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

I will take your Ryan Leif and raise you a Brian Bosworth, the original 11 million dollar lemon.

 

Jim, just talk to your drivers in a respectful manner
Explain that the trailers are getting really beat up and money spent on repairs means less money in everyone's pockets.
Ask them in a way that isn't talking down to them to please be as careful as possible, and to get out and check if they aren't certain they are clearing fixed objects.
What you asked us, is what you should've asked them, and I liked your reply to our snarky answers.
It's not often we're thought of as human.
Usually, we're just expendable tools.

 

if you are only running 7 months a year, you are still paying 12 months a year for taxes, insurance, etc, on the equipment, right?

contact a logistics company and get some idea on pricing. in MASS where you are, in Franklin, there is Regency Transport. call them, see if they can handle your account for those months. there is also NFI (can't remember where they are), and a few others, in fact, check on Craig's List. many of the local MASS companies advertise for drivers. this gives you some companies to call and talk with.

it is not a matter of how you are paying or treating your drivers, it is simple economics. to have your equipment (i'm guessing) sitting for 5 months out of the year and you're still paying for insurance, etc, you are losing money.

sell that stuff off, hire an outside company, they can fill the bill when you need them.

 

No most seasonal operations have no problem prorating the taxes or insurance. They just lease the power and/or the trailers for the duration needed.

 

If your company is like ours most of your damage is caused by the
same few drivers. You don't need to micro manage your drivers but
if you watch you can soon tell who the problem guys are.

A driver that doesn't care enough to open the hood and check the oil,
or actually thump the tires, or check the oil in the reefer, etc will usually
not care to much about how he drives or parks. A driver who doesn't
care enough to park properly, or secure his load correctly will
not care if he messes up your trailer.

Some guys care, some don't.......trying to force some one who
doesn't care is like trying to push a rope.....you have to decide
at what point he costs to much.....

 

dag nabbit, my idea as well

 

You could NOT let them leave the yard.

 

Because you are handy?

Kind of sounds like a winner to me!