Loaded with extras

Trailer-leasing companies today are doing much more than just renting out boxes. They now offer 24-hour emergency service, computerized maintenance, and other options.

By Staff -- Logistics Management, 5/1/1998

A box is not just a box. That's what trailer- and container-leasing companies are telling customers today. More and more, lessors are touting the value-added services they offer.

No wonder. The Truck Renting and Leasing Association, based in Alexandria, Va., says that some 275,000 trailers were leased in the United States in 1994 (the last year for which figures are available). To gain a slice of that market, lessors have to give

the customer special value with their lease. Here are a few of the additional services companies offer today.

TIP provides a variety of trailer-financing programs with long-term lease and financing options. TIP has the flexibility to structure either operating leases or capital leases with purchase options or return provisions.

TIP also can provide early termination and equipment upgrade options. These can be customized to suit a customer's needs and circumstances (operational, accounting, and tax). For instance, the company can provide a fair-market-value purchase-option lease. Such an arrangement allows the lessee to purchase the equipment at the end of the lease for its fair market value.

TIP has 150 locations throughout North America. It will lease any type of trailer and will even purchase customized equipment for a long-term lease.