Drivers have many expenses while they’re out on the road. While you can’t tell them how to spend their hard-earned money, you can advise them on how to reduce their expenses and save while traveling.
Talk to Your Drivers About Ways to Save Money on the Road
As a fleet manager, you’re responsible for your drivers’ well-being while on the job, this includes providing them with the necessary information to make smarter choices such as eating healthy or managing their finances to save some cash. Truckers have many expenses while they’re out on the road. From staying in hotels, eating out, and frequently buying toiletries and the like. Some expenses are unavoidable, but others can be reduced with some planning and preparation. While it’s not your responsibility to decide how your truck drivers spend their money, you can provide them with some money-saving strategies like the ones you’ll find in this article.
Meal- Prepping
Bringing your own food on the road can save you a lot of money. It can also help you stay healthy while traveling. You can find some excellent coolers on the market that can effectively keep your food and drinks fresh and cool for many days. You can take one day of the week to prepare all your meals and pack them. Need some meal prepping tips? Check out this article. Don’t forget to pack some healthy snacks so you can munch on while driving. Try your best to avoid buying treats every time you stop and forget about fast food joints.
Use Refillable Containers
Instead of drinking soda to stay hydrated, drink water. You can easily save money by using a reusable water bottle and filling it up at a water fountain. Bringing your bottle with you instead of buying various soda cans throughout the day is better for your health, wallet, and the environment. Also, if you’re a big coffee drinker, look into coffee refill programs. Many establishments offer coffee refills at a reduced price if you bring your coffee mug with you.
Truck Maintenance
One of the biggest expenses drivers face is the price of fuel. Something as simple as checking your tire pressure can help you improve your fuel mileage immensely. You should check your tire pressure before every drive. Not only will you be saving money, but you can also get a bonus for fuel efficiency. Don’t forget about when your truck is due for maintenance. Regularly checking your oil and filters and keeping other fluids topped off, can help you avoid roadside breakdowns (which you’ll need to pay for) and improve your truck’s fuel intake.
If you’re aiming to be a more efficient fleet manager, you should remind your drivers when they’re due for maintenance. Not only will you be helping your drivers save on fuel, but you will also be extending your fleet’s working life. While we’re on the subject of maintenance, keeping your trucks clean is also of great importance. A clean truck can help your drivers pass inspection much quicker. Call Fleet Clean USA: Dallas at (877) 477-9274 to learn about their fleet cleaning services in Dallas.
Plan Your Route
A big part of saving money is making the most of your time and fuel, which means you should plan your route carefully to reach your destination quickly and efficiently. You can use a GPS system or download an app on your smartphone to help you plan a better route. Your truck company probably reimburses you for tolls. But if they don’t, you’re going to want to steer clear of them. The smartphone app you download should also help you avoid toll roads.
Take Advantage of Free Amenities
On the road, you’re always using your cell phone data, which can be expensive. If you’re not careful, you can use up all of your data and end up paying more. Take advantage of every opportunity you get to use free Wi-Fi. Supermarkets like Target offer free Wi-Fi, you can use it while you do your weekly groceries. When you need to use the restroom, don’t go into a place that charges for the bathroom or requires you to make a purchase. Instead, take advantage of government-funded rest areas. Lastly, if you’re looking for a place to spend the night and you’re driving in familiar territory, you should stay with family or friends that live in the area. You’ll be saving on hotel expenses and spending time with your loved ones.
Keep Your Fleet Clean in Dallas
Did you know that regularly washing your trucks can help you spot small problems that can potentially turn into expensive damages? Keep your trucks clean and prevent having to pay for costly repairs by calling Fleet Clean USA: Dallas at (877) 477-9274 and schedule your fleet cleaning appointment.