Having secured a contract, an operator’s first consideration is the purchase of the best vehicle (truck and trailer) for the given application. Correct vehicle selection is a tricky business and choosing incorrectly can cost dearly in the long run. “A cardinal rule when purchasing or leasing a vehicle is to consider the overall lifecycle costs of the vehicle and not simply buy on price. Truck buyers need to consider what the direct and indirect running costs of the vehicle will be during its service life. Selecting the cheapest vehicle on the market could prove costly in the long run,” says Christoffer Ljungner, managing director, Scania southern Africa.

The direct costs to consider when buying or leasing a truck include: the purchase price, depreciation/resale value, insurance costs, licencing and toll costs, interest, fuel, tyres and maintenance. The indirect costs to bear in mind while surveying the ‘showroom floor’ are: driver retention, your brand/company image, load maximization, safety, the environmental impact of the truck and opportunity costs (having a more versatile vehicle will broaden the scope for new business).

According to Dave van Graan, management board member, group marketing for MAN Truck and Bus (SA), “there is a ‘tried and trusted’ method when it comes to vehicle selection that can be broken down into five areas – operating environment and vehicle layout; vehicle performance (power-toweight ratio and fuel efficiency); health and safety; maintenance; and appearance.”

According to a white paper on vehicle selection drafted by the New Zealand Department of Land Transport (NZ DoLT), some universal rules apply to ensure optimum truck procurement: “The first step is to determine what the vehicle will be used for, the conditions it will regularly be operating under and any other operational or legal constraints. This information will provide the basic requirements for the vehicle including the type of loads that it will be able to carry, how much deck space is required, the type of body to be fitted and how loads will be secured. Don't forget to consider requirements such as licencing and toll fees, static rollover threshold (SRT) and the Department of Transport’s ‘Dimensions and Mass’ restrictions as these will affect the vehicle's configuration including the number of axles, deck length and suspension.”

“Step two is to consider the overall vehicle performance because this has a major impact on the success of an operation. Once the basic layout of the vehicle has been decided, the next task is to consider specific factors affecting performance, such as engineering and vehicle components. Some of these are required by law to meet vehicle standards.

“Pay particular attention to engine power, torque requirements, transmission gearing, differential ratios, suspension systems, wheels and tyres. You should aim to ensure that there is sufficient power available to handle the work required using the least amount of fuel and with the lowest-possible life cycle costs. Another area to consider is investment in braking technology - for example, ABS brakes can reduce wear on brake pads as well as offering additional safety benefits. Vehicle performance is also affected by the engine cooling system, exhaust system, air conditioning and other engine and transmission-related equipment.”