As 2025 comes to a close, I’m reflecting on my second year covering the trucking industry—one that challenged the industry at large. Tariffs, labor shortages and retention issues, and constantly evolving regulations continue to reshape how fleets operate day-to-day.
From traveling to industry events and speaking with top technicians to learning directly from the subject matter experts who design the tools and equipment those techs rely on, each story added another layer to my understanding of fleet maintenance and the real-world challenges our audience faces.
The following are my five favorite stories from the year. These articles pushed my perspective forward and, I hope, offered meaningful takeaways for Fleet Maintenance readers.
Initially intended to be a straightforward rundown on cab cleanliness and detailing, this feature quickly turned into the wildest cleaning horror story I’ve heard. With encouragement from my editor-in-chief, John Hitch, I kept digging into the details with the fleet owner, and the deeper we went, the more the situation escalated in ways none of us expected. The final product really drives the point home far more effectively than any regular old best-practices guide ever could. It’s extreme, sure, but it perfectly illustrates why cab cleanliness matters, not just for comfort, but for downtime, cost, and professionalism.
This was a fun one for me because it let me bring my background in media production and video editing directly into the fleet maintenance space. Video is an incredibly powerful tool for training, marketing, and knowledge retention, and talking with OEMs and content creators reinforced just how effective it can be when done with intent. The piece demonstrates how it really isn’t about flashy production, and even simple, well-planned videos can have an impact. I also learned a lot myself along the way, which is always a good sign that a story is worth sharing.
This story gave me some real perspective on how quickly things can go wrong in a shop. I have a close friend who’s a firefighter, and the stories he shares are intense, but speaking directly with fire and safety experts made it even more real how easily a “that’ll never happen here” mindset can lead to negligence, which can lead to disaster. What stuck with me was how many shop fires start from everyday conditions techs might barely think twice about, like an oily rag lying around. It’s a sobering reminder that fire prevention isn’t about fear; it’s about awareness, preparation, and avoiding complacency.
This story dives into how augmented reality is starting to show up in real repair bays, with Cojali pairing its Jaltest diagnostics software with Magic Leap 2 smart goggles. I saw the technology demoed in person at TMC and got to put together a video on it, and honestly, it’s just plain cool. More importantly, however, it shows real potential to change how technicians diagnose issues, access relevant information, and even train without ever stepping away from the truck. The possibilities for how this and other AR technology could be used in shops down the road feel almost endless, which is why it stuck with me.
Wheel-end inspections might not be the most glamorous part of maintenance, but the stakes couldn’t be higher. Neglect even a small detail, and the consequences can be catastrophic. What I appreciated about this story is how it broke down the process in a way that’s practical and visual, showing that even a quick, careful check can prevent major accidents. It’s a good lesson in patience, thoroughness, and the value of keeping an eye on the details that really matter.
About the Author
Lucas Roberto
Lucas Roberto is an Associate Editor for Fleet Maintenance magazine. He has written and produced multimedia content over the past few years and is a newcomer to the commercial vehicle industry. He holds a bachelor's in media production and a master's in communication from High Point University in North Carolina.