Three trailer leasing questions with AmeriQuest
Fleets looking to put trailers to work may consider leasing new trailers as opposed to taking the additional maintenance costs and potential out of service violations associated with an older fleet. Fleet Equipment (FE) caught up with Pat Gaskins, senior vice president of financial services for AmeriQuest, to ask three quick questions about trailer leasing
What the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act means for fleets
Passed on Dec. 12, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits and deductions for many individuals and businesses. I reached out to several fleet financial experts to find out how it may impact your business. “The passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs
DeCarolis Truck Rental finds a winning approach
“The common goal for all of our customers is to have reliable equipment at a predictable cost,” says Michael Margarone, president of Rochester, N.Y.-based DeCarolis Truck Rental, Inc., a family-owned business for more than 75 years. “Today, that challenge is more difficult because the entire industry is dealing with both a lack of technicians and
Spec’ing to optimize resale value
There are many factors that impact resale value for trucks. Dale Tower, vice president of remarketing for AmeriQuest Used Truck Services Inc., suggests that OEM selection, engine choices, horsepower, automated transmissions, APUs, SCR non SCR, super singles, chassis side fairings, single or double bunks (in sleepers) and even the color of trucks are all items that will
Maximizing equipment investments: making the right purchase/lease decisions
Controlling equipment costs is always top of mind for fleets. Whether fleets lease or buy, spec’ing and maintaining equipment for resale—and—choosing the right financial and/or leasing partner is the key to optimizing investments. According to Patrick Gaskins, group vice president financial services, CTP AmeriQuest Financial Services, “Trailer specifications are evolving just as rapidly as tractor
Defining downtime to make effective service choices
Any fleet manager will tell you that well maintained vehicles are safer, more fuel efficient and can provide for a longer and lower cost service life. For that reason, they would say, planned downtime for maintenance and repair events is a good investment. “While some downtime is a necessary and routine part of doing business
Determining ROI to Lower TCO
“Fleet managers have only so much time,” notes Kirk Altrichter, vice president, maintenance at Crete Carrier Corp. “We need to prioritize when we are spending time making return on investment [ROI] determinations for new equipment. There may be an ROI that will help lower our total cost of ownership [TCO], but as technology changes, products
Greenhouse Gas emission standards: Costs and benefits
Vehicle technology related to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission standards are adding initial vehicle purchase costs, but in the long run, the benefits will be outweighed by projected lifetime fuel savings. Even taking into consideration the higher overall acquisition and potential maintenance costs associated with tougher GHG standards for heavy-duty trucks, the significant fuel savings these
Remote diagnosis: remedy for downtime
The newest remote diagnostics technology on some engines improves productivity, reduces operating costs and increases efficiencies for trucking fleets.
Finding the true cost of operation
The true cost of commercial truck operation extends far beyond the purchase price to include choice of financing, expected utilization and resale value.