Veteran Tips and New Tactics for Truck Parts and Service

Many industries can’t afford to have prolonged shutdowns and trucking is no exception. Every hour a vehicle is off the road means money lost, deadlines missed and a lot of headaches. 

Recently, a shortage of truck parts and supply chain slowdowns have been hitting the industry hard, but innovation has a way of stepping up, even in challenging times. Today’s trucking fleets are finding smart, practical ways to tackle these issues, keeping their trucks running longer and working more efficiently. 

Take Robert Reece, for example, a seasoned driver with over 30 years on the road and a background in heavy machinery operation. As the owner of AKR logging company, he’s seen it all and has strong opinions on keeping his trucks reliable, safe and ready for whatever the road throws at him.

From stocking up on critical parts to harnessing new tech, here’s a look at how the trucking industry is getting creative with parts and services to stay on track.

The Role of Routine and Preventative Maintenance

For truckers like Reece, maintenance isn’t just a task; it’s a daily ritual. When asked how often he performs maintenance, he replied, “Daily, sometimes even between stops I’m outside of my truck checking.” 

For him, it’s an engrained habit, especially when he considers the condition of his equipment to be critical for safe operations.

Benefits of Maintenance for Truck Longevity and Reliability

Consistent upkeep extends the life of any truck, which is especially valuable now, with supply chain disruptions making certain parts harder to find. 

Reece, who drives an older truck, is meticulous about maintenance. He says he’ll do most of the work himself to “keep the majority of [his] profits by learning to fix things.” It’s this hands-on approach that has kept his vehicle reliable for decades, saving him frequent trips to the shop while keeping costs down.

Developing a Strong Maintenance Program

Routine maintenance is important, but preventative maintenance adds a deeper level of foresight. Veteran drivers like Reece keep a close eye on their trucks, knowing exactly when each part is due for replacement. As Reece puts it, “You can’t afford not to have a firm understanding of your equipment, your needs and a plan for those situations.” 

He continues, saying, “That’s part of knowing what you need before you need it.” This forward-thinking approach helps drivers and fleet managers anticipate issues and reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns on the road.

Navigating Truck Parts Shortages with Advanced Strategies

The parts shortage has led many trucking companies and owner-operators to adapt in innovative ways. For Reece, this means stocking up on critical items he might need months later. As he puts it, “If it’s something I know I will need, even if it’s a few months down the line, I keep a healthy supply on me with a backup supplier just in case.” 

This approach to parts management is part of a larger trend of proactive stocking and smart sourcing in the industry.

Stocking Essential Parts and Equipment

Companies and independent drivers alike are building up inventories of items that are often in short supply, such as filters, tires and other essentials. Reece doesn’t mind spending money on high-quality tires, saying, “It’s the only thing between you and the road … they dictate if you get where you’re going and how safely you can do that, not just for yourself but for the other drivers on the road around you.” 

For drivers like him, investing in parts that matter most to safety and reliability is a priority, even if it means paying more upfront.

Making Use of Secondary Parts Sources

When traditional suppliers run out, truckers are turning to online sources and local retailers. Reece’s approach is to balance quality with availability, seeking out original equipment manufacturer parts when possible but also knowing when to use alternative sources. 

“It depends on the type of equipment you have,” he explains, noting that some parts are easier to find than others. “But it’s not uncommon to have to travel 100, maybe, 200 miles sometimes to get what you need to keep you on the road.”

This flexibility helps keep his trucks running without long waits, even when supply lines are strained.

Leveraging Technology to Improve Fleet Service and Parts Access

For many fleets, technology has become a primary tool for addressing repairs and minimizing downtime. 

With parts shortages and high demand for experienced technicians, software and tech solutions are transforming maintenance and repair processes.

Enhanced Communication Systems for Fast Repairs

Companies are adopting real-time tracking and diagnostic software to monitor their trucks’ health on the go. This technology allows for immediate alerts to service teams if a truck starts to show signs of trouble. By pinpointing issues early, these systems help drivers avoid lengthy delays and streamline the repair process. 

Reece, who has relied more on traditional techniques, appreciates this shift but sees both sides of it. “When you know your equipment well, it cuts way down on trips to the shop because I can fix most of it myself,” he explains. Yet, he acknowledges that newer trucks with advanced tech have their advantages, even if they come with a price.

Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS) Coding Systems

Another tool making life easier for trucking companies is the VMRS coding system. This standardized set of codes categorizes every part, repair and fault in a truck, making it easier for technicians to diagnose and fix issues quickly.

With VMRS, technicians can pinpoint exactly what part they need or what repair is required, helping keep trucks on the road and out of the shop. In short, VMRS cuts down on diagnostic time and reduces costly downtime — something every fleet manager can appreciate.

Veteran drivers like Reece also recognize the value in such a system, even if it looks different than the early days of keeping a truck running. As he puts it, “when you haul as often as I do, it’s not an ‘if,’ it’s a ‘when’ because you will have those problems. It’s unavoidable.” For Reece, a system like VMRS can help streamline the inevitable repairs that come with the miles, allowing drivers to prepare and respond without as much disruption.

Reflecting on how VMRS has evolved, Reece added, “This concept of a VMRS isn’t new, but the technology is. When you start working with your electrical system, it’s always been best practice to label it correctly and map everything in detail. The goal is to have a detailed log of everything you’ve done as well as where everything is. It was one of the first hard lessons I learned — now they’ve made it a standard, which is great.”

For Reece, keeping track of every repair and change is second nature, and VMRS makes that task easier and more reliable, especially for drivers who may not have the years of experience he does.

Whether for a seasoned driver like Reece or a newer technician learning the ropes, VMRS brings precision and organization to the maintenance process, making it an invaluable tool in today’s trucking industry.

The Impact of Easing Supply Chain Constraints

After years of disruption, the supply chain is starting to recover, with more parts and new trucks becoming available. This improvement is a welcome change for truckers and fleet managers, many of whom delayed new truck orders over the past couple of years due to backlogs and inflated costs.

Increased Availability of New Trucks and Parts

With production gradually catching up to demand, fleet managers now have more opportunities to upgrade or replace aging vehicles. Reece, who drives an older truck, knows that new trucks come with benefits but also sees the trade-off. “It’s all about your truck, your equipment and how well you take care of them,” he explains, noting that while new models offer convenience, they also come with added costs like financing or leasing and a dependency on newer parts. 

For Reece, knowing his truck inside and out means fewer trips to the shop, though it also means dealing with the ongoing upkeep that comes with an older model.

Managing Demand Amid Economic Uncertainty

While demand is high, economic uncertainty keeps many fleet managers cautious. 

Reece has witnessed the industry’s ups and downs and understands the need to balance growth with careful spending. “You’re going to pay one way or another,” he notes, explaining that whether you’re paying for new parts or spending time on do-it-yourself repairs, the costs are there — it’s just a matter of how you choose to handle them.

Final Thoughts

For seasoned drivers like Reece and trucking companies across the industry, the last few years have demanded flexibility and resourcefulness. By building up parts inventories, embracing new technology and maintaining a solid maintenance routine, fleets are finding ways to stay on the road despite ongoing challenges. 

The trucking industry is adapting, proving that while the road may be rough, smart strategies and solid planning can keep trucks moving forward. And as Reece puts it, knowing your equipment well and staying prepared “cuts way down on trips to the shop,” helping truckers save both time and money while staying safe.