Semi-truck maintenance is critical to truck shipping success.
Semi-trucks need maintenance, but with the responsibility they carry, they require maintenance that is way stricter and more extensive than regular personal vehicles do. If you have a business that requires hauling bulk materials to different locations or moving loads throughout the supply chain, you will want a truck fleet that is in the best condition possible, along with skilled, responsible drivers. What goes into semi-truck maintenance, and what would be the best arrangement for your company?
Basics of Semi-Truck Maintenance
The Per Mile Rate
You can calculate the cost of annual semi-truck maintenance per truck based on the full truck maintenance checklist, or by the number of miles it runs. The general rule of thumb is to budget about $0.12 to $0.20 per mile for a truck that has run fewer than 500,000 miles. If it has driven more than that amount, then you ought to budget for $0.20 to $0.30 per mile.
Have a Minimum Reserve
It is best to have an emergency reserve of at least $5,000 at all times should any accidental damage occur, even with insurance. You never know what could go wrong, and having that budget will let you comfortably take care of any repairs or replacements your truck might need.
Pre-Trip Inspection
It is the law to inspect your semi-truck properly before you begin every single trip to ensure it is in top-notch condition and not a hazard to anyone on the road. This law, FMCSA regulation 396.13, mandates an inspection that only takes 10-15 minutes and catches many small problems before any trip begins.
Routine Maintenance
Oil changes, grease fittings, brake adjustment checks, and other services for coolants and filters are necessary at shorter or longer intervals based on a timeline or mileage.
Eventual Replacements
Eventually, you will need to professionally replace certain items to make the semi-truck last even longer. Replacing items when they need it will prevent major repair and replacement costs later on and can prevent accidents and breakdowns as well.
Options for Truck Transportation
Owning and Maintaining Your Own Fleet
If you use semi-truck transportation regularly for your business, owning and maintaining your own fleet gives you the most control. While it costs more, staying on top of maintenance prevents way larger costs, and you have tax benefits as well.
Renting Road Trailers and Owning the Cabs
Some companies own the truck cabs and rent different road trailers as necessary. It gives companies the flexibility to use different trailers only as they need them without having to maintain them. However, they are still responsible for maintaining the cabs.
Outsourcing Truck Transportation
The last option is to outsource truck transportation services and let a third party take care of all that goes into trucking. Evan Transportation offers road trailers for rent and trucking services, including intermodal trucking.
For All Your Trucking Needs
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