An Important Acronym

Be sure to visit the Freightliner booth at this year’s Mid America Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky. The show begins today on March 27 and runs through Saturday March 29, 2014. This year’s theme for Freightliner is “Total Cost of Operation.” (TCO) I will be at the booth along with my fellow Team Run Smart drivers. We would be happy to meet and talk with you about our true TCO experience driving the Cascadia Evolution.

The Cascadia Evolution is all about offering the lowest TCO possible. When purchasing a truck, there is a lot more to consider than just the price itself. Other factors include: fuel efficiency, reliability/uptime, maintenance, ergonomics, safety, insurance, driveline selection, tires and even mud flaps. The sleeper, refrigerator and microwave are also important considerations as well. Without a sleeper provided on the truck, you would be forced to pay hotel expenses. The refrigerator and microwave allow you to save time by preparing your meal while sitting at a dock. Also, since you’ll be taking food along to prepare, this enables you to make healthier choices. The ParkSmart HVAC system or an APU allows you to sleep and rest without idling the engine. Properly designed seats with necessary adjustments will help to preserve the health of your body by offering the correct support and comfort. The drivetrain is vital to your TCO. Having an efficient and reliable engine such as the Detroit Diesel DD15 and DT12 transmission are major contributors to your bottom line. Detroit has added “Virtual Technician” which is like having your own technician on board 24 hours a day for 7 days a week. This unique feature can save you valuable time by letting you know in advance if there are any mechanical issues which need repair and if the service needs are immediate or can be postponed until later. Another factor to consider is knowing that you have a large dealer service network and parts availability.

In reality, the subject of TCO is all consuming of the above and much more. Below, I’ve posted a mission statement of Freightliner which sums up their philosophy in regards to TCO.

Henry Albert

Henry Albert is the owner of Albert Transport, Inc., based in Statesville, NC. Before participating in the "Slice of Life" program, Albert drove a 2001 Freightliner Century Class S/T™, and will use his Cascadia for general freight and a dry van trailer. Albert, who has been a trucker since 1983, was recognized by Overdrive as its 2007 Trucker of the Year.