With several states expecting record heat this summer, it’s more important than ever for commercial truck drivers to address potential issues that might arise during these warmer months. By getting ahead of any problems before they occur on the open road, you can focus more on your podcast selection and less on potential repairs. Here are the top maintenance issues to look out for in the summer.

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Overheating

Engines generate large amounts of heat regardless of the time of year, but during the summer months, this is compounded by the combination of internal and external temperatures. Due to the high ambient temperatures, the generated heat has nowhere to go, so an engine can easily overheat. By checking for leaks, ensuring your coolant is at maximum fill, and replacing your oil, oil filter, and air filter before you begin your summer journeys, you can avoid overheating your engine while also keeping metal parts lubricated and reducing friction. These preventative steps will minimize the risk of needing to replace your truck’s engine completely, which is a very expensive fix.

Air Conditioner

The way you’d have your home’s HVAC system inspected between seasons to avoid pricey repairs later, ensuring that your truck’s thermostat is in good working condition will save you a lot of headaches in the long run. An air conditioner that is not functioning properly can make summer driving not only uncomfortable but also unsafe. A few quick steps will keep your A/C running in tip-top shape during your summer drives: Check the refrigerant pressure and top up if necessary, clean or replace your cabin air filter, and clean and inspect your fans to ensure that they’re working. A cool, air-conditioned cabin is not only comfortable but will keep you safe by preventing heat exhaustion.

Fluid Leaks

A fluid leak can spell disaster during a cross-country drive through Texas in the heat of July. The three main areas where you may experience a fluid leak are the engine, transmission, and coolant system. Additionally, make sure all fluids are circulating through the engine properly. Fluid leaks can not only impact your truck’s temperature but also its safe operation. High heat can affect fluid levels by causing them to partially evaporate, so it is important to keep an eye on them. When left unaddressed, low fluid levels can affect everything from your transmission fluid to your fuel economy. Keeping up with your fluid levels could save you some gas money.

Tire Blowouts

Just as your Honda gives you tire pressure warnings in cold weather, heat can have an even greater impact on your tire pressure. Summer temperatures create ideal conditions for a tire blowout. The risk of a blowout is exacerbated by braking and driving at higher speeds due to the greater friction between the tires and the road. Note that underinflating your tires is not the solution, as underinflated tires deform more under load and heat up more quickly. Always inflate your tires to the specified pressure for your truck. By checking your tire tread and pressure more frequently during the summer months, you can greatly decrease your chances of experiencing a potentially dangerous blowout.

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Windshield Wipers

Sunny conditions can quickly dry out your windshield wipers, and summer storms in the Midwest can be extreme. Making sure that you have a new set of sturdy windshield wipers will keep your visibility in check through heavy wind and rain. Windshield wipers crack and disintegrate more quickly during hot, dry summers, which will both scrape up windows and do nothing to help with your visibility. They are inexpensive compared to other truck parts for a reason: they need to be replaced regularly. Having a spare set can save you money and time and ensure that you never need to worry about poor visibility because of damaged wipers.

Nothing can ever be guaranteed, but being proactive and taking steps to prevent minor problems from becoming major issues. Start shopping today for your next new or used truck on Commercial Truck Trader.

Article Featured on Commercial Truck Trader, June18, 2024: 
https://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/blog/2024/06/18/top-maintenance-issues-to-look-out-for-during-the-summer/

Farming is more than just a job. It’s a way of life. It’s also a tough business and can be unpredictable at times. The weather and the market might be volatile, but your work vehicle should be dependable and efficient. In alphabetical order, Commercial Truck Trader is sharing five of the top light duty pickup trucks for farmers that will simultaneously keep you comfortable and help you get the job done out in the field.

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1. 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 

Whether you need to trek through muddy fields or haul manure, a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a powerhouse around the farm. With an impressive trailering capacity of 13,300lbs and a maximum available payload of 2,260lbs, this truck will make your job easier and enable you to load and unload the cargo bed in style. 

Featuring nine different trims, three cab options, and your choice of standard or long bed, the Silverado 1500 is one of the most popular light duty pickup trucks on the market. Some appealing features include its ability to tackle difficult terrain, a large and practical bed (with six different functions for loading, unloading, and accessing), Trailer Sway Control technology, and horsepower/torque options that can handle even the toughest jobs. 

2. 2023 Ford F-150

This classic workhorse is reliable, durable, and perfect for the farm. Eight different trims offer a variety of useful features, so you can choose the specifications that best fit your needs. From the basic XL and the rugged Tremor to the luxurious Platinum and the powerful Raptor, there’s an option for every farmer. Ford even offers an all-electric F-150, the Lightning, with plenty of torque and a front truck (frunk) that’s perfect for storing animal feed and other cargo.

Some Ford F-150 models come with different cab options: Regular, SuperCab, and SuperCrew. There are also three different bed lengths to consider: 5.5ft, 6.5ft, and 8ft. Whether you want off-road capability, blind-spot monitoring, heated seats for those cold winter days, LED bed lighting, or wood interior accents, there’s a customized model that’s perfect for you. One major perk of the Ford F-150 is industry-leading maximum payload capacity of 3,326lbs.

3. 2023 Nissan Titan

Offering both efficiency and capability, the Nissan Titan is another great choice for farmers who need a reliable vehicle. Each model is equipped with a 400-hp Endurance V8 engine that can power you through the most challenging jobs on the farm. 

Two trims and three cab options come in a variety of bold colors, with high-quality interiors and crisp touch-screen displays. Additional features include grille surrounds, LED lighting, aluminum-alloy wheels, off-roading accessories, a 9-speed automatic transmission, mud flaps, in-bed boxes for easy storage, bed outlets for power tools on-the-go, and more. 

With the Nissan Titan, you can also tow up to 11,033lbs with confidence. Six innovative features make towing simpler than ever. These features include Intelligent Around View Monitor, remote trailer light check, an integrated trailer brake controller, trailer sway control, tow mirrors, and tow-haul mode with downhill speed control.

4. 2023 RAM 1500 

The RAM 1500 has an assortment of features that are beneficial for both farming and ranching. Whether you’re hauling equipment or towing a trailer, its massive towing and hauling capacity (of up to 12,750lbs) is sure to come in handy. The Class-Exclusive RamBox Cargo Management System is also great for storing tools and equipment. You can even pack the weatherproof and drainable system with ice and use it as a cooler. 

Eight different trims make it easy to choose a model that offers your preferred features. The Tradesman Quad Cab has the best-in-class available rear leg room, while the TRX Crew Cab has the most powerful street legal production pickup. From chrome grills to unmatched horsepower, you can get everything you need and more. 

In late 2024, RAM will be releasing their first ever electric truck, the 1500 RAM REV. Featuring cutting edge technology, this zero-emission vehicle will come with a front truck (frunk), standard and large battery packs to get you where you need to go, hands-free active driving assist, and the capability to act as a generator when the grid is down.

5. 2023 Toyota Tundra 

Last but not least, the Toyota Tundra is a high-quality truck that can double as a family vehicle and a farm workhorse. Seven different trims are outfitted for a wide range of activities. Whether you’re towing equipment (up to 12,000lbs), transporting animal feed in the bed (maximum available payload up to 1,940lbs), or ferrying livestock to different locations on the farm, the Tundra is a great choice for those on a smaller farm. 

Some intriguing features of the Toyota Tundra include its 10-speed automatic transmission, multi-terrain select system, adaptive variable suspension that helps with towing stability, an ultra-durable composite bed, rear-seat storage, and more. Unlike the other light duty trucks on this list, the Tundra only offers a Twin Turbo V-6 engine instead of a V-8 engine option. However, the horsepower and torque is still respectable. 

At the end of the day, having a reliable truck on your farm is extremely important. Ideally, you can invest in a high-quality machine that will last you for several miles and years to come. 

Source: https://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/blog/2023/04/26/5-of-the-top-pickup-trucks-for-farmers/ 

What makes purchasing a used truck or van such a smart decision for so many? In this article, we’ll review the primary benefits of buying used commercial vehicles:

1. Frugal

It may be the most obvious incentive, but it’s true that acquiring used trucks is significantly cheaper up-front than purchasing a new vehicle. A truck or van typically experiences its biggest drop in value in its first 12 months. This means you can often find great resale deals on commercial vehicles that are older than one year. Additionally, depreciation is much slower after the initial first year decrease. So, if you buy a used truck and later sell it yourself, you may not have to part with it for too much less than you paid, putting good money back into your pocket (in addition to whatever profits the vehicle helped you earn).

Yes, buying a brand new commercial vehicle can be a long-term investment, but for some companies, especially new and growing businesses, saving on immediate costs can be the most important concern, helping them quickly expand their fleet, land more jobs, and make more money.

Extra Note: You can find great deals buying previously rented trucks from dealerships, as they typically like to fill their rental fleet with recent models, meaning you can get a vehicle that’s not too old from a seller who will have taken good care of it. Additionally, many dealers offer solid warranties, service agreements, and maintenance plans for used trucks and vans. You can also get lower premiums from insurance companies, as well as better deals from lenders and financiers, all of whom consider used vehicles to be less valuable (of course, we know differently!).

2. Familiar

Used trucks typically have a dependable life-cycle and performance capabilities that should be familiar to you and your drivers. Particularly if you can acquire the commercial vehicle’s telematics (digital data on engine hours, idle time, fuel economy, alerts, etc.) or records of maintenance, you can approximate how well you can expect the truck or van to work and for how many more years.

Being able to confidently rely on a used vehicle helps you to precisely plan and execute your routes and jobs, and ultimately help make your fleet more productive. Sometimes, technological and operational learning curves with new trucks may actually hinder work, along with driver concerns about even slightly dinging the new commercial vehicle. However, you can always get right to work with familiar, previously used trucks and vans.

Extra Note: Reputable dealers should be able to provide you with greater certainty when purchasing used vehicles, and you are more able to hold them accountable if they don’t deliver on what they promised you were getting with a purchased truck. You take a greater risk when buying used trucks or vans from unfamiliar private sellers, as you may not know their or the commercial vehicle’s history, and may have less avenues of recourse if you feel swindled (though, of course, most private sellers are perfectly honest workers, just like yourself).

3. Flexible

Used vehicles give your company flexibility, since used trucks are readily available in a wide range of options. When purchasing new commercial vehicles, you are restricted to recent models and potentially lengthy production lead times. With used trucks or vans, you can shop for any model produced in the past few years or even older if a vehicle has been well maintained. Additionally, you have flexibility in repairing older trucks, as brand-name parts are typically widely available from shops and individual sellers. If the commercial vehicle isn’t too much older, you can acquire parts directly from the manufacturer.

Extra Note: Affordable used trucks and vans can also be helpful to have on hand as simple backup vehicles, providing additional flexibility if an unexpected breakdown happens during an important job with a tight deadline. 

4. Friendly for the environment

Members of Gen Y and Gen Z, who increasingly make up a greater share of the workforce, care about how the industry affects the environment. As such, sustainability is an emerging benefit of used vehicles. At first, it sounds illogical that older, less fuel-efficient trucks could be called eco-friendly, however the acquisition of used commercial vehicles decreases the demand for newer trucks and vans. Because manufacturing requires a considerable amount of electricity, raw materials, and so on, purchasing used vehicles actually helps limit unnecessary truck production and our industry’s overall carbon footprint.

Whether you have an immediate need for a commercial vehicle, or simply wish to plan ahead for your company’s future, it’s a good idea to know the many benefits of purchasing used trucks and vans. From affordable costs and broad availability to familiarity and eco-friendliness, used vehicles can be the perfect choice for your life and livelihood.

SOURCE: www.commercialtrucktrader.com