Voiceover audio of this piece:
“Should I buy or lease my semi-tractor trailer?”
Deciding whether to lease or buy a semi-tractor trailer can be tricky. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore some of the key pros and cons of leasing versus buying a semi-tractor trailer.
The Cost of Use
Leasing a semi-tractor trailer can be a more affordable option than buying, as it allows you to avoid the upfront cost of purchasing a trailer with a higher down payment. When you lease a semi-tractor trailer, you only pay for the time that you use the trailer, which means you can avoid the costs associated with ownership, such as maintenance, repairs, and insurance.
Flexibility
Leasing a semi-tractor trailer can provide greater flexibility, as you can choose the right trailer for your specific needs and have it ready to use in less time. When the time comes or your needs change, you can easily upgrade to a newer model when the lease period ends instead of figuring out what to do with your old trailer.
Contractual Agreements
Compared to, say, buying a trailer straight cash (which few do), leasing a semi-tractor trailer typically requires—you guessed it—signing a lease. This long-term agreement can be mighty inconvenient if your business needs change or if you want to switch to a different trailer. Breaking leases may be possible but are not easy or recommended.
Usage Restrictions
Leasing companies may place restrictions on how you use leased semi-tractor trailers or how many miles you can use them within a particular period. Overstep the restrictions and you may be looking at additional fees. You’re also not allowed to modify leased trailers. That being said, upgrading to a different style of trailer may actually be easier but we’ll discuss that later.
Customized to Your Liking
When you own a semi-tractor trailer, you have complete control over the equipment and you can customize it to your liking. This means upgrading lift gates, installing climate control units, or changing anything about it.
No Mileage Restrictions
Though this may differ with certain financing plans, there are usually no mileage restrictions on owned semi-tractor trailers. So, drive them till the wheels fall off! Actually, on second thought, don’t—I mean, you own it after all.
Growing Your Assets
As you build greater equity in your equipment, you’re also building the number of assets your company possesses. If you were planning on selling your company one day, this may be an advantageous strategy to increase your company’s value. Owning your trailers also means that you would have the freedom to sell them for whatever reason.
The Cost of Ownership
Buying a semi-tractor trailer can be a significant financial investment in your company—but they may not make the most sense for every trucking company or owner-operator. In addition to the upfront cost of purchasing the semi-tractor trailer (or downpayment for a financing agreement), you will also need to budget for maintenance, repairs, and insurance. These costs, in addition to your truck payments, can add up quickly.
Also, if your business is seasonal or you only need a semi-tractor trailer on a part-time basis, it may not make financial sense to invest in equipment that isn’t actively paying for itself in the off-season.
Trickier Upgrades & Swap Outs
Buying the trailer you need today means you will need to figure out what to do with it if you need to upgrade. While you could always trade up or possibly modify it, neither of these options is as expedient as upgrading leased trailers from the same company.
In Conclusion
Whether you choose to lease or buy your semi-tractor trailers will depend on your specific circumstances and needs. If you have the financial means and plan to use a semi-tractor trailer on a regular basis, buying may be the best option. However, if you need a more flexible or cost-effective solution, leasing may be the way to go. Ultimately, the decision will come down to your personal preferences and budget.
Buy or Lease Semi Trailers with Ease
If you’re needing to expand your fleet with a new semi-tractor trailer for sale, lease, or rent, your friends at My Little Salesman can help. You’re invited to look through our marketplace of thousands of trailers for sale, rent, or lease—including dry van trailers, flatbed trailers, reefer trailers, dump trailers, tanker trailers, log trailers, and much more. Use our intuitive filtering feature to search by keyword, industry, type, location, manufacturer, model, price, axle type, and many other classifications.
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