How to handle leased trailer damageIt happens to everyone. You just need to know how to handle leased trailer damage. You are responsible for damage to a leased trailer while it is in your possession. Remember, I said leased trailer damage, not wear and tear. You have the right to repair the damaged trailer yourself. Either in house or through a repair facility of your choice. There are guidelines though. Every reputable trailer leasing company will have a document stating what their repair standards are for a damaged trailer and what is considered normal wear. Ask for a copy before you lease a trailer. Normal wear will never include consumables like brakes, tires, and other maintenance items. You may or may not be responsible for these items depending on the type of lease you have. Wear and tear is just what it sounds like. Small incidental scratches on the exterior, holes less than 3 or 4" on interior plywood liners, and the corners of scuff bent back. A 6" gash in the scuff at mid-trailer is not wear and tear. That is damage. Trailer damage is basically everything wrong with the trailer that was not there when you signed for it at the beginning of the trailer lease. Broken lights, missing mud flaps, gouges and holes in side panels, and tears in the roof are all considered damage. You are responsible for this damage, but you do not have to allow the lessor to repair the trailer and then turn around and charge you for the repairs. In fact I would advise against having the leasing company repair the damage. I would recommend repairing the damage in my own shop or a shop from which I have personally received quotes. Why? The reason is simple. Mark-up. Trailer leasing companies are in business just like you are...to make money. Mark-up for repairs on leased trailer damage is big. I have seen as much as 50% mark-up. That means that $1000 invoice to the leasing company just became a $1500 invoice to you. That is 33.33% gross profit to their bottom line. This means even if you repair the damaged trailer at another trailer repair shop you could save a large amount of money on just one leased trailer. You must always get a quote in writing up front before any repair is made. This is especially true if you decide to have the work done at the leasing company's repair shop. This protects you. It is a must. Important information about repairing damage to a leased trailerRemember...leased trailer damage must be repaired to the lessor's specifications. Don't forget to ask for a copy of the leasing company's repair standards before you lease a trailer from them. This repair standard should also advise you to the standard of repair for the year of the trailer you are leasing. Generally this means a trailer must be repaired to a condition of semi-trailers of the same age and wear. For example, trailers less than 3 years old that have a damaged panel must have the panel replaced with a new panel. Trailers more than 3 years old might only require a panel patch or panel section. I have seen many companies pay company "A" for less than standard work only to end up paying a second time to have the correct repairs made. Don't let it happen to you.
return from leased trailer damage to tractor trailer leasing
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