Finance question
Can I get finance for a water truck?
Yes. Water trucks are financed like other heavy trucks, usually on a chattel mortgage secured over the truck, and a late-model Isuzu, Hino or Fuso bought from a dealer is the easiest to place. A new 13,000 litre Isuzu is advertised at $282,241 to $291,345 ex GST, so most buyers fund the bulk of that and put in a deposit, subject to lender assessment.
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The short answer
A water truck is a chassis and a tank, and lenders price both
A water truck is two purchases in one: a cab chassis, and a tank body with a pump and spray bars. Lenders value the truck at dealer or auction resale, and the water body counts for less than the chassis because it only suits the next water cart buyer. That is why a late-model rigid from a dealer is the easy file, while a mine-spec unit or an old council truck needs more explanation, a bigger deposit or a lender that specialises in older trucks.
Prices set the size of the loan. From our water truck price guide, which surveys live listings: new 13,000 litre Isuzu trucks are advertised at $282,241 to $291,345 ex GST, mine-spec and 18,000 to 20,000 litre trucks run about $290,000 to $390,000, and used rigid trucks start at $79,000 for a 2006 Isuzu. The 14,000 litre mine-spec truck listed at $328,800 sits $31,960 above the road-spec truck of the same tank size, so the spec you pick moves the loan more than the badge does.
If you already own a tipper or cab chassis, the cheaper route is a slip-on cart. The same guide shows a 10,000 litre slip-on cart with a pump at $29,100 inc GST, and a 13,000 litre tank build reaching about $31,000 before pump and freight. Small amounts like that can often be financed as equipment too. Ventas is a broker across 40+ lenders, not a single bank, and there is no upfront fee to you; the lender pays us on settlement.
Do you qualify?
What a lender looks at on a water truck purchase.
Truck age and spec
A late-model rigid from a dealer is easiest. Mine spec and older units need more explanation.
Work lined up
A contract, a council or mine panel place, or a trading history that shows the hours.
Deposit or security
Cash, or equity in a property you own.
A clear purchase document
Ex GST or inc GST, and exactly what the tank and spray fit-out includes.
Why a water truck can be worth financing
Buying beats hiring at volume
Wet hire is $125 to $178 an hour for a 9,000 to 16,000 litre cart; a busy truck repays its price in hours worked.
The truck is the security
The lender holds the truck, so your property can stay out of it.
A balloon is an option
A final payment can lower the regular amount, but leaves a lump sum to pay or refinance.
A worked example
A contractor buys a new 13,000 litre truck at $285,000 ex GST, adds $10,000 for an extra spray bar and cannon and $5,000 for registration and set-up, so the total is $300,000. A lender advances $255,000 against the truck and the contractor puts in $45,000 from savings or a property-backed loan. Illustrative only.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy a water truck or hire one?
Wet hire of a 9,000 to 16,000 litre cart is $125 to $178 an hour ex GST. Against a $282,241 truck that takes roughly 1,600 to 2,260 hours to add up to the purchase price, before running costs. If you can keep a truck busy for most of a year, buying starts to make sense.
Can I finance a used water truck?
Often yes. A late-model dealer truck is simplest. A 2006 council truck or a mine-spec unit has a smaller resale pool, so expect a bigger deposit, a shorter term or a lender that specialises in older trucks.
Can I finance just a slip-on water tank?
Usually yes if the total is large enough for a lender to write. A 10,000 litre slip-on cart with a pump is $29,100 inc GST, while a tank alone is a few thousand dollars. Check the minimum amount with us first.
What do I send to get a number?
Send the listing or dealer quote, the tank size, whether it is new or used, the year and kilometres, your ABN and the work you have lined up, and the deposit you can put in.