How Much Does a Semi Truck Grille Guard Reduce Downtime?
Veteran truck drivers and fleet owners understand how important it is to protect trucks on the road and how much time and money damaged trucks can cost. Freight companies interested in semi truck grille guards want to know if grille guards will prevent downtime and how much a semi truck grille guard reduces downtime when you are involved in an accident on the road. RIGGUARD is here to help answer your questions and illustrate why grille guards for your commercial truck are worth the investment.
How Do Grille Guards Save Time and Money for Trucking Companies?
Your fleet of trucks is the lifeblood of your trucking company and when trucks aren’t on the road, you aren’t making any money. This cold, hard reality incentivizes protecting your trucks from traffic accidents, animal strikes, and debris on the road that can lead to extended downtime. The average cost of downtime for a commercial trucking company is $448 – $760 per day that a truck is not operating — and semi truck grille guards can reduce downtime by an estimated 80% and reduce the money needed for parts and repairs by protecting key mechanical components of your truck.
Financial and Hidden Costs of Downtime for Commercial Trucks
When a commercial truck is damaged, it costs time and money that are critical to the long-term success of your company and there are even more hidden costs that are associated with damage to commercial trucks that go beyond the very real cost of parts and repairs. It is important that trucking companies do not discount the added protection provided by a high-quality grille guard.
Here is a breakdown of the costs associated with downtime for semi trucks:
Parts and Repair Costs
Parts and repair costs are the primary focus when a truck is damaged and put out of service. When a truck is involved in a frontal collision, key mechanical components that are susceptible to damage include the radiator, headlights, engine block, air brake lines, and radar-based collision avoidance systems. These parts by themselves can cost thousands of dollars with a radiator costing an estimated $1,350 – $3,500 and the money to install new components adding to the repair bill.
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Towing & Recovery | $800 – $1,500 |
| ADAS Radar Sensor | $2,500 – $3,500 |
| Radiator | $1,350 – $3,500 |
| Headlights | $300 – $400 |
| Grille | $150 – $800 |
| Emergency Shop Repair Rates | 40–60% Premium |
Lost Revenue
When you look beyond parts and repair costs, you will find that lost revenue is a hidden cost that can add up when a truck is out of service. The lost revenue for a truck out of service is based on the company and the cargo that it is expected to carry and can range from $448 – $1,200 per day on average. The average time to repair moderate damage to a commercial truck is 7 – 14 days and 3 – 6 weeks to repair severe damage — which can be reduced by an estimated 80% by equipping your truck with a grille guard. When you look at the daily lost revenue and factor in how long repairs can take, it adds up to a significant cost.
Operating Costs
The operating costs for a commercial truck add up and when a truck is damaged, freight companies are still responsible for those bills. Key operating costs to consider include insurance payments, driver wages, and fuel costs. Insurance payments can range from $25 – $65 per day or $750 – $2,000 per month and even when a truck is damaged, companies still need to pay for insurance and similar costs.
Hidden Costs
The costs tied to downtime for commercial trucks can add up quickly — but there are still hidden costs that are more difficult to calculate. These hidden costs can include things like the cost of expired cargo if you operate a refrigerated truck, late delivery fees, and dissatisfied customers that may decide to choose a new freight carrier for their business in the future.
READ MORE: What Are the Benefits of a Grille Guard?
How much does a semi truck grille guard reduce downtime? This is a question that many fleet owners and owner-operators ask when they consider investing in a RIGGUARD grille guard. With the ability to reduce downtime by an estimated 80%, a high-quality grille guard can save you time and money with a modest initial investment that is well worth it.
Contact RIGGUARD today to find a grille guard that will fit your truck!