Whether your fleet is an electric fleet, an alternative fuel fleet, a gas-powered fleet, or a diesel-powered fleet, every truck or van must be maintained. Truck and van maintenance encompasses maintenance under the hood, interior maintenance, exterior maintenance, and accessory maintenance. Read Modern WorkTruck Solutions’ conversation with the corporate manager of Power Trucks USA, Mikayla Kyle, who offers insights to truck exterior and accessory maintenance.
SOME TRUCK PRODUCTS AND ACCESSORIES CAN HELP IMPROVE TRUCK MAINTENANCE WHILE ALSO IMPROVING FUNCTIONALITY AND STYLE. POWER TRUCKS USA HAS MULTIPLE PRODUCTS THAT FIT INTO THIS SPACE, BUT WHICH PRODUCTS STAND OUT TO YOU?
KYLE: Most aftermarket accessory parts for fleet owners are more for the functionality of the job that they need to do. Our most popular ones are work bins, ladder racks, strobe lights, toolboxes, and headache racks. With these accessories on a fleet vehicle, fleet operators and truck drivers essentially have access to a mobile “garage” that they can take with them. This ensures operators and technicians have all their tools at their fingertips.
FUNCTIONALITY FOR FLEETS IS DEFINITELY A PLUS—AND WHAT MANY DESIRE. BUT WHAT ABOUT FLEETS THAT USE THEIR VEHICLES AS A ROLLING ADVERTISEMENT? WHAT AFTERMARKET SOLUTIONS DO THOSE FLEET OWNERS HAVE?
KYLE: Any and all aftermarket parts can be powder coated to any color. This is a great option for fleets that use their vehicles as advertisements or branding because the parts can be custom coated to match a company’s brand colors. So not only is it great aesthetically, but the powder coating helps protect the accessories, and the accessories help protect the vehicle and tools in and on the truck or van.
INCREASED FUNCTIONALITY AND AN AESTHETICALLY PLEASING NEW ACCESSORY THAT DOUBLES AS PROTECTION SURE IS A PLUS. BUT SOME OF OUR READERS WORK IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CHALLENGING CONDITIONS. HOW CAN FLEET OWNERS PREPARE THEIR VEHICLES AND ACCESSORIES FOR THESE CONDITIONS?
KYLE: There are several products that can help protect a work truck in harsh environments. For example, Line-X will protect the bed of your truck from getting scratched and rusted. Frame under coating protects a vehicle’s undercarriage from rusting out. And finally, a heavier ply tire helps with towing, hauling, and tackling challenging terrains.
DO YOU RECOMMEND ANY STEPS FLEET OWNERS CAN TAKE OR PRODUCTS THEY CAN BUY THAT ENSURE A LONG LIFE FOR THEIR VEHICLES AND ACCESSORIES?
KYLE: There are many solutions and options fleet owners can consider to prolong the life of their assets. For fleets whose truck beds carry equipment and tools and take a beating on a daily basis, a bed liner should be employed for ultimate truck bed protection. Going hand-in-hand with a bed liner is a headache rack. Storing equipment, tools, and supplies in the bed of the truck can lead to damage to more than just the bed. It can also lead to cracked or broken rear windows. Headache racks protect rear windows from damage. Finally, coating fleet vehicles in a ceramic coating protects fleet trucks and vans from rock chips and road debris.
YOU’VE SHARED A LOT OF GREAT INSIGHT WITH US TODAY THAT OUR READERS WILL SURELY FIND HELPFUL. BUT AS A FINAL QUESTION, CAN YOU SHARE ANY REAL-LIFE SCENARIOS YOU’VE SEEN WHERE A PRODUCT HELPED SAVE A TRUCK BODY FROM SEVERE DAMAGE?
KYLE: Yes—bumper guards! We’ve seen a bumper guard fully protect a vehicle’s body, lights, engine components, and tailgaite during accidents. If there’s one product I recommend getting on a fleet vehicle, a bumper guard would be it.
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS?
KYLE: Although I’ve mentioned several products and solutions today, I don’t want to forget to mention another accessory that can help improve operator safety. A trend in the industry that is sure to stick is employing cameras on fleet vehicles. Having cameras installed on a fleet truck, both on the vehicle and dash cameras, provide several benefits. The bumper cameras can help fleet vehicle drivers know their surroundings, and the dash cams help discourage theft, encourage safe driving, and provide evidence in the case of an emergency.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Mikayla Kyle is a corporate manager for Whitecap Enterprises, a private asset management company. She has more than 10 years of management experience running successful brands. Kyle joined Whitecap Enterprises in 2021. She manages the marketing for the company’s acquisitions including Power Trucks USA, Autism F.I.R.S.T., Whitecap Construction Services, Extreme Steel Crane and Rigging, Extreme Steel, Extreme Rentals USA, and several waste companies.
Kyle has a passion for growing and creating successful businesses in a variety of industries. She is always sharpening her marketing and graphic design skills, staying ahead of the ever-evolving trends in several industries, and building solid relationships. As a trusted professional, Kyle is focused on understanding the company’s needs and delivering creative solutions that surpass expectation. She approaches each task with enthusiasm and a commitment to provide exemplary services that go above and beyond the competition. Find out more, visit www.powertrucksusa.com.
