What to look for in a truck and trailer coupling spare parts supplier

Even the most reliable coupling benefits from regular service and maintenance to keep it functioning effectively and safely. And all fleet managers know that a reliable flow of spare parts is a prerequisite for a well-performing fleet. However, not all spare parts are made equal.

The parts themselves may sometimes seem like pretty simple components, but their quality and the way the supplier handles them can make or break your operation. Manufacturers and consumers worldwide know that a minor disruption in a supply chain that leads to a particular component being hard to find can bring an entire business to a halt.

In this article, we'll explain what you should look for when sourcing spare parts. When your flow of spare parts is optimized, the peace of mind you get will make your daily work much smoother.

Original spare parts are key for a well-performing fleet

Managers are constantly under pressure to reduce costs, so buying off-brand spare parts instead of originals may seem like a harmless way to save money.

But above all in many countries, using original spare parts is a legal requirement, not just a smart choice. In Germany, for example, spare parts for products eligible for type approval (such as trailer couplings) must be from the holder of the type approval – in other words, the manufacturer. So, by installing spare parts from another source than the original manufacturer, you can’t rely on the performance and safety of your equipment, and if your truck and trailer is stopped for an inspection, it may be discovered that you’re not driving a legal vehicle combination. And in case of an accident, you also risk losing your insurance.

Besides the legal part, the initial savings you may make will quickly be wiped out by additional costs related to the following:

• Poor quality and lack of reliability – Non-original spare parts aren't subjected to the same stringent tests and quality checks as originals. Parts like these are more likely to wear out quickly and let you down unexpectedly.
• Safety issues – Your trailer coupling experiences powerful forces even on a calm motorway drive. These forces are even greater if your vehicles work in more demanding operations on uneven road surfaces, like in construction and forestry environments. So, using cheap imitations instead of higher-quality original spare parts increases the chances of equipment failure and puts your staff and vehicles at risk.
• Warranty problems – Most reputable coupling suppliers offer warranties on their products. If something goes wrong during the warranty period, it will be fixed at no cost. However, using non-original spare parts can actually damage your equipment and void warranties in some cases – potentially leaving you with a sizeable repair bill that could have been avoided.

You should always choose spare parts that come from the original manufacturer. Counterfeit spare parts have been a problem in our industry for decades, and some truck fleets have been impacted by the issues above even when they thought they were using genuine components. So thoroughly vet your suppliers and check your spare parts for authenticity markings if you're unsure.

Demands on fast delivery times and high availability

All types of heavy-duty equipment need maintenance sometimes, regardless of the brand or manufacturer. So the most important thing is how easy it is to get hold of spare parts when you need them. Some truck workshops always keep certain common parts in stock, but this isn't cost-effective or feasible for all types of parts. So whatever supplier you choose, fast delivery should be a priority. No one wants to wait for a slow delivery when maintenance is needed.

Suppliers that have the right knowledge of supply chain management and effective warehousing to provide this level of service will be well worth the investment if they can reduce your downtime.

Product experts with detailed documentation

With the pressure of maintaining a fleet of vehicles and keeping goods moving, any inefficiencies can have a major impact. So, if you have a question or a problem with a particular component, it should be easy to contact the supplier and get the right answer. This is particularly important with couplings, when different models and product generations can have different levels of compatibility with existing parts.

Similarly, easy access to clear, up-to-date documentation for help with mounting or ordering should be readily available. When something goes wrong, you shouldn't have to speak to several people to get input on the right solution and place an order.

Look at Ringfeder's spare parts tool for a good example – we’re proud of our spare parts portal, where all products are readily available on the site and interactive exploded drawings make it simple to identify each component and find the relevant documentation. Solutions like this reduce the administrative load and allow you to spend more time on what's actually important – keeping your truck fleet running smoothly.

If you want more information on our approach to spare parts, click below to get in touch and start finding out more.