Buying Used Commercial Vehicles for Your Business

Ford Commercial vehicles have been in production for decades and are found in countless sectors of service niches. The Econoline van was the longest-running of the bunch, with almost 60 years of service use for both passengers and cargo. Econoline was part of the E Series commercial vehicles, which are now only sold as cutaways or stripped chassis that can be upfitted for all manner of uses. RVs, ambulances, heavy-duty work trucks, commercial haulers, and virtually any other truck-based vehicle can be created from Ford’s cutaway series. Useful and built to last, there are many businesses that save money by purchasing used Ford commercial vehicles.

The Ford Transit vans are now one of the most popular commercial options for business owners. Transits serve as delivery and passenger vans, handyman work trucks, and even refrigerator trucks. Whatever uses can be imagined, the Transit can transform into it with the right person to do the work. Van life has been popularized in recent years as well, with a growing community of people choosing to live in vans they outfit with beds, kitchens, and even bathrooms. Those who transform their vans often purchase them used, which reduces the overhead of having to fit a vehicle with the interior options needed for its new intended purpose.

Benefits of Buying Used Commercial Vehicles

Aside from saving money on purchasing new, commercial vehicles are often built to withstand heavy loads, lots of mileage, and in general, take a beating. Work vehicles have to be tough, or they wouldn’t serve their purpose well enough to justify their cost and use. In general, commercial vehicles are expected to drive over rough terrain, tow or haul massive loads, drive for long distances consistently, and be repeatedly opened and closed to access materials. Imagine how well it would go if a heavy-duty truck hauling cement broke down every couple of weeks. No, the truck had better be able to haul that cement, or it’s getting hauled to the dump.

With such harsh treatment to be expected, Ford has achieved a reputation for producing long-lasting commercial vehicles that can handle the daily grind. When you peruse sites selling used RVs, for instance, you often find Ford truck bases that are decades old and still running. Ambulances can also see decades of life if a company chooses to keep it in good repair. Other fleet vehicles used commercially are often run for as long as possible to get the most out of the investment, and companies that must buy vehicles for fleets generally prefer those that will last.

Within such fleets, there can be vehicles that are retired even though they are still in good working order. Sometimes fleets have regulations about mileage, the number of years to be driven, or other reasons for retiring vehicles due to safety, regardless of a vehicle’s ability to keep running. This is where buyers benefit. Finding used commercial vehicles will save money on your investment if you have a fledgling business and you’re trying to keep expenditures low. You actually save in two ways when you buy commercial vehicles used.

First, you save on the price of having to buy new, and second, you save on having to outfit the vehicle yourself. Rather than having to purchase the materials and potentially pay someone to build the vehicle interior for work, buying one already suited to your needs is less money you need to spend. All you need to do is search for the type of commercial vehicle you really need, and then contact our dealership to discuss the options for purchasing.

Models and Their Capabilities

Ford Transit vans started production in the US in 2015, and they are known for being comfortable for long-distance driving. Three heights can be found with low, medium, and high roofs, with the high being tall enough to allow even tall people to stand up inside. Two lengths, standard and long, are also available. These vans are versatile for many uses, like delivery trucks, ambulances, and passenger vans that seat up to 15. Depending on the engine, size, and model year of the van, it can potentially carry a payload of over 4,000 pounds and tow over 6,000 pounds when properly fitted with a hitch assembly, as is the case with the 2020 Transit vans. If possible, search for one with a rearview camera and rear sensors to help with visibility issues.

The smaller version of the Transit van is the Transit Connect, which is a good cargo vehicle in cities due to its shorter length. It can be found in short or long versions, and if used for passengers, it can seat seven. Whether being used as a shuttle, taxi, or other transport, it is durable and comfortable. When outfitted for cargo, the Transit Connect will have two front seats with the rear open. Depending on the year you find, it could have a 1.6-liter, 2,0-liter, or 2.5-liter inline-four engine that gets much better gas mileage than the larger Transit.

E Series vehicles have been around for almost 60 years, and Ford proudly states that over 2.7 million of these vehicles are still on the road today. They are built for the long haul, but they are only available as the cab and chassis if you buy them new. That leaves the hard work of outfitting the rest of the vehicle to the buyer.

The good news is that if you’re in the market for a dump truck, tow truck, cement mixer, or another type of heavy-duty commercial or construction vehicle if someone else sells their already equipped truck, you don’t have to find someone to do it for you. Any of the E Series trucks are built to handle payload weights between 5,000-9,000 pounds, and the heaviest-duty types can tow over 20,000 pounds when properly equipped. These trucks are made for the hardest work.

Why Buy Used Ford Commercial Vehicles

If you want to save money in your business, but you need a vehicle to keep things running, you may be pleasantly surprised by the used commercial vehicles you can find. Search for vehicles on our website, or contact us to find out what used options we have in stock. Even if we don’t have what you want in stock, we might be able to help you find the right vehicle for your needs, even if you’re searching for a delivery vehicle. Lots of new businesses around delivery are becoming the lifeblood of the new workforce, so you may get lucky and find a recent model from a business that upgraded with all the work they have now.

If you already have a commercial vehicle and you need somewhere to maintain it, bring it to our service center. Our trained technicians are experts in all Ford vehicles, even the commercial ones, so our team can keep your commercial in top shape and running when you need it most. Whether you’re looking for a used commercial model to start out your business and save a little money, or a brand new Ford commercial vehicle, we can help. Give us a call today and tell us what you’re looking for in a commercial vehicle.