Treat your truck better than this to keep it running smoothly all winter long
Winter trucking can go one of two ways. One, you’re warm and dry inside your cabin, with all necessities on board and all preventative maintenance taken care of. Or two, you run into one problem after another after another, as a result of lacking preventative maintenance or poor preparation. We assume you’d prefer the former over the latter, and we’ve gathered some tips to keep you safely on the road to your destination, rather than pulled over on the side of that road with a breakdown.
Winter Trucking Fuel for Thought
It’s obviously important to make sure that you have the right amount of gas to get to your destination. However, when temperatures drop below freezing like they are now, one of the most important steps in preventative maintenance for winter trucking is to ensure that that fuel is properly treated. Keep tanks at least half full with the proper winter fuel blend — near-empty tanks can gather condensation, which is liable to freeze fuel lines and cause no-start problems. Anti-gel additives are necessary when temperatures drop below 20°F. Plan ahead for the coldest point of your trip to prevent unforeseen chill.
All Systems Are Go
Again, a full systems check is an important pre-trip step year-round, but winter trucking means that many components of your vehicle need extra attention in preventative maintenance. All fluids should be checked for their freezing points as well as their fullness. Anything that’s liable to freeze needs proper checks to ensure that it hasn’t and won’t. The last thing you need is your engine block transforming into a huge, greasy ice cube. Other things to check include, but are not limited to: brakes, battery, ignition system, coolant, washer fluid, and tires.
Preventative Maintenance Can Be…Tiring
Why, yes, that was a tire pun, thanks for asking. Not only do you need to make sure that you have the right tires for the job, you’ll also need to make sure that they’re properly inflated, that the tread is at a safe level, and that you have chains ready if there’s even the slightest chance you’ll need them. (Many states have laws requiring them in certain situations, anyway.)
Preventative maintenance is important year-round, but winter trucking can bring even more danger and complications than any other season. Be prepared, because neither you nor your fleet manager want you stuck on the side of the road in the freezing cold.
Get In Touch With Evan Transportation Today
Evan Transportation was founded in 1992 by Jerry Wolfarth, who at the time had over 25 years of experience in the trucking and transportation industry. The initial operation consisted of a few trucks and drivers who were dedicated and professional. The goal of the company was to provide excellent, dependable service.
If you need materials and products moved in the Mid-Atlantic region, contact Evan Transportation. We hire professional drivers with excellent driving records, and maintain a fleet of trailers and vehicles that are reliable and ready to roll.
Contact us today for all of your freight shipment needs or call us at 443-673-3365
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