5 End of the Year Money-Saving Tactics

The Tail End of 2021 Doesn't Have to Be Expensive

If there's one industry that's been on a rollercoaster this year, it's trucking. Thriving in some areas and facing struggles in others, truckers and fleet owners across the country have experienced just about everything this year. And just as death and taxes are certainties in life, so is the fact that your truck or fleet won't wait until 2022 before something needs to be replaced.

Whether it's a burned-out headlight or an HVAC system that isn't really operating at the temperature it should be, driver safety and comfort can't wait until your new budget kicks in next year. But end-of-year expenses also don't have to mean a downward spiral into the red for your trucking business. It's possible to buy the quality of part you need at a manageable price with a little bit of know-how.

1. Reman Parts Vs Buying New

One often-missed way to bring high quality and high performance back to your vehicle without buying new is opting for reman parts. Reman, or remanufactured, parts tend to get a bad rap because of the common misconception that anything that isn't new isn't as good.

But what a lot of parts purchasers don't understand is that reman parts are re-engineered to work as good, if not better, than the original. During the reman process, highly trained reman engineers take the part down to its individual components, discarding what cannot be salvaged and replacing the rest. This not only addresses what was wrong with the part to begin with, but the reman part you get will also perform at the same level as brand new – all without the sticker price.

We recommend: Delco Remy starters and Horton fan clutches are both examples of crucial truck parts that can be purchased reman.

2. Focus on Fuel Efficiency

Another big money-eater for trucking businesses is fuel costs. Electric and hybrid trucks are already on the market but if you're still running on good old-fashioned diesel, that doesn't mean you don't still have options to save a little cash.

Investing in fuel-efficient truck parts has a few solid benefits for the savvy fleet operator:

• Parts that are built for fuel efficiency often have fewer components, weigh less, and engage/disengage less often than standard parts
• This means more fuel in the tank and more miles per gallon for your vehicle
• No matter how the price of fuel fluctuates, having fuel-efficient parts can help set you up for success in the long-term

We recommend: BorgWarner fan clutches to take some pressure off your engine and put it back into your fuel tank.

3. Buy for Your Truck's Life Cycle

The average life cycle of a semi-truck is about 16 years, but this may vary depending on what type of vehicle you're driving, how hard it's being worked, and how you replace the parts along the way. Being the first owner of a truck means a lot of time and investment into keeping it as new as possible, and that includes paying more for higher-quality parts.

But if you're the second or third owner or if this is the second, third or fourth time you're replacing parts on your vehicle, you've got a little more wiggle room with buying options. You don't want to go dirt cheap otherwise you'll be buying the exact same part again sooner rather than later, but it also doesn't make sense to spend a ton of money on a part for a 10-year-old truck.

We recommend: A sturdy value brand that can serve you well, and the good news is that the aftermarket has a selection of value brands from names you already know and trust. Meritor offers Meritor Genuine and Mach parts to meet you where you're at with your truck's life cycle.

4. Don't Buy a Brand; Buy a Part

Let's face it, we all have our own allegiances to certain brands whether it be cereal, electronics, or truck parts. But are you paying for only what you need or are you buying the price of a popular name? Burst your brand bubble and consider branching out to other options in the aftermarket that offer the same quality and performance without the higher price.

We recommend:Match Made, an up-and-coming force in the aftermarket across 8 categories including:

• Seals
• Water pumps
• Lighting
• Shocks
• Starters/alternators
• Custom mud flaps
• Air line parts and components

Match Made is a total solution for fleet operators and parts buyers who want the part and not just a name, and this rising star continues to add more to its product lineup.

5. Coupons Aren't Just for Groceries

We all know someone who sits at the kitchen table and either clips paper coupons or saves digital ones. But while getting BOGO dish detergent or 50 cents off of yogurt may not seem exciting, coupons can save you some bucks at the checkout for your truck parts, too. Rather than pointing and clicking on the first options that come up on Google or just opting for the cheapest part, scout the sales and look for coupon offerings – you'll be glad you did when you apply that coupon code and see how much comes off.

We recommend: Looking out for actions that will reward you with coupon codes, such as following parts companies on social media or subscribing to a newsletter. Many sites also offer monthly promotions, flash sales around popular holidays, or even clearance sections . If you've got a hefty order coming up, why not do a little detective work first and save yourself and your pocketbook a little bit of stress?