The rig’s cost is a factor to consider before starting a truck driving career. Let’s investigate how to prolong the lifespan of your semi-truck.
Living and working as a semi-truck driver is a career with many amazing opportunities. Of course, it also has its downsides (long hours of solo travel can certainly be lonely) and dangers (the risk of accidents or falling asleep on the road are certainly real). One big factor that people need to consider before embarking on a career as a truck driver is the cost of the rig they will be spending a lot of time in. In many cases, the drivers also own their truck – so how long should you expect your truck to last out there on the road? Generally speaking, there are five major factors that influence the lifespan of a semi-truck. Let’s investigate them!
Cargo
The cargo you carry will have a huge effect on the lifespan of your rig. If you always carry heavy cargo (major appliances), your track will not last as long as if you always carry light cargo (pillows or cereal). Most trucks carry are variety of types of cargo and fall on the middle range.
Maintenance And Care
Most semi-trucks that receive good care and maintenance last between 500,000 and 750,000 miles. Doing routine maintenance, like oil changes, tire rotations, and brake checks, can help prevent major mishaps and breakdowns that shorten the life of your rig. If you are not staying on top of the care your truck needs, the lifespan of the vehicle will suffer.
Types Of Travel
Finally, the type of trucking that you do also plays a role. If you only do long hauls, you are likely doing less city driving and that can extend the life of your truck, but you are also probably doing more driving in unfamiliar areas that can put strain on you and the truck. If you only do local deliveries, it is more stop-and-go, but you probably know the routes super well and can avoid surprises.
Driving Conditions
The conditions that you drive in will play a huge role in how long your truck last. This is not just about the weather when you drive (though that does matter) but also about the road conditions. Nicer, smooth, clean, well-maintained roads will cause less wear and tear on your truck than the average city roads do. City driving also tends to be more stop-and-go which also adds to the wear-and-tear on the truck. If you are always driving in cities, your truck will not last as long. The average truck traveling on good roads should last about 12 years (or 500,000 miles).
Driver Experience
Finally, the amount of experience you have as a driver will also impact the lifespan of your rig. The more years of experience you have, not just driving in general but driving a semi-truck, the more likely you are to be able to extend the life of your truck. An experienced driver should have more knowledge about handling the truck in difficult conditions and have a better routine for truck maintenance.
Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star for all Your Trucking Needs!
Whether you are looking to upgrade your fleet to tow trucks or are simply interested in the latest trucking technology, you can rely on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. We have provided top-notch service for the trucking industry for 30 years and would love to assist you in buying a new top-of-the-line truck, finding the specialty parts you need, or repairing your truck. Give us a call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474, or contact us online. To find out more about what we are up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Tags: lifespan, maintenance, trucking lifestyle