Maintenance: Page 6

Maintenance
Ford F-350 dual batteries tested on Battery Tender solar charger
When outlets are nowhere in sight, a solar battery charger seems like a good fit. But what about an F-350 with dual batteries? Could a modestly sized panel handle the job? We weren’t sure what to expect when hooking up Battery Tender’s 15-watt solar panel. We had never tried using solar to charge the truck […]
November 19, 2019
Battery-Tender-Ford-solar-charger-tailgate
Partners in Business
DIY maintenance for a healthier bottom line
While your free time is valuable, every maintenance job you can do yourself is one you don’t have to pay someone else to do.
October 12, 2022
Engine work
Sponsor Content
Compute the potential profit in any truckload, access per-day and per-mile breakouts with Overdrive's Load Profit Analyzer
Fusable
Know your costs, owner-operators? Compute the potential profit in any truckload, access per-day and per-mile breakouts, and compare brokers' offers on multiple loads. Enter your trucking business's fixed and variable costs, and load information, to get started.
March 24, 2025
Compute the potential profit in any truckload, access per-day and per-mile breakouts with Overdrive's Load Profit Analyzer
Channel 19
Pricing problems in the parts aftermarket? Owner-operators like Lee Epling are adapting
Is there parts-pricing relief in sight? According to a recent parts-aftermarket sales index, the tide may have turned in June. Meanwhile, owner-operator Lee Epling's doing all he can to prevent an expensive purchase on the road.
September 14, 2022
Lee Epling 1999 Peterbilt 379
Overdrive Radio
The 20% rule: How brake-adjustment violations alone can put you out of service
In this podcast, a former inspector and compliance consultant details just how the out-of-service criteria around brakes adjustment work. A lot depends on knowing your chamber type and stroke length to effectively test your brakes to avoid violations.
August 19, 2022
Youtube
Equipment
What's available in the used-truck-warranty market
Beyond the OEM warranties that sometimes can be found on newer used trucks, aftermarket extended warranties are available from a handful of providers, and powertrain warranties are available from engine OEMs.
August 16, 2022
Owner-operator Sustaita's 2013 Kenworth T660 hooked to a dry van
Equipment
Excessive heat brings on tire safety concerns
The hotter days of summer can take a greater toll on tires. Experts advise taking certain steps to beat the heat.
July 8, 2022
Transervice tire inspection
Regulations
Trucking groups ask for more time to comment on speed limiters
Despite opposing opinions on speed limiters, OOIDA and ATA have both asked FMCSA to extend the comment period for the agency's speed limiter notice. Also: New Love's in Georgia; more truck parking in Montana; roadside service in OR; latest Highway Angel.
May 20, 2022
speeding truck on highway
Regulations
Roadcheck: What inspectors are seeing at White River Junction on I-91
In Vermont on Roadcheck's first day, owner-operator J.R. Quirion confidently volunteers himself for inspection to avoid hassle later; another driver wasn't so lucky with some dangerously bald trailer tires.
May 18, 2022
roadcheck inspection taking place
Channel 19
The five most-common reasons wheel seals fail -- and other Roadcheck-ready wheel-end resources
Roadcheck's focus next week? Wheel end components. Expect closer scrutiny of hubs. Among the first indicators of a problem is a leaky wheel seal. FMCSA consistently names leaky hubs/seals one of the most common violations found in inspection.
May 12, 2022
Tennessee roadside inspector inspecting a wheel
Regulations
Proper wheel end play the difference in bearing life and loose wheels
Pre-adjusted wheel end systems are intended to be locked down and secured based on the tolerance stack ups of components inside the system.
February 18, 2020
RevHD Heavy-Duty Wheel Seals-2019-01-22-08-26
Regulations
CCJ's updated Air Brake Book now available for download
The 11th edition of CCJ's Air Brake Book, a free industry resource guide, is now available.
April 6, 2022
Screen Shot 2022 04 05 At 1 40 26 Pm
Equipment
Deleting emissions problems without deleting the system
Last week at MATS, a panel discussion with oil and fuel purification systems manufacturer Clean Air Fleet and two of its customers detailed advantages that come with cleaning up fluids. The impact extends to prevention of common emissions problems.
March 31, 2022
Clean Air Fleet DPF
Equipment
When parts shortages affect repairs
Not only is the parts shortage impacting the sale of parts, but it’s also hindering services the aftermarket channel can perform.
March 1, 2022
Tampa Spring service bays.
Equipment
Emissions systems, while improved, still causing issues for some owners
A combined 46% of used-truck buyers reported having to rebuild or conduct other engine work or having issues with emissions system components. By model year, owner-ops report 2016 and newer engines fare better on emissions issues.
February 15, 2022
Robert Wafer's 2014 Peterbilt 579
Regulations
Tire anomaly technology is more than a compliance and maintenance tool. It’s also a safety tool.
IRD has experienced an "explosion of interest" with it's tire anomaly and classification system because of its accuracy in catching tire abnormalities.
February 13, 2022
TACS
Equipment
An assist for avoiding brake adjustment violations
Though the national rate for brake-adjustment violations has been decreasing in recent years, small fleet owner Bryon Stoll found (the hard way) a state where that's definitely not the case. That led him to this simple adjustment indicator assist device.
February 3, 2022
upclose shot of brake safe indicator on a reefer trailer
Equipment
Mack launches new comprehensive maintenance program for customers
The new Mack Premium Service Agreement covers a variety of maintenance and is available for Mack Anthem, Pinnacle, Granite, TerraPro and LR owners. Also: Latest Highway Angel helped woman who had medical emergency while driving; HHG fraud scheme.
September 16, 2021
Mack Anthem
Equipment
Holy moly: Proper grease compounds critical in lube application
Moly particles are solid additives that are normally larger than the fluid film developed by the base oil in a high-speed bearing. The higher the relative linear speed, the lower the viscosity required to provide an adequate lubrication film.
August 26, 2021
greasing a bearing
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Rewind: Owner-op's vets-tribute FLD and Kentucky trailer, and its story of sacrifice, achievement and hope
Household-goods-hauling owner-operator Steven Meyer's custom-wrapped Kentucky trailer delivered the "Remember, Honor, Teach" message of Wreaths Across America with five distinctive, interlocking histories. Walk through Meyer's story in this Overdrive Radio episode rewind.
Pride And Polish 2025
Pride & Polish
Pride & Polish: Finalists square off Dec. 30 here
Clockwise from top, Overdrive's 2025 Trucker of the Year finalists, represented by the Western Star of Pennsylvania-headquartered Jason Shelly; Kelsey's Trucking independent Ron Kelsey, out of Arizona; and Orleans, Indiana-based John Penn.
Trucker of the Year
Kelsey, Penn, Shelly: Overdrive's 2025 Trucker of the Year finalists
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North Carolina lumber hauler's 1,000-hp 2000 Pete 379
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