Is That Low-mileage Truck Really As Good As It Seems

How many miles are “too many” for a used truck in Minnesota?

Back in the day, I was a used car salesman. No shame – it’s one of those jobs everyone has done once in their lifetime. I approached the job wanting to be the “honest friend in the car business”. Needless to say, I didn’t sell cars for very long. In the market for any used vehicle, but especially used trucks, there are too many little hints of bigger problems that are too easy to hide. And most of them have nothing to do with the odometer.

Based on those little hints, I’ve developed a toolkit you should carry with you on your used truck shopping journey to help decide if that low-mileage truck means many more miles of worry-free driving.

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Low mileage doesn’t always mean low use.

Did you know there’s an hour meter on most newer trucks? Just like tractors and heavy machinery, hours add wear and tear to an engine that may not always be easy to see. Roughly, an hour of use equals 30-40 miles of wear and tear. If that low-mileage used truck has spent its life idling on a worksite, the engine is older than it seems. Before you look at a truck, do a Google search to find if that model has an hour meter and how to access it. Divide the miles by the hours; higher numbers mean more “highway miles.

Here’s a quick YouTube video on how to access the hour meter on late model GM trucks.

The dreaded snowplow.

Half-ton trucks have no business pushing a snowplow. Yes, that’s a hill I’ll die on. It’s also lonely on this hill. Three-quarter and one-ton trucks have the suspension and frame upgrades necessary to withstand the bumps and stress of even light snow plow work. But, used truck lots are full of former snowplow trucks. Look for any drill holes on the frame or bumper that may indicate a snowplow used to sit there. Also, look for a heavy-duty alternator or additional wiring for the abandoned plows. Don’t get me wrong – snow plow use, even in a half-ton truck, is not a deal breaker. It’s just a sign the truck has seen more abuse than the average commuter truck.

Tire treads – what should they be?

Before you look at a used truck, go to any auto parts store and pick up a tire tread gauge. They’re under $5.00. In a perfect world, the tires on a used truck should be similar across the face of the tire and from tire to tire. I’m not a tire guy – I don’t have advice on the best tread depth for different types of driving. Use the gauge to look for signs of uneven wear on a tire. That could indicate more expensive suspension repairs in the near future. New tires on the truck? Ask if you can see the old ones and perform the same tests, or use the “no” answer as leverage in price negotiations.

Beware of the new undercoating.

Road salt is brutal here. Check for rust on the brake and fuel lines, corners of the cab and rocker panels, and the frame rails near the rear axle. If you notice a fresh undercoating, it’s not always a sign that the previous owner is trying to hide something, but a reason to use more caution.

The goal is simple: a used truck that gives you fewer problems over many more miles. It’s just as easy to find a peach as a lemon on any lot in Minnesota, just use a little caution and these tips. Happy driving!