Roadside Breakdown Playbook: What to Do in the First 30 Minutes

Quick Answer

If your truck breaks down, remember: get safe, get seen, get help.

The 30-minute plan:

1. Pull over safe and mark the scene with triangles
2. Do quick safety checks (only if safe to do so)
3. TACH members: Open the app and tap Get Emergency Help (24/7 nationwide)
4. Protect the load and document everything

Not a member yet? Join TACH to get 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance nationwide, plus instant access to vetted service providers.

Minute-by-Minute Playbook (first 30 minutes)

Minutes 0–5: Get safe

Priority one is your safety. Follow these steps immediately:

1. Signal and pull over as far right as possible (or take the next exit)

• Get completely off the travel lane
• Look for wide shoulders, rest areas, or exit ramps
• Avoid curves and hills if possible

2. Hazards on immediately

• Make yourself visible to approaching traffic

3. Set warning triangles

• First triangle: ~10 feet behind the trailer
• Second triangle: ~100 feet behind
• Third triangle: ~200 feet behind
• For curves/hills: place farther back (up to 500 feet)

4. Safety vest on

• Required by FMCSA when outside the cab on roadways
• High-visibility yellow or orange

5. Stay off live lanes

• Never stand between your truck and traffic
• If the shoulder is too narrow, stay in the cab

Minutes 5–10: Quick checks (only if it's safe)

Only perform these checks if:

• You're on a wide, safe shoulder
• Traffic is clear and you have space
• No fire, fuel spills, or heavy smoke

Quick diagnostic checks:

Look & Listen:

• Leaks? (fuel, coolant, oil, air)
• Smoke? (color: white/blue/black?)
• Burning smell?
• Unusual sounds?

Air system:

• Low-air warnings on dash?
• Hissing air leaks?
• Brake system pressure

Engine compartment (if hood safe to open):

• Belts: broken, loose, or off pulleys?
• Hoses: burst or disconnected?
• Battery cables: loose or corroded?

Dash lights & codes:

• Check engine light on?
• Any fault codes displayed?
• Take photos of the dash

Reefer units:

• Confirm setpoint temperature
• Check box temperature
• Keep doors closed to maintain temp

⚠️ STOP and call 911 immediately if you see:

• Fire or flames
• Major fuel spill
• Heavy smoke
• Any immediate danger

Minutes 10–20: Get help

For TACH members (fastest response):

Open the TACH app → Tap Get Emergency Help

You'll reach the TACH-dedicated FleetNet line - available 24/7 nationwide with vetted providers who specialize in commercial trucks.

Have this information ready:

📍 Location:

• Highway number and direction (I-80 eastbound)
• Mile marker or exit number
• Nearest city/landmark
• GPS coordinates if available

🚛 Unit details:

• Tractor ID or truck number
• Trailer number
• Last 6 digits of VIN
• Tire size (if tire-related)

🔧 Symptoms & codes:

• What happened? (sudden or gradual?)
• What you saw, heard, or smelled
• Any fault codes or warning lights
• Recent repairs or issues

📦 Load information:

• Cargo type
• Weight (gross and cargo)
• Temperature requirements (reefer)
• Delivery deadline

⚠️ Safety status:

• Shoulder condition (wide/narrow/none)
• Triangles placed?
• Any immediate hazards?
• Injuries?

Simple call script:

"I'm [Name], MC#[######]. I'm on I-## [direction] at mile marker ###, on the shoulder. Issue: [coolant hose burst / steer tire flat / engine won't start]. No injuries. Triangles are up. I need [mobile mechanic / tire service / tow]."

Response time expectations:

• Urban areas: 45-90 minutes typically
• Rural areas: 90-180 minutes
• Remote locations: may require special dispatch

Minutes 20–30: Protect the load & document

Documentation (crucial for insurance and records):

📸 Take photos:

• Overview of the scene (truck position, triangles visible)
• Dash gauges and warning lights
• Fault codes on display
• Any visible damage or leaks
• License plate and unit numbers

📝 Note details:

• Exact time of breakdown
• Time you called for help
• Service provider name and ETA
• Case/ticket number

📱 Update all parties:

Dispatcher/broker/shipper:

"Truck disabled at [location]. Service ETA [time]. Will update after repair estimate or if tow needed."

ELD/logbook:

• Add breakdown remark with time and location
• This protects your HOS compliance

Cargo protection:

Reefer loads:

• Confirm reefer is running and at setpoint
• Check fuel level on reefer unit
• Keep doors closed to maintain temperature
• Monitor box temp every 15-30 minutes
• Document temps with timestamps

Dry van:

• Check that doors are locked and sealed
• Verify seal numbers match paperwork
• Stay near the load (but in a safe position)

Flatbed:

• Check straps/chains are still secure
• Watch for shifting if waiting extended time

What NOT to Do

Never compromise your safety:

1. Don't stand in traffic - Stay behind the guard rail or in the cab
2. Don't stand between tractor and trailer - Especially with traffic passing
3. Don't crawl under the truck on a narrow shoulder or active roadway
4. Don't open a hot radiator cap - Wait for it to cool or let the mechanic handle it
5. Don't keep rolling on:
   • Damaged or flat tire (especially steer)
   • Low oil pressure warning
   • High coolant temp warning
   • Air brake system failure
6. Don't leave the scene for extended periods - Stay with your truck and load
7. Don't block traffic to do repairs - Safety first, always

Glovebox Essentials

Keep these items in your cab always:

Safety equipment:

• ✓ Safety vest (high-vis yellow/orange)
• ✓ Warning triangles (3 minimum)
• ✓ Flashlight (with fresh batteries)
• ✓ Reflective flares or LED beacons

Basic tools & supplies:

• ✓ Spare fuses (assorted sizes)
• ✓ Basic tool set (wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers)
• ✓ Tire pressure gauge
• ✓ Electrical tape and zip ties
• ✓ Work gloves

Electronics:

• ✓ Phone charger (car adapter + cable)
• ✓ Backup battery pack (charged)
• ✓ TACH app installed and logged in

Documentation:

• ✓ Insurance card
• ✓ Registration
• ✓ Recent inspection reports
• ✓ Emergency contact numbers
• ✓ Service provider info (for non-TACH members)

Comfort items (for long waits):

• ✓ Water and snacks
• ✓ Weather-appropriate clothing
• ✓ Blanket

When to ask for a tow (not roadside repair)

Call for a tow truck immediately if:

Safety issues:

• Steer tire failure or shredded casing
• Unsafe shoulder where roadside work puts anyone at risk
• Heavy traffic with no safe workspace
• Darkness with poor visibility

Major mechanical failures:

• Major coolant loss (cracked block, burst hose you can't cap)
• Severe oil leak or loss
• Air brake system failure you can't safely isolate
• Transmission failure (won't engage any gear)
• Drive shaft or U-joint failure

Electrical/starting issues:

• No-start condition after quick checks (loose cables, fuse)
• Electrical fire damage
• Complete electrical failure

Collision or major damage:

• Accident damage requiring inspection
• Frame or suspension damage
• Any damage affecting driveability or safety

When in doubt, tow it out. It's cheaper and safer than making a breakdown worse or risking a secondary incident.

With TACH, simply tap "Get Emergency Help"

24/7 coverage, nationwide

• Emergency help available any time, any day
• Coverage across all 50 states
• No need to search for local providers in the middle of the night
• Get wrecker services at your location

Vetted providers who know trucks

• Pre-screened mobile mechanics and tire services
• Commercial truck specialists, not passenger car shops
• Understand time sensitivity and load protection

Faster dispatch, less hassle

• One tap in the app connects you to dedicated FleetNet line
• No back-and-forth with multiple vendors
• Cleaner paperwork and billing
• Real-time updates on ETA

Cost management

• Transparent pricing through approved network
• No surprise markups or after-hours premiums
• Expense tracking integrates with your TACH account

Want 24/7 emergency roadside assistance anywhere in the U.S.? Join TACH and get instant access to Emergency Help in the app - plus Expense Management, a Business Account², and Cash Advances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I call first when I break down?

If there's immediate danger (fire, crash, major spill, injuries), call 911 first.

If it's safe and you're a TACH member: Open the TACH app and tap Get Emergency Help for 24/7 nationwide support through our dedicated FleetNet line.

If you're not a TACH member: Call your company's roadside provider or another national service directly.

Should I try to fix it myself?

Only attempt simple, safe checks:

• Loose battery cable you can tighten
• Blown fuse you can replace
• Obviously disconnected hose you can reconnect

Don't attempt if:

• The shoulder is narrow or unsafe
• You don't have the right tools
• You're unsure what's wrong
• It requires getting under the truck
• There's any safety risk

Professional mechanics have the tools, parts, and expertise to do it faster and safer.

What information speeds up the repair?

The 5 essentials:

1. Exact location - highway, mile marker, direction, nearest exit
2. Unit details - tractor/trailer ID, last 6 of VIN, tire sizes
3. Symptoms & codes - what happened, warning lights, fault codes
4. Load info - type, weight, temp requirements, delivery deadline
5. Photos - dash, codes, visible issues

Having this ready when you call cuts dispatch time significantly.

How do I keep my load safe during a breakdown?

For reefer loads:

• Keep doors closed at all times
• Verify reefer is running and at setpoint
• Check reefer fuel level
• Monitor and document box temp every 15-30 minutes
• If reefer fails, notify shipper immediately

For all loads:

• Stay within sight of your truck (when safe)
• Verify seals/locks are intact
• Don't let anyone access the cargo without authorization
• Document any temperature or time violations

How can I avoid future breakdowns?

Prevention is 90% cheaper than emergency repairs:

1. Follow your PM schedule religiously - don't skip services
2. Do real pre-trip inspections - not just checking boxes
3. Watch tire tread and pressure - check weekly minimum
4. Monitor fluid levels - oil, coolant, DEF before every trip
5. Fix small issues immediately - don't let them become big problems
6. Listen to your truck - unusual sounds, smells, or behaviors
7. Keep maintenance records - pattern recognition helps
8. Use TACH Expense Management - track maintenance costs and identify patterns

Get TACH's PM Inspection Checklist to stay ahead of breakdowns.

The Bottom Line

When you break down, the first 30 minutes determine everything: your safety, downtime, and costs.

The winning playbook:

1. Get safe - triangles, vest, shoulders
2. Quick checks - only if safe
3. Get help fast - TACH app for 24/7 support
4. Protect the load - temp, security, documentation
5. Stay safe - never risk injury for speed

TACH members save time and money with one-tap access to 24/7 nationwide emergency roadside assistance, vetted providers, and faster dispatch.

Ready to upgrade your breakdown response? Join TACH today and get instant access to Emergency Help - plus Expense Management, Business Account², and Cash Advances to handle any situation on the road.