How to Spend Leftover Fleet Budget Wisely

4 Upgrades With the Fastest Payback

Many fleets reach the end of the year with money left in the budget. The smartest way to spend it is on upgrades that reduce costs you're already paying, even when those costs never show up on an invoice. Tool theft, trips to the gas station and time spent searching for parts all add up across a fleet. Below are four upgrades that address those costs directly, along with the research behind each one and current pricing from EliteTruck.com.

1. Van Security Locks

Tool theft is one of the most expensive risks for any fleet that carries equipment. An East Tennessee State University study of more than 15,000 U.S. construction theft reports found contractors lost an average of about $6,000 per incident, and less than 7% of stolen items were ever recovered.

Aftermarket security locks add a second, reinforced locking point on top of the factory lock. The Holman BLACKSTONE Combo lock ($335.50) locks automatically every time the door closes, which removes the risk of a tech forgetting to lock up. A three-lock kit covering the rear and side doors is $904.84. Because a single theft averages about $6,000, preventing one incident covers the cost of the lock many times over. These locks are most valuable on vans parked at techs' homes or job sites overnight. For added protection, pair them with lockable van storage drawers. Shop van locks.

2. Fuel Transfer Tanks

Fueling is a hidden time cost for most fleets. According to Geotab data reported by Work Truck, the average trip to a gas station takes about 20 minutes. Over a year, that adds up to roughly 61 hours per driver, or more than seven full workdays. Each trip also adds about 2.2 miles of off-route driving.

A transfer tank stores fuel in the truck bed so crews can refuel vehicles and equipment on site. A typical setup includes the tank and a 12-volt pump. A Better Built 75-gallon L-shaped tank ($591.74) paired with a Fill-Rite 15 GPM pump ($484.99) costs about $1,077 and typically pays back within five to nine months. The L-shaped design also leaves room for a crossover toolbox. Transfer tanks offer the most value for fleets with bulk fuel at the yard or crews that fuel skid steers, generators or compressors on the job. Before purchasing, review DOT and local regulations for the type of fuel you plan to carry. Shop transfer tanks.

3. Van Shelving and Organization

Disorganized vans cost more time than most fleet managers realize. UK surveys by OnePoll and Filplastic found that tradespeople lose between 51 minutes per week and more than 30 minutes per day searching for tools and parts in their vans. Even at the low end, that equals roughly one unbillable service call each week, or about a full work week per tech over the course of a year.

Van shelving gives every tool and part a set location, which shortens search time and makes it easier to see what's running low before leaving the shop. A single Ranger Design N5 shelving unit costs $905.40 and pays back in about six months. A complete Weather Guard shelving package for the Ford Transit costs $2,295.40 and pays back in six months to a year. Elite Truck also carries trade-specific van packages designed for HVAC, plumbing and electrical work. For the fastest return, start with the vans that make the most service calls per day. Shop van shelving.

4. Cargo Slides

Getting in and out of truck beds is a common cause of fall injuries for work truck crews. Research from Liberty Mutual found that jumping down from a truck can place up to 12 times a person's body weight on the ankles, knees and lower back, and that falls from vehicles cost about 24% more than other injury types. A study of 352 Ontario workers' compensation claims found the back of the truck and the truck step were two of the most common fall locations, with claims averaging about $15,100 each.

A cargo slide is a platform mounted in the truck bed that rolls out past the tailgate, bringing tools and materials within reach so workers don't need to climb in. A Bedslide 1000 Classic is priced around $1,552 at other U.S. retailers; visit our Bedslide page for current pricing by bed size. Preventing a single injury claim covers the cost about ten times over. For crews who frequently climb in and out of tall cabs, running boards and side steps reduce the same type of risk. Prioritize cargo slides on the trucks that carry the heaviest equipment.

Where to Start

Start by determining your fleet's existing pain points and where the budget could best be allocated to solve them. For help choosing the right upgrades for your vehicle(s), call our team at (855) 919-2087.