Last updated on April 26th, 2022 at 08:57 am
With more people shopping online than ever, the year ahead seems to add to the already growing trend of e-commerce. But e-commerce is not just about fancy websites and easy-to-use shopping carts.
The system needs a solid support network in order to work and keep customers happy. And, delivery businesses are a big part of this network.
After all, without delivery companies that can make same-day delivery happen, the online shopping experience would be extremely different.
Plus, the delivery industry offers plenty of room for growth, provided you have the right equipment and people. In today’s article, we’re going to have a look at a crucial piece of equipment for every long haul delivery business – the delivery truck.
Features that Matter
The perfect delivery truck must fit within your budget and provide the best ROI you can get. For this, here are a few features you should look out for when browsing for delivery trucks:
Easy Loading and Unloading
You won’t be loading the same type of cargo each time, so you need to be able to adapt your loading experience to the cargo.
Plus, when the truck reaches the docks, it also has to be able to adapt to the system that’s available there. Now, if you have predetermined routes that rarely change, you may get away with a more rigid truck, but for delivery companies that work across the country, you need a flexible loading and unloading system.
Comfort & Safety
Long haul drivers spend a lot of time in the trucks they drive (including sleeping and eating) so they need to be able to rest and enjoy the experience. Plus, a truck designed for the long haul needs to be easy to drive and maneuver.
While you can cut corners when it comes to this aspect, this shows talented, experienced drivers you are not ready to invest in your human resources.
Fuel Consumption
There’s no way around it – long-haul trucks need a lot of fuel. However, there are trucks designed for fuel efficiency. This is especially important in today’s reality when fuel prices are on the rise.
Pre-Owned Trucks vs. New Trucks
Maintenance costs and adherence to current environmental regulations may point in the direction of a new truck, but this is not always the right answer.
For instance, if your budget is not very generous, you should consider quality pre-owned trucks, such as the Peterbilt Model 579 that you can find on CharterTrucks.com. The Peterbilt 579 truck is a good-looking, powerful machine that cares about fuel economy and is reliable on the road.
The Peterbilt 579 is one of the most comfortable trucks for drivers and one of the most used for long haul transportation. So whether you have a whole fleet or just one truck, you can rest assured it will do its job.
If you decide to go with a new truck, make sure to choose one from a producer that has dealership locations across North America. This way, if something goes wrong, it’s easy to get a spare part or perform repairs without wasting time and money while waiting for parts to arrive from the other side of the world.
Wrap Up
The supply-chain post-pandemic problem isn’t solved yet and there seem to be more difficulties down the road, but the delivery industry is on an upward trend. So if you are ready to make an investment in long haul vehicles, now is just as good of a time as any.
Still, keep in mind that you will have to deal with fierce competition and that new problems may arise with high fuel prices and more environmental concerns.
