Fleets Need Help With Repairs
Fleets Need Help With Repairs Many fleets perform their own tire repairs – for better or worse. Dealers and retreaders can either curse their bad luck at losing potential business or take advantage of the situation.At first glance, it appears dealers and retreaders lose business when fleets do their own tire repairs. A deeper look
The Truck Tire/Brake Relationship
The Truck Tire/Brake Relationship Modern trucks have evolved significantly in recent years. Depending on the vantage point of the assessor, today’s over-the-road rigs have been described as innovative, streamlined, incredibly reliable, or as merely highly evolved, electronically assisted versions of some aging basic designs. Most, however, would agree that today’s trucks move more of our
Off-the-Road Tires: When AND Why
How many of us have gone to a business meeting or social gathering only to discover that everyone else was dressed similar to one another, but very different than we had chosen? This could result from not reading dress guidelines on the invitation, not knowing established practices, or simply not paying attention to the circumstances.If
A Tire Is Not a Tire: Measurable Goals, Customer Participation Key to Fleet Test Success
s with a “seeing-is-believing” attitude toward tire and equipment purchasing.Such tests also allow dealers to build stronger working relationships with key accounts by demonstrating another way they can provide increased value and service. Have the End in Mind When setting up or proposing an OTR fleet test, the first step is to clearly define your
Choosing the Right Tool for the Job
lectric, gas, cable and telephone providers have some specific tire needs, and the requirements may change with some evolving industry trends. Most are locally domiciled and serviced by a single shop, so inflation pressure maintenance and routine visual inspections for cuts, wear, and other out-of-service conditions shouldn’t pose a problem.Typically, the trucks are used for
Uptime, Downtime and Profitability
Uptime, Downtime and Profitability Since the primary focus of this month’s issue is profitability, and the subject matter of this column is commercial tires, let’s take a close look at some of the trends in the commercial vehicle industry and brainstorm a bit to see how these might positively impact your business.One of the most
Takin’ Care of Business
Profit Handbook Takin’ Care of Business There is an over-used, oft picked-on phrase that goes something like "TCB." Better known as "Takin’ Care of Business." It’s a business model for some, a laugh for others. While the phrase is trite, it is still accurate in describing tire dealers that handle commercial accounts – especially time-sensitive
Commercial Tires:Much to Consider in Attacking This Profitable Segment
pplier with state-of-the-art product. And, of course, you have to provide quality service at affordable prices.Those are obstacles some dealers don’t want to hurdle. But to get the business, you have to let commercial accounts know that you’re out there. If you’re not actively searching for profits, someone else is.One thing a dealer can do
Truck Tires for Work or Play
Truck Tires for Work or Play Truck tires for light- and medium-duty Class 3-6 trucks have historically been general-purpose offerings. This made perfectly good sense for many years as these vehicles, such as the Class 3 dually pickups, often served in personal-use applications.Even most commercial uses, such as pickups and vans used by plumbers, electricians
An Evolution that Significantly Changed Component Management
Sharppoints Savvy truck fleet maintenance managers who’ve been around the business for awhile recognize an evolution that has significantly changed their approach to component management. While the basics of selecting good quality components and maintaining them in service is still the primary focus, what could be generally described as "problem management" has slowly been replaced
Changing To Meet Changing Needs
Changing To Meet Changing Needs Changes in the medium-duty truck market, as well as rising fuel prices, are driving many of the changes we are now seeing in tires for these vehicles. According to industry statistics, the most popular replacement tire sizes for medium duty commercial trucks from 1996 to 1998 were: 11R22.5, 285/75R22.5 and
Best Practices: Basics of Fleet Tire Maintenance Will Keep Customers Truckin’
Best Practices Basics of Fleet Tire Maintenance Will Keep Customers Truckin’ Even in these booming economic times, when the trucking industry appears to be spending more money on new equipment and tires, truck fleets are still looking to squeeze every penny out of their tire investments. A good truck fleet will buy the best tires