A financing program for commercial truck dealers.
Give owner-operators and fleets a financing option the moment they find the right truck. You send buyers to us through your dealer link, and we place each deal with an institutional lender that already finances commercial trucks — new or used.
- A truck dealer financing program lets a commercial truck dealer offer buyers financing at the point of sale, with a third-party lender — not the dealer — underwriting and carrying the loan or lease.
- Lenders in our network finance new and used Class 8 semi trucks, day cabs, box trucks, dump trucks, and other vocational trucks.
- Owner-operators, new authorities, and established fleets are underwritten differently — a lender network can place more of them than a single bank or captive program.
- Used truck financing depends heavily on model year, mileage, and condition; lenders set their own limits, which is why matching to the right lender matters.
- Five North Capital is a brokerage, not a direct lender — we match each truck deal to an institutional lender and manage it through funding.
What is truck dealer financing?
Truck dealer financing is a program that lets a commercial truck dealer offer buyers a way to finance the truck as part of the sale. The dealer doesn't lend its own money — a lender that specializes in transportation underwrites the buyer, funds the deal, and pays the dealer for the truck.
Most truck buyers finance. The difference between a deal that closes on your lot and one that walks is often whether the buyer has a financing path ready when they find the right truck. Our program gives your sales team that path for owner-operators, new authorities, and fleets alike, without tying you to one lender's credit box.
Why truck dealers add a lender network
Say yes to more owner-operators
Owner-operators are often underwritten on personal credit, CDL experience, and time with an authority. Lenders weigh those factors differently, so a network places deals a single bank passes on.
Finance the used trucks on your lot
Captive programs are usually built around new trucks of one brand. Lenders in our network finance used trucks too, subject to each lender's model-year and mileage guidelines.
Keep fleet deals moving
Fleet buyers adding several units at once need a lender comfortable with multi-unit transactions. We route those deals to lenders that do them routinely.
No credit risk on your books
The lender carries the loan or lease. You sell the truck; you don't service a note or chase payments.
How the dealer financing program works
Four steps from sign-up to a funded deal. No software to install and no change to how your sales team works.
- 1
Apply as a dealer partner
Tell us what you sell, new or used, typical price points, and how your customers finance today. We'll follow up to get your dealership set up.
- 2
Share your financing link
You get a dealer-specific financing link to put on your website, inventory listings, emails, and quotes — or turn it into a QR code for the lot and showroom. Every inquiry through it is tagged to your dealership.
- 3
We match each buyer to a lender
When a customer applies, we review the deal against our institutional lender network and place it with the lender best suited to the equipment, the buyer's profile, and the deal size.
- 4
The deal funds, you deliver
We manage the process through documents and closing. In a typical transaction, the lender pays the dealer directly once documents are signed and delivery is confirmed.
What trucks can your customers finance?
Lenders in our network finance a wide range of new and used commercial trucks, including:
- Class 8 sleeper trucks and day cabs
- Box trucks and straight trucks
- Dump trucks
- Tow trucks and rollbacks
- Refuse and vocational trucks
- Cement mixers and specialty-body trucks
- Medium-duty trucks (Class 4–7)
- Glider kits and remanufactured trucks (lender-dependent)
Which truck buyers can get financed?
- Owner-operators buying their first or next truck
- Drivers leasing onto a carrier
- New authorities (programs vary; larger down payments are common)
- Small fleets adding units
- Established fleets replacing or expanding
- Vocational businesses — construction, towing, waste, and delivery
What do lenders look at on a truck deal?
Every lender has its own guidelines, but truck financing decisions generally come down to a few factors:
- Buyer credit — personal credit for owner-operators, business credit and financials for fleets.
- CDL experience and time in business — how long the buyer has driven and how long they've run their own authority.
- Operating authority — whether the buyer has their own MC/DOT authority or leases onto a carrier.
- Truck age and mileage — older, high-mileage trucks may qualify for shorter terms or need a larger down payment.
- Down payment — new authorities and buyers with limited credit history typically put more down.
- Contracts or freight history — a lease-on agreement or steady freight can strengthen an application.
Truck loans vs. truck leases
Truck loan (equipment finance agreement)
The buyer owns the truck and pays it down over the term. Common for owner-operators who plan to run the truck for years.
TRAC lease
A lease structure built for commercial vehicles, with a residual value agreed up front. Often used by fleets for lower payments and tax treatment as a lease.
$1 buyout lease
Structured like a loan — the truck transfers to the buyer for $1 at the end of the term — but documented as a lease.
Truck Dealer Financing FAQs
How can a truck dealer offer financing to customers?
Partner with a financing source that works with third-party truck lenders. As a Five North Capital dealer partner, you share a dealer-specific link with buyers, and we match each deal to an institutional lender that finances commercial trucks. The lender carries the loan and pays the dealer at funding.
Can owner-operators with their own authority get financed?
Yes. Lenders in our network finance owner-operators, weighing personal credit, CDL experience, and time under their own authority. Requirements vary by lender, which is why matching the buyer to the right lender matters.
Can new authorities or first-time truck buyers get financing?
Often, yes, though it's harder than for established operators. Some lenders have programs for new authorities and first-time buyers, typically with a larger down payment or shorter term.
Is there a model-year or mileage limit on used truck financing?
Each lender sets its own limits on truck age and mileage, and they differ meaningfully between lenders. Older or higher-mileage trucks may still be financeable with a lender whose guidelines fit, often with a shorter term.
What down payment do truck buyers need?
It depends on the buyer's credit, experience, and the truck. Established operators with strong credit may put little down, while new authorities commonly put down more. Equipment financing down payments generally range from 0-20%, and higher for riskier profiles.
What terms are typical for commercial truck financing?
Terms commonly run 3 to 6 years, depending on the truck's age, mileage, and the buyer's profile. Newer trucks generally qualify for longer terms.
Can fleets finance multiple trucks in one deal?
Yes. Fleet buyers can finance several units together, and we route multi-unit deals to lenders that regularly underwrite fleet transactions.
What's a TRAC lease?
A TRAC (terminal rental adjustment clause) lease is a lease designed for commercial vehicles. The buyer and lender agree on a residual value up front, and at the end of the term the difference between that residual and the truck's actual sale value is settled between them.
Dealer programs: Dealer financing program overview · Trailer dealers · Used equipment dealers
Related: Truck & fleet financing guide · Equipment leasing · Equipment loan payment calculator
Become a Dealer Partner
Tell us about your dealership and we'll be in touch to get you set up to offer financing to your customers. Have a buyer ready now? Send them to our financing application.