Fleet Solutions for Engineering

When looking at vehicles for residential, commercial, and industrial engineering sectors, you’ll find overlap in the makes and models being used to get the job done.  Most importantly, your fleet management company should help you find the right vehicle for the right job. This can help lower overhead costs, and in many cases even reduce fuel spend, insurance premiums, and registration costs. Here are some points to consider:

Off-Road Driving  
Vehicles used in commercial engineering can experience accelerated wear-and-tear when going off-road for field use. As employees often drive frequently to different work sites and locations, it is especially important to consider tires, maintenance, and the lifecycle of a vehicle. These commercial vehicles may also need upfitting to accommodate various types of specialized equipment.

Diesel vs. Gas 
Rising fuel costs make fuel consumption a top consideration for fleets acquiring vehicles today. Initially, diesel engine-equipped vehicles have a higher acquisition cost, but you also need to consider the total cost of ownership (TCO). This includes the total fuel, maintenance, depreciation, and financial spend over the vehicle’s lifecycle. If properly maintained, diesel engines typically have a longer service life compared with gasoline engines.

Your choice of a gas vs. diesel engine will depend largely on mileage. Typically, 30,000 to 35,000 annual miles is a good baseline to start seeing the fuel economy advantages of a diesel engine. But there’s a lot to consider, which is why Merchants Fleet is here to help.

½ Ton vs. ¾ Ton vs. 1 Ton vs. 1½ Ton  
You will likely see diesel trucks listed by the ton. This is just a classification based on their payload capabilities, otherwise known as the maximum amount of weight they can hold in the cargo and passenger areas.

For example, a ¾ ton truck offers more power and towing capabilities than smaller trucks and is a good middle-ground option for anyone whose diesel rental truck needs include heavy lifting. A popular example of this type of truck is the Ford F-Series.

A 1-ton truck can tow anywhere from 35,000 to 37,000 pounds and has a weight capacity of up to 7,800 pounds, depending on the make and model. If you’re looking for even more power and payload and towing capabilities, consider a 1 ½ ton diesel truck, which typically comes as a classic cab that you can upfit to your needs.

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Upfits are often essential for vehicles in the engineering industry. Popular options include:

Here are some of the most popular upfits for engineering vehicles:

• Logos, Branding, and Decals
• Truck Bodies Designed to Carry Specific Equipment
• Truck Boxes and Toolboxes
• Safety Lights
• Ladder Racks
• Drawer Units
• Shelving Modules
• Alarm Systems
• GPS Systems

Control spending and simplify maintenance with our fleet maintenance programs. Benefits include controlling costs, reducing administrative burdens, minimizing downtime, and eliminating unpredictable expenses.

Our Merchants Fleet Roadside Assistance program provides fleet maintenance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Whether it is a flat tire, dead battery, or empty gas tank, you and your drivers will have a toll-free number to call — any time of day or night.

In addition, our network of ASE-certified technicians will take care of all your fleet maintenance and repair management needs, in addition to offering guidance and support for routine services or emergency repairs.

The best way to save on insurance premiums is to reduce your number of accidents, and the best way to accomplish this is with the right safety and training programs. With Merchants Fleet, you can ensure your drivers have the tools, education, and resources they need to avoid accidents or injury.

We can see what’s available through the OEM in terms of safety features, help you budget accordingly, and accommodate any special safety requests or needs.

You can choose to implement driver safety training — either with a generic program or one customized to your needs — and monitor driver behavior with our connected vehicle technology TotalConnect, telematics, and GPS tracking.