Straight answers on keeping trucks legal
Guides on DOT inspections, what fails them, fleet compliance, and seasonal prep. Written by the shop that does the work.
Air brakes and the 20 percent rule: how one bad brake parks the whole truck
Brakes are the number one DOT out-of-service violation. Here is how the 20 percent rule and pushrod stroke decide whether your truck passes or sits.
Read →Commercial truck tire tread depth: the numbers an inspector actually measures
Steer tires need 4/32 inch of tread, other tires need 2/32. Here is how DOT inspectors measure commercial truck tires and what else gets a tire pulled out of service.
Read →Seven signs your truck brakes need service before the inspection does
Most brake violations start as something the driver can feel. Here are seven signs your medium-duty truck's brakes need attention before they fail an inspection.
Read →What uneven tire wear is telling you about your truck
Cupping, feathering, one-side wear, center wear. Each tire wear pattern points to a specific problem. Here is how to read your medium-duty truck's tires.
Read →Inoperable lamps are the most common violation there is. Here is how to dodge them.
Burned-out and dead lamps are the single most-written DOT inspection violation. Here is what gets cited on trucks and trailers, and why the bulb is rarely the real problem.
Read →Steering and suspension on a DOT inspection: the play that parks a truck
Inspectors check steering free play and suspension parts closely. Too much lash or a cracked axle-positioning part puts a medium-duty truck out of service. Here is the detail.
Read →Why your trailer lights keep going out, and how to stop chasing bulbs
If you are replacing trailer bulbs every few weeks, the bulb is not the problem. Here are the real causes of repeat trailer light failures and how to fix them for good.
Read →Wandering, clunking, eating tires: reading front-end problems on a medium-duty truck
A truck that wanders, clunks over bumps, or chews up front tires is telling you something. Here is how to read common front-end problems on medium-duty trucks.
Read →DPF regeneration explained: why your diesel derates and what to do about it
A plugged diesel particulate filter is one of the most frustrating problems on a modern truck. Here is how DPF regeneration works, why your truck derates, and how to fix the cause.
Read →DEF and SCR problems: the emissions faults that strand medium-duty trucks
DEF and SCR faults are some of the most common reasons a modern diesel derates. Here are the problems we see most on the DEF side and how to keep your truck out of limp mode.
Read →Reading a diesel check-engine light: what the codes actually mean
A check-engine light on a diesel is not one problem, it is a starting point. Here is what the amber and red lights mean, why codes narrow it down, and why clearing them is not a fix.
Read →Cold-start problems on diesel trucks in a Colorado winter
A diesel that will not start on a cold Colorado morning usually comes down to a few things. Here is what causes hard cold starts and how to keep your truck firing in the winter.
Read →Building a preventive maintenance schedule for a medium-duty truck
A preventive maintenance schedule keeps a medium-duty truck legal and out of the breakdown lane. Here is how to build one around how your truck actually runs.
Read →The real cost of skipping PM: downtime, violations, and the repair you could have planned
Skipping preventive maintenance feels like saving money until a truck goes down. Here is what deferred maintenance actually costs a medium-duty truck or fleet.
Read →The fall snow plow service checklist for Boss and SnowEx
Service your plow in the fall, not during the first storm. Here is the checklist we run on Boss and SnowEx plows to get them ready before the snow flies.
Read →A DOT inspection checklist for commercial trucks
A practical DOT inspection checklist for commercial trucks and trailers. Walk through brakes, lights, tires, and steering so you pass the annual inspection.
Read →Why your plow won't lift or angle: the hydraulic and wiring faults we see most
A plow that will not lift or angle almost always comes down to hydraulics, the controller, or the wiring. Here is how to think about the problem and get the blade moving again.
Read →DOT out-of-service criteria, explained
What DOT out-of-service criteria are, what they mean for your truck, and how to avoid the violations that park a commercial vehicle.
Read →DOT inspection fines in 2026: the real cost
DOT inspection fines in 2026 are only part of the cost. Here is why an out-of-service order hurts more than the citation, and how to avoid both.
Read →How often do you need a DOT inspection?
How often you need a DOT inspection, why the due date sneaks up, and how the annual inspection fits with your daily pre-trip.
Read →What fails a DOT inspection most often
The systems that fail DOT inspections most often are the ones you can stay ahead of. Brakes, lights, and tires top the list. Here is how to keep them right.
Read →Winter prep for commercial trucks in Colorado
Winter prep for commercial trucks on the Colorado corridor. Batteries, cooling, tires, and plows, handled before the weather turns instead of during it.
Read →How to keep a fleet compliant
How to keep a fleet compliant without it eating your week. Track due dates, maintain on a schedule, and use one accountable shop for inspection and repair.
Read →What a certified vehicle scale is for
What a certified vehicle scale is for and when to use one. Check axle and gross weights before you roll, and avoid an overweight fine and downtime.
Read →Get your truck inspected and back to work.
Book a DOT inspection or call the shop. If it fails, we fix it here.