Managing a transport fleet isn’t just about buying equipment. It’s a constant cycle of asset rotation. Renewing your trailer fleet is a strategic step, and managing your aging units is an important part of the financial equation.
What should you do with your old trailer? Trying to sell it to an individual or another company can be a lengthy, costly, and uncertain process: managing ads, wasting time with inquiries, difficult negotiations, and legal risks.
Trading in your trailer at a specialized dealership radically simplifies this process. It’s not about “losing money,” but about gaining efficiency and peace of mind.
Trading in: an efficient decision
For a business manager, time is money. The downtime of an asset (for example, when the trailer is being repaired) represents lost revenue. The main advantage of trading in is its transactional simplicity.
Instead of managing two separate transactions (a complex sale and a complex purchase), you combine everything into a single operation. You drop off your old unit and drive away with the new one. From both an accounting and operational standpoint, it’s the most efficient way to keep your fleet on the road.
How does an expert appraise your trailer?
Understanding what adds value to your trade-in will help you maximize your return. When our appraisers at Gamache Truck Centre inspect your trailer, they look far beyond the aesthetics.
- Market value (make and year): This is the starting point. A well-known brand (Manac, Utility, Wabash, Reitnouer, etc.) will always retain a higher base value.
- Structural integrity: This is the most important factor. Our inspectors check the frame, crossmembers, and floor. Is there rust perforation? Stress cracks? Previous repairs? The condition of the structure is a deciding factor.
- Condition of Wear Components: The residual value of the tires, brakes, suspension, and roof (for enclosed trailers) is calculated. A trailer requiring $8,000 worth of tires and brakes will have its trade-in value adjusted accordingly.
- Maintenance History: A trailer with a rigorous and documented Preventive Maintenance (PMM) record is worth more. This demonstrates that it has been well cared for and reduces the risk of hidden defects.
Our Promise: A Fair and Transparent Appraisal of Your Used Trailer
This is where choosing your partner becomes crucial. Centre du Camion Gamache’s expertise lies not only in sales; it lies in our in-depth knowledge of the used market.
Because we are used trailer specialists, we have a clear understanding of your equipment’s true value. We have the capacity, the workshop, and the network to recondition your trailer and find it a new owner.
We don’t aim to depreciate your asset; we aim to establish its true market value to build a long-term partnership. Our goal is to offer you a fair trade-in value that facilitates your transition to a newer, inspected, and ready-to-work unit.
To have an asset from your fleet appraised, we invite you to consult our inventory of used trailers to identify your next unit. Then, contact one of our experts directly at Gamache Truck Center to schedule an appraisal of your trade-in equipment.
