Where your service operation is leaving money on the table
When it comes to where you can most improve the efficiency of your service and maintenance operation, Renaldo Adler, principal of asset maintenance with TMW Systems, said that warranty work is where many fleets leave money on the table. “Fleets can have trouble tracking warranty covered repairs,” Adler said. “They likely don’t have a warranty
How fleets can take advantage of outsourced service offerings
Today’s trucking industry moves at a rapid pace, bringing new technology, new spec’ing options and new data points to delve into. That means more strain on your maintenance service operations. While some fleets prefer to keep service in-house, many fleets need a helping maintenance hand. Equipment complexity, difficulty diagnosing issues and a shortage of technicians
Tumbling down the truck data rabbit hole: The realities, possibilities and dangers of trucking’s datafication
Let me tell you why you’re here. You’re here because you know something. You see how data and telematics technology is re-shaping the trucking industry. ECU info streams off of your trucks as they roll productively down the road, as does the location data from your smartphone as you drive into the office and take
Winterization warrior: Battle the elements with these equipment solutions
The blistering dog days of summer burn off into crisp, cool nights. A chill creeps down your spine when you leave for work without a jacket. The air smolders with the smell of burning leaves and the trees reflect a kaleidoscope of color as your productive rigs roll down the road. You know what’s coming.
How over-the-air engine reprograming will change the way your fleet operates
In the same way that your smartphone’s apps update over your provider’s network, some 2017 model-year heavy-duty engines will sport that same over-the-air (OTA) update capability. International launched OTA updates via a Wi-Fi network last year and explained that OTA updates will migrate over to cellular networks. Last month, Detroit announced Connect Remote Updates, which
Are they compatible? Diving into the new engine oil categories
Change is coming to the heavy-duty industry in a big way. In February, the Proposed Category 11 (PC-11) engine oils were approved and two new diesel engine oils were born: API CK-4 and API FA-4. This December, those two oils will replace the traditional CJ-4 oils and bring along a host of benefits. There is
Top trailer spec’ing tips: Reducing weight, increasing efficiency
The trailer is a key component to trucking’s total operational efficiency. It deserves as much consideration as the tractor when it comes to spec’ing and buying. While the trailer’s outward appearance hasn’t changed drastically in recent years, save for the addition of aerodynamic devices, the materials and option have evolved to meet narrow fleet margins
How tire troubles lead to roadside breakdowns
Tires are typically the cause of about 54% of roadside breakdowns, explained Jon Morrison, WABCO’s president for the Americas. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a report of a study it conducted that showed: Only 15% of tire-induced breakdowns occur as a result of a sudden damage; 85% of tire failures start with
Beat the heat: How summer temperatures impact tire pressure
As we roll into the dog days of summer, it’s important to keep an eye on your tire pressures. The ambient temperature will increase tire pressure by about 2 PSI for every 10º increase. The key is setting your pressures so that it is the optimal setting for your environment. “Reasonable increases in pressure may
Pressure points: Relieving the pain of inflated tire costs
There’s no getting around tire costs—this is where the rubber meets the road, literally. It’s a constant. However, keeping your tires properly inflated is one of the most important operational efficiencies that you can monitor and control to keep your tires rolling as cost-effectively as possible to get the most out of your tires and
Uplifting news: Unsung profiles Wreaths Across America
Here at Fleet Equipment, we’re taking a break from our equipment-focused feature stories to reflect for a moment on all that is right and good in the trucking industry and the people who make it so. To be sure, there’s no drought of devastatingly depressing and divisive news flooding TV, Twitter and beyond, and it’s easy
Autonomous truck technology is not a fad
This is the last time that I am going to compare data-driven autonomous truck technology to space-age warp-engaged Star Trek-esque vehicles. The fact of the matter is that autonomous truck technology like advanced safety systems have already boldly gone where no truck has gone before… and they keep moving forward. The recently unveiled 2016 Innovation
