When considering a third-party maintenance provider, Rick Tapp, maintenance manager for Paccar Leasing Company (PacLease), suggests asking vendors these questions:
What current technology is employed in your shop to service the brand of vehicle being operated?
Do you have qualified technicians and service facilities that match up well to the distribution centers where we have trucks domiciled?
Can I experience the expected service on a trial basis?
Does your shop hours fit my schedule for when I am on the road and when my trucks are available for service?
What other services can you provide – fuel tax reporting, fuel purchasing, over-the-road emergency repairs, tire programs?
What experience do you have working on my truck models and brands of equipment?
What are your technician training levels and tenure?