Hi there, my name is Nancy. Welcome to my site about automotive maintenance. My car has lasted for more than 10 years without any major problems due to the strict maintenance schedule I follow. Vehicle maintenance includes oil changes, tune ups, tire rotations, alignments and a host of other important services. These services protect the vehicle’s components from excessive wear and unexpected failure. I will use this site to explore all of the different maintenance procedures and schedules available. I hope you can use the information on my site to keep your vehicle in great shape over the years. Thanks for visiting. Come back soon.
If you are thinking about buying a used semi-truck for your trucking business, you are probably looking to save money on a truck while still buying a vehicle that you and your company can rely on. It's true that buying used can be a smart idea for any business, but there are a few things that you should look out for. For example, you should always keep an eye out for rust, since it can result in expensive damage.
Although you might have been warned in the past about buying a used truck with rust, you should know that not all rust is created equally. For example, you should know the difference between surface and structural rust. Then, you can make an informed decision when you are purchasing a used truck for your company.
What's the Difference Between Surface and Structural Rust?
You should be careful about purchasing any used truck that has rust, but if all of the rust is surface rust, then it can still be worth the purchase. Basically, surface rust applies to rust on the surface of a removable part; for example, you might find rust on the bumper or on the lug nuts for the tires. If you do find surface rust, you should consider how bad the rust is and how expensive the part will be to replace. For very minor rust, you may be able to buff it away with sandpaper and repaint the affected area. For worse rust, you will need to replace the part so that the rust will not affect the rest of the truck. Consider the cost of these repairs before buying a used truck that has surface rust.
Structural rust, on the other hand, is rust that can be found on the frame or other essential, non-replaceable parts. It is usually not recommended to purchase a truck that has structural rust, since this can be a sign that the truck will continue to break down over time and will only get worse. A quick paint job might seem like a good way to save the truck, but it is only a temporary fix.
Signs of Rust to Look Out For
To make sure that you do not miss any rust, make sure that you carefully check every surface inch of the truck that you are thinking about buying. You should even jack the truck up or get underneath it to check the undercarriage. Along with looking for rust itself, look for bubbled-up parts and newly-painted areas, which might have been painted at some point to help cover up the rust. If you are unsure of what to look for, consider having the truck looked at by a mechanic to ensure that there is no structural rust for you to worry about.
Check out a site like http://www.arrowtruck.com/ to find a used truck dealer.
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