The three reasons you should be using VMRS
The Vehicle Maintenance Report Standards (VMRS) was established by the Technology & Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations (ATA) back in 1970. It created a standardized method for recording truck service information, and it comes in three flavors: Three-digit codes provide a high level view into an issue, such as which system is affected. Six-digit
Making informed truck management decisions during the microchip shortage
The trucking industry could be headed toward the perfect storm of equipment shortages. We’ve already heard how the microchip shortage is impacting OEM truck production, and those supply challenges are being felt by suppliers and service providers. ACT Research noted that Class 8 truck orders are nearing their “best ever,” and vocational markets are expected
Podcast: New electric and diesel trucks, plus the effects of the microchip shortage
In this episode of the Fleet Future podcast, Fleet Equipment Editor Jason Morgan and Managing Editor Alex Crissey go over the biggest trucking news of the past month, including: Listen below, and catch up with more episodes of the podcast here. News discussed in this episode
Watch: Is there a sustainability strategy that will work for your fleet?
Nowadays, OEMs seem to be rolling out trucks running off of alternative fuels all the time in the name of sustainability, and many fleets are adopting them. But which alternative-fuel trucks are right for your fleet? Or are you planning to invest in alternative fuels at all? Click here to watch more of FE’s On
How to capture the right data during truck service
There’s a common saying when talking about capturing truck data: Junk data in, junk solutions out. When you’re making equipment decisions, whether it’s when to buy a new truck, when to do the next PM or when to stock your next round of tires, you can’t just guess–you need to use data to ensure you’re
Correcting truck spec’ing assumptions, the impact on fuel efficiency
Last time I talked with Allison Athey, product marketing manager at Volvo Trucks North America, she turned the tables and sprung a question on me in true Unscripted fashion. When we were done recording, I joked that she should guest host next time and ask me the questions. She said she was game and the
The problem of unassigned drive time and what NFI Industries did about it
When you start tracking everything, you start to notice gaps. One of the unforeseen challenges of trucking’s ELD mandate was the problem of unassigned drive time–instances of the truck moving without a driver logged. Maybe it was at a service station, maybe a fuel depot, maybe a delivery location. Either way, it’s the carrier’s responsibility
Five truck trend takeaways from March
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 March focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place. 5. Electrification will change your service operation The question of how electrification impacts truck service is key. Whether you’re running
Predictive truck maintenance: What it is and how to trust it
The truck data that has been amassing over the years from all of the connected trucks on the road has made predictive truck maintenance based on probabilities is a near reality. But it’s not enough to just predict the event — you want to be able to act on it. What if you could catch
Hands on: Peterbilt 579 next generation truck
For fleet managers, the experience of a truck can be seen on the P&L—you want your fuel costs to go down and your profitability to go up. For the drivers, it’s all about the feeling behind the wheel. OEMs have the unenviable task of creating a top-notch experience for both. On paper, the next-gen Peterbilt
