Every year, American cargo trucks drive uncountable miles to transport goods worth billions of dollars across the country. For truckers and trucking companies, maintenance of their cargo trucks is of the utmost importance as it helps them run their business and 72.5 percent of the country’s freight.

But what happens if a truck or trailer breaks down on the highway? The result is a stressful trucker, lots of wasted time, and a huge dent in profits.

To get you started with a simple maintenance regime that’s both cost and time-saving, here’s a list of five things you can do to maintain your truck.  

Have a Preventive Maintenance Plan

Instead of panic calling a mechanic when your truck engine starts to steam or the tire bursts mid of the highway, opt for a preventive maintenance plan. Instead of taking your heavy-duty truck for a fix, take it to the mechanic for pre-planned maintenance visits. This will save you time, money, and undue stress.

Schedule Periodic Inspections

When opting for preventive maintenance, most truckers only consider the health of the engine or tires. However, we suggest scheduling periodic inspections for your air filters, lubricants, coolants, and other vital components that help your engine’s health and sustain a good fuel economy. Make sure to check these components once in a while to avoid major problems.

Circle Around Before Hitting the Road

Before you take your truck out for a long haul, a wiser idea is to take a walk around the truck itself. Circle around and look for broken lights, problems with tire pressure, or other minute details that may cause you trouble on the highway.

 

Don’t Forget the Post-Haul Cleaning

Unlike personal road transportation, which does not carry thousands of pounds of weight, your cargo truck is more vulnerable to the damage on the road. Make sure you clean your truck after every haul to avoid dirt accumulation and look for problems immediately.  

Pay Attention to the Sounds

Lastly, when out on the road, pay attention to the sounds. Often, unusual sounds of the truck indicate an underlying issue that, if caught in time, will not become a problem for you. To ensure that you and others are safe on the road, be vigilant of what your truck tells you.

Invest in Quality Trucks

And if you want to invest in quality cargo trucks and China semitrailer that will last a lifetime, check out the variety of Howo truck we have at Sinotruk. Reach out to us to order cargo trucks online.