Xtra Lease said it has ordered 6,000 new fuel-efficient trailers equipped with aerodynamic side skirts and low rolling resistance tires, providing fleets access to new equipment and opportunities to lower their fuel costs.
Xtra Lease will add both features on new trailers, 53 ft. and longer, due to arrive at company rental locations throughout the U.S. between February and August. Not only will the new trailers provide added fuel efficiencies, they’ll comply with California’s Greenhouse Gas regulation and are safe to enter and operate in that state without penalty, according to the company.
“We’re continuing to invest in the industry,” said Bill Franz, Xtra Lease CEO and president. “As we did last year, we’re ordering new equipment again to meet our customers’ critical need to have the right trailers at the right time.
“Access to new, quality equipment is significant for fleets unable to invest or acquire the capital needed to obtain new trailers, particularly coming out of the economic cycle we’ve been in and continue to endure,” Franz added. “As capacity tightens, we’re focused on having a fleet size, mix and model-year make-up that evolves, stays fresh and provides fleets with good, versatile, cost-saving options.”
With aerodynamic side skirt and low rolling resistance tire installations planned for both vans and reefers, Xtra Lease said it will be prepared to provide customers considerable fuel cost savings. The side skirts will save fleets an estimated 5% in fuel, based on EPA verification and depending on number of miles and speed traveled. Low rolling resistance tires can save an additional 1.5% in fuel, again based on a carrier’s trucking operation. Combined, the two features on Xtra Lease’s new trailers can save fleets 6.5% in fuel costs, the trailer maker said.
Included in the order will be approximately 40 57-ft. trailers. The company is also adding several 48-ft. vans, some equipped with liftgates, and 48-ft. reefers to the fleet. Those models won’t have side skirts, the company added.
