We see a few trends developing in the public safety industry when Fleet managers set out to plan a new truck upfit— as with most customers these evolving trends may help you get the most bang for your buck. The three top trends in truck upfitting include enhancing safety and productivity, moving to lightweight equipment, and increasing the use of telematics.
1. Enhanced Safety & Productivity
Fleet managers are tasked with making a truck upfit ergonomically safe for drivers as well as on how upfits can enhance and improve productivity. The focus should be placed on how the clients use their trucks. For some types, the drivers will be continuously climbing in and out of their trucks and will also require it to carry a large amount of equipment.
Safety equipment is being added to vehicles at the time of upfitting rather than as a separate charge after the upfit is complete. This is a cost-effective way to get the products you want at the best price and have them installed by a professional upfitter. You can choose to have a rear-view camera system, a reverse sensing system with a back-up alarm, and additional spot mirrors to your fleet. This will enhance safety and can reduce your insurance costs in the process for having this type of equipment and lowering the rate of accidents. Grab handles are also a great way to add safety when drivers or workers have to step up and down to enter and exit a vehicle many times a day.
2. Lightweight Equipment
Many items used in vehicle upfitting can be just as beneficial when they are made of a lighter weight material. Fleet managers are shifting from steel racks or bins to heavy-duty composite materials and aluminum products. Upfit suppliers have noticed this trend and are now making lighter weight upfit materials that can also be stronger.
Lighter weight materials in an upfit produce a vehicle that is a lighter weight overall, which can greatly improve your fuel efficiency throughout the entire fleet. The lighter overall weight of upfit equipment also creates less wear and tear on vehicles, extending their useful life before needing to be replaced or repaired.
By reducing the weight of your upfits, you also increase the payload potentional in your trucks. This enables you to carry more on-board tools or equipment so your team can be prepared for anything without having to take the tie and fuel to return to the shop.
3. Wider Use of Telematics
The growth of telematics software is rising every year on upfits. Some may think that it is a way of “policing drivers,” but telematics are designed to increase the effectiveness of your fleet. A good system with a fleet manager to monitor it can enhance team response and productivity while reducing vehicle expenses and downtime. Each truck can connect with each other in real time, which can be critical for first responders.
Telematics can help you plan for vehicle upfits in the upcoming months and even years. It can make your fleet vehicles safer and more efficient so that the drivers travel fewer miles, your fuel costs are lower, and you avoid expensive downtime. You can also boost your return on investment with asset tracking and improve your security and maintenance.
These industry trends can help keep your employees safe and productive while saving on fleet vehicle costs. Click below to request a quote for your fleet. Keltek has served more than 700 departments and helped to protect the lives of more than 12,000 public safety professionals.
You must be logged in to post a comment.