Truck Breakdown Checklist

Broken Down? Do These Things First

A breakdown is stressful, and the first few minutes matter most. This checklist is what our technicians wish every driver did before calling. Save this page on your phone, or print it for the cab.

1. Get safe

Get as far off the travel lane as you can. On I-80, an exit ramp or wide shoulder beats stopping in a construction zone or on a bridge.
Hazards on. Set your warning triangles within 10 minutes (federal rule 49 CFR 392.22). On a divided highway like I-80, place them about 10, 100 and 200 feet behind the truck. On a two-lane road, place one 10 feet behind, one 100 feet behind and one 100 feet ahead.
Wear your vest. Stay out of the traffic side of the truck.
If you smell fuel or see smoke or fire, get away from the truck and call 911 first.

2. Pin down your location

Direction of travel (eastbound or westbound) and the nearest exit number or green mile marker.
Off the interstate: the road name and nearest crossroad, or drop a pin in your phone's maps app.
At a customer: the business name, address and which dock or gate you're at.

3. Note what the truck is telling you

Which warning lights are on, and any fault codes on the dash.
What happened right before it quit: lost power, a bang, a smell, smoke, an air leak, a derate.
Air pressure readings if it's a brake or air problem.
Whether it will start, and whether it will move under its own power.

4. Have your truck info ready

Truck make, model and year, and the engine make if you know it.
Trailer type, and whether you're loaded, empty or hauling something time-sensitive like livestock or a reefer load.
Unit number and company name, plus how you plan to pay or who approves the repair.

5. Call or text us

Call or text 402-780-8883, 24/7. You'll talk to a technician who can ask the right follow-up questions. Or use our Roadside Help Request form, which builds a text message with your exit, problem and truck info in about 30 seconds.

What Happens After You Call

We ask questions. Your answers tell us which parts and tools to load on the service truck.
You get a real ETA. We tell you honestly how long it will take us to get there based on where you are.
We diagnose on site. The technician confirms the problem before starting work.
We explain the fix before we do it. If the truck can be repaired roadside, we do it there. If it needs a shop, we tell you up front.
You get back on the road. We test the repair before we leave.

Common Breakdowns and Quick Driver Checks

Truck won't start: check the battery disconnect switch and look for loose or corroded battery cables. Note whether it clicks, cranks slowly or does nothing.

Air leak or low air: listen with the engine running to find where the hiss is coming from. Don't drive with air pressure below the warning level.

Derate or check-engine light: write down the fault codes and any DEF or DPF messages before shutting the truck off.

Overheating: shut down safely and let it cool. Never open a hot radiator cap.

Trailer lights out: make sure the 7-way plug is seated and the pins aren't corroded.

Plan Ahead So It Doesn't Happen Again

A lot of roadside calls start as small problems that got missed: worn air lines, a leaking hub seal, an overdue service. Our fleet maintenance and DOT inspection services catch those before they leave you on the shoulder. Traveling I-80? Bookmark our I-80 exit guide.