Categories:
Service
Trucks
Leasing and Rental
Heavy Duty Truck Inspection: The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) unannounced Brake Safety Day that took place on April 25 of this year put nearly 1,600 vehicles with brake violations out of service.. CVSA holds brake-focused enforcement events throughout the year to identify and remove commercial motor vehicles with dangerous brake issues from our roads to reduce the number of crashes caused by or made more severe by faulty braking system performance.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), large trucks involved in a crash where the braking capacity of the truck was critical were 50 percent more likely to have a brake violation than trucks involved in crashes where the truck’s braking capacity was not critical.
The following observations were made during this year’s inspection:
The U.S. conducted 10,074 commercial motor vehicle inspections
14 percent of commercial motor vehicles were placed out of service for brake violations
8,128 air-braked trucks and tractors were identified as requiring anti-lock braking systems (ABS)
10.2 percent of air-braked trucks and tractors had ABS violations
We fully inspect our trucks that are going for sale. Stop by at United Truck Sales or visit our website listings on truck paper.
Whether your truck breaks down on the side of the road or you simply need to tweak a few things on your rig, a basic toolkit can make all the difference in an emergency situation. Keep a hammer, various styles of screwdrivers (including a Phillips and flathead), wrenches, and pliers in your truck so you can do any necessary maintenance to get your vehicle to the nearest pit stop.If you routinely perform mechanical work on your truck, you could amp up your tool kit with with more specific repair tools. This equipment can allow you to work more intensely on your vehicle (if circumstances allow) so you aren’t without transportation for long.
ClothingThe clothing you keep in your emergency kit will depend entirely on the season and your routes. For example, if you travel during the winter season, stock your truck with a few pairs of wool socks, thick pants and shirts, warm hats, and gloves. But if your final destination is in a warmer climate, you should also include lighter clothing so you don’t overheat.
An extra pair of shoes can prove useful as well. Boots, for example, can keep your feet dry and warm in a snowstorm. And an extra pair of sneakers or work boots can protect your feet should your current pair become unwearable.
Flooring
Flooring in the trailer is another important consideration. Aluminum flooring tends to result in a trailer that’s lighter, but wood flooring lets you secure loads to the planks and eventually replace the boards when they become worn. Aluminum flooring is also adequate for hauling sand, soft dirt, and gravel, but concrete blocks and debris will require steel flooring, which can increase the cost and weight of the trailer considerably.
Reefer Unit
If you’re looking for a used reefer trailer, pay particular attention to the age of the refrigeration components. Typically, sellers will be able to tell you the number of hours the refrigeration unit has been active. An average trailer of this type can rack up between 1,200 and 1,500 hours per year.