In order to remain road-worthy, fleet vehicles must undergo routine maintenance and scheduled tune-ups. Still, tire blow-outs and mechanical malfunctions are common causes of shipping delays. Trucks slipping on ice, suffering from poor visibility, or overheating with insufficient AC are all serious considerations that can cause unnecessary problems on the road.
Fleet managers looking to optimize shipping times, safety, or driver wellness have a great deal to gain from considering the conditions of each planned route in terms of truck maintenance. Predictive maintenance not only enhances efficiency but can also improve your fleet's accident and insurance rates.
The Right Tires for the Route
Tires make a big difference in terms of traction and durability. Some routes are bumpier than others due to state-to-state road maintenance, yearly ice and salt exposure, and other contributing factors. Icy weather conditions call for winter-model tires with the right kind of traction and slightly more inflation per tire.
Driving through a region's rainy season calls for all-weather tires. Driving through very hot areas calls for slightly less tire inflation, as air expands the hotter it gets. Knowing this can help prevent blow-outs and ice-slips on any route. Either send trucks with the right tires on the right routes or change out tires to ensure a truck has the right traction for the regions it will be passing through.
Windshield Wiper and Defogger Check
There are few things more dangerous than poor visibility. Trucks rely on highly efficient windshield wipers, the right wiper formula loaded into the dispenser, and defogger AC settings for both freezing and steamy weather.
Check every truck's windshield wiper blades, especially as they can be badly torn up when driving through icy conditions. Make sure trucks in wintery regions have alcohol-based wiper fluid, and keep truck defogger functions working in top form. It's also a good idea to make sure side mirrors can heat and shed ice with the press of a button.
Freezing Weather and Mountain Passes
If your fleet trucks are going through mountain passes, make sure they are properly equipped. Some parts of the US are cold and icy most of the year, and steep slopes increase the overall hazard risk for any heavy truck in your fleet.
Stow a set of tire chains with every truck, and check their brakes to ensure that constant braking downhill will perform as needed. When in doubt, load cold weather wiper fluid and heavy-duty wiper blades onto your trucks, and be sure to instruct drivers on when to pull right, slow down, and put on their hazard lights.
Climate Control and Driver Safety
Climate control in commercial trucks has been a big issue lately. Driver wellness relates directly to truck safety, as a driver's comfort and alertness determine how well the truck is operated. Make sure that all truck ACs and heaters work correctly to ensure your drivers aren't sweating or shivering when they should be focused on the road.
Maintenance with the Route In Mind
Every time you conduct a maintenance check for a truck about to embark, make a note of the conditions it will be driving through. Check the regions, temperature, and potential weather along the route before going down the usual checklist. Ensure that each truck has the right loadout of tires, wiper fluid, AC capabilities, and supplies to maintain optimum safety from one end of its route to the other.
Terrain Matters in Fleet Safety
When planning a route for fleet trucks, near or far, you have the opportunity to predict the conditions your trucks will be driving through. Make sure that your maintenance takes both weather conditions and road conditions into account. This is one of the best ways to avoid "unforeseen" accidents like ice slips and blown tires, where the right truck configuration could save the day.
Commercial Truck Insurance
You can prepare for a great many circumstances, but the road will always be a dangerous place. A comprehensive commercial truck insurance plan can provide safety beyond the bounds of maintenance and planning. Ensure that you can repair your trucks and avoid financial hardship in the event of an accident.
Fleet Maintenance Planning with Wilmar Inc
At Wilmar, we can help you address all aspects of fleet management, starting by tackling the fleet maintenance challenges faced by small businesses. Contact us today to learn more.
