Semi-trucks are a crucial part of the freight industry, moving billions of pounds of goods around the United States each year. While they might seem incredibly efficient and formidable on the outside, there can be problems lurking in semi-trucks that could affect their ability to deliver.
A trucker’s job is often unforgiving and long; by developing an awareness of common semi-truck problems, you can be proactive in preventing downtime and ensuring deliveries arrive safely. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some common semi-truck issues to help keep your fleet running strong!
Tire Problems
Semi-truck tires are an important part of keeping a fleet of vehicles running safely and effectively. There are numerous tire problems that you must be aware of to ensure safe operation of vehicles and maximize the lifespan of your tires.
Flat tires, for example, can occur suddenly due to road debris or a slow leak from nail punctures. Uneven wear can also occur when tires are overinflated or underinflated, which can result in difficulty while maneuvering. Finally, improper inflation can cause over-stressing on the casing, leading to excessive heat buildup, which reduces tread life significantly.
To address tire issues, you should employ routine maintenance practices, such as inspecting tread depths regularly and monitoring tire pressure. Additionally, purchasing quality tires and having proper wheel alignment done multiple times per year can help prolong tread life.
Engine Problems
Semi-trucks are invaluable tools for shipping goods across the country, but their large engines come with a host of potential problems. Poor fuel efficiency is always a concern, as it can drive up costs significantly in the long term. Smoke emissions also pose a problem, especially if they go over certain pre-set thresholds required by environmental regulators.
This can lead to hefty fines and unpredictable delays in freight movements if not properly managed. It’s important for you to regularly check your engines to ensure that they are compliant and running efficiently to meet both financial and regulatory requirements.
Brake Problems
Semi-trucks are large, unwieldy vehicles that require a highly functioning brake system to keep the vehicle and its precious cargo safe. Brake systems in semi-trucks are complex, and the components can easily experience issues from excess wear. Worn down brake pads or rotors can lead to decreased safety performance, as well as difficulty stopping.
Additionally, air pressure losses can start happening over time which could result in just a partial application of the brakes or an inability to activate them at all. It is vital that you routinely check your brake systems for signs of wear and tear, air pressure loss, or any other issues that could affect your drivers’ safety while on the job.
Electrical Problems
Electrical problems are hazardous, as they can cause semi-trucks to stop or stall with little warning. This kind of issue is often caused by an electrical component overheating due to excessive workload, insufficient power, or the wrong grade of wire.
Additionally, these component issues can be compounded by poor maintenance and wiring issues. To prevent this from happening, it’s essential that you check your vehicles’ wiring regularly and replace malfunctioning components before they cause any major damage or accidents.
Hoseline Problems
Another area that requires attention is the hose lines that deliver fuel or other chemical substances from the truck’s tank to its engine. Over time, hoses and associated parts can degrade and become prone to leaks, releasing chemicals into the environment or reducing fuel efficiency. This impact can be disastrous for you, the driver, any bystanders, and the environment.
You should ensure regular maintenance of their hoselines to avoid leakage problems from arising. By familiarizing yourself with your trucks, you can identify potential problem areas before they turn into real issues.
Suspension Problems
An issue that semi-truck owners often encounter is problems with the suspension. This can be caused by worn shocks or broken leaf springs, which can cause the truck to drift into and out of the lanes, creating an increased risk of an accident.
Furthermore, when the suspension is not in top condition, bumps in the road cause harsher vibrations inside the cab, leading to driver fatigue and potentially unsafe driving conditions. To prevent these issues from occurring and to ensure a safe journey for all on the road, it’s important that semi-trucks undergo routine maintenance checks so that any problems with their shocks or leaf springs are identified and fixed promptly.
Ultimately, semi-truck safety and maintenance should never be taken for granted. Drivers must always be vigilant on the road, but it is important to take proper preventative maintenance measures in order to avoid any complications that could arise due to negligence or lack of care.
If you’re interested in upgrading or modifying your vehicles with state-of-the-art equipment, TCS Upfitting can help. With our extensive experience and dedication to customer satisfaction, we can make sure your drivers have all the necessary tools they would need for a safe journey. Don’t hesitate to reach out and learn the ways we can upgrade your commercial vehicles to increase safety, performance, and functionality.