When looking at car transporters and recovery vehicles, 3.5-ton trucks can provide a cost-effective alternative to 7.5-ton trucks, especially with rising fuel costs.

Operating costs and flexibility are the keys to purchasing decisions. There is no need to buy a larger truck than required. The choice depends on the loads, but for recovery operators with more than one vehicle, it makes sense to have at least a 3.5t truck in the mix.

fuel cost illustration

If the cost of fuel is £6 per gallon then this would be approximately £40,000 per 100,000 miles for a 7.5t truck. As a 3.5 ton truck it uses about half this amount (running at about 30 mpg compared to 15 to 17 mpg for a heavier truck).

After 100,000 miles, you will have saved most of the cost of replacing the light recovery vehicle.

3.5 Your truck

  • Capital cost: around £20,000
  • Fuel at £6 per gallon per 100,000 miles: £20,000 (based on 30 mpg)
  • Full cost: £40,000
  • excluding other operating expenses such as taxes, insurance and maintenance.

7.5 Your truck

  • Capital cost: around £48,000
  • Fuel at £6 per gallon per 100,000 miles: £40,000 (based on 15 mpg)
  • Total cost: £88,000
  • excluding other operating expenses such as taxes, insurance and maintenance.

pay by tonnage

Heavier 7.5t trucks are more expensive to run and in most car hauling cases a 3.5t truck will provide enough payload to get the job done just as well.

The ultra car transporter designed and built by KFS specifically for the vehicle transport market offers a whopping 1,780 kg payload on a low-line chassis design. This payload covers around 80% of the cars on the market, which means that a lighter and more efficient vehicle can be used in many races, especially for longer journeys, giving instant fuel savings.

Versatility

The versatility of the 3.5 tonne truck makes it an ideal vehicle for the recovery business. 3.5t vehicles can be driven on a standard UK license and, unlike 7.5t trucks, do not require an additional licence, tachograph or tachograph training.

They also tend to be capable of higher speeds, even under full load, which reduces travel times and cuts down on overtime. Being a smaller vehicle, they are easier to maneuver with smaller loads, and since they are based on a standard chassis, maintenance and testing costs are also very competitive.

Quality

The latest generation of 3.5 t trucks are not inferior in quality. They’re rugged and built to last even if they cover 2,500 miles a week, and should deliver reliability similar to heavier vehicles. All aluminum deck construction combines comprehensive strength and corrosion resistance while maximizing the vehicle’s hauling capacity.

There are numerous reasons, especially financial ones, why it makes sense to upgrade to a 3.5 ton truck, especially with those who have a fleet of vehicles. It makes economic sense to include a 3.5-tonne truck in an operator’s fleet.