Alternatives to Semi

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While semi-truck loans offer an accessible way to finance a crucial piece of your business, they may not provide the terms or flexibility you need. Fortunately, you’re not limited to an equipment loan as your only financing option.

Make sure to compare multiple types of loans, including semi-truck loans, to see which one provides the best interest rates, repayment terms and loan features.

Similar to a semi-truck loan, a business term loan pays a lump-sum amount and is repaid over a set time, such as two or five years. This loan charges a fixed or variable interest rate that gets calculated on the loan amount before each repayment.

The main difference is that you don't have to secure the loan with your semi truck. An unsecured loan typically comes with higher interest rates and more strict eligibility requirements than a secured loan.

Either way, you may have to sign a personal guarantee. This guarantee gives the lender the right to use your personal assets to repay the loan if needed.

An equipment loan provides a lump-sum amount for your business to purchase commercial equipment. Repayment terms are fixed, typically ranging from 12 to 60 months.

This loan is different from a term loan because the equipment secures the equipment loan as collateral. The lender can sell the equipment to repay the loan if you get in a tight spot and can't make repayments.

While semi-truck loans are equipment loans, some direct lenders specialize in financing semi trucks specifically. You can use equipment loans for any business equipment, including semi trucks.

An equipment line of credit is an equipment loan with revolving terms, which means you can borrow against it, repay and borrow again as long as the line of credit remains open. The lender will set the credit limit, the maximum amount that you can borrow, based on your business's creditworthiness.

Once you draw funds, you may pay a draw fee and then the repayment term starts. Repayment terms range from six to 18 months for business lines of credit. As you repay the loan, your credit limit resets, and you can borrow again as additional business expenses arise.

An equipment line is different from a traditional business line of credit since the equipment secures the line. This loan works well for business owners that need funds accessible for truck repairs.

An SBA loan is a loan that's partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration and offered through SBA-approved lenders. The SBA guarantees anywhere from 50 percent to 90 percent of the loan amount, depending on the type of loan.

7(a) loans are the most commonly used SBA loan, while 504 loans are designed specifically for equipment purchases.

The SBA also sets lending requirements for businesses to qualify, while capping the amount of interest lenders can charge. SBA loans help businesses that don't qualify for conventional business loans get access to funding.

Equipment leasing is a type of financing that lets you rent a semi truck. Leasing often comes with lower upfront costs, such as low-to-no down payments. It may also lower the monthly payments compared to a semi-truck loan, though you’ll want to compare loan and leasing offers to be sure.

The leasing company may also offer maintenance and repairs, helping you get on the road worry-free. You can choose between two types of semi-truck leases:

Owner-operators and transport business owners can turn to both traditional and fintech lenders as a source of financing for their semi truck, even without getting an equipment loan specifically. Here's what to expect from each type of lender:

Banks and credit unions offer a wide range of loans that small business owners can use to finance a semi truck. These traditional lenders typically offer lower interest rates than online lenders.

Credit unions operate as a not-for-profit entity, which helps to keep interest rates low, though you are required to become a member.

Both banks and credit unions provide in-person support at physical locations and can tailor the loan to fit the borrower's needs. But they keep tight lending criteria to extend loans only to the most creditworthy borrowers.

Fintech lenders are lenders that provide banking and lending products online. They offer streamlined applications and loan approvals but may have limited loan options and customer service.

Fintech lenders often use technology to assess a business's creditworthiness, including pulling alternative data sources. This allows fintechs to approve businesses with a higher credit risk that traditional lenders would normally turn down.

A semi-truck loan may seem like the most straightforward option for financing a semi truck, but it's not the only option available. You may look at other types of business financing if you don't qualify for a conventional equipment loan or need additional flexibility for truck repairs.

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