While there is no uncertainty that you are saving money and time operating a food truck business compared to running a brick-and-mortar restaurant, however, there is still a lot of money invested to properly maintain your food truck business. Food truck owners must keep their trucks in perfect working condition even more so in the off-season. It is important to regularly maintain your truck to prevent any breakdowns or other long-term issues. It is also important if buying second hand, to check and see if the food truck or concession trailer was maintained to a high standard. Here are some of the essential food truck maintenance tips. 

Maintain the Tires and Wheels

Keep your Tires in Balance

All tires on your truck should be in balance with each other. Every tire is in balance when the weight of the tire is distributed equally around the axle. Upon potholes and bumps, your tires can become unbalanced with each other. Unbalanced tires can cause your suspension to wear out, your equipment could get damaged, and it can also lead to vibrations on the road.  

Manage the tires Alignment

If your food truck is pulling to one side, this can be caused by a misalignment of the wheels. If your wheels are not in line, it will cause your tires to wear quicker so you can experience poor handling while driving on the road and end up with worse mileage. If your truck was designed with the kitchen weighing heavy on one side this can cause your vehicle to pull to one side and it can also happen if your tires are unevenly inflated.  

Rotate the Tires

Rotating the tires on the truck will help ensure an even wear. Rotating will extend the lifespan, will ensure a smoother drive, and reduce the wear on your food truck’s suspension.  

Check the Tire Pressure

Flat tires can be an inconvenience, so it is essential to test and monitor the air pressure even more so on the colder days. During the colder months, air pressure in tires can drop in a short time. The tire pressure should be checked regularly to help evenly distribute your food truck weight. Tire pressure that is low can wear more quickly.  

Take Care of your Engine

The engine is the heart of the vehicle, and it must be maintained on a regular basis. Without a smooth-running engine, you won’t have a business. Here are some steps to follows:  

Change the Oil

The oil in the vehicle must be changed to ensure a long life for your food truck. Most manufacturers will recommend an oil change every 3,500 miles or every six months. The frequency in which you change the oil depends on how old the vehicle is, what type of truck it is, and how often you drive it. Your mechanic will determine when it needs to be changed and the best type of oil to keep the engine running efficiently and always lubricated. Over time, dirty oil can wear away your truck engine and cause bigger problems.  

Change the Filter

There are many filters that need to be taken care of and changed in a vehicle. These include transmission, oil, air, and fuel filters. All filters are important to extend the lifespan of your vehicle’s engine. Transmission filters generally need replacing after the first 5,000 miles and then every 25,000 miles after that. It is important to check your air filters every 8 weeks or so and also change them if they are dirty.  

Check all Fluids

It is important to check all the fluids that power your truck regularly and replace them if required. Brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid should all be checked over. Anti-freeze and water levels in the radiator should be checked to ensure the coolant inside doesn’t freeze.  

Check the Battery

Take your truck to your mechanic to check the battery and its condition. Get the level of your battery checked and have it replaced ideally after every 72 months. The mechanic will use a voltmeter to see how much power your battery has left and will recommend when it needs to be replaced. If you put it off for too long this is one important repair that will cause you a lot of trouble long-term.  

Monitor your Hoses and Belts

Monitoring your hoses and belts is important especially during the wintertime. Cold temperatures can add more strain to the hoses and belts inside your truck, this will make them a little tauter and tight, and after a while causing them to snap or stretch out. If you see any cracking, leaking, or fraying, a new hose and belt are required straight away.  

Check the Wipers

Your wiper blades should be consistently changed every 6 to 12 months, depending on their wear and tear condition. In the winter months with colder weather, it is more important to change your wiper blades as ineffective wipers can make driving difficult.  

Clean to Protect your Vehicle

• Cleaning your food truck’s interior and exterior, on a regular and consistent basis, is crucial for your business survival. Hygiene and cleanliness are hugely important.
• Wash everything in the truck, the oven, countertops, all equipment, stove, and fryers.
• Grease and dirt can build up over time, so it is important to clean on a weekly basis.
• Clean the truck’s dry storage area once a week.
• Wash the walls and the ceiling of the truck.
• Sanitise all areas daily.
• Cleaning out your fridge and freezers on a weekly basis.
• Wash the exterior of the truck to keep it looking presentable. Check the washer liquid.

Always Carry an Emergency Kit in the Vehicle

In case of an emergency, always have an emergency kit on board with you. It is a good safety measure to have all year round. Your kit should contain the following: 

• A first aid kit  
• A fire extinguisher 
• Jumper cables  
• Water  
• Flashlight 
• Spare tire  

Tips for During the Winter Months

During the colder winter months, there are certain maintenance tips for your vehicle that should be taken care of.  

Have a De-icer at Hand

During the winter months, locks can become frozen and jam the locking system. You can prepare ahead of time and make sure to have a de-icer at hand if this issue occurs.  

Give your Windshield a Winter Treatment

Get your windshield ready for the winter icy months with heavy-duty wiper fluid that you can use on the go. Keep your wiper blades clean from grime and dirt for safer and better visibility while driving.  

Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common vehicle mistakes to avoid: 

• Don’t ignore the maintenance instructions on the truck manual. Delaying the oil change or not changing the brake pads could cause additional damage to your truck.  
• Don’t ignore dashboard lights. If warning lights appear, check your manual to find out what it means. If there is a problem, it needs to be sorted as soon as possible.  
• Make sure to regularly check your tire pressure and don’t ignore it. Not checking your tires could cause problems in the long term.  
• Educate yourself on the workings of your truck as it is important to understand and know if there is something wrong.  
• Don’t keep running low on fuel. This could cause damage to your fuel tank.