Watch: Is biodiesel a good fuel choice for diesel engines?
These days, it seems as though there’s always a shifty stranger – The Invisible Fuel Man – whispering in my ear: “Hey Fleetkeeper. Let’s talk about electrification today.” I guess it makes sense – some of the biggest names in trucking are making some huge advancements in electric trucks. But what about all the other
Watch: The key to reducing trucking service downtime
Out there, where trucks are in need of service, there lurks an evil entity – one who keeps us wrapped up in the past and refuses to let some of us move on from ancient methods of information gathering. But, open up the lines of communication with your service providers, and you will have a
Watch: Can you stop bulk engine oil from expiring?
Buying bulk engine oil for your trucks can be a great idea for those fleets looking to save a dollar – but it also means the Oil Expiration Executioner will be patiently waiting in the wings, ax in hand, ready to degrade and contaminate that bulk oil order with a single slice. Is there any way
Watch: Do medium-duty trucks need winter tires?
The winter season might be months away, but now is the time for medium-duty fleets to start thinking about their choice of tire for when the rain, sleet and snow starts to pelt the pavement – which is when the Winter Tire Werewolf begins to stalk those trucks that can’t handle slick streets. But, there
Watch: Your go-to heavy-duty truck grease guide
“All greases are the same” couldn’t be farther from the truth. Greases come in different grades, and use different thickeners and different base oils. Some are intended to put up with extreme pressure and some have better tolerance for high temperatures. Some offer lighter base oils, while others can be difficult to pump. The thing
Watch: What is freight-ton efficiency, and what does it have to do with your trucks?
Freight ton efficiency is considered the most effective in measuring the amount of energy required to transport a load of goods from Point A to Point B. In the transport industry, carrying increased weight is a more efficient way to transport goods and minimize CO2 emissions, and we know this because of freight-ton efficiency, which
Watch: Truck air line selection/inspection tips
Air line replacement is not only for the winter months; it can apply all year round. While not always necessary, it’s just good practice to replace air lines and air line accessories annually to ensure proper working order. The thing is, there are a number of issues that, if found during routine PMs or during
Watch: Is lightweighting a smart idea for light- & medium-duty trucks?
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency, or NACFE, says it’s difficult to determine how much additional revenue or lower operating costs will be guaranteed by lightweighting. However, reducing vehicle weight provides manufacturers with opportunities to keep enhancing operational efficiencies, and can have a direct influence on operations, drivers, maintenance and vehicle life cycles. Click
Watch: Are low rolling resistance tires right for your trucks?
Finding the right tire for your truck is wholly mysterious and inexplicable, and yet so rare, that the finest poets have never succeeded in fully expressing its joy. You see, choosing the right tire is no simple task, because tire companies today are manufacturing tires to fit very specific, niche applications. The fact that manufacturers
Watch: Prepare your trucks for the 3G sunset
Cellular providers like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint have all already begun to launch 5G networks, and while that means faster and more reliable service, it also means 3G networks need to get out of the way to meet increasing cellular bandwidth demands. Now is the time to take stock of what telematics devices will
Watch: 6×4 or 6×2 – What’s the right axle configuration for your truck?
For a long time, the standard was a 6×4 configuration in which both rear tandem axles receive power. Trucks came with 6×4 regardless of the jobs they were designed to do. However, some fleets and drivers have lately been switching to 6×2 configurations in which only one of the rear axles receives power. The other
Watch: Understanding the truck tire compounding process
Developing tire compounds is like baking bread. It takes just a few basic ingredients mixed together to make the basic recipe. Flour, water, yeast and sugar in the right amount and order will give you basic white bread. But it’s up to the chef to add in the extras, like sweeteners, seeds and butter, to
