If you’re looking for used trucks for sale in New Zealand, start with what you need the truck to do. The right setup depends on your loads, where you’ll be driving and how you’ll load and unload.
Whether you’re buying your first used truck or replacing your current one, this guide covers six common truck types and what to look for when buying second-hand. You can also browse our stock to see what’s available.
| Truck type | Common jobs | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Curtainsider | General freight, palletised goods and distribution | Side access, pallet capacity, curtain/floor condition, payload |
| Refrigerated | Chilled, frozen and temperature-sensitive freight | Temperature range, refrigeration unit, rear and side door access, door seals, payload |
| Flat deck | Equipment, machinery and building materials | Deck size and condition, loading access, tie-down points, payload |
| Tipper | Aggregates, soil and bulk construction materials | Body size and condition, hydraulic system, PTO (where fitted), payload for your loads |
| Tractor unit | Linehaul and semi-trailer operations | Trailer match, coupling setup, axle setup, rated combination weight |
| Box body | Furniture, retail and local deliveries | Room inside, body condition, door access, payload, and tail lift capacity (where fitted) |
Curtainsiders are a common choice for general freight and pallet work. The side curtains pull back so a forklift can reach the load along the side of the truck, which is handy when you’re loading or unloading at different stops.
Check how many pallets it takes, the internal height and payload. Have a look at the curtains, floor and load restraint gear too. If you need a tail lift, check that it suits the loads you’ll be handling.
Common uses: General freight, palletised goods and distribution.
Refrigerated trucks have an insulated body and a refrigeration unit to keep chilled or frozen freight at the temperature it needs. They’re commonly used for produce, dairy, meat and frozen goods.
If you’re buying a chiller truck or freezer truck, make sure it can maintain the temperatures you need throughout your run. Check the refrigeration unit’s service history and running hours, plus the insulation and door seals. Make sure the rear doors and any side doors suit the way you’ll load and unload, and that there’s enough room and payload for your usual job.
Common uses: Chilled, frozen and temperature-sensitive goods.
Flat deck trucks give you an open load area for building materials, equipment and suitable machinery. You can load from the sides or rear with the right equipment, or from above with a crane.
Check the deck size and condition, payload and tie-down points. If you’re carrying machinery, make sure its weight and size suit the truck. Think about how you’ll load, secure and unload it, and what equipment will be available at each end of the trip.
Common uses: Equipment, building materials, suitable machinery and irregular loads.
Tipper trucks are a common choice for carting soil, gravel, aggregates and other bulk materials. The hydraulic tipping gear raises the body to unload, making them useful for earthworks, roading and construction jobs.
Look at both the body size and payload. A bigger body doesn’t always mean you can carry more weight. Check the body’s condition, hydraulic pump, tipping ram and hoses, plus the PTO where fitted. Ask us to demonstrate the tipping system and check for leaks or unusual noises. Make sure the truck’s axle setup suits the work and sites you’ll be driving on.
Common uses: Construction, earthmoving, roading and bulk material transport.
Tractor units pull semi-trailers and are used for linehaul, heavy freight and specialised transport. You can pair them with different compatible trailers, depending on the load.
Start with the trailer you’ll be pulling and the roads you’ll be driving. Check the coupling setup, axle configuration, gearbox and engine power, as well as how much weight the combination is rated for. Our team can help you check that the truck and trailer are a suitable match.
Common uses: Linehaul, heavy freight and semi-trailer operations.
Box body trucks have an enclosed load area that helps keep your goods out of the weather. A standard box truck suits freight that doesn’t need refrigeration, such as furniture, retail stock and general deliveries.
Check the room inside, the door openings and the payload. A side door or tail lift can make deliveries easier, depending on where you’re unloading. If there’s a tail lift, check both its weight capacity and platform size.
Common uses: Furniture transport, retail distribution and local deliveries.
Once you know what type of truck you need, check how each option stacks up for the job.
Selected vehicles sold by Used Trucks NZ are also available with our 12 Month Unlimited KM Mechanical Warranty.
Check the listing or ask our team whether the truck you’re interested in is covered. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
At Used Trucks NZ, we help people buy and sell used trucks across New Zealand. We have access to trade-ins through the Volvo, Mack, Hino and UD Trucks sales network, with other makes available too.
Have a look through our current stock, or get in touch and tell us what you need. If you can’t see the right truck, we can keep an eye out for suitable options as they come in. We can also help arrange nationwide delivery.
What is the difference between a curtainsider and a box body truck?
A curtainsider has side curtains that pull back to give you access along the load area. A box body has solid sides, with rear doors and sometimes a side door. Which one suits you depends on what you’re carrying and how you’ll load and unload.
Is GVM the same as payload?
No. Gross vehicle mass (GVM) is the maximum permitted weight of the loaded truck, including the truck itself. Payload is how much load it can carry. Ask our team to help confirm the usable payload for the truck and work you have in mind.
Do used trucks come with a warranty?
Selected trucks at Used Trucks NZ include our 12 Month Unlimited KM Mechanical Warranty. Check the listing or ask our team whether the truck you’re looking at is covered. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
Can you help me find a truck that is not currently listed?
Yes. Let us know what you’re looking for, what you’ll be carrying and your budget. We can help you check current stock and keep an eye out for suitable trade-ins through our nationwide sales network.