By Steve Pollock

PITTSBURGH, PA… Sometimes renting or leasing a trailer can be the best option.  It is a great way to accommodate a temporary haul for a customer without the long-term financial obligation of buying a trailer.  Many fleets use renting/leasing as a tool to adjust fleet size as needed.  It is also a means to acquire a replacement trailer while your trailer is in the shop for extended repairs.  Sometimes it just makes financial sense to rent or lease instead of buying.

Tri-State Trailer Sales of Pittsburgh started their own leasing division in 2007 and it has grown to be one of the largest regional over the road rental and leasing operations in the area. Tri-State Trailer Leasing, Inc. or TSTL, Inc. has over 500 road trailers for rent or lease from 4 locations in 2 states.  In Pennsylvania, TSTL, Inc. facilities are located in Pittsburgh and Lancaster as well as Hubbard (Youngstown) and Cincinnati, Ohio.  Tri-State Trailers Leasing has several rental/leasing options available for their customers.

  Rentals: Complete flexibility with no time or equipment obligations. The rental term ends when the trailer is returned.  A very good option for seasonal or occasional increases in freight volumes. 

Operating Lease:  This lease allows for flexibility and usually has the lowest monthly payment.  The customer avoids owning equipment they don’t need and no equipment debt shows on their balance sheet.  The operating lease also allows for early termination and equipment swaps if necessary.  The trailers are also cared for under a full maintenance program. 

Lease With Purchase Option:  This option is a little more expensive, however the leasing company assumes all risks regarding equipment value at the end of the lease.  The customer may opt to return the trailer or purchase it at the end of the lease. 

Finance Contract or Conditional Sale:  The customer is able to write-off the full depreciation and interest of the equipment.  The payments build equity and the customer owns the trailer after the last lease payment.

While many leasing companies offer van trailers for lease, Tri-State Trailers, Inc. has a wide variety of trailers for many different applications.  TSTL, Inc. has Vanguard and various other brands of dry vans available in standard and drop frame, both 53’ x 102” and 48’ x 102” with swing or roll-up doors in spring or air ride.  Many are equipped with trailer skirts so they are California compliant.  All of the refrigerated trailers are skirted and have late model Thermo King and Carrier refrigeration units, many of which are Shore Power equipped.  All reefer trailers are CARB compliant.  TSTL also has a wide selection of flatbed trailers.  The line up included flats, extendables, single drops, 42-ton mechanical detachables and 55-ton lowboys.  Most of the flatbeds are aluminum with bulkheads and tool boxes.  There are some steel and combo trailers as well.  Both 48’ and 53’ x 102” are in stock in Air ride spreads or spring sliders.  These are Reitnouers, East and Benson trailers.  In addition, TSTL, Inc. has a wide selection of tank trailers for petroleum, sand or food grade applications.

When you rent or lease a trailer from Tri-State Trailer Leasing, you can be confident that it is mechanically sound.  The company has regular maintenance intervals on all lease trailers and each trailer receives two FHWA inspections a year. TSTL, Inc. also offers local and nationwide road service repairs for all of their rent/lease trailers.

If you would like to see if renting or leasing a trailer is a viable option for your company, contact leasing expert Rick Daley.  Rick will be glad to recommend the best rental/lease package for your company in addition to spec’ing the right trailer for your particular haul.  Rick can be reached at 422-747-1777, ext. 28 or on his cell phone at 422-979-1695.  Requests can also be emailed to rdaley@tristatepgh.com or fax to 422-771-7972.

Tri-State Trailer Sales was founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by Frank Mancino in 1985.  Currently the company has grown to 4 full service facilities – Pittsburgh, PA; Lancaster, PA; Hubbard, OH; and Cincinnati, OH under CEO Joe Mancino - offering new and used trailers, parts, service and trailer rental and leasing.  To learn more about Tri-State Trailer Sales, log onto www.tristatetrailer.com or call 422-747-7777.