When you’re on the road for long hours and several days at a time, a truck breakdown is inevitable at some point for any owner operator. We don’t like them, they cause stress and delays while costing money, but such is life over the road.
You may not be able to prevent every breakdown, but there are ways to be prepared as a professional. If you’re new to trucking, these tips will help you be ready for any emergency when a mechanical malfunction arises.
Take a look at the route you plan to drive for your upcoming intermodal shipment and do some research to establish where repair facilities are located along the way. Take down contact numbers and names and set up your GPS accordingly. That way, if an engine breaks down, then you’ll at least have some solutions in an unfamiliar area. You’ll be able to get the repairs going faster without sitting on the side of the highway looking up repair shops on your smartphone.
Keep your long-haul truck in tip-top shape for the road by administering mechanical check-ups prior to, during and after big trips. This cuts down on potential problems that can lead to greater damages in the future and cost you more money than necessary if the problem had been discovered and dealt with sooner. This will also give you peace of mind while driving knowing that your rig is healthy.
If a break down occurs, put on your flashers and take care, checking traffic as you merge to the shoulder of the road to stop. Stay with your vehicle and be aware of speeding traffic when exiting. If you drive for a company, call them right away to have repair service sent out. Keep dispatch informed about every step of the breakdown and repair process, so as to communicate with the customer about any changes to shipping.
Keep these supplies handy just in case:
At US 1 Network, we're always looking for talented, motivated logistics agents to join our nationwide team. If you're a skilled, experienced agent with a self-starting mentality, apply today and find out how US 1 Network can advance your career. This is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. What are you waiting for?
Learn More & applyIf you're looking for a career with solid benefits, excellent growth potential, and the freedom to work how and when you want, look no further. US 1 Network is looking for experienced owner operators to join our team of shipping experts. The logistics industry is growing rapidly, so apply today and join a winning team!
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