Top 5 Ways to Keep Your Fleet in Great Shape
If you manage a fleet, you’re already aware that prevention and maintenance is one of the best ways to ensure your vehicles stay in great shape. Your fleet’s health is the backbone of your business and the key to running a productive, efficient and profitable business. A poorly maintained fleet cannot keep pace with day-to-day operations and will cost you more money in the long run, than it does to schedule regular maintenance visits.
We’ve created a helpful guide, outlining our top 6 tips on how to keep your fleet in great shape:
1. INVEST IN THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
When it comes to expanding your fleet, do your research on the type of truck needed for the job. Look at consumer review ratings of the make, model and year. How much weight will your vehicle need to pull? What size truck bed do you need? Standard or extended cab? How will weather impact your vehicle over time? What’s the tow capacity? Look at competitor models and weigh the pros and cons of each. Always buy the proper equipment needed for the job. If you purchase a truck rated at ¾ ton but you occasionally overload the truck, it will wear quickly and need more repairs sooner. As a partner of ARS Truck & Fleet Service we can help guide you when purchasing new vehicles for your fleet.
2. SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS FOR DRIVERS
Set clear expectations for your drivers when it comes to adopting safe driving habits, vehicle care, and behavior behind the wheel. Educate your drivers on the importance of fuel efficiency, driving smart and adhering to all driver safety rules. Look into safe driver discounts with your insurance companies. Also evaluate GPS software that monitors your team’s driving behaviors, including speed.
3. A STRICT MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
When it comes to avoiding problems that could lead to larger expensive repairs, a strict maintenance schedule is highly recommended.
At ARS Truck & Fleet Service, we send out monthly maintenance reminders as well as email reports detailing your upcoming maintenance needs. We also offer Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services, as well as a Rapid Repair Assessment Program.
Preventing potential problems before they occur can help save you money by avoiding costly repairs. Our team can create a routine vehicle maintenance schedule to keep your fleet up and running strong by reducing breakdowns, accidents, and liability issues.
With our Rapid Repair Assessment program, there’s no appointment necessary. Your vehicle didn’t schedule a convenient time to fail, so why should you have to wait for a convenient time for a repair shop to look at it? We guarantee to get you information within 4 hours or less of the vehicle’s arrival.
4. MONITOR YOUR VEHICLES USING A TRACKING APP
Thanks to significant advances in technology, there are now more ways than ever to ensure that your fleet stays in great shape.
For example, a tracking app will allow you to keep track of your vehicle’s performance, so that you can nip any issues in the bud early on. It will also allow you to analyze mileage, fuel costs, and driver habits.
5. A GREAT FLEET SERVICE PARTNER
A truly great fleet partner isn’t just another vendor – they’re an essential part of your business. Unfortunately, all too often fleet managers opt for the cheapest cost-per-hour provider, without considering the real cost when it comes to servicing their fleet.
At ARS Truck & Fleet Service, we provide real value and quality for your money. We don’t focus on delivering the lowest cost per hour. We spend our days looking for ways to help you and your business perform better. Better. Cleaner. Faster.