Representatives from three very different fleets sat down with moderator Molly MacKay Zacker at the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Dialogue (HDAD) on Monday.
Terry Wall is the senior manager for maintenance and technical support, national accounts, for Ryder. His company runs between 100,000 and 150,000 power units nationwide and oversees 800 service locations. He says Ryder "definitely" bought more than 500 trucks last year and has dabbled in alternative fuels.
Justin Olsen is the Eastern regional maintenance manager for TCW. His company operates 325 trucks on mostly intermodal business with slip seat drivers. TCW bought around 125 trucks last year, and Olsen says more purchases were pushed to 2024., when the company plans to buy around 50 trucks. The company doesn't do much with alternative fuels yet, Olsen says, but expects that will change when port requirements change.
Doug Arns is the director of maintenance for Freymiller. He says the company has around 730 trucks and 1,100-1,200 trailers at any given time. The fleet is 100% reefer and they mostly handle no-touch freight. The company purchased around 150 new trucks last year and replaced reefer units on 150 trailers. Arns says he expects to purchase another 150 trucks in 2024. Freymiller previously tried natural gas trucks, but Arn says he wouldn't recommend it for his duty cycle and application.
For repairs, all three fleet representatives say they lean heavily on their equipment warranties. But if it's not under warranty, all three say they'll turn to the aftermarket where it makes sense. They're also continuing some practices they started during the pandemic parts shortages, such as remanufacturing some parts.
"The only thing we're still having issues with is the harder items, like harnesses," Olsen says.
Arns says he's also seen availability improve, except for things such as harnesses.
