The key to choosing a dry freight truck is to focus on its specific purpose. Knowing what to look for when buying a medium-duty box truck will prevent a lot of problems down the road.

Chassis and Box Length

What are you hauling? How much weight is involved? How much space do you need? After answering these questions, your truck choice will depend on balancing the cargo space you need with its weight. Ensure that the chassis you want matches the appropriate wheelbase length for safe transport.

Clearance Considerations

Some warehouses have low ceilings, and some routes have low overpasses. You must consider the height of your box if you don’t want to waste time with work-arounds. Think about tight workspaces that can prove hard to maneuver. We often consider longer-nose trucks safer to drive, but a flat-nose truck can make your day a lot easier.

Floor Materials

The flooring is another key element to consider. For instance, if you haul food or liquids, you won’t want a hardwood floor that will retain moisture and eventually go soft. If you’ll wash out the interior often, allow for a way to drain the water completely. Just a few of your flooring options:

• Pine
• Laminate
• Aluminum
• Steel

Interior Lighting

You don’t want to fumble around with a flashlight if you have a night delivery. During the day, a translucent roof might provide enough natural light in the cargo area. But you can invest in interior lighting for when it gets dark.

Cargo Containment

You can damage both the load and interior of your box truck if you don’t secure materials properly. Shifting loads can cause an imbalance in the truck. Consider your tie-downs, rows of e-track, and load distances.

Of course, there’s even more to look for when buying a medium-duty box truck, which is why you should work with a proven dealer. HFI Truck Center is an Isuzu truck dealer that can point out considerations you might miss. Visit us in Mountainside, New Jersey, or contact us to learn more about our inventory.