Money Saving Fleet Tips

If you are a fleet manager, or simply own a large vehicle, fuel costs can be a major burden. Investing in expensive technologies is not the only way to lower gas budgets. There are ways to reduce fuel costs without the need for alternative fuel systems.

• Reducing wind resistance - If the speed of your vehicle is consistently over 45 MPG, focus on reducing wind resistance. This can be done by adjusting the aerodynamics of your vehicle. If you have a pickup truck with a service body, arrange tools and cargo in an aerodynamic manner. Avoid using bulky items, such as ladder racks, on the freeway. 

• Reduce rolling resistance - If the speed of your vehicle is consistently under 45 MPG, consider measures to reduce the rolling resistance. Managing the vehicle frontal area will improve the drag coefficient. Vertically mount storage in the frontal area of a work truck service body.

• Braking losses - Driver behavior modification is a relatively easy and cost-effective way to reduce fuel intake. Monitoring the speed of drivers and training them on braking and idling behaviors can produce significant savings.

• Reducing the payload of a work truck saves fuel. Having a lighter service body allows for a larger payload. Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies offers fiberglass composite Durashell service bodies from 90 to 375 cubic feet of storage space.

To see how Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies can further reduce the costs within your fleet, check out the life-cycle cost comparison.

Vehicle maintenance is the other steep cost that fleet managers and private owners alike must endure. A new, innovative way that fleet managers are cutting maintenance costs is by investing in a 3-D printer. Companies are able to print truck parts created by digital design. The result is in-house production that is cheaper and more time-effective than outsourcing. The parts are also customizable and can be made aerodynamically to further reduce costs. Most fleet managers believe the initial cost (which can be pricey) of acquiring a 3-D printer is worth the savings. Inventory, warehouse requirements, and retailer relations are all reduced or non-existent. Printed parts can easily be installed to pickup truck tool boxes and service bodies.