When it comes to owning and operating a business, trucking companies are among the most robust and well-established. Many have been in operation for decades and have grown into large, multinational corporations.This has created a culture of risk-taking and impatience among many owners, especially with regard to the maintenance of their fleets. The nature of trucking is such that it involves transporting perishable goods, commodities, and other items that must remain at a certain temperature. This means that maintenance schedules and protocols must be followed rigidly and without fail if these businesses are to function efficiently and safely. Moreover, drivers must be compliant with federal regulations regarding hours of service and record-keeping, among other things.In other words, trucking is not for the faint of heart and a strict set of protocols must be followed in order to ensure optimal safety and compliance. If you have your eye on starting a commercial trucking business, here are a few things you should know about maintaining commercial trucks in order to safeguard your business from costly mistakes and keep your employees safe on the road at all times.
One of the most important things that you can do to maintain commercial trucks is to schedule maintenance appointments frequently. This will ensure that all trucks are inspected and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.The frequency of these maintenance appointments will depend on the type of vehicle, its daily usage, and the climate in which it operates. For example, a fleet of refrigerated trucks will require more frequent preventative maintenance than a large-scale, dry van operation. In addition to inspecting and cleaning the engine and other key components, you should also be on the lookout for signs of wear and tear, as well as the presence of leaks and other issues.A thorough inspection and maintenance of commercial trucks can cost between $100 and $500 per inspection, including parts, labor, inspection hours, and taxes. However, the cost of not performing these services is much higher. In fact, failing to maintain your fleet can lead to costly repairs and downtime, which will affect productivity and profitability.
Besides inspecting commercial trucks on a regular basis and performing proper maintenance, you should also have the right tools and equipment at your disposal. For example, a diesel fuel analyzer can be used to make sure your fuel is of the highest quality and meets federal emissions standards.You might also want to consider adding a GPS tracking system to your fleet. This will help you keep tabs on the location and performance of your vehicles.It also comes in handy if you need to file a claim for damage or injury. This can help document the circumstances of an accident and help you collect damages more quickly.
When it comes to maintenance, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It is important to know when it is more cost-effective to repair a component rather than replace it. For example, if a tire on your commercial truck blows out, a bad patch might seem like the easier fix. However, if the tire is beyond repair, it is best to replace it.Maintenance is not just about replacing parts; it is also about making sure that the parts you have are in good working order. This is especially important in the food truck industry where even a small issue can affect the quality of the product being served.
The tires on your commercial truck are responsible for safety as well as fuel economy. As such, they should be inspected regularly and changed as needed. However, it is important to note that the tire pressure should not exceed the recommended PSI.If you do not have time to inspect and change your tires regularly, an automatic tire inflation system can help. This device is designed to maintain the correct tire pressure by regulating the flow of air into and out of the tire.This is important because under-inflated tires will increase wear and tear and decrease your vehicle’s fuel economy.
In the end, maintaining commercial trucks is all about prevention. You should always be on the lookout for signs of wear and tear, leaks, or other issues that could lead to costly repairs and downtime. This is especially true if you run a fleet of refrigerated trucks.Finally, remember that the most important part of any maintenance is the inspection. This will help you stay ahead of potential problems so that you can avoid costly repairs down the road.