Hi, I know that some guys buy salvage trucks and trailers from salvage auction Big Truck Salvage Dot Com - Upgrade Browser Notification
Repair them and put into service. Some will say it's not worth it, but they are dong this. What is your opinion on that? Is it practical? Will the truck last? Resale value is probably $0.

 

It's not as easy and profitable as you think. I used to do this locally when steel was $15.50 per 100lbs. Now that it's $7.25 per 100lbs its not worth it.

I never tried to rebuild and put to use, I always just bought, torn down, and junked the metal. I'm sure you could piece a truck back together if you have the time, resources and $ to do so.

Just my 2 cents......

 

It will work only if YOU can do everything YOURSELF, meaning if you plan on having someone do this and someone else do that, you will be over your head and upside down quickly. Plus there is NO financing on these, CASH ONLY.

If the vehicle in question has a salvage title, forget about ever selling it for any profit, plus if it has a salvage title it will have to be re-inspected by the state before they will let you re-register it, and you MUST prove that you or some one certified did the repairs.

I have a shop and the ability to do most everything on a truck, and wouldn't touch one, not worth it IMO, way to risky.

Most of the stuff on that site is JUNK, parts only stuff, way to old to mess with.

For example the Transcraft flat on there, it's a 1998, and they estimate $15,000, I sold one in 2007 that was a 2001 for $13,000, best I could do on it.

 

Cheaper to just buy a decent truck that hasn't been totaled.

 

I have 2 salvaged trucks on the road. They've made me loads of money. You just have to be very very careful what you start with.

 

If you don't know what your looking at you can get in WAY over your head real quick!
Your gonna find that you need more parts than you planned for and they all cost about 50% more than you planned and any work you sub out will cost more and don't forget haveing towed here and there for frame work painting , front end , engine work ect. Been there done it ,cars, and big trucks and very few people come out ahead unless they can do ALL the work themselves With all the deals out there I wouldn't even consider a "rebuildable"unless useing it as a doner for a glider

 

Thankyou for all the input!

 

if you know what your doing you can make money off them, if the works done correct alot of people are willing to buy a salvage truck.

 

If all the work is done correctly, it can be a good truck.

If the work is done half *****ed, it will be an unreliable POS from day one.

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I bought a salvage car once and had good service out of it, but when it came time to retire the car I quickly found out that the salvage title really dropped the value. Some of the salvage trucks that I have seen are usually in need of a lot of repair. Most are over priced for what needs to be done. When the truck comes from a salvage yard you never know what has been taken off the truck. If you have the time and knowledge to do the work yourself then it could save you some money providing you can get the parts at a good price.