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• Holiday Shipping Season 2021 – What to Expect

  We all remember how unpredictable shipping was during the 2020 peak season, with numerous disruptions in the logistics industry arising due to the pandemic. Now, a year later, it appears that 2021 may bring about many of the same holiday shipping delay challenges....

• Guide to Agriculture Tire Maintenance

  When you work in the agriculture industry, tires are a crucial component of your equipment, and you need to know you can rely on them to stay productive and meet tight harvest schedules. Keeping up with your agriculture tire maintenance is fundamental to an...

• 4 Trucking Rules and Regulations to Watch in 2021

  The remainder of 2021 will likely prove to be significant for trucking regulations and requirements due to factors including the ongoing pandemic as well as the changing political landscape. Together, these factors may play a part in the formation of upcoming trucking...

• How Truck Tires Impact the Environment

  Truck fleets, service dealers, and OEMs all rely on sturdy, long-lasting tires to get their vehicles where they need to go. Eventually, these tires become worn and require replacement to keep up with company productivity. Many old tires get taken to landfills, but...

• Problems Surrounding Last-Mile Delivery

  WHAT IS LAST MILE DELIVERY? Last-mile delivery refers to the movement of goods from a transportation hub or fulfillment center to the final delivery destination, such as the consumer’s residence. It is the last part of the process, like when UPS delivers a...

• What is Last-Mile Delivery?

  Last-mile delivery is a term used in supply chain management and logistics. It is the movement of goods from a transportation hub to the final delivery destination, which is typically a personal residence. This stage is the last step in moving the product from a...

• Understanding Aerodynamic Drag And How It Impacts Your Truck

  WHAT IS AERODYNAMIC DRAG? Aerodynamic drag is a mechanical force generated by the truck’s movement through the air as it accelerates forward. It can be thought of as air resistance. Essentially, it is an opposing force that your truck needs to overcome in order to...

• Top 6 Alternative Fuels

  Fuel costs are the second-largest operating expense (behind driver compensation) for most trucking operations. A rolling truck’s energy requirements fit into two basic categories: aerodynamic losses and mechanical losses. Aerodynamic losses tend to increase as...

• How Winter Affects Fuel Economy

  When all of the leaves fall off the trees and the weather gets colder each day, we know it is time to start getting prepared for the Winter season ahead. There are a lot of things to think about when preparing for the winter such as winterizing your fleet, but have...

• How COVID-19 Will Affect 2020 Holiday Shipping

  COVID-19 has changed the way we live our lives in 2020. It has affected how we work, how we celebrate events with family and friends, and the way we shop. For many of us, we have to do these activities virtually. This holiday season is no different and, the holiday...

• 3 Easy Steps to Make Your Fleet Green

  Increasing numbers of people across the globe are trying to incorporate green practices into their lives and workplaces. Have you considered steps to make your fleet green? HOW TO MAKE YOUR FLEET GREEN From 1990 to 2017, the volume of greenhouse gases produced by...

• 4 Tips for Technician Retention

  It’s no secret that the trucking industry has a shortage of technicians. By 2022, the commercial trucking sector will need to fill more than 100,000 technician positions. A considerable part of this issue is that knowledgeable technicians are retiring, and the...

• Guide to Truck Driver Retention

  The American Trucking Association reports the trucking industry was short 60,800 drivers in 2018. This shortage is increasing fast, and if current trends hold, the trucker shortage may increase to 160,000 drivers by 2028.  Want to know how to retain truck drivers?...

• Tips for Proper Wheel-End Maintenance

    The wheels on a semi-truck are typically exposed to 100,000 miles of highway time in a single year. That’s a lot of revolutions for the hardware that keeps you pointed in the right direction. On an eighteen-wheel truck, you have five axles — each with two-wheel...

• The Importance of Proper Tire Inflation

    WHY IS PROPER TIRE PRESSURE IMPORTANT? It is crucial for a fleet to have a proactive maintenance program, especially one that involves the upkeep of their wheel end. With the cost of tires being one of the highest expenses for a fleet, keeping them at their...

• 3 Ways COVID-19 is Affecting Trucking

  COVID-19 AND THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY Due to COVID-19 overwhelming the country and changing life as we know it, all industries across the country have been affected. The trucking industry is no different. Thankfully, the trucking industry is full of workers that are...

• Aluminum vs Steel Wheels: What’s Best for Your Fleet?

  ALUMINUM VS STEEL WHEELS: WHICH ARE BETTER? To answer this question, you need to consider the needs and applications of your fleet. With the increasing popularity of aluminum wheels for commercial vehicles, there is debate among fleets on whether or not to switch from...

• CSA Tire Violation Prevention

  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) set up the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scoring system in 2010 to improve safety on the road and prevent collisions. This score can influence everything from job opportunities for drivers to the...

• Helpful Tips for Proper Wheel Installation & Inspection

  Mounting a wheel seems simple enough. Pop it on, use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts, and you’re good to go. But this step is a lot more crucial than you think. You want to be sure the wheel is mounted correctly and maintained properly to increase safety...

• Selecting the Correct Tire Sealant for Your Application

    Tire punctures resulting in air loss are a common issue on the road. Underinflation from air loss causes your tires to wear excessively and will lead to premature tire replacement. In the long run, this will lead to higher operating costs and an increase in...

• The Retreading Industry and the Myths Surrounding It

  Myths permeate the tire industry. When it comes to retreading tires, this is especially true. What Is Retreading? Do Retreaded Tired Perform Well? Are Retreaded Tires Safe? Can Retreaded Tires Cause Blowout? Advantages of Using Retreaded Tires When it comes down to...

• The Best Apps for Truck Drivers

  Index for Helpful Truck Driver Apps: All-Around Apps Directional Apps Apps for Fuel Weather Apps Health Apps Scanning Apps Other Helpful Apps Your smartphone and its programs may have become some of the most essential tools in your truck. There are many free truck...

• Benefits of Alignment in Trucks and Commercial Vehicles

  Business owners and fleet management personnel must equip tractor-trailers and commercial vehicles with solid sets of tires. While choosing a tire size and tread style appropriate for your applications is important, ensuring that installations are aligned and...

• Addressing the Service Technician Shortage in the Commercial Trucking Industry

  “Oh no, we’re out of technicians.” Industry experts have been predicting this diesel technician shortage because 40-50% of the technicians active today will retire by 2030.  According to The Department of Labor, the demand for diesel service...

• Freight Ton vs. MPG: How to Calculate Fuel Efficiency Gains

  Quick Links: What Is Freight Ton? | The Freight-Ton Calculation | Who Is Using the Calculation?| How Freight Tonnage Will Affect Your Fleet | IMI Has Trucking Efficiency Solutions You Can Rely On The trucking industry is the backbone of America. Both truck drivers and...

• How to Keep Your Drivers — and Fleet — Safe During Winter Weather

  “It’s never too early to start planning.” The recognizable phrase holds true for almost every situation — especially when it comes to operating your trucks in the winter time. Preparing for the colder season means pulling out your warm work gloves and thermals while...

• Effect of Mounting and Alignment on Tire Wear for Semi Trucks

  When your fleet gets new tires for your tractor trailers, the first act of mounting and balancing those tires to your wheel-end greatly impacts the life of those tires.  Should the tires be mounted incorrectly, it can cause significant irregular tire wear and...

• Effects of Wheel Corrosion on Your Commercial Fleet

  Quick Links: What Causes Corrosion on Your Truck’s Wheel Ends? | Effect of Corrosion on Your Truck’s Wheel End | Prevent Corrosion — Faster Treatment and Cleaning Corrosion is an oxidation process that occurs in metal due to a chemical reaction caused by...

• The Cost of Trucking

  Quick Links: Trucking Industry Averages | Trucking Company Cost Factors | Truck Maintenance Cost | How to Calculate Cost Per Mile for Your Trucking Company | How to Reduce Trucking Costs When it comes to money management, the majority of fleets hire outside...

• The Importance of Rolling Resistance in Hauling Trucks

    Quick Links: What Is Rolling Resistance? | What Is Low Rolling Resistance? | How Rolling Resistance Affects Fuel Economy| What Factors Affect Rolling Resistance in Heavy-Duty and Long-Haul Fleets? | IMI FLEXX for Decreased Rolling Resistance and Increased Fuel...

• The Future of Fuel Economy

  Over the last decade, successive lines of trailer-trucks have helped the industry gain on fuel efficiency. Whereas trucks manufactured in 2009 averaged six mpg, today’s newer trucks are averaging between eight and 12 mpg. The ultimate goal with today’s...

• Why Looks Matter: Wheel Safety Edition

  Appearance and safety often go hand in hand. When you take your vehicle to the car wash, you choose to get it cleaned not just because it will improve its appearance, but because regular washing saves your vehicle from salt, rust, and damage. Wheel safety and...

• Innovations that Put Fleets First

  In 1946, Michelin introduced one of the most important advances in the transportation industry: the radial tire. While traditional tires featured cord plies that intersected diagonally, the radial tire added cord plies that cross the median axis at a 90-degree angle –...

• Extending the Life of Your Construction Fleet Tires

  When you’re in the construction business, your trucks are your life. And when it comes to trucks for construction, tire life is just as important as engine life. The more life you get out of your construction fleet and tires, the more money you save and the more...

• Important Maintenance for Mining Trucks

  If you manage a mining operation, you know that the condition of your fleet is a crucial element in your success. You have invested a lot of time and money in your mining fleet with the idea that they will work hard for you for a very long time. That won’t...

• Slower Driving Pays Big When It Comes to Improving Fleet Fuel Efficiency

  How fast should your drivers be driving their trucks? Your drivers may be tempted to drive as fast as they safely can in order to get to their destinations as quickly as possible. They may argue that it is better for you financially because they can make more runs if...

• Internal Wheel-End Balancing: the Top Three Benefits Your Drivers Will Thank You For

    Instead of staying in one place, a soft dual compound balancing material like FLEXX can absorb vibrations by adapting and responding to road, load, and speed forces. In comparison, inferior balancing bead materials made of glass or ceramic which are hard and...

• How to Limit Truck Driver Turnover By Fixing Driver Comfort

  DRIVER TURNOVER AND SHORTAGE From an operational standpoint, the problem of driver turnover is too costly to ignore. In “Examining Driver Turnover and Retention in the Trucking Industry” by Harrison and Pierce, the average cost of losing one driver was estimated...

• Five Ways to Stop Your Refinished Wheels From Corroding During Winter

  Fleets often ask us about ways to prevent rust or corroded wheels. It’s a top priority in around-the-wheel care for important reasons: wheels need to be strong, safe, and attractive to support productivity. While strong wheels are a necessity all year long, they’re...

• What Is Aerodynamic Drag?

  If your business relies on trucking for deliveries, paying attention to aerodynamic drag helps you save on fuel costs. Most drivers have at least heard of the term aerodynamic drag, but many are unaware just how important the overall shape and size of a vehicle is...

• How Reducing Truck Vibration Saves You on Fuel

  If your business requires the regular use of trucks, fuel is one of your major expenses. Anything you can do to save fuel can make a big difference when it comes to your bottom line. One way of saving on fuel is considering ways to reduce truck vibration....

• Tire Sealants: A Safe Tire Solution

  Truck tire sealants are a great way to protect your truck tires, especially when you ride your trucks hard and often over rough terrain with heavy loads. However, some people have concerns that the dangers outweigh the benefits of tire sealant. In particular, some...

• Three Benefits to Investing in Preventative Truck Tire Maintenance

  WHY DO WE NEED PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE? While it might seem like preventative maintenance is one more cost to your business, the peace of mind and benefits it provides make it well worth the investment. Predictive maintenance keeps your fleet strong while keeping you...

• Mining Productivity Relies on Tires

  There has been a focus on job creation in the mining industry of late. More mining means more use of mining trucks and more pressure on mining truck wheels and tires. Mining trucks tend to put a lot more wear on tires than trucks in just about any other industry,...

• Painting Versus Powder Coating Truck Wheels

  PAINTING VS POWDER COATING YOUR WHEELS Deciding to powder coat vs. paint your wheels is an important one.Your wheels bear the brunt and weight of your vehicle, so it’s not a choice that should be taken lightly. Taking care of your wheel correctly helps eliminate...

• A Quick Guide: Keeping the Wheels on the Bus Going ‘Round

  As a manager of school bus maintenance, you’re responsible for some pretty precious cargo.  On top of the strict safety standards from the state and federal level, you’re given tight budgets and face great demands.  How do you maintain a safe fleet of school buses...

• Five Things to Know About Fuel Economy and Rolling Resistance

  Quick Links: 1. What is Rolling Resistance? | 2. Why Does Rolling Resistance Require So Much Energy? | 3. What Factors Influence Lower Rolling Resistance?| 4. Can Fleets Address Rolling Resistance Without Purchasing All New Tires? | 5. How Do Balanced Tires Impact...

• In the Know: Five Topics Affecting Trucking

  The beginning of 2017 has been a whirlwind of news – both international and domestic – and keeping all of these headlines straight can be a full-time job.  We’ve tried to make it easy for you: here are five of the top trending topics in trucking industry...

• Preventing Disaster: Simple Ways to Inspect and Maintain OTR Tires

  Recently, Tire Review published an article “OTR Market: Highs and Lows”, detailing the factors currently affecting the OTR tire market and what changes to expect in the future.  While economic and environmental influences were discussed, the article also stressed the...

• New EPA Regulations: Changes for You and the Industry

  The new EPA regulations to come out last month have many in the industry concerned about fuel consumption.  According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. government has released new regulations requiring big trucks to lower carbon emissions by up to 25% and cut fuel...

• 3 Significant Ways to Reduce Costs when Maintaining a Fleet

  Maintaining a fleet is costly, and with fuel prices fluctuating constantly, trying to reduce fleet costs while still performing at your peak can be difficult.  We’ve scoured the web to find the top tips for you to reduce fuel costs – without major initial investments...

• Your Best Solution to Handle the Heat and Avoid Corrosion

  Tires experience a multitude of conditions throughout their lifetime.  General wear and tear on a tire can lead to air loss, punctures, and a variety of issues that are dangerous and costly to fleet managers.  Add in heavy stop-and-start operating, fluctuating outside...

• How IMI Combats the Danger of Wheel-offs

  Bringing a truck onto the roadway represents an enormous responsibility. A typical car weighs 4,000 lbs., compared to a fully loaded commercial truck that weighs approximately 80,000 lbs. Due to that disparity in weight and size, commercial trucks have the potential...

• How to Solve the Problem of Wheel Corrosion

  ​CHEMICALS HELP ROADS BUT HURT WHEELS An article that appeared in the December 5 print edition of Transport Topics highlighted a fairly recent challenge facing drivers who travel the roads in parts of the country where snow and ice on the roadways is a regular...

• Fuel Efficiency Practices That Will Save Your Fleet Thousands

  One of the largest variable costs for a commercial trucking fleet is fuel.  Second only to labor costs, the amount of a fleet’s annual spending that goes towards keeping gas tanks full will often determine whether that fleet is a profitable or losing money. While the...

• 3 Easy Solutions that Keep Truck Drivers Happy

  The American Trucking Association estimates that annual driver turnover among long-haul commercial truck drivers nearly approaches 100%, according to a recent article on Forbes.com. Fleet managers find themselves scrambling to find drivers to meet demand, often...

• Get the Most Out of Wide Base Tires With EQUAL

  An estimated 10-15 percent of commercial fleets use wide base tires to reduce vehicle weight, boost payload or save fuel. Fleets that make the move to wide base tires shed more than 700 pounds per vehicle and cut fuel use by up to 3 percent. Yet many fleets find wide...

• For Fuel Savings, Extend Tire Life

  A recent article in Tires & Wheels, “What Fleets Expect From Their Tires,” examines the connection between extended tire mileage and fuel economy and offers good advice for improving both. The author notes that one of the best ways to improve fuel economy is to...

• Fleet Equipment Article Confirms Benefits of Balancing

  The following article appeared in the August 2014 issue of Fleet Equipment. It contains excellent analysis of the relationship between commercial tire balancing and fuel economy. We hope you find it useful. A QUESTION OF BALANCE By Asa Sharp The issue of tire/wheel...

• How to Get Better Fuel Economy out of Your Tires: What the TMC Says

  Finding that magic combination of just the right equipment, maintenance and driving tactics to get the best mileage possible is more than a challenge—it’s an art. Accurate stats based on tests of the latest vehicles and equipment can help you be sure you’re investing...