Select the Right Vehicle for Your Business’s Needs:
Vehicles for Hauling a Heavy Load
If your business is in the landscape or construction industry, you’ll likely need a heavy-duty truck. Not only will a truck be able to tow heavy equipment such as lawn mowers and trailers, but they can also handle going off road to construction sites. Some trucks even offer a high-tech option such as RFID tags to help you ensure nothing is left behind on site.
Before purchasing a truck, be sure to calculate the towing weight, crew size, and fuel efficiency. Particularly, towing capacity is important to know because a truck engine can degrade faster over time if it carries too much weight for jobs. Standard towing capacities start at around 2,000 pounds and can go up to nearly 20,000 pounds. Ultimately, fuel efficiency may not matter as much if the truck is sitting at a job site all day, but for small business owners that cost can add up over time.
Look for a truck that also has a strong bed lining that can handle large items without getting too beat up over time. As for the crew size, determine whether you’ll need to upgrade to a cab that can fit three to four people instead of the standard two.
Vehicles for Lighter Deliveries
If you just put the finishing designs on a cake or you need to transport several bouquets, you may not need a heavy-duty truck. But a small car also won’t do, especially if you also need to transport supplies, crew, and other orders. In this case, consider getting a cargo or passenger van. Vans are a great option because they are very customizable inside and offer a huge space for advertising outside.
The first thing to consider when looking for a van is the size. The smallest vans offer around 135 cubic feet in the interior, while the largest can offer up to 550 cubic feet. This is important to consider especially if you need to carry a tall cake or pipes for plumbing work. You should also review the van’s payload capacity to make sure your equipment won’t burden the engine.
Next, test out the van for its maneuverability. This may not matter as much in a suburban or rural area, but people who operate a business in the city don’t want to be stuck trying to turn down a narrow street. Finally, ensure that the van has a proper security system. The doors should have sturdy metal handles on the outside and metal locking rods on the inside. Take it a step further and invest in a master locking system to discourage thieves. You can never be too careful when it comes to protecting your business!
Vehicles for the Daily Commute
If your business offers
transportation services or needs a vehicle for sales meetings, your car should not only be stylish but also last through long drives. The best option for this type of business is a hybrid car. There are many different types of hybrids, but they work by combining a petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor.
These cars are great because of how much they save on gas. People who work for rideshares know there’s nothing worse than sitting in traffic and watching the fuel gage drop. Hybrids on average save drivers $2,900 a year on fuel costs,
according to Forbes. Most modern vehicles have a feature where they shut off the engine automatically when they are stopped. This feature offers
up to 10 percent in fuel savings, depending on how much traffic drivers regularly encounter.
Another good aspect about hybrids is the interior tends to be more comfortable than gas-only cars. There are some that offer significant cargo space in the trunk as well to help you transport suitcases or other large bags around. It’s important to get a hybrid car that ranks high on safety. Some popular features include lane assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warnings.
Are You Ready to Hit the Road?
Running a small business can be stressful, but having the right vehicle can make it infinitely easier, especially if your business requires daily transportation of your products or services. Whether you need a large truck, a commuter van, or a small hybrid, there are plenty of options to help you get everything from point A to point B as efficiently as possible.