When to Rent a Dry Van

Dry vans are some of the most versatile trucks on the market, but they are also a major investment. In many cases, the question is whether it makes the most sense to purchase a dry van or simply rent one. If you fall into this category, check out this guide from Utility Trailers of Washington about when to rent a dry van. 

Company

Different companies have different policies in regard to what kinds of trucks their drivers can use. Some require drivers to own and maintain their own dry van, while others want their drivers to use a company model. Still others have no preference either way. We recommend that you learn as much as you can about the policies of the company you currently work for, and think hard about how long you intend to stay with them. If you plan to work for them for a long time and they require that you own your own dry van, go ahead and make the investment. However, if the company allows its drivers to use rented dry vans or you plan to leave in the near future, you might want to hold off on purchasing a dry van. Other things to consider include whether it is the norm in your state for companies to provide their drivers with trucks, and how easy it would be to resell your dry van if you needed to sell it. 

Budget

Another thing to consider is your budget. While renting a dry van will cost you money, it’s also a great way to earn a living until you save up enough to purchase your own truck. As an added benefit, you can use renting as an opportunity to try out various models and see what kinds of features you’ll want when you finally make your purchase. 

Upkeep

Behind fuel, maintenance is probably the biggest and most frequent expense that truckers have to deal with. While there are a few tricks that owners can use to help keep costs down, some people don’t want to bother with upkeep at all. For them, renting a dry van rather than purchasing one is usually the best choice. 

For more information about our rental program, visit Utility Trailer Sales of Washington. We operate four brick-and-mortar locations, including Auburn, Mt. Vernon, and Richland, Washington, along with multiple mobile service locations throughout Washington state. We also offer new and pre-owned semi trailers, semi trailer parts, financing, trade-ins, and servicing.