More than 4,000 carriers with five or more trucks closed their doors last year. It's enough to scare off any lender from giving you a loan to buy a truck.

In the March issue of Heavy Duty Trucking, Senior Editor Patricia Smith looks at the financing situation.
When fleets began to crumble, many lenders made a mad dash for the door. To date, there aren't any signs that they're rushing back.
On the other hand, she found, "it's a great time to be borrowing for somebody with a strong balance sheet."
Smith interviewed experts who offered some tips on getting the best deal, such as spotlighting your management skills, paying down existing loans, and choosing the right equipment at the right price.

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