Five simple ways to help avoid being stranded

We've all broken down at some stage, but here are a few tips to avoid it happening again...

If you consider the number of moving parts on any truck, it’s remarkable that they don’t break down more often. With thousands of parts needing to work in unison, all held together by simple nuts, bolts, screws and clamps, the chances of a mechanical failure are actually quite high.

When a break-down does occur it can be very costly, not only in terms of call-out and repair costs, but also time off the road. We’ve put together a short list of things you can do to minimise the impact of a break down, and keep your truck on the road, instead of on the side of the road.

Service and maintenance

Prevention is always better than a cure, and with regular servicing and maintenance the risk of a major break down is greatly reduced. A good mechanic will notice when things are not right, and fixing any issues while they are still minor could save you a lot of heartache. If something looks like it’s on its way out, replace it before it fails, as the failure of one component will often damage other parts close by.

Regular washing and inspection can also lead to early identification of issues, with things like oil leaks and loose bolts all easy to spot while you’re up close with the sponge. Keeping a truck clean also means you are more likely to notice something like an oil leak soon after it starts.

Carry a basic tool kit

You don’t need to have a five drawer Sidchrome tool chest to solve a lot of issues on the road side. Luckily, most of the failures that occur out on the road are simple issues, and a good tool kit with a socket set, spanners and screwdrivers will, more often than not, get you out of trouble. There’s no point waiting at the side of the road for two hours just to have a mechanic replace a hose clamp, and charge you for the privilege.

It’s also a good idea to carry a few electrical connectors, a pair of pliers and some tape for those emergency electrical repairs. Even if it’s only a patch-up to get you back to your usual mechanic, it will save you a heap of time and money if you can fix it yourself.

Have a supply of the 'usual suspect' parts

Carrying a few spare parts around might take up a little space in the toolbox, but will be worth it when they are needed. Simple parts such as fan belts, radiator hoses and intercooler hoses (with a few spare clamps to suit) are a good investment, with some operators also carrying things like a spare alternator, just in case. These are the parts that more commonly fail and, the alternator aside, are relatively cheap when compared to a roadside call-out fee.

Another good thing to have in the spares box is a spare trailer lead, or at least a five-pin plug. This is another part that is often damaged or broken, and always fails at the least convenient time. Replacing the plug is a simple job, but only if you have one on hand. Of course, you could buy one from a service station, but it’s cheaper and easier to buy one for a decent price and have it in the toolbox. Having a few spare globes is also a good idea, especially if drive a European truck with 24V lights, as they can be hard to find out on the road.

Keep the fluids up

While a lot of companies dictate that a driver should do a daily check on the truck, very few actually do. By checking and topping up the fluids every day, you can keep an eye on how much is being used. Should that amount increase dramatically, then a good check-over by a mechanic is probably in order. While oil and coolant are available in most roadhouses (at ridiculous prices), it doesn’t hurt to carry a bit of each, just in case. Coolant is especially important, as a leaking radiator hose (which is easily repaired) could lead to an engine shutdown through low coolant levels, even after the faulty hose is replaced.

A list of fault codes

There will always be those times where even the best prepared driver will find themselves stuck, with no way of knowing what the problem is. Most trucks these days will tell you what the problem is, either through a display in the dash or a fault code system. Understanding how to read the fault codes can save a great deal of time in determining the issue, and will help to ensure the mechanic brings out the right parts and tools to get you on your way.

If there is no list of fault codes in the owner’s manual, it might be worth downloading and printing a copy off the internet, and keeping it in the truck.

There is one other thing you can do, which may well address many issues to do with modern engines -- shut it down, let it sit for five minutes, and try starting it again. It sounds simple, but I’m sure a lot of computer experts make a fortune out of asking: "Have you tried turning it off and turning it back on again?"

Five simple ways to help avoid being stranded

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