10 Strategies to Curb Medium-Duty Truck Operating Costs

By May 30, 2013Costs, Trucks

Because of worsening road conditions, more stop-and-go traffic and higher operating costs, it’s becoming more expensive to operate medium-duty trucks. Some of the operating cost components include volatile diesel prices, higher parts and labor costs and higher tire prices.

Containing costs is a challenge. Here are 10 strategies some truck fleet owners are trying:

      1. Increased use of engine governors in medium-duty trucks.
        A maximum speed limiter can eliminate speeding tickets, aggressive driving, accidents and complaints.
      2. Rightsizing.
        More truck fleet owners are able to use smaller trucks yet meet their cargo needs.
      3. Growing acceptance of using remanufactured components.
        Because of budget constraints, truck owners are using more remanufactured products on older trucks to save without compromising quality.
      4. Greater specification of disc brakes instead of drum brakes.
        Disc brakes are lighter and  and they also meet the stopping distance requirements of the federal motor vehicle safety standard.
      5. Extended service contracts.
        Contracts are being extended because of more complex electrical systems.
      6. Mitigating higher tire expense.
        Some truck fleet operators are installing pressure monitor systems to extend tire life and some are looking more into retreads.
      7. Decrease in average truck age.
      8. Increased use of synthetic and re-refined motor oil.
        Using these types of oils enhances the fleet’s ‘green’ image.
      9. Shift to LED lighting.
        Longer life with LEDs.
      10. Multipronged approach. For more in-depth information on extending the life of medium duty trucks, click to read the entire article over at the Work Truck Magazine.