Buying a new addition to your fleet will be an expensive commitment, from the moment you buy a truck to its long-term maintenance requirements. For this reason, you need to weigh your options to make an informed decision.
A medium-duty box truck, or dry freight truck, is identifiable with its boxy metal structure sitting atop its chassis. Weighing between 14,001 and 26 thousand pounds, these vehicles are great for hauling materials sensitive to harsh weather conditions and have tie-down points for securing loads. Although they offer a straightforward purpose, box trucks come in different models and builds which fit specific industry needs.
How to Choose the Right Box Truck
Buying the wrong box truck is the last thing you want to realize after making a big investment in your fleet. This is why it pays to be very particular about your decisions, from your truck’s size to the box lengths of your cargo.
Before you get yourself a new medium-duty box truck, here are three variables you need to consider:
1. Workspace Dimensions
Your priority as a fleet manager is to choose a box truck that can fit comfortably in your workspaces. It’s necessary to account for potential clearance issues in your loading and unloading facilities. Although the overall height of a truck isn’t always considered, you may need to account for this when making deliveries to different areas.
If you are using trucks for dock deliveries, you’ll need to assess its rear door type, chassis wheel size, and forklift package. All these dimensions will contribute to the amount of allowance and clearance you’ll need to compute for.
2. Driver Compatibility
Most fleet managers often overlook the need to match their drivers with suitable vehicles. For example, matching your driver with an automatic box truck may be beneficial for long, arduous drives. However, they may need more maneuverability if you’ll be using a truck for construction sites with rugged terrain.
Besides the purpose of your truck, you should keep in mind that trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) rating of over 16 thousand pounds legally require a driver with a Commercial Driver’s License (CVL). Additionally, purchasing these heavier trucks will require additional inspections from authorities.
3. Hauled Material
Besides having enough space to account for the material you’ll haul, you need to determine if it can carry the load of your chosen material. For example, it’s one thing to carry several boxes of plastic cups and another to hold several stones of construction material. While they may have the same size per unit, their weight will vary considerably and affect the preferred design of your box truck.
Other than a box truck’s load capacity, you have to check if it has the proper flooring for the material you’ll haul. For instance, hauling containers with liquid may work against trucks with hardwood floors. Additionally, some boxes may have translucent roofing that allows natural light inside the cargo. You need to account for these features if these conditions will spoil or damage your cargo.
Conclusion
As a fleet manager, it’s your responsibility to maximize efficiency while minimizing costs. This includes reducing mistakes when buying specific gear and equipment. By ensuring that you’re buying the right vehicle for your fleet, you prevent delays in your operation while receiving a quality product to enhance your company’s productivity. If you connect with the right traders, you’ll be able to find the ideal box truck that fits all your personal prerequisites above.
It’s our industry practice to provide our buyers with quality tools to perform their business’ different operations. Heavy Duty Direct is the leading trader in Canada for different kinds of trucks and construction equipment. Contact us today and find the ideal fleet additions for you!