The signs that fall is sneaking up on us are starting to show: the days grow shorter, leaves are beginning to trickle to the ground, and the hot blanket of summer is slowly lifting. As the seasons change, the needs of your food trucks change, too. Today we’ll provide mobile food vendors with 10 fall maintenance tips to keep your food truck running in tip top shape. Please remember that Fall maintenance is especially important as winter approaches.

10 Food Truck Fall Maintenance Tips

  1. Test your food truck tires. Since tire pressure changes pretty dramatically when temps drop, you should check the pressure first thing in the morning. Properly inflated tires help with weight distribution and reduce risk of blowouts at high speeds.
  2. Change fuel filter. Water collects in the fuel system when temps drop, make sure your filters are clean so they can keep this moisture and other particles out of this system.
  3. Test your battery. Ensure that it’s secured and that connections are tight. Replace it after 72 months.
  4. Check the windshield for cracks and pitting. As temperatures increase, stress on the glass can increase, leading to crack propagation.
  5. Replace your wiper blades. Your wiper blades are your best friend when the Fall season hits and temperatures drop and ice can form even before winter hits.
  6. Check your food truck’s exhaust systems. Make sure you ensure that they are free of leaks.
  7. Check fluids. Make sure you check and refill antifreeze, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluids.
  8. Prepare your emergency kit and restock. Don’t forget road flares, fire extinguisher, reflective triangles, first aid kit, water, solar blanket, and jumper cables.
  9. Check all belts and hoses. Now is the time that belts start to crack and fray. Don’t get sidelined by an easy fix.
  10. Follow the schedules. Adhere to all recommended fall maintenance schedules from your truck manufacturer.

RELATED: 50 Food Truck Preventative Maintenance Tips

The Bottom Line

You food truck is your business, take care of it like you do with every dish that you serve. Unless you want to continually inform your customers that you won’t be on the road, make sure you keep up on it’s maintenance. Use these fall maintenance tips to get you started.

Do you have any additional fall maintenance food truck tips to share? We’d love to hear them. Share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section, our food truck forum or social media. Facebook | Twitter

Disclaimer: Proper service and repair procedures are vital to the safe, reliable operation of your food truck, as well as the personal safety of those performing repairs or maintenance procedures.  Safety procedures and precautions should be followed at all times to avoid personal injury, illness, death or property damage, and to avoid compromising the safety of the vehicle or third parties. You should not delay, avoid or disregard the advice of the manufacturer, dealer or qualified auto mechanic because of anything you may have read, seen or heard on this site.