 overall.

Decide What Type of Truck You Need

To decide on the best first semi-truck to buy when there are millions to choose from can seem like a daunting task at the outset. Fortunately, you can narrow the choices down by taking a needs-based approach to your purchase decision. A well-detailed business plan will go a long way in helping you to determine your needs.

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What type of cargo do you intend to haul?

If you’re planning on using a dry van or reefer trailer, look for trucks with a raised roof or a mid-roof with a roof-fairing. These will help minimize the drag caused by the nose of the trailer and improve your fuel efficiency.

If you’re planning on using a flatbed trailer or other low-height configurations, look for trucks with a mid-roof or flat-roof. Many of the destinations for these types of loads are in areas where you will encounter overhead obstructions in the 11’ - 12’ height range. Since a raised roof is usually in the 13’ 5” range, they will be unable to reach these areas, thus reducing the number of loads you can potentially transport. 

If you’re planning on using a tanker, end-dump, or other types of trailer that requires tractor modifications, looking for a truck with these modifications already installed may save you some time and money in upfront costs to be road-ready. 

Take into account the weight of the tractor unit. Trucks manufactured by Western Star and Mack tend to be on the heavy side and may limit the number of heavy loads you can legally transport. Keep in mind the size of the sleeper berth too. A larger sleeper means a heavier truck. For example, a Freightliner Cascadia with a lightweight sleeper configuration can transport a 48,000 lbs. load, while a Freightliner Cascadia with a condo sleeper configuration can only transport around 42,000 - 44,000 lbs.

Determine your operational range

Long-haul

This is the big one, OTR, where you’re operating in 48 states and running coast to coast. You’ll be on the road for longer periods, so a comfortable sleeper berth will be more important. Try to balance the need for comfort with business needs and find a middle ground that works for you.

Short-haul

Better known as regional, where you’re operating in a specific region. You’ll be home more often, so the focus here is on weight. The lighter you can make your tractor, the bigger the loads you’ll be able to haul. Comfort is still important since you’ll be on the road for a week or two at a time. Again balance your need for comfort with business needs and find a middle ground that works for you. Specialty loads are more common than regional loads, so make sure the truck you’re considering has or can be cheaply modified for any specialized equipment it may need.

Local trucking

With local loads, you’ll be home daily in most instances. Therefore, you can do away with the need for a sleeper and focus on any special modifications you may need depending on the cargo type you intend to haul. Since local work usually consists of dense urban and metropolitan areas, fuel efficiency is a key consideration to minimize your operating costs. 

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Buying Process

The more prepared you are during the buying process, the easier it will be to secure the type of truck that meets your needs. The process follows these basic steps: 

Research 

Start early by researching different trucks and their prices, as well as the available dealerships. Some dealerships may specialize in certain brands or models. 

Pre-Approval 

Work with your bank to secure pre-approval for financing or leasing. You’ll know your budget constraints early on, which will help you rule out certain trucks outside your range and help you focus on your best options. 

Inspection and Test Drive

Whenever possible, always inspect the truck and take it for a test drive to check its condition and performance. You may find that the experience of driving the truck is vastly different than you expected from its original description. 

Negotiate

Prepare to negotiate for the best terms—the dealerships are expecting it! Use the research that you’ve prepped ahead of time to negotiate for the best pricing or leasing terms to get the best deal possible. 

Finalize Your Purchase/Lease

Here you’ll complete the paperwork, arrange for payment or financing, and finalize the deal.

This entire process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the complexity of the deal and the availability of the truck. Don’t get discouraged or impatient—it’s almost always worth taking the extra time to ensure you’re getting the best fit for your operation. 

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Ongoing Costs

The sticker price often gets the most attention when you’re learning how to buy a semi truck, but don’t forget about the other hidden ongoing costs that you’ll need to account for. 

• Maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential to keep the truck in good working condition. Be sure to budget for routine services, repairs, and unexpected issues. 
• Depreciation: If you’re planning to sell your truck down the line, keep in mind that trucks depreciate over time, which affects their resale value. 
• Insurance: Factor in the cost of insurance, which can vary based on the truck's make, model, and your driving history.
• Fuel Costs: Regular fuel expenses will vary based on your truck's fuel efficiency and the distance you drive.

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Best Starter Truck Brand for a New Owner-Operator

As we said earlier, when it comes to picking a truck, there’s not a one-size-fits-all option. It comes down to a variety of factors. In this section, we’ll consider the pertinent pros and cons of some of the most popular truck manufacturers based on industry feedback.

Freightliner

Pros

Fuel efficient designs, cheaper replacement parts, well-distributed dealerships nationwide, making repairs and servicing more accessible. Detroit DDR15 and DDR13 are among the most fuel-efficient engines available. 

Cons

The suspension system leaves a lot to be desired, meaning a less comfortable ride, and has contributed to truck drivers giving them the nickname “Freightshaker.” The routine maintenance costs for the Detroit DDR15 and DDR13 engines are marginally higher than average. 

Kenworth

Pros

Fuel efficient designs, well-distributed dealerships nationwide, and access to Peterbilt dealerships as Kenworth and Peterbilt are sister companies and use the same parts usually, this results in lower downtime due to higher parts availability. Routine maintenance for Paccar engines is average to lower than average.

Cons

Replacement parts for the engine are higher than average. Sleeper berths are less comfortable and have poorly configured storage spaces. 

Peterbilt

Pros

Peterbilts have the same pros as the Kenworth as they are basically the same trucks with different names and a few variations in cabin design. Sleeper berths are typically more comfortable. The suspension system used by Peterbilt is considered by truckers to be the smoothest riding design. 

Cons

Replacement part costs are average to higher than average. Overall operating costs may be more expensive than average. 

Volvo

Pros

Considered by those who’ve used them to have a higher than average level of comfort in the sleeper berth. 

Cons

European manufactured coupled with poorly distributed dealerships mean lengthy delays on replacement parts and higher operating expenses. This make of semi-truck is rarely used by large companies outside of Swift and Ryder, leading to a smaller number of choices and reduced quality of used Volvos. 

International

Pros

Good aerodynamics for fuel efficiency. Comfortable sleeper configurations. Well-distributed dealerships reduce downtime delays and average to lower than average routine maintenance costs.

Cons

Engine design flaws in the International and Cummins engines are associated with emissions controls. Engine reliability issues are more frequent.

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Bonus Tips

Keep in mind that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Pay close attention to your business needs and budget, and make those your first consideration when making a purchase decision.

Inside of the parameters of needs and budgets, look for a truck that you’ll enjoy and that you’ll be comfortable living in while on the road. 

With a reliable, cost-effective, and comfortable truck, you'll experience fewer headaches and be more motivated to get out there and work. 

Avoid spending all of your money on a flashy truck that doesn’t fit your needs. It’s a deadly double-whammy that’ll knock your business goals in the dirt. 

Before you sign the paperwork, have a mechanic thoroughly inspect the truck. Make sure it is mechanically sound, with a flawless maintenance record, and no accidents. The goal here is to minimize your maintenance costs during your first year to two years as an owner-operator. 

Keep fuel efficiency in mind when making a purchase decision to further reduce your operating expenses.

Custom trucks like stretched frames and oversized sleepers look cool, but they are more difficult to operate in confined areas and will reduce the number of loads you can take because of dimension and weight constraints. 

Remember, you’re launching into the early years of your owner-operator career. It may not be flashy, and it may not be fun, but focusing on your business needs and cost considerations first will open the door to bigger and better truck options down the road.

For other new truck driver tips, check out our other CloudTrucks resources, including our Road to Independence lease-to-own program.

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Note: This post was originally published in June 2022 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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