Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
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CCJ FALL SYMPOSIUM | JOURNAL NEWS Knight���s Williams: Do your homework when buying equipment uel economy is the big decider in spec���ing today,��� David Williams, vice president of equipment for Knight Transportation, told attendees at the 2012 CCJ Fall Symposium during a workshop on the 21st Century Buying Cycle. But it���s important to do your own testing to make sure your investment in fuelsaving technology is a wise one, he cautioned. ���F ���We put skirts on all of our trailers and saw an immediate impact,��� said Williams, but with some aero devices, ���the difference is statistically insignificant.��� Your type of operation also matters, he said. If you run on highway, aerodynamics is a big deal. If you���re not doing high speeds, you probably need to look at rolling resistance instead. In that case, tire maintenance costs may increase due to softer tires, ���so you need to do your own math.��� Knight���s other equipment-buying considerations: Assuming an average cost per mile of 4 cents, maintenance costs over four years on a truck running 110,000 miles per year will run $17,600. ���Reduce maintenance costs to 3 cents per mile, and it only drops to $13,200,��� Williams said. ���It���s still $4,000, but compared to the fuel savings, it is less significant.��� ���Look at this in terms of lost profit,��� Williams said. ���You have to define what that number is for your own fleet. Are you willing to take a risk on a certain OEM and risk more downtime?��� Features such as seats, trim level and APUs can have an impact on drivers, he said, but ���it���s not going to solve the problem. You���d be better off looking at things like pay, home time and communication.��� To determine what makes and models of trucks hold their residual value, ���you have to look in your crystal ball and decide what the market���s going to want,��� he said. For example, Knight used to buy ���macho square-nosed��� trucks that got terrible fuel economy. The company switched to aero models but found that while some aero models sell well, others don���t. For the full list of stories from the 2012 CCJ Fall Symposium, visit CCJDigital.com/ fall12-symp or scan this QR code with your smartphone or tablet. Guess which rig used Howes this winter. You can sit in your rig and wait for spring thaw, or you can use Howes Diesel Treat to get you on the road, every time. Even in the harshest conditions, the truth is this: Against Howes, winter doesn���t stand a chance. Prevents Diesel Fuel From Gelling, Guaranteed! Saves Money and Eliminates Downtime Increases Power and Fuel Economy Eliminates Smoking and Rough Idle Treats More Fuel than Competing Brands Particulate Filter Friendly and Warranty Safe FREE! Howes Work Gloves when you purchase 6 bottles of Howes Products Professional Grade Performance Since 1920 Visit www.howeslube.com or call 1-800 GET HOWES O���er ends: 3/31/13, available while supplies last. Text INFO to 205-289-3554 or visit COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | JANUARY 2013 11