Booming Truck Sales | Video

Alex Hagan | 11/12/2012

It may seem like it, but 18-wheel semis aren`t the only vehicles moving across western North Dakota roads. Heavy duty trucks like Toyota Tundras, Dodge Rams, Ford Super Dutys are everywhere in the oil patch.

"Toyota pickups tend to hold up better in the oil field environment. We`re on country roads a lot. Drive a lot of miles," said Monty Leonard with Jericho Services.

Leonard says the durability of a pickup is the ideal for the harsh weather conditions he works in.

"Over a few months period of time we brought four or five vehicles."

Jericho is one of Dan Porter Motor`s best customers. The company orders multiple trucks at a time.

"Truck sales are the bulk of our business. We have the Toyota tundra which is a big seller for us," said general manager Rob Wilkinson.

Wilkinson says more than 70 percent of their sales at Dan Porter are trucks.

"You can`t complain. Business is good and we`re happy about that."

Across the street at Charbonneau Car Center, truck sales are even better at almost 80 percent.

"We have a lot of companies that will call and say you know hey we need five trucks by the first of the year. We need five trucks by the end of the month. I need 10 trucks by this time," said co-owner D.J. Charbonneau.

Business may be good, but sometimes that can lead to a low inventory.

"Right now Dodge 45-50 hundred. We can`t get them. I wish we could get 20 more. We could sell all of them," Charbonneau said.

Dickinson dealers have to get creative to keep trucks on the lot.

"We trade with other dealers from other towns and other states all the time. It`s a daily struggle," Wilkinson said.

Despite short supplies, Jericho Services plans to continue to purchase trucks.

"You call them and say, `Hey we`re going to need them.` And they get them equipped. Of course they put the grill guards on," Leonard said.

Heavy duty trucks were in demand long before the boom because they are also used on the farm, but now oil companies will likely keep driving that demand up.

Some car salesman say they sell more than 100 trucks a month. There are six car dealerships in Dickinson.

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