If you’ve taken the time and money to invest in a refrigerated truck – whether it’s hired or owned – it’s well worth learning how to make repairs and perform routine maintenance to ensure your vehicle is performing the best it can. And repair and maintenance is of course essential to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of perishable goods.
When you rent a truck or truck with Scully RSV, we can take care of all your repairs for you with our refrigerated truck repair service. However, it’s always good to understand the basics of your vehicle, so you can fix things on the road if necessary and reduce any downtime from your truck or truck being in the shop.
What’s The Best Way To Keep My Truck Maintained?
Service And Maintain Regularly
This is one of the most important things that will help you avoid needing to undergo serious refrigerated truck repair in the future. Just as you do with your personal car, be sure to service and maintain your refrigerated truck regularly – especially since a refrigerated vehicle has more components than a regular car.
Your routine checks should include an assessment of the refrigeration unit, engine, transmission, brakes, tyres, and other critical parts. By doing this, you’ll be able to spot potential problems before they become a major issue and result in costly repairs.
Check Your Temperature Control
Having great temperature control is the backbone of your refrigerated vehicle, so of course be sure to maintain this. The refrigeration unit must maintain a consistent temperature throughout the truck, which can be affected by external factors such as ambient temperature and humidity. Regular temperature checks and calibration of the temperature control systems will help ensure that the goods being transported are kept at the correct temperature.
Also Check Your Insulation
The insulation of a refrigerated truck is critical in maintaining the correct temperature and ensuring that no stock is spoiled – which is particularly important for food and pharmaceuticals. Any damage to the insulation can result in leaks, which in turn can cause the refrigeration unit to work harder to maintain the correct temperature – eventually, this can burn out your cooling unit and cause higher fuel consumption. Regular inspections of the insulation will help to identify any damage and allow for prompt repairs and help you avoid a need for serious refrigerated truck repair.
Clean And Sanitise
Regular cleaning and sanitisation of the interior of your refrigerated truck is essential to ensure that the goods being transported remain safe and uncontaminated, especially if you are moving food or pharmaceuticals and want to avoid any contamination. Doing this can also help with residual smells or bacteria that can impact your stock and cause potential health hazards.
Check Your Fuel And Oil
Regular fuel and oil checks on your refrigerated vehicle help to ensure that your vehicle is running efficiently. Be sure to check for any leaks, and take note if you see abnormal usage of fuel – this is usually an indicator that something is wrong with your truck or truck. Regular oil changes are also necessary to prevent excess wear and tear on the engine and other components.
Conduct Regular Battery Checks
The battery of a refrigerated truck is essential to power the refrigeration unit and other electrical components. Regular checks of the battery will help to identify any issues with the charging system or battery life, preventing unexpected breakdowns on the road.
Maintain Your Tyres
Tyre maintenance is essential for any vehicle, but it’s particularly important for refrigerated trucks. The weight of the load and the constant starting and stopping of the refrigeration unit can cause excessive wear on the tyres. Regular checks of the tyre pressure, tread depth, and overall condition will help to prevent tyre failures and prolong the life of the tyres.
What Sort OF Refrigerated Truck Repair Can I Do On My Own?
Don’t want to put your truck in the shop? Whilst we always recommend a qualified mechanic, there are a few things that you can certainly maintain and repair at home.
Replace Blown Fuses
If your truck’s refrigeration unit suddenly stops working, it may be due to a blown fuse. You can check the fuse box and replace any blown fuses with the correct amperage rating. It’s essential to ensure that the replacement fuse matches the amperage of the original fuse to avoid damaging the electrical system.
Clean Your Air Filters
The air filters in the refrigeration unit need to be clean to allow proper airflow – you may be surprised by how a clogged filter can impact your system. You can easily remove the filters and clean them using a soft brush or compressed air. Dirty filters can cause the unit to work harder, leading to higher fuel consumption and reduced cooling efficiency.
Replace Lights
If the interior lights of the refrigerated vehicle are not working correctly, it could be due to a blown bulb. These can easily be replaced however, ensuring that the interior of the vehicle is well-lit and safe to work in.
Replace Wiper Blades
While not a repair, it’s always a good idea to replace your wiper blades if you’re noticing that they aren’t cleaning properly. This will help to ensure clear visibility while driving in bad weather.
Lubricate Hinges And Locks
Lubricating the hinges and locks on the doors of your refrigerated truck will help to prevent rust and corrosion, ensuring that the doors operate smoothly and are easy to open and close.
At Scully RSV, we can help take the pain out of maintenance and repairs. Hire short– or long-term with us and discover our convenience and flexibility.
