Did you know that 13.4 percent of all registered vehicles on the roads of the United States are commercial trucks in a truck fleet?
There are a lot of options available to you when you’re putting together a fleet of trucks for your business or organization. While that is great, it can also be quite overwhelming. Should you get new or used fleet trucks?
If something goes wrong, how will you get truck fleet repair? And how do you narrow down which trucks are best for your truck fleet?
Continue reading to learn more about choosing the right truck for your business’s truck fleet.
1. How Will You Use Your Truck Fleet?
Before investing money into purchasing a truck for your truck fleet you need to make sure that the truck you’re purchasing is well suited for what you’re intending to use it for.
Start with researching the routes that the truck will be taking to make sure that it is up to the task. You also need to decide which type of engine is the best for your purposes. Do you want an electric, diesel, or gasoline truck?
An electric truck won’t be as great for long-range driving as the other options. It will also be more difficult to get fleet truck parts for an electric truck. Additionally, getting a transit van isn’t going to be a good fit for carrying heavy loads around construction sites.
You’ll also want to avoid getting a heavy-duty 4×4 fleet vehicle for long-range hauling since it won’t be as efficient as the other options that you can use.
2. Consider the Cost
Cost plays a big factor when finding a new vehicle for your truck fleet. While the biggest cost is the up-front payments for the vehicle, there are a lot of smaller costs that add up that you should be aware of.
You need to do some research into the tax burdens that come with your investment. You should also take into account the maintenance and fuel costs that come with purchasing the vehicle.
This is also true if you’re leasing a vehicle for your truck fleet. The best approach when buying a new vehicle for your fleet of trucks is to look at the total cost of ownership. This will give you the clearest picture of what this investment will cost your business.
3. Set and Keep Standards
The vehicle that you choose for your fleet of trucks is a representation of your business. You’ll want them to look good and provide a positive image of your business when they’re out and about.
You can set standards for your truck fleet by having clear specifications for the trucks and their drivers. You’ll want to ensure that these vehicles reflect the objectives of your business as well as your business’s brand and image.
You also need to make sure that you’re providing your employees and drivers with the right vehicle for the job that you’re asking them to perform. Get feedback from them on what will make their job easier before purchasing a fleet vehicle.
4. Emphasize Safety
Reducing accidents is a great way to keep your fleet and your drivers safe and happy. It will also save your business money. You’ll receive lower insurance premiums as well as reduced vehicle downtime that could affect your bottom line.
If possible, invest in vehicles that have a lot of safety features. By prioritizing safety and limiting the possibility of road accidents you will save yourself money in the long run and keep your workers and those around them safe.
You also need to check to make sure that your drivers are qualified to drive the fleet truck that you’re interested in purchasing. Depending on the type of truck you get, your drivers will need a specific amount of experience and possibly a special certification to operate it.
A great way to weigh the pros and cons of the safety features is to perform a cost-benefit analysis of your vehicle choices and their safety features. This will help you to make the most informed choice possible when picking out your next vehicle for your truck fleet.
You’ll also want to make sure that you have vehicles that are capable of carrying the loads that you need them to in a safe manner. Truck weighbridges are a great way to keep your fleet vehicles from becoming overloaded and dangerous.
Another thing to consider is the comfort of your drivers. If their job requires them to spend hours at a time driving the vehicle then you’ll want to make sure you get a vehicle that is comfortable for them to operate at length.
5. Maintenance and Repairs
Maintenance is one of the most costly parts of owning a vehicle. This is especially true if you’re investing in a fleet vehicle that is going to undergo a lot of strenuous mileage hauling things around like those of First Fleet Trucking.
When it comes to maintenance it is important for you to do extensive research into the estimated costs associated with maintenance. You should also do this for repairs, replacement parts, and labor costs.
Another great idea is to research the warranty that is offered to determine the mileage and years that the fleet vehicle is covered and when that coverage comes to an end. Looking into an extended warranty is a good idea if you’re going to be putting a lot of mileage on the vehicle.
Add to Your Fleet of Trucks Today
Picking out a new truck for your truck fleet is not an easy task and is a big investment. Picking the wrong one could cost you big-time down the road.
It is important to do research on the costs of ownership and maintenance. You should also find a vehicle that has comfort and safety features for your drivers.
For more helpful and informative articles on Do It Yourself Auto Repair and Automobile Maintenance be sure to check in for new blog posts!