Looking to jump into the world of RVing? Unless you plan on investing in a motorhome, you’ll have to have a truck to tow your trailer or carry your truck camper. If you’re on a budget, this will likely mean buying a used truck.
Fortunately, there are plenty of amazing trucks on the used truck market, and finding a gem is totally possible. That said, there are some things you should know before buying a used truck that will help ensure you get one that will work for you.
Below are our top tips for those who are looking into buying a used truck.
Know Your Weights and Capacities
First and foremost, it is incredibly important that you learn the weight of your camper when it is loaded, as well as the hitch weight. Take that information and check the towing capacity and payload capacity, as well as the gross vehicle weight limit, of any truck you are considering to make sure it can handle your RV.
You might be surprised to learn just how few campers can be towed by a half-ton truck—there is a LOT of misinformation about this floating around out there—and depending on the RV you want, you might find yourself shopping for a three-quarter-ton or even a one-ton instead.
Mileage Matters
The next thing to think about when looking at trucks? The mileage. Most heavy duty trucks can keep on running for quite a long time if they are taken care of. In fact, you can probably get 250,000 or even 300,000 miles out of a three-quarter-ton truck if you plan your cards right. Still, lower mileage is better and we highly recommend looking for a truck with 150,000 miles or less.
Find Out How it was Used
If you can, find out how the truck you’re looking at was used. Was it a work truck? If so, you can expect issues to arise that have to do with rough usage and lots of dirt. Was it used to tow heavy loads? If so, pay careful attention to the transmission—making sure it’s shifting smoothly without hiccups—as towing is hard on transmissions.
Listen for Weird Sounds
One of the quickest ways to discover if something is wrong with a vehicle is to listen for weird sounds. While test-driving trucks, turn off the radio, roll down the windows, and really focus on the sound of the engine, suspension, and other parts of the truck. If you hear anything funny, make a note of it so you can ask your mechanic about it before purchasing.
Look for Leaks
Leaks are another thing that can tell you that something might be wrong with the vehicle you’re looking at. When you arrive, look under the truck for puddles and stains. During your test drive, pull over in a parking lot and look under the truck, watching carefully for any drips and smelling for burning smells or coolant. Again, take notes if you see anything that might be an issue and pass those notes on to your mechanic.
Check Out the Tires
Truck tires are pricey. While old or worn tires certainly are not a deal breaker, you might want to ask the seller to lower the price if it looks like the tires will need to be replaced right away. To check the tires, look at the tread depth, check the tires for gouges or cracks, and find the date of manufacture to make sure the tires are not expired.
Test Everything
While sitting in the cab of the truck, test absolutely everything. Turn on the A/C and make sure it blows cold, then switch it to the heater to make sure the furnace blows hot. Move the seat forward and back and lean it up and down. Do the same on the passenger side, check all window buttons and lock buttons on both sides of the truck, and turn the radio on to make sure it plays. You can also test the cruise control and 4×4 while out driving.
Have It Inspected
If you find a truck that can tow your RV and seems to run well, hire your mechanic to come and have a look. Point out any noises, smells, leaks, or other little quirks you may have noticed and ask their opinion on them. Only go through with the sale if your mechanic approves of the condition of the vehicle.
As you can see, there are a lot of things to keep in mind when buying a used truck. This might seem overwhelming, but trust us when we say that remembering these tips might just save you from a lot of headaches down the line.
About the author: Chelsea Gonzales
Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.
You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.
G.B. ~ “Everyone was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Y’all had real-life experiences to add to your answers to our questions. It was a great relief to speak with you!”