If you are in charge of maintaining a fleet of vehicles, then you know that it can get costly and time-consuming. Yet, not having a vehicle where you need it can greatly affect your company’s return on investment. Here are some tips ways that you can save money while maintaining your fleet.
Consider Aftermarket Add-ons
There are several aftermarket add-ons that can increase a truck’s fuel economy. Wide cab extenders with an outward slant help to reduce the vehicle’s aerodynamics by restricting air entering the trailer gap area. Vehicles with a chassis fairing going down the side of the truck also get better fuel economy. Drive wheel fairings can help increase gas mileage while making the semi easier to drive on wet roads because they help eliminate splash. When more efficient vehicles are put on the road, then the drag on the semi’s parts become less often making them last longer.
Train Drivers
The way that your drivers operate their rigs can impact the frequency of needed maintenance by up to 33 percent. Hard acceleration, braking and cornering are just three of the things that may impact the need for frequent maintenance. Some companies have installed monitoring systems allowing them to reward drivers who practice the best driving techniques. Before implementing this solution, however, make sure to get buy-in from all levels of management or your drivers may feel like they are being punished.
Think About the Vehicle’s Economic Life
Many semis are still on the road well past their prime. This often means that these vehicles must be fixed more often. Instead of insisting that your semis be run as long as possible, choose to replace them with more fuel-efficient models more often. Your fuel savings and lack of need for maintenance will cover the cost of replacing vehicles sooner, so make an appointment at a showroom like Arrow Truck Sales soon.
Choose Tires Based on Truck’s Use
Tires are a major maintenance expense as any fleet owner knows. Choosing tires based on the semi’s use will help them last longer lowering the overall price. Generally, semi tires fall into four different categories including long haul, regional, on/ off the road, and urban. Additionally, consider the ability of the tire to be retreaded when making a purchase.
There are many different ways to lower the cost of operating a fleet. Taking care of your trucks and drivers, in particular, is important to mitigating downtime and unnecessary expense. Keep these points in mind along with your own experience to allow you to keep costs down.