Vincent

A semi truck is a worthwhile investment that has the potential to bring in lots of income. But how can one even think of purchasing a semi truck when they have bad credit?

One thing we must first acknowledge is that the credit climate in the semi truck financing world has gotten very tight. It’s a totally different ball game from what it was before 2009. But there are still four options that truck drivers can use to help lenders look past their credit history and allow them to purchase a truck.

Here’s how to finance your semi truck when you have bad credit.

1. Put more money down on the truck you’re buying when you apply for a Commercial Truck Loan. Every dollar you can pay up front brings you that much closer to getting approval from a lender. Besides good credit, lenders like to see equity. More money down means more equity on the truck.
2. Find a co-signer with impeccable credit and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The reason for the CDL is that lenders will no longer accept borrowers to use just anyone as a co-signer. For instance, a grandmother who lives in an assisted living home is not a suitable co-signer. The good news is that a co-signer with a CDL and good credit almost guarantees acceptance from most lenders.
3. Buy from a dealer who carries their own papers. That is, you pay as much of a down payment as you can and then make monthly payments to the dealer in a sort of lease-to-own agreement. Yes, this means that you will have to buy from their inventory, which means limited options. The upside is that this financing option is open to just about anyone regardless of their credit history.
4. Put up additional collateral. Some lenders who specialize in semi truck loans will accept additional collateral in lieu of equity. This is the most flexible option and will show you which lenders are will work with you to devise a custom solution to your bad credit problem.

Don’t get caught unawares just because you had to take an alternative route to financing your semi truck. Make your purchase smooth and legal with these tips from semi truck financing pros.

1. Put at least 10% down before you’re able to drive the semi truck off the lot. This is true whether you are getting a loan or buying direct from the dealer.
2. Read the fine print when it comes to exactly who is holding the title to the semi truck while you are paying it off. Don’t leave any stone unturned or you could end up with a nasty surprise when it’s discovered that you never really owned the truck in the first place.
3. Work with a dealer who has a dealer’s license. A registered dealer is accountable for their sales and financing deals, don’t settle for anything less.

Bad credit – it’s the iron bars on your gateway for freedom. Bad credit prevents you from opening credit cards, getting a good deal on your mortgage, and more importantly – bad credit prevents you from securing the loans necessary to fund your business. Whether you’re operating an entire fleet or just have your own semi truck that needs substantial repairs, a bad credit rating can completely derail your plans – and your business. Fortunately, there are financing options for owner operators with bad credit.

Take Stock of Your Assets

If you have bad credit, there’s a chance you may need to put up some collateral in order to secure a loan. That means your first step should be to take stock of any assets you have. Make a list of any property, vehicles, or businesses you own. After you’ve made a list, determine how much money you can pull from each. This will give you a rough idea of how valuable those assets are as collateral in the eyes of a lender.

Use Collateral to Secure a Loan

Next, you’ll want to meet with someone that specializes in lending to those with bad credit. They’ll know how severe your situation is, and what options are available to help you secure financing for your semi truck or business. They will want to know what sort of collateral you have – as it can be used to secure a more favorable loan. Ideally, you should strive to work with someone who’s familiar with your business, as they’ll have a better understanding of what type of financing you will need in order to thrive.

Consider Grants

Of course, loans aren’t the only way to secure financing for those with bad credit – you can also look for state or federal government grants. Different grants are targeted at different types of businesses – if you’re just starting out, you’ll want to look at start-up grants, for example.

Bad Credit Financing

While bad credit may seem to block you from developing your business, remember that there’s always a way to figure things out – and there’s always a way for people to help you through. Don’t let bad credit stop you from building your business. Many commercial lenders have financing options available for owner operators with bad credit and can help you navigate the process to secure the money you need for repairs and upgrades.

Many of us either have our names on a lease or on a mortgage and which one we choose will depend on a number of circumstances and considerations. Owner operator commercial truck drivers have similar factors to consider when deciding whether to purchase or lease their commercial vehicle. A few things to consider when deciding whether to lease or purchase a commercial truck are:

• How long do you plan to keep the vehicle?
• What financing options are available for purchasing vs. leasing?
• What are the tax implications or benefits?

Leasing a Commercial Vehicle: Pros and Cons

Leasing a commercial vehicle is much like paying monthly rent. The money that is paid on a monthly basis is for the use of commercial vehicle, but no ownership equity is ever realized. The leased vehicle remains the property of the company issuing the lease and they will continue to profit from your use of the vehicle. Rules and restrictions may be assigned to the lease, allowing for less control on behalf of the driver. Leases are typically structured for a set time period, ranging from one to three years and payments are required, without fail, for the complete term of the contract. If, at any point, you decide that you are no longer interested in continuing use of the semi truck, and early termination fee will be assessed and the security deposit will be forfeited.

The benefit of leasing is having increased flexibility and less commitment. Leasing commercial vehicles requires less upfront cash and monthly lease payments are usually less than finance payments. When the lease period has expired, the lessee can simply turn in the vehicle. Drivers may be able to claim tax deductions that are available for the use of leased vehicles as well. If you are not confident that you will be driving the commercial vehicle for a minimum of three years, leasing may be the best option for you.

Purchasing a Commercial Vehicle: Pros and Cons

A person who purchases a commercial truck has the assurances of ownership. From the time of the purchase, the truck is considered an asset that may be sold at any time. With each month’s payment, the vehicle gains equity. And, when the truck has been paid off, the driver may drive it indefinitely with no monthly payment. The truck may also be used as a valuable trade in when the driver decides to purchase a new commercial vehicle. Many truck drivers notice that insurance rates for commercial truck loans are often less than insurance for truck leases, which is another savings benefit.

Although commercial truck loan rules can vary among the types of commercial vehicles, there are some general financing details to consider. If you have been operating your business for a while and can demonstrate good cash flows, you are purchasing a newer truck, and you have reasonable credit, many times a down payment will not be required. As additional risk factors increase, the amount of a down payment needed for the semi truck loan may go up.

The industry trend has shown that serious, career truck drivers experience many benefits from owning their own vehicles. Ownership of a commercial vehicle is much like ownership of a home and the long term equity and freedom outweigh the short term benefits that may be experienced through leasing.

Average Per Mile For Independent Truck Drivers

Finally being able to buy your own truck and become an owner-operator rather than working for someone else is a dream come true for most people in the transportation industry. However, with being your own boss, setting your own hours and making your own business decisions comes the responsibility for making your business profitable. After all, it you don’t cover your expenses, you don’t get paid yourself.

Commercial truck loans

Since the price of most semis and other commercial trucks is usually too steep to be able to afford with just one’s savings, most owner-operators will need to take out a semi truck loan to make their dream possible. That brings the added pressure to make enough money each month to be able to make that payment to the commercial truck lender and still have money left over for your other business expenses and for you and your family.

Income per mile and your loan payment

One of the easiest ways to make sure that you’re earning enough each month to comfortably make that truck loan payment is to compare how much you earn per mile to your loan payment. That way you know can quickly calculate how many miles you’ll need to drive just to have the money for your loan. Of course, different sector of the transportation industry have different average incomes per mile. Below is a brief overview of what owner/operators in different parts of the industry can expect to earn per mile and the average monthly payment for a good truck to work in that sector:

Flat bed trucks

• Average income per mile: $1.75 to $1.95 per mile
• Average truck payment:

Waste disposal trucks

• Average income per mile: $.85 to $1 per mile
• Average truck payment:

General goods truck

• Average income per mile: $2 to $2.24 per mile
• Average truck payment:

Container truck

• Average income per mile: $2.50 to $3 per mile
• Average truck payment:

Of course, the amount you ultimately earn will depend on your part of the country, the competition and the demand for your services. However, this figures will give you an idea of how much and how hard you’ll have to work to make your trucking business a success. While being your own boss can be a great way to create financial security for you and your family, it requires a day-to-day commitment to selling your services, doing the work and providing superior customer service.