PacLease has seen a 20% jump in Class 8 truck rentals across the U.S., reports Chachi Hernandez, PacLease’s national director of rental operations. According to Hernandez, the biggest increase came on the West Coast, which has seen a 25% jump. Hernandez added that medium-duty rentals have been strong as well.

“Prior to the spike, there were a lot of unknowns with where the economy was headed,” he said. “But confidence has strengthened and the economy is growing. Increased rental activity signals an increase in leasing and sales of trucks. PacLease is well positioned with our customers; over the past five years our franchise rental fleet has been growing at an annual 8% clip.”

Hernandez offered his take on the reasons behind the jump.

“Traditionally, customers might have a truck in the shop and need a short-term replacement; or they get a new customer who needs immediate servicing now, and secure a rental unit to handle the business while they shop for a new truck,” he said. “We’re also finding some customers who have ordered new trucks and use rental trucks as a bridge. Older trucks will have maintenance needs; many fleets trade them in when they order, or put them up for sale themselves. Those customers want the fuel efficiency and driver comforts a new truck offers. PacLease Kenworth or Peterbilt rentals provide these benefits since we only carry new and late model units.”