Drivelines, emissions, exhaust top list of most labor-intensive truck shop tasks

ARLINGTON, Va. – If your shop is tucking into repairs on a clutch assembly or auto transmission, technicians should prepare themselves for some of the most labor-intensive tasks on a…

Average roadside repair costs up 30% year over year

ARLINGTON, Va. – The average cost per roadside repair is up 30% year over year, but five systems account for almost 70% of the work – identifying where many fleets…

Those who sell truck parts must prepare for a changing world

The business of selling truck parts is, well, a big business by every measure. The aftermarket that cares for Canada’s Class 6-8 trucks, trailers and container chassis was worth an estimated $4.06 billion last year, according to analysts at MacKay and Company. And the mergers and acquisitions among component suppliers are underway at a breakneck pace.

The top technical trucking tips and tricks of 2019

TORONTO, Ont. – Whether you’re looking to improve shop efficiency, prevent wheel fires, tackle trailer wiring issues, or get the most from your oil, we’re always on the lookout for technical information that could help to guide your operation. Here’s a selection of some of the trucking tips, tricks and guidance that Today’s Trucking delivered during 2019.

Can you improve shop efficiency without compromising quality?

TORONTO, Ont. -- Do you want to save time and money on fleet maintenance operations? Fleets struggling to stay ahead of day-to-day challenges often do not step back to see what's really going on or try to get beyond what appears obvious.

How to keep your truck lights shining

TORONTO, Ont. -- LED lights last much longer than incandescent bulbs and are increasingly popular for trucks and trailers. But there are still maintenance needs to consider.

Organize the shop, and keep chaos at bay

MONTREAL, Que. -- The way a truck maintenance shop is laid out and organized can make a major difference in the uptime it can help to realize, making it a vital profit center.

New Brunswick shop pitted against Mack’s best

MONCTON, N.B. -- A team from Lounsbury Truck Center in Moncton, N.B. pitted their skills against peers from across North America during the 2019 Mack Masters Competition in Allentown, Pa.

Mack using data to refine maintenance intervals

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. – Mack Trucks’ GuardDog Connect system can now offer further insights into maintenance intervals, using a new Dynamic Maintenance program that will better match the tasks to specific duty cycles.

Save wheel money through refinishing

TORONTO, Ont. -- Nasty-looking wheels, all covered with rust and cracked paint, are pretty well an invitation to a roadside DOT inspection. Rusty wheels may not reflect the attention to detail your fleet usually brings to the maintenance game, but they don't send the right message to the creeper cops. For about half the cost of a new steel wheel, refinishing is a cost-effective alternative to new wheels.

Opinion: Rust never sleeps, but what’s your biggest truck maintenance headache?

What’s your biggest maintenance headache? I actually do want to know because, believe it or not, planning for next spring’s Canadian Fleet Maintenance Summit on April 15 is already underway. It’s at a preliminary stage, for sure, but we’re already at it. We haven’t yet held a meeting of the dozen or so members of the advisory council that helps us devise the program, but individually we’re creating short lists of subjects to cover.

Small trucks can present big maintenance challenges

MONTREAL, Que. -- Don’t let the size of a truck fool you. Medium-duty trucks are dwarfed by their Class 8 counterparts, but such equipment can present some of the biggest challenges for a repair facility.

Is your truck getting the most out of its oil?

TORONTO, Ont. -- The last truck I owned was a 1991 Peterbilt 379 with a Detroit Series 60 engine. I had to change the oil in that thing every 10,000 miles (16,000 km). At about $200 a pop every time I pulled the drain plug, oil changes took a significant bite out of my maintenance budget. I'm not in a big hurry to buy another truck, but I have to say I'm envious of current truck owners who can get away with two or three oil changes per year -- in some cases, maybe only one.

Searching for the right wheel bearing adjustments

TORONTO, Ont. -- The tolerable end play for truck wheel bearings lies somewhere between the thickness of a human hair and a sheet of paper. In other words, it's perfectly acceptable to adjust wheel bearings so that they are just a little bit loose, but not too loose. How do you set your end play?

Keep Connected: Maintenance tips for electronic and electric truck systems

TORONTO, Ont. -- The ever-growing number of sensors and electrical systems mean vehicle components are more interconnected than ever before – adding a layer of complexity to troubleshooting efforts, and requiring a broader approach to diagnostic procedures.