BulkLoads tours Vander Haags - one of the largest used truck salvage operations in the country
The Real Cost Savings: New vs. Used
New semi trucks nowadays are upwards of $200,000 or $300,000. But at Vander Haags, a single axle day cab can start at just $10,000, with nicer sleeper trucks going for $60,000 to $80,000.
For an owner-operator hauling grain with a hopper looking for a day cab, you could get into a decent truck for around $30,000 — a fraction of the new price, often with warranty options available.
Thats potential savings of $70,000 to $200,000+ that goes straight to your bottom line.
New trucks nowadays are upwards of $200,000 or $300,000. And we are dealing with semis, sometimes a little single axle day cab is $10,000... We are also selling some of the nicer sleeper trucks for $60,000 to $80,000.
Why This Matters for Owner-Operators
In todays challenging freight market, lowering overhead can be the difference between surviving and thriving. With the trucking recession affecting miles and pay rates, reducing equipment costs is one of the easiest ways to make ends meet.
Thats exactly why operations like Vander Haags have become essential resources for independent truckers looking to lower their overhead without sacrificing quality.
Especially right now where we are at with the market with being in this trucker recession a bit and people really struggling to find miles or find the right pay for it. Lowering your overhead is just like the easiest solution, right?
Who Vander Haags Really Serves
While they work with fleets of 5-6 trucks, the backbone of Vander Haags business is individual owner-operators — the small guys who keep America trucking.
As they put it: Those owner operators are really what are, you know, those are the people who are coming to us. We have the quality at the reduced price. Its not an OEM price. Its not a fabricated retail price.
How The Salvage Process Works
Step 1: Inventory Before Dismantling
When a truck arrives, they inventory 40 to 140 parts before touching anything. Their technology-driven system uses sales history to determine what to inventory and how to prioritize.
Step 2: Customer-Driven Dismantling
Customers often buy parts before the truck is even dismantled. When an order comes in, thats what triggers the dismantle process.
Step 3: Fast Turnaround
Two technicians can completely dismantle a truck in 13-14 hours — one shift. Loose parts can ship same-day. Parts still on the truck? 2-3 days max.
Quality You Can Trust: The Engine Inspection Process
Vander Haags runs about 120 points of inspection on every engine before its sold. They check everything from exhaust temps to oil pressure, look for scoring on the liners, examine the camshaft, crankshaft, and top end.
Engines even go on a rotator to flip them around, pull the oil pan off, and check all the main bearings — replacing them if needed.
Engines, transmissions, and differentials come with 6-month warranties. This isnt grab-and-ship — these parts go through rigorous inspection before theyre deemed ready for sale.
We have about 120 points of inspection that we look for on a given engine. Everything from exhaust temps to oil pressure. We look for scoring on the liners, look at the camshaft, the crankshaft, the top end.
Technology-Driven Operations
Vander Haags has invested heavily in technology to serve customers better:
• VIN lookup on website — Enter your VIN to see compatible parts
• Universal inventory system — All 11 locations share one database
• OE number search — Find parts by specific part numbers
• Casting number identification — Down to axle-level detail
Through their website, customers can access all inventory from all locations. It doesnt matter where you are — you can see everything they have available.
More Than Parts: Full Service Shop
Vander Haags isnt just selling parts — they install them too. Their service shops handle:
• Engine swaps and transmission installs
• Dump body installation on new chassis
• Truck stretching and custom builds
• Preventive maintenance and alignments
• After-treatment system diagnostics
As they put it: If the guy can dream it, we can probably build it in our shop.
The Complete Lifecycle Partner
What makes Vander Haags unique is their ability to support a truck through its entire lifecycle:
1. Source — Help you find the right truck
2. Support — Parts and service throughout ownership
3. Buy Back — Purchase the truck when youre ready to move on
The entire life cycle of a unit or a customers ownership can be through Vander Haags. You dont have to touch another vendor or service provider throughout the process.
Key Takeaways for Owner-Operators
1. Used ≠ Unreliable — With 120-point inspections and 6-month warranties on major components, used parts can be just as dependable as new
2. Lower Overhead = Survival — In a trucking recession, a $30K truck vs. a $200K truck can make or break your business
3. One-Stop Shopping Saves Time — Source, service, and sell-back all in one place
4. Technology Matters — VIN lookups, universal inventory, and online ordering mean less downtime
5. The Small Guys Matter — Owner-operators are the backbone of operations like Vander Haags
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