Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/173151
MONEYMATTERS MATTERS LIVE LONG AND PROSPER Getting more from our pickups by addressing minor repairs before they become major ones W e recently had our mechanic replace the power locks on our Ford Super Duty Crew, which made it feel like a new truck. Intermittently operating door locks had made the pickup feel old and tired, which is why this repair was important. It seemed to bring new life to the truck and kept it in the fleet. Almost as important as functionality, staying on top of such repairs can help improve your attitude about your truck and it can improve your company's bottom line. Here's why: Most of us are aware that regular or recurring maintenance is an important aspect of vehicle operations. Maintaining oil, fluid levels, tire pressure, tread depth and brake components are all critical to the ongoing operation of your pickup, extending component life and improving safety. But what about those nagging little annoyances like the power door locks I mentioned? You can get the job done with a loose piece of trim, a torn mud flap or a window that doesn't operate consistently, but these back-burner repair concerns can quickly compound, and you need to stay on top of them to keep your fleet effective. In accounting terms, nonrecurring repairs benefit more than one accounting period and extend the useful life of the asset. When pickup repairs are done in a timely fashion, related components are not compromised. You also feel good about driving it and you're not window shopping for a replacement. The attitudes of employees work the same way: If they are driving a clean, like-new pickup, they will be happy with what they have. They will also continue to take care of it, not wanting to be the one to cause damage. If, on the other hand, they are assigned a truck with torn seats, missing knobs and stained floor mats they'll jump right in without shaking off dust, scraping off mud and removing hand tools from their pockets, which will serve to accelerate disrepair. It is difficult to communicate that an employee is responsible to care for his company pickup when the previous drivers Replacing failed window switches and power locks are just two of the many minor repairs that will facilitate drivers and workers taking better care of company work trucks. 18 PROPICKUP October 2013 PP1013_Money Matters.indd 18 9/5/13 11:13 AM