A truck and trailer is a complex system of components, connectors and sometimes even electronics. To achieve efficiency, the truck and trailer needs to be suited for the job, and the elements of the system need to work in harmony. This is what makes designing, building and managing truck fleet so challenging – each part of the overall system has a major effect on all the other parts.
The truck’s coupling, as the core interface between the truck itself and the trailer it pulls, is a major component in the overall system. The amount of coupling and uncoupling that can be required during normal operations is considerable, and the forces that couplings are subjected to creates high maintenance demands. It’s likely you’ve heard drivers talking about certain couplings being easy or difficult to use, and you’ve probably also experienced downtime caused by a coupling issue taking a truck off the road.
Even if it may seem like just one part of the overall system, your trailer couplings have an impact on your fleet’s performance, and ultimately, on your total cost of ownership.
The coupling you use affects the cost of the truck construction process, but in this article, I’ll focus on three aspects of fleet management where making the right coupling choice can reduce your total cost of ownership and improve the efficiency of your fleet.
Operational efficiency for drivers
Without drivers, your truck fleet wouldn’t be able to operate. They’re always going to be the most essential part of your operation. However, due to labour costs, they’re also one of the largest costs associated with your fleet. For that reason, anything you can do to make drivers’ work more efficient and comfortable is going to have a positive effect on both their health and wellbeing and your TCO. The global truck driver shortage shows few signs of improvement, so doing what you can today to make your drivers’ work smoother and less strenuous is vital.
Fortunately, your truck coupling system can be optimised to boost operational efficiency and comfort for drivers. Investing in features like air-assisted opening mechanisms makes it easier, safer and more ergonomic for the driver to open the coupling from outside the truck. Opening a coupling may not seem like a time-consuming job, but when it’s repeated several times a day for weeks, months or years on end, it adds up. Making this process more efficient while also boosting safety helps drivers get the job done quicker, reduces TCO and contributes to driver satisfaction and comfort.
Here, the cost of choosing the wrong coupling becomes clear. If drivers have to work with a coupling that is difficult to operate, you risk complicating their daily work and causing delays in operation.
Robust design and straightforward maintenance
Maintenance issues can quickly send your fleet’s total cost of ownership spiralling upwards. A truck or trailer that is parked in the workshop is costing money, and getting it back on the road quickly is absolutely vital. This is where I’ve seen a lot of fleet managers struggle. When bringing in new equipment, it seems attractive to go for a truck with a cheaper coupling and a lower purchase price. However, a coupling needs to be high-quality, robust and hard-wearing to provide reliable service. If it’s not, reoccurring maintenance issues with pop up, and the truck will need to spend more time in the workshop, generating costs without giving you anything back. In my experience, going for a strong, reliable coupling from a reputable supplier prevents a lot of headaches and increased costs further down the line.
Similarly, the quality and availability of spare parts for the couplings used in your fleet can make or break your TCO. A coupling that appears to meet your requirements but is maintained using non-original spare parts, or comes from a supplier that has long lead times for spare parts, will typically end up damaging your performance. By thinking two steps ahead, you can find a coupling that reduces TCO and allows your operation to perform.
Safety as a priority
Obviously, safety is about more than just reducing your total cost of ownership. Looking after the health and wellbeing of your colleagues is more important than making some financial savings! Luckily, there’s no conflict here – investing in safety-boosting features around your coupling and trailer usually translates to increased efficiency and a lower TCO. For example, electronic jackknifing prevention systems that are fitted to some types of couplings keep the driver safe while also stopping damage and downtime.
With sensors mounted to the coupling and trailer, an alarm warns the driver when there is a risk of jackknifing. In some cases, a system like this can protect the driver from injury or accident. But in less extreme situations, it can also stop a low-speed collision between truck and trailer that could lead to a costly repair job, downtime for the affected trailer and elevated costs for the fleet.
Minimising the risk of serious injuries is essential, but it’s also important to prevent everyday strains that can damage the body over time. A system that allows the driver to “push a button” instead of reaching under the truck to open a coupling removes an element of manual labour and risk from their workday. It's a small change, but one that can help improve the working environment for truck drivers, who are more affected by work-related strain injuries than other groups.
There’s plenty of factors that can affect the costs generated by your truck fleet – for example, fuel consumption, insurance or administration. When you already have so much to think about, couplings can seem like just one factor among many. However, I hope this article has shown how many cost-drivers can be connected directly to your choice of coupling. If you’re interested in keeping costs low while maintaining or even boosting your fleet’s performance, investing in top-quality equipment is usually a smart decision. Click below to get in touch with us and see how our equipment could make a difference.
