Weight $ense (Cents)

Is your customer asking about weight savings?

If so, consider these questions:

1. What is the actual cost of saving weight, and

2. What is the primary objective - prior to formulating your response.

1)The actual cost of weight savings:

If the objective is merely a haul a few pounds more on each load, then the ROI may not be present. Some customers may not wish to pay quite a bit more just to haul more product. Yet some will. Arrive at a list of weight saving options and both their initial cost, and the maintenance costs. Do not overlook the impact on resale (potentially negative) associated with each option.

2)Total vehicle weight as a primary goal:

If the objective is to stay under a total GCWR/GVWR, then your customer is most likely serious. In these cases, ONLY a truck under a certain weight will work, and cost is a secondary issue. Here you will need to sharpen your pencil and provide some recommendations that add benefit as a package.

Shortening wheelbase: Lower rail weight, potential centerbearing elimination, shorter 5th wheel slide

Optimizing fuel capacity:

Lighter tanks, less DEF (9 lbs./gal), less diesel (7 lbs./gal)

Combining items that make sense, such as:

• · Dead axle tandem and super single tires/wheels

• · Shorter wheelbase and optimized fuel capacity

Creativity is key. But as you can tell, serious solutions require a LOT of work. So before taking on this project make certain you are aware of exactly what the customer seeks to achieve. Another piece of advice is to have engineering review the weights. If a few key components are off on the quoted weight it can be an unwarranted deal breaker.

And now…

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Believe It OR Not

Only male canaries were used to detect safe air levels in the by-gone era of mining. This is due to the fact that female canaries are, by nature, song-less.