Forklift rental tracking
Forklift Rental Tracking: Stop Paying for Rentals You Don't Need
Forklift rental tracking means knowing, at any time, which rental units are on site, why they were rented, how long they've been there and what they've cost. FleetShield builds that list from your rental invoices automatically, so a rental that outlived its reason shows up on a screen instead of in an audit two years later.
Why do forklift rentals get forgotten?
- The purchase order has no end date, so nothing ever forces the question "do we still need this?"
- The rental invoice looks like every other invoice from a dealer you already pay.
- The person who rented the truck isn't the person paying for it.
- Once the broken truck is fixed, the problem feels solved, but the rental keeps billing.
One company we know paid about $96,000 in rent over 24 months on two forklifts that were only meant to cover a repair.
What should you track for every rental?
- The unit and its serial number
- The site it's at
- The start date
- Why it was rented, and which owned truck it covers
- The monthly rate and the total paid so far
- Who is responsible for sending it back
How does FleetShield track rentals?
FleetShield recognizes rental invoices as they come in and keeps every active rental on one list, with how long it's been on site and what it has cost so far, right next to the rest of your fleet. When the truck it was covering is back in service, the rental is in front of you to send back.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a forklift?
For a short-term need, renting. Long term, rent adds up: at about $2,000 a month, a rental costs as much as a new $50,000 electric sit-down in roughly 25 months. Rental agreements can include maintenance, so compare the full terms. But any rental that has been on site for more than a year deserves the question.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a forklift rental last?
As long as the reason it was rented. A rental covering a repair should go back when the owned truck is back in service. Put a return or review date on the purchase order when you open it.
Does FleetShield need access to my rental company's system?
No. It reads the rental invoices you already receive.
Can FleetShield show rental cost by site?
Yes. Each rental is tied to the site it's at, so you can see what each location is spending on rentals.