We know it’s not easy to keep up with everything that happens in the world of trucking. So here are the biggest stories from April focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.
5. Manufacturers are providing new offerings and advanced technologies for medium-duty engines and transmissions
Medium-duty trucks tackle a variety of tasks, operating in an environment with narrow roads, high congestion and access or parking restrictions, but with the right engine and transmission, fleets can have the confidence that they can meet all of their operating needs. Senior Contributing Editor Seth Skydel provides a roundup of medium-duty engine and transmission offerings here.
4. Three ways asset tracking software can help fleets
There’s no way around it: trucks and trailers are expensive pieces of equipment. And not only that—they’re your livelihood. If one of them goes missing, that’s money out of your company’s pocket that needs to pay for the replacement. Put that way, and it’s not hard to see the value of software that can tell you where a truck or trailer is at any moment.
Senior Editor Alex Crissey talks more about the value of asset tracking software here.
3. Making the decision on whether to keep fleet maintenance in-house or outsource it
If your fleet is making a decision about whether to outsource fleet maintenance and repairs or keep it in-house, there are a variety of factors to consider. These include fleet size, budgets, shop and technician resources, service territories and a host of operational needs. Seth Skydel has more on these decisions here.
2. The industry takes the first step toward camera monitor systems adoption
Evolving truck technology is far easier than evolving industry standards and regulations. What are the rules of the road for automated driving systems? I don’t know, but they’re here. What are the standards for electric truck charging? I don’t know, but those trucks are on the road. What would it take to replace mirrors with cameras? Now that one has an answer, or at least a beginning.
Editor Jason Morgan goes into more detail in his column, which you can read here.
1. Are you retreading your tires? Maybe you should be
Eric Higgs wants to know why you aren’t retreading your tires.
The fact of the matter is that while 90% of fleets with 1,000 or more trucks retread tires, at the other end of the spectrum, only 34% of fleets with one to four trucks and 55% of fleets with five to 24 trucks retread. As president of truck, bus and retread tires for the U.S. and Canada at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, Eric knows all of the reasons why the industry doesn’t depend on retreads as a whole, but he wants to know why you—you, specifically—aren’t retreading your fleet’s tires.
Because he wants to change your mind.
Read more about retreading and Eric Higgs’ quest to change your mind here.
