5 Winter Driving Tips For Tradies In Rental Vehicles

As the winter season starts to set in, it’s important to keep in mind that driving conditions may change, especially if you are a tradie. Whether you’re a plumber, electrician or carpenter, driving in these cold weather conditions can present unique challenges when handling your rental ute, van or truck. At TradieSpec, we understand just how important your vehicle being fully operational is essential for your job. That’s why we’ve put together five of the best tips so that you can drive your work vehicle with confidence and safety.

1. Check Your Tyres

It’s crucial to inspect your vehicle’s tyres before getting on the road, especially if you are driving during hazardous or off-road conditions. Ensure that they’re inflated at the correct levels and have sufficient tread depth to maintain the rental vehicle’s handling. Adjusting your tyre pressure also has the added benefit of improving fuel efficiency by reducing rolling resistance while driving.

2. Check Weather & Road Conditions

Keep yourself updated on the weather and road conditions along your travel path. This may not be much of a concern if you work within the city, but if you find yourself travelling further up or down the coast, it’s essential to stay informed about forecasts such as fog, rain, or road closures. Always allow for extra time when driving during winter as unexpected occurrences become more common.

3. Ensure Clear Visibility

Many tradie vehicles already have extra blind spots when compared to regular vehicles. The colder weather can further impact this visibility, increasing the risk of an accident during a manoeuvre such as reversing.  Reduce this risk during your morning drive to the job site by completely clearing any frost or condensation that’s settled on your windscreens and windows during the night.

4. Increase Stopping Distance

This tip is important for tradies since many of you will also be travelling with an extra load that can already have an impact on the stopping distance. Whether it’s an extra trailer being towed, or a fully-loaded ute tray, the heavier it is, the longer your work vehicle will take to stop. Always remember to maintain a safe following distance of at least 3 seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. This will give you enough time to brake and avoid any potential crashes, even during wet weather conditions.

5. Keep On Top Of Your Scheduled Maintenance

Regular maintenance should always remain a priority for your rental tradie vehicle but it becomes even more critical during the winter season. If you have a maintenance session scheduled around this time, ensure that you don’t miss it. Preparing your vehicle for the colder weather will reduce the chances of a breakdown and potential disruptions to your job. Moreover, at TradieSpec, all our vehicle rentals already include maintenance as part of the contract reducing the hassle of organising this service.

Renting A Tradie Vehicle For Your Winter Job

If you have a job coming up this winter, consider a work vehicle from TradieSpec. We have a wide range of utes, vans and trucks for rent, with flexible contracts to suit your needs. They’re all equipped with several safety features, reducing the risk of accidents or mechanical failure. As part of our services, we also provide full maintenance with comprehensive insurance and roadside assist to ensure that you don’t miss a day of work. Get started today with a free quote!