Features

Inspections boost safety on slick roads

A thorough pre-trip inspection (PTI) will keep everyone safe on the road as winter looms around the corner. A driver should never compromise on the PTI which should take 25…

Your future BEVs will require new PPE

Technicians working on electric vehicles will have to get used to wearing some new personal protective equipment (PPE). This might include high-voltage safety gloves, a high-voltage safety apron, insulated shoes,…

Electric trucks will have fewer parts, but there will be maintenance

Trucking has been clamoring for maintenance-free trucks for decades. We may finally have such a unicorn with battery-electric trucks – or at least as close to maintenance-free as we can…

Electric truck tires will be the same … but different

Tires will always be round and black, but don’t let that fool you. The operating characteristics of battery-electric drivetrains — coupled with heavy batteries — will change the way tires…

Dispatchers ensure trucks keep rolling

As millions of trucks travel on North American highways toward their destinations, people are huddled behind computer screens and talking on phones day and night, planning, monitoring, and solving problems…

Let it snow, and chain up tires in B.C.: Driver’s Education

Among the many skills you’ll never be taught in most Canadian truck driving schools is how to use tire chains. There’s little to no need to learn the skill anywhere…

Dishonest schools hinder safety

“There is no shortage of drivers, there is a shortage of quality drivers,” says a trucking consultant. Paramjit Singh of FSI Freight Solutions says Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities…

Can a computerized in-cab coach make you a better driver?

As with most things in trucking, even how we coach drivers has been transformed by technology. Computer-generated driver scorecards allow fleets to identify drivers who are at the greatest risk…

White glove deliveries are the final step in the Final Mile

Final Mile deliveries represent more than their fair share of challenges, ranging from expedited timelines to routes that wind through tight residential streets. The customers who receive such freight have…

Cylinder deactivation promises fuel efficiency and lower emissions

There has always been some debate over the relative fuel efficiency of engines of varying displacement. No matter the displacement, a certain amount of fuel is required to deliver a…

Wide-base tires present unique needs

Wide-base single tires were touted as fuel- and weight-saving wonders when they first appeared on the market. And while the weight savings remain undisputed, low-rolling-resistance dual tires have narrowed the…

How telematics and big data have revolutionized truck leasing

Full-service leases are becoming increasingly customizable, as telematics and big data are allowing lessors to better predict operating and repair costs. Pulling data off the trucks and tapping into OEM…

Winning strategies for a truck show ‘n shine

A couple of truck show ‘n shine events are scheduled for later this summer, but they are admittedly few and far between these days. In the before time, it seemed…

How to keep that showroom shine: Driver’s Education

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. In life, we are constantly judged by our appearance. In trucking life, appearance is judged at the scales,…

Auto lube systems enhance safety, save cash

A little grease saves a lot of grief and money. Safety is compromised if parts are not lubricated. Components begin to lose functionality or can have catastrophic failure in some…