Short Answer

Trucking equipment financing uses the truck or trailer as collateral, making it easier to qualify than unsecured loans. Rates start at 6.8% APR for qualified borrowers. Terms run 24–72 months. Taycor Financial and Crest Capital are the top equipment lenders for trucking.

Trucking Equipment Financing: Best Lenders & Rates (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • Equipment financing is collateral-backed — the truck secures the loan, lowering lender risk and rates.
  • Qualifies for trucks, trailers, reefers, flatbeds, tankers, and fleet vehicles.
  • Minimum credit: 600 FICO at most equipment lenders (vs. 650+ for SBA loans).
  • Approval typically takes 1–3 days. Much faster than SBA.
  • Loans vs. leases: loans build equity, leases offer lower payments and flexibility at end of term.

Best Equipment Financing Lenders for Trucking

See our ranking methodology. Sponsored listings are labeled.

1

Taycor Financial

Best for Equipment
4.7

Rates From

7.0%

Up To

$2,000,000

Min Credit

600

Funding

1–3 days

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2

Crest Capital

Fast Approval
4.6

Rates From

6.8%

Up To

$1,000,000

Min Credit

620

Funding

Same day

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3

Balboa Capital

Online-First
4.4

Rates From

7.5%

Up To

$1,000,000

Min Credit

620

Funding

1–3 days

Read Review →
4

eBoost Partners

Sponsored Best Overall
4.9

Rates From

6.5%

Up To

$500,000

Min Credit

550

Funding

Same day

Apply Now →

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Equipment Loan vs. Equipment Lease: Key Differences

Both options let you use the equipment immediately. The difference is ownership and end-of-term flexibility:

FeatureEquipment LoanEquipment Lease
OwnershipYou own the truck from day oneLender owns it; you lease it
Monthly PaymentHigherLower (15–25% less)
Down Payment0–20%First + last month typical
End of TermTruck is yours, paid offBuy out, renew, or return
Tax TreatmentDepreciation deductionPayments fully deductible
Best ForLong-term hold, building equityUpgrade every 3–5 years

What Equipment Qualifies?

Most lenders finance any commercial vehicle or trucking equipment used for business:

  • Class 8 semi trucks (new and used, up to 10 years old)
  • Dry van trailers, reefer trailers, flatbeds, tankers, lowboys
  • Day cabs and sleeper cabs
  • Dump trucks and vocational vehicles
  • Liftgates, aerodynamic kits, engine rebuilds (Taycor Financial)

Age restrictions: most lenders cap at 10 years old and 500,000 miles for used trucks. Older units need specialized lenders or in-house financing.

How to Get the Best Equipment Financing Rate

  • Improve credit before applying — Each 20-point increase in your score can move you into a lower rate tier.
  • Put more down — 20% down vs. 10% typically saves 1–2% on the rate.
  • Choose newer equipment — Trucks under 5 years old get better rates than older units.
  • Shop multiple lenders — Rate variance between lenders on the same deal can be 3–5%.

Compare Equipment Financing Rates

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between equipment financing and a truck loan?
Equipment financing uses the truck itself as collateral (the lender holds title until paid off), which typically means lower rates and easier approval than unsecured business loans. A 'truck loan' can refer to either — most semi truck financing is collateral-based equipment financing.
Can I finance 100% of a semi truck's cost?
Some lenders offer 100% financing (no money down) for borrowers with 680+ credit and 2+ years in business. Most programs require 10–20% down. If you have bad credit, expect to put 25–30% down. The down payment reduces your loan balance and monthly payment.
What documents do I need for trucking equipment financing?
Standard requirements: business bank statements (3–6 months), business tax returns (1–2 years), a driver's license, your CDL, and the truck's invoice or purchase agreement. Some lenders also require a commercial trucking insurance quote and an FMCSA authority number.
How long can you finance a semi truck?
Terms typically run 24–84 months (2–7 years). Longer terms lower your monthly payment but increase total interest paid. Used trucks over 10 years old are often limited to 36–48 month terms. Most lenders cap financing on trucks with over 600,000 miles.
What credit score do I need for equipment financing?
Most equipment finance companies start at 575–600 FICO. For the best rates (sub-8% APR), you'll need 680+. With 600–650, expect 10–16% APR. Some specialty lenders work down to 500 with larger down payments and shorter terms.