Upfitting your fleet vehicles will benefit your operations if done properly. Vehicle upfitting is the process of enhancing vehicles or customizing their accessories to suit the owner's actual needs.
These upfits help company employees manage their time on the road effectively and hassle-free. This article examines all you need to know about the vehicle upfitting process.
How is Upfitting Beneficial to Your Fleet?
If you have a fleet of vehicles, you can customize them with different fittings. This will usually depend on the work you engage in. You may decide to standardize the Upfitting of your entire fleet to ensure all drivers have similar experiences. Most fleet operators usually have a hard time finding drivers. Thus, upfitting is one of the ways of attracting more qualified drivers. Updating your fleet vehicles to suit your employees' needs is also beneficial as it will increase their productivity.
What Should You Do Before Upfitting?
It is crucial to consider a few things before upfitting your fleet vehicles. Because most upfits are customized, a company has many options to filter through. First, you should comprehend the enhancements you need before contracting a reputable upfitting company.
Also, ensure that you know the number of vehicles that need upfitting. Knowing your budget and the time required to upfit your fleet is also crucial. Some industries require no upfitting for their vehicles. The real estate industry is one such example. However, there are some jobs suited for upfitting. They include contracting, plumbing, electric, and Internet installation jobs.
What Should You Consider When Upfitting?
The suitability of any upfitting on your vehicles depends on their body style. For example, it would be impractical to upfit a sedan for a professional plumber. But a van would be more suited for any professional contractor. Thus, you need to consider your vehicle's body type before starting the upfitting process.
What are the Dos of Upfitting?
The first thing you should consider before upfitting is exploring the available upfits for your vehicle types. If you don't own a vehicle, it may help to think about upfitting that suits your business. It is best to get a vehicle that maximizes the efficiency of your employees.
Next, you should determine your total budget—plan how you intend to do the upfitting to completion.
Finally you need to understand the specifications for your particular vehicle. The reason is that those doing the upfitting will require such information before making any changes.
What are the Don'ts of Upfitting?
The first thing you should avoid when upfitting is making decisions individually. Collective decision-making is crucial, especially when managing an entire fleet. This is because it makes everyone feel involved in the business's success. In turn, employees feel more motivated, and their productivity increases.
You should also not shy away from making a significant investment. While upfits can be expensive, the return on investment will be worth it.
Another thing you shouldn't do is try to make particular upfits to favor specific workers. This may cause some employees to feel discriminated against.
Finally, don't act on everyone's wishes. But you can listen to all the opinions of individuals with a vested interest in upfitting before proceeding.
What is the Process of Updating a Fleet Vehicle?
Upfitting cannot be a DIY process as it is overwhelming. If your neighborhood has a fleet sales manager, they can help you throughout the process. These are professionals with enough expertise to advise you on which fleet vehicle upfits will be ideal for your vehicles. The following steps can come in handy during upfitting:
- Establish the vehicles you intend to upfit.
- Determine the ideal upfit for your fleet of vehicles.
- After upfitting, it is crucial to test your vehicles.
Let's Help You Manage Your Fleet!
If you are looking for customized fleet solutions for vehicles, Wilmar is your one-stop shop. We are North Carolina's largest independent fleet leasing and management company. Our mission is to deliver customized fleet solutions to help you operate your businesses more efficiently. Contact us now!
