Why You Need to Maintain a Crucial Component on Your Trucking Fleet or Risk Big Repercussions

As the manager of a fleet of long-distance trucks, you'll be concerned with ongoing maintenance so that these vehicles hit the road as often as possible and earn you maximum revenue. Yet while you worry about service schedules and up-to-date equipment, are you paying enough attention to a more important metric, the comfort and productivity of the people behind the wheel? With the torrid summertime temperatures fast approaching, what do you need to do in order to ensure that your cooling systems are in tiptop shape?

Maxing Out Your Productivity

If you are to maintain a happy roster of drivers who are content with spending many a long hour in their on-board office, then you've got to make sure that each truck is equipped with a fully reliable HVAC system. In the ultimate analysis, this can be the difference between high productivity and high driver turnover.

What to Watch Out for

The most important component of any truck HVAC system is most likely the compressor, which is the heart of the process as it keeps pumping the refrigerant for maximum circulation. Often, compressor failure can be linked to contamination, a lack of lubrication, insufficient cooling of the condenser, clutch failure or an insufficiently charged refrigerant.

Compressor Failure

It's vital for the refrigerant to be charged to a certain pressure, as without it the compressor is going to overheat. The system has to be able to "suck" coolant from the evaporator or it won't be able to return oil back into the compressor properly.

Watch Out for Debris

As these vehicles are on the road in the hottest conditions for lengthy periods of time, it's inevitable that a certain amount of debris will build up within the system. Tiny particles can find a way into the compressor and cause damage to the internal parts, make the expansion valve fail or block the condenser. You should make sure that the accumulator and filter are changed regularly.

Servicing Requirement

Finally, make sure that you have properly trained staff in your workshop, who know how to diagnose and repair air conditioning systems correctly. This will help you to cut down the amount of time that a vehicle is off the road and make sure that you only change the right part at the right time, to maximise your budget.

Being Proactive

Before summertime arrives in its full majesty, make sure that you have a look at air conditioning efficiency throughout your entire trucking fleet.

For more information about freightliner maintenance, contact a professional.