As much as we would like to think a breakdown would never happen to us — you just never know. A breakdown isn’t easy for anyone to handle especially when your rig is full and you are on your way to make a delivery. That is why we want to help you know what to look for and what preventive measures to take to help stop breakdowns from happening.
4 common causes of semi-truck breakdowns:
- Tires
- Brakes
- Electrical
- Reefer units
Tires
One of the easiest ways to prevent a breakdown is to take care of your tires. Over half of roadside issues have to deal with your tires. Oftentimes they are under-inflated, have low tread or the axles are not lined up correctly. We want to ensure that you are safe while you are on the road, so always check your tires before heading out.
Brakes
Your brakes wear down with every haul. Just like with your tires and other hot spots you want to check your brakes before heading out. Doing your preventive maintenance checks before heading to your next stop will save you time and money in the long run.
Electrical
You don’t want to find corroded battery connections, dead batteries, or hear unusual clicking noises coming from your truck. Be sure that you are watching your electrical system closely so you don’t run into an electrical problem or worse yet a fire.
Reefer units
If you are transporting cold items you want to make sure that your refrigeration unit is running up to speed. The last thing you need is for that to go out and your shipment to go bad. Repairs for these kinds of issues are needed quickly to help save freight. Watch your cab signals for signs there are issues before it’s too late.
Now that you know some of the issues that can result in your rig breaking down, we hope you take the time to perform your pre-trip checklist before you head out.
Did you find our tips helpful? Don’t forget that NDI is your one-stop-shop for getting the job done. Just stop by our store today at 2084 North Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45801, or call us at 419-222-8785 to make an appointment. And if an emergency does strike, our 24/7 Emergency Service line is always ready to help, 1-800-440-9523.