President Donald Trump's executive order imposing tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum may translate to higher prices to commercial fleets for vehicles and truck or van equipment, fleet management company experts said.
The Atlanta-based upfitter specializes in designing bins, shelves, partitions, workstations, and more for a wide range of fleet vehicles.
When used in the manufacture of truck bodies and van equipment, lightweight materials, such as thinner gauge high-strength steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and plastic composites, enable fleets to reduce vehicle weight to improve fuel economy, increase legal payload, and even drop down to a smaller (often more fuel-efficient) vehicle.
Defined by two key measurements, yield strength and percent elongation, steel is being evaluated by a growing number of fleet managers.
When confronted with the choice between a fiberglass and steel service body, fleet managers have a tough choice. Here are eight factors to consider.
There is no one-size-fits-all lightweight materials solution for work trucks. Experts weigh in about the pros and cons of aluminum, fiberglass composites, advanced high-strength steel, plastic composites, and carbon fiber.
While cost remains an obstacle to widespread acceptance of carbon-body trucks, this lightweight, durable, and strong material can facilitate fleet vehicle downsizing, promote fuel-efficient engines, and help extend lifecycles.
Truck bodies rust in salt-laden environments, whether in coastal areas or regions that require road salts for de-icing. To lengthen truck body life — and help contain fleet costs — consider five factors in spec’ing bodies.
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