Even the most seasoned truck driver may be stuck on the side of the road with a significant issue of breakdown that is quite a hassle. Additionally, towing and repairs can get extremely expensive if one is not aware of how much truck repairs and downtime can cost. The knock-on effects will impact their personal business’s bottom line.
Having a Truck Breakdown while hauling loads of cargo or in the middle of a desert highway can be dreadful. Being well informed about the major causes of truck breakdowns can save money and time down the road and help to get back up and running.
Significant causes of Truck breakdowns and how to prevent them
Some common reasons for truck breakdowns may be caused by mechanical errors, or due to flat tires which can be caught early and even prevented. Let us look out a few prevalent causes that we’ve seen over the years -
Tire Trouble
Truck drivers are aware that the tires keep the vehicle stuck to the road evenly without any issue in regular times. They are typically considered to be the essential components of any vehicle. A simple flat can sideline a truck for hours as they are the leading cause for most roadside failures. It may be related to under inflation, low tread depth, or misaligned axles.
To endure, wear and tear on tires, a truck driver should never overlook tires during truck checks and fix the issues on a timely basis. Sometimes the tire problems result from under-inflation or too-low tread depth. Therefore, one should make sure to have each of the tires inspected thoroughly before hitting the road.
Electrical System Issues
Apart from the apparent legalities of Flat Tires that will force one to stop operating a truck, the mechanical part of a truck can cause some serious issues down the road. In this criterion having faulty lighting, electrical faults are also a top contributor towards breakdowns. At the same time, a truck system is primarily made up of the starter motor, alternator, and a battery. If any one of these components fails to function correctly, then the truck is in danger to continue down the road.
To prevent these issues while the truck is running, one should check signs of a malfunctioning system like dead batteries, screeching sounds, dim or flickering lights, or any unusual smells during the engine start-up. If any of these symptoms are seen, then there are high chances of getting pop-up breakdowns along the way. One can even take help from capable electrical diagnostics or truck side road assistance to repair these complex machines.
Refrigerated Trailers
Commercial truck roadside assistance help trailers from breakdown and repair them quickly to avoid damages to temperature-controlled freight or products. It also assists in providing things like towing and roadside repair at the fastest time to overcome significant financial issues caused by hauling.
To overcome all these mishappenings, it is advisable for truck and trailer drivers to monitor the trailer during transit and look for any in-cab signals that indicate the unit is not functioning correctly. Above that, every trucking professional should also haul truck insurance to get financial protection in the event of a loss.
Faulty Brakes
One of the last things a truck driver expects is to drive their truck when the brake system fails. These brake-related problems can lead to significant accidents on the road. The truck’s disc and drum brakes are always exposed to consistent heat, pressure, and friction. Due to this, the common offenders like air leaks, external corrosion, internal water contamination, and airline freezing during the colder months can erupt regularly.
The brakes wear down without proper maintenance, because of pulling vast loads of weight. The constant use enforces an immense strain on the mechanical components of the truck leading it to slow down and affect the braking system. Therefore, the truck driver should detect early signs of braking system issues and rectify them before they cause a problem.
Trucks endure a lot of abuse during the thousands of miles drive and are more susceptible to breaking down due to old age and high mileage. So, the best way to prevent any truck breakdown is to perform thorough and regular maintenance. One can avoid truck breakdowns by following maintenance procedures consistently. Maintaining regular truck checks before and after each trip and taking the truck into a professional truck repair shop for tune-ups and preventative maintenance can avoid breakdowns and extend the life of the truck by a mile.
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