Garbage Truck Financing

Get Fast, Flexible Commercial Truck Financing

No hard credit pull. Decisions in 24 hours.

Get Pre-Qualified Now

Over $500M funded nationwide

Need Garbage Truck Financing? We Make It Easy.

If your business depends on waste collection, recycling, or municipal service contracts, you can’t afford delays waiting for bank approvals.

At TruckLenders USA, we work with business owners like you:

  • 2+ years in business

  • Credit score of 650 or higher

  • At least $5,000 in monthly ending bank balance

You’ve built something solid — now you’re ready to expand. We’ll help you move faster.

Why business owners choose us:

  • No hard credit pull to apply

  • Same-day approvals in most cases

  • Flexible terms tailored to your cash flow

  • Dealer, private party, and auction purchases welcome

How Garbage Truck Financing Works

Step 1: Fill Out Your General Profile
Quick questions about your business and goals — no credit check.

Step 2: Complete Your Business & Ownership Profile

  • Business name, time in operation, annual sales

  • Owner info (SSN, % ownership, address)

  • Garbage truck details (year, make, model, price)

  • Upload:

    • 3 months business bank statements

    • Driver’s license or CDL (if required)

    • Bill of sale, invoice, or listing link

Step 3: We Review & Match in 24 Hours
We look at your time in business, credit, and monthly cash flow, then match you with the right lender.

Step 4: Approval & Funding
Get your approval terms — rate, payment, term, down payment — and often fund within 1–3 business days.

Garbage Truck Financing Rates, Terms & Monthly Payment Estimates

When you finance a garbage truck through TruckLenders USA, your terms are tailored to your business profile, cash flow, and equipment needs — not just a generic approval sheet.

Typical Loan Ranges

TermRange
Loan Amount$25,000 – $350,000+
Term Length24 – 84 months
Interest Rates7% – 18% (based on credit, truck age, and file strength)
Down Payment0% – 20% (often $0 for strong borrowers)
Funding Time1–3 business days after approval

What Affects Your Rate?

  • Credit Score – 650+ preferred for best rates, but we review all files

  • Time in Business – 2+ years ideal; start-ups may still qualify with 20% down

  • Monthly Bank Balance – $5,000+ preferred to show healthy cash flow

  • Truck Type, Age, and Condition – Newer trucks or units in excellent condition may qualify for longer terms and lower rates

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure what rate you’ll qualify for, use 7%–18% as your estimate in our Monthly Payment Calculator. Then apply to get your actual rate and terms within 24 hours — without a hard credit pull.

Estimate Your Monthly Payment

Before committing to a garbage truck purchase, it’s important to know what your monthly payment might look like. Our Garbage Truck Loan Calculator lets you quickly estimate your payment based on:

  • Truck Price ($): The total purchase cost of the garbage truck

  • Interest Rate (%): Your estimated annual percentage rate (APR)

  • Loan Term (Months): How long you plan to finance the truck

Just enter your numbers, click Calculate, and see an instant estimate. This is a great way to compare different loan terms, down payment amounts, and truck prices before you apply — so you can budget with confidence.

Pro Tip: Use 7%–18% for interest rate estimates if you’re not sure what you’ll qualify for. We’ll provide your exact rate and terms once you apply, often within 24 hours.

Estimate Your Monthly Payment

Should You Lease or Finance Your Garbage Truck?

Choosing between a garbage truck loan and a capital lease depends on your business goals, cash flow needs, and how long you plan to keep the truck.

Garbage Truck Loan (Financing)

Best if: You want to own the truck outright and use it for the long haul.

Pros:

  • Full ownership – You own the truck once the loan is paid off.

  • Build equity – The truck becomes a business asset you can sell, trade in, or use as collateral in the future.

  • Tax benefits – Eligible for the IRS Section 179 deduction and bonus depreciation in the year of purchase.

  • Flexibility – Finance new or used garbage trucks from dealers, private sellers, or auctions without mileage or use restrictions.

Consider if:

  • You plan to keep the truck for 5+ years.

  • You want to avoid ongoing payments once the loan is complete.

  • You need the ability to modify or customize the truck without lease restrictions.

Garbage Truck Lease (Capital Lease)

Best if: You want lower monthly payments or plan to upgrade equipment more often.

Pros:

  • Lower upfront cost – Minimal initial cash outlay compared to financing.

  • Lower monthly payments – Because you’re only financing the truck’s depreciation during the lease term.

  • Upgrade flexibility – Easier to replace or upgrade trucks every 2–4 years.

  • Potential tax benefits – If structured as a $1 buyout (capital lease), you may still qualify for Section 179.

Consider if:

  • You want to preserve cash flow for other operating expenses.

  • You operate on short-term contracts or want the option to scale your fleet up or down quickly.

  • You prefer having newer trucks under manufacturer warranty to minimize maintenance costs.

Pro Tip: Not sure which is right for you? We can prepare side-by-side financing vs. leasing scenarios with monthly payments, total cost of ownership, and tax savings for each option — so you can choose the one that best supports your business.

Who Qualifies for Garbage Truck Financing?

We work with waste management companies, municipal contractors, and independent haulers who are ready to grow their fleet — not just fill out an application and hope for the best.

Ideal Borrower Profile

CriteriaWhat We Look For
Time in Business2+ years preferred
Credit Score650+ ideal
Bank Balance$5,000+ average ending balance (last 3 months)
CDL / LicenseRequired if applicable for truck type
Truck InfoInvoice, bill of sale, or online listing link

Why These Requirements Matter

  • Time in Business: 2+ years shows lenders you have a track record of consistent operations.

  • Credit Score: 650+ unlocks access to better rates, longer terms, and lower down payments.

  • Bank Balance: $5K+ in average monthly ending balance demonstrates healthy cash flow to handle payments.

  • CDL / License: Ensures you (or your driver) can legally operate the truck and meet insurance requirements.

  • Truck Info: Providing complete equipment details upfront speeds up underwriting and avoids delays.

Pro Tip: Even if you don’t meet all of these criteria, you may still qualify through our start-up or bad credit programs — especially if you have a strong down payment, signed contracts, or long-term industry experience.

Garbage Truck Financing for Start-Ups

If your business has been operating for less than 2 years, you may still qualify for garbage truck financing through our start-up friendly programs. These are designed for skilled operators who have the experience, contracts, and drive — but not yet a long track record in business.

Minimum Requirements for Start-Up Garbage Truck Financing:

  • Industry Experience: At least 18+ months in waste collection, recycling, or related heavy-duty vehicle operation

  • Down Payment: 20% or more of the truck’s purchase price

  • Interest Rates: Typically 12%–20%, depending on credit score, truck age, and down payment size

  • Maximum Financing Amount: Based on your credit profile, time in industry, and projected cash flow (often higher than bad-credit programs)

Best For:

  • Owner-operators transitioning from employment to running their own routes

  • Contractors who’ve secured municipal or private service contracts and need equipment to fulfill them

  • Businesses looking to build a strong commercial credit history for future fleet expansion

Pro Tip:
Approvals move faster when you can provide signed contracts, route agreements, or letters of intent from clients. This helps lenders see predictable revenue streams and lowers perceived risk — often leading to better terms.

Garbage Truck Financing for Bad Credit

If your credit score is below 625, you still have options to finance a garbage truck — but lenders will expect stronger compensating factors to approve the deal.

Minimum Requirements for Bad Credit Garbage Truck Financing:

  • Credit Score: Below 625

  • Down Payment: At least 50% of the purchase price

  • Maximum Financing Amount: Up to $45,000

  • Interest Rates: Typically 15%–30%, depending on your overall file strength

  • Truck Age: Newer models are easier to approve, but well-maintained used trucks can still qualify

Best For:

  • Experienced operators who have steady, contracted work but past credit challenges

  • Businesses with strong cash reserves and the ability to make a large down payment

  • Buyers purchasing lower-cost used garbage trucks without tying up all of their capital

Pro Tip:
The larger your down payment, the better your approval odds — and the more likely we can negotiate an interest rate toward the lower end of the range. Showing proof of steady route contracts or municipal service agreements can also help strengthen your application.

Garbage Truck Types We Finance

At TruckLenders USA, we finance all major types of garbage trucks — whether you’re purchasing new or used, from a dealer, private seller, or auction. Our programs are designed for waste management companies, municipal contractors, and independent haulers who need reliable, high-capacity equipment.

Common Garbage Truck Types We Fund:

  • Front Loader Garbage Trucks – Ideal for commercial waste collection, using automated forks to lift and empty large dumpsters directly into the hopper.

  • Rear Loader Garbage Trucks – The classic municipal truck, allowing crews to manually or mechanically load waste from the back.

  • Side Loader Garbage Trucks – Perfect for residential routes, offering efficient, automated pickup from one side of the vehicle.

  • Roll-Off Trucks for Dumpsters – Built for transporting large open-top dumpsters, commonly used in construction, demolition, and large clean-up projects.

  • Recycling Collection Trucks – Equipped for transporting recyclables with specialized compartments or compacting systems to keep materials separated.

Purchase Sources We Finance:

  • Dealers – Fast approvals when you have an invoice in hand.

  • Private Party Sales – We verify title and condition to keep your purchase secure.

  • Auction Purchases – Online or in-person, just send us the listing or winning bid slip and we can fund quickly.

Pro Tip: If you’re buying a used garbage truck, providing year, mileage, and maintenance records upfront can speed up approval and sometimes qualify you for better terms.

Save on Taxes with Section 179

In 2025, you may be able to write off up to $1,250,000 of your garbage truck purchase in the first year — even if you finance it instead of paying cash upfront.

Why It’s Smart for Garbage Truck Buyers

  • Keep your cash flow strong – finance the truck over time while still claiming the full deduction

  • Take a large tax deduction now – lower your taxable income in the same year you purchase

  • Own or lease and still qualify – Section 179 applies to both loans and capital leases (e.g., $1 buyout)

How Section 179 Works for Garbage Trucks

2025 DeductionWhat It Means
Section 179 limitUp to $1,250,000 for qualifying equipment (including garbage trucks)
Bonus depreciationAdditional 40% deduction on the remaining cost basis after Section 179
Business use requirementTruck must be used more than 50% for business
Applies toNew and used trucks, financed or leased (capital lease)

Example:

If you finance a $300,000 front loader garbage truck in 2025:

  • You can deduct the full $300,000 this year under Section 179, even though you’re paying it off monthly.

  • This could save you tens of thousands of dollars in taxes, while preserving your working capital for payroll, fuel, and route expansion.

Pro Tip: Many waste management companies and municipal contractors use Section 179 to upgrade or expand their fleets before year-end. Acting before December 31 ensures your garbage truck qualifies for this year’s deduction.

Garbage Truck Financing FAQs

Q: What credit score do I need to finance a garbage truck?
We recommend a minimum credit score of 650 to qualify for the most competitive interest rates, flexible terms, and low down payment programs.
If your score is slightly below that, we may still be able to help — especially if you have strong cash flow, a larger down payment, or long-term industry contracts.
For scores under 625, our bad-credit garbage truck financing programs may be a fit, though they require higher down payments and carry higher interest rates.

Q: Can I finance used garbage trucks?
Absolutely. We finance new and used garbage trucks purchased from:

  • Licensed dealerships

  • Private sellers

  • Auction platforms (online and in-person)

We’ll verify the truck’s condition, mileage, and title before finalizing the deal. Many used garbage trucks in good condition can qualify for the same terms as new ones — and often at a significantly lower purchase price.

Q: How long does garbage truck financing take?
With a complete application and required documents, you can often get funded in as little as 1–3 business days after approval.
Here’s the typical timeline:

  1. Apply online – No hard credit pull to start.

  2. Document review – We confirm your business details, bank statements, and truck info.

  3. Approval issued – Often within 24 hours.

  4. Funding released – Sent directly to the seller so you can take delivery quickly.

Q: What’s the down payment requirement?

  • Strong files (650+ credit, 2+ years in business, $5K+ monthly ending balance): 0%–20% down

  • Start-up programs: 20% down minimum

  • Bad credit programs: 50% down minimum, with financing capped at $45,000

The larger your down payment, the more options you’ll have — and the lower your potential interest rate.

Q: Can I finance multiple garbage trucks at once?
Yes. If your business meets the cash flow and credit requirements, we can structure deals for multiple units in a single transaction, which is common for municipalities, waste management contractors, and recycling companies looking to expand their fleet.

Q: What documents do I need to apply?

  • 3 months of business bank statements

  • Driver’s license or CDL (if required for truck type)

  • Invoice, bill of sale, or auction listing for the truck

  • For start-ups: proof of relevant industry experience or signed service contracts

Pro Tip: Even if you’re still shopping for the right truck, getting pre-approved first lets you act fast when you find the right unit — and may give you leverage in negotiations with the seller.