truck maintenance Archives - Road Dogs Mobile Repair Services Inc.

November 25, 2021December 2, 2021

7-Point Checklist to Winterize Your Truck

Step-By-Step Plan For Truck Maintenance In Trucks

Winters are here, and the utmost priority of all truckers is to avoid accidents at all costs. It does not refer only to the safety of truckers but also to everyone else who is on the road driving alongside the truckers. Having vast experience and being a seasoned trucker does provide an added advantage over the new drivers who make common mistakes, especially in the winter. But then again, an accident can happen to anyone, and it is better to get your truck winter-ready with Road Dogs.

Life for truckers is challenging, inspiring and sometimes not a very cozy life. As the weather has started to get chilly and everyone is about to be consumed with pumpkin-spice flavored everything, truckers and trucking company owners have something else on their mind: Winterizing their truck.

Step 1: Prepare an Emergency Kit

After taking all the necessary precautions of not getting stranded in adverse weather conditions, there may still be a bleak possibility it happens. If god forbid it does happen, make sure you have adequate survival supplies in your truck, including:

Gloves

Scarves

Hats

Snow boots & Extra blankets

First aid kit

Flashlight and extra batteries

Canned food and bottled water

Snow shovel

Flares

Radio

Excess coolant, washer fluid, engine oil

An additional fuel filter and fuel filter wrench

Tire chains

Step 2- Inspect the Cooling System

The second step to winterize your truck is to obtain the services of the professional roadside assistance by Road Dogs for the proper maintenance of the cooling system. As the temperature drops, any issue with a part that is worn, damaged, or cracked will only worsen. Get a comprehensive inspection of the entire system; amongst the other checks and make sure to get a coolant test conducted to ensure that your coolant is at an optimum freeze point.

Please note that it’s critical that you use the proper coolant for your truck and never use aerosol ether starting fluid.

Step 3-Keep the Engine Warm

When the drop in temperature hits freezing levels in the cruel winters, diesel engines require a higher cylinder temperature than gasoline vehicles. Take it as a preventive step to install an electric block heater to keep the engine warm while it’s turned off if you live or make multiple trucking trips in an area with excessive cold climate.

Step 4- Check The Battery

Before the winters set in:

Get the age and condition of your battery tested. The typical life cycle is 5-6 years, and if the battery is close to this cycle, it’s best to replace it.
If the battery has a lot of life cycle left, ensure it is securely mounted with tightened and clean connections.
Leave no room for damaged, loose or exposed wires this winter by getting a thorough inspection done as a part of your truck maintenance program.

Step 5-Inspect the Air Dryer

The air dryer plays a crucial role in the braking system. It is installed to remove contaminants from the air before entering the brake system and preventing the water from freezing in the brake lines. The braking system must work at its best thus, not maintaining your air dryer can lead to severe disasters.

Please Note- Make sure to drain the air reservoirs periodically.

Step 6- Check the Tires

The roads in winters will be wet and slippery and while navigating through them, the truck’s tires must be in good shape. Get your tires inspected for proper air pressure. The tires must bear a good healthy condition. Make sure the tires are not worn or damaged and get them replaced if needed. Requirements for winter travel can be more challenging, and safety is the top priority. In general, the trucker must make it a point to follow this checklist before any trip:

Maintain proper tire pressure
Monitor tread depths
Watch for irregular wear
Inspect suspension components

Step 7- Prepare the Windshield Wipers

While trucking, it is inevitable for snow and ice to accumulate on the windshield, making driving difficult and dangerous. It is the wipers that remove the snow and ice to maintain clear visibility on the road. Thus before winters hit, get your windshield and wipers inspected or replaced if needed.

Please Note- Make sure the windshield washer fluid is filled and that you have switched to a cold temperature blend. Keep extra bottles of windshield washer fluid in your truck in case you run out unexpectedly.

The Conclusion- Don’t compromise safety at any cost as it can cause severe damage to your truck, to you and also to others on the road. Get your truck winter-ready with truck maintenance services from Road Dogs.

Make Road Dogs a part of your emergency breakdown and maintenance team!

Stay safe out there this winter with Road Dogs, Transport’s Best Friend!

November 15, 2021November 15, 2021

Why Are Regular Truck Checkups Essential For Trouble-free Driving?

Truckers and trucks have been a vital part of the transportation industry since the late 1800s and they have witnessed tremendous changes because of advancements in the truck manufacturing industry. The machinery has become more sophisticated and advanced which has helped the trucking industry evolve in a better way to manage the high pressures of modern times. The significant change has been the improvement in the internal combustion engines. The engines have become more powerful, run more efficiently and have raised the need for regular truck maintenance and roadside assistance. The cabs have become way more comfortable for truck drivers and the trailers have improved so that truckers can transport just about any load that they have to.

Mobile truck repair by Road Dogs is at the service of truckers who work at different hours and sometimes even at odd hours to ensure that shipments arrive before the businesses start operating. Trucks have become sophisticated but at the same time remain complex and require regular repair and maintenance by a professional team of mobile truck repair mechanics that go to wherever you and your truck are.

Why A Trucker Needs Truck Maintenance?

Good Investment for Your Delivery Business

Truck maintenance serves many purposes and by taking preventative measures, you are making a good investment in your trucking business. By carrying out regular maintenance routines, chances of a mechanical failure resulting in an emergency breakdown significantly reduce and give you the confidence that the shipment will be smooth and seamless.

With Road Dogs’ mobile truck repair and maintenance services, truckers will get the most cost-efficient solutions. With our regular checks, the performance of the truck remains high, leading to considerably low chances of procuring expensive parts for your broken down truck.

Regular Truck Checkup Tips From Road Dogs

Protecting The Truck’s Body From Corrosion

The truck’s body gets damaged the most when driven in different regions of the country, leading to corrosion and deterioration. It makes trucks retire earlier, way before their expectant life. Different kinds of chemicals can cause corrosion. How to prevent it?

Every ten days, a good truck wash is needed to prevent contaminants from consuming clear coat paint and clean metals. While driving, be watchful of big muddy puddles on the road as the dirty water is contaminated, which can cause heavy corrosion to the undercarriage and truck’s body.
Though a good wash is needed every ten days, high quality primer and paint is required on the trucks under carriage; trucks have metal frames and premium quality primer and paint makes them look attractive and protects the metal body of the truck.
Wash your truck immediately after rain. It can quickly erode the chassis as rain collects pollutants and deposits them as “acid rain,” damaging the protective finish.

Maintain A Truck Repair Service Log

Keeping a historical record of your vehicle’s condition and repair work is imperative. Having a maintenance log will help the trucker to track and identify which part could be at risk. This record shall serve as a to-do list to help you organize all the preventative checks and maintenance schedules accordingly.

Periodic Inspections By Road Dogs

Unhealthy and inefficient truck parts with underlying issues must undergo a regular stringent inspection process where problems are addressed with immediate action and proper diagnostics to make prompt repairs.

Engine

How to keep your engines in good working condition is a must for every trucker. An engine is a complex part of the truck and therefore needs more tests like monitoring engine coolants, oils and boost pressures to ensure the engine runs in excellent condition. A regular compression test that shows the status of your engine’s valves and its valve seats and piston rings IS A MUST.

Brakes

A brake failure is never suitable for the truck at any time. A brake failure in the middle of the highway can prove to be catastrophic and may result in injuries, lawsuits and damage to the truck. Without delay, make sure to get the brakes checked periodically.

Tires

Your truck is running on tires and defective tires can ultimately bring to a halt your loaded truck resulting in loss of time and money. All this puts your trucking business’s reputation at stake as it affects your business performance.

It is suggested to get the tire pressures checked regularly, especially before the beginning of a truck trip. Checking tire pressures is essential that the tires are not overinflated, leading to premature tread wear. Tire tread wear affects the overall tire performance; it produces friction that keeps our driving safe while underinflated tires consume more fuel. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressures.

Electrical Systems

A truck’s electrical system comprises of a motor, battery and alternator. Every electronic part of the truck should be inspected for loose wires and cables and to make sure that do not show any signs of wear. If you find any electrical snag in a DIY inspection, immediately call the team of highly skilled technicians at Road Dogs Mobile to address such issues as early as possible.

Oil Change

Severe engine failure can happen if attention is not paid to engine oil. Engine oil has to be replaced at regular intervals to prevent early wear. An optimum engine oil level is required for maintaining lubrication as it is needed to cool engine components. Oil’s efficiency breaks down over time; as it fails, friction on the engine increases, resulting in a high risk of severe engine failure.

Our wide array of services for your truck and trailer are provided to keep your trucking trips running smoothly. In case there is a breakdown, we want to get your truck rolling as quickly as possible.

Make Road Dogs a part of your emergency breakdown and maintenance Team!

Road Dogs, Transport’s Best Friend!!!