Protect Your Logging Trucks for the Long Haul
May 8, 2025
Logging trucks and trailers are both practical and awe inspiring as they trundle giant tree trunks around tight curves in the mountains and forests. With price tags often upwards of $150,000 dollars, these vehicles must be built to last. However, constant wear and tear along with exposure to rain, snow, mud, and coastal environments fight against trailer longevity by inflicting physical damage, corrosive attack, and premature deterioration. A periodic investment in preventative maintenance (PM) can therefore have a significant ROI (return on investment) long-term. Here are just two tips for starters.
PM Tip One: Wash the Logging Truck
A rainy day on the job results in plenty of mud that needs to be removed from the truck and trailer. Regular washing alone is a major step toward protecting equipment from contamination that could make the trailer more vulnerable to corrosion. The use of a cleaning fluid with a flash corrosion inhibitor (e.g., Cortec® VpCI®- 406) offers an added boost, as it also protects against flash rust from exposure to the rinse water.
PM Tip Two: Apply Anticorrosion Coatings
Another way to boost logging truck longevity is to apply preventative maintenance coatings. VpCI®-398 is a good choice for the underbody, since it protects against corrosion and helps absorb the impact of gravel and debris. A coating such as VpCI®- 396 with high scratch resistance may be more appropriate for the trailer frame, including bunks and beams that are more liable to get scraped repeatedly by tree trunks. VpCI®-396 can be applied as an extra layer over the original coating or bare metal and reapplied as needed when scratches appear. For a stronger foundation, an epoxy coating such as VpCI®-395 can be painted on first, providing enhanced protection even when the topcoat chips off.
Be Ready for the Long Haul
As with any heavy equipment, logging trucks are built for tough work. Yet they can still benefit from basic preventative maintenance through routine washing, inspection, and auxiliary coatings application to ward off premature corrosion. Contact Cortec® to learn more about these and other PM tips to keep your logging trucks lasting for the long haul.
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