Did you know that you can get more time and service out of your trucks if you simply put certain protocols in place? Think of how this magnifies your investment! Getting more months, or even years, out of your truck extends the gap between having to replace it—and trucks are expensive.
Want to know how? Here are some common questions and answers to help you.
You prolong the life of your truck by knowing exactly when it needs a service, driving it with care, and avoiding damaged surface areas while driving it. All three of these tips can be done through fleet software technology, saving you more on your truck asset investments.
If you look after your truck, it can last 15 to 20 years—or even longer. But if your truck isn’t cared for or driven correctly, you can expect it to last around 10 to 15 years or less. At this point, repairing the truck is more of a liability than an investment, meaning it’s time for a replacement.
In South Africa and many other parts of the globe, Volvo FM and Volvo FH are safe picks when searching out a heavy-duty second-hand truck. They deliver high mileage due to their robust engineering and tough exteriors.
The main causes of trucks having their lifespans shortened are bad driving and weak maintenance schedules. Other factors (which are area-specific) include damaged roads, climate, and cheap brands.
Yes, bad driving is a major cause of truck “ageing”. If your truck spends a lot of time speeding, idling for no reason, or taking harsh corners, it causes wear & tear at a faster rate than careful, more methodical driving.
There are several ways you can monitor bad driver behaviour in your trucks, including:
One of the cheapest trucks to maintain is the long-haul truck, because these are built for endurance driving. It’s the constant stopping & starting of a truck that causes it to wear out faster, which is why long-haul trucks outlive short-haul trucks most often.
You can get away with driving your trucks once or twice a week, although they’re designed to be driven more often than this. If you keep your trucks parked for long periods of time, the fuel system, electrical networks, and even the tyres can deteriorate gradually. If your trucks are forced to stay parked for longer than a week, always store them in a cool, dry area.
Yes, trucks generally last longer than cars depending on what they’re used for and how they’re driven. Because most trucks spend most of their time on longer, perpetual routes, they tend to last longer than any vehicle that stops & starts regularly. Most trucks also run on diesel, and diesel engines are known for their longer lifespans.
Diesel trucks last longer. Diesel engines are designed to burn fuel more efficiently, and require less maintenance over time. This means the gaps between engine services are longer, and the health of the truck’s engine is generally better.
The cost of a truck management system from Cartrack depends on the features you choose, as well as the number of trucks you put under the umbrella of your management software. However, it’s generally safe to assume that the software costs less than the money it saves you to have.
The mileage of a truck will often depend on the brand & quality of the vehicle, as well as how well it’s been cared for. Trucks reach around 1.2 million kilometres before becoming too old and worn to drive any more. However, some high quality trucks reach 1.5 million kms, especially if they’re well maintained throughout their lifetime.
