When looking to buy a used Renault curtainsider truck, you will need to keep a checklist of the specifications that you are seeking alongside an appropriate budget for the purchase in order to make the process less complicated...
When looking to buy a used Renault curtainsider truck, you will need to keep a checklist of the specifications that you are seeking alongside an appropriate budget for the purchase in order to make the process less complicated. There is a good amount of choice for this type of commercial vehicle from Renault, with models taking on distribution duties, urban delivery runs and comprehensive collection routes in various organisations.
Curtainsider buyers will need to look at things such as the capacity of the body and the payload it can handle, as well as consider other elements as applicable, such as the weight that any tail lift mechanism can handle if one is present. Renault curtainsiders constitute a range of models and ages, so be prepared to look at the state of various models to make sure you select one that is capable of going the distance in its new role.
For smaller jobs, one of the 3.6 tonne Renault Master or 6.5 tonne Renault Mascott models may fit the bill, since they feature van chassis adapted to accept curtainsider bodies at the rear. Affordable and eminently manoeuvrable, these vehicles can offer a decent loadspace length of up to 16 feet and will still offer conveniences such as tail lifts for easy loading of heavier items. Just remember that a tail lift is not a guaranteed feature on used models of this kind, and so checking with the seller to get the exact specifications is sensible to avoid being disappointed.
For moderate distribution duties, one of the 18 tonne Renault Premium trucks can be a worthwhile choice, especially with the 20 to 27 feet body lengths that are offered by this range. While these curtainsiders are still compact enough to make their way through city streets unhindered, they can also feature cab configurations that allow for long-haul deployment, including sleeping areas and onboard navigation systems. Modern arrivals in the range from Renault can also offer air suspension, cruise control and wheel-mounted inputs to help the driver manage the various components without having to take their hands out of position. At the 18 tonne weight category, you will tend to find that curtainsider bodies are rigidly attached to the tractor unit, with some larger models offering articulation.
Renault certainly does not skimp when it comes to engine technology, equipping its curtainsider trucks with efficient power plants that are built to comply with the latest regulations laid out by EU transport authorities. The newer the truck, the lower the fuel consumption it will be able to offer, although you will of course have to pay more for recent designs compared with curtainsiders from Renault that have been around the block.
Age should not matter when it comes to considering the condition of the vehicle, as new and old trucks alike require that attention is paid to the parts that tend to take the most punishment. Looking at the brakes, suspension, hydraulics and engine should be a familiar routine to those who have made purchases of this kind in the past. But you will also need to check the load bed and the curtained sides of the vehicle themselves if you want to get the full picture of how well a Renault unit has withstood its time on the road.