Not all delivery vehicles are the same, and not all maintenance needs are the same. Whether you're driving a full-size cargo van, a transit-style van, or a regular passenger car or SUV adapted for delivery, the maintenance considerations are different. Here's what to watch for in each case.
Cargo Vans: Higher Wear, Different Failure Points
Cargo vans are workhorses. They carry more weight, handle more cargo-loading stress, and typically run more daily miles than a passenger vehicle. The mechanical systems that take the most punishment:
Suspension and shocks: A van loaded with packages that parks, accelerates, stops, and repeats 80 times a day puts real stress on the suspension. Shocks and struts on a heavily-used delivery van wear significantly faster than on a typical passenger vehicle. Warning signs: excessive bounce after stopping, uneven tire wear, a pulling sensation when stopping.
Brakes: More weight means more braking force and faster brake wear. On a cargo van with regular heavy loads, brake pads and rotors may need service significantly earlier than the manufacturer's mileage guidelines for the unloaded vehicle. Check brake feel regularly and don't wait for squealing — that's already past the point of wear indicator contact.
Rear springs and cargo floor: Repeated heavy loading can fatigue leaf springs in the rear. If the back of the van sits noticeably lower with a load than without, it's worth having the springs checked.
Cargo Cars and SUVs: Don't Ignore the Weight
A standard sedan or mid-size SUV used for delivery wasn't designed for daily cargo loading. The key watch-outs:
Rear suspension fatigue: Consumer vehicles have lighter rear suspension components than cargo vans. Consistently loading heavy packages into the back compresses the suspension more than it's designed for. Pay attention to any new sagging, clunking, or bottoming-out sensations.
Tire load ratings: Consumer tires have load ratings. Loading a vehicle regularly beyond the tire's rated capacity accelerates wear and increases blowout risk. Check your tire's load rating (stamped on the sidewall) and know how it compares to what you're carrying.
Both Vehicle Types: What's Always the Same
Regardless of vehicle type, the basics remain constant: oil at manufacturer intervals (more frequently under heavy use), coolant checked seasonally, brakes tested every shift start, tires at proper pressure daily. These aren't optional in delivery use.
The maintenance schedule on the sticker in your door jam was designed for average consumer use. Delivery use is significantly heavier. Treat your intervals as guidelines and lean toward the more frequent end when vehicle use is high.
JWA Logistics maintains company vehicles on a regular service schedule. If you're using your own vehicle, hold it to the same standard — because when it fails mid-route, the impact falls on you.