Tips for Managing Your Semi Truck Fleet & Preventing Uncessary Downtime
If your company is not already doing so, you need to institute a fleet management and maintenance program. The more trucks your business owns, the more important this type of program becomes. With a solid program in place and by proactively managing your fleet using these trucking industry tips, you can reduce truck downtime and increase the number of passed Department of Transportation inspections your drivers receive. The following are tips for managing your semi truck fleet and preventing unnecessary downtime.
Eliminate Paper Log Books by Using Wireless Electronic Logging Devices
Recent technological changes in the trucking industry are bringing electronic logging devices into the fray. These wireless devices connect to your fleet management software and create paperless logbooks for your drivers. This is a great time saver for your fleet's professional drivers and the software available today logs actions down the minute rather than in fifteen-minute intervals as was previously the standard.
Take Advantage of Advanced Wireless GPS Features
Just as you use GPS to find your way when driving your vehicle, you can take advantage of wireless GPS to track your trucks on the road, track your trailer locations, and notify you of various driver behaviors.
Use Your Fleet Management Software to Schedule Predictive and Preventative Maintenance Appointments
It's hard enough to remember to take your personal vehicles to your mechanic or auto dealership for their preventative maintenance appointments. As your commercial truck fleet grows, it becomes more and more complicated to keep track of the repairs and maintenance of each vehicle. This is where fleet management software steps in.
Using your company's fleet management software, you can schedule regular fluid changes and preventative maintenance for each truck. Since your mechanic will be able to check and see what trucks need to come in for service, this helps them plan better and preorder necessary parts to save you downtime.
Swap Out Your Truck's Tires
Finally, to lessen the amount of time your trucks must be out of service and to help prevent unnecessary blown out tires on the highway, make replacing worn tires a regular part of your preventative maintenance appointments. When your trucks go in the repair shop for same day truck repairs, check their tires and if they will soon need replacement, then replace them early rather than running every bit of usable rubber off. Replacing tires early comes with a small cost when compared to additional downtime and potential flat tires or accidents out on the road.