Fleet Winter Prep: What Every Company Truck Needs Before November

A company truck that won't start on a -30 morning doesn't just cost a repair bill. It costs a crew's day, a missed job and a customer who calls someone else next time. Winter prep for a fleet is about keeping units working, and it's cheaper to do in October than in January.

Here's what every work truck, van and service vehicle should get before November.

The fleet winter checklist

• Battery load test and charging system check on every unit.

• Block heater, cord and plug inspection. Replace damaged cords before they fail or become a hazard.

• Winter tires installed and tread checked, including spares.

• Brake inspection: pads, rotors, lines and fluid.

• Coolant freeze protection tested, winter washer fluid in.

• Wipers, lights and defrost working on every unit.

• Suspension and steering check for trucks that run heavy or on rough sites.

• Emergency kit in each vehicle: booster cables, scraper, shovel, blanket and a flashlight.

Schedule it, don't chase it

The biggest winter fleet problem is timing. When every unit is due at once, trucks sit waiting for a service slot. Stagger your fleet's winter prep through October and early November so crews always have vehicles on the road.

Keep a record for every unit

Track what was done, when, and at what mileage for each vehicle. A simple service history helps you spot units that keep costing money and plan replacements before they fail on a job.

Fleet maintenance with Big Toy Shop

Big Toy Shop works with Edmonton businesses to keep their vehicles on the road. We can build a maintenance schedule around your crews, give fleet units priority booking and send one invoice for the month with a service history for each vehicle.

Tell us about your fleet through our contact page or call 780-298-2797 to set up a fleet account.