If your truck breaks down mid-journey, take these steps.
Nothing will make your heart sink quite like realizing that your truck is about to break down. Getting stuck on the side of the road is never fun, but for truckers, it takes on a whole new meaning with tight schedules and precious cargo. It’s an awful feeling, but you shouldn’t despair as there is plenty to be done about the situation. Today we’re offering our tips for when you find yourself in a tricky roadside scenario. Read on to determine what you should do if your truck breaks down while you’re out on the road.
Reach Out
First, it’s vital that you contact someone who can help when your truck breaks down. Contacting dispatch is always wise, as you can let them know your condition and if you need immediate help or not. They may also be a good resource for some basic troubleshooting ideas to try to get you driving again. It may be as simple as getting you to a repair shop to take care of any significant issues.
Keeping your dispatcher aware of the situation helps them inform the customer of any potential delays in the schedule. They’ll have your back for the duration of the repairs.
You may also want to get in contact with your truck insurance provider. Inexpensive services like these can be a real lifeline during some of the most stressful moments as a truck driver, so it’s worth investing in or at least looking into. Roadside assistance for truckers can be the difference in getting stranded on the side of the road or recovering quickly enough to still complete the job on time.
Stay Safe
It’s critical that when your truck breaks down, you keep a level head and stay safe. Being stuck on the side of the road is dangerous, but there is plenty you can do to mitigate that danger. Stay alert to any traffic that may be passing you by. You also may want to pull over onto the nearest off-ramp instead of the shoulder, though if you do end up having to pull over in the shoulder, look for wider spots. Keep your flashers on and your eyes on the traffic.
Baltimore Freightliner-Western for all Your Trucking Needs!
Whether you are looking to upgrade your fleet to tow trucks or 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 and Twitter.
Tags: body shop, road safety, truck breakdown, trucking basics, trucking safety