What to Do When Your Truck Breaks Down
No one wants their truck to break down on them, but unfortunately, sometimes it happens. And when it happens, it’s better to be prepared than to improvise or make things worse. Here are some great tips and bits of advice to make sure you get your truck back on the road as soon as possible.
Work to Prevent Breakdowns
Prevention is the best medicine, that’s why it’s important to constantly keep an eye on the working parts of your machine and check things thoroughly during your pre and post trip inspections. It’s always better to fix something before a trip rather than during a trip.
Pullover Safely
If you feel that there’s an issue with your truck it is important to put on your emergency flashers and ease off the road. If you can make it without causing harm to your truck, get to an exit ramp go up and over to the entrance ramp to take you out of the flow of traffic. A rest area is best, making it safer than pulling over on the shoulder.
Make Yourself More Visible
Once you have successfully parked your truck, it’s important to set up triangles behind your truck at 10', 50’ and 100’ intervals as prescribed by law, to alert others. Tilting open the hood is also a good way to signal to others that there’s been an issue with your truck.
Assess the Problem
Try to figure out what caused the truck issue to determine whether you can fix it or if you’ll need to call roadside assistance. Comany drivers should contat their maintenance department.
And if you are a driver in the trucking industry and in need of a change, you should seriously consider applying for a trucking job with NTB Trucking. Learn more about our employment opportunities and submit your information via Apply Now!