Essential Truck Repairs Every Fleet Manager Should Know About

Running a fleet is not just about keeping your tires rolling, it’s about keeping those tires rolling without letting them give you costly surprises. If you have ever had your truck down at the worst possible time and who hasn’t? Every driver’s faced it at least once—a breakdown at the worst time and hence knows the drill after. You know how a small issue can break into numerous problems such as missed deadlines, frustrated drivers, angry clients, lost contracts, high emergency repair costs, towing costs and whatnot.

Prevention is better than cure therefore you should always stay ahead of the curve and get small issues resolved by early truck repair and maintenance before they turn into big and costly ones. Whether you have 5 trucks or 500, below-mentioned repairs must be on your radar if you wish to run a successful fleet business.

Brake system repairs

Brakes are the first line of defence for any vehicle. Failures here, result in:

Accident risks

DOT violation

Extended downtime

Watch for:

Air leaks in a brake line

Worn out pads

Faulty brake chambers

Brake issues are a magnet to DOT. Brake system defects are among the top 2 reasons for getting an “out of service” order by DOT. You can’t get your truck on the road after an “out of service” order until you get your truck repaired which results in a long-lasting downtime. Downtime bleeds cash — and no fleet can afford that.

Moreover, with brake defects, your truck becomes prone to accidents which causes insurance companies to raise the insurance dues. A pro tip here is to make brake systems, a non-negotiable part of your trucks and never skip pre-trip inspection of your brakes.

Electrical system repairs

Modern vehicles are loaded with safety systems and sensors that work on electric supply, but all this is useless if your electric system is not solid.

Common reasons for electrical issues:

Battery failure especially in cold climate

Corroded terminals

Faulty alternators

A truck that doesn’t start, is a truck which doesn’t deliver and hence is the one which makes you lose clients and contracts.

Suspension repairs

A compromised suspension can put extra load on other systems and cause tires to wear out before time. This problem will result in greater fuel consumption. It will threaten cargo safety, affect driver’s comfort and deprive you of smooth rides.

Good suspension = less driver fatigue

Reliable trucks = fewer complaints from drivers stuck roadside

Happy drivers = driver sustainability, reduced recruitment costs

Signs to look for:

Uneven tire wear

Truck pulling to one side

Bumpy ride

Cooling system repairs

Engines get extremely hot in stop-and-go traffic and the scorching heat of summers, making a bad situation even worse. Low coolant levels cause damage to your truck’s engine. If overheating leads to significant engine damage, repairs can range from $1050 to $2500, and in severe cases, a full engine rebuild may exceed $3,500.

Red flags:

Rising temperature gauges

Coolant leaks

Radiator corrosion

This is the repair you can’t wait for. If not fixed, it can lead to repairs that cost more than the truck’s worth.

Transmission and driveline repairs

Transmissions are known for slow death. Your truck whispers before it screams. If you ignore these whispers, you will be paying for a full rebuild or replacement. Truck drivers may notice rough shifting or a slight vibration long before a failure.

Symptoms include:

Slipping gears

Fluid leaks

Postponing essential repairs

A truck’s transmission controls gear shifting. You can’t move your goods if your truck is failing at shifting gears. And if transition busts, so does your schedule.

Exhaust and emission repairs

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) are part of modern diesel truck emission control systems which are maintained by the government. They are often costly headaches for fleet managers if not maintained. These systems are a blessing for emission but a curse for breakdowns because they can clog and derate engines which kills your run.

A failed DPF results in:

extra paperwork

cancelled loads

rescheduling drivers

A failed DEF results in:

no restart after shutting off

fines or out-of-service order

power reduction of engine

Stay ahead of:

DPF cleaning schedules

DEF system alerts

Check engine lights associated with emissions

As a fleet manager or owner, the goal is not just to avoid fines, but you also need to take precautions to prevent week-long parking for truck repair.

Tire repairs

Tires are the most rigorously used and overlooked part of a truck. Tire blowouts can lead to major delays therefore make it a routine to check your tires before starting your trip, especially for heavy-use routes.

Stay sharp on:

PSI levels, daily

Tread depth

Sidewall damage

The Return On Investment (ROI) every fleet manager understands, is cost-cutting. A $500 tyre can save you from a $5000 bill roadside.

Preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance is the best line of defence against unwanted costly emergency repairs. Don’t think of preventive maintenance as an expense rather think of it as insurance. Build a preventive maintenance schedule for your fleet which works for your routes and be consistent on that.

The preventive maintenance checklist must include:

Oil and fluid checks

Filter replacements

Brake and tire inspections

Battery load tests

Suspension issue symptoms

Transmision issue symptoms

Partnering with reliable truck repair service providers

Not every shop is worth your time, money and trust. This is why finding a reliable partner is crucial to run a fleet business successfully. Partner with a truck repair service provider who isn’t just focused on turning the wrenches but also understands the demand of logistics. Working with a reliable partner like EPIKA fleet, who keeps trucks rolling, so you stay profitable and ahead of schedule.

With EPIKA you get:

Fast diagnostics

Honest pricing

Consistent service

Smart Repair, Smart Business

You still own the fleet business because you know how to transport goods from one place to another and make it profitable. But once truck repairs catch you off guard, your profits disappear. So, stay ahead and keep rolling with the EPIKA fleet.