The truck is titled to my company. Who has to be there?

Someone who can sign for the company, with the title and their ID. If that's a partner or an officer who can't make it, call us first and we'll work out what's needed.

Do you buy a semi tractor without the trailer, or a trailer by itself?

Yes, either one. A tractor, a trailer or both together are each a separate vehicle with its own title, so tell us what you're selling.

The truck was registered in another state. Is that a problem?

Not by itself. Fleet trucks often carry titles from other states. Tell us which state issued the title on the call, and read our guide to selling with an out-of-state title.

Can you take a truck that's parked in a yard with other trucks?

Yes, as long as the yard lets it out and the truck can be reached. Tell us if other trucks or trailers need to move first.

Cash for junk box trucks and semi trucks

Who buys junk box trucks and semi trucks in Chicago?

Cash For Junk Cars Westside Chicago LLC buys junk box trucks, step vans, semi tractors, trailers and other commercial vehicles on Chicago's West Side and in the near west suburbs. We make an offer by phone, arrange the right tow for the truck, and pay you or your company at pickup by cash, Zelle or Cash App.

Commercial trucks reach the end the same way cars do, only more expensively. An engine rebuild, a transmission, a failed inspection or years of rust under a box body can cost more than the truck is worth. At that point it’s taking up a spot in the yard and still costing insurance.

We buy them where they sit.

What we buy

Box trucks and straight trucks, with dry boxes, reefer boxes or liftgates.
Step vans from delivery and route work.
Semi tractors, day cabs and sleepers.
Trailers: dry vans, flatbeds, reefers and utility trailers, with or without the tractor.
Other work trucks: stake bodies, dump bodies, flatbed trucks and service bodies.

For pickups, cargo vans and SUVs, see trucks, vans and SUVs.

Paperwork for a commercial vehicle

The title. Every truck, tractor and trailer has its own. A box truck titled to a business is sold by someone who can sign for that business, and the driver checks their ID against the name on the title.

Liens. Commercial trucks are often financed or leased. If a lender is still on the title, the lien has to be released before the sale. Our guide to selling with a lien in Illinois covers the release.

Plates and registration. These stay with you or your company. In Illinois, plates belong to the owner rather than the vehicle, according to the Secretary of State. If the truck ran on commercial plates, ask the office that issued them what to do with them once it’s sold.

Out-of-state titles. Fleet trucks often carry a title from another state. That’s common and not a problem by itself; see our guide to selling with an out-of-state title.

What’s on board. Remove fuel cards, toll transponders, logging devices, dash cameras, and anything with your company name or USDOT number painted or stuck on that you need gone.

Where these trucks sit

Chicago is strict about trucks on its streets. Even a commercial pickup can’t stay on one: the City Clerk says commercial pickups, junk vehicles and pickups over 8,000 pounds may not park on any residential or business street, per its city sticker FAQ. Some suburbs have their own overnight truck rules; Melrose Park is one.

So a junk box truck or semi is usually in a yard, a business lot or a rented space. For pickup we need:

Access: gate hours, a contact on site, and whether other trucks or trailers have to move.
Clearance: low wires, overhead doors and tight turns in the lot.
The truck’s state: does it roll, are the brakes locked up, is the trailer still hooked up, are the tires flat.

A semi or a loaded box truck doesn’t go on the same truck as a car. Describe it on the call and we arrange the right tow for it.

If the truck was booted or towed

The City of Chicago charges a $400 boot fee for truck tractors, semi-trailers and trailers, against $100 for other vehicles, plus all fines owed, per the Department of Finance. A booted vehicle has to be released before anyone can move it. Our guide to selling a booted car in Chicago walks through the order of steps.

Before you call

Have the year, make and model, the body type, rough mileage or engine hours if you know them, whether it runs, the title status and where the truck is. Then send the form or call. One pickup can often cover more than one vehicle, so mention any others in the yard. If the truck is down to a frame and a pile of parts, see scrap cars.

Questions people ask

The truck is titled to my company. Who has to be there?: Someone who can sign for the company, with the title and their ID. If that's a partner or an officer who can't make it, call us first and we'll work out what's needed.
Do you buy a semi tractor without the trailer, or a trailer by itself?: Yes, either one. A tractor, a trailer or both together are each a separate vehicle with its own title, so tell us what you're selling.
The truck was registered in another state. Is that a problem?: Not by itself. Fleet trucks often carry titles from other states. Tell us which state issued the title on the call, and read our guide to selling with an out-of-state title.
Can you take a truck that's parked in a yard with other trucks?: Yes, as long as the yard lets it out and the truck can be reached. Tell us if other trucks or trailers need to move first.