Truck Chat from Work Truck

Work Truck
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Work Truck interviews the experts on the topics and trends that matter most to vocational fleet managers. She also meets with many “Faces of Fleet” to share more about the incredible people and their experiences in our unique industry. For new or veteran fleet managers, check out the “Fleet 101” videos that dig further into the complicated world of vocational truck fleets. Looking for legendary advice? Check out the Fleet Legends Series. Want some fleet tips? Check out Trucks, Tours & Tips. And, don't forget to check out the latest fleet vehicles in the "Vehicles Moving Fleets" series!

  1. From Small-Town Minnesota to Fleets Nationwide: Sheldon Zitzmann of TigerTough

    FEB 5

    From Small-Town Minnesota to Fleets Nationwide: Sheldon Zitzmann of TigerTough

    What does it take to grow a fleet-focused brand in a town with fewer than 300 people?In this episode of Faces of Fleet, Lauren Fletcher sits down with Sheldon Zitzmann of  @TigerTough  to talk about building tough, American-made seat protection from a tiny Minnesota town and scaling it to serve fleets nationwide. Sheldon shares how his family took over TigerTough in 2016 with a simple but serious mission: make seat covers that actually hold up to real work, keep jobs local, and build a company people are proud to work for. From hand-inspected craftsmanship and fast decision-making to balancing durability with safety features like airbag compatibility, this conversation goes deep into what “built tough” really means. You’ll also hear how TigerTough listens to fleet managers, adapts as trucks get more tech-heavy, and why sometimes the best innovation comes from being close to the people who use the product every day. If you care about fleet durability, American manufacturing, or stories that start small and scale smart, this one’s for you.

    16 min

  2. JAN 29

    New to Fleet? Here’s What Nobody Tells You on Day One | Shades of Fleet, New Voices | Truck Chat

    If you’re new to fleet, here’s what nobody tells you on day one: feeling overwhelmed is normal.Fleet is one of those industries where the learning curve hits fast. The acronyms multiply overnight, the stakes are real, and you can be smart, experienced, and totally capable… and still feel like everyone else speaks a different language.In this episode of Shades of Fleet, New Voices, you’ll hear from five people who are new to fleet in different ways. Some are brand new. Some are career switchers. All of them have real answers to the questions every new fleet pro is quietly asking, like:- What do outsiders misunderstand about fleet?- When did it click that you actually belong here?- What habits helped when things got real?- Who helped you find your footing?- How do you speak up when you’re the new voice in a room full of experience?- What’s exciting about where fleet is headed next (data, tech, safety, smarter operations)?Whether you’re already in fleet or you’re considering it as a career move, this is your honest field guide to the first stretch and a reminder that being new doesn’t mean you don’t belong.👇 New to fleet? Drop a comment: What are you learning right now, or what are you still trying to figure out?📩 Know someone who’s new? Send them this episode. It might save them a little time.👍 If this hit home, like and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.👉 Want more? Check us out at https://www.worktruckonline.com

    26 min

  3. JAN 28

    Networking Built My Fleet Career: Sue Miller on Mentors & Confidence | Fleet Legends

    In this episode of Fleet Legends, sponsored by Legend Fleet, I’m sitting down with Sue Miller , a recognizable name in fleet and someone with decades of lived, real-world experience that helped shape the industry. Hosted by Lauren Fletcher, your fleet industry storyteller, this conversation starts with Sue’s origin story in the late ’70s, when she discovered her company had hundreds of vehicle titles sitting in a drawer and thought, “Absolutely not.” That moment turned into Sue creating a fleet job description from scratch, pitching it internally, and becoming the company’s first fleet coordinator. From there, Sue shares how industry relationships and association involvement helped her grow her career across major organizations, and why fleet success still comes down to people, trust, and staying curious even when tech keeps changing the game. 🎥 WATCH NOW to learn: How Sue literally created her first fleet role and why initiative matters Why networking and industry associations can fast-track your growth (when you do it right) The mindset shift new fleet managers need most: “You have the right to be there.” Rookie mistakes to avoid, including getting isolated by one vendor Why fleet leadership is really about communication, trust, and not operating in a silo Sue’s take on tech, AI, and why the human factor is still the biggest challenge Drop your favorite takeaway from Sue in the comments and tell me who you want to see on Fleet Legends next. 🚛 Visit Work Truck for all the latest industry news and information ➡ https://www.worktruckonline.com Want to learn more about Legend? Visit https://www.legendsoftheroad.com/

    21 min
  4. The Secret Behind the Big Top Is Not Magic, It’s Trucks

    JAN 23

    The Secret Behind the Big Top Is Not Magic, It’s Trucks

    Most people think the circus “just shows up.” But what you’re about to see isn’t magic. It’s fleet, logistics, timing, and a crew that can’t miss a deadline.In this Work Truck behind-the-scenes, we talk with the Venardos Circus to see how a modern touring circus moves across the country with two units on the road, a tight setup schedule, and a fleet that includes a flatbed loaded with tent and heavy gear, a trailer packed with lighting and sound, and a concessions truck built like a mobile cotton-candy factory.And here’s the part fleet managers will recognize instantly, the need to wear a lot of hats. Moving day includes show day. That means a first or final performance, a fast turnaround, a tear-down that can hit the four-hour mark, and the pressure to be ready to roll… because canceled shows aren’t an option.You’ll also hear how they handle maintenance, inspections, route planning, fuel stops, and why in this world, titles don’t matter; everyone loads in and loads out.If you’ve ever wondered how the circus gets from town to town, this one’s a must-watch. And if you manage a fleet (any kind of fleet), you’ll walk away with a reminder that the operation is only as strong as the people and vehicles behind it.Check out https://www.worktruckonline.com/ for more!

    12 min

  5. 12/22/2025

    A Fleet Career Built on Purpose: Mark Petersen’s 41-Year Journey

    Mark Petersen shares how intentionally pursuing fleet before he ever held the title has shaped a career spanning more than four decades, multiple industries, and nearly every fleet structure imaginable. From navigating regulations and technology shifts to mastering the art of networking, Petersen's story is a masterclass in building a fleet career with intention. In this episode of Fleet Legends, sponsored by Legend Fleet, we sit down with Petersen, a long-time fleet leader whose career began in 1984 and grew to include managing seven different fleets ranging from 400 to 8,000 vehicles across consumer products, security, agriculture, and more. Hosted by Lauren Fletcher, your fleet industry storyteller, this episode follows Petersen’s deliberate path into fleet management, his unexpected pivot into sales, and his eventual return behind the desk. Along the way, he shares lessons from lived experience and the mindset that helped him thrive through decades of industry change. Watch now and find out more about: How Petersen intentionally planned his way into fleet management.Why networking has been the key to every career move he’s made.The biggest changes he’s seen since 1984, and what hasn’t changed at all.The rookie mistake he warns fleet managers to avoid at all costs.Why being the subject-matter expert is non-negotiable.How communication, humor, and trust drive successful fleet teams.His advice for the next generation entering the fleet industry.What he sees ahead for fleet, from regulation to electrification realities.Drop your favorite takeaway from Petersen in the comments, and tell us who you want to see on Fleet Legends next. Learn more at https://www.legendsoftheroad.com/

    39 min

  6. 12/18/2025

    From Wagons to Work Trucks: 250 Years of Fleet History in America

    Before there were dashboards, telematics, or even engines, America still had fleets. They just didn’t call them that yet.As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, this video takes a step back to explore how American work vehicles evolved from horse-drawn wagons to the modern work trucks fleets rely on today. It’s not just a history lesson. It’s a story about legacy, resilience, and the people behind the wheel, then and now.From Conestoga wagons and early freight routes to the first gasoline-powered commercial trucks, New Deal infrastructure projects, and today’s data-driven fleets, work trucks have shaped American progress every step of the way. The tools have changed. The mission hasn’t.In this video, you’ll learn:- How early wagons functioned as America’s first fleet vehicles- When and why the first purpose-built work trucks emerged- How fleets helped build cities, roads, utilities, and national infrastructure- Why modern fleet managers are part of a tradition that goes back centuries- What the future of work trucks could look like as technology continues to evolveIf you work in fleet, commercial vehicles, upfitting, or truck operations, this story is part of your story too.👉 Read the full article, including the complete timeline and deeper insights, at https://www.worktruckonline.com/10250997/how-250-years-of-american-progress-led-to-the-work-trucks-we-rely-on-today 👉 Subscribe for more Fleet 101, walkarounds, interviews, and work truck insights

    5 min
  7. The Big Fleet Shifts of 2025 and What They Mean for Work Truck Fleets

    12/15/2025

    The Big Fleet Shifts of 2025 and What They Mean for Work Truck Fleets

    2025 was not a year of small adjustments for work truck fleets. It was a year that reshaped how fleets spend, plan, maintain, power, and protect their vehicles. In this video, Work Truck breaks down the biggest shifts that defined fleet operations in 2025 and explains how they all connect. From rising costs and uptime pressure to the growing role of data, safety, energy strategy, and workforce challenges, these trends changed how fleet leaders make decisions every day. The video explores: Why cost and uptime became the same conversationHow data evolved from a reporting tool to operational foundationThe growing connection between safety, fraud, cyber risk, and insuranceWhat changed in fleet energy strategies, including EVs, hybrids, propane, and dieselWhy people, coaching, and culture moved to the center of fleet performanceHow fleets adapted to an uneven vehicle market through better planning and partnershipsFor fleet managers building their 2026 strategy, this video connects the dots across the trends that mattered most. Each topic is expanded further in the 2025 Work Truck Trends series, featuring deeper insights and real-world examples from fleet leaders across the industry. Use this recap as a starting point and a reference as you plan what’s next.

    6 min

  8. 11/27/2025

    Remarketing Shifts, Driver Pay Fixes & Holiday Theft Prep | Truck Chat November Recap

    Used truck values are settling into new patterns, driver pay models are getting a much-needed reality check, fleets are gearing up for holiday theft season, and a fresh wave of momentum is across the industry. Here’s everything you missed in the work truck industry lately:This month’s Truck Chat Recap covers:📈 Remarketing in 2025: stabilization trends, soft spots, and smarter timing for your replacements💸 When flat-rate mileage pay goes sideways and how fleets are fixing pay gaps that hit their hardest-working drivers🎄 Holiday theft readiness: the tools, vehicles, and patterns thieves target most — and the simple steps fleets can take now🔧 Building tomorrow’s techs: propane autogas training grants open for students🏆 Work Truck Awards: voting is officially live for Medium-Duty Truck of the Year, Commercial Van of the Year, and Upfit Package of the Year🎥 Video Spotlights• A behind-the-scenes look at Team Fletcher’s Corporate Soap Box Derby challenge benefiting The Hourglass Foundation• AI coaching with a human touch• How to set up a service crane safely and efficiently• A smarter upfitting approach and new insights on the technician shortagePlus quick hits and top headlines you’ll want on your radar.If this helped you get ahead this month, tap that like button, subscribe, and share it with your fleet crew. Let’s keep your fleet rolling and ready for whatever’s next.#TruckChat #WorkTruck #FleetManagement #FleetNews #FleetSafety #TruckPros #WorkTruckOnlineThis episode is sponsored by Chevron: https://www.regi.com/

    6 min
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About

Work Truck interviews the experts on the topics and trends that matter most to vocational fleet managers. She also meets with many “Faces of Fleet” to share more about the incredible people and their experiences in our unique industry. For new or veteran fleet managers, check out the “Fleet 101” videos that dig further into the complicated world of vocational truck fleets. Looking for legendary advice? Check out the Fleet Legends Series. Want some fleet tips? Check out Trucks, Tours & Tips. And, don't forget to check out the latest fleet vehicles in the "Vehicles Moving Fleets" series!

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