Tractor "Personalization"

[Deleted]

Ok, so in general, how much "personalization", for lack of a better term, is a driver allowed to do to a fleet tractor? Let's assume for a minute that it's a tractor that the company actually ownes, and not a O/O lease. I assume that with an O/O lease then the driver can pretty much do what he/she wants as it's their rig. Right?

[06impala]

Let me say this, about that. I know a guy who worked at USF Holland when they were in Philly. He was assigned a brand new KW city tractor. He went out and bought some pin stripes and did the truck up pretty nicely. He was promptly told to remove the stripes as it was against company policy to personalize company equipment. Unless the personalization is company approved, you can't do it, unless it's something like a million mile award or safe driving award affixed to the side of the truck with your name on it.

[chris2]

The fleet i work for (prefer not to name) allows guys to add stick on chrome, like vent covers chrome bezels on the dash center caps on the wheels and lug caps ect.. when we had FL Columbias one guy had the chrome insert under the grille with "Columbia" spelled out. Any kind of sticker is really frowned upon, other than the drivers name or "handle" usually on the door. A few of the guys have rear licence plates. I think one has a extra front plate. plate frames are popular also. one guy had a really nice lazer cut stainless Cb antenna mount made to attach to his drivers mirror. schiznet hit the fan over that one. Im not sure if its still on there or not. any drilling on the outside of the truck will get you walked out. also no extra lights are allowed, however some do have various lights that plug in the power port inside the truck.

[Bri]

Most companies frown on personalization unless you are leasing the truck for purchase like Prime Inc. does with their drivers. When I was driving for Swift they did not allow hardly any personalization on their company trucks for a variety of reasons. For example, if your truck experienced a major mechanical breakdown, they would assign you another truck and if the repair took long enough, you didn't get your old truck back. Alot of drivers didn't want to sink a bunch of money into a truck they might lose without warning.

[thumper]

The company my folks drove for didn't allow anything at all to be affixed to the tractor at all .
but I'm all for the driver awards... I think that's a great ideas..

[Deleted]

That's kind of what I figured. Didn't really think companies would really like drivers putting stuff on company equipment.

[chris2]

our general manager has said that these trucks are the drivers home for a week at a time, they need to be allowed some freedom. however they do set pretty strict limits.

[Deleted]

That's a nice policy. When I said "personilization" I wasn't talking about repainting or "Trick My Truck" type stuff, but more along the lines of your favorite NASCAR drivers number, or small stckers, or something like that.

[78KW]

Small stuff is usually allowed. With stickers, though, keep them to the windows, and off the paint. You can usually get away with putting red lenses on the work lights on the back of the sleeper(Often the only "chicken lights" a company driver is allowed.) lol

9 times out of 10, if you have to use a drill to install it, then it's not allowed. Although mudflap weights were an exception anywhere I've worked as long as you didn't hang "The Mudflap Girl". I always used to put the weights along the bottom of the flap.

Also, interior chrome was allowed as well, like the rings around your gauges, etc. The interior is where the driver usually has the most freedom( provided no drilling is done, especially to the dash.)

[Bri]

CB radios were another area where drivers were allowed alot of leeway as long as the antennas weren't drilled into the cab or mounted in such a way that factory equipment was damaged or compromised. Even some window decals were prohibited if found to be offensive or lewd. Again, it all depends on the comapny you're hauling for. Image is everything!