When driving long distances, it’s impossible to predict what will happen with your vehicle. While most make it to their destination without any incident, there will be times when a commercial vehicle breaks down and you’ll require an automotive technician to get it back on the road.
You don’t want to leave your drivers in the middle of nowhere, stranded and waiting for a repair service that might take hours to arrive. Instead, find a long-haul truck repair business that can service your fleet of vehicles and ensure that any problems encountered along the route are handled swiftly. Let’s dive into what long-haul truck repair services are and how you can choose the best one for your needs.
What Is a Long Haul Truck Repair Service?
A long-haul truck repair service is essential to any trucking company’s operation. Day and night, heavy-duty trucks are always on the road with the goal of transporting goods. So, it’s no surprise they often break down no matter how many preventative maintenance measures are taken.
Long haul truck technicians are able to fix roadside issues, like tire or transmission problems. They’re equipped to handle the largest of engine bays and all other parts of a long-haul truck, with the added bonus of being able to bring vehicles to their in-house auto repair facility if necessary.
How Does Long Haul Truck Repair Services Work?
These truck repair services operate 24/7 so that they can address issues quickly while promising to have you back on the road in no time. Most of these trucking service companies operate regionally and service a specific area.
Partnering with a long-haul truck repair service means your drivers will have access to an experienced and skilled team of auto technicians day and night. Plus, the repair service assists with regular maintenance on brakes, engines and other components.
They might even assist you with annual DOT inspections. That’s why finding the best one in your area is so important.
5 Tips for Finding the Best Long Haul Truck Repair Service
As stated previously, it’s important to locate a reputable, experienced and knowledgeable team of repair technicians. After all, your business is only as healthy as your vehicles.
When your trucks break down, you’ll want a repair team that’s ready to jump into action and get your trucks back up and running so they can arrive at their destination promptly. Here are some tips for choosing a long-haul truck repair service that you can rely on whenever there’s a problem.
Understand Your Needs
Repairs can be costly, so it’s wise to set aside a budget that can cover the costs of general maintenance. Reviewing the diagnostic reports on a regular basis will also inform you about the health of your vehicles. You’ll need this information so that you can better understand your repair needs.
Outside of these common issues, your repair service should provide roadside assistance, such as battery restarts, lockout services and fuel delivery. Some other needs that your truck will have are tire installation, repairs and replacements, as well as brake, engine and transmission services.
If the repair team you’re considering cannot handle the most common of issues, don’t settle. Instead, keep looking for a facility that can. For those with technologically-savvy commercial vehicles in their fleet, you’ll need a repair service that can handle the technological component of the truck.
Make sure the team that you choose is trained and knows how to deal with malfunctions that could otherwise have your truck sidelined for days.
Compare Your Options
Don’t sign up with the first company you come across. Instead, take a moment to compare your options. Many companies will service either regional or long-haul routes. Choose the option that meets the needs of your business and offers the best price for those services.
Ask the representative plenty of questions so that you can learn whether the repair company will be a good fit for you or not. A great question to start with is how long the company has been in business for and the type of experience their technicians have.
The longer they have been working with commercial vehicles, the better your experience with them will be. Find out if the shop itself has any certifications as well. As you search for the right truck service, pricing should also be on your list of questions.
Ask them to send a copy of a basic repair invoice and compare that information with the invoice sheets from other repair service options. Make sure they operate within the same area as you, and check to see if they offer mobile services so they can reach the physical location you might be in when a breakdown occurs.
Read Reviews
As with all online research, reviews often play a key role in choosing which long-haul truck repair service you’ll decide is best. Many companies have customer experiences or testimonials accessible on their pages, but you may not trust those for obvious reasons.
Word-of-mouth recommendations from friends, family and other associates are often more trustworthy. Ask about the repair company’s track record when it comes to repairs and how quickly they are made.
Take a look at independent review sites like Google, Yelp or Facebook to get an idea of how pleased customers have been with the services they received. Local business associations also provide useful information that can help you make your decision.
Consider Accessibility
Depending on the issue, commercial vehicles don’t always offer up any warning signs before they break down. A tire blow-out or failure of a temperature-controlled trailer can happen at any point during drives.
As such, the repair service should be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. You’ll rest easier every time your fleet is on the road when you know help is only a phone call away.
Find a Shop With a Range of Services and Parts
Your repair shop should offer various services as well as stock and aftermarket parts. The condition of the parts is something you should also pay attention to, seeing as not all parts are made the same.
Is the shop using high-quality parts and accessories? Or is the company trying to save a few dollars by opting for the cheaper, lower-quality versions of the same parts? Even if they offer aftermarket parts, they should be made with quality products and serve your truck well for years.
Aside from the normal repairs, find out if the shop offers other services that may be beneficial, such as ancillary services. The more the shop offers, the better prepared they will be to resolve your issues and keep you moving.
Partner with a Repair Service Today
As arguably the most important pieces of the supply chain, many industries depend on your ability to transport goods. When one of your commercial vehicles breaks down, the ripple effect stretches far and wide.
If you don’t already have one, find a reliable long-haul truck repair service in the event that you need them, such as during those inevitable roadside breakdowns. Make sure you have a repair team that is knowledgeable enough to diagnose and repair problems quickly and efficiently. You’ll save yourself time and money while also preventing yourself from having to manage a number of migraines.
FAQ
Preventative maintenance is all about staying on top of things that your truck needs, such as oil changes, brake changes, engine inspections and more to minimize breakdowns while increasing uptime.
PM Service is a safety inspection that examines the vehicle’s key components, including brakes, tires, fluids and lights.
Trucks should be serviced every 15,000 miles.
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