Fleet Maintenance Program

The right fleet management system can help you improve your day-today operations and increase the financial success of a business. Teletrac found that 55% respondents were able cut costs and keep drivers safer and more productive thanks to driver monitoring (32%), safety prevention (26%), and fatigue monitoring (30%). These are all common features in fleet management software.

Our comprehensive guide to FMS will help you understand the key features and choose the provider and plan that suits your needs.

Unplanned repairs can be costly, but they aren't the biggest expense. Unscheduled maintenance means unscheduled downtime. The garage is where money goes. Unscheduled maintenance costs and unplanned downtime are a drain on your bottom line. They also increase the vehicle’s ownership cost.

Unplanned downtime can cause more damage than just the vehicle. The collateral damage is severe. Equipment that isn't in use can put more strain on equipment. This could result in equipment being out of commission and requiring the purchase or rent of new equipment to maintain production or delivery schedules. It could also mean drivers aren’t paid, deadlines don’t meet, and customers are unhappy.

Brakes. Check your brake lines and pads for signs of corrosion. You should also ensure that your gladhands are sealed, and that the brakes activate when you press the brake pedal. Truck drivers will be horrified to learn that semi-trailer brakes can fail.

Sometimes it means replacing components before they become seriously faulty. This is when preventive comes in to play. These components are being replaced because their approximate life expectancy is approaching. Instead of trying to squeeze every last drop of life out of it and risking damage, swap it out for a new one and go on. Although this may not be the best approach, in the trucking business your equipment is what keeps the paycheck coming in.

Your maintenance schedule will vary depending on the equipment. You can gather this information to help you create a schedule that is most effective for you and your equipment. Some parts need to change every year while others require replacement after a specific number of miles. The final decision is still difficult as it all depends on how often you drive your equipment.