Because of the importance of parts and service to fleet efficiency, fleet owners and managers pay close attention to developments and trends in the truck parts and service aftermarket. Aftermarket Editor Denise Rondini recaps some of the key aftermarket issues from 2017.
December 20, 2017
Does the system come before the leadership? Or do you need the leadership and then the system?
October 3, 2014
Have you been avoiding spec’ing your vehicles with air disc brakes because you think they are not seeing widespread use or because you have concerns about the cost of maintaining them? Aftermarket Editor Denise Rondini says you may be surprised.
February 10, 2014
Whether you have lifts in your shop or not, there are some factors to consider before purchasing a lift or when determining whether the lift you have is right for your needs.
December 31, 2013
In some fleets, shop operations are completely integrated with the computer systems for dispatch, accounting, mobile communications and outside service providers. In other fleets, technology in the shop may be limited to automated systems for tracking work, labor, parts and inventory.
October 7, 2013
Wide-base tires aren’t cheap. Not that duals are cheaper, but in a single wide-base tire you have an investment approaching the cost of a pair of standard tires. Minimizing the life-cycle cost of those big wide tires almost demands that they be retreaded.
October 4, 2013
The nearly 200 technicians who work for Inland Truck Parts at its locations in 10 states across the central U.S. can now heading to the Kansas City area to train in a new, dedicated training facility, complete with classroom space for nearly 100 students, three service bays and nine rebuilding benches.
August 6, 2013
Wheel-ends function as a system: the spindle, hub, and rim (or wheel), as well as the bearings and the fasteners, all work in concert to keep the wheels in place and the tires running straight and true. If one part of the system is out of whack, the results will be seen and felt elsewhere in the system - usually at the tires themselves.
July 2, 2013
It's a rare heavy-duty service shop or parts warehouse/distributor that doesn't use some kind of computer software in its operation. It might be as simple as an accounting package such as QuickBooks, or as complex as a full-featured industry-specific enterprise management package.
June 19, 2013
Stertil-Koni recently announced what its research has shown to be seven key steps that fleets and transit authorities should observe prior to lifting heavy-duty work vehicles in commercial maintenance facilities.
June 3, 2013
Every shop wants its technicians to be as proficient and productive as they can. Yet most shops fail to see the things that are getting in the way of achieving this goal.
April 15, 2013
Now, owners of any brand of vehicle lift can add Spotline to the bay, thanks to a new retrofit kit that makes the laser spotting guide compatible with most in-ground and surface lifts
January 16, 2013
The Original Gabriel announced that it is now distributing its Fleetline and GasSLX products directly to heavy-duty aftermarket suppliers and distributors
January 10, 2013
For years, some fleets have turned to synthetic engine oils for easier starts in cold-weather climates and to help them extend oil drain intervals. But if that's the only selling point you're using for synthetic lubes, it may be time for some consumer education
January 8, 2013
Your customers are going to be seeing a lot more of that ubiquitous yellow engine-shaped icon on their dashboard with the latest model trucks.
December 20, 2012