Cash For Junk Cars LLC buys semi trucks and heavy-duty commercial vehicles across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana — any year, make or model. Running or not.
This is a different transaction from selling a car, and the numbers are much larger, so it is worth setting out how it actually works.
What We Buy
- Day cabs and sleepers — Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, International, Volvo, Mack, Western Star
- Wrecked and collision-damaged tractors
- Non-running trucks — dropped valve, spun bearing, cracked head, seized turbo, blown transmission
- High-mileage trucks that are no longer worth a rebuild
- Fleet retirements and company trucks
- Trailers — dry vans, flatbeds, reefers, utility
- Box trucks, dump trucks and heavy-duty commercial vehicles
We do not buy boats, or heavy construction and farm equipment such as excavators, loaders or tractors.
What a Semi Truck Is Worth
| Vehicle | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Day cab, non-running | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Sleeper, non-running | $3,500 – $9,000 |
| Wrecked tractor, drivetrain intact | $4,000 – $12,000 |
| Late-model, repairable damage | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Dry van or flatbed trailer | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Reefer trailer | $2,000 – $6,000 |
A Class 8 tractor runs roughly 15,000 to 20,000 lbs empty — five times a full-size pickup. Weight alone puts it in a different category before a single component is valued.
Why a Dead Engine Matters Less Here
On a passenger car, a blown engine takes a large share of the value with it. On a Class 8 truck it does not, because so much of the worth sits elsewhere.
Still intact on a truck with a destroyed engine:
- Transmission — an Eaton Fuller 10, 13 or 18-speed has real resale demand
- Rear ends — tandem drive axles are among the most valuable recoverable components
- Fifth wheel, suspension and air system
- Aluminium wheels and fuel tanks — aluminium is worth several times steel by weight
- Frame rails, cab and sheet metal
That is why a tractor with a grenaded engine still sits comfortably in the middle of the range rather than at the bottom.
Aluminium Is the Detail People Miss
Worth calling out because it materially changes the number. Aluminium wheels, aluminium fuel tanks, aluminium air tanks and aluminium cab panels are all worth several times what steel fetches per pound.
A tractor on polished aluminium wheels with dual aluminium tanks is carrying meaningful value that a weight-only quote against steel pricing will not reflect. When you call, mention whether the wheels and tanks are aluminium or steel — it moves the figure.
Paperwork
The title, or a lien release if a loan is still registered against the truck. This is the most common thing that stalls a heavy-truck sale, and it is worth checking before you call: commercial loans are frequently paid off without anyone filing the release.
If the truck is titled to a company, whoever signs has to be authorised by that company, and we need to see that authorisation. Tell us when you book so the driver arrives expecting the right person, rather than discovering it on site.
Moving It
Heavy-duty recovery is not a car tow. Before we schedule, we need to know:
- Does it roll, and does it steer?
- Will the brakes release, or are they locked up?
- How much room is there around it — yard, street, or backed into a building?
- Is there anything on the trailer?
Get those four answers to us on the call and the recovery is straightforward. Discover them on arrival and it becomes a second trip.
How It Works
- Call (773) 939-3333 with the year, make, model, engine, transmission, what failed, and whether the wheels and tanks are aluminium.
- We quote on the call and arrange heavy-duty recovery.
- You are paid before the truck is loaded.
We are licensed with the Illinois Commerce Commission as ILICC #224719, rated 4.4 stars across 543 Google reviews, and we cover Chicago, the Illinois suburbs and Northwest Indiana.
Also selling lighter vehicles? See what we pay for cars and trucks or the full service area list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I get for a junk semi truck in Chicago?
Typically $2,500 to $15,000 depending on the tractor. A day cab with a blown engine but a good rear end and transmission sits in the middle of that range; a late-model sleeper with repairable damage reaches the top. Weight alone puts a Class 8 tractor far above any passenger vehicle.
Do you buy semi trucks that do not run?
Yes — that is most of what we see. A dropped valve, a spun bearing, a cracked head or a seized turbo does not remove the value. The transmission, rear ends, fifth wheel, aluminium wheels, fuel tanks and the frame all still count.
Do you buy trailers as well as tractors?
Yes. Dry vans, flatbeds, reefers and utility trailers. A reefer with a dead refrigeration unit still carries value in the box, the frame and the running gear.
What paperwork do I need to sell a semi truck?
The title, or a lien release if there is still a loan registered against it. If the truck is titled to a company, whoever signs must be authorised by that company — tell us when you call so the driver arrives expecting the right person.
Can you move a truck that will not roll?
Yes. Heavy-duty recovery is a different job from a car tow, so tell us the situation up front: whether it rolls, whether it steers, whether the brakes will release, and how much room there is around it.