Taking time off is important for every truck driver, no matter the season. After long hauls and tight schedules, stepping away from your truck for any extended period can present unique security challenges. With cargo theft incidents on the rise year-round, keeping your vehicle and its contents protected should always be a priority.
In this blog, we discuss 10 essential best practices to help you secure your truck during your time off the road. By taking these preventative measures, you can enjoy your break with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your valuable asset is protected.
Best practices for securing your transport truck
- Park it somewhere secure. If you can park it at home or in a garage, even better! Make sure there is adequate lighting and video surveillance. If you need to park your truck offsite, park it somewhere you trust or at an attended lot with controlled access.
- Turn off all accessory parts. Leaving things like the radio or lights on will drain your battery and make your truck stand out needlessly. A truck with interior lights on can signal that it’s occupied or has been left in a hurry, attracting unwanted attention from potential thieves.
- Lock it up and keep all keys. Leaving them in the ignition might be convenient, but it’s an invitation for theft. Don’t forget the spare key too. As handy as it may be to have a spare key in the vehicle, don’t leave one behind and make it easier to steal your truck.
- Check all entrances and exits. Check your windows, side compartment doors, storage compartments, and other openings to make sure they are 100 per cent closed and locked.
- Don’t leave anything valuable. If a thief sees something worth stealing, they may be enticed enough to try and steal it out of your truck. Keep the cab clear of any visible items to deter a break-in.
- Invest in anti-theft devices. An alarm, steering wheel lock, or vehicle-immobilizer system that disables the engine from being started can deter theft. The harder it is to steal something, the less likely it will be stolen.
- Track your truck with GPS. Having an auto-theft recovery tool may be worth the investment if it will give you peace of mind. Many shippers put covert GPS tracking systems in cargo so if your truck were to get stolen with the cargo, that would be another way to track your truck.
- Ask someone to check in. Have a friend, neighbour, or someone you trust check in on your truck, if possible. Make sure they have your contact information as well, in case a theft occurs. The sooner law enforcement is notified, the higher the recovery rate.
- Lock your fuel caps. This way fuel cannot be stolen, especially if you’ve filled up your tank. Truck tanks can hold 300-500 litres on average, which can fill a lot of fuel tanks for regular vehicles!
- Unload your cargo. Before you park your truck for an extended period of time, make sure there’s no cargo to steal.
Preventative maintenance for your transport truck
Since you’re already checking things around the truck, this may also be a good time to give your truck a cleaning and take note of things that need repair, replacing, or replenishing, such as:
- Fuel and other fluids
- First aid kit
- Truck racks
- Side rails
- Rear rails
- Bed rail
- Non-skid liner
- Toolbox
- Cargo net or tarps
- Load bars or ratchet straps
- Stretch cling wrap
Take care of your truck, and your bottom line with insurance
Even after taking all of the necessary precautions, sometimes theft still happens. That’s when insurance can be helpful. To learn more about how a tailored policy can help protect you, your employees, and your bottom line, visit our Transportation & Logistics Services Insurance page today!