As a truck driver, no one knows your truck better than you. You’re likely to notice strange noises, faulty dashboard lights, low pressure levels, and other problems in their earliest stages. Recognizing these warning signs and getting your truck to a local repair facility can be the difference between a quick stop and complicated tanker trailer repairs or replacements. Continue reading to learn more about the common indicators that tanker truck maintenance is needed.
What Problems Require Tanker Trailer Repairs?
Everything from a dry bulk blower’s compressed air system to dinged-up cargo tanks could require tank truck services. Let’s investigate some of the most common problems that indicate a tanker trailer repair in your very near future.
Loss of Air Pressure
Losing air pressure can quickly lead to the inability to get your tank loaded. A faulty air compressor governor often causes these. The most common indicators of a bad compressor are:
- Your air gauges don’t move after several minutes
- The wet tank cycles rapidly
- Your truck is building up too much or not enough air pressure
- Loud, intrusive sounds coming from safety valves
More often than not, the cause of air pressure loss is a stuck unloader valve. However, it’s not uncommon for service line leaks or the air governor to be the root cause of pressure inefficiencies. An experienced service shop can quickly provide the tanker trailer repairs you need to get back on the road.
ABS Light On
ABS warning lights appear when problems associated with braking systems are sensed. With so many codes, your lights can start flashing for several reasons, but ABS lights are most commonly triggered by:
- Low battery voltage
- Damaged wheel speed sensor wires
- Faulty wheel bearings
- Dirty tone rings
- Malfunctioning ABS module
If you’re wondering which codes demand immediate tanker truck maintenance, the simple answer is all of them. For the safety of yourself and other drivers, brake issues should be taken seriously and brought in for tanker trailer repairs. Flashing lights on your trailer indicate a fault in the system, while flashing lights on your truck’s dashboard indicate that you need to repair or replace the failing ABS module.
Leaking Product
Product leaks are problematic for a variety of reasons. They can degrade product quality, cause contamination, ruin food-grade freight, or make your product undeliverable, which costs you substantial time and money. The two most common signs that your cargo tank is leaking are a product in the voids and the pungent odor of the product where there shouldn’t be any smell.
When trying to find the cause of a leak, you should have a trained professional perform an internal visual inspection. Leaks are often inside equipment that an external visual inspection can’t detect. A thorough assessment provides peace of mind and ensures your tank repair addresses the big-picture problem.
Additional Problems
Nicks and gouges may not seem like much, but they result from some type of impact. You should always bring your vehicle in for tanker trailer repair after an accident. Even if there’s no indication of extensive damage, the impact often causes damage to the coupling that isn’t easily recognizable. Expert mechanics take the coupling plate off and perform an internal visual inspection. Even if there’s no critical damage, putting a new one on may be the best plan of action.
Unloading pipes usually have a sight glass so you can monitor the oil inside your equipment without having to shut it down. These transparent tubes play an essential role in the early detection of leaks, contamination, and other issues. Sight glass is easily cracked, so ask your mechanic to inspect it when going in for tanker trailer repairs.
How To Avoid Unnecessary Tanker Trailer Repairs
Even the most attentively cared for trucks and equipment reach the end of their service life or experience problems. However, you can protect yourself from unnecessary tanker trailer repairs by providing preventative maintenance for your vehicle and following suggested cargo tank inspection intervals.
Preventative Maintenance
Proactive tanker truck maintenance helps you extend the lifespan of your truck and equipment, reduce costs, eliminate the need for replacements, and avoid tanker trailer repairs. Bringing your truck in for routine checks and maintenance allows certified technicians to pinpoint minor issues before they become costly problems.
Inspections
In some instances, following regular cargo tank inspection intervals is more than a helpful suggestion—it’s required. The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires yearly inspections to ensure all trucks on the road meet their regulatory requirements. These inspections include almost every working part of your truck. If you need tanker trailer repair, they’re sure to find the issue.
Need Tanker Trailer Repairs? Turn to the Midwest’s Most Trusted Service Provider, White Tank & Truck Repair
Since 1985, White Tank has provided the highest-quality tanker truck repairs, preventative maintenance, tank washes, testing, and installs available. Our R-Stamp certified technicians are more than capable of handling any tank weld repairs you may need. And if you’re experiencing any problems that require part replacements, our extensive inventory of products is available when you need it most.
If you’re in the Missouri, Kansas, or southern Illinois area and need tanker truck maintenance, repairs, inspections, or other services, reach out to White Tank today.
