Semi trucks are not a small investment. The cost of a single truck could be between $30,000 and $200,000, and they require routine and careful maintenance to ensure they are good to go whenever you need them. This will explain why there are maintenance and refurbishing businesses dedicated to them. A simple online search with the words “semi truck paint shops near me” will lead you to seasoned specialists that are wholly committed to maintaining and/or improving the state of semi trucks.
The good news, however, is that semi trucks are durable. An average truck can last anywhere between 10 and 15 years, and 250,000 to one million miles. However, these figures can be extended with proper use, or reduced by improper maintenance or use.
What Can a Semi Truck Do?
Semi trucks are heavy duty vehicles designed to haul and transport large and heavy goods for what would usually be a long distance. They are strong and versatile and can pull items up to 80,000 pounds, or as heavy as the permitted road limit, depending on the type.
Their strength and durability, notwithstanding, they require the attention and maintenance that most vehicles do to perform optimally and last long.
Tips to Prolong Your Semi Truck’s Life
1. Study the Manual
The easiest way to understand your truck, its needs, capacity, and limits is by studying the manual. This is because different trucks have different designs, capacity, and needs, and these will in turn determine directions on use, the frequency and conditions of maintenance, and what to avoid. So even if there are general maintenance guidelines common to all semi trucks, yours might have special directions that can be found when you study the manual provided by the manufacturer.
The manual might also be useful for when you detect a problem with the semi truck and require assistance to understand and fix the problem. Consulting the manual might give you an overview of the problem, and you can determine if it is something you can handle or if you would require the help of a professional.
2. Frequent Inspections
Inspections are an absolute necessity–not only to monitor the conditions of the parts of the vehicle to find out what requires repair or maintenance, but to ensure the safety of the driver and anyone else who would be on the vehicle.
The radiator, fuel vents, brakes, tire, fluids, and other vital parts of the semi truck must be checked with repairs and changes where necessary. It is advised that this is done before putting the truck on the road to avoid the occurrence of problems mid-journey.
Routine inspections are also strongly advised to make sure that any problems with the semi truck is addressed before it becomes a bigger issue.
3. Change Tires
Investing in good tires is an important part of extending the lifespan of your semi truck. The tires support the entire vehicle and the goods being carried. They also directly “interact” with the roads and terrain during journeys. While it is advised that you change your tires every 3 to 6 years, how often you do so within the period should be determined by its use and type. You have to consider the miles covered, terrain, and type of tire to know when to change it. If you are still unsure after this, have a professional inspect your tires and guide you.
4. Timely Servicing
In addition to the inspections you conduct, have a professional service the semi truck from time to time. They can run a full inspection and diagnosis on the semi truck, change the oils, uncover potential problem areas, and provide you with advice on use and maintenance.
5. Apply Grease to Moving Parts
You must not forget to regularly grease the moving parts of your truck, whether the truck is in use or not. Well-oiled moving parts will help avoid friction that could lead to wear and tear.
6. Give It a Face Lift
Scratches, fades, environmental elements, and rust spots might add a few years to the outward appearance of your semi truck. To keep it looking ready to go for a few more years, have professionals make outward repairs and repaint. This will automatically add to the value and make you treat it better.
Pre-emptively, however, you can protect your truck from the elements by covering it with a good truck cloth.
7. Document Maintenance
Make notes and document the maintenance, work done, changes made, and how much they cost. This will help you with future diagnosis, track when next your semi truck would require routine maintenance, and determine which technique works and which does not.
8. Don’t Neglect the Human Factor
The importance of ensuring that the driver of your semi truck is well-trained and responsible cannot be over-emphasized. There will hardly be a point to taking all the time and resources to maintain your truck if your driver is reckless or not properly trained.
Semi trucks require a lot of effort to operate, and require drivers to be at their best physically and mentally to drive safely. So, it is also important that your driver is not overworked. Research has shown that driving for extremely long hours contributes significantly to truck crashes. Ensure that they are well-rested and not pushed, and are fairly compensated to avoid errors and accidents.
