How to Choose the Right Truck or Van for Your HVACR Business
Purchasing one or more new vehicles for your HVACR business is an important step in keeping your business healthy and profitable. As with any major purchase, smart shopping techniques and good research are the keys to making a good decision. Factors to consider when purchasing new vehicles for your business include such considerations as the vehicle’s job duties, its efficiency, life cycle costs, and how long you plan to keep it.
The first question that needs to be addressed is how you are going to use the truck, your specific needs and requirements. Standard questions start with your typical job description. Are you primarily involved in single family home repairs and replacements or do you specialize in large new construction projects? The larger the projects you are primarily involved in, the larger the vehicle you will need. In what kind of area does it operate? Do you operate in a metropolitan area or do most of your work in a rural area that is spread over many square miles? If all of your business takes place within a short distance of your base, it could mean selecting a different truck than if you make longer trips to job sites.
The number one rule in all cases is to not skimp on size or payload. Packing your truck up to the gates or loading it within a few pounds of its capacity all the time is a bad idea. It will make you and your team less efficient at work and the truck’s systems and components will wear out and begin to fail much sooner. Allow growth in both capacity and carrying capacity. The GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is of paramount importance. The GVWR represents the total weight of the vehicle, including the vehicle itself, passengers, equipment, tools, etc. If you add a bunch of shelving, racks and such, you can quickly use up all of the vehicle’s payload capacity.
The carrying capacity also applied to the crew. Think about how many bodies there will be on average in the crew. If you send a crew of two most of the time, it won’t be a big deal, but if you need to send four frequently, you may need to send an additional vehicle. Most manufacturers offer extended cab and crew cab trucks that can carry up to six passengers to eliminate this problem.
Obviously, price will always be a priority, but don’t let the window sticker be the final point in your decision. Numerous factors must be considered in determining the true life cycle costs of the vehicle. You should consult your financial and/or business advisors for the details of how much to spend and how to spend it. They should be able to explain the financial advantages and disadvantages of various purchase options, including business expenses, tax advantages, and whether you should buy or lease.
Leasing can offer a number of advantages over buying. These include lower up-front costs, lower monthly payments, numerous tax advantages, and a guaranteed final lease value. The dealer should also be a lot of good information. Shop around, talk to at least three or four dealers and select one that you think is interested in you and your business. A commercial vehicle dealer faces a completely different task than a regular retail car dealer. The dealership should be able to give you the exact specifications of the vehicles they offer, including warranty options, roadside assistance details, and service and maintenance. Talk to service department personnel if you plan to have that dealer perform routine maintenance on vehicles. Once you have purchased the truck, the service manager and his staff will probably be your most common contact and therefore very important.
Once you have the required capacity, cargo capacity and final decision money pretty settled, you need to select what type of vehicle you want and need. The three basic options for the commercial HVACR operator are the pickup truck, the van, and finally the commercial truck. Each has its share of attributes and negatives.
The classic work vehicle, the pickup truck, remains a popular choice, and with good reason. Available in a wide variety of styles, shapes, and payload capacities, the truck is the perfect answer for any number of HVACR job applications. One of the truck’s greatest attributes is that it also offers numerous cargo options, including the standard truck bed, the standard bed equipped with lockable tool boxes and a ladder rack, a cargo bed bed, or a flat bed. special utility service. While the utility bed option will be more expensive initially than the other options, keep in mind that the utility bed can be transferred from one truck to another and can last for three, four, or more life cycles of the truck, reducing costs. general expenses. Numerous manufacturers, such as HIVCO, a Los Angeles-based manufacturer, offer a service body package designed specifically for the HVACR trade.
The van is another excellent option for small and medium-sized businesses. Offered in mini and full-size models, the van comes standard with good carrying capacity and good safety. General Motors makes the only rear-wheel drive minivans, the Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari, but several manufacturers offer front-wheel drive models that will work well for light-duty applications. All three major manufacturers offer excellent full-size truck models. Virtually all commercial dealerships offer interior trim packages, and when equipped with roof and side racks, the van can very well meet the needs of a large percentage of commercial HVACR operators.
If your business requires you to haul very large loads on a routine basis, then a Low Cab Forward (LCF) or step van might be the best option. Both the step van and the LCF pickup offer far greater payload capacity than the standard pickup or van. More expensive initially, they are becoming increasingly popular in all areas of business. Available in a wide variety of payload, wheelbase and overall sizes, both Step Van and LCF Truck, these vehicles are your best choice if your business requires a true heavy-duty truck. Once you have decided what type of vehicle, you need to decide on the power choice. As a general rule of thumb, unless you have a clear feeling either way, if you expect the truck to log less than 30,000 miles a year, go for the gas engine. If the truck will go over 30,000 miles a year, think diesel. More expensive initially, diesel will provide better fuel economy and cost you less in the long run.
Finally, don’t throw away a used vehicle. Low mileage units of all three options are readily available on the used car market. They can be had with extended warranty protection, service plans, and can even be leased in some cases. Done with a little thought and sound decisions, your new vehicle or vehicles will serve you long, faithfully, and at the lowest possible cost.
