Upgrades That Can Increase The Value Of Your Used Vehicle Before Selling

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Adding upgrades to your commercial vehicle can not only make it more useful, economical, and comfortable for you, it can add value when you decide to sell in the future and move on to something new for yourself.

For one thing, brand new commercial vehicles are a major investment. Smaller companies, especially those that are just starting out, may not have the budget for something fresh off the assembly line. For someone looking to buy, paying a little more for a used vehicle that already has all of the upgrades means more money for you when you sell, and it still fulfills the buyer’s needs without compromising their budget.

Commercial Truck Trader took a look into some of the most popular upgrades, especially the ones that add resale value for the seller in the future. Keep in mind that there are hundreds of upgrades that can be made, depending on what kind of commercial vehicle you own, so this isn’t a one-size-fits-all list. For example, suggesting a spray-on bedliner is a great idea for a heavy-duty pickup truck that’s seen some action and could use a makeover, but that advice won’t be very useful for a semi driver. With that in mind, here’s what we discovered.

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Different Strokes

Some very popular upgrades that people often add to their commercial vehicles include visual accouterments that are appealing to the current owner but may not necessarily pique the interest of others. Some examples may include special paint jobs (think American flags, bald eagles, or flames), extra running lights or undercarriage lights that match the truck’s primary color, or custom gear shift knobs that might represent an interest or hobby (billiard ball, skull with lighting, etc.). While these all add a certain flair and personality to a commercial vehicle, don’t be surprised if some buyers don’t share your enthusiasm for your choice of style. 

Drop The Drag

However, there are plenty of upgrades that can add significant value that appeals to a wide variety of buyers. Going back to semis, if you have an older-model cab that isn’t as wind resistant as new models, there are some modifications you can make to reduce the drag. For the cab, which accounts for about 25% of the total drag of a tractor-trailer, adding pedestal door mirrors and a sloped-front windshield can improve the aerodynamics of your truck, which will help to increase fuel efficiency. This not only is an investment in immediate fuel savings for you, it makes the truck more valuable when you’re ready to sell it.

Another modification that can add value and additional fuel savings is called TruckWings. This is a fully automated, tractor-mounted device that closes the space between the cab and trailer to provide additional fuel savings and a better driver experience by improving tractor stability, especially in crosswind conditions.

If you drive a dedicated tractor-trailer, there are additional modifications you can make specifically to the trailer to help reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. Adding trailer skirts or trailer fairings can keep wind from blowing under the trailer. Installing mud flaps and wheel covers will help direct airflow around the tires. Attaching a trailer tail will create a slipstream away from the truck.

Peak Performance

There are a few other upgrades you can add to almost any commercial vehicle:

• Radiator. Overheating can be a problem for any commercial truck, especially when it’s being operated in hot and humid conditions or when hauling especially heavy loads. Replacing an older radiator with a high-performance model will add value to your truck and help to eliminate issues with overheating that can cause work delays.
• Axles. Commercial truck axles can be made of a variety of SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) grade steel, carbon steel, or carbon alloy steel. Upgrading to a better grade of steel can improve steering, braking, and will help to reduce road noise. The result is better performance which relates to a more positive driving experience, in addition to a higher resale value.
• Creature Comforts. Commercial drivers spend a lot of time in the saddle, so it only makes sense to swap out the old seat for one that offers more comfortable padding, in addition to lumbar and neck support, to ease neck, shoulder, back, and leg pain. Adding an ergonomic steering wheel can also help reduce driver fatigue. 

Increase Your Value

As mentioned previously, there are literally hundreds of upgrades you can make to commercial vehicles to make them more fuel efficient, better performing, provide greater driver comfort, and improve appearance. Be sure to take into consideration the cost of the upgrade versus the value it will provide, both while the truck is in service for you and to the bottom line when you decide to sell.

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When the time comes to sell, count on CommercialTruckTrader.com to help you find a buyer and to purchase your next new or used vehicle. We’re one of the largest online resources for buying and selling all types of commercial trucks, so let us help you get the most out of your experience.

Barrett Baker

Barrett Baker is a freelance writer with more than 40 years of writing experience. He has worked with the U.S. Department of Energy, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and a variety of advertising and marketing firms throughout his career. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, cooking, and working with animal rescues.

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