If you own a truck, be it a big commercial rig or a smaller non-commercial model, there’s one thing you can count on: your truck is going to break down one day. That means you are going to require the best replacement parts you can find, be they Detroit diesel parts or a simple repair product that will fix your broken AC unit. No matter what the case, it’s important that you follow some best practices when it comes to choosing the right replacement parts and devices for your truck.
According to a recent report by Trucking Info, never be swayed by low cost. The lowest price does not always translate into the best choice when it comes to replacement parts. Other important factors need to be considered when making your choices.
Commercial trucks are said to be on the road much longer than they used to be, which means a bigger demand and investment in servicing, replacement parts, and routine maintenance. It’s because of this that making the right part choice is more important than ever since choosing the wrong one can spell disaster for your rig.
Consistency is said to be key. You need quality replacement parts that are purchased at regular intervals from the most reputable point of distribution you can find.
Life Cycle is Important
It doesn’t matter if you’re choosing to purchase a part that’s made by the original brand or you go with an aftermarket part, buying the right one doesn’t mean going with the least expensive item. Conversely, it doesn’t mean choosing the most expensive one either.
Fleets need suppliers that sell a variety of quality/price levels that won’t compromise or sacrifice on safety. Suppliers need to offer “good, better, and best” items that allow commercial trucking fleets to balance the cost of maintaining every truck. For example, when proper brake parts are purchased and then installed, the savings can be in the hundreds of dollars over the course of the truck’s life cycle because of a longer brake life along with the time required between maintenance.
Re-manufactured Parts
Re-manufactured truck parts, or remans for short, are said to be a tried-and-true parts purchasing plan. This is usually a fleet specific decision claims a director of marketing for a major commercial vehicle system company. Some of the factors that are entertained are what the trucks are being used for, and the vehicle’s overall expected performance, its longevity, and more.
When considering using re-manufactured parts, the fleet supervisor should seek out a reputable supplier who has a proven track record of the reman process. On occasion, a company will claim to sell reman parts but are instead selling rebuilt parts. The latter does not always meet manufacturer’s specifications and therefore is not a truly re-manufactured product.
Use the Internet as a Tool
Says Trucking Info, the internet can provide an excellent avenue for purchasing commercial and non-commercial truck parts. At the very least, it can be a valuable tool for researching suppliers and the parts they sell prior to making a purchase.
One of the more useful ways a commercial fleet can take advantage of the internet is to gather information regarding different products. You can then compare them in terms of fit, function, and form. The internet can also be utilized to “streamline the parts procurement process.” However, this is not necessarily intended as a complete replacement for the hands-on, local distribution process.
Fleets are likely to acquire upwards of 50 percent of their parts from a primary nearby source. On the other hand, specialized parts for diesel engines, for instance, are the perfect candidates for internet research and purchasing.
Many fleet owners agree that the internet is not only a terrific tool, but an asset when it comes to purchasing hard-to-find parts. But there are occasions when it helps to tap into the diagnostic knowhow of a reputable dealership mechanic or even a good “counter man” or woman.
But shopping for truck parts via the internet is worthwhile for the time it saves you. You don’t have to be looking for a specialized truck part or component. You can simply be looking for a box of filters that will last you a while. Why bother getting in your vehicle and wasting both the fuel and the time required to stand in line at a brick-and-mortar store when you don’t have to?
Choosing replacement parts for your truck has never been easier in the 2020s. While some owners prefer to do it the old-fashioned way, by speaking with a parts expert at a dealership or mechanic’s shop, others prefer to use the internet to pick up what they need immediately and for the future.
