Regardless of what method you use to schedule fleet maintenance, the top two priorities should be to extend the lifespan of your fleet’s vehicles, including trailers, and prevent unnecessary downtime and roadside repairs.

Preventive Maintenance (PM) Extends Your Fleet’s Lifespan

Whether you schedule PM based on odometer readings or at a specific timeframe, performing that maintenance on time will extend the lifespan of your vehicles. When scheduled maintenance is performed, minor issues in the engine, lights and reflectors, wheels, brakes and trailers are most often found and corrected before they become a significant and costly issue.

What’s more, frequent tire rotating and balancing increases fuel efficiency. In addition, oil and filter changes help the vehicle run smoother, increasing its efficiency and extending the engine’s useful lifespan.

Although a visual inspection of the truck’s trailer should be conducted as part of a driver/daily vehicle inspection report (DVIR), which must accompany the truck on any trip after repairs are completed, just like the tractor, the trailer has specific PM schedules for maximum efficiency.

The DVIR requires every commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to comply with the DOT FMCSA mandate to complete and carry it on trips or continue the trip after an overnight stay.

However, it is also a crucial part of the communication process between the driver and mechanic. When a driver notes a shortcoming, the mechanic must fix it or sign off on the DVIR stating no repair was necessary.

Some areas on the trailer require more frequent maintenance, but otherwise, whenever the truck comes in for maintenance, the trailer’s tire pressure, breakaway functions and wheel torque should be completed then as well.

Tractor-trailer PM should be a total package. Service and repair of the trailer’s parts are just as crucial to fuel efficiency and dependability as the truck’s engine and braking system to the vehicle’s life expectancy.

PM Reduces the Incidence of Truck Break Downs and Roadside Repairs

Fleet PM can reduce the incidence of breakdowns and the necessity for roadside repairs. There’s perhaps nothing more inconvenient to a trucker than having a rig break down on a trip. If you don’t have a roadside repair service, you might need to use another truck to haul the trailer, or the cargo might need to be transferred into another trailer if the problem is with the trailer.

However, despite excellent maintenance, breakdowns occur while your vehicles are out on the road. Having Ultimate Fleet Repair (UFR) on speed-dial means your vehicle will get the attention it needs from trained and qualified mechanics who normally perform the vehicle’s PM and know the specifics of the vehicle.

Contact UFR to Schedule Your Fleet’s PM

Call the UFR professionals to schedule PM at (612) 454-8775 or use our handy contact form.