Top Tips for Maintaining Your Fleet of Car Transporters

At AKFS, we understand the major role that car transporters play in various industries. Whether you’re transporting high-value vehicles, moving cars between dealerships, or providing roadside assistance, maintaining your fleet of car transporters is essential for your business’ safety, efficiency, and profitability. 

With over 30 years of experience in crafting high-quality specialist vehicles, we’ve decided to share our top tips for keeping your car transporters in optimal condition. 

The Importance of Regular Maintenance for Car Transporters

As with any vehicle, regular maintenance is necessary for maintaining a reliable and efficient fleet of car transporters. These specialist vehicles can still experience wear and tear, and neglecting maintenance can lead to costly breakdowns, safety hazards, and decreased lifespan.

By investing in preventive maintenance, you can minimise downtime, which will avoid expensive repairs and keep your transporters on the road and operating as they should – both of which are key for your business. Regular maintenance will also enhance the safety of your vehicles, ensuring the safety of your drivers, cargo and other road users. 

In terms of ongoing and long term costs to your business, taking the time to complete regular maintenance checks will also extend your vehicle’s lifespan, improve fuel efficiency and maintain compliance to meet legal requirements and avoid penalties. 

So, whilst occasional maintenance and repair works may take time, these are well worth it to avoid higher costs in the long run. 

Pre-Trip Inspections: Essential Checks Before Every Journey

Whether you’re driving an enclosed, covered or single car transporter, conducting a thorough pre-trip inspection is extremely important. This helps identify potential issues before they escalate into major problems. 

This includes a careful assessment of tyre condition, including checking tyre pressure, tread depth, and looking for any signs of damage or uneven wear. Next, inspect the brake system, including brake pads, rotors, and fluid levels, ensuring the brakes are functioning correctly. 

Verify that all lights, indicators, and hazard lights are working properly for optimal visibility and safety. You should also check all fluid levels, including engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid. 

Before setting off, inspect the ramps for any signs of damage or wear and ensure the hydraulic systems are operating smoothly for safe and efficient loading and unloading of vehicles. Confirm that all necessary safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits, are present and in working order.

Tyre Maintenance Tips

Tyres are critical for the safe and efficient operation of your car transporters. Proper tyre maintenance can significantly extend their lifespan and improve fuel efficiency, needed for both safety and cost savings. 

To keep your car transporter running smoothly, complete regular tyre pressure checks to ensure optimal performance and prevent uneven wear. Under inflation can lead to increased fuel consumption and tyre blowouts, neither of which are ideal when you’re regularly transporting vehicles on journeys both long and short. 

For even wear of your tyres, regularly rotate them and check for proper wheel alignment, as this will also improve your vehicle’s handling. We’d also recommend checking your tyre tread depth and replacing them when they reach the minimum legal limit.

What are the best practices for car transporter tyre maintenance?

Beyond regular pressure checks and rotations, consider investing in a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for real-time monitoring. This can help prevent tyre-related issues and improve safety.

How often should car transporters be serviced?

The frequency of servicing depends on factors like usage, mileage, and vehicle type. However, as a general guideline, car transporters should undergo a full service at least every 12,000 miles or annually, whichever comes first.

Fluid Checks and Changes

Regular fluid checks and changes are essential for the health of your car transporter engines and other critical systems. Engine oil, for example, needs to be changed regularly to ensure proper engine lubrication and performance. Check your car transporter’s manual for the recommended oil change intervals. 

It’s also important to ensure the cooling system is functioning correctly and coolant levels are topped up to prevent overheating. Brake fluid levels should be checked regularly, and the fluid replaced as recommended by the manufacturer to maintain optimal braking performance. 

For automatic transmissions, don’t forget to check and change the transmission fluid according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Staying on top of these fluid checks and changes will help ensure the smooth and efficient operation of your car transporters.

Brake System Maintenance

Arguably the most important safety system in any vehicle, especially car transporters that are carrying heavy loads – the braking system. 

To keep your brakes functioning properly, regularly inspect your brake pads and rotors for wear and tear, and replace them as needed to ensure optimal braking performance. You should also complete regular brake fluid flushes, flushing periodically to remove contaminants and maintain optimal braking performance.

Finally, be sure to complete ABS system checks, ensuring that your car transporter’s Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is functioning correctly.

What are the most common maintenance issues with car transporters?

Some of the most common issues include tyre wear, brake system problems, hydraulic leaks, and electrical faults. Regular inspections can help identify and address these issues before they cause major problems.

Electrical System Checks: Avoiding Expensive Downtime

Most modern car transporters rely heavily on electrical systems for various functions, including lighting, winches, and hydraulics. To avoid downtime at a cost to your business, keep your battery terminals clean and check the battery charge regularly. Also, inspect any wiring for signs of damage or corrosion. 

One of the most important safety features of any vehicle is its lights, so make sure all lights and signals are functioning properly.

Body and Paint Care

As you would with any investment, it’s understandable to want to protect the look of your car transporter. Because these vehicles are regularly exposed to the elements and road debris, they are more susceptible to rust and paint damage.

To avoid stains and damage, wash your car transporters regularly to remove dirt, grime and road salt. Applying a protective wax coating will further prevent paint damage and corrosion, and keep your vehicle looking nice and shiny. 

Should you notice any signs of rust on your car transporter, you should address these promptly to prevent further damage – and keep an eye out for any signs of further rusting. 

Record Keeping and Scheduling

Maintaining detailed records of all maintenance activities is necessary for efficient fleet management. This means keeping thorough maintenance logs that document all service, repairs, and inspections carried out on each vehicle. 

Alongside these records, establish a preventive maintenance schedule for each car transporter in your fleet to proactively address potential issues before they arise. To streamline this process, consider utilising fleet management software that can help you manage record-keeping and scheduling efficiently, ensuring that no essential maintenance tasks are overlooked.

What are the legal requirements for car transporter maintenance?

Car transporters must comply with all relevant road safety regulations, including regular inspections and maintenance of critical safety systems.

Choosing the Right Car Transporter for Your Needs

Are you looking for a new car transporter or to upgrade your business’ fleet? When purchasing a new car transporter, consider factors like payload capacity, vehicle type, and specialised features you may need. At AKFS, we offer a diverse range of car transporters to meet various needs. 

For businesses operating in cities and built-up areas, our Electric Beavertail Car Transporter offers zero-emissions and an efficient design. Complete with 8-foot load certified load ramps, it’s an ideal solution for transporting any vehicle up to and including medium sized cars, offering safe and reliable transportation for every job.

Our Iveco Daily Crew Cab Car Transporter offers versatility and ample space for transporting vehicles, with a beavertail design, and aluminium extruded floor complete with barley seed wear plates and anti-slip tape, and 8-foot aluminium load certified ramps stowed within the body.

If you’re looking for an innovative and environmentally friendly option, our Isuzu Grafter Green Car Transporter has improved power and torque whilst still reducing C02 emissions. 

Renowned for its impressive payload capacity, the Ultra® Car Transporter is a top choice for recovery and car transport businesses across the UK. This high-quality single car transporter is built to handle demanding tasks with ease, offering superior weight distribution for optimal performance.

For those seeking a balance of strength, durability, and efficiency, our Beavertail Car Transporter is an excellent choice. Designed for the effortless transport of vehicles up to and including medium-sized cars, it’s a reliable vehicle for LCV recovery and everyday car transport. 

Need a New Car Transporter?

If you’re looking to expand or upgrade your fleet, AKFS offers a wide range of high-quality car transporters for sale. Our vehicles are crafted with durability, reliability, and efficiency in mind. Contact us today to explore our range and find the perfect car transporter for your business.