Comprehensive Vehicle Maintenance Guide (Dry Van & Box Truck Owner-Operators)

If you’re a dry van or box truck owner-operator, maintenance isn’t a “shop problem”… it’s a profit problem.

One surprise breakdown can wipe out a week of revenue:

• missed loads ($1,000–$3,000+ per day)
• emergency repair premiums (30–50% higher)
• towing + downtime
• broker relationship damage
• DOT violations + safety score impact

This guide gives you a complete, repeatable maintenance system that moves you from reactive (high stress, high cost) to proactive (predictable, profitable).

What you’ll learn & get inside:

• How to treat your equipment like a revenue asset (and stop small issues from becoming $5,000 problems)
• Daily pre-trip inspection routine (FMCSA-aligned) that takes 10–15 minutes
• Weekly maintenance plan (air systems, brakes, lubrication, fluids, tire tracking)
• Monthly deep inspections (undercarriage, cargo securement, floor/walls, leaks)
• Mileage-based PM schedule (10K / 30K / 60K / 90K / 120K / 180K)
• Annual inspection priorities (wheel bearings, full brake/suspension/electrical review)
• Common failures and how to prevent them (roof leaks, seals, blowouts, brakes, suspension)
• ABS system inspection basics + DOT consequences of ignoring warning lights
• Repair support strategy (mobile mechanic vs shops vs roadside programs)
• Warranty protection: how to document maintenance so you don’t get denied
• DOT compliance + recordkeeping system (what to keep, how long, best practices)
• Maintenance budgeting (recommended $0.10–$0.15/mile maintenance fund)
• Repair vs replace decision framework (so you don’t throw money away)

Included checklists (ready to use):

• Daily Pre-Trip Checklist
• Weekly Tasks Checklist
• Monthly Deep Inspection Checklist
• Mileage-Based PM Checklist
• Maintenance Commitment + Tracking sections

Who this is for:

• New authorities and experienced owner-operators
• Dry van and box truck operators who want fewer breakdowns and more consistent weekly income
• Anyone tired of surprise downtime and emergency repair bills

If you want to run like a professional fleet (without being a fleet), this is the system.

What’s inside (bullet list)

• Daily pre-trip inspection checklist (10–15 minutes)
• Weekly maintenance checklist (30–45 minutes)
• Monthly deep inspection checklist (1–2 hours)
• Mileage-based PM schedule (10K/30K/60K/90K/120K/180K)
• Annual maintenance priorities + inspection checklist
• DOT compliance + recordkeeping templates/structure
• Maintenance budget guidance ($0.10–$0.15/mile)
• Repair vs replace decision framework
• Common failure prevention playbook (roof, seals, tires, brakes, ABS)

“You’ll be able to…” outcomes

• Reduce preventable roadside failures
• Lower emergency repair spend
• Catch issues early before they become major repairs
• Protect your DOT record and broker reliability
• Build a predictable maintenance budget
• Increase equipment resale value with documentation