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Can You Fix a Leaking Hydraulic Line the Same Day?

  “Can You Fix a Leaking Hydraulic Line the Same Day?” Hydraulic fluid is dripping, the liftgate won’t budge, and your route is on pause. The big question: “Can you fix this leaking hydraulic line today , or am I down for days?” The short answer: often yes—if parts access, line routing, and contamination are under control. This guide explains what determines a same‑day fix, how pros triage a hydraulic leak, what “temporary” vs. permanent repairs look like, and how to avoid repeat failures. Quick Takeaways Many hydraulic line leaks can be repaired the same day with on‑hand hose stock, reusable fittings, or proper crimps— if the leak point is accessible and the shop has the right ends and hose rating. Delays happen when lines are deeply routed through the body, specialty fittings are backordered, or contamination cleanup is extensive . A correct repair is more than “tighten and top off”—it includes depressurizing safely, replacing or rebuilding the damaged section, fl...
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How Often Should Liftgate Hydraulics Be Serviced?

  “How Often Should Liftgate Hydraulics Be Serviced?” Your liftgate is the last thing between your freight and the street. When it slows to a crawl (or quits), routes back up and customers get angry. Naturally you’re asking: “How often should I service the hydraulics so this doesn’t happen?” The honest answer: service intervals are based on cycles, climate, and load—not just calendar time. But there are solid benchmarks you can follow. This guide lays out recommended inspection and service intervals, what “hydraulic service” actually includes, the warning signs you’re overdue, and how to shave downtime by bundling maintenance with other work. We’ll also tackle common questions fleets ask about fluids, filters, cylinders, and whether batteries count as “hydraulic maintenance.” Quick Takeaways Quarterly (or every ~1,000 lift cycles): Check fluid level/condition, look for leaks, test voltage under load, lube pivots. Annually (or every ~4,000–5,000 cycles): Change hydrau...
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Liftgate Won’t Raise or Is Slow—Battery, Pump, or Cylinder Issue?

  “Liftgate Won’t Raise or Is Slow—Battery, Pump, or Cylinder Issue?” You hit the switch and… nothing. Or worse, the liftgate crawls up like it’s towing a house, then stalls a few inches off the ground. Now you’re wondering: “Is my battery dead? Pump shot? Cylinder leaking? What’s really wrong with this liftgate?” This longform guide breaks down how commercial liftgates work, why they go weak or dead, how to diagnose electrical vs. hydraulic vs. mechanical faults, what repairs typically cost and how long they take—and how to prevent the next downtime surprise. Quick Takeaways Electrical issues (low voltage, bad grounds, corroded connectors) are the #1 cause of slow or non‑responsive liftgates—check the battery and cables first. Hydraulic problems (low/contaminated fluid, weak pump, stuck relief valve, leaking cylinder seals) make gates slow, spongy, or unable to hold a load. Mechanical binding (bent arms, seized pins, warped platforms) can mimic hydraulic/electrical...
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Can You Convert a Roll‑Up Door to Swing Doors (or Vice Versa)?

  “Can You Convert a Roll‑Up Door to Swing Doors (or Vice Versa)?” Maybe your roll‑up door keeps jamming, or you need a wider opening for forklifts. Maybe swing doors are a hassle at tight docks, and you’re eyeing a roll‑up for quick curbside drops. Either way, you’re asking: “Can I convert from a roll‑up to swing doors—or from swing to roll‑up—and what does it take?” Short answer: Yes, conversion is possible—but it’s a structural project, not a bolt‑on swap. This guide explains what’s involved on each path, the pros and cons, cost and downtime realities, insurance considerations, and the questions you should answer before cutting metal. Quick Takeaways Both conversions are feasible , but require structural modifications to the rear frame, header, floor sill, and interior reinforcements. Roll‑up ➜ Swing: You gain full ceiling height and fewer moving parts, but you’ll need hinge mounts, lock bars, new seals, and door leaves —and you lose the ability to open in cramped al...
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What Causes Box Truck Door Tracks to Keep Bending?

  “What Causes Door Tracks to Keep Bending?” Your roll‑up door tracks look like pretzels—again. You’ve straightened them, maybe even replaced them, only to find new kinks a few weeks later. So you’re asking: “What keeps bending these door tracks? Is it my drivers, my springs, or the way the box is built?” This deep dive explains why box truck roll‑up (and even some swing-door guide) tracks deform repeatedly, how to diagnose the root cause, how to repair and reinforce correctly, and what habits or adjustments prevent the next bend. Quick Takeaways Tracks bend because of misalignment, impact, uneven spring/cable tension, debris/ice buildup, or structural shift in the rear frame —not just “driver abuse.” Replacing a track without fixing the underlying cause (crooked header, bad springs, loose brackets) guarantees repeat damage. Proper repair involves measuring plumb/parallel, verifying spring torque and cable routing, checking door weight, and confirming frame squareness ....
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Will Insurance Cover Cosmetic Box Body Damage?

  “Will Insurance Cover Cosmetic Box Body Damage?” Your box body is scuffed, dented, or the paint is gouged—but the truck still rolls and the doors still work. Now you’re asking: “Will my insurance pay for cosmetic damage, or am I on the hook?” The answer depends on what your policy says, how the damage happened, and how you (and your repair shop) document the claim. This guide breaks down what insurers call “cosmetic,” when they still pay for it, what gets denied as wear and tear, and how to position your estimate so a necessary repair isn’t written off as “just looks.” Quick Takeaways Insurance usually covers cosmetic damage only if it’s tied to a covered loss (collision, vandalism, hail, etc.). Pure wear-and-tear, rust, fading, or old wrap peel? Typically excluded. Adjusters decide “cosmetic vs. structural” by asking: Does it affect function, safety, watertightness, or resale value? Back it up with measurements, leak tests, and photos. Betterment and depreciation ...
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Can You Repair Fiberglass‑Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Panels?

  “Can You Repair Fiberglass‑Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Panels?” A forklift fork punched through your side wall. A tree limb carved a long slit down the curbside. Maybe years of flex and UV exposure have the FRP chalking, cracking, or delaminating. Now you’re asking the big one: “Can you repair fiberglass‑reinforced plastic (FRP) panels, or do I need a whole new wall?” Short answer: Yes, FRP panels can be repaired—cleanly, structurally, and watertight—if you follow the right process. This guide explains when patching makes sense, how pros actually fix FRP, when replacement is smarter, and how to keep the repair from telegraphing through paint or wrap later. Quick Takeaways FRP (fiberglass‑reinforced plastic) box truck panels are repairable using scarf joints, resin/fiber layups, structural adhesives, and OEM seam extrusions. The size, location, and type of damage (puncture vs. long crease vs. delamination) drive the decision between patching, section replacement, or full ...
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