Category Archives for "Fleet Maintenance News"

The Future of Maintenance Outsourcing

Technology is something that is constantly changing and improving, and if you aren’t adopting this new technology as a truck driver, there is a good chance you are missing out on some improvements as well as being able to get your vehicle serviced by someone that is only accustomed to the improved technology in the future. Make sure that you have warranty on your vehicle and that it is extended so that way you are protected in case anything goes wrong with your truck.

Key Takeaways:

  • Everywhere you look, you will find information about the rapid pace of technology.
  • If fleet companies don’t have this new technology, will they be able to find repair shops?
  • There are repair shops that are available for trucks that have warranties and extended warranties.

“Or will the same problems of ever-more-complex vehicles force aftermarket and independent maintenance providers out of business”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10137714/the-future-of-maintenance-outsourcing

Understanding Effects of Payload and Towing on Commercial EV Range

There is a wave that is taking over the auto industry and that is the electric vehicle wave. A lot of vehicle manufacturers are considering adopting electric operation vehicles, there are several that have them in the works, and will be released in the next couple of years. Trucks are still going to be able to function at full capacity with the way they are being built. The clean tail pipe emissions will allow truckers to come in with open arms to any area.

Key Takeaways:

  • These new trucks that will begin launching in 2022 are safer and better for the environment.
  • There are electric waves happening all over, a lot of manufacturers have new ones coming out.
  • These vehicles will be able to function and then return to the facility to be charged over night.

“Fuel economy on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles nosedives at peak payload or towing load, but we accept the trade-off because the overall range on those vehicles is more than enough.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10136746/understanding-effects-of-payload-and-towing-on-commercial-ev-range

To Electrify Fleets, Plan For The Long Term

If fleet owners are wanting to take on electric vehicles sometime in the near future, they should really look into adopting a strategy that helps to get them there first. This is going to be a process and it isn’t going to come together overnight. There are only a few out there as of right now, but as more and more start to take this on, it will set the tone for a lot of other manufacturers to start acquiring this type of vehicle.

Key Takeaways:

  • Vehicle fleet managers are smelling the wind of change and buying electric vehicles and chargers.
  • These pilot changes and budget allowances are critical and necessary. But, experts warn that they fall short.
  • These experts have tallied the data and fully expect that a fleet, even comprised of only 3% EVs, will need to make sweeping changes to their supply line and other aspects of their businesses.

“More electric infrastructure will likely need more transmission lines but getting those approved and built could be complicated and politically challenging.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10136466/to-electrify-fleets-you-must-plan-for-the-long-term

4 Ways to Prevent Truck Wheel-Offs

Wheel separation is something that is well understood, we know very well how it happens. The bearings are something that you will want to be picky about because of the bearings are too tight or too loose, then this could lead to problems with your wheels. Before you go to place the wheel back onto the hub, make sure that the area is clear and free of debris, or this can create problems with wheel separation.

Key Takeaways:

  • the causes of wheel separation can be caused by a few things, like loose ball bearings.
  • Be extra picky about your bearings, over tightening or not tightening enough, can have an effect.
  • Before even putting the wheel back on the hub, make sure it is clear of debris first.

“The Canadian province of Ontario has done loads of research into wheel separations and is probably the most active jurisdiction in North America”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10135611/4-ways-to-prevent-truck-wheel-offs

How In-Cab Cameras Help Fleets Improve Safety

It used to just be that sensors were only rolling once the vehicle was moving and that this was a way to help improve safety of drivers by understanding their driving and stopping speed better. This new technology will record the entire drive, even when the vehicle isn’t moving to help gain a better perspective on what needs to change or improve within the truck. The stopping speed and speed on its own are two safety issues that are continuously being improved.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fleets rely on sensors to ensure braking as well as stopping and speed on all the trucks.
  • There are some sensors that only work when the truck is moving, these will record the entire trip
  • One of the benefits of having this is to convert the information into something safer.

“Systems such as the one from Samsara can be considered a “stand-alone,” says Ingo Wiegand, director of product management at Samsara.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10135529/how-in-cab-cameras-help-fleets-improve-safety

TA Truck Service Adds Spireon FleetLocate Installation Service

TA truck drivers can now have telematics installed in their trucks, and for those who already have it, they can be given an upgrade for this new technology. This will ensure that things move more smoothly as the industry continues to grow. It can be difficult to get your hands on the newest technology now that everybody is looking to get their hands on it at the same time. It is still possible and more will continue to roll out.

Key Takeaways:

  • Professional drivers can now have telematics installed or they can be upgraded.
  • the adoption of telematics continues to rise, and ones who already have it are getting an upgrade.
  • Now that there is a high demand for this technology, it is a lot harder to get your hands on.

“Prior to this partnership, Spireon arranged for all installations to take place on-site at a carrier’s location.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10136064/ta-truck-service-adds-spireon-fleetlocate-installation-service

Gatik to Remove Safety Driver from Walmart’s AV Service

There is a driverless vehicle that is moving in the next phase of their driverless vehicles by transitioning away from having a driver in the vehicle into not having a person present inside the vehicle at all. A safety driver was included in their vehicles all along up until this point and they will begin operating without one. The car will be only allowed on fixed and repeatable routes so that there is no issue with the operation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Driverless vehicle testing is moving on the next step and operating without a driver.
  • The company has also worked closely with legislation to ensure that this could be possible.
  • There are other cars that are announcing that they will operate without drivers soon as well.

“The companies also announced a new test on a longer, 20-mile route between New Orleans and Metairie, Louisiana, delivering items from a Walmart Supercenter to a customer pickup point.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10132860/gatik-to-remove-safety-driver-from-walmarts-av-service

The Road Ahead for Heavy-Duty Lubricants

the importance of oils is known to a lot of truck drivers and car owners alike because of the way it keeps the engine running the way it is supposed to. The lubricants inside of a vehicle help to maintain it and over the years, it has been developed into something that will give it an even better performance. There is now a new way to improve the oil even further to ensure peak performance of the engine and all its parts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Protecting all the moving parts of a truck on the inside are some of the most essential.
  • the oil that you use plays a vital role in the efficiency and performance of an engine.
  • the pathway to upgrading these engine oils is clearer than it ever was before.

“Looking ahead to the future, the trend toward lower viscosity engine oils is set to continue, not only within the latest API CK-4 category”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10132798/the-road-ahead-for-heavy-duty-lubricants

TCA, CarriersEdge Name Best Fleets to Drive For

There are several fleets that made the list of best places to work as far as safety and the environmental concerns. There is one company called grand island express that has been on the list for the past ten years. If you have made the list, it means that you are a company that is worth working for. In order to even be considered for nomination on the list of good companies, you have to be operating at least ten trucks.

Key Takeaways:

  • essential services have been recognized so it’s important to recognize exemplary work environments.
  • Grand island express has been acknowledge as being on the list for the past ten years.
  • In order to be considered, you had to be operating ten or more trucks in your company.

““Even in the midst of a pandemic these fleets are focused on creating a great workplace experience for all their drivers, and with an average satisfaction rate over 90% their drivers clearly appreciate those efforts.””

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10134333/tca-and-carriersedge-name-2021-best-fleets-to-drive-for

Top 3 Causes of Truck Repair Delays

The biggest reasons for the delay is repairs is that the parts aren’t available and have to be shipped in from somewhere else, and the fact that sometimes, problems aren’t diagnosed properly. So, when you are making repairs, you might not be fixing the actual problem because it wasn’t diagnosed properly. It is important that everyone inside the repair shop are all on the same page so that the repairs that are performed can be done so in a timely manner.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fleets want to maximize downtime as much as possible for repairs to get them back on the road again.
  • Not being diagnosed properly and parts that needed to be ordered elsewhere were two big problems.
  • Every bay needs to have computers for proper diagnosis and knowledge to repair the problems.

“During last fall’s meeting of the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council, the Service Provider Study Group led a session focused on maximizing uptime.”

Read more: https://www.truckinginfo.com/10137577/top-3-causes-of-truck-repair-delays