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Why Worry About Your Wheel Bearings?

It takes good fortune and a sturdy vehicle to travel thousands of miles across the country, and your wheels have a lot do with keeping your journey safe and smooth. Most of what we’re concerned about on our wheels is what we can see – does the tire pressure look good? Are there any cracks or scrapes that should be noted? Are all the lug nuts in place? Are all the tires still on the vehicle?

But in addition to keeping an eye out for visible signs of wear and tear on your wheels and hubs, it’s also a best practice for fleets and owner/operators to know and understand when wheel bearings may be showing signs of early failure. Your wheel bearings fit snugly inside the wheel hub and reduce friction as your wheels spin while also supporting the vehicle’s entire weight. That’s a big job, but when you know your bearings, you increase your chances of addressing bearing issues before they lead to unexpected downtime, late deliveries, and lost revenue.

The Weather Is Heating Up

After a harsh winter driving through snow, we can’t blame truckers for their excitement over the spring season; but with the changing season comes new challenges that truck drivers will face. Since the weather turned from bitter cold to a now more pleasant temperature, heavy-duty trucks require attention of certain parts - such as engine components - to prepare for the warm weather.

One of the most common problems that truckers will face this season and moving into summer is with fan clutches and will become increasingly more noticeable as the days get hotter. Now is the time to talk about what the fan clutch does for your engine cooling system; the warning signs of bad fan clutch; and how to replace it on commercial vehicles.

1. Mirrors On Big Trucks Are A Big Deal

Even though your truck mirrors aren’t responsible for the power or mobility of your vehicle or fleet, they should still be given considerable attention. No matter what size truck you’re driving, there’s only so much you can see with the naked eye. Your mirrors amplify your visibility of not only the back of your truck but also what the drivers on both sides of you are doing. Mirrors are also your first line of defense in making sure you can change lanes safely and anticipate any road situations in which you have to stop or maneuver quickly.

With so much to keep up with in your day-to-day driving and business, it can be easy to just jump in the truck and go without giving a second thought to the clarity, condition and setup of your mirror system, but when it comes to how and what you see, there’s a lot to consider.

Why Customize Mud Flaps?

You see those rubber things dangling from trucks? Those are mud flaps; and they aren’t just for show. Mud flaps, also known as splash guards, serve as a protective shield on semi-trucks – keeping dirt, rust and grime off undercarriage parts while defending truck’s paint from kicked-up rocks. While some would argue that mud flaps are not necessary, others would highly suggest installing them across all heavy-duty vehicles as they have been shown to reduce drag by 8 percent (via a study from UT-Chattanooga SimCenter)– with the right material, of course.

If you have decided that mud flaps are a must for your big rig, then you may decide to customize them for your vehicle. The most common reason why truckers customize splash guards is to advertise their business; but only 15 percent of 30 million trucks in North America are stamped by quality advertising! The next is because they want to add a splash of color to their vehicle and make them standout from the traditional black mud flap. Here are things you should know about mud flap customization on trucks.

Time to Prioritize Your HVAC System

It feels like we were just talking about winter driving not that long ago, but the official coming of spring last week means a few different things – the weather’s about to get nicer, the pollen’s about to wreak havoc on your allergies and cab exterior, and it’s time to get your HVAC system in peak performance.

If you haven’t been thinking about your vehicle’s heating and cooling functionalities yet, you’re not alone. Springtime usually means the weather’s just right – not too hot, not too cold, and perfect for staying comfortable on the road. But doing some preliminary checks and maintenance on your HVAC system now can save you the distress of your AC blowing nothing but hot air during the summer. According to HVAC experts

How Air Conditioning Works

The term “making it colder” is somewhat misleading. After all, air conditioning units in commercial vehicles do not take cold air and blast it but rather transfer vapor refrigerant through a timely process to make air blow from warm to cool. If your wondering why your semi-truck is not blowing cold air, it could be several reasons.

Now that spring has arrived, and warm weather is here to stay, it is no wonder why truck drivers want to kick-start their A/C units and make routine maintenance, as necessary. Today, we will explore the components of an air conditioning unit; how air conditioning works; most common failures of A/C and how to fix the parts.

The Coronavirus Pandemic Rolls On, And So Do Truckers

March signified one year since the Coronavirus pandemic began, and while the past year has seen more people staying in and working from home than ever before, trucking and transportation workers have been on the front lines and adapting to ever-changing health and safety protocols while taking care of business.

Trucker Spring Cleaning Tips

Ah, Spring, the moment we’ve all been waiting for since first spotting frost on our windshields. The snowy days may be behind us, but that doesn’t mean truckers are in the clear for caring for their vehicles. In fact, there is more to do this season for upkeep of big rigs as we trade snowfall for rain.

Inspecting heavy-duty vehicles for possible winter damage is a must this season. Keep reading to learn spring care tips that should be conducted now before hitting the road.

‘Tis the Season for Truck Washing

With spring officially starting next week, we can look forward to roads that are free of ice and snow. And, like most truck owners, you may be itching to get out the power washer and wash the long, tough winter off your heavy-duty vehicle. After months of driving through road salt, dirt, and debris, it always feels better to drive a polished and shining truck down the road.

But before you go ham with the soap and scrubbers, it’s important to note that the way you wash your truck could have a major impact on whether you’re actually saving it from corrosion or setting it up to be susceptible to it.

Everyone Wants That Pot of Gold

It seems that everyone is chasing after the green, not gold in today’s time; but haven’t people always been chasing after hidden treasures? We read about warriors battling off dragons in search of money and jewels. Even Aladdin went into the Cave of Wonders to search for the genie’s lamp. Now, we all dream of winning the lottery.

While we should be thankful for what we have, and who we have in our lives, it just never seems to be enough for whatever reason. So, where did this crazy obsession over riches and finding pots of gold come from; and who is to blame for our greed and competitive nature? I’ll tell you who: Leprechauns. That’s right. These 2-3-foot-tall small people have changed us – and not in a good way. Keep reading to learn about the history of the pot of gold on St. Patrick’s Day.