7 Extras to Look for When Buying a Used Truck

Buying a used truck is not an easy job. There are so many things you need to look at – the year of manufacturing, mileage, the state of vital parts such as the engine, battery, truck suspension, the wear and tear on the metal parts. And these are only the necessary items on your checklist. But how about what extras to look for? We give you a few pointers what you may want to look for in your next truck to add a little value to your purchase.

1. Checkbook

Sounds tempting but don’t get it confused with the good old cheque book. The checkbook contains all information about the truck – maintenance intervals, locations where it was serviced and relevant details. Therefore, when buying a used truck, make sure it comes with one, containing all details about its history.

2. Retarder 

A retarder is used to further improve the braking performance on heavy trucks and commercial vehicles. Like engine brakes, they are wear-free continuous brakes. Retarders are handy, because they relieve the service brake and increase the active safety and cost-effectiveness of the vehicles.

3. Bed 

In need of rest anyone? After driving a certain number of hours, it is mandatory to take a break. Sometimes you even need to spend the night on the road. You can always stay in a motel, but that can get expensive over time. Therefore, a truck with a bed is a great plus – you get to save on accommodation and keep an eye on your truck all at the same time. Bonus tip: Look out for used trucks with two beds and, even better, look for memory foam mattresses for added comfort.

4. Tail lift

A tail lift, also known as a lifting platform, is a great asset to have on a truck. It allows the tailboard of a truck to be automatically lowered for easier loading and unloading of goods, which ultimately saves time and effort. This is especially valuable for bigger or awkwardly-shaped items, which can be unloaded more easily without the risk of injury or incident.

5. Trailer hitch

We are so used to seeing tow hitches on cars and trucks that it’s difficult to imagine they don’t come by default with every vehicle, but indeed, they don’t. Tow hitches need to be requested when the truck is being manufactured or can be added later on, but that highly depends on the model and would ultimately make your purchase more expensive, which makes them an extra worth looking for in your next truck.

6. Lift & Steering axle

When looking for your next truck, consider if it has lift axles. They allow to haul heavier load sizes than the standard axles on a truck can take. Steerable lift axles additionally help alleviate the potential damage to chassis components, wheels, and tires that can be caused by scrubbing – or dragging – the tires of non-steerable auxiliary axles around corners. 

7. Refrigerator 

It’s difficult enough to eat healthy while on the road, and longer trips make it even worse. Eating at gas stations and fast-food parking lot booths for days can be a daunting lifestyle. Now imagine how much better it would be if you have a mini fridge in your truck. You can take food from home and store it for the trip, keep drinks cold during the summer months and even take some fresh fruit and vegetables as a healthy snack. 

Now you know more about some handy extras to look for in your next truck. Let’s find it together: https://donautrucks.de/en/vehicle