Author: Joshua Gwozdz

The used semi truck parts market has been growing in recent years, despite OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) dominance, and there are several reasons as to why used parts are often a better choice than brand new parts. With everything from cost savings to reliability, there is little reason you should be paying full price for what the OEM’s offer, when you can get a better deal all around through the used heavy truck parts market.

The most obvious reason for choosing used semi truck parts is cost savings. Used parts can often be purchased for a fraction of the cost of brand new parts, making it a much more affordable option for both Owner Operators (O/O) and carrier companies looking to maintain their vehicles.

When it comes to availability, used semi truck parts are often readily available, even for older or less common vehicles. This is a major advantage for some companies, as it allows them to quickly source the parts they need to keep their vehicles on the road.

New parts often come with warranties or guarantees that can provide added protection against manufacturing defects or other issues that may arise. And the assumption is that used truck parts won’t come with a warranty. This assumption may be true for a lot of the industry, but certainly not for TPI sellers. The main difference being that TPI sellers aren’t just in it for the money or business growth, they’re in it to help the industry that keeps almost everything moving. 

In fact, you’ll find that many TPI sellers offer warranties and guarantees on their inventory items as well. Because after all, if your truck breaks down due to a part issue, they genuinely want to help you and get your truck moving again. If your truck is out of operation, whatever it is that you’re hauling doesn’t move and you as the driver likely aren’t making any money. TPI sellers understand this and aim to fix it.

Despite the lower cost and the general assumption that used parts are worse, used semi truck parts are often of high quality and are rigorously tested before being sold, especially by TPI sellers. This means that used parts can be just as reliable as brand new parts, providing trucking companies and drivers with peace of mind while reducing the risk of unexpected repairs.

That being said, it’s important to note that not all new parts are created equal either. The reliability of a new part can vary depending on the quality of the manufacturing process, the materials used, and the reputation of the manufacturer. In some cases, a new part may be defective or may fail prematurely due to a flaw in the manufacturing process. This could cost you a lot more money than used parts would and you know that the used parts would work, because they’ve been used before.

Another advantage of using used semi truck parts is that it reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing new parts. The production of new parts requires a significant amount of energy and resources, and by using used parts from TPI, trucking companies can help to reduce their carbon footprint. TPI is constantly tracking the amount of steel saved from landfills via our sustainability promise.

Again, there are several reasons why used semi truck parts are a better choice than brand new parts. From cost savings to environmental impact, used parts offer a range of benefits that make them an attractive option for trucking companies, salvage yards, remanufacturers and repair facilities. With the growing demand for used parts and your help meeting it, the used semi truck parts market is poised for continued growth in the years to come.

You’ve probably called a company and gotten a rude response on the other end before. How did it make you feel? Chances are you didn’t feel like your business would be valued and likely went to another provider of that service. The same can happen in the heavy truck parts business if you’re not careful.

Selling heavy truck parts can be a lucrative business, but it can also be challenging when a lot of your business is done over the phone. If you have the resources and the knowledge to sell the parts, it can be a great way to make a living and improve your business. Here are some tips for answering inbound calls to ensure you get the most out of them:

• 1. Establish a quality reputation and online presence for selling heavy truck parts. Make sure your customers know you are a reputable source for parts. Answer the phone politely and announce your name, the company name or your slogan (Today is a great day at Lucky’s Truck Parts. How may we help you?).

• 2. Emphasize quality over price. TPI features show you a market price when posting parts. Make sure your customers know that you are offering high-quality parts at a reasonable rate by posting pictures of the parts once cleaned. Focus on the value you bring to solving their problem.

• 3. Be able to answer questions thoroughly. Be able to talk about the parts in detail and be able to answer any questions or concerns the customer may have. When posting a part, the description speeds up the process the customer requires to make a buying decision. By entering as much information as possible, you increase efficiency.

• 4. Keep prices low and flexible. Be willing to discount the parts if the customer is buying a large quantity. Ask a question such as does your truck need anything else? If they are only buying a single part and ask for a discount, state that you do not offer discounts on single purchase orders. If they know you will give them a deal on quantity it makes them feel special. This helps cycle your inventory faster.  

• 5. Be able to provide a delivery schedule for the parts, and be able to provide a timetable for when the parts will be delivered (even if it’s just a ballpark guess). You can also work with TPI to discuss our new freight integration, where you connect your current freight provider to save time when using our systems.  

Sell parts efficiently and faster to more people. Maximize revenue and create a customer base with every call. Treat each call as a potential larger sale in the future. If they bought from you once and had a better experience than with the other yard, they will remember you and call you first. “Buy a filter today but buy a truck tomorrow!”.

Truck driving is one of the most dangerous, yet important professions in the world, and there are several reasons as to why this is the case. 

First and foremost, the nature of trucking involves long hours on the road, often in difficult weather conditions and on unfamiliar roads. This increases the risk of accidents and can lead to fatigue and in many cases mental illness, which impairs a driver’s ability to make safe decisions. Additionally, the sheer size and weight of trucks make them much more difficult to maneuver and maintain than smaller vehicles. 

Maintenance can be difficult for drivers too, as many carriers have policies forbidding their drivers from performing any sort of preventative maintenance while on the road. Meaning if a driver for one such carrier has troubles on the road, they have to wait until a tow-truck can bring them back to a shop for repairs. This can be a costly endeavor in terms of both time and money. That’s also assuming the shop actually has the parts they need for the repair.

Many times the trucker stuck at a shop will have to wait days for their truck to be ready, all because the part they need is discontinued or the shop doesn’t have enough interchange information on it. That’s where looking on sites like TPI will come in handy, with new, used and aftermarket trucks and parts, as well as interchange information readily available from industry professionals.

Another factor contributing to the danger of truck driving is the ever-increasing volume of traffic on the roads. With more vehicles on the road (some of them autonomous), the risk of accidents increases, and the potential for collisions with trucks is heightened. Additionally, the growing number of distractions in modern vehicles, such as smartphones and in-dash navigation systems, can also increase the risk of accidents for truck drivers.

What about the pressure to meet tight deadlines and delivery schedules? This can lead to drivers taking shortcuts, such as driving at excessive speeds or skipping rest breaks, which further increases the risk of accidents. Take the infamous Humboldt Broncos accident of 2018 for example. 

The lack of proper training and licensing for truck drivers also contributes to the danger of the profession. Some trucking companies may hire drivers with minimal training, which increases the risk of accidents on the road, and sullies the reputation of skilled, properly trained drivers.

Truck driving is a dangerous profession due to a combination of factors, including long hours on the road, the size and weight of trucks, increasing traffic volume, distractions, tight delivery schedules, and a lack of proper training. To reduce the risk of accidents, it is important for trucking companies to consider these factors and have access to proper equipment/resources like TruckPartsInventory.com.

When it comes to identifying truck engines by color, it used to be simple. If you couldn’t use the plate for whatever reason, you could generally tell an engine by its trademark color. However, with all the different variations and subtypes of engines these days, we thought we’d pick out some of the more recognizable colors for engines to help you out!

For starters, Cummins engines are usually painted in a shade of black or blue. These are the traditional colors of Cummins engines and is often used as a way to easily identify a Cummins engine in a piece of equipment. However, It is not uncommon to find engines of other colors, especially when they are repainted or rebuilt.

There are some models of Cummins engines, specifically the ISX series, that are painted red. These ISX engines are designed for long-haul trucking, bus, and motorhome applications. The red serves as an easy way to identify these specific engines when in use.

When it comes to Detroit, their engines are typically painted in a shade of blue (slightly different shade than Cummins). The blue color provides a durable and protective finish for the engine, helping to prevent rust and corrosion. The blue color is also used to help set them apart from competitors.

Caterpillar (CAT) engines are generally painted in a shade of yellow, and get used in construction equipment, power generators, and other various industrial applications. You can almost always identify a CAT engine in a piece of equipment by this distinctive yellow. This color choice is also consistent with their yellow-colored construction equipment.

Most of the time, Mack engines are painted in a shade of black. The black color is a trademark of the Mack brand and has been used for many years. The color may also make it easier to spot issues with the engine.

PACCAR engines are usually painted in a shade of white. The color white is often used as a way to easily identify a PACCAR engine in a piece of equipment, and it’s painted this way to provide a clean and professional appearance. The color white may also make it easier to spot issues with the engine such as leaks, spills and dirt, making it easier for maintenance and inspection.

International engines are typically painted in a shade of black, the traditional color of diesel engines used in heavy-duty trucks and buses, as well as construction and agricultural equipment.

These are just some of the better known engines, and are by no means the only colors of engines out there. Using color alone is generally not the best way to identify your engine but depending on what you’re driving, you may not be far off when you guess by color!

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has banned all diesel vehicles over 14,000 pounds, built before 2010 from operating within state borders.The regulation requires these vehicles to be retrofitted, repowered, or replaced with newer, cleaner vehicles. It goes without saying that such legislation will cause problems for carriers scrambling to comply with regulations. However, the bigger problem is that used and aftermarket trucks and parts will now become even more difficult to find in and around California.

CARB has essentially made it even more challenging for the average Owner/Operator to maintain their rigs in or around California. Instead of being able to call a salvage yard or aftermarket dealership to replace a simple truck part, they may be forced to go through an OEM to buy brand new parts. This is assuming that the OEM even makes the part anymore as many high demand parts are being discontinued by their respective manufacturers. That would make the only place for someone to get something discontinued, a salvage yard or remanufacturer. 

This law would likely impact the used truck parts market by reducing the number of older trucks available for salvage or resale, as owners will be forced to upgrade to newer, cleaner vehicles that meet the emissions standards set by CARB. Additionally, parts for older trucks may become less in demand as fewer of these vehicles remain in operation.

Carriers are obviously going to need to retrofit their fleets, which will be a tedious and expensive task. And no doubt, some of the smaller carriers will go under as a result of running only trucks built in 2010 or earlier. Buying a new engine for your 2011 truck is expensive, but not nearly as expensive as buying an entire new fleet of trucks. 

That’s not to mention the impact the regulations have on sellers from TruckPartsInventory.com (TPI) and the larger industry, many of whom carry a large selection of trucks and parts from 2010 and prior. Some are also located in California itself, placing them in between a rock and a hard place. Will the inventory be sold off to clients outside of the state? Or perhaps it’s simply written off as loss and they move on. The impact on the larger used truck parts market will depend on the scope of the regulation and the extent to which older vehicles are phased out. 

It’s possible that the regulations implemented by CARB could have ripple effects on the used truck parts market outside of California. As older trucks and buses are phased out, there may be an influx of these vehicles in other states, potentially increasing the supply of used parts. However, this is dependent on several factors, such as the readiness of other states to take in these older vehicles, their own regulations and the economic conditions of the market.

You might be thinking that this is an issue exclusive to California. However, it’s possible that regulations similar to the ones implemented by CARB may be adopted in other states, which could have a more significant impact on the used truck parts market outside of California.

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A flex plate, also known as a flywheel, is a metal disc that is located between the engine and transmission in a semi-truck. Its primary function is to connect the crankshaft of the engine to the torque converter of the transmission, allowing power to be transferred from the engine to the transmission and ultimately to the drive wheels of the truck. The flex plate also acts as a buffer, absorbing any slight misalignments between the engine and transmission, which helps to reduce wear and tear on the drivetrain components.

Here are some tips for maintaining a flex plate on semi-trucks:

Regularly inspect the flex plate for cracks, warping, or other signs of damage. Keep the bolts that attach the flex plate to the crankshaft and torque converter tight and in good condition. Check the alignment of the flex plate to ensure it is properly aligned with the crankshaft and torque converter.

You can also make sure that the engine and transmission mounts are in good condition and properly secured, as these can affect the flex plate’s alignment. If you experience any vibration or noise from the drivetrain, have the flex plate inspected as it may be the cause. Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance and inspection intervals for the flex plate.

Regularly check the condition of the harmonic balancer, as a damaged harmonic balancer can cause damage to the flex plate. Check the engine and transmission for any leaks that may affect the flex plate and have the truck serviced by a professional mechanic if you suspect any issues with the flex plate or other drivetrain components.