What To Do If Your Tractor-Semi Trailer Rig Breaks Down on the Road

Whether you are a seasoned professional who has been hauling semi-trailers for years, or you are a new driver who is still trying to grab the feel of the road, it is a shock to the senses when your trailer or semi-truck breaks down in the middle of the road.

Nobody ever wants a mid-road trailer breakdown, but you have to always be prepared for one. Reacting properly to the emergency can protect you and other drivers on the road. Moreover, your correct actions can minimize the impact of breakdown on your trailer or semi-truck.

The article below describes the actions you should take when your trailer or semi-truck breaks down in the middle of the road.

Managing Mechanical Breakdowns In Your Trailer Or Semi-trucks

You blow a tire; your engine has started to steam or smoke? This means one of the electrical systems on your rig is malfunctioning. Whatever the reason is, it quickly becomes clear that you can’t continue to drive any further. Now what to do next?

First, in such situations, it is important to know about the routes and roads of the area you’re stuck in. It is better to look for the routes of the surrounding cities that are big enough to have quality roadside assistance services.

Secondly, if you already have roadside assistance, you should know how to contact them and the procedure of getting help. Not only can they provide you with mobile help like a tow truck or on-site repair service, but they can also solve any logistic problem you face.

With these being your basic ways to go, here are the top actions you can take when stuck on the road with a malfunctioned trailer or semi-truck.

Stay Calm

Depending on the type of breakdown, amount of traffic around you, time of the day, and other similar factors, the breakdown of a trailer or semi-truck can be stressful. However, instead of panicking, take two or three deep breaths and think about the options you can opt for. Staying calm in emergencies can save you from making a bad snap decision.

Hit Your Flashers

By turning the flashers, you are telling the other drivers on the road to heighten their awareness and be prepared for any emergency maneuvers from your side. Alerting others about the danger doesn’t mean you can let your guards down completely. However, it should help decrease the stress levels a bit.

Find Widest Spot To Wait

This is where a clear and calm head comes in handy. You need to decide how much further you can drive. You need to assess whether you can drive out of the highway or just choose a wide shoulder to be safe while waiting for the help to arrive. In most cases, you need to stop the rig as soon as possible, especially when driving is causing damage to your vehicle.

Ease Off The Road

Needless to explain, swerving abruptly off the road can make the bad situation worse. While you may be a little or even a lot frazzled, force yourself out of trance and slow down gradually.

Assess Your Surroundings

Before you open the cab door, make sure you know what you are stepping in. Assess the surroundings, notice what is happening on your right and left. Assess the situation in front and behind you. Notice how heavy the traffic is and how fast it is moving.

Set Out Flares And Triangles

If you are prepared and have safety flares or triangles in your vehicle, it is time to use them. Carefully place the safety flares or triangles at the distance of 50, 100, or 150 feet.

Tilt Your Hood

Tilting your hood is a universal safety practice for malfunctioning cars, especially on busy highways. It is universally understood as the sign that the car is having some mechanical problems and indicates to other drivers on the road to be even more careful. Moreover, tilting your hood also signals the patrol highway police and other concerned authorities that can provide traffic control services.

Do A Quick Assessment Of The Problem

Your next step is going to be contacting roadside assistance or a towing company. However, it will be greatly helpful if you can provide them with some information about the situation you are in. This will help the professionals to offer you the correct service.

Therefore, it is better to do a little checkup on the problem and see the signs and other elements such as wire burning smell from the engine or a steam radiator; they will all be helpful when you are communicating the problem to your dispatcher or towing company. However, make sure not to spend too much time identifying the problem and its cause on your own. Time is precious and handy in these emergencies.