Your fleet’s trailer doors serve as linchpins in the transportation process. They bear immense responsibility throughout each journey. Commercial truck doors shoulder the weight of tens of thousands of pounds of inventory. This demands durability while remaining operable by a single person. Enduring constant exposure to varying weather conditions during hundreds or even thousands of miles of travel, these doors need to withstand the harshest elements.

There’s constant wear from the scorching sun to rain, road debris, corrosive road salt, and the impact of wind-blown objects. Every mile inflicts wear on the commercial-grade hardware of tractor trailer doors. Over time these elements will gradually compromise the structural integrity of trailer doors. This could eventually jeopardize their functionality and take your truck out of commission.

Malfunctioning or damaged tractor trailer doors present significant hazards. They’re a threat only to the driver but also to other highway travelers and individuals unloading cargo at loading docks. Truck trailer doors are a key part of an efficient and safe loading and unloading process. Their dysfunction has huge knock-on effects for your team’s process. Trailer doors are more than just entryways that goods come and go through. Truck doors are guardians of cargo integrity and road safety. Trailer doors are the backbone of goods transportation. The second they stop working, you’ll have to pull your truck off the road. As components integral to the transportation process, their maintenance and upkeep impacts the safety of the driver and the goods being transported.

But how do you know your trailer doors need some TLC? Let’s discuss best practices for taking care of your freight truck doors:

    • Inspect overhead door cables regularly: Frayed, cracked, loose, or otherwise damaged cables are a danger and should be replaced immediately. It’s a cheap repair that can prevent catastrophic damage to the trailer door.
    • Lubricating moving hardware: Regularly lubricate your commercial truck’s hinges and springs to relieve friction for when the trailer’s rollup door is moving. This will reduce wear and tear on the overhead door’s parts, and keep movement smooth and efficient.
    • Examine the tracks regularly: Check the trailer door’s tracks to ensure the rollers are all intact and the tracks are not bent, rusted or dirty. If you see anything, just give it a gentle clean with warm water and soap. Unsure what you’re looking for? Call a professional. They can check your fleet quickly and for an inexpensive fee.
    • Handle the door gently: The truck’s trailer door should open and close with minimal effort. You shouldn’t need much force to open or close it. If you do, it’s time for a tune up by a pro in exterior commercial truck doors. It’s nothing but a quick appointment with a local door repair/installation professional (we’d be happy to do this for you). Don’t call your local contractor to handle this and rely on a team that offers warranties and specialization. This will help avoid any further damage to the door and maintain smooth operation.
    • Check and replace the weatherstripping: If your truck trailer door’s weather-stripping gives out, you can let moisture into your trailer. It’s a quick and easy fix to replace it.
    • Ensure hold back and other safety hardware works: For starters, make sure you have door hold backs and keep them working. These prevent your tractor trailer doors from swinging open or closing harshly. They extend the lifespan on your door dramatically.
    • Keep emergency door repair and cleaning tools ready: If you need to repair a part on the road, make sure you have the tools to do so safely. Same thing goes for if any gunk gets stuck in any of the trailer doors parts or perhaps on the paint of the truck door. Don’t use any harsh chemicals that you weren’t told by a professional installer is safe. Warm water with gentle soap is always a safer option to keep your truck trailer doors clean and working.

With all types of truck trailer doors, overhead or swing, the key to keeping on top of the door’s condition is to pay attention. Listen to your drivers when they tell you it’s making a weird rattling sound, replace parts the moment you notice they’re compromised, and learn to keep the trailer door’s hardware cleaned and lubricated. That way, you’ll have a super-safe, easy-to-use freight truck door that lasts a long time. If you’re still unsure why tractor trailer doors are so important for you to take care of, we’ve also explained why you should take care of them right here. If you don’t have the ability to maintain it yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals. Contact us today for a more information and potentially a quote for regular maintenance for your fleet.