By Andrea Smeby
A recent Transport Topics article, “Truck Orders in June Drop 36% From Year Before,” points to a clear trend: many fleets are delaying new equipment purchases. With high costs, soft freight demand, and uncertainty around tariffs and upcoming EPA regulations, more operations are choosing to stretch the life of the equipment they already own.
There can be a lot of upside in keeping older equipment on the road, and if you’re doing it right, it can become a strategic advantage.
If you’re one of the many fleets delaying new equipment purchases, here are five ways to make sure your current assets stay roadworthy, reliable, and profitable:
- Spec for the Long Haul: Cutting corners on specs might save you money upfront, but it’ll cost you more in downtime and repairs later.
- Prioritize Proper Installation: Even the best parts will fail if poorly installed. Avoid strain, corrosion, and premature wear by following best practices or partnering with vendors who provide field support and training.
- Step Up Preventive Maintenance: Proactively check for corrosion, connection fatigue, and wear. A few minutes in the yard can save hours on the side of the road.
- Invest in Tech Training: Legacy equipment often gets upgraded with modern components. Make sure your team knows how to install, troubleshoot, and maintain them correctly.
- Work With People Who Support Your Bottom Line: You need more than a parts supplier. You need partners who understand your fleet goals and help you hit them, like the Phillips team, who is out in the field proving our products and your uptime.
Bottom Line
If new trucks aren’t in the cards this year, you can still get the most out of what you’ve got with the right strategy, support, and solutions.