How Many Miles Do Semi-Trucks Last?

Among vehicle investments, both semi-trucks and tankers are worth a mention. Depending on the build and the brand, costs range from $100,000 and so on. That said, fleet owners must get an idea of the life of these vehicles.

The best way to gauge the potential of these assets is by considering the miles they cover. After all, only a truck in working condition can perform and deliver, certainly not the one sleeping in the garage.

Read on the below frequently asked questions to understand the capacity, life, and more of semi-trucks and tankers.

How many miles do semi trucks last?
Compared to petrol variants, diesel trucks are quite tough and cover anywhere between 700000 miles and one million easily, depending on their usage and maintenance.

Having a truck in perfect working condition and ensuring it is serviced every year regularly, you can always count on it. However, it also leads us to the question of how many miles your drivers expect it to cover.

How many miles do truckers drive in a day?
Usually, an over-the-road truck driver would take it on a long haul of 600 miles per day. Nevertheless, a more realistic estimate would be 400 to 500 miles per shift. In addition, fleet owners generally average 2000 miles per week for each truck. Assuming some downtime, it would make up to 1,00,000 miles per year.

What’s a semi-truck’s lifespan in years?
Using the below formula, you can arrive at the semi-truck life span in years:

Estimated maximum mileage / Miles covered in a year = Working life of the truck (in years)

Suppose you expect your truck to cover 7,00,000 miles and you would be running it 1,00,000 miles per year, then the working life of the truck comes to around seven years. However, that’s a conservative estimate. Many trucks run for 10-15 years, even after being long hauled with heavy loads.

Let’s now shift the focus to tankers.

What’s the workable lifespan of a tanker trailer?
In contrast to trucks, tankers last longer as they don’t have engines. There are, of course, other mechanical components like sensors and valves, but still, the wear and tear are much less.

There are certain aspects to consider about the maintenance of tankers. The key elements to look for are:

● Lighting
● Brakes
● Tanks
● Suspension
● Electrical systems

How many gallons of gas does a tanker truck hold?
Following the Federal Motor Carrier Association, a tank vehicle is a set of multiple trucks, each equipped with a capacity to carry 119 gallons and a total capacity of 1000 gallons or more. However, fuel tankers hold a capacity of 9000 gallons or more, thereby storing more liquid.

When should you replace semi trucks and tanker trailers?
Indeed, well-maintained trucks last longer. Nevertheless, you must adhere to DOT regulations and ensure that the trucks and trailers that pass these tests are in the best condition. Older trucks may limit the amount of work you can use them for. Shippers will start looking elsewhere as they will need newer equipment if your truck or trailer is too old.

So, rather than keeping your equipment for years and then discarding the truck, it’s advisable to have plans to replace it periodically. Regardless of whether you plan to purchase or lease, a quick look at the leasing cycle will give you an idea of the time you can hold on to the trucking asset.

How often do leasing companies replace cabs and trailers?
Most fleet owners prefer to lease trucks or trailers rather than buy them. Having a full-service lease contract ensures that you don’t need to worry about maintenance. Leasing cycles are planned such that the trucks or trailers are replaced much before the end of their service life.

Usually, trucks are leased on a five-year or six-year cycle, while trailers follow a two-to-five-year cycle. This implies you get a new cab or trailer every five years. While it’s not always brand new, the leasing companies ensure that they are in good working condition. On the flip side, trucking companies that own their equipment may extend the cycle to reap more on their investment.

To understand the legal side associated with leasing services, get in touch with an El Paso truck accident lawyer.

How do trucking companies maintain reliable cash flow?
Whether you lease or buy a truck, a stable cash flow is required. This is a major challenge faced by trucking businesses. Shippers pay on net-30 or even net-60 terms, which takes a lot of time for the invoicing and getting the cash.

The solution to this is factoring. A factoring company pays your bills now and later collects the cash from your client. Most contracting companies rely on restrictive contracts.