Winter brings snow, ice, and freezing temperatures—conditions that are tough on your trucks, trailers, and transport refrigeration units (TRUs). Although wintry conditions can disrupt your operations and challenge your drivers, with proactive maintenance and small changes in your routine, you can help your fleet operate more efficiently and safely.
Here’s some expert advice for keeping your fleet in top condition during the winter:
TRUs: How Do You Keep Your Refrigeration Units Reliable in Winter?
“Winter weather places unique demands on even the most advanced TRUs, from frozen fuel lines to drained batteries,” says Tyler Luzinski, Senior Product Manager—Trailer, Thermo King Americas. “Proactive maintenance, like inspecting defrost systems and using winter-grade fuel, can help maintain performance levels when temperatures plummet.”
5 key tips for winterizing TRUs brought to you by Thermo King:
- Battery Issues: Cold temperatures can quickly drain or even kill a TRU battery, causing startup problems. To prevent battery failure and ensure more reliable performance, consider these suggestions:
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- Regularly inspect and maintain batteries
- Use battery warmers to help prevent failure in extreme cold
- Solar panels are an effective way to maintain a healthy charge
- Fuel System Problems: Unless treated, diesel fuel can turn to gel in the freezing cold, which blocks fuel lines and filters. These maintenance tips can help your fuel system run efficiently even in harsh winter conditions:
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- Switch to winter-grade fuel with anti-gel additives
- Replace fuel filters and check lines to ensure there are no blockages
- Adding an optional fuel heater to the TRU will help ensure fuel doesn’t freeze while TRU is operating. However, this will not help for TRUs sitting off for long periods of time.
- Compressor Failures: Refrigerants can freeze, leading to compressor issues. To minimize the risk of a compressor failure, our experts recommend these maintenance solutions:
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- Maintain proper refrigerant levels to reduce moisture in the lines
- Regularly service the compressor to keep it in good working condition
- Ice on Evaporator Coils & Fans: Ice buildup can restrict airflow, affecting cooling performance. To keep your coils and fans running smoothly, these tips can reduce ice buildup:
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- Clear snow and ice blocking airflow inside the TRU
- Clean coils and fans regularly
- Test your defrost cycle to ensure it works properly
- Frozen Defrost Drain: A frozen defrost drain can lead to moisture buildup, affecting the TRU’s ability to function properly or maintain temperature. To alleviate this problem:
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- Check for blockages in the defrost system
- Test your defrost cycle before temperatures drop
By staying proactive, you can ensure your TRUs remain reliable, even in the harshest winter weather.
How Do You Maintain Trailer Tires in Winter?
Winter can be tough on trailer tires, leading to issues like low pressure, flats, and reduced traction. Regular tire maintenance is essential to keep your fleet moving smoothly through the season.
7 Tire Tips for Winter Maintenance:
Since 1931, Bridgestone Tire has made it their mission to “serve society with superior quality.” To keep your tires in great condition during the cold winter months, the experts at Bridgestone recommend:
- Check Tire Pressure Regularly: Tire pressure drops by 1-2 psi for every 10°F decrease.
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- Tip: Inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended psi before each trip to avoid roadside downtime and improve traction.
- Inspect for Damage: Extreme cold weather makes tires brittle and prone to cracking or bulging in areas where damage has occurred.
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- Tip: Replace damaged tires immediately to prevent failures.
- Use High-Traction Tires: Ensure your trailers are equipped with tires that have enough traction to avoid skidding and slipping on snow covered roads.
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- Tires with ample tread depth and/or mud and snow tires will help prevent trailer loss of traction. Chains are essential in icy conditions.
- Monitor Tread Depth: Shallow tread reduces traction on icy roads.
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- Tip: Maintain at least 4/32” tread depth for safety.
- Remove Ice Buildup: Snow and ice can affect balance and handling.
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- Tip: Clear ice from wheels, tires, and valve stems before each trip.
- Balance and Rotate Tires: Even tire wear promotes safety and handling.
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- Tip: Rotate and balance your tires regularly.
- Avoid Overloading Your Trailers: Excess weight increases the risk of early tire removal and roadside downtime. Check the manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure for the load you are carrying.
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- Tip: Distribute loads evenly and adhere to weight limits.
Learn more about maintaining proper tire pressure, tread depth, and routine tire care to keep your fleet safe and efficient. Click here for more expert tips and guidelines.
Trailer Safety: How Do You Prevent Snow Hazards on the Road?
Winter weather isn’t just tough on your equipment—it can also create hazards for others on the road. Snow buildup on the tops of trailers can compact into ice, which may slide off while driving, reducing visibility for other drivers or causing dangerous road conditions.
Snow Hazard Prevention Tips:
- Solution: Use snow blades or raised catwalks to remove snow from your trailers before heading out.
- Pro Tip: Make clearing snow part of your pre-trip inspection to help ensure safety for everyone on the road.
Take your winter preparations further
Discover more ways to keep your fleet running smoothly this season. Take less than five minutes to read our article: 7 Trailer Winterization Tips to Keep Your Fleet Moving. Let’s protect your trailers and your bottom line, together.
We can help you prepare your fleet for Winter
Winterizing isn’t just about avoiding breakdowns; it’s about keeping your business running efficiently so your customers can count on you to deliver on-time. We’re here to help you keep your fleet efficient, safe, and on the road.
Contact Us today to explore our winter-ready solutions or visit BuyGreatDane.com to find the perfect trailer for your needs.
Download Your Free Winterization Checklist to start preparing today.
FAQs: Quick Answers for Winter Fleet Maintenance
Q: What is the best way to prevent frozen fuel lines in TRUs?
A: Use winter-grade fuel with anti-gel additives, and check fuel lines for blockages.
Q: How do I improve tire traction on icy roads?
A: Use high-traction tires with sufficient tread depth and add chains for extra grip in extreme conditions.
Q: How often should I inspect my TRU during winter?
A: Perform regular maintenance checks, including battery inspections, fuel system evaluations, and defrost cycle tests.
