July 16, 2021

The transportation of perishable goods poses a unique logistical challenge. Though technologies like IoT smart devices, GPS tracking devices, and integrated data solutions are quickly helping to ease maintenance and vehicular challenges, fleet managers continue to have their work cut out for them when managing the distribution of perishable produce like medicine, meats, fruits, and so on.

As there are unforeseen activities that become beyond you and your fleet driver control, there are steps that will help you lower mechanical issues. It will help you out to save your shipments. Let’s explore some tips for the maintenance of refrigerated van conversions, which helps in the overall functioning of your vehicle.

1. Cleaning Regularly

Once you have completed the delivery, the first step is to clean the trailer. The goods that you carry in your trailer are naturally sensitive. Therefore cross-contamination is possible in the upcoming loads due to leftover organic material. If not cleaned properly, the damage will be hundreds and thousands of dollars.

Washing

To avoid this, start the cleaning activity by completely emptying the trailer. Though an all-purpose cleaning agent is enough, a more acute disinfectant will be more effective depending upon the fleet interior resistance power and the product shipped.

Start by wiping and washing the door seals, walls, ceiling, and floor. The cleaning has to be thorough as the surfaces can have harmful bacteria and mold.

Airing and Use of Scrapers

Scrapers are necessary for removing tough stains from your truck. An ideal option would be to use plastic scrapers. Give some time to dry up once the cleaning is over. Otherwise, the dampness will let the mold multiply and harm the products.

2. Cool the Trailer Consistently

It is an obvious tip and a necessary one; to keep the temperature cool in the refrigerated trailer when transporting the shipment. The uneven chilling does not only harm the perishable items and food. But the damage inside your trailer compromises the complete interior.

You will find cleaning easier multiple times if the shipment is leak-free and fresh. If the trips of spoiled goods are limited, it will result in the fleet’s long life.

3. Checking Before and After Every Trip

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) demands that the driver necessarily carry out an investigation of the truck pre- and post-shipment.

Before leaving, the driver should check the different facets of the fleet for issues, which includes

• Temperature Calibration
• Level of Fluid
• Wall Damage
• Tire Pressure
• Door Seal Security
• Function of Headlight
• Adequate airflow (On Loading)
• Health of Engine

If he gets clearance from all, a driver is safe to start the trip with contentment. Post cleaning the trailer needs a follow-up investigation to search for any damage in the latest shipment completed. It will help identify the issue in the early stage for quick rectification.

Training Drivers to do Checks

Overall, it is an intense procedure where the driver comes across complex reefer technology. To perform skillfully, they require adequate know-how. A side-by-side learning opportunity for the driver is necessary to conduct the inspection process before and after the trip.

There is a requirement to adhere to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) norms, making the driver aware of the sanitation specification product-wise.

4. Hiring a Professional

Your driver can gain the acquired skills post-training. But he may still lack to conduct a detailed preventive inspection. The reason for it is limited technical knowledge, and it is not their core job role. It is highly advisable that you get the refrigerated vehicle inspection done by an expert.

A professional is more aware of your refrigeration components like evaporator, compressor, connecting hoses, air chute, condenser, and more. They possess the required skill to remove any parts to inspect for contamination. A mechanic with comprehensive knowledge of refrigerated trucks needs hiring to conduct a consistent inspection.

Maintenance of Refrigerated Vehicles is Important

The tips mentioned above are necessary, but you will also have to follow traditional checks and repairs for your fleet. The cooling system strains the engine more than a car and non-refrigerated trailers, so regular oil change is necessary. The tires of your truck need regular rotation and replacement because you ship heavy loads. It will help in avoiding a blowout and will save time for the shipment.

The fleet needs servicing at regular intervals. Therefore, every vehicle’s battery, hoses, timing belt, spark plugs, and other parts need to be in the best shape. If your truck fails due to non-maintenance, keeping your shipment refrigerated becomes difficult without any assistance.

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Out of the 2.8 million people living in Greater Manchester, only 39% own their own vehicle. The rest choose to either walk or cycle, while only one in ten people use public transport. This data shows that the people of Manchester prefer transport modes where they can travel alone or with people they know.

Access to vehicles has increased as car rental in Manchester has become more popular, as more people are opting to lease cars rather than buying them.

The global car rental industry has a projected growth rate of 7.2% between 2021 and 2026. In the United Kingdom, the car rental industry contributes 49 billion per year to the UK economy, which is especially valuable in this current climate, as there has been a significant economic decline during the pandemic.

Car renters also benefit financially, as renting a car has proven to be far more cost-effective than buying a car on finance. This is especially true for short-term car leasing services, which have become a common staple in city-centre locations in recent years.

Short Term Car Rental in Manchester

Short term car rental in Manchester, in particular, has surged, as fewer people need access to a car full time in order to commute. This is because they may only need to drive to the office a few days a week or even once a month.

A short-term car rental involves hiring a car for a period ranging from one day to two years. Leasing a car for up to two years would be the preferred option if a car is required on a daily basis for a few years. This involves affordability checks, and renters will agree on a set monthly rate which will be paid every month until the car is returned.

The cost will depend on the car’s value and may also include added extras such as maintenance, repair cover and even insurance.

Shorter rentals are typically suited to drivers who are planning a long weekend away or have a one-off work trip that requires vehicle access. This service is normally offered by car clubs or car sharing companies, who normally charge an hourly rate or set rates depending on usage.

 

The Benefits of Car Sharing

Car sharing is a fairly new car rental concept in the UK. This benefits drivers who do not own or lease their own car, as car sharing services enable them to connect with car owners in order to rent a car for short periods of time.

Car owners can also earn additional income by renting their car out when it is not in use, which on average is around 96%. By sharing their car, owners can make money instead of wasting it on a parked car, they only use 4% of the time.

Just one car share vehicle can replace seven to thirteen cars on the road, which will significantly lower congestion rates. Manchester is the 5^th most congested city in the UK, with an average rush-hour congestion rate of 40%. Drivers in Manchester spend up to 94 hours per year stuck in traffic. Therefore an increase in car sharing is extremely beneficial in reducing traffic congestion.

Environmentally Conscious Travel

Car sharing services also fulfil the need for vehicle access without the financial and environmental damage caused by manufacturing new cars.

Using a car rental or car sharing service will also help Manchester’s objective to reduce CO2 emissions by 13% every year in order to achieve the projected environmental protection goals by 2038. This is because there will be fewer cars on the road, and there are more passengers per vehicle, which reduces pollution.

Many companies offering car rental in Manchester provide electric and hybrid car packages, which are far better for the environment. The average electric car produces 3.4 times less CO2 emissions than the average petrol or diesel car.

The Industry-Leading Car Share Company

One of the main industry leaders in the car sharing sector is Karshare, who offer a range of car rental services to owners and renters, including electric car access. This involves connecting car renters with nearby car owners via the Karshare app.

They also played a major part in helping key workers by providing 12,000 key rentals during the pandemic while also offering contactless cars collection to protect their customers at all times.

In 2021, Karshare launched its services in the North West of England by offering its technologically advanced solutions for car sharing and car rental in Manchester.  In the first three months, they offered a guaranteed payment of £200 per month to the first 20 owners in various Manchester postcodes.

To qualify for car sharing, the car must be UK registered, be less than 13 years old, have fewer than 100,000 miles on the clock, and the owner must also show evidence of a valid MOT.

All Karshare rentals are fitted with KarshareGo technology, enabling renters to book and location cars in their local area. It also helps drivers become more eco-conscious by using telematics to track fuel consumption and mileage.

Depending on the make and model of the vehicle, owners can earn up to £550 a month by renting out their car. Karshare also provides a lease and rent service, which enables customers to lease a car for up to two years while also renting out to nearby drivers In Manchester.