Looking to boost your truck’s fuel efficiency and performance on the road? Understanding effective ways to improve truck aerodynamics is crucial.

By optimizing airflow and reducing drag, you can enhance your vehicle’s efficiency and reduce fuel costs. This article explores practical strategies and tips to streamline your truck’s aerodynamics, ensuring smoother and more economical journeys.

What are Trailer Aerodynamics?

Truck aerodynamics is a crucial concept to understand if you’re an owner-operator or fleet manager because it affects your truck’s fuel efficiency and fuel costs.

As a semi-truck moves on the open road air collides with its surfaces, creating resistance. This air resistance, often known as aerodynamic drag, slows down the semi-truck and reduces its performance. The truck then requires more engine power to push through the drag and maintain highway speeds.

To improve your truck’s fuel efficiency and lower costs, you must reduce drag so the vehicle cuts through any wind resistance effortlessly.

Reducing aerodynamic drag requires streamlining the parts of a semi-truck and trailer that influence its aerodynamics. This way, air flows past the truck instead of working against it.

Why Are Aerodynamics Important for Semi Trucks?

Paying attention to your truck’s aerodynamics is essential for the following reasons:

• Optimize Fuel Economy: Improving aerodynamics allows you to manage your fuel economy. Specifically, it reduces drag, lowering fuel consumption and increasing fuel efficiency. In the long run, this reduces operational costs and increases fuel savings.
• Reduce Gas Emissions: With optimized aerodynamics, your vehicle will cut through the air smoothly. As a result, it will burn less fuel, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing environmental pollution.
• Improved stability and safety: Increased air resistance from crosswinds can destabilize your vehicle, causing it to sway or tip over. Aerodynamic improvements prevent this by promoting smooth airflow around the truck, ensuring it remains stable.
• Less Wear and Tear: When your truck’s aerodynamics are well-optimized, the engine doesn’t work as hard since there’s less resistance to overcome. Because of this, it lasts longer.

Main Points of Drag

Understanding types of aerodynamic drag that can affect a truck’s performance is crucial as it can help you develop unique ways of optimizing your specific vehicles’ performance.

There are four primary types of drag, namely:

Form Drag: Overall, trucks with a wide open front area experience more drag than those with a pointed or round design since there’s more surface area for air to act on.

Skin Friction Drag: Skin friction drag occurs when air passes over a truck’s surfaces, with rough surfaces creating more drag due to increased friction between air particles and the surface. Smooth surfaces reduce this friction, resulting in less drag.

Interference Drag: Caused by the interaction between tractor-trailer components. Gaps and protrusions create varying airflows and resistance, increasing drag.

Induced Drag: – also known as lift-induced drag, occurs when high-pressure air below the truck flows to the low-pressure area above, creating drag.

Products and Devices to Reduce Tractor-Trailer Drag

There are several products to help you modify your truck, reduce aerodynamic drag, and enhance its performance. A few of these essential devices include the following:

Trailer Skirts

Trailer skirts are panels attached to the trailer’s underside (lower side edges), between the axles, to reduce drag caused by air interacting with the truck’s wheels and other underbody structures. They redirect airflow and eliminate drag from the undercarriage. This places less strain on the truck’s drive train, reducing fuel consumption and increasing its efficiency at high speeds.

Trailer Tails

Trailer tails, often called boat tails or rear tail fairings, are devices attached to the back of the trailer to streamline airflow. They reduce air turbulence at the trailer’s rear end, preventing the formation of a turbulent vacuum that can tug the vehicle backward, creating drag. The best types of trailer tails are easily detachable to accommodate the loading and unloading of the semi-truck.

Gap Reducers

Gap reducers minimize the gap between the tractor and the trailer. An example of such devices is cab extenders.

Cab extenders get attached to the sides of the cab, pointing back and outwards, away from it. They direct airflow away from the tractor-trailer gap, minimizing drag.

Wheel Covers

Large center indentations plus other small crevices on truck wheels trap air when spinning. This disrupts airflow, increasing aerodynamic drag. Wheel covers close off these gaps, letting air flow past the wheels and minimizing drag.

A few types of wheel covers to choose from include:

• Full wheel covers – they cover the entire wheel, protecting your car from damage while reducing drag
• Center caps – only cover the wheel hub, preventing dust accumulation, which often adds to drag
• Trim rings – cover the outer rim only. These add a polished, classy look to your vehicle and reduce drag.

When choosing a cover for your wheels to reduce aerodynamic drag, consider your vehicle specifications, design compatibility, ease of installation, and durability to find the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics.

Aerodynamic Mirrors and Cameras

Consider replacing some of your truck’s traditional features with more aerodynamic designs to lower wind resistance and reduce aerodynamic drag. For example, you can replace traditional windshields and mirrors with sloped front windshields and pedestal door mirrors to enhance the truck’s performance.

You may also opt for camera monitor systems in place of traditional mirrors. They will enhance the vehicle’s aerodynamics while improving visibility and safety. But you’ll have to be keen to ensure you comply with all regulations regarding rear visibility in cars.

Roof Fairings

Roof fairings work the same way as trailer skirts, but they’re mounted on the truck’s roof to direct the airflow over the trailer instead of on the sides. These are particularly helpful when using full-height trailers and the height of the tractor doesn’t match the trailer’s height.

The roof fairing or air deflector closes the height gap between the tractor’s roof and the top of the trailer, so air flows directly over the trailer’s top surface.

Aerodynamic Mud Flaps

Most trucks have heavy, solid rubber mud flaps to prevent road debris, dirt, and rocks from damaging the undercarriage. Consider replacing these with vented or slotted mud flaps. These allow air to pass straight through them, reducing drag.

Fifth Wheel Placement

Whether fixed or sliding, install the fifth wheel properly with enough (not too much) clearance for the trailer to swing sideways without touching the cab, trailer landing legs, or side extenders. Keep the trailer gap to a minimum, around 36 inches or less.

Aero Bumpers

Smooth aero bumpers, often called drive fenders, direct air away from your truck instead of over the cab.

Additional Considerations

Besides modifying your truck using the products and devices above, consider taking the following steps to ensure your car performs optimally.

Regular Maintenance

Installing aerodynamic components is not enough. You must ensure they’re well-maintained and functioning as they should. Walk around your trucks, inspecting all the aerodynamic features you’ve installed.

If you notice any wear and tear that can reduce a device’s efficiency, repair or replace it as soon as possible. Include this inspection as part of your daily pre-trip inspection activities.

Driver Training

Adequate driver training is crucial to reducing resistance and improving fuel consumption. Some trucking techniques that enhance aerodynamics include:

• Maintaining a constant speed and avoiding significant speed changes. Maintaining a consistent speed helps keep pressure aerodynamic drag forces low. As your truck’s speed increases, air resistance increases, and this can increase aerodynamic drag exponentially.
• Use cruise control to minimize excessive acceleration

• Keep your load height low to reduce wind resistance and ensure the truck moves smoothly.

Technological Advancements

Aerodynamic innovations are transforming the trucking industry by reducing fuel consumption and lowering carbon emissions, driving the sector toward sustainability. Truck manufacturers are designing aerodynamic trucks with advanced technologies, like electrification and autonomous systems, to minimize drag and optimize performance.

Emerging technologies, such as automated manual transmissions (AMT), improve driving smoothness and vehicle mileage, and are set to revolutionize trucking in the coming years.

Conclusion

As diesel prices continue to increase, more fleet managers and owner-operators are looking into aerodynamic improvements because of their effectiveness in enhancing fuel efficiency and cutting fuel costs.

Simple and affordable aerodynamic adaptations have a significant impact on your bottom line. For example, adding multiple devices, such as side skirts and trailer trails, can reduce your truck’s overall drag by nearly 25%, leading to an approximately 13% reduction in fuel consumption.

Instead of making the aerodynamic improvements above, you can replace your older vehicles with newer models with the latest aerodynamic features and technologies. If you choose this route, reach out to Mission Financial Services. We’ll tailor our commercial vehicle loans to your situation so you can switch seamlessly.

If you’re looking for accessories to improve your semi-truck, then a dash cam should be high up the list.

A good dash cam system can be invaluable for truck owners, giving you crucial video footage when you need it. These cameras can also include a range of different features to help you drive more safely. Plus, dash cams can reduce the cost of accidents by 86%.

Let’s explore everything you need to know about finding the right semi-truck dash cam and why a dash cam can be so valuable.

What Are Dash Cams?

Dash cams are small cameras mounted on a vehicle’s dashboard or windshield that record video footage while driving.

A dash cam system captures the road ahead and what’s going on in front of the truck. They can also record the driver and interior of the vehicle.

Car dash cams usually start recording automatically when the car is in motion and store footage on a micro SD card or through cloud storage. Some of the best dash cam systems offer features like GPS tracking, night vision, and motion detection.

Whether you’re a truck driver, a fleet manager, or an owner-operator, using a semi-truck dash cam can offer a lot of benefits. Dash cameras are also really easy to install and use, so there’s no excuse not to install a dash camera in your truck.

Why Truck Drivers Need Dash Cams

So, why is dash cam footage so useful? Here are some of the main benefits of dash camera recorded footage for commercial vehicles.

Safety and Security

Dash cams provide critical evidence in case of accidents. They help to clarify fault and protect drivers in cases that result from accidents.

A front-facing camera also protects you against false claims and fraud by recording unbiased footage of events on the road.

Insurance Savings

Using a dash cam can lead to potential discounts on insurance premiums, as insurers see them as risk-reducing devices.

They also simplify the claims process by providing clear, indisputable video evidence.

Monitoring and Compliance

A dash cam can help ensure drivers comply with road safety regulations by recording their actions. They can clearly monitor driver behavior, which helps to prevent risky driving practices.

Theft Prevention

A dash cam can act as a deterrent against cargo theft by continuously recording activity around the truck.

And if there is a break-in, the video footage provides valuable evidence to help you identify culprits and recover stolen goods.

Best Types of Dash Cam Systems

When choosing the best dash cam for your vehicle, it’s important to understand the different camera types and configurations available.

Front-Facing Dash Cams

Front-facing dash cams monitor the road ahead.

You mount these cams on the windshield or dashboard and continuously record the front view of the road. They’re ideal for capturing traffic incidents and documenting road conditions like weather, traffic flow, and road hazards.

If you’re looking for a dash cam to help monitor traffic violations or provide evidence to your insurance company, then this is the best type.

Dual-Facing Dash Cams

Dual-facing dash cams record both the road ahead and the interior of the vehicle.

These systems have two cameras: one facing forward and one facing the driver. This setup is particularly useful for fleet managers and trucking companies wanting to monitor driver behavior and ensure they’re keeping compliant with safe driving practices.

If you want complete insight into your fleet vehicles, want to improve driver behavior or keep driver scorecards, then this is the type of camera you’ll want.

Image credit Amazon 

Rear-View Dash Cams

Companies install rear-view dash cams at the back of the truck to capture footage from behind. They’re essential for documenting rear-end collisions and any incidents involving cargo – like theft or damage during trucking operations.

Rear-view dash cams provide valuable evidence where another vehicle collides with the truck from behind or when cargo is tampered with. You can also use a rear-view semi-truck dash cam to help with reversing, parking, and reducing blind spots.

360-Degree Dash Cams

If you’re after the most comprehensive semi-truck dash cam system, then you’ll want a 360-degree setup. As you can guess, these record around the entire vehicle.

360-degree systems use multiple cameras or a single camera with a wide-angle lens to cover all angles, including front, rear, and sides. They’re ideal for improving situational awareness and safety, especially in reducing blind spots.

This type of dash cam is beneficial in complex driving environments, like urban areas or tight parking spaces, where there are a lot of surrounding hazards. They also provide critical footage around the truck for security against cargo theft.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Dash Cams for Trucks

While dash cameras may seem straightforward, there’s a lot to consider when choosing a dash cam – especially if you need to kit out a large fleet.

Here are some of the key things to keep in mind.

Video Quality

HD video footage is important for dash cams because it ensures clarity and detail in the recorded video. You’ll want this if you’re reviewing incidents and gathering evidence.

We recommend using a dash cam with at least 1080p resolution to capture clear and detailed images of the road, license plates, and other crucial details.

Night vision capabilities are also important for low-light conditions. This means you can record clear footage at night or in poorly lit environments.

Storage Capacity

Having enough storage capacity is vital for dash cams – especially if you’re using them for long trips.

Dash cams should have sufficient built-in memory or support for high-capacity memory cards, such as microSD cards up to 128GB or more. This allows for extended recording time without the need to delete or overwrite old footage.

Expandable memory options are best, as they give you more flexibility to increase storage capacity if you need it. Some dash cams also offer loop recording, which automatically overwrites the oldest footage when the storage is full.

Durability

Durability is a key factor for dash cams used in trucks, as they need to withstand harsh conditions and constant use. They also need to hold up against accidents.

Try to get a dash camera with weather-resistant construction. This ensures it can operate reliably in various climates, from extreme heat to freezing cold (important for ice road driving).

Look for dash cams with rugged housing that protects them from dust, moisture, and direct sunlight. Vibration and impact resistance are also important for long-term reliability – especially given the vibrations and shocks you’ll experience during long-haul driving.

GPS and Speed Tracking

A dash camera with GPS integration can also provide valuable location tracking. These cams can record things like the vehicle’s route, speed, and position.

This feature is particularly useful for fleet management, as it helps monitor the truck’s movements and ensures that your drivers follow their planned routes. You can use GPS data to verify the location and time of incidents, adding an extra layer of evidence.

Dash cams that record speed data alongside video footage can be incredibly useful in monitoring reckless driving and supporting compliance and safety initiatives.

Ease of Use and Installation

Dash cams should be easy to use, with simple interfaces and controls. This is important, as you may need to operate them while driving.

Look for models with intuitive menus, clear displays, and simple button layouts that make it easy to navigate settings and review footage. A straightforward installation process is also important.

Many dash cams come with mounting hardware and step-by-step instructions that do not require professional installation. Features like adjustable mounts, adhesive pads, or suction cups can make the installation process a lot easier.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Some dash cams include connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This makes it easier to transfer data to other devices with no need to remove the memory card.

Advanced features like collision detection, parking mode, and live streaming are also worth looking into.

Collision detection uses sensors to save footage automatically when it detects an impact. This ensures critical moments are preserved. Parking mode records activity around the truck when it’s parked to help protect the vehicle against theft.

Live streaming features let you access real-time footage from the dash cam feed. This is useful for fleet managers monitoring vehicles remotely.

Conclusion

The right dash cam can be useful for protecting your truck, helping with insurance claims, improving driving habits, and enhancing driver safety. Whether you’re an independent driver wanting to protect yourself, or a truck owner or fleet manager, using a dash cam is always beneficial.

These cameras are also really simple to install and use, but when you need them, they’ll offer you a massive advantage, making them well worth the investment.

Are you looking to purchase a new semi-truck? Then you’ll need to start by finding the right financing solution. We make this easy at Mission Financial Services, helping all truck drivers access the financing they deserve. Get started to see how easy it can be to purchase a commercial vehicle.

Choosing the right equipment for your food truck business can be overwhelming if you’re just getting started.

This guide lists essential equipment and offers tips for selecting the right appliances to fit your truck’s limited space. Our goal is to simplify your equipment choices for a successful and profitable mobile kitchen venture.

6 Things to Consider Before Buying Food Truck Equipment

To run your food truck smoothly, the equipment you need depends on your business model. For example, if you’re selling frozen treats, your appliance needs will differ from those selling hot snacks and meals.

Evaluate your business needs carefully before purchasing equipment, then consider seven factors to ensure ongoing success.

1. Quality

Invest in high-quality and reliable food truck appliances that will serve you well for the long haul. Your equipment determines the efficiency of your truck’s operations and affects your capacity to generate profit.

Low-quality equipment is inefficient and may require frequent repairs or replacement, which increases your truck’s operating costs and reduces your profit margins. High-quality appliances are efficient and durable.

2. Space

Despite limited space, food trucks can host efficient industrial kitchens when you use space effectively.

Opt for compact models that can do the job without occupying excessive space. Dual-purpose equipment is also valuable for maximizing limited space. Plan your kitchen layout based on menu items and service style to ensure smooth cooking operations and high-quality service to customers.

3. Equipment Maintenance

Food truck equipment is only worthwhile if it’s easy to use, clean, and maintain. How well does it do its job, and how do you clean it?
You must meet several food equipment sanitation and safety certification standards to thrive. If an appliance requires too much time or effort to maintain and you cannot clean it regularly, it may not be the best option.

4. Suppliers

Suppliers are a vital part of running your food truck successfully. Think about partnering with local restaurant supplies wholesalers who, for a small membership fee, offer a range of premium equipment at affordable prices.

The best suppliers are honest about the technology and safety of their products and can help you find the best appliances for your specific needs. They also provide equipment installation, maintenance, and repair add-on services.

5. Pricing

When budgeting for your food truck equipment, prioritize high-quality items essential to your business model.

For example, if you’re selling French fries, focus on investing in top-quality washing and peeling machines, fries cutters, frying, de-oiling, and drying equipment, as these are crucial for your operations. Though the initial cost may be high, the returns will justify the investment.

6. Financing or Leasing

Financing or leasing your food truck equipment is an excellent alternative if you want to begin your venture with minimal financial risk until you’re sure the business model you’ve chosen will work.

Equipment Needed to Start a Food Truck

Every mobile kitchen is different, but there are some appliances and supplies all of them must have for you to perform your day-to-day activities. Most of this equipment falls into the following categories:

Storage Equipment

Storage equipment is necessary to store ingredients, prepped menu items, and leftovers. Go for containers instead of plastic bags when storing hot and saucy foods. Storage containers are durable and reusable.

You can also use them to reheat food in microwaves. Ensure you buy your containers in various sizes to meet different storage needs.

Preparation Equipment

These include tools you’ll use to ensure all the ingredients you need to cook your menu items are ready before you cook. Essential food prep items are:

• Kitchen cutlery and utensils.
• Cutting boards. It’s advisable to get color-coded cutting boards to avoid cross-contamination from different foods. You can buy a blue cutting board for fish, red for beef, etc.
• Thermometers ensure your food is thoroughly cooked in safe temperatures to meet the required safety standards.
• Blenders enable you to prepare sauces and smoothies fast. Choose powerful blenders that can handle different menu items.

Cooking Equipment

To prepare fresh meals, you need the right cooking equipment. The exact cooking appliance you require depends on the food you plan to cook. Some popular options include:

• Griddle—for cooking everyday foods like sandwiches, eggs, and vegetables
• Char broiler—offering gourmet burgers? This helps you prepare flavor-rich food fast.
• Food truck ovens for baking
• Countertop fryers
• Toasters

Refrigeration and Cooling

Refrigeration and cooling equipment preserve perishable items in your inventory. These appliances also keep your meals fresh and beverages cold and include:

• Under-counter freezers
• Worktop refrigerators
• Refrigerated prep tables
• Countertop glass door refrigerators
• Chest and ice cream freezes
• Food warming equipment

You can use the following warming appliances to warm pre-cooked foods before serving your customers:

• Countertop food warmers
• Kettle or soup warmers
• Fry warmers
• Display warmers

Serving equipment

Serving supplies allows customers to enjoy your dishes comfortably. The most common ones are:

• Disposable food containers and cups
• Condiment pumps, like salt and pepper shakers. Or toppings and seasonings self-service dispensers. You can also offer condiments in portion packs so your on-the-go take-out service is quick.
• Napkin and paper towel dispensers

Sanitation and safety equipment

Cleaning and safety supplies are crucial for your business to flourish long-term. You must maintain specific hygiene standards to pass frequent health inspections and keep your working permits.

Some essential cleaning equipment and supplies include sinks, sani-buckets, gloves, food service chemicals for cleaning different equipment, dish-cleaning chemicals, trash cans, and liners.
To meet the required safety standards, you’ll need:

• First aid kits
• Regularly serviced fire extinguishers
• Fire suppression system or sprinklers,
• Labels to ensure food items get used safely before their shelf life expires.

Equipment For Your Electricity Needs

Most food truck equipment requires electricity to work. Your truck’s batteries may not be enough to power them all. You’ll need a portable and reliable power source, like a generator, for your appliances to work well all day.

Gas generators are the easiest to use. However, their harsh noise and fumes can put off customers. Instead, consider getting propane generators. You’ll have to fill them regularly, but they’re less harsh on smell and sound.

New vs. Used Food Truck Equipment

The decision between new and used food truck equipment is an ongoing debate in the industry.

While some items without internal parts can be safely purchased and used if well-maintained, equipment with moving parts like ovens and heaters pose higher risks as they may deteriorate over time.

Starting with used equipment saves money initially but can lead to higher maintenance costs and downtime later. Newer, high-quality equipment is typically more efficient and comes with warranty coverage.

Final Thoughts

Our selection of food truck supplies and equipment should help you start stocking up the right items to get your business running successfully.

Remember to check your appliances’ cooking power when assessing their quality before purchase. You want to ensure you can prepare large quantities of tasty food fast to get the most out of your food truck.

To finance your food truck purchase, check out Mission Financial Services. We can customize our commercial vehicle financing options to help you buy a new or used truck affordably. Get in touch to learn more about this.

Whether purchasing your first truck or upgrading to a newer model, buying a semi-truck is a significant investment that requires many considerations. As an owner-operator, your truck is the most essential piece of equipment that your entire business relies on. So, choosing the right truck is vital.

There are many types of semi-trucks out there, each catering to different trucking needs and preferences. The type you choose should be carefully selected based on the specifics of your trucking business.

In this guide, we’ll break down some of the most important things to remember to help you choose the right semi-truck as an owner-operator.

Choosing The Truck For New Owner Operators

As a semi-truck owner-operator, one of the most critical business decisions you need to make is choosing the right truck for your business. Unfortunately, there’s no single “best truck” for owner-operators.

Picking your semi-truck brand and model depends on your preferences and the type of work the truck will do. Of course, different trucks offer different benefits. These include improved fuel efficiency, greater power, increased comfort, and advanced features, like driver performance assist.

However, the vehicle you choose should depend on the type of work you do in the trucking industry and what kind of truck you prefer.

Points To Consider When Buying A Semi Truck

There’s a lot to consider when choosing the right semi-truck for your business needs. Here are a few important considerations to ensure you select a reliable semi-truck.

Budget Wisely

Determining a realistic budget is the all-important initial step in choosing a semi-truck. Consider not only the upfront cost but also ongoing expenses like maintenance, fuel efficiency, insurance, and potential repairs.

Once you have a budget, you can narrow down your list of semi-truck brands, models, and years.

Age of the Truck

Decide whether you prefer an older or newer truck.

Newer trucks generally offer updated technology, better fuel efficiency, and fewer maintenance issues. Older trucks might be cheaper initially but may require more frequent repairs.

Some drivers prefer older classic American semi-trucks as a personal choice, while others like the latest models from truck manufacturers. Of course, your budget will also dictate how old or new your chosen truck will be. Just keep in mind that financing older trucks can be more difficult.

Technical Requirements for Routes and Freight

Assess the technical specifications required for your trucking business.

Consider factors like engine power, axle configuration, load capacity, fuel efficiency, and adaptability to different road conditions. If you need to haul oversized loads or unique cargo (like a tanker), then make sure your truck aligns with these needs.

Cab Type – Day Cab or Sleeper

Determine whether you need a day cab for shorter routes or a truck with a sleeper compartment for long-haul trips. Sleeper cabs offer resting space and amenities for drivers during overnight stops.

Semi trucks with a sleeper cab are more expensive but they are necessary for long-haul trucking.

Transmission Preference

Decide between a manual transmission for more control or an automated manual transmission (AMT) for ease of use and potentially better fuel efficiency. This really just comes down to your personal preference for driving.

State Regulations on Vehicle Emissions

Understand the emission regulations in the states where you operate. Some areas have strict emission standards that might affect your choice of truck or require additional modifications.

Business Operator Strengths

Consider your strengths as a business operator.

Are you proficient in maintaining and repairing vehicles, or do you rely heavily on maintenance services? This can influence the type of truck that best suits your operation.

Truck Make Preference

Do you have a preferred truck manufacturer based on reputation, previous experience, or reliability? Choosing from the best semi-truck brands that you trust is always a good call.

Must-Haves

Identify any specific features or necessities that you need for your operations.

This might include advanced safety systems, comfort amenities, specific engine specifications, or warranty considerations.

Best Trucks For Long-Haul

Choosing the right truck for long-haul operations should come down to the vehicle’s reliability, comfort, fuel efficiency, and performance.

While this can vary depending on specific preferences and needs, here are some of the most popular options for long-haul trucking.

Volvo VNL Series

These trucks have earned a reputation for their comfort, safety features, and fuel efficiency.  They offer various sleeper cab options and advanced technology for long-haul comfort.

Freightliner Cascadia

These trucks have gained recognition for their fuel efficiency and aerodynamic design. This truck provides a range of sleeper cab configurations and advanced driver-assistance systems.

Kenworth T680/T880

The durability and driver comfort of these Kenworth trucks are renowned.  They offer customizable options for sleeper cabs and fuel-efficient engines.

Peterbilt 579/587

The main focus of these trucks is on fuel efficiency and aerodynamics. They provide sleeper cab options and have a reputation for reliability.

Mack Anthem

People know the Mack Anthem for its ruggedness and advanced safety features. This truck offers various sleeper cab configurations for long-haul comfort.
International LT Series

These popular trucks focus on providing driver comfort and fuel efficiency. They include sleeper cab options and advanced technology for long-haul operations.

Best For Short-Haul Trucking

For short-haul trucking, where frequent stops and local deliveries are common, versatility, maneuverability, and efficiency are crucial. Here are some of the most reliable semi-trucks for these types of operations.

Isuzu NPR Series

This type of truck is known for its compact size and maneuverability. It’s ideal for urban deliveries and smaller loads with good fuel efficiency.

Ford F-650/F-750

These trucks offer a range of configurations suitable for various short-haul tasks. They’re known for their reliability and versatility for local deliveries.

Hino 155/195 Series

These are compact and efficient trucks suitable for urban deliveries. They’re known for their maneuverability and reliability in city driving.

Freightliner M2 106

The Freightliner are versatile and customizable trucks for various short-haul applications. They offer good maneuverability and fuel efficiency for local deliveries.

Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 4500/5500

These are solid and reliable trucks suitable for smaller-scale short-haul operations. They provide excellent versatility and ease of maneuverability for urban deliveries.

Ram 5500 Chassis Cab

These international trucks offer multiple configurations suitable for various short-haul tasks.
They’re known for their durability and capability for local deliveries.

Best For Local Trucking

Local trucking involves frequent stops, city driving, and shorter distances. So, you’ll want trucks that offer maneuverability, durability, and efficiency in urban environments. Here are some of the most popular options.

Isuzu N-Series (NPR/NQR)

Known for compact size and maneuverability, these trucks are ideal for urban deliveries. They offer good fuel efficiency and durability for local routes.

Ford Transit

A versatile truck that’s available in various sizes suitable for local deliveries. These trucks provide excellent agility and efficiency for navigating city streets.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

This popular type of truck offers multiple body styles and configurations for local cargo transportation. It’s known for its comfort, efficiency, and maneuverability in urban settings.

Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana

Chevrolet Express are versatile vans suitable for various local delivery tasks. They’re durable and offer ample cargo space for urban deliveries.

Ram ProMaster

These smaller trucks offer customizable options for local cargo transportation. They’re known for their maneuverability and efficiency in city driving.

Nissan NV Series

The Nissan NV Series provides various configurations for local cargo transportation. They’re durable and reliable for urban delivery operations.

5 Best Semi-Truck Brands

A massive part of choosing the best semi-trucks comes down to the brand. Here are five of the most reputable and widely recognized semi-truck brands known for their quality, reliability, and performance in the industry.

Mack Trucks

Their durability and ruggedness have made Mack trucks renowned. They’re recognized for their robust construction and strength, making them popular choices for various hauling applications.

Freightliner

Freightliner offers a wide range of trucks suitable for different operations. They’re known for their innovation, efficiency, and advanced technology in trucking.

Kenworth

These trucks generally focus on customization and driver comfort. Kenworth trucks are popular for their reliability, versatility, and personalized options.

Volvo Trucks

Volvo takes up a huge share of the truck market. Volvo semi-trucks are focused on safety, fuel efficiency, and advanced technology. Volvo trucks are known for their innovation in safety features and environmental sustainability.

Peterbilt

Peterbilt trucks offer a combination of performance and style. They’re recognized for their distinctive design, reliability, and customizable options.

Great Condition is a Priority .

Regardless of the make, model, or production year, it’s essential that the semi-truck you purchase is in great condition.

The overall quality, maintenance history, and current condition of your trucking equipment is more important than the specific brand or model you choose. Ensuring that your truck is in top-notch shape is crucial to its performance, reliability, and longevity, ultimately impacting the efficiency and success of your operations.

Regular maintenance, thorough inspections, and verifying the equipment’s condition before purchase are critical steps to ensure it meets the necessary standards for your business needs. A well-maintained vehicle will also help you avoid commercial truck accidents.

Final Thoughts

Whatever make or model of semi-truck you choose, make sure that you focus on finding a quality vehicle that has been well-maintained. Of course, the truck you choose should tick all of the right boxes for your business needs.

When purchasing a semi-truck, you’ll also need to make sure that you work with the right financing supplier. Get in touch with us at Mission Financial Services to discover just how easy semi-truck financing can be – even if you have poor credit or are looking for an older model of truck.