5 Tips for Your First Fleet-Vehicle Purchase What to consider when buying a fleet.

1. Don't skimp on payload or towing capacity when choosing a vehicle. As your business grows, you can quickly overload a truck with workers, gear and materials, according to Business Fleet's Chris Brown. This wears out the truck faster or, worse, makes it dangerous to drive.

2. Bid out the job. Send out a proposal to multiple fleet managers outlining the exact model you want, trade-in vehicle you might offer and terms you're looking for, suggests broker Isaac Bouchard.

3. Bouchard recommends asking the fleet manager, "How much of "holdback' can I have?" He notes, "This is the amount of profit a manufacturer builds into the invoice price. It's an insider term that cuts to the chase and can save you maybe a couple hundred bucks."