If you are in the trucking business you should be always prepared for a sudden increase in workload, so you may have to get in a few more trucks so that you can manage everything properly. There are many ways one can increase their truck fleet but which way you should go depends on a few factors. Here, we will present some options for you and then you need to think about which one best suits your situation.
Assess your needs
Before doing anything, you should first analyze how many trucks you need. You want to know for how long you need those trucks and how many will do the trick. If you make a mistake, then you will lose money, so you need to be sure about these things. Also, think about whether you need some specialized trucks, depending on the work that you need to do with them. The more time you put into calculating and researching how many you will need, the more money will be left in your pocket since you will do just enough to do the job at hand.
Rent trucks
Renting trucks is one of the fastest and most flexible solutions to grow your truck fleet. Many truck rental companies offer various vehicles, from smaller trucks to heavy-duty ones, so you can choose whatever you need and what will suit your business the best. You can get the truck to rent for several days, weeks, or longer, depending on how much your business requires, and this is especially important if you’re operating with some seasonal work or temporary projects. Also, renting is quite efficient if you experience some unexpected gaps in your fleet because of maintenance or breakdowns, so you can quickly resolve this issue and continue your work without problems. It is a cost-effective option that can help you efficiently complete your job without spending too much money, and what is even better is that many rental companies include maintenance and assistance along the way, so you can turn to them 24/7 for whatever kind of problem you may face.
Buy used trucks
If you need trucks for a long time but do not have the money to buy new ones, then you should go for used trucks. This is especially a good idea if you have a lot of time to prepare for the job that is ahead. You will be able to take your time and find the best trucks that are available and then you can leave them until they are needed. This option can be really good if you need to do a job that would do a lot of wear and tear on your trucks because you won’t need new ones to do that for you.
Think about truck-sharing arrangements
Truck-sharing arrangements can be the right option to choose, which will allow your business to share the use of trucks with other companies. If you don’t need trucks full-time or if you don’t need a lot of them, then you can consider this option, as it will save you a lot of money and resources, and you will still be able to complete all your jobs on time, especially when the demand is the highest. Also, when you collaborate with others, you can split the costs and usage of trucks with them, which makes everything cheaper and easier to operate. There are many digital platforms that will help you find the best companies to make these arrangements, and based on the reviews and recommendations, you can make the right choice and choose someone who will be a loyal and trustworthy partner.
Partner with truck owners
Independent truck drivers who have their own vehicles and are looking for someone to consistently work for them are another option you can use to increase your fleet and maximize your working capacity. You can form partnerships with them and add trucks to your fleet, so you won’t have to buy or rent them. This benefits both sides; you save money and get additional capacity for your business, while the truck owner gets stable work and more capacity. If you want to make all of this work out the best way possible, then you should agree on the terms and conditions on time and make contracts where you will outline all your rights and obligations. This will keep both of you on the safe side, and you will build a strong relationship with the truck owner, who can help you make your fleet flexible and scalable.
Attract more drivers
A fleet cannot be strong enough without dedicated and hard-working drivers, who are the backbone of your business and hold everything together. So, if you’re struggling to find such workers, then you should offer some incentives, like signing bonuses or competitive pay, to make them interested in your fleet. This is a great way to maximize your efficiency and find employees who will be the best ones for your business, so look for some creative and lucrative ways to attract them.
Maximize your efficiency
Even though getting in a new truck will most certainly solve the problems you have, that may not be the only option available to you. Before you go out and think about getting new trucks, you should look closely at your current fleet and see what you can do to make it more efficient. See if you can give more work to certain trucks so that you can completely free trucks for the job at hand. By doing this, you will at least lower the number of new trucks that you have to get in.
Buy new trucks
Of course, one of the best things that you can do if you have more work in the future is that you get in brand-new trucks. You do not have to worry about too many mechanical problems and you will get the best equipment for the job at hand. If that work overload stops after some time then you can sell your older trucks or you could rent some of them out.
Increasing your fleet and making it more efficient shouldn’t be that challenging, as you have various ways to achieve this goal and make your business stronger. Remember that flexibility and adaptability are the keys, so make sure you follow the steps here to make some positive changes.
