If you own a custom truck, you may spend a lot of time and energy building it the way you like. Therefore, the vehicle deserves all your attention and care to ensure you minimize trips to the mechanic. In addition, some custom parts take some time to manufacture and install, so your truck's repair might be a significant inconvenience.
Consequently, preventive measures and maintenance are your best hope of keeping the truck in working order. Adhering to a maintenance schedule helps ensure the vehicle is safe to use. This piece discusses several tips for ensuring the longevity of your custom truck.
Do It Right at the Start
A custom build will last longer if the builder does an excellent job. Different factors affect the longevity of the truck. For example, crane trucks require a reliable chassis to handle the crane's stress and load. If the chassis bends or breaks after a few years or months, it probably was not a match for the custom work you had in mind.
Similarly, the builder must select the suitable material thicknesses for your custom truck. For example, the cargo bed for your vehicle must be thick and rugged enough to resist wear from abrasive loads such as gravel and metals. You may also strive to ensure that any repairs and replacements follow the recommended material thicknesses from the original build.
Service Your Hydraulic Systems
Dumper trucks, cranes, and other custom bodies often require hydraulic systems. A hydraulic system consists of fluid and accessories such as pipes, valves, switches, pumps, and a reservoir. All these components need timely repairs every time they fail, or you risk a complete system failure. However, what can you do to prevent hydraulic system failures?
Always check the hydraulic fluid level and top it up when it is low. Avoid mixing the brands of hydraulic fluids to ensure the system has oil of uniform viscosity. You may also inspect fill screens, breath caps, filters, hose pipes, connections, seals, and other sections. Some common signs of failure include overheating, unusual sounds, slow operation, and leakage.
Avoid Overloading
Sometimes, it may seem economical to push your truck to its loading limit, mainly to save time for commercial vehicles. However, you stand to lose more than you save. For example, cranes have a rated capacity, yet the minor overloading might seem harmless at the time. The end effect is that the crane experiences cumulative structural damages, which are costly to repair.
Overloading also contradicts the specifications of the original equipment manufacturer and the custom body fabricators. Therefore, overloading exceeds the safety factor of crucial aspects of the custom truck, such as subframe and load-bearing beams. In addition, such a pattern may constitute negligent usage and void your warranty.
Implement Cleaning and Paint Protection
Custom trucks are rugged and appear strong, but they are still vulnerable to various risks such as rust. For example, keeping your vehicle dirty after using it can ruin the paint and expose the steel to corrosion agents. In addition, cleaning helps protect greased parts and open crannies from dust. Ultimately, something as simple as thorough cleaning can spare you from huge repair costs.
After some years of using the truck, the paint might fade or get scratched. Prompt repainting helps restore the protective cover of your vehicle and makes it look as good as new.
Trucks for camping, construction, towing, and other operations may work in harsh conditions. Consequently, pay close attention and ensure you rectify any issues as soon as they arise. At Diamond Truck Body MFG. Inc.,
we can help you build, repair, and direct you on the best maintenance protocols to ensure the longevity of your custom truck.
