Considering truck repairs isn't the same as considering a car repair. Not just because of their size, but because trucks are usually commercial vehicles and they are subjected to more stringent laws. There are two elements of truck and trailer repair that need attention. The first is scheduled repairs and the other is emergency repairs. The relationship between the two has been proven time and again. The more scheduled truck repairs are undertaken the less emergency repairs are faced, and vice versa.

Scheduled Truck And Trailer Repair
Scheduled repairs can be classified under three categories: power plant maintenance, drive train maintenance and body work. Power plant maintenance is the most important of the three. The power plant is subjected to harsh conditions of temperature changes, and friction between moving parts. There is tremendous ware and tear, and this ware and tear escalates when preventive maintenance is poor. Scheduled repair will look at the condition of the lubrication and even at times if an oil analysis is completed, would be able to tell if there is any undue ware. If there is, it can be corrected before it becomes a major problem and a breakdown ensues.

Beside power plants, there is the need to look at the drive train. Drive trains are placed under tremendous strain during the course of the service. Loads that exceed the limits can have adverse effects and if not checked regularly can result in seizure and breakdown. Most of the time a frequent oil analysis will be able to tell if the gears are grinding as there will be trace elements of metal shavings in the oil. Have the analysis done frequently. In fact for certain trucks above a certain age or previous overhaul, its best to schedule an oil analysis at every oil change. One thing too is to track the results of the analysis in a log book.

The third and least important of the three is the regular maintenance of the exterior body. Trucks are frequently subjected to dings and bird strikes and this should be repaired as soon as possible. Always keep the truck washed and polished when able. The smooth surface of the truck will result in better aerodynamics and better fuel consumption. Dings are necessary body repair because they too affect air flow and they need to be checked by a professional to make certain that there is no unseen damage.

Unscheduled Truck & Trailer Repair
Truck & trailer repair that are unscheduled are usually the result of an accident or from lack of proper scheduled maintenance. Unscheduled truck repairs can be minimized if the scheduled checks and maintenance are strictly followed. But there will still be moments when there are accidents and unintended consequences. For times like these its best to find a team of mechanics that can handle a wide array of repair functions. Usually a garage that can handle everything from pebble dings to engine tear downs is something that experienced truck drivers want to associate with. The reason is that, on down days they can drop the truck off and have everything that's on a to-do list done there. It also means that having work done there results in faster turn around as they would usually carry the parts necessary to get your truck on its way. Smaller shops may have to wait for the part to be delivered.

Overall, it's always a good habit to do your truck repairs at the same place, if at all possible. If you do regular work, this is often more likely, since scheduled maintenance precludes emergency maintenance most of the time.