How to Choose the Right Truck-Mounted Attenuator for Your Fleet

Choosing a TMA means matching the crash rating, the host truck, and the way you actually work. This walks through the decisions that matter before you buy.

Buying a TMA is a decision you live with for years. Get the rating and the truck match right and it protects crews across your whole range of jobs. Get it wrong and you either overpay or leave a gap. A few questions sort out most of it.

Start with speed and rating

• If any jobs run at 50 mph or above, you need a TL-3 device such as the Scorpion II.
• If all your work stays at 45 mph and below, a TL-2 device may fit.
• Confirm the unit is MASH 2016 compliant with a current FHWA eligibility letter.

Match the host truck

The attenuator and truck work as a system. The host should sit at roughly 26,000 lb GVWR or more so a striking vehicle cannot ride underneath. Check that the truck can carry the attenuator plus your other gear without exceeding its ratings.

Buy, rent, or lease

Ownership makes sense for steady, year-round work. For seasonal or project-based needs, renting or leasing keeps capital free. Rentals run around 300 dollars a day, 700 a week, or 2,100 a month, which can be the smarter path when your workload swings.