Getting Began on Trailer Telematics – Fleet Administration

Getting your ft moist with trailer telematics will be overwhelming, given the large quantities of knowledge the programs generate and the challenges of determining act on that data. That’s why carriers with trailer telematics expertise advise newcomers to start out small and transfer into the trailer telematics area progressively. 

“Ensure you’re getting a system with capabilities that suit your wants,” says Mike Jeffress, vp of upkeep at Maverick Transportation. “You might have already got a system with observe and hint expertise. So why would you wish to double- and even triple-up that expense? 

“There’s a number of overlap in capabilities. You simply want to remember what your precise, quick data wants are.” 

The First Step in Trailer Telematics

Stevens Transport’s first step in figuring out trailer telematics wants was taking a look at its Compliance, Security, Accountability (CSA) security scores to see what was drawing probably the most violations and security infractions. 

“It turned out it was tires, antilock brake programs (ABS) and lights,” says Nick Forte, vp of upkeep. “These have been our three ache factors. So these have been my tips for the kind of data I needed to start out gathering — as a result of these have been the problems I needed to right.” 

As they carried out and obtained aware of the system, he says, the Stevens workforce might see it was making a distinction in these CSA scores. 

“Simply begin off with a couple of actionable objects. When you begin out too huge, you’re not going to have the ability to perceive all the information you’re getting in and also you gained’t know what to do with it,” he says. 

Appropriate Set up Is Key

David Voronin, president and CEO of Migway, out of Pineville, North Carolina, says technicians have to take their time and make sure they set up the programs appropriately to verify they work correctly out on the street.  

“Ensure you have all of the elements — proper right down to the right nuts and bolts,” he says. “As soon as it’s put in, have your technicians return over all the things to search for potential issues. You’ll have a a lot better expertise with the expertise if you happen to test all of the connections and seals. Ensure there’s no corrosion or water within the airways and no hoses chafing earlier than you ship the unit out on the street.” 

Brent Hickman, senior supervisor of kit, upkeep, and fleet gross sales, for Pilot Firm, recommends beginning with one thing that gives you a return on funding in 5 years or much less. 

“Mainly, take a look at what your vital wants are, after which use trailer telematics to get probably the most ROI on that scenario straight away. That’s the way you study the worth of this expertise. 

“So that may imply in stage one, you begin with one thing that gives you good tire and wheel-end knowledge. Perhaps tire inflation. You need one thing that lets your folks get their ft moist and aware of the expertise.  

“Then, as you begin to see ROI and your folks acquire expertise, you can begin to activate different options as they make sense.”