Unscheduled truck maintenance costs rising

Feb 24, 2020 at 08:39 AM CST
While absolute costs are rising, the overall trend is toward lower average costs among a benchmark group of trucking companies tracked by the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council and FleetNet America. Tires, brakes, lighting, power plant and cooling systems accounted for 65% of repairs. The average roadside repair includes towing and mechanical repairs and often involves more than one issue. The average cost of a tow was $1,485 in the past three quarters. “Cost per repair looks like a permanent headwind our industry is facing,” said Robert Braswell, TMC executive director. The top issues driving roadside repairs change seasonally. Exhaust systems are a bigger problem in winter months because of increased use of auxiliary power units (APUs) to keep the truck cab warm and power comforts in a sleeper cab. Tire costs tend to fall off the list in spring and summer months as roads get warmer.

Feb 24, 2020 at 08:39 AM CST

While absolute costs are rising, the overall trend is toward lower average costs among a benchmark group of trucking companies tracked by the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council and FleetNet America. Tires, brakes, lighting, power plant and cooling systems accounted for 65% of repairs. The average roadside repair includes towing and mechanical repairs and often involves more than one issue. The average cost of a tow was $1,485 in the past three quarters. “Cost per repair looks like a permanent headwind our industry is facing,” said Robert Braswell, TMC executive director. The top issues driving roadside repairs change seasonally. Exhaust systems are a bigger problem in winter months because of increased use of auxiliary power units (APUs) to keep the truck cab warm and power comforts in a sleeper cab. Tire costs tend to fall off the list in spring and summer months as roads get warmer.