Repossessed trucks are widely available at auctions and the savings that you can achieve when purchasing a repo truck can help you expand your business without breaking the budget. In order to get the best advantage you want to make sure that you purchase a good used truck that will require little or no investment from you in terms of repairs. While you can’t take auction vehicles for a test drive, you can inspect the truck prior to the auction and I highly recommend that you do so. Ideally you should take a qualified mechanic along with you for the inspection, but if this is not possible, please ensure that you make the following 5 critical checks on any repossessed trucks that you are interested in.

1) Check the Vehicle History

Prior to the auction, you can access a list of vehicles for sale. Select the trucks that you are interested in and note the VIN. Run a vehicle check to ensure the truck has not been totaled, salvaged, suffered flood damage etc. in the past.

2) Inspect the Body of the Truck

Do a visual inspection on the body of the truck to ensure that there are no visible signs of damaged bodywork, such as bubbled paint work, mis-matching colors, scratches, bumps etc. Some bodywork defects may be minor and not particularly relevant at the price you will pay at auction, however it is important to check as defects could indicate the vehicle has been in an accident and there could be damage to the engine or inner workings of the vehicle if this is the case.

3) Check all Doors and Hinges

Open and close the doors to check that the hinges and locks are working smoothly. I also recommend visually inspecting all hinges to ensure that there are no signs of welding or other work that may indicate a patchy fix up has occurred.

4) Start the Engine

You are entitled to start the engine during a pre-auction inspection and it is critical that you do so. Listen to the sound of the engine and ensure there is no knocking or other unusual noises that may be symptomatic of engine damage. While the engine is running, also check that the air conditioning and electric windows are working.

5) Check Fluids

You should dip the oil, with the engine off, to ensure that it is reasonably clean. If the dip stick shows a low-level of oil, that is black and dirty, it may indicate that the engine has been poorly maintained, although it doesn’t necessarily mean that the vehicle is in bad condition and the truck may just need a service and an oil change. If the truck has an automatic transmission, you should also check that the transmission fluid is clear. If it is dark or smells burnt, then there may be problems with the transmission.

It is important to check a vehicle, as thoroughly as possible, prior to making a purchase at repo truck auctions. However, it is important to note that many repossessed trucks, are being auctioned because the original owner cannot afford to keep them and not because they are damaged goods. Given the sudden change in economic conditions, you will find many late-model vehicles at a repossessed truck auction. Being in a position to buy such a vehicle, could give your business just the advantage it needs.

About Tonneau Covers

Any truck enthusiast understands what an asset tonneau covers are for their vehicle. Tonneau covers are designed to shield your precious cargo from the harsh elements and add an element of style to your truck. There are quite a few variations of these truck bed covers, so it is best to do some research relating to your own personal tastes before making a purchase. Here are a few cover descriptions for reference:

Folding Covers

Solid fold covers are a relative newcomer to the market but are quickly becoming a fan favorite. Constructed to be very strong and durable, they are designed to handle virtually any situation. Furthermore, the easy access to the truck bed makes it a solid choice for any truck enthusiast. It’s what every truck lover is looking for – simple, elegant, useful.

Hard Covers

Hard covers add a certain element of class to your truck. Created most commonly from fiberglass, these truck bed covers are made this way to match the color of your truck. As for method of use, the hard cover is lifted up from the back of the truck and is hinged at the cab end. Though the hard cover might be a little on the heavier side, the assistance from shocks makes opening and closing it a breeze.

Retractable Covers

Retractable covers are created with aluminum panels and are one of the most highly desired tonneau covers on the market today. They are one of the more higher priced covers only because of the aluminum panels. Retractable tonneau covers do a fantastic job of protecting against the elements due to their tough paint system design. These covers are usually clamped to the top of the truck box rails. The cover can be placed in a canister behind the truck.

The great thing about retractable tonneau covers is that they can handle heavy snow and water weight because all of it can be distributed to the side rails and eventually out of the truck.

Are you going to carry items in the truck bed of your pickup truck? Then most probably, you would like to protect them from being stolen or exposed to potentially damaging weather conditions.

This is probably the best reason to invest on a tonneau cover. There are different types of tonneau covers in the market and in selecting the best one for your truck, you must first identify your budget and the style you prefer to have according to the type of truck bed your truck has. You have a choice of having a solid bed cover or a soft cover.

Soft covers are often made of vinyl and much cheaper than solid covers since these are made of fiberglass, usually. You can also choose from different varieties of mounts and your selections should be based on the items you would be carrying in your truck bed and how often you use the truck bed for cargo. Make sure that the cover you choose can be installed easily and can also be opened and removed without hassle. There are also a lot of ways to lock or secure such covers and same goes with unlocking them. The most important consideration should be that the cover would fit properly over your truck bed.

Here are several types of tonneau covers for your reference:

Soft Roll Up – the least expensive of all types and the easiest of all to install. This is usually made of premium vinyl, would keep your truck bed items out of sight, and protected from the weather. Make sure that it would have a backing of woven polyester with reinforced edges. This would help to minimize sagging or stretching.

Roll Up – this type can be easily rolled up to effectively store and tidy the cargo on the truck bed. It can be attached with clamps and requires some drilling to be installed properly.

Retractable – this is quite a flexible and multifaceted cover because it is a solid or hard tonneau cover that can haul larger items without having it removed completely.

Fiberglass – very weather resistant and tight but they could also increase the effect and weigh of your gas mileage. In order to haul larger items, one has to take off its cover completely and the removal requires the help of another person and extra hands to remove it safely.

Folding – it functions well as a cheaper alternative to retractable or solid covers. They are folded and hinged thus may cause water leakage onto the truck bed in case it is being used during bad weather conditions.

Aluminum – highly engineered covers that are almost like the retractable type. It comes with canister storage in front of the truck bed that would require you to provide some space.

Retractor or Drop Down – this makes room to access the truck bed quickly without having to take off the aluminum cover. If you require it, it can also be locked down every 12 inches.