How to Avoid TMA Fleet Downtime
A grounded attenuator truck can shut down a lane closure. A little planning around service, spares, and compliance keeps your fleet on the road.
Downtime on a TMA is expensive in a way that is easy to underestimate. When the shadow vehicle is out, the crew it protects cannot work. One truck in the shop can idle an entire operation for the day.
Where downtime comes from
- A failed deployment caught during setup, not during service
- An attenuator that needs re-certification after a hit
- A compliance gap that grounds the truck at inspection
- A single repair with no spare truck to cover it
Most of these are predictable. A monthly deployment test catches hydraulic and mounting problems before a crew relies on the unit. Keeping service records with the FHWA paperwork keeps inspections quick.
Build in redundancy
The simplest hedge is a spare. If owning one does not pencil out, a monthly rental at about $2,100 covers a unit that is down for repair or re-certification. Because our shop turns Scorpion and Blade rebuilds quickly, the gap stays short either way.
Track each unit's next service and next re-certification date. Downtime you schedule is cheaper than downtime that surprises you.
- How long does a re-certification take?
- It depends on the damage, but our shop prioritizes turnaround because we know the truck is not earning while it sits.
- Can I rent a bridge truck while mine is serviced?
- Yes. A short rental keeps your crew working while we finish the repair or re-certification.
Need a truck spec'd or serviced?
Tell us the job and we'll help — to buy, rent, or lease.