Is a Grille Guard Worth the Investment for Your Truck?
Grille guards are a great addition to your truck that can protect your rig against traffic accidents, animal collisions, debris, and more — but they often spark debate among truck owners. They promise to provide protection against collisions with animals, debris, and even other vehicles, but many truck drivers, owner-operators, and truck companies want to know — is a grille guard worth the investment for your truck? Let’s take a closer look at why a RIGGUARD grille guard is worth the investment for your truck.
Should You Invest in a Semi Truck Grille Guard?
Did you know that the trucking and freight industry continues to grow year to year? The trucking industry in the United States was valued at an estimated $217.3 billion in 2022 with an expected compound growth rate of 3% into 2027. The market for grille guards has continued to grow and flourish as well with a value of $3.5 billion in 2021 and an estimated value of $5.4 billion in 2027.
With that in mind, many truck drivers, owners, and companies still question if it is worth the investment to purchase a grille guard. To understand if a grille guard is worth the investment, it is important to understand how much money a grille guard may be able to save you in terms of parts, maintenance, and potential downtime in the event of a collision.
How Much Money Can a Grille Guard Save You in Repairs?
When you are driving cross country, your truck is always at risk to take damage — whether it be from debris on the road that can crack a headlight or windshield, animal strikes that can result in major damage, or collisions with other vehicles on the road. That damage translates to money spent on parts, service, and repairs in addition to lost profits while your truck is being repaired. A grille guard can prevent major damage to your truck and help minimize the financial impact a collision has on your bank account and your livelihood.
Traffic accidents and animal collisions are a major concern for truck drivers who spend hours on the road. Trucks involved in an animal strike or accident can sustain major damage to the front end that can cost from $10,000 to $16,000 on average and can mean your truck is out of action for an average of two days. Front-mounted collision-avoidance systems are also expensive to repair to the tune of $3,000 or more when damaged. A high-quality grille guard can help mitigate damage to the front end of your truck and help drivers, owner-operators, and trucking companies save money on repairs and avoid downtime.
Grille guards provide protection against more than just animals and traffic. High-quality grille guards can reduce damage caused by loose rocks and debris on the highway. Headlights can be protected from debris with a grille guard and it can cost $75 to $400 to replace a headlight assembly yourself when damaged by debris. Road debris also has the potential to cause dents and dings that can lead to rust and more down the road.
Prices vary for semi truck grille guards based on the brand, design, and materials — but you can expect prices that range from $900 for entry-level grille guards to $6,000 for more elaborate grille guards. When you look at the prices for a high-quality grille guard compared to the potential costs for repairs and downtime, a grille guard that provides an extra layer of protection is worth the investment and will pay for itself in the end. Request a quote today to find a RIGGUARD grille guard that will fit your budget.
READ MORE: Top 3 Reasons Why Your Truck Needs a Grille Guard
Is a grille guard worth the investment for your truck? We hope that this quick breakdown of potential repair costs and grille guard prices has helped answer some of your questions. Contact RIGGUARD today to learn more about our grille guard design options and prices!