Any company that uses its equipment on a regular basis will see a high level of normal wear and tear on those items. There is probably no industry that gets more heavy use out of their vehicles than commercial trucking fleet.
Even the most robust commercial trucks will eventually wear out, and you to recognize the signs long before they break down. Some of the signs that a commercial truck requires repair or replacement include:
- Waring Lights
- Continual Leaks
- Excessive Vibration
- Concerning or Unidentifiable Noises
- Difficult Gear Shifting
The first step to deciding on whether any of these issues will require repair or a full replacement is to take the truck to a qualified mechanic or heavy equipment technician for assessment. If you’re running a commercial trucking company, you’ll either want to keep an experienced mechanic that you trust as an employee or build a relationship with one that owns a garage nearby.
3 Signs to Upgrade Your Trucking Fleet
1. Replacing Your Fleet
If you’ve decided that the time has come to retire one of your vehicles and upgrade to a new model, you can find commercial Western Star Trucks for sale at a local dealership. Purchasing a Western Star Truck will provide you with a rugged and powerful option that will help to ensure your new truck lasts longer, so you don’t have to worry about replacing it again any time soon. There are several trucking contractors available in the market.
2. Considering Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Most of the time that people purchase commercial trucks the reason is that they own a trucking company and want to use them to make a profit rather than for personal use or enjoyment. This being the case when the vehicles in your trucking fleet start to break down in various ways, it is time to consider whether the repair costs are helping your budget in comparison to purchasing new trucks.
3. The Age of Your Fleet
While a new truck may present you with an initial cost that comes all at once, the relief from maintenance costs and repair work that it provides can save you a great deal of money in the long run. According to one industry standard, any commercial truck that is used for up to seven years could end up costing a company $42,830 more in servicing than if it were replaced after three years.
Whatever balance you decide to settle on, you should always factor in the total cost of ownership of older trucks when you consider whether your trucking fleet needs to be replaced.
You want to ensure that your fleet is in top shape for as long as possible, but when your fleet starts to get older and suffers continual maintenance issues, it may be costing you more than you realize. Replacing an ageing commercial trucking fleet could end up saving your company an enormous amount of money, which will help to increase your earnings each year.
When the signs start to tell you that you need to upgrade your trucking fleet, contact a dealership that carries Western Star Truck and can provide you with the rugged vehicles you need. When managing a large truck fleet, it’s essential to streamline your expenses and optimize fuel costs, which is where the use of reliable large truck fleet cards can greatly benefit your operations.
