As any fleet manager, independent contractor, or everyday operator knows, service trucks can cost a substantial chunk of change throughout the lifetime of their use. From preventative maintenance to unforeseeable calamities, using a piece of equipment as a crucial component of completing your line of work has its risks and costs associated.

There are ways that you can mitigate costs against your service vehicle to ensure that you can run for an optimum lifetime and avoid unnecessary spending. Let's take a look at some of them...

Using The Service Truck Vehicle For Its Designed Purpose

While it may seem obvious, service trucks are designed to handle specific tasks and handle the workload of those tasks in the most efficient way possible. Using your service truck for purposes it was not intended for can be detrimental to the lifetime health of the vehicle.

If the maximum payload on a crane designed to move lumber is x lbs., pushing that payload to pick up scrap metal or an African elephant or anything else that will push that payload is a bone-headed move.

If your truck is designed for mobile tire delivery, using it for alternative purposes could compromise the lifetime of your truck.

Regularly Servicing Your Service Truck For Optimal Performance

Every vehicle, from compact cars to heavy-duty service trucks, needs to be serviced at recommended intervals to increase the lifetime of the vehicle. It is not only negligent, but it's also costly to avoid regular maintenance.

It is far too easy to push back servicing for a host of reasons, from busy appointment schedules to inconvenience to sheer laziness. Do not make this costly mistake.

The same goes for your mechanical accessories. Everything on your service vehicle, from cranes to tool compartments should be maintained and serviced. A little WD-40 (white lithium or Teflon based, of course) on a toolbox hinge will work wonders for optimum longevity.

Obeying Your Chassis Payload, At All Costs

Chassis payloads are not to be followed loosely like the expiration date on food. Manufacturers generate these numbers based on multiple factors to ensure that your service truck is safe and works in optimum fashion.

Testing the maximum payload, or “eyeballing” it can lead to massive damage in the long-term, if not immediately in the short-term. You should know prior to service truck acquisition roughly how much weight your chassis will need to carry on a regular basis.

You can increase this payload number by opting for lighter, more modern materials, such as aluminum or carbon fiber, to increase the maximum payload.

By following the manufacturer guidelines, you can drastically increase the lifetime of your service truck, maximize the resale value, and create a better overall financial situation for you and your company.