Adding trucks or trailers is how you win more lanes, accept tighter delivery windows, or take that seasonal contract you’ve been turning down. The bottleneck is rarely demand—it’s capital and time. When banks move slowly or want two years of spotless statements, private-lender equipment leases can help you scale now and normalize cash flow later.
Mehmi Financial Group is both a seller of used Class 8 trucks, trailers, and commercial equipment and a national financing partner. We pre-underwrite the asset and package the deal the way Canadian private lenders actually approve it—so you get an approval that funds, not just a paper quote. If you want a candid read on your file, feel free to contact our credit analysts.
Are you looking for a truck? Look at our used inventory. For quick math, try the Calculator.
When a private-lender lease beats waiting on a bank
- Speed to capacity: Deal-ready files commonly see conditional approvals in 24–72 hours—critical for seasonal and awarded contracts.
- Asset-first decisions: Lenders weigh unit condition, resale strength, and structure—not only score.
- Cash-flow fit: $1, 10% or FMV buyouts; step-ups to align with ramp-up periods; overlays for fuel/repairs.
- Minimal day-one cash: Down payment can be engineered via sale-leaseback of owned equipment.
Explore structures: Financing & Leasing.
The approval formula (exactly how we underwrite fleet adds)
We tune four levers—mirroring how Canadian private lenders price risk:
- Capacity: Last 3–6 months of deposits must cover new payments plus fuel, insurance, payroll, and taxes. Reduce NSFs in the 60–90 days pre-submission.
- Security: 10–20% down or a refundable security deposit; co-signer or additional collateral helps. Short on cash? Use Refinancing & Sale-Leaseback to unlock equity.
- Asset: Marketable, serviceable units with clean inspection and verifiable history.
- Story: One paragraph on what changed and how the added capacity monetizes (lanes, contracts, broker letters).
If receivables are slow, we stabilize deposits with Invoice Factoring or a small Line of Credit & Working Capital so statements read stronger.
Choosing the right lease for expansion
| Structure | Best For | Pros | Watch-Outs |
| $1 Buyout (36–60 mo) | Long-term keepers | Simple path to title | Higher payments vs FMV |
| 10% Buyout | Balanced cash flow | Lower payment than $1 | Plan for end-term cash |
| FMV Lease + Step-Ups | Ramp-up or seasonal growth | Lower early payments | Residual at maturity |
| Sale-Leaseback + New Lease | Create down payment | Converts equity to cash fast | Two contracts; manage PPSA/insurance |
| Lease + LOC / Factoring | Fuel/repairs and slow A/R | Keeps statements clean | Discipline on draws |
Tip: Pair one or two FMV + step-up leases for new lanes with $1/10% buyout on core tractors you’ll keep long term. That blend keeps payments predictable while preserving optionality on seasonal units.
Fleet-ready asset checklists (what speeds approvals)
Tractors / Day Cabs
- Mainstream models (Cascadia, VNL/VNR, T680, 579) with clean DPF/SCR history, proper ratios for your lanes, healthy tires/brakes.
- VIN/serials verified, lien status clear or with a documented payout.
Trailers (Reefer, Dry Van, Flatbed)
- Reefer unit hours, set-point pulls, door seals, floor integrity; dry van roof/sidewall; flatbed deck/frame and securement points.
Specialty (Dump, Vacuum, Tow, Liftgate)
- Hydraulics/PTO performance, cylinder leaks, pump/valving, electrical load tests for liftgates; documented service on blowers/tanks for vacs.
Because we sell the units we finance, our team pre-underwrites inspections, lien searches, and valuations—cutting the back-and-forth that delays funding.
Step-by-step: expanding your fleet in one week
Day 1 — Capacity plan & pre-underwrite
Identify contracts/lanes and your payment comfort (use the Calculator). Send 3–6 months statements. We shortlist units (from our lot or your spec) and design structures that will actually fund.
Day 2 — Conditional approvals
Terms, buyouts, and initials (down/deposit) are set. If deposits are lumpy, we overlay Invoice Factoring or a small Working Capital facility.
Day 3–5 — Conditions & funding
Inspection/condition reports, PPSA, any payouts, and insurance binder. Funds release; units are delivered and on the road.
If admin is a blocker, feel free to contact our credit analysts—our team will package and place the file so it clears in one pass.
Pricing levers you control during expansion
- Clean deposits: Reduce NSFs for 60–90 days; use factoring to smooth A/R gaps while you ramp.
- Blend terms: Shorter on long-life assets; FMV + step-ups on units tied to seasonal spikes.
- Bring real security: Down payment, refundable deposit, co-signer, or collateral to unlock better tiers.
- Avoid duplicate submissions: One quarterback keeps lenders engaged and timelines tight.
- Spec for resale: Mainstream specs price better and remarket faster—protects you at renewal or upgrade.
Example scenarios (how we structure multi-unit growth)
Regional LTL add (2 day cabs + 3 dry vans)
- Mix: One $1 buyout day cab (core lane), one 10% buyout day cab, and FMV on the vans.
- Overlay: Small LOC for fuel/repairs.
- Result: Lower blended payment early, simple ownership path on the core unit.
Cold-chain capacity (1 tractor + 2 reefers)
- Mix: Tractor on 10% buyout; reefers on FMV + step-ups.
- Overlay: 60–90 days of factoring to normalize deposits pre-renewal.
- Result: Meets start date, stabilizes cash flow, and sets up better pricing at renewal.
Heavy seasonal (tri-axle dump + flatbed)
- Mix: Dump on $1 buyout (keeper), flatbed on FMV.
- Overlay: Sale-leaseback on an older loader to create down across both.
- Result: Funds quickly with minimal day-one cash.
Submission checklist (send once, fund faster)
- Application, government ID, void cheque
- 3–6 months business bank statements (personal if new)
- Quote or bill of sale, VIN/serials, lien search, inspection/condition report
- Insurance quote (bind at funding)
- Strength add-ons: broker/contract letters, maintenance records
We’ll package this lender-ready. If any item is missing, we’ll propose the fastest workaround.
Common pitfalls (and quick fixes)
- Chasing the cheapest paper rate: The lowest quote that never funds costs the most in lost revenue. Prioritize funding certainty.
- Over-spec niche units: Harder to remarket; protect future pricing by choosing mainstream specs.
- Thin tires/worn brakes: Minor recon can be blended as soft costs; fix it before inspection.
- Late insurance: Quote early, bind at funding to avoid shipping delays.
- Multiple brokers: Duplicate lender submissions create conflicts and slow everything down.
Why fleets choose Mehmi for expansion
- Seller + Financier: We stock used Class 8 trucks, trailers, and commercial assets—and finance them directly or via 30+ Canadian lenders.
- Speed & certainty: Same-day pre-approvals; many deal-ready files fund in 24–48 hours, up to $5M.
- Flexible for real operations: Newcomers, thin files, or past credit issues—we design structures that match your contracts and seasonality.
Model payments or talk to us:
Calculator • Financing & Leasing • Refinancing & Sale-Leaseback • Invoice Factoring • Line of Credit & Working Capital • Contact Us • Inventory
Prefer a primer before you scale? Read:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many units can I add at once with a private lender?
Depends on capacity and security. With stable deposits and reasonable down/security deposits, adding 2–5 units in phases is common.
Is leasing faster than a non-bank loan for multi-unit deals?
Usually. Leases lean on asset strength and structure, helping multi-unit files fund in parallel.
Can I blend soft costs (transport, minor recon, decals)?
Often within lender limits. Ask early so we can structure eligibility correctly.
What if I don’t have down payment for multiple units?
Use a sale-leaseback on owned equipment to create effective down across new leases, or combine FMV + refundable security deposits.
Do you supply the equipment and the financing?
Yes—one accountable partner from quote to keys.
Ready to expand without over-stretching cash? Start with the Calculator, shortlist units from our inventory, and feel free to contact our credit analysts for a quick, no-pressure plan: Contact Us.
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