The trucking industry is evolving and expanding daily, supply and demand are increasing significantly, and the need to ‘keep up with the Jones’s seems to be more evident than ever. You may have a successful import or export company, a brand that reaches its clients globally both physically and online, and to get products to and from suppliers means proper care and maintenance of your trucking fleet.

And not simply keeping the externals and internals wiped down and presentable, but the core of the operation, the engine, and all its moving components that carry the shiny chassis, to begin with. If you look after the foundation the rest will take care of itself.

Parts maintenance.

Is it as simple as going to the mechanics and have him look over the vehicle for a few hours, alas, we could only hope for it to be as simplistic as that. Or is it possible to watch a marathon of YouTube videos and attempt a DIY maneuver in the hope of saving some money, well, you could try but if it made matters worse you would only end up taking it to the mechanics or a reputable engineer anyways to rectify what you did and end up with a larger bill than you initially anticipated.

Your best option and one that I tell my friends and family members when they ask if we would come over and help on a ‘project,’ is to leave it to the professionals. They have been trained, certified, and have hands-on practical working experience, much more than we could ever have combined.

Then there is the safety aspect, they know what to look for or what should or shouldn’t be happening when the engine or various parts are running, and you run the risk of destroying the whole system when it was a quick fix to start with.

Ideally, you want to research and do your homework on the companies available within your area, asking them when, why, or how often parts need to be replaced or repaired (see here for some quick tips http://www.quora.com/What-parts-do-I-need-to-service-a-truck) and make a calculated decision based on the facts that you discover.

There is no fast and furious method, you need an organized and regular maintenance plan in place if you want your vehicles to be well-serviced and to offer you the longevity you need to keep your successful business up and running smoothly.

Finding the right fit.

Like with all brands and products there is an endless supply of options available on the market, it is about finding out who is best suited to deliver on what you are looking for and at the right price. There is no point in going for the cheapest option without reading the fine print, when a deal seems too good to be true they usually are, and why it is essential to read the fine print.

A few fundamental points can be considered to get you started on the right track and to get the ball rolling, it can be daunting knowing who to use, who is the best unless referred by friends or family members, and that you are being charged fairly.

• Experience. As mentioned before this component is vital if not the most important aspect of a company, if they are new to the game they may not have seen or dealt with as many situations as what is needed to assess and correct a mechanical failure. They most likely will end up making things worse, which only costs you more money at the end of the day.
• Services offered. It is best to use a company that provides all repairs and maintenance services, this way you can have all the work done under one roof and no hassle trying to find the next best firm to complete the task.

This array of services goes hand in hand with the availability of necessary parts which is essential to completing the repairs or replacements. You want the best you can get for your budget and when it comes to truck diesel parts in Canada you want to invest in a quality product.

It may mean a larger initial payment but it is worth it in the long run, as wear and tear happen naturally, better materials in products will give you the endurance you need to last that little bit longer.

• Proximity. When things break down you want to be able to take it into a repair shop as quickly as possible and not having to drive an hour out of town to get there. Look for a local mechanic workshop that provides the service you need, using a community-based business is also better for referrals and building a relationship with the staff.

The role of weather.

If you don’t know already the effect of severe weather conditions on your truck or car can make a significant impact and one that will end up leaving you financially on a negative.

Cold weather, and especially in countries such as Canada where the temperatures can drop to below 40’C, (see what extremities have been recorded in this link) can cause tire fluctuations, batteries not running like they should if at all, and even worse corrosion.

When the working elements in the vehicle are not regularly checked the rust and build-up that cause the parts to weaken put strain on the rest of the truck, this causes them to work harder than they should and themselves end up breaking down. Gears, brakes, and most importantly the engine all need regular seeing to, there is no time like the present and putting it off just ‘one more time’ could be what they say ‘the straw on the camel’s back.’

You have worked hard and built a successful company, you’ve invested in the trucks, put your heart and soul into it, now is not the time to slack on getting the right parts to keep them in tip-top shape.