In the latest Small Carrier University session hosted by the Truckload Carriers Assocation, fleet maintenance took center stage—and the conversation made it clear: for many growing fleets, it’s less about fixing trucks and more about fixing the process.
Where Fleets Stand Today
Carriers are split between keeping fleet maintenance in-house, outsourcing entirely, or running a hybrid model. The decision often comes down to cost, location, and—more than anything—the availability of qualified diesel techs.
Preventative maintenance (PM) schedules are in place, but emergencies, staffing shortages, and drop-trailer delays often derail them. Tracking true maintenance cost per mile is common, but warranty recoveries and parts management still fall through the cracks.
The Big Pain Points
- Technician Shortage – Finding and retaining qualified mechanics is harder than ever.
- PM Scheduling – Emergencies and load commitments push preventative work to the back burner.
- Parts & Warranty Tracking – Missed warranty claims mean missed savings.
- Communication Gaps – Ops and maintenance teams aren’t always in sync, leading to costly downtime.
Chase Carney, Implementation Manager for PCS, states, “There’s a technology solution for just about every maintenance challenge today. The key is making sure other departments—dispatch, accounting—are tied into it so information flows automatically. That’s how you turn maintenance from a cost center into a business advantage.”
Where Technology Helps
Implementing technology, like PCS TMS, bring maintenance management into the same ecosystem as dispatch, accounting, and fleet operations—closing the gaps that cost time and money.
- Integrated PM Alerts keep drivers, dispatch, and shop techs aligned so trucks get serviced without disrupting loads.
- Repair Order Tracking ensures every job is recorded, costed, and benchmarked for efficiency.
- Warranty & Parts Visibility puts expiration dates and claims at your fingertips—so savings aren’t left on the table.
- Data-Driven Insights give carriers the real cost picture, helping leaders decide when to keep work in-house or outsource.
The takeaway from this session? Maintenance isn’t just about keeping trucks running—it’s about keeping the business running. With the right systems in place, fleets can turn maintenance from a necessary cost into a competitive advantage.
Learn how PCS TMS can help connect all your systems and turn your maintenance program into a business advantage with a personalized demo.
Looking to learn more about Small Carrier University? Visit TCA’s site and grab a seat for next year’s program!
