Buying a used dump truck can be an excellent way to save a lot of money on your vehicle budget!  A well-maintained used dump can potentially still have years or decades of life left in it while costing half or less of what a new vehicle would. But, of course, in the wrong cases, you can get a serious lemon – a truck which will require major upgrades to be usable or might not ever be fully fit to drive.  Here are some vital inspection tips to know before buying a used dump truck.

Four Aspects of a Used Dump Truck You Should Know Before buying

1. The Body and the Dump Body

Start by giving the truck a good walk-around.  You’re looking for overt signs of wear and neglect, including cracks or rust.  If you see problems with the exterior, that’s a bad sign since it tends to indicate that the previous owner wasn’t even paying for basic maintenance.

The same goes for the tires.  A used truck with badly-worn tires in need of replacement probably wasn’t kept up in general.

2. Framework

Next, check the frame.  What you want to see are nice, straight pieces of framework without signs of bowing or buckling.  If the frame bows downwards, that means the truck was run while over-loaded, and there could be numerous other problems – such as with the axles or hydraulics – as a result.

3. The Hydraulics

A dump truck is going to have hydraulic lift cylinders in nearly all cases, and those are another critical component, which is frequently damaged in poorly-maintained vehicles.  Look closely for any signs of cracks or buckling!  Also, check the fluid reservoir for any signs of leakage.  If there are, you probably want to move on to another vehicle.

4. Cab Status                                    

How does the cab look?  Has the previous owner at least kept it well-maintained?  Also, be sure to start the truck up, and verify all the various controls work properly.  Never buy a used truck without a test drive!

Finally, you might consider having an expert mechanic come with you, even if they want some money for their trouble.  They’ll have a much better eye for problems, particularly in the engine compartment.

Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth

Take these inspection tips before or while looking for the right dump truck for you. For a quality Kenworth used dump trucks, come visit Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth today!

“Do I need dump truck insurance?”  If you’re even asking the question, the answer is probably “Yes.” Dump trucks get their own special insurance policies and are often not covered by more generalized policies.

Since we want to see every new and used dump truck we sell stay on the road for many years to come, here are some important things to know about dump truck insurance.

Answering Your Frequently-Asked Questions About Dump Truck Insurance

1. Who needs dump truck insurance?

Broadly speaking, this includes:

• Independent owner-operators with their own truck
• Contracted independent dump truck drivers hired to run others’ trucks
• Businesses with vehicle fleets that include one or more dump trucks

Basically, if you own or operate a dump truck, you probably need insurance.

2. What types of dump truck policies exist?

Insurance for dump trucks is structured much like insurance for any other vehicle, with all the same “standard” types of coverage, plus a couple dump truck specific polices.  These include:

• Liability:  As with civilian vehicles, every state will – at a minimum – require liability insurance that covers both bodily injury and property damage.  Without this, it’s guaranteed the dump truck isn’t street-legal.
• Physical coverage:  Again, like other vehicles, you have your choice of either collision-specific coverage to protect your investment or comprehensive coverage that also includes damage from factors like the weather.
• Non-trucking coverage:   Basically, this covers you when you’re not on a job, such as owner-operators driving their truck home.
• Cargo insurance:  While usually not required, and sometimes not really needed, it’s often a good idea to get a separate short-term policy protecting the cargo against damage.

3. How do I get insurance for my dump truck?

Fortunately, this is easy, because just about any major insurance company providing commercial vehicle insurance will have policies for dump trucks.  As with most forms of motor insurance, costs and ease of acquisition will depend on your level of driving experience and your past driving history.

This can be a great way for independent drivers to set themselves apart from the competition.  If your insurance rates are low due to safe driving, that’s a cost-savings you can pass on to your customers.

Get the Dump Trucks You Need from Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth

We carry a wide range of both new and used dump trucks, and we’ll even help with the paperwork.  Visit us to learn more!

At Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth, we don’t only want you to have a great selection of new and used Kenworth dump trucks. We also want to see our customers operating them safely!  This is particularly true with so many new truck drivers entering the field.  It’s easy to underestimate how dangerous dump truck driving can potentially be.

Always stay safe when operating a dump truck, particularly when there are other people nearby!  We have some vital tips for safe dump truck driving.

Five Important Dump Truck Driving Safety Tips

1. Only load on solid, level ground.

It is very easy to tip over a dump truck that’s on uneven ground, particularly during the first initial “hit” from whatever substance is filling it.  There is a lot of force behind a flow of soil or gravel!  Always double check the ground beneath your dump truck, and don’t fill it unless the truck is as level as reasonably possible.

2. Don’t operate alone.

No matter how experienced a dump truck driver is, they should never attempt to operate the truck solo.  Always have a partner acting as a spotter when maneuvering around a work site and assisting with other procedures like loading.  So many accidents can be prevented this way.

3. Don’t forget the bed liner.

Some people assume a dump truck’s bed liner is only there to protect the interior from scratching.  That’s not true!  The bed liner is vital for ensuring a smooth flow of material out of the truck when it’s time to dump.  Without the liner, the load can get unbalanced.

4. Never, ever over-load

Your dump truck has a weight rating for a reason.  For best long-term care, you should try to avoid even hitting your maximum – but you should never exceed it.  You can quickly warp the frame, damage the hydraulics, or cause other harm which manifests as on-road incidents that put yourself and others at risk.

5. Always do a morning inspection

You shouldn’t take a dump truck on a job without first doing a walk-around and looking for the most common maintenance problems.  Check lights, hoses, tire pressure, your hydraulic/lift cylinders, and your pins and bushings.

Get the Parts You Need at Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth

Maintenance is critical to successful dump truck driving.  Come to Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth for a huge assortment of parts and accessories!

Do you have an older dump truck you’re looking to sell?  There’s a booming market for used dump trucks, particularly when they’re in good shape.  They can hold their value surprisingly well.  The hard part is selling the truck in a way that helps you meet reliable buyers and allows you to demonstrate that your truck is still worth their money.

There’s no one sure-fire way to sell a dump truck and get maximum value, but here are some tips that should help.

Five Tips for Selling Dump Trucks

1. Have a written inspection prepared

Are you genuinely certain that your truck is in good shape?  Then pay a little extra to have it checked out by a professional licensed mechanic.  They can produce a report on the condition of your dump, which if positive enough, can be a major selling point.

2. Fix all the “little things”

Factors like scratches in the paint, or slightly-too-low tires might not seem like a big deal – but they’re a major turnoff for buyers.  People looking to buy used dump trucks will generally assume that a poorly-maintained exterior indicates poorly-maintained internals too.

And clean up the cab so it looks spotless!

3. Take plenty of photos and videos

A well-written advertisement helps, but most of the time, buyers will only be looking at two things:  The basic statistics on your truck, and the photos and videos you take of it.  If your visual aids look great, you’ll be well on your way towards selling.

4. Avoid general purpose sales sites

You’re not going to get top dollar from Craigslist or eBay.  Research for sales outlets which are focused on commercial trucks.  Try contacting local companies directly to see if they’re interested in a bargain.

5. Never take unverified payments                              

It’s easy to get scammed!  Only accept cash, cashier checks, or similar “cash on the barrel” payment methods.

Trade Your Truck at Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth

Of course, there is an alternative here – trade in your old dump truck towards a newer model!  At Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth we’re happy to take trade-ins on any still-running dump truck, and we’ll make you a great deal for any other truck in our stock. Above all, whether new or used, Kenworth is the way to go!

Contact us today to learn more, or to schedule a visit to look over your truck.