With the national truck driver shortage, volatile freight rates, and high input costs, it is no surprise that some trucking companies are operating at less than capacity. This can result in company owners or owner-operators reducing the size of their active fleet by sidelining vehicles. However, there are risks associated with parking vehicles for extended periods of time.
Unfortunately, we have seen a few high-cost claims where electrical fires caused by inadequate servicing/maintenance of sidelined vehicles destroyed multiple trucks and damaged property.
If sidelining a vehicle is something you or your company is considering, here are a couple things to keep in mind:
Bringing a vehicle back online after sitting for some time requires additional care. Have qualified technicians do a thorough inspection including:
Things become old, brittle, and prone to failure from sitting. These issues should be caught in the annual inspection, but a knowledgeable technician will catch and address them as common sense would dictate.
Communication is key and fleets must notify their technician of where the vehicle was coming from and what they are trying to accomplish.
With sidelined vehicles, “out of sight” should not mean “out of mind.” Preparing your vehicle before, during, and after a period of inactivity can save you time and money in the long run. Finally, be sure that you have adequate insurance coverage applied to the vehicle both while in operation and when sidelined. Speak with your licensed agent to learn more.
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