Truck Ownership vs. Truck Leasing – What’s Right For You?

Should you buy or lease your commercial trucks and trailers?  That’s a question most fleet owners will ask at some point in time.  To find the best answer for your unique business needs you need to consider a variety of factors.  And, the answer can change over time as your business changes.

Some fleets have a mix of owned and leased units based on the fleet’s needs at the time of acquisition.  Below we will outline the pros and cons for both options to help you walk through the various factors to consider for your next vehicle acquisition.

Pros of Truck Ownership

• Truck/trailer is an asset to your company, that may be sold at any time
• Vehicle equity/trade-in value
•  Leverage your team’s talent/resources for fleet maintenance and repairs if you have a shop on site
• Vocation – Some vocations lend themselves to truck ownership as leasing companies typically do not lease certain truck types (ex: dump trucks) and some vocations require specialized customization that lends themselves to ownership.  Note: Bergey’s leases units with custom bodies dpending on the application, so ask our team about your options.
• Monthly payments for the term of the loan (if financed), then outright ownership
• Control of the asset (ex: modifications of the unit, maintenace decisions, etc.)
• Potential tax incentives
• Possible depreciation deductions
• Potential for lower insurance rates vs. leasing

Pros of Truck Leasing

• Fleet Uptime – The leasing company is responsible for ensuring your vehicle is up and running, or responsible for providing a substitute vehicle so your business doesn’t stop due to truck downtime.
• No Down Payment
• 100% Deductible Payments
• More Working Capital For Other Areas of Your Business
• Predictable Transporation Costs – Monthly lease fees, plus mileage fees, allow companies to budget fleet expenses more accurately
• Assumption by lease company for all fleet assets and residual risk
• Ability to focus on your core business vs. fleet management
• Hassle free fleet management – leasing company handles all maintenance & repairs, administration paperwork, etc.
• Modern Equipment & Technology

The best option depends on your company’s specific needs at any given time.  Some fleets are 100% ownership, others 100% lease, while some have a mix of both based on the best option at the time of vehicle acquisition.  Bergey’s offers vehicles sales and lease options to help you determine the best fit for your company.

Learn more about the best option for your fleet.