Factors to Consider When Buying a Garbage Truck (New vs. Used, Side vs. Rear Loader Costs)

Welcome! I am glad you are here. If you want a waste collection truck or a garbage truck today, you are in the right place. Choosing the right truck helps people and keeps your business running. Let’s learn fast and easy together!

Why Picking the Right Garbage Truck Matters

Every time you buy a refuse vehicle, you make a big choice. These trucks are helpers. They keep our towns clean and safe. A smart pick saves you money and keeps things simple. Do you want a new truck or a used truck? Should it be a side loader or a rear loader? This guide shows you all you need.

New Garbage Trucks vs. Used Garbage Trucks

Pros of Buying New

New trucks have the latest technology like smart waste tech and GPS tracking.
They come with a strong warranty: you get help and parts if needed.
New means you pick what you want. Choose your chassis, engine, and color.
Fewer repairs for a long time.
Easy to get financing and sometimes the best rates.

Cons of Buying New

A new garbage truck cost is high. It can cost over $250,000.
Depreciation is fast; value drops quickly the first few years.
Sometimes it takes a while for delivery.

Pros of Buying Used

A used garbage truck price is much less, even $50,000 or more.
Get it faster.
Loses value more slowly after you buy it.

Cons of Buying Used

More maintenance and surprise repairs.
Little or no warranty.
Older tools inside. Might not be as safe or fast.
Might not work as long as a new one.

Cost Comparison

Factor	New Garbage Truck	Used Garbage Truck
Cost	$250,000 – $500,000	$50,000 – $250,000
Warranty	Yes, up to 7 years	Maybe none, or very little
Maintenance	Low at first	Can be high
Tech	Latest	Old
Delivery Time	Sometimes long	Usually fast
Depreciation	Fast at first	Slower

Side Loader vs. Rear Loader: What’s the Difference?

Side Loader Garbage Trucks

Side loaders grab bins from the side. There are manual and automated side loaders (ASL).

Pros:

Only one operator needed (with ASL).
Fast. Picks up garbage quickly.
Safer. The driver can stay inside the cab.
Great for homes with same-size bins.

Cons:

ASLs cost more.
Needs clear bins for the arm.
Not good for all bin types.
Sometimes less can fit in the body.

Use case: Houses with many same-size bins.

See our collection of rear loader garbage trucks for a different option.

Rear Loader Garbage Trucks

Rear loaders take garbage from the back. More than one person works on it.

Pros:

Squeezes trash hard—holds more per trip.
Can use many bin types, including big waste.
Less money up front.
Does not need bins lined up just right.

Cons:

More people. One to two at back.
Slower at each stop.
Higher labor costs.

Use case: Stores, mixed waste streams, bulky things.

Fast Look: Loader Types

Loader Kind	Operator Count	Best For	Easy to Use?
Side Loader (ASL)	1	Homes with bins	Yes
Rear Loader	2-3	Stores, bulky trash	Yes

What Else Should You Think About?

Chassis & Body

Good truck manufacturers like CLW GROUP build durable frames, strong chassis, and pick engine plus transmission types like diesel, CNG, or electric vehicles.
Check payload capacity and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
Make sure the axle configuration fits your roads.

Compactor & Hopper

Compaction ratio: How much trash can it squeeze in?
Hopper size: The place trash goes in.
Ejection system: How fast trash comes out.

Operations

Look at your routes. Busy city or quiet streets?
Fast packing cycle time keeps things moving.
Fuel efficiency and operating costs save money.

Maintenance & Lifespan

Most trucks last 10-15 years or 250,000-500,000 miles.
Plan at least $10,000-30,000 for routine maintenance each year.
Parts easy to find? That keeps downtime low.

Safety Features

Backup cameras, sensors, bright lights.
Noise reduction, ergonomic cabs for driver comfort.

Tech & Compliance

Smart waste technology like onboard scales or GPS.
Must follow emissions standards and OSHA, ANSI rules.

Money Matters

Think about more than just price. Look at total cost of ownership (TCO).
You can lease or finance.
Price out maintenance, fuel, insurance, and tires.

Support

Choose a strong dealer. You need after-sales support.
Make sure they offer training and good parts availability.

Sample Price Table

Factor	New Side Loader (ASL)	Used Rear Loader
First Price	$300,000+	$80,000+
Labor	1 Driver (lower cost)	2-3 workers
Speed	Very Fast Per Stop	Slow, but handles bulky
Lifespan	10-15 Years	5-10 Years
Maintenance per Year	$10,000-$30,000	$20,000+
Main Use	Homes	Stores, mixed, bulk

Step-By-Step: How Do I Pick?

Know your needs: Count how much garbage, what kind, and where.

Check your budget: Can you pay in full? Need to finance or lease?

Add up the TCO: First cost plus maintenance, labor, insurance, fuel.

Look at demo trucks: Try before you buy if you can.

Inspect used trucks well: Look at the hydraulic system, frame, cab, engine, and compactor.

Talk to others: Ask other buyers, talk to CLW GROUP and your dealer.

Why Choose CLW GROUP?

CLW GROUP is a professional automobile manufacturer. We make trucks just for you! We deliver your truck, help after you get it, and give smart advice.

Here’s what makes us strong:

Customized production: You pick.
Vehicle delivery when you need it.
After-sales service: Any problem, we help you fast.
Technical consulting: We answer your questions.
Our trucks meet emissions standards and all safety regulations.

We also build other great trucks. See our special trucks factory, look at our water tank trucks, and check our popular cement mixer trucks.

In the End

The best garbage truck is the one that fits you. Think about how much garbage, your routes, and your budget. Study both initial price and total cost of ownership. Ask us at CLW GROUP. We will guide you step by step. We build tough trucks, offer expert help, and care about your success.

References:

If you want the truck that works best for you, talk to CLW GROUP. We make garbage trucks you can trust!