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A Great Debate: What Head Lamps are Best?

Vehicle parts and systems have come a long, long way since trucks were first invented by Daimler in 1896. The very first automobiles used acetylene lamps for down road visibility because the flame was more resistant to the wind than other resources at the time, but as vehicles started to go faster, more lighting solutions were needed.

Although the first electric headlights were invented shortly after in 1898, they initially had a host of problems since electricity was still a very new concept at that time. Surprisingly, electric vehicle headlights were also pretty unpopular until the early 1900s. As vehicle use became a more commonplace and preferred method of transportation, the first vehicles with a modern electric system, including fully functioning electric headlights, were born.

Two centuries later the headlight as we know it continues to advance in its technology and lifespan but the question still remains — which ones are the best?

Common Misconceptions for Fleet Owners/Drivers

Every industry has its myths and misconceptions. But for fleet owners and truck drivers, hanging onto misinformation can cost you and your business money, part life, and precious uptime. One of the most common misconceptions in trucking revolves around two terms — rebuilding and remanufactured, or “reman,” as it’s more popularly referred to.

The situation is this: you’ve got a part that’s not working right, but you’ve also got cost to factor in. Buying this part brand new isn’t realistic right now, so you move to your other options, which typically include rebuilding the part or buying it “reman,” or remanufactured. The misconception is that when it comes to aftermarket truck parts, rebuilt and reman mean the same thing. It may surprise you to learn that these are two very different terms, and understanding the difference can make the difference to your bottom line.

1. Your DPF is an Essential Part of Your Diesel Emissions System

One of the most distinctive traits that people associate with diesel vehicles is the large plume of black smoke that comes out of the exhaust. But thanks to the hard work for your diesel emissions system, the amount of soot that comes out of your engine is heavily filtered and not as harmful to the environment as it used to be.

You’re moving a major haul down the highway, radio on, sun shining, wheels turning. You’re making great time so you think you might have room for a long lunch in between the journey. But in the back of your mind, you feel like you’re forgetting something. It’s on the tip of your tongue but you can’t remember what it was you needed to do. So you try and brush it off and keep driving.

Now you’ve lost your peace of mind because you can’t quite remember what it was that you forgot. That lunch doesn’t quite hit the spot and now you feel you’ve got a pit in your stomach. But before you can remember what it was, your engine starts to slow down, and before you know it you’re on the side of the road. You get it into the shop and it looks like an issue with your fuel and engine – which is when it hits you – you haven’t changed your fuel filters in who knows how long.

The Humble Wheel Seal

When you talk about your wheels, most of the attention goes to your wheel hub and tires. But the seamless motion and functionality of your wheels on the axles is due in part to your wheel seals.

As the name implies, wheel seals have the very important job of protecting the wheel bearings. As your vehicle flies down the road at highway speeds, outside contaminants can get into your hub assemblies and cause damage. Wheel seals not only protect contaminants from getting in, but it also keeps essential bearing grease from getting out.

Searching for aftermarket truck parts can be time-consuming and frustrating. Finding the right part number to look for can be tough, and sometimes it’s not at the price point that you were looking for.

It can be all too easy for the overabundance of options to coerce you into making a buying decision that you're not 100 percent confident about. As long as you have the right cross reference number you can shop for replacements from several different brands, but even those can be at a premium. But on the flip side, the less you spend on a replacement can lead to a shorter product life. So does a brand exist that can offer reliable parts at a price you don’t have to sacrifice your bottom line for? It sure does, and we've got it. Meet Match Made.

What is a Winch Strap?

One the biggest challenges of driving a flatbed truck is keeping the cargo secured. Without the protection of sides or a roof to keep the load contained during the journey, drivers need to know how to keep their goods safe in all types of road conditions, weather, and traffic.

There are a few different ways to keep flatbed loads secured, including chains, but most seasoned drivers find that webbed winch straps provide the most security and resistance when it comes to heavy-duty load security. A winch strap is a tiedown strap made of polyester webbing that can be pulled taut enough to secure a flatbed load using tension. Winch straps are quickly becoming the industry standard for tiedowns, but it’s also important to know how to use them properly.

These days, in all things there is an emphasis on stopping the spread of contamination. Stopping and preventing the spread of viruses and germs is a major focal point in today’s age. However, I’m not talking about social distancing or face masks. I’m talking about protecting your truck from contamination.

I’m not suggesting that your truck is going to contract COVID-19 or coronavirus, but it can contract various contaminants in its air, fuel and engine components. Your truck needs to breathe and operate as cleanly as you do. The best way to do that is with high percentage filtration solutions, and we have just the thing.

What Does AGM Battery Mean

Chances are, you don’t think about your vehicle battery until your vehicle doesn’t start. But rather than continuing to invest in the same traditional flooded batteries, let’s take a step back and consider another great option — Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries.

Why the Fan Clutch is Important: A Refresher

There’s no question about why the engine is important for your truck or fleet, but it’s also important to remember that one reason your engine is running smoothly is because of the smaller parts working together to help it along. Your engine’s fan clutch cooling system is a good example.

When your truck is in motion, the internal combustion engine heats up. While the production of heat is necessary for the engine to power your truck, if it gets too hot, it can lead to trouble unless the fan clutch and fan activate to cool the engine temperature down.