FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) 111 is a law coming into full effect on May 1st 2018 which requires a minimum view behind a vehicle which has a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or lower. Watch to learn all the details involved and how backup cameras can help your vehicle be compliant with this new regulation.
9/29/18
FMVSS 111 Explained with 2018 Updates | NTEA 2018
FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) 111 is a law coming into full effect on May 1st 2018 which requires a minimum view behind a vehicle which has a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or lower. Watch to learn all the details involved and how backup cameras can help your vehicle be compliant with this new regulation.
9/26/18
NBTC TRUCK SERVICES AND REPAIR
At North Bay Truck Center, we offer complete mechanical services for Trucks, Trailers, Motor Homes, RV’s, and more. We offer 24-Hour Parts Sales & Road Service, Tire Sales & Repair, Air Conditioning Service & Repair. We offer BIT Inspections, DOT Annual Inspections, Truck Smoke Opacity Testing, Welding & Fabrication. We have just added the service of cleaning DPF (diesel particulate filters) to save our customers on the cost of replacing those expensive filters.
Learn more at: https://www.northbaytruckcenter.com/truck-service/
9/23/18
Seven Secrets To Keeping Your Truck In Top Shape
Whether you drive a big rig with a trailer, a box truck, or a cement mixer, you've got a job to do and a deadline to get the work done. You don't have time for a breakdown. As a company that provides road service for trucks, we've found that many of our clients have forgotten to use some of the seven secrets to keeping their truck in road ready condition. If you take the time to do these, you'll get that job done on time, and you'll earn a reputation as a driver who is reliable. You might even get a raise. If you're an owner operator, these tips will even save you money.
1. Check your oil often, especially before a long haul. Trucks are powerful machines, and they need oil like we need good coffee. Top up the oil when you see it getting low. Don't put this one off because you're in a hurry. It'll come back to haunt you later, costing you time and money.
2. Before a long haul, check your radiator fluid level. Don't just look at the overflow bottle. Remove the cap from the radiator and visually check the fluid level. This is a good habit to form because it will help you spot small leaks before you hit the road. Top up your fluid level when needed so you won't have to worry about overheating. If you notice a small but steady leak, deal with it promptly to prevent possible engine damage down the road.
3. Check the pressure in your tires at least once a week. Tire pressure changes both from variations in weather and from high-speed use on highways. Check your tire pressure often to keep your tires at their optimal performance level. Doing this will help you catch a slow leak and deal with it before you're on the road and in a jam. Underinflated tires lower your fuel mileage, can cause extra wear and tear to the truck, and can make steering more difficult. Overinflated tires are more prone to punctures and damage when going over potholes. Check the owner's manual for your truck, or visit the company's website, to find the right pressure level for your truck's tires.
4. If you are driving a truck with dual fuel tanks, do not park sideways on a hill so that one side of the truck is higher than the other. If you do this, the fuel in the tank that is in the high side of the truck will flow into the other tank. When you start the truck, the uneven fuel tanks will cause the fuel uptake system to draw in air instead of creating a vacuum to pull fuel into the engine. The truck will act as if it's out of fuel. If you need to park on a hill, park so that the hill slopes from front to back, not side to side.
5. If your truck has been sitting in one place for a few days, check the fuel vent before leaving. Wasps and other insects like to build a nest in the fuel vent, causing a blockage and causing the truck to act as if it's out of fuel.
6. If you notice that your steering wheel begins to vibrate as you slow down or come to a stop, it's time to have your brakes checked. This is also true if you hear a squealing sound as you come to a stop. Make a note to remind yourself to have this done as soon as your load is delivered. You'll save both time and money if you deal with this now instead of waiting until the brakes actually fail. Replacing brake pads and rotors costs less than replacing an entire brake system.
7. Keep a pocket-sized notebook in your truck. On its first page, write down the make and model of your truck along with the size and load weight of its tires. Use the notebook to keep track of the maintenance issues regarding the truck so you can stay on top of any repairs the truck might need. Having this information in a handy location will help you to avoid breaking down while on the road. Having good records can also help you get faster road service when you need it because the technician will know what parts are needed and can bring them to the work site more quickly.
There you have it. Use these seven secrets and keep your rig rolling.
Monica Willyard is part of the team at Amcor 24-Hour Truck And Tire Service, located in Atlanta, Georgia. Trucks are Amcor's specialty, and Amcor provides road service and tire replacement throughout north Georgia. Visit [http://www.truckandtirerepairs.com] for more information, or call us at (770) 928-3244.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Monica_O._Willyard/174898
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/998541
1. Check your oil often, especially before a long haul. Trucks are powerful machines, and they need oil like we need good coffee. Top up the oil when you see it getting low. Don't put this one off because you're in a hurry. It'll come back to haunt you later, costing you time and money.
2. Before a long haul, check your radiator fluid level. Don't just look at the overflow bottle. Remove the cap from the radiator and visually check the fluid level. This is a good habit to form because it will help you spot small leaks before you hit the road. Top up your fluid level when needed so you won't have to worry about overheating. If you notice a small but steady leak, deal with it promptly to prevent possible engine damage down the road.
3. Check the pressure in your tires at least once a week. Tire pressure changes both from variations in weather and from high-speed use on highways. Check your tire pressure often to keep your tires at their optimal performance level. Doing this will help you catch a slow leak and deal with it before you're on the road and in a jam. Underinflated tires lower your fuel mileage, can cause extra wear and tear to the truck, and can make steering more difficult. Overinflated tires are more prone to punctures and damage when going over potholes. Check the owner's manual for your truck, or visit the company's website, to find the right pressure level for your truck's tires.
4. If you are driving a truck with dual fuel tanks, do not park sideways on a hill so that one side of the truck is higher than the other. If you do this, the fuel in the tank that is in the high side of the truck will flow into the other tank. When you start the truck, the uneven fuel tanks will cause the fuel uptake system to draw in air instead of creating a vacuum to pull fuel into the engine. The truck will act as if it's out of fuel. If you need to park on a hill, park so that the hill slopes from front to back, not side to side.
5. If your truck has been sitting in one place for a few days, check the fuel vent before leaving. Wasps and other insects like to build a nest in the fuel vent, causing a blockage and causing the truck to act as if it's out of fuel.
6. If you notice that your steering wheel begins to vibrate as you slow down or come to a stop, it's time to have your brakes checked. This is also true if you hear a squealing sound as you come to a stop. Make a note to remind yourself to have this done as soon as your load is delivered. You'll save both time and money if you deal with this now instead of waiting until the brakes actually fail. Replacing brake pads and rotors costs less than replacing an entire brake system.
7. Keep a pocket-sized notebook in your truck. On its first page, write down the make and model of your truck along with the size and load weight of its tires. Use the notebook to keep track of the maintenance issues regarding the truck so you can stay on top of any repairs the truck might need. Having this information in a handy location will help you to avoid breaking down while on the road. Having good records can also help you get faster road service when you need it because the technician will know what parts are needed and can bring them to the work site more quickly.
There you have it. Use these seven secrets and keep your rig rolling.
Monica Willyard is part of the team at Amcor 24-Hour Truck And Tire Service, located in Atlanta, Georgia. Trucks are Amcor's specialty, and Amcor provides road service and tire replacement throughout north Georgia. Visit [http://www.truckandtirerepairs.com] for more information, or call us at (770) 928-3244.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Monica_O._Willyard/174898
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/998541
9/17/18
5 THINGS TRUCK DRIVERS SHOULD NEVER DO!
5 things truck drivers should never ever do. Dave talks about some of the things, professional truck drivers should never do! Some are just common sense although it's surprising how many truckers still do one of these things.... TEXTING AND DRIVING. Also Dave relates to some of the things truckers should not ever do, with a trucker story or two!
9/14/18
DOT Inspector explains what he looks for when checking semis
A Federal DOT inspector shows a group what he looks for when he stops a tractor trailer and makes sure it is road worthy. He answers the question that truckers and trucking companies have been asking for years. This video is a great resource for drivers and managers.
9/11/18
North Bay Truck Center -Largest retail truck shop from Oakland to Sacramento.
For over 15 years, North Bay Truck Center has been providing the city of Fairfield, California and the North Bay area with commercial truck and trailer repair services. We are the largest retail truck shop from Oakland to Sacramento. Our facility has eight bays that are capable of accommodating any truck or trailer. At North Bay Truck Center, we understand that experience and expertise is important when it comes to repairing these types of vehicles, which is why all of our repairs are performed by factory trained mechanics.
We repair engines, transmission problems, and heating issues, just to name a few. We also sell brand name tires for fair prices and have an extensive parts department, stocking parts for Series 5-8 Class trucks. If we don't carry the part, we are able to fabricate what is needed to get the job done for our customers.
"When you choose North Bay Truck Center, we guarantee that you will be nothing less than completely satisfied." Give us a call at 707-427-1386 and visit our website at http://www.northbaytruckcenter.com/.
9/08/18
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY ROADLUX TIRES
Roadlux tires offer a range of tires which feature smart and innovative technology. Roadlux range has been carefully selected to meet the local road conditions including wide bases sizes and thick anti-aging rubber covering. The tires are made with steel belts, low rolling construction and advanced technology which make them in different from other.
Each Roadlux tire is inspected by X-ray inspection and is only passed after being thoroughly checked.
Contact us today to find out what Roadlux tires can do for you, and where and how to get yours.
Learn more at: http://roadluxtire.com
9/05/18
9/02/18
Work truck wheels require care for extended life
Aluminum and steel wheels are practically bullet proof and a daily glimpse for cracks and rust is probably sufficient as long as you take the steps necessary to maintain them.
“If you have good maintenance practices the wheel should last the life of the vehicle, if not longer,” says Brandon Uzarek, product design engineer at Accuride.
If you’re running steel or aluminum wheels, Uzarek says it’s critical to be sure all mounts and surfaces are clean and flat.
Dave Walters, Alcoa field service manager, agrees, adding the most important part of wheel maintenance is making sure the studs, drum and mounting faces are all clean before installation ever takes place.
“Sometimes, excess or foreign material can work its way into the joints and you’ll lose clamping force,” Uzarek says.
Uzarek recommends cleaning the studs when the wheels are mounted and on hub pilot wheels, studs need to be oiled while also oiling the gap between the flange.
To account for any shifting that takes places when the truck finally hits the road, Uzarek advises wheels be re-torqued between five and 100 miles after the initial mount and again every 10,000 miles.
“A lot of fleets do not do re-torques because it’s an inconvenience,” he says.
Walters says fleets can mitigate much of that inconvenience and still reap the benefits of proper torque by taking a 5 to 10 mile test drive after the wheel is initially mounted to settle the joint, then checking the torque.
“If you cleaned them and did everything properly, you shouldn’t have to re-torque them again unless the wheel is removed,” he says, adding this method was included in the Technology Maintenance Council (TMC) Recommended Practice (RP) 237.
Re-torquing practices can vary and Chris Putz, Maxion Wheels principal engineer for commercial vehicle wheels, says that’s fine so long as it’s application specific.
“The fleets know best their operations and vehicle duty cycles,” he says. “We would just recommend they have some established program for checking torque.”
Keeping wheels clean can also help prolong their life. A simple soap and water bath is sufficient for aluminum, while a wire brush is an effective tool in removing corrosion from steel.
“The faster we take care of any rust,” Uzarek says, “the longer the wheel should last.”
“If you maintain the appearance of your wheels, that prolongs the life of that wheel,” adds Walters. “The hidden corrosion is what’s going to get you. If you wash the truck and keep it clean, that’s key to keep corrosion from working down into the hidden places.”
Putz says keeping wheels clean is important to also ensure the longevity of the wheel against harsh salts and corrosives used to de-ice roads that can also eat through the wheel’s finish.
Wheel makers have developed advanced propriety anti-corrosive surface treatment coatings for their wheels that won’t flake, which Walters says offer advantages over many paints.
Wheel re-finishing is an option to make worn wheels look like new, but Uzarek cautions that a coat of paint won’t fix structural issues. When wheels begin to lose material, they need to be removed from service.
And the process of re-finishing can also be tricky. Uzarek says paint applied too thick can cause a loss in clamping force as can paint that has not cured properly.
Putz says each wheel should be thoroughly re-inspected after the refinishing processes is complete and, Walters adds, habitual wheel refinishing can remove enough wheel material to make it unsafe to operate.
“One thing we hear a lot of is burning off the paint in an oven and we have not approved that process,” he says. “Depending upon time and temperature, it could change the mechanical properties or the microstructure of the steel.”
When refinishing, you also must be aware that you could be eroding the roll stamp on the wheel, the visibility of which is mandatory for its use on the highway.
“Once the roll stamp is gone, you’ve basically got junk,” Walters says. “Once you cannot read the DOT stamp, you’re done.”
- See more at: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/steel-aluminum-work-truck-wheels/#sthash.Qca0f8LU.dpuf
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