A decision every fleet manager faces
When a truck in your fleet is damaged, whether in a minor collision, through corrosion or simply from general wear and tear, deciding whether to repair or replace the truck body is never simple. If you get it wrong, you either spend too much on a body that is past its useful life or write off something that could have been repaired. At VN Truck Bodies in Keysborough we have helped Melbourne transport operators make this call many times, and this is how we think it through.
Signs that a repair is worth doing
In most cases repair is the better financial decision, especially when the damage is confined to one area. A repair is usually worth considering in these situations:
- The damage is contained to one section, such as a panel, the tailgate or a door.
- The structural frame and subframe are sound and undamaged.
- The truck itself, meaning the cab, chassis and drivetrain, still has plenty of life left in it.
- The repair costs well under the price of a new body. As a rough workshop rule of thumb, we start to look hard at replacement once a repair gets past about half of the replacement value.
- The body type still suits the work you need the truck to do.
A well-done repair by qualified tradespeople can return a truck body to full working condition, often so that you cannot tell it from new, for a fraction of what a replacement would cost.
When replacement makes more sense
There are some situations where replacing the body is the better investment over the long term:
- The body has widespread corrosion or structural damage that affects its integrity.
- The repair would cost a large share of a new build, which as a rough workshop rule of thumb means more than about two thirds of the price.
- Your requirements have changed, for example you now need a different payload, refrigeration or a tipping body.
- The body is getting close to the end of its rated service life.
- It would need compliance upgrades that the existing structure cannot accommodate.
The hidden cost of downtime
Downtime is one factor that many fleet managers overlook. Every day a truck is out of service costs your business money through missed jobs, overtime for the other drivers or freight you have to outsource. At VN Truck Bodies we put a priority on fast turnaround because we know how much that time is worth to you, and we will give you an honest idea of the repair timeline at the start so you can plan around it. Many standard repairs take one to two days once the parts and any insurer approval are in hand.
Getting a professional assessment
The best way to make this decision is to have experienced truck body builders inspect the truck properly. Our team at VN Truck Bodies will assess the structural integrity, give you a detailed quote and make an honest recommendation, which will not simply be whichever option earns us the most.
You can call us on 0447 452 222 or visit us at 17 Cambria Road, Keysborough for a free assessment.