The Common Reasons Big Rig Trucks Require Roadside Assistance

It's no surprise that large rig trucks are the most vulnerable to breakdowns. Add in the fact that these vehicles travel long distances for prolonged periods and it's easy to see why most big rig trucks need to call for roadside assistance at some stage!

The age of large vehicles and current driving conditions can also make them more vulnerable to breakdowns.

Let's take an in-depth look at the five most common reasons big rig trucks need to be contacted for roadside assistance. Knowing these causes could help you avoid a breakdown later!

Tires

Without a doubt the most common cause of big rig breakdown is tire problems, accounting for around half of all breakdowns. Tire problems can happen on large rigs for the same reasons as other vehicles. These include worn treads, over-inflation, and misaligned alignments.

Aside from the large weights these tires carry over long distances it is more common for tires to wear faster than cars, even though they are made to withstand heavier loads.

Brakes

Around 30% of breakdowns involving big rigs result in damaged brakes. It is the second most common reason for calling for roadside assistance.

Big rig trucks are prone to brake failures due to the high pressure they are under. Drum brakes and discs are exposed more heat and friction than brakes on other vehicles.

This can be avoided by regular maintenance. You should check for signs of wear such as corrosion, water contamination, air leakages, and rusting.

Refrigeration Issues

With a large portion of big rig trucks transporting temperature-controlled goods, such as food and medicine, they require special refrigerated trailers to maintain the correct temperature to avoid spoiling the goods.

Roadside assistance can be quickly arranged if there is any problem with the refrigeration unit. This will prevent the products from being wasted. This is a problem truck drivers should not overlook, or else their entire load may be damaged.

Cooling System

There are many connections required for large trucks to operate the coolant systems. But these connections are vulnerable to breaking or disconnecting in transit. This can lead to coolant loss which will affect the thermostat.

It is possible to fix it with relative ease. However, drivers will still be inconvenienced by the need for roadside assistance.

Electricity

You will find a lot of electrics on big rig trucks than you would in a regular vehicle. These include cranking and charging system, as well standard electrics like the truck lights. This complex electrical system requires regular maintenance, which is common for big rig failures.

Three electrical systems are required to be maintained. Start motor, alternator, battery and all other components play important roles in vehicle function. Roadside assistance is required for any issues, such as a truck not starting or a dead battery mid-drive.