Should Owner-Operators Consider Remanufactured Engines?

If you're a semi-truck owner-operator, then you know that your vehicle can go the distance. Although heavy-duty diesel engines can last for hundreds of thousands of miles, they will all inevitably fail.

Many owners choose to perform an overhaul once the maintenance condition of their engine begins to impact its performance and efficiency. With so many miles driven per year, issues with reduced fuel economy, increased oil consumption, or frequent repairs can quickly become costly. If you find yourself in this situation, there are three reasons you should consider a reman engine instead of an overhaul.

1. Better Warranties

Professional remanufactured heavy-duty diesel engines typically come with extensive warranties. Although most shops that perform overhauls will warranty their work, these guarantees may be less comprehensive or include shorter terms. A good warranty helps to protect you from both labor defects and entirely unpredictable failures.

Before you perform an in-frame overhaul, consider the warranty offered carefully. If you can get a significantly more extended warranty with a fully remanufactured engine, then you may save yourself time and money in the future.

2. Fewer Repairs

Shops that perform in-frame overhauls on heavy-duty engines perform competent, high-quality work, but they cannot magically convert an old engine into a new one. An overhauled engine may last for hundreds of thousands of miles, but you may still experience failures on auxiliary components. A remanufactured engine ensures that more of your truck's critical components are new or refurbished.

As an owner-operator, reducing the frequency of repairs does more than save you the cost of parts and labor. Truck failures lead to downtime, and downtime can reduce the value of your contracts and make it more challenging to keep your business operations predictable. With a fully remanufactured engine, you can be confident that you'll experience fewer on-the-road failures.

3. More Value From Your Investment

Your truck is your business's most valuable and essential asset. The more you haul with your rig, the better value it provides. A quality remanufactured engine can last as long as a new one, allowing you to extend the lifespan of your vehicle drastically. As nice as it can be to buy a new truck, keeping your old one alive for many more additional miles often makes the most business sense.

Independent truck ownership means that you need to fulfill many roles, including business-owner and accountant. Although remanufactured engines may cost more initially, they offer the potential to improve your bottom line over the long haul. Contact companies that offer remanufactured diesel engines to learn more. 

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