5 Hidden Weak Points on Work Trucks That Cause Most Roadside Breakdowns

Five common weak points on work trucks that cause roadside breakdowns and how to stay ahead of them.

Weak point #1: Battery and cable condition

Corroded terminals, weak batteries, and damaged cables are behind a lot of no-start calls.

Weak point #2: Steering and suspension components

Loose tie-rod ends, worn ball joints, and tired bushings don’t always fail in the yard – they usually show up as a roadside “can’t steer it” call. Regular inspections for play, torn boots, and leaking shocks will catch issues long before a driver feels a wobble at highway speed.

Weak point #3: Belts, hoses, and coolant leaks

Frayed belts and soft, swollen coolant hoses are easy to overlook until one snaps and cooks an engine. A quick visual during PM – checking belt tension, glazing, cracking, and hose clamp areas – prevents a lot of overheats and saves tow bills.

Weak point #4: Brake hoses and ABS wiring at the axle

Many roadside brake issues start with chafed air lines, kinked hoses, or ABS wires rubbed through on hangers. A few extra minutes under the truck looking at hose routing, frame pass-throughs, and axle areas will catch most of these before the DOT or an ABS light does.

Weak point #5: Trailer lights, plugs, and grounds

Lighting problems are one of the most common reasons a unit gets stopped – and they rarely show up on the dash. Corroded seven-way plugs, poor grounds, and damaged pigtails can all be caught with a good walk-around light check and periodic plug cleaning with dielectric grease.