If you own a commercial truck, you know how essential that vehicle is to your business. Keeping it up and running is crucial for keeping your customers satisfied, and that’s the key to your livelihood. Of course, keeping your truck on the road is an ongoing effort that requires routine maintenance and prompt repairs. That means constantly buying parts when the old ones wear out or malfunction. The following 10 tips can help you keep your truck safe and operational without spending most of your profits on parts. 

1) Work With the Right Parts Supplier

One of the most important things you can do when buying parts for your commercial truck is to work with the right supplier. You’ll find numerous sources for truck parts, but not all of them are created equally. Some are overpriced while others offer substandard products. Certain suppliers cover both those bases. At the same time, some suppliers are only interested in getting your money. They don’t care if the parts work for you or not. 

Because of that, finding the right source for parts is essential. With a reputable truck parts supplier in your corner, you won’t have to worry about buying shoddy parts or being stuck with parts that ultimately don’t work in your truck. You’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re getting quality components and guaranteed satisfaction. In fact, if a part ends up being the wrong one for your truck or it doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to, a trustworthy supplier will allow you to return it or exchange it without giving you any grief over it. 

2) Know Your Truck

Secondly, be sure you know your truck well. This may seem like common sense, but all too often, people contact parts suppliers with no clue how old their truck is, what type of engine it has, or other important details. That makes finding the right parts for it extremely difficult. Before contacting a parts supplier, know what year, make, and model your truck is. If possible, learn what type of engine, transmission, and other major parts it’s equipped with. 

Additionally, be sure to have the truck’s VIN on hand when ordering parts. Many of the characters in the VIN can provide important information about the truck itself. That includes the details listed above and where the truck was manufactured among other points. If you can provide a supplier with the truck’s VIN, it’ll take a great deal of guesswork out of the equation and help to ensure you get the right parts for it from the start. 

3) Check Your Truck for Details

Aside from the VIN number, your truck may offer an array other identifying information if you know where to look. For example, the engine and transmission should both have a metal plate on them that tells what types they are and other details. Those tags generally have codes on them to help you get the right replacement parts. Other components of your truck have identification plates as well, including the axles, cabin parts, and some body parts. Over time, those plates tend to fall off or become so faded you can’t read them. If that’s the case with your truck, don’t panic; using the VIN and other details, as well as the right supplier, can still ensure you get the correct parts. 

4) Buy the Right Parts

Again, this may seem obvious to some people, but it’s not always as cut-and-dried as it you might think. Quite a few people try to get by with parts that aren’t exact matches for what their commercial trucks need. They may assume they can make those parts work, but more often than not, that doesn’t happen. Some parts are interchangeable, but others aren’t. When purchasing parts for your truck, don’t take for granted that a “close enough” match will work.

This is another reason why working with a reputable, experienced supplier is a smart move. Those that truly care about their customers will do their best to make sure you get the right parts. They also know a great deal about which parts are interchangeable and which ones aren’t.

5) Invest in Quality

Another tip for purchasing commercial truck parts is to invest in quality. Cheap parts may cost less, but you get what you pay for. Those parts probably won’t last very long, and you’ll find yourself repeatedly replacing them. That will cause you far more downtime than necessary, and it’ll cost you more money in the long run. Paying extra for quality from the start will have the opposite effect. 

6) Check for Warranties

It’s also important to check for warranties when buying commercial truck parts. Most OEM and aftermarket parts come with guarantees, and suppliers may offer their own warranties on parts. Don’t just assume that the parts you purchase come with that extra assurance, though. It’s better to be safe than sorry. 

7) Buy Parts Ahead of Time

When it comes to keeping a commercial truck up and running, buying certain parts ahead of time is certainly a good idea. That’s particularly true of parts that tend to wear out quickly, like hoses, belts, and brake shoes. You may even want to keep a spare engine and transmission overhaul kit on hand; after all, you know you’re going to need them at some point. Having those parts available when you need them could save you a lot of downtime.

8) Buy in Bulk When Possible

Furthermore, buying in bulk can save you time and money in many cases. For those parts that need to be replaced often, like the previously mentioned hoses, belts, and brake components, consider keeping several of them on hand. Suppliers often offer discounts on bulk orders. Even if they don’t, not having to wait for those parts to come in when you need them will prevent unnecessary downtime. 

9) Shop Around

Shopping around for parts can be a good idea as well. Look for companies that offer the parts you need for less, but don’t sacrifice quality and dependability for the sake of saving a few dollars. Don’t overlook the cost of shipping, either. In some cases, you may find the parts themselves for less, but you might ultimately end up paying more for shipping. Be sure to weigh all those factors carefully when you’re comparing prices. 

10) Be on the Lookout for Recalls

Finally, always be on the lookout for recalls. They happen all the time, and they can have a significant impact on your truck. If any of the parts on your truck are included in a recall, you may be able to contact the manufacturer or your supplier for help with getting the problem resolved. 

Keeping Your Truck on the Road

Commercial trucks are major investments. That applies to the price of the truck as well as the cost of keeping it up and running. Use the tips listed here to help you save money, downtime, and hassle. They’ll also go a long way toward helping you keep your truck on the road so you can continue to keep your customers satisfied.