The old adage “image is everything” rings true in the heavy-duty industry. The look of over-the-road assets is a direct reflection of brand, quality, and service.
Proper fleet maintenance is critical to safety, performance, driver retention, fewer in-transit pullovers, load protection, and profitability. A rig that looks good will also fare better with DOT inspections. Success with each of these critical fleet metrics starts with maintenance, but industry use of the term maintenance is now transitioning to a more pervasive stance: fleet image. Fleet image includes the traditional maintenance objectives of optimizing uptime and asset value, controlling costs, and protecting asset value. Still, it goes a step further by recognizing the importance of external and internal asset appearance and integrating this into maintenance programs. It’s safe to say a vehicle that looks good is being well maintained inside and out.
Performance and Appearance
Simply put, the better the trucks look, the better the overall perception clients have of the company that operates them.
When it comes to specifying exterior accessories, such as fenders and mud flaps, carriers need to ensure these items improve performance, provide functionality and durability, and enhance the overall appearance of the trucks. While impression may not always be top-of-mind, fleets need to remember that the look of their over-the-road assets—right down to the wheels—reflects directly upon them and their brand.
The Right Accessories
When choosing the right accessories, fleets look for the lightest, most durable, and longest-lasting products. When choosing fenders, consider that they should protect loads and equipment, improve fuel efficiency, and add to a truck’s appearance and lifespan. The right supplier and accessories can make all the difference. Minimizer offers poly fenders for most heavy-duty trucks and many trailers. The fenders not only look great and fit like a glove, but they’re nearly indestructible and stay looking great for years. Minimizer also carries a complete line of poly and metal fender mounting brackets, which hold up in the harshest work environments.
When choosing mud flaps, the same criteria holds true – they need to provide value, be durable, and long-lasting. Minimizer poly or rubber materials are strong and stay stiffer on trailers. They can also add value if carriers choose to use them to provide more information about the fleet. Minimizer can add fleet logos, telephone numbers, or website URLs on the flaps. The company has complete graphic services available for fleet designs and provides typesetting or proofing needs. It’s a good use of space when you consider that most trucks average 10 million views per year per truck driving down the road.
Nothing is worse than an ugly cab floor that stands out for all the wrong reasons – torn carpet, ripped rubber, stains everywhere. Numerous elements team up to ensure that the floor looks terrible the very second anyone steps foot in the cab. Whether it’s a driver’s boots, the food or drink they leave behind, or the elements that inevitably make their way inside the truck, it all costs a fleet money. The cost to replace or detail the floor is expensive. Minimizer floor mats are not, and they represent a significant problem-solver. The mats are custom molded to ensure a tight fit, and the tray system keeps the mess where it needs to be – on the mats. Cleaning is a breeze. Remove the mat from the cab, clean it with a pressure washer or a little elbow grease, and stick it back in. Numerous fleets that lease their trucks have saved tens of thousands of dollars by using Minimizer floor mats. They’re the perfect heavy-duty aftermarket accessory that will add value to any truck.
Lifetime Guarantee
Minimizer prides itself on producing top-quality products. As a result, the company offers a lifetime guarantee. For more information, visit www.minimizer.com.
This article was sponsored by Minimizer.
