Truck Chat from 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. FEB 27

    Early Risk Signals, 2026 Planning, and Zero-Downtime Service | February Recap

    In this month’s Truck Chat: Top Monthly News Recap, we’re talking about the early warning signs fleets can’t afford to brush off, why 2026 planning is already in motion, what zero-downtime service really means in practice, how leadership shows up when things feel like they’re accelerating, and the real conversations shaping the next generation of fleet pros. Watch today, hit that like button, and subscribe so you never miss an update!  Driver Complaints as Risk Signals: Recurring complaints are not background noise. When multiple drivers flag the same delivery site, yard congestion, or tight backing conditions, that’s operational data. This month’s coverage explores how fleets can connect driver feedback with telematics, near-miss reports, and claims data to shift from reactive safety to predictive risk management.2026 Planning Is Already Underway: From tighter insurance underwriting to rising equipment costs and tariff uncertainty, fleets are scenario planning earlier than ever. The focus is less on managing trucks and more on managing systems. If uptime dips, what happens to revenue? If AI automates reporting, where does labor shift? The fleets asking those questions now are building flexibility before volatility hits.What Zero-Downtime Service Actually Looks Like: Connected vehicles, live health data, remote diagnostics, and pre-staged parts are changing how service gets done. The bigger takeaway is structural. When fault codes are visible before a truck hits the service lane and approvals move faster, dwell time drops. Information flow is becoming just as important as wrench time.Leadership That Listens and Standardizes: Sue Miller and Debi McClendon offer two practical reminders. Listening is not soft. It surfaces blind spots faster and builds trust that prevents escalation. And newer fleet managers do not need decades of experience to lead well. Structure, documentation, communication, and consistency build credibility.Shades of Fleet New Voices: An honest look at what early-career professionals wish they knew on day one, from imposter syndrome to learning how decisions really get made.Black Voices Define Real Visibility in Fleet: A thoughtful conversation about the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and what true visibility looks like when it includes access and influence.Inside IMT’s Production Facility: Robotic welding, precision cutting, crane testing, and a behind-the-scenes look at how the equipment fleets depend on actually gets built.Winter Breakdown Lessons and the Hidden Cost of Cheap Repairs: Two practical resets focused on preventing avoidable downtime and spotting weak points before they turn into roadside calls.Bobit Business Media expanded its fleet tech footprint with the acquisition of key Roadz partner portfolio assets, strengthening The Fleet Source platformUpfit Package of the Year Awards will stream live from Work Truck Week 2026New data shows fleets are exploring AI, but most remain in pilot mode as trust and accuracy questions get worked outCummins is offering a $500 owner courtesy payment tied to Emissions Recall 67A for certain 2013–2018 Ram 6.7L diesel trucksTeam Fletcher is officially building toward the 2026 Corporate International Soap Box Derby Challenge in support of technician scholarships through The Hourglass FoundationPlenty to think about this month. Risk signals hiding in plain sight. Planning before pressure hits. Smarter service models. Leadership that actually listens. And a derby car slowly coming to life.   Keep Watching: Regulatory Prep, Real Pay Data, and the Fleet Tech Reset

    9 min

  2. FEB 25

    Mergers, Policy, and Leading Change with Debi McClendon | Fleet Legends

    Debi McClendon walks through building a fleet policy from scratch, unifying vehicle practices across divisions, earning executive buy-in, and driving a major mindset shift: fleet vehicles aren’t a perk, they’re a tool. She also talks about the tough side of modernization, including outsourcing fleet management and learning to manage processes rather than just people.   In this episode of Fleet Legends, sponsored by Legend Fleet, we sit down with Debi, a recognizable name in fleet whose impact didn’t end when she retired in 2014. Hosted by Lauren Fletcher, your fleet industry storyteller, Debi shares her origin story from 2000, when she was “thrust into” fleet to replace someone who knew everything about cars… and she knew basically nothing beyond gas and oil changes.    What followed was a crash course in leadership, navigating multiple mergers, and transforming fleet from a manual, one-person operation into a real, scalable process. And when it comes to advice for newer fleet managers, Debi keeps it real: build your network, communicate up and down the org, stay open to change, and never operate like a one-person island.   WATCH NOW to learn: What it’s like to be dropped into fleet with zero vehicle knowledge and still succeedHow Debi built a fleet policy and merged practices across divisionsThe mindset shift that changes everything: fleet vehicles as tools, not incentivesWhy networking (even with competitors) can accelerate your growthRookie traps to avoid: thinking you can’t influence change, or thinking you’re the only one who canHow Debi approached tech decisions like telematics and why “it depends on your fleet” is the truth Debi's advice for the next generation: keep learning, stay relevant, and fight for a seat at the table  Drop your favorite takeaway from Debi in the comments and tell me who you want to see on Fleet Legends next.

    29 min

  3. FEB 24

    DOT Reasonable Suspicion Training: The 2-Hour Clock and What to Do Next

    Ever had that moment where a driver doesn’t seem… right, and you’re thinking: Okay, what do I do next, and what does DOT actually require?In this video, Kathy Close from J. J. Keller & Associates walks through reasonable suspicion training for supervisors in plain English, including what applies to CDL fleets under DOT drug and alcohol testing rules.You’ll learn:- Who this training applies to (and who it doesn’t)- Who can be designated to make a reasonable suspicion decision- What DOT requires for supervisor training time and topics- Training format options (online, class, video kit) and what to keep for audit proof- The alcohol testing clock: what “2 hours” and “8 hours” really means- How to approach a driver with privacy, discretion, and respect- Why escorting a driver can be a smart risk-management move- How to recognize when a medical issue may look like impairmentIf you’re in safety, compliance, HR, ops, maintenance leadership, or you’re the “backup supervisor” on nights and weekends, this one’s for you.👍 If this helped, hit like and subscribe for more fleet compliance and safety explainers.Want more from Work Truck? Check us out here: https://www.worktruckonline.com/

    6 min

  4. FEB 23

    How Work Truck Fleets Can Prevent Winter Breakdowns [Watch]

    Winter breakdowns aren’t usually caused by snow or cold weather alone. Most of the time, they’re the result of small maintenance issues fleets already knew about and didn’t act on.   In this episode of Truck Chat: Fleet FAQs from Work Truck, we break down what really causes winter breakdowns and why they show up at the worst possible time. You’ll hear from fleet and maintenance experts at Cox Fleet about the most common winter failure points they see every year, from batteries and air systems to tire pressure and overlooked spares. We cover: Why winter breakdowns are usually preventableThe maintenance mistakes fleets repeat every yearWhen winter prep should actually startHow tires, air systems, and batteries fail in cold weatherWhy safety matters just as much as uptimeHow technology and vehicle data can help if fleets pay attention  Whether you manage a light-duty, medium-duty, or heavy-duty fleet, this conversation is about getting ahead of winter before it turns into roadside calls, downtime, and frustrated drivers. Because if fleets ignore small issues now, they don’t get smaller when temperatures drop.

    12 min

  5. FEB 22

    Black Voices Define Real Visibility in Fleet | Shades of Fleet

    Ever wonder what visibility in fleet actually looks like in real life, when it’s not a conference badge, a spotlight moment, or a shiny LinkedIn headline? In this episode of Shades of Fleet from Truck Chat, we go beyond Black History Month and get into the unwritten rules of fleet leadership, the ones that don’t show up in any job description but absolutely shape careers.We hear perspectives from leaders and organizations across the fleet industry, including  @BlackFleetNetwork ,  @Decked , MeterFeeder,  @J3ManagementGroup , and Cobb County Fleet Management (Georgia). This is a real conversation about access, advocacy, mentorship, and what it takes to build a leadership pipeline that actually works. You’ll hear honest stories about: What real visibility looks like in fleet managementBeing invited to the table vs. actually being wanted thereMentorship vs sponsorship and why the difference mattersHow leaders can create access and opportunity for the next generationWhy succession planning and development matter more than titlesFleet moves the world. So who gets to lead it matters. If you work in fleet management, transportation, public sector fleet, private fleet, supplier services, or mobility strategy, this one’s for you.👍 If this hit home, hit like and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.

    43 min

  6. FEB 22

    The Hidden Cost of 'Cheap' Fleet Repairs | Fleet FAQs

    If you’ve ever approved a repair that looked affordable on paper and still watched your budget blow up later, you’re not alone. In this episode of Truck Chat, Fleet FAQs, we break down the hidden costs of fleet repairs that don’t show up on the invoice. Downtime. Rentals. Administrative time. Lost revenue. The “cheap” repair often becomes the most expensive decision once you factor in everything around it. Lauren Fletcher sits down with Demetra Markopoulos from @ServiceUpAuto‬ to discuss what fleet managers should actually be tracking to achieve real visibility into total repair spend, not just parts and labor. You’ll learn: Why parts and labor are only part of the real repair costHow downtime quietly drains fleet budgetsWhy the same repair can cost wildly different amountsThe difference between reactive and proactive repair strategiesHow AI, telematics, and better data improve oversight without replacing relationshipsServiceUp is an AI-powered vehicle repair platform focused on transparency, analytics, and smarter decision-making for fleet managers. By consolidating repair data and providing network visibility, tools like this help fleets reduce inefficiencies and gain better control over total repair spend. If you manage fleet repairs, maintenance budgets, or vehicle uptime and you’re wondering where the money is really going, this one’s for you.

    12 min
  7. 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

  8. 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
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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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