If you’re managing a products company, you know that more often than not, clients need their orders as soon as possible. No matter what your industry, speedy delivery is a universally high-value service. Box truck deliveries – particularly those with same-day and next-day capabilities – can help you achieve that.

Box trucks are ideal for companies that make frequent deliveries and drop-offs and have fast turnaround times. It’s a means of reliable transportation without the trailer, allowing for easier deliveries – particularly in tighter urban and suburban terrain. Working with a 3PL for box truck delivery services can help you enhance customer service, reduce liability risk, and even save money. 

What Exactly is a Box Truck?

According to the American Trucking Associations, trucks move roughly 73 percent of the nation’s freight by weight. A good number of those local deliveries involve some type of box truck.

Box trucks fairly obviously get their name from their shape: They look like giant boxes. Sometimes referred to as a “cube truck,” “box van,” “cube van” or even “rolling toaster,” a box truck is typically much smaller than a full-size cargo truck, though with many of the same positive features. It doesn’t have a trailer, which can reduce the amount of time spent loading, hauling, and unloading. They tend to be smaller than dry vans, and they’re often more affordable than larger rigs. They’re also pretty secure – and fairly safe, when driven by an experienced, careful driver.

Some businesses invest in their own box truck purchases for local deliveries. Anyone considering buying a box truck right now should know the current market is quite volatile. According to truckpaper.com, a popular site for large truck sales, a used, tandem axle, 24′ box truck is probably going to cost somewhere north of $50,000, depending on the condition and mileage. A brand new 24′ tandem-axle box truck is probably going to be around $75,000, at least – and that’s if you can find it. Most medium-sized chassis trucks are backordered until at least 2023. On top of that, you need someone trained, reliable, and insured to load and drive it. Then there are maintenance outlays, gas expenses, and more. The costs can quickly add up.

Arranging 3PL box truck deliveries is often a smarter, more cost-effective option for many companies. At On Time Delivery & Warehouse, we have the box truck fleet AND the disciplined workforce to get goods where they need to go.

Benefits of Our Cleveland Box Truck Deliveries

Any good transportation fleet needs to ensure prospective customers have a wealth of options. At On Time Delivery & Warehouse, in addition to 53′ and 48′ trailers and flatbeds, we also have a fleet of both 24′ box trucks and 26′ box trucks – ensuring your same-day and next-day local deliveries will be on time, every time.

Specific upsides to working with a 3PL for box truck deliveries:

• Money-saving. Box trucks are ideal for same-day and next-day service, particularly for small-to-medium operations. When you work with a third-party logistics firm to handle your deliveries, you save a ton on overhead costs like fuel, repairs, essential maintenance, insurance, and drivers. We already have the fleet and it costs us less to pick up, store, and drop off your goods than it’s going to cost you as a smaller firm.
• Lowered liability risk. Operation of box trucks may or may not require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate. That’s because it typically goes by weight. In Ohio, CDLs are required for operation of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 pounds or more. Some box trucks, like a 16′ single-axle, might not meet that criteria. (Many 24′ box trucks will, particularly when loaded up.) But in both cases, these are vehicles that have differences in visibility (including large blind spots), require additional space to maneuver, need more time to brake and have a vehicle structure that is more prone to tipping. An inexperienced driver or a poorly-maintained truck can lead to devastating crashes. For this reason, insurance policies covering box trucks are often expensive. When you partner with a 3PL, they take on the liability and risk. That allows you and your team to focus more on the day-to-day tasks that are central to your own operations.
• Improved customer service. Contracting with a company that is in the business of ensuring on time deliveries means that customers are more likely to get their shipments when they need them and without unnecessary delays. Better customer satisfaction boosts your own business reputation.

If you have questions about our Cleveland trucking services, contact On Time Delivery & Warehouse by calling (440) 826-4630 or sending us an email.

Additional Resources:

Economics and Industry Data, American Trucking Associations

More Blog Entries:

Cleveland Flatbed Trucking Demand & Insights, Dec. 15, 2021, Cleveland Trucking Services Blog