If there’s one thing I’ve learned in 47 years, it’s this: trucking isn’t just about driving — it’s about keeping your truck alive. Breakdowns cost money, lost time, and sometimes even your job. The best drivers don’t just drive; they know their equipment, spot problems early, and keep ahead of trouble. It all starts with proper pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
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3.1 What’s the most important part of preventative maintenance?
The most important part of preventative maintenance is consistency. Oil changes, tires, brakes, and fluid checks are the backbone of keeping your truck safe and reliable. Skip one, and you’ll pay for it later — often in the middle of nowhere.
But here’s the real secret: your pre-trip and post-trip inspections are your first line of defense, especially if your equipment has some years or pretty high miles on it. They’re not just DOT requirements; they’re your daily opportunity to catch problems before they become disasters. Check your tires, look for leaks, test your lights, listen for odd sounds. Ten minutes in the yard can save you ten hours waiting on a wrecker.
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3.2 How do you handle roadside breakdowns vs. shop repairs?
Some repairs you can handle yourself; others require a shop. Knowing the difference comes with experience. For small fixes — blown fuses, light replacements, hose clamps — I always carried basic tools and spare parts. For major issues like transmission or engine problems, you’ve got no choice but to get towed or limped into a shop.
The key is preparation. A thorough pre-trip often prevents many roadside headaches, but when they do happen, stay calm and work the problem. I learned to build relationships with shops along my routes — that way, I wasn’t just another truck in line when I needed help.
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3.3 How can you save money on truck maintenance without cutting corners?
The trick is to be smart, not cheap. Buying quality parts may cost more up front, but they last longer and save money over time. Doing small jobs yourself — changing lights, belts, wipers, or even grease jobs — adds up to big savings.
But again, the cheapest repair is the one you prevent. A solid pre-trip and post-trip inspection will catch 80% of problems before they become expensive breakdowns. I can’t stress this enough: inspections are the foundation of saving money in trucking.
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4.4 What’s the hardest repair lesson you learned on the road?
For me, the toughest lesson was that ignoring “small” problems leads to big disasters. Once, I skipped over a vibration I noticed during a pre-trip because I was in a hurry. By the time I addressed it, I was sitting on the side of the road with a blown tire and a damaged rim — all because I didn’t want to lose 15 minutes in the yard. That one mistake cost me hours of downtime and a big repair bill.
The lesson? Never ignore your gut, your eyes, or your pre-trip. If something feels off, it probably is. Address it now or pay for it later.
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> “The cheapest repair is the one you prevent — and it starts with a good pre-trip and post-trip.”
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Closing Thoughts
Maintenance is the difference between a profitable career and a stressful one. Pre-trip and post-trip inspections aren’t just paperwork for DOT — they’re your most powerful tools for keeping your truck safe, your loads moving, and your money in your pocket.
Every breakdown teaches a lesson, but the smartest drivers learn to prevent most of them. Treat your truck right, and it will treat you right.
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My Trucker Life 