As a semi-truck driver or fleet owner, you likely plan for a lot of expenses in your business, from licensing fees and fuel to the cost of repairs and maintenance. But when your semi is unexpectedly out of commission, it can quickly impact your profitability in ways you haven’t planned for. Every hour your semi sits in a repair shop leads to lost revenue, delayed deliveries, route problems, and angry customers. While there will always be a chance that a truck breaks down unexpectedly, there are many causes of downtime that can be anticipated and prevented.
Tire Problems
Tire issues are one of the most common causes of roadside breakdowns. Underinflated tires, uneven tread wear, punctures, and blowouts can all bring a haul to an unexpected stop. Regularly checking your tire pressure, inspecting the depth of your tire tread, and looking for signs of damage before each haul can help you catch these problems early. Rotating tires based on the manufacturer’s recommendations and replacing worn tires before they become unsafe can also reduce the odds of these expensive delays.
Battery Failures
A failing battery can prevent your rig from even starting, or can cause critical electrical components to malfunction. Aging batteries and corroded terminals worsen over time, and signs of the wear are often visible well before a breakdown occurs. Routinely testing your battery, cleaning the terminals, and inspecting attached wiring as a part of routine maintenance will help you catch these issues before they leave you with unexpected downtime.
Worn Out Brakes
Brakes naturally wear down over time, so it’s important that you’re inspecting and replacing them on schedule. Delaying maintenance can lead to expensive repairs as well as unsafe driving conditions for everyone on the road with you. Worn brake pads, damaged rotors, air leaks, and failing brake chambers can all take your rig out of service. Be sure to get routine brake inspections and replace worn-out components quickly to reduce the odds of your semi missing deliveries.
Skipping Preventative Maintenance
Many of these issues can often be avoided with routine maintenance. Maintaining your semi is incredibly important for keeping your deliveries on schedule, as well as preserving the long-term reliability of your rig. Missed maintenance can often lead to bigger problems down the road. The repairs get bigger, deliveries get missed, and your truck’s condition degrades. That’s why it’s also important to always ask for maintenance records when you’re looking at used semi-trucks for sale in Dallas. A truck that’s received regular maintenance is more likely to be a more reliable rig than one that had recurring downtime because of these common, avoidable issues.