A work truck earns money only when it is running. Most downtime on upfit trucks comes from small items nobody checked: loose body mounts, worn lights, dry hinges, low hydraulic fluid. A short, repeatable checklist keeps flatbeds, service bodies and crane bodies on the job.

Daily Walk-Around (5 Minutes)

• Tires, lug nuts and spare. Heavy decks and crane bodies are hard on tires.
• All lights, including tail, brake, turn and any LED work lights.
• Tie-down points, stake pockets, headache rack and tailgate latches.
• Compartment doors and locks on a service body.

Monthly

• Body mounting hardware: check hold-down brackets and bolts for tightness. Vibration loosens them over time.
• Hinges, latches and gas struts: lubricate and replace anything sticking.
• Wiring: look for chafed loom, corroded connectors and loose grounds at the rear of the truck.
• Rust and coatings: touch up chips on steel flatbeds before rust spreads. Aluminum needs only a rinse and inspection.
• Air compressor or PTO equipment: check belts, oil and fittings.

Quarterly

• Hydraulic fluid level and hoses on Tiger cranes and liftgates, plus any weeping fittings.
• Brakes, suspension and rear springs. Check for sag that signals an overloaded chassis. Our guide on calculating payload after an upfit helps here.
• Trailer hitch, safety chains and the brake controller connection.

Annual

• Full inspection of the body-to-frame mounting and crossmembers.
• Crane load-rated inspection per the manufacturer and your insurer.
• Seasonal prep: see our cold-weather and hurricane season checklists.

Gulf Coast Notes

Humidity, salt air and heat in Texas and Louisiana speed up corrosion and wear. Rinse trucks after coastal or oilfield work, and keep drain holes in compartments clear.

Keep a Simple Log

Write down the date, mileage and what was done. A log makes warranty claims easier, helps spot repeat problems and raises resale value.

Talk to Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX

Need a body repaired, remounted or upgraded? Call (979) 532-1486 and our team will help crews across Texas and Louisiana.