How can I stop our trailers from getting scratched, dinged, etc.

as said, get better drivers. maybe have a yard person to visually check each trailer as it comes in off the road. do a yard check each time the day starts and ends. have cameras in the yard.

i worked for a company that would use temp drivers. they were NEVER held accountable for any damages to anything. i was floored when the boss told me that.

 

or sell all the equipment and hire outside contracting companies like Ryder, Penske, Lily, Ruan, and let them supply the trucks, trailers, and be done with damages,

 

That would work well too. Plenty of third party carriers do stuff like that in all niches of trucking. Can probably get a really good deal these days, too. Considering the current freight market and all.

 

i worked for Ryder, Penske and Lily, and they handle it all. from routing, loading, logistics. one check pays them, you sit back and worry not. no damages, no claims.

this is what my current company does. we run dedicated for one customer. we supply the equipment. customer has smaller class B trucks for thier local deliveries. we supply the smaller warehouses they have, out of our d/c center.

 

I wholeheartedly agree with the idea you get what you pay for when it comes to driver's.

It seems your company is also getting what you pay for with your yard. If you have a small yard then put fewer trailers on it. If you need more trailers then find another yard nearby where you can rent overflow space. Compare the cost of that additional rent to the cost of repairs of damaged equipment.

Shippers and receivers trying to jam trailers together in tiny lots end up slowing down their operations anyway. Is there adequate room for a 53' trailer and tractor to set up properly with minimal pull ups, or are drivers struggling trying to jackknife and get straight to the hole?

Reading between the lines I think your yard is likely a nightmare, set up by someone who has never been in the driver's seat of a truck. Others have noted maybe hold drivers accountable. How about holding the owner or manager of the yard accountable to set up the operation in a sane manner?

Oh wait, you are paying for damage to equipment? I guess someone is being held accountable.

 

You guys make things so complicated. Problem solved in two words....

Bubble Wrap!

 

What do you do when drivers have time on their hands and stand there and pop bubbles? I know my boy and I pop bubbles wrap that comes with packages. Makes me feel young again.

 

Change your lot to 45 angle backs.

Light it better

Keep the painted lines clear from dust or add raised guideline bars.

Make it mandatory to slide tandems back and stick the bars out so drivers get a bump before smashing your trailer.

.....or get better drivers.

That stuff makes you look like a better boss and actually care though. Perception in reality.

 

Survey says, "NUMBER ONE ANSWER!!!!!!"

But something tells me that isn't the answer OP wants. Thing is, if you are going to own the equipment, youre going to have to hire solid drivers to insure the equip.ent lasts.

Which will net you more profit....

10 bonehead drivers who tear your equipment up, chronically late for appointments, pissing off your customers, racking up insurance claims, need to be handheld 24/7.

Or

3 solid drivers that are good at what they do, but want $.10- .15 cpm more.

"But Six, we are a seasonal gig. You can't fill seats with solid drivers for a seasonal gig."

True. I would dig up some off season work to float them through.

 

::raises hand at coming out for seasonal work at $30 an hour + overtime after my sixth hour::

...
....
Seriously that's my price.

No bottom feeders allowed.