When it comes to repairing your own vehicles, you may feel confident with your car or truck. However, when it comes to your semi-truck, you may be a little weary. It may come as a surprise to you that there are actually some easy fixes that you can perform yourself without a lot of mechanical expertise.
Headlight Repair
It’s not uncommon for a headlight to go out while heading down the roadway. This can create a real problem in those dark overnight hours. Fortunately for you, fixing your headlight, or lamp, as they’re called at the parts store, is fairly simple to do. In fact, you should have a couple of extra headlights stocked in your rig so you can repair your semi when this issue occurs without having to run to the parts store.
Airline Gladhands Seals
If you’ve been in the trucking industry for any amount of time, you know what airline gladhands are. These help you to release your truck from your load. Many are available in a quick style release. Over time the seals in these gladhands can wear out. Instead of calling in for professional truck repairs, you can easily replace these seals on your own with a small set of tools.
Grommet And Taillights
When you pick up your trailer, you expect it to be in good condition. However, sometimes a blown-out taillight can create some violation issues for you on the roadway. You won’t have to worry about this problem if you keep some spare taillights and grommets in your truck. These are very simple to install and can be done in less than 10 minutes for the average driver.
Replacing A Mudflap
Mudflaps are a way to ensure that you don’t spray mud all over other drivers and your load. In many states, mudflaps are a necessary component to any semi-rig, so you’ll want to have some spare ones hanging around in the cab of your truck. Most semi-truck mudflaps are installed with bolts onto a hanger set. You’ll simply need a ratchet set to undo the old mudflap and put the new one on.
Driving a semi-truck can be a rewarding career. Not only do you get to see the scenery but you get to make a difference in the world. If you’re worried about repair bills, don’t be. There are many problems that you can fix on your own that will save you tons of money.
Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.
