What Kind of Lifespan Can You Expect from a Semi Truck?

One of the most common questions owner-operators and fleet operators have when purchasing new trucks for their business is how long they can expect their investment to last. After all, semi trucks are not minor investments, so it’s important to make sure you’re going to get plenty of life out of the vehicle in return for the money you put into it. Whether you need a new engine or semi truck clutch repair in Shelby County, TN, it’s good to know what to expect from your truck.

Here’s a quick overview of the factors that go into semi truck life expectancy and the kinds of reasonable expectations you can have when making a purchase or when managing a fleet.

About the lifespan of your truck

The number of miles you can get out of a semi truck will vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the following:

• Driver ability: Experienced, well-trained and responsible drivers are more likely to engage in good driving practices and avoid behaviors that could result in accidents or breakdowns. If you have good drivers in your fleet, you’ll tend to find that your trucks will last longer as well.
• Maintenance: Preventative maintenance is always important for extending the useful life of vehicles and heavy machinery, and semi trucks are no exception. It is critical to stay on top of a maintenance routine that will keep all of the truck’s systems in good operational condition and to maintain the efficiency of its operations as much as possible. By catching issues while they’re small and taking action before they get bigger, you can avoid major repairs and issues that could reduce the vehicle’s lifespan.
• The load: What exactly are you pulling, and how much? The more heavy hauls you do, the more it will strain the engine, even if you’re taking good care of the vehicle. Trucks that do a lot of particularly heavy hauling will likely not last as long as those that get a break every now and then.
• Terrain: The kind of road and terrain on which you drive will make a big difference. If you’re generally driving on flat, straight highway roads, you’ll probably get much more life out of your truck than you would if you were doing a lot of hauling in hilly or mountainous regions, or if you were doing a lot of city or urban driving. In addition, if you drive through a lot of snow and ice (and thus encounter salt), it’s more likely to create issues than if you regularly drive through moderate temperatures and mild conditions.

A well-maintained vehicle in the right circumstances can last you anywhere from 250,000 miles to far more than that. It’s not unheard of for trucks to get a million miles logged in the exact right circumstances. Carefully consider how you’re maintaining the vehicle and the driving practices you’re using so you can get the most mileage out of your truck and save your company a boatload of money.

For more information about trucks, or if you need semi-truck clutch repair in Shelby County, TN, we encourage you to contact United Diesel Power – Truck Repair today.

Categorised in: Semi Truck Maintenance

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