The largest trucking companies typically use a combination
of owned and leased trucks in their fleets. The decision to own or lease trucks
can depend on a variety of factors, including the company’s financial
situation, the cost of purchasing and maintaining trucks, and the availability
of qualified drivers.
Some of the largest trucking companies, such as Schneider
National and J.B. Hunt, own a significant portion of their truck fleets. Owning
trucks can provide more control over maintenance and repair schedules, as well
as greater flexibility in route planning. However, owning trucks also requires
a significant upfront investment and ongoing maintenance costs.
Other large trucking companies, such as Swift Transportation
and Knight Transportation, rely heavily on leased trucks. Leasing can provide a
more flexible fleet size and allow for easier scaling of operations, but may
also result in higher costs over the long term.
Ultimately, the decision to own or lease trucks depends on
the specific needs and goals of each trucking company. Some companies may
choose to use a mix of owned and leased trucks to balance the benefits and
drawbacks of each approach.
