XTRA Lease News

Reliability can mean a variety of things. It can be a piece of equipment that never lets you down, a process that always produces consistent results, or the person you know you can count on to be there in a pinch. In the same way, reliability is the cornerstone of the logistics industry. Knowing that you can depend on someone to get the job done and get it done right is what our businesses are built on. Not some of the time. Not most of the time. Reliability is getting the job done right every time.

So, don't trust a trailer rental company who isn't reliable. You need a company that is ready when you are, with proven processes backed by comprehensive data. Consider these areas to see if your current leaser (lessor) matches your standard.

Reliable Equipment

All trailer rental and leasing companies claim to have the best trailers. You can find numerous pages dedicated to the benefits of suspensions, or how this company's reefer technology is superior. However, the most important criteria for a trailer is its ability to move the load you need moved safely and without issue. Without reliable equipment, your business could lose time, money, and reputation.

• Specs

  Not all trailers are built the same. Looking at each company's trailer specifications tells you a lot. Compare specs such as number of crossmembers, damage-resistant threshold plates, and cost-saving tires and aerodynamic features. These specs save you money while hauling more.

• Maintenance

  The better you take care of your equipment, the better your equipment will take care of you. When selecting a rental or leasing company, ask about the maintenance they require and how they monitor that maintenance. Does your rental company provide maintenance services or provide maintenance standards to make sure self-performed maintenance is done to a certain standard? If not, the fact that your provider is not maintaining their equipment could cost you.

• Age

  Everything eventually wears out. So, logically, one would expect more problems to occur on older trailers simply because they have been put under more stress. Even if a company does spec their trailers more robustly, time eventually takes its toll. Consider the age of the trailers your rental or leasing company offers. Are they constantly refreshing their fleets or sitting on legacy technology that might give out when you need it most?

Reliable Processes

Time is money. Especially in logistics when there are so many unpredictable challenges like weather, traffic delays, and simple human error that can impact your bottom line, you need a trailer rental company that gives you consistent, reliable service every time. Choosing a company that understands your goals and builds processes around your needs is essential to maximizing time and manpower.

• Inspections

  As mentioned above, maintenance makes a huge difference in the reliability of the trailer. A thorough inspection when a trailer is returned is essential to ensure required maintenance is performed and damage to the trailer is fixed. Make sure to understand the processes for those inspections. While some companies will offer damage waivers and photos of any reported damage, others have a less transparent process that could mean chargebacks and hidden fees that eat into your bottom line.

• Pick-up

  No driver should waste time on a trailer yard. The trailer pickup should be easy and take less than 15 minutes. The office should get all documents, including photos of the pre-trip inspection, in real-time, as your trailer is being picked up. So, your driver is back on the road quickly with the right equipment, and you have all the information about your rental at your fingertips.

• Billing

  Billing should happen fast, accurately, and come with photos of any reported damage. When repairs are needed, the repair costs should not come with a markup.

Reliable Data

Everyone in the logistics space understands the power of data. It is how we make decisions, how we judge our success, and how we sell ourselves to our potential clients. So, having reliable access to that data and knowing that the data you see is reliable are key factors in choosing your next trailer rental company.

• Easy to Locate

  No one wants to hunt down information on their rental trailer. You are a logistics expert, not an IT specialist. You need a portal that brings all your information into one place and allows you to find the information you need quickly and easily. From trailer tracking and maintenance notifications to rental agreements and DOT information, everything should be easily accessible and simple to use.

• Flexible Reporting

  Your rental company should also have robust reporting that gives access to the data collected on your trailer. Wouldn't it be nice to have the customized reports you need daily emailed to you in a .pdf or .csv? You deserve reporting that works for you so you can focus on what matters.

• Trustworthy Tech

  Many companies today are selling AI solutions to almost everything. Optimize this or streamline that, but new technology is only as good as the results it produces. When it comes to trailer technology, it matters that it works every time. Downtime does not work for us. We need on-truck technology that is unwaveringly dependable. Technology we can count on to be there when you need it, so you can avoid the downtime and deliver results.

Consistency

Lastly, what is reliability, but trust built up over a time of consistency? In business, consistency is key to a company's longevity. Your customers want to know what they can expect from you when they seek your service. In the same way, you want to know that when you rent a trailer, you can expect the same consistent quality, service, and price every single time you rent, regardless of demand, location, or situation. Finding a rental company that is consistent in its execution is essential to getting the most out of your rental fleet.

Looking for a consistent, reliable, nationwide solution for your rental or leased trailers? XTRA Lease has built a reputation as one of the most reliable and consistent trailer leasing companies in the United States. With over 90,000 trailers in almost 50 locations , XTRA Lease's best-in-class equipment, processes, and reporting infrastructure make us the go-to choice for companies that don't want to compromise results. Find your nearest XTRA Lease location here, and see what XTRA Lease's reliability can do for your business today!