How to Prepare Your Semi Truck for Long Hauls

In the trucking world, a long hauler is in a class of their own. Long hauls are no small task, and the drivers that make these trips — often over many thousands of miles and days or weeks at a time — know that proper preparation is the key to a successful trip, and the key to repeat successful trips. Preparation covers things like driver safety, vehicle reliability, and operational efficiency, and at the end of the day, a properly prepared trip leads to customer satisfaction and retention.

Read on for some strategies that will set you up correctly to navigate the challenges of the long and open road. And remember, LubeZone has locations all across the United States to help you with preventative maintenance, inspections, and more. Whether you’re on a coast-to-coast haul or running regional deliveries, stop by your nearest LubeZone to give your semi-truck the care and attention it deserves, and get peace of mind knowing that your truck will keep running reliably and on schedule.

Remember the 5 P’s: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

As a driver, your safety is priority #1, and while there are countless variables that no amount of planning can account for, there are many steps you can take to avoid any unnecessary risks or threats to your health. Staying on top of your health and making sure that your truck is getting routine maintenance and inspections are easy ways to stay safe and comfortable behind the wheel.

Obviously, having a reliable rig is also critical. Making sure that you stay up on maintenance tasks will help avoid mechanical failures and surprises that may have been avoidable if they were caught early enough. Something that may be a simple, inexpensive fix can snowball quickly, especially on a long haul, ultimately turning into a time-consuming and expensive repair that might have your truck up on a lift for days — ruining your tight schedule and losing out on valuable business. Your maintenance routine also directly contributes to your safety, so by pulling into a LubeZone location for an inspection, you are checking two boxes at once.

Your operational efficiency ties it all together: a fully prepared truck will run efficiently in terms of both time and energy usage. The better your truck is maintained, the better your fuel efficiency and the more likely it is that you won’t have any unexpected stops on your run. Time management and cost savings are both very important when it comes to making on-time and on-budget deliveries.

Essential Mechanical Preparations for Long-Haul Trucking

A long haul will put a lot of strain on your truck, but if it’s mechanically sound and well-maintained, you can count on it to chew up the miles, whether you’re climbing a pass across the continental divide or you’re chugging along the wide open spaces of middle America. Each component in your truck is entwined with every other component, and any disruption along the system can spell trouble for your truck, but a thorough pre-trip inspection and a commitment to routine maintenance can avoid unexpected breakdowns and expensive trips to the mechanic.

Checking the Engine

The engine is the heart of your semi-truck, and it deserves close attention before you hit the road. Start by checking your oil levels and condition. A quick wipe onto a clean paper towel can give you an idea of the oil color: you’re looking for a clear amber. If it’s dark or gritty, it’s probably time for an oil change. 25,000 miles between changes is the general rule of thumb, but that will vary depending on things like the environmental conditions you’ve been driving through and more. If you notice that the oil is thick and sludgy, you are well past due for a change and should get to LubeZone right away.

Once you’ve confirmed that your oil level and condition are good, it’s time to check your coolant system. Make sure your levels are adequate and that the fluid is clean and bright. If you notice cloudiness or a rust tint, you may have contamination; in this case, you will want to flush your system, add new fluid, and check for possible issues that may be letting contamination into the system to begin with. Check your radiator and hoses for leaks that might be sources of contamination or contributing to low coolant levels.

Finally, inspect all of your belts for signs of cracks, leaks, dry rot, fraying, or rubbing. A broken belt can be a quick but inconvenient fix, or can cause serious engine damage if left unattended.

Inspecting the Transmission

A perfectly-functioning engine is only as good as the transmission that delivers power to the wheels, so making sure it’s in great working shape is key for a long haul. Once you’ve checked your engine fluids, you will want to check your transmission fluid. This fluid lubricates the moving parts and makes sure that you can make smooth gear shifts. Take out the dipstick and check your fluid levels to make sure it’s in the recommended range, and check the fluid appearance: it should have a clear, reddish hue. If the fluid is dark, brown, or smells burnt, then it’s time for a change and may hint at overheating in the system.

Another way to keep tabs on our transmission is while driving. Listen for any noises like grinding or whining, and stay alert for any vibration or resistance during gear shifts. As soon as you notice a change in your transmission’s performance, get it into a specialist to address the problems before they turn into something major. Replacing a transmission is an expensive task that will put your truck out of commission for a while.

Evaluating Brakes

Your engine and transmission are in great shape, so now it’s time to make sure you can bring your truck to a stop safely by checking your brakes. Start with a cursory look at your brake pads to make sure they are thick enough. If they look worn, thin, or uneven, it might be time for a replacement before you find yourself in a dangerous situation while hauling a full load. While you’re in there, take a look at your rotors. Look for any obvious signs of warping or grooves in the rotor that may indicate an issue or might just mean that it’s time to replace them (along with your pads).

Pay close attention to any air leaks by listening for hissing sounds around the brake lines and connection points, and check your pressure to make sure your brakes are able to maintain the correct PSI.

Finally, you can monitor your brake conditions while driving by listening for squealing or grinding, which might indicate that you have worn-out components that are ready to be retired to the trash bin.

Assessing Tire Condition

Finally, taking a close look at your tires is key. These are the foundations of your truck and are central to safety, fuel efficiency, and reliability. Tread depth is the first thing to take a look at, using a gauge or ruler to determine that they are adequate and seasonally appropriate. Make sure that they at least meet the minimum legal requirements and that they will hold up in the expected weather conditions — especially if you are expecting snow or other slick conditions.

Once you’ve confirmed that your treads meet the requirements, check your tire pressure. Over- or under-inflated tires can lead to reduced handling, poor efficiency, difficulty braking, and a shortened lifespan for the tires. An under-inflated tire will build a lot of heat, which in turn can lead to a blowout.

You’ll need to make this inspection on each of your 18 wheels (more if you are hauling tandem) to make sure each is road-ready and safe for both you and everyone else you are sharing the road with.

Checking Your Fuel and Electrical Systems

Your fuel and electrical systems are both critical for a successful long-haul, as well. Here are some essential checks:

Fuel System Preparation

Start by inspecting your fuel filters for clogging, which will reduce your fuel efficiency by restricting flow. Replace as necessary, and carry extras on long drives in case you find yourself in a remote area without access to replacement parts.

Check your fuel lines for wear or damage, such as leaks or cracks. If you find that your truck is going through an alarming amount of fuel all of a sudden, the first thing to look for is a leak in the system.

Electrical System and Lighting

Clean any corrosion off the battery terminals, ensure a tight connection, and make sure that you have a full charge. If your battery is weak, corroding, or otherwise failing, it can cause a lot of downstream problems in the rest of your vehicle. Also, make sure you check your alternator since this is what keeps your battery charged while your engine is running.

Go through all of your lighting systems, including headlights, taillights, brakes, turn signals, and all other auxiliary lights. For some of these, you may need to have a partner check with you. Replace all burnt-out lights and get your truck into a mechanic if a fresh bulb won’t fix the issue.

LubeZone Is Here To Support Your Long Haul Endeavors

If these preparations seem like a lot, it’s because they are. Luckily, there is a LubeZone nearby that can help you handle all of these maintenance and inspection tasks so you can stay focused on operating your business and getting much-needed time away from your truck when you aren’t on the road. We offer a wide range of semi truck preventative maintenance services designed to keep you rolling on with no surprises.

LubeZone

LubeZone is the fastest growing dedicated semi-truck service in the United States with locations in Texas, California, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Georgia. Our preventative maintenance solutions are designed to get the professional driver back on the road FAST.