Learn about Noregon's 30-year history helping the industry maximize uptime and advance technician skillsets. OTHER Learn about Noregon's 30-year history helping the industry maximize uptime and advance technician skillsets. OTHER Get diagnostics tips, training updates, and product updates delivered to your inbox. Looking back at the year 2025, truckload rates remained stagnant, with the gap between revenue and cost being close to a deadlock. According to ATRI , the average truckload rate for much of 2025 hovered at $2.3/mile, dangerously close to breakeven for most fleets (ATRI’s TCO is $2.2/mile). Having operated this close to cost means that fleets often found themselves needing to lease vehicles, run older equipment, or carry more expenses, as even minor downtime can push operations into a risky territory. With this in mind, the industry increasingly acknowledges that revenue for many fleets is barely covering the cost of operation. This is why maintenance has become more critical than ever, and why fleets must prioritize not only preventive maintenance, but also predictive maintenance procedures as part of a regular routine. While fleets cannot control freight markets, it’s important for them to remain in control of what they can. That makes it imperative for fleets to manage how well they take care of their maintenance processes and, ultimately, their vehicles. Why Traditional Maintenance is No Longer Enough Traditional preventive maintenance schedules are typically time or mileage based, which leads to lengthy periods where the vehicle is not inspected by a maintenance professional. Modern, proactive approaches utilize tools like remote diagnostics to respond to issues as they occur, rather than waiting for the next scheduled shop visit. With the implementation of modern trucks and support of advanced diagnostic tools, fleets are now able to turn mass amounts of vehicle data into actionable insights that improve decision making at all levels of maintenance. The industry has now entered a time where under-maintaining a vehicle is no longer an option, and over-maintaining is increasingly becoming more expensive. This is why it’s important to assess a vehicle’s health throughout its lifespan, on the road and every time it enters the shop. With a tool like TripVision , fleets learn about issues impacting health, safety, and vehicle performance as they happen – or in some cases, before they even occur. Maintenance Costs Are Rising Faster Than Revenue Repair and maintenance costs have continued to rise, and as trucks age, the frequency of unexpected repairs has increased as well. This trend has led to higher overall ownership costs for heavy-duty vehicles. When the rising costs of parts and labor are added in, profits becomes even more constrained. As a result, fleets are forced to tighten margins further, often choosing to delay repairs and risk issues escalating into more serious problems. Based on AT RI’s reported average miles driven of 80,159 per truck per year, here are the average expenses fleet owners can expect to pay each year per truck: Fuel: $44,327 Benefits: $15,069 Wages: $62,443 Predictive Maintenance in 2026 When fleets are in a near breakeven scenario, reactive or “when it occurs” maintenance is no longer feasible. Fleets need tools that are able to help them be proactive before a costly issue occurs. Predictive maintenance provides an advantage through: Predictive faults allow you to become proactive for planning ahead. Reduce downtime and lower maintenance costs. Increasing your vehicle lifespan and keeping it in top condition. Improving operations by updating maintenance schedules as needed. ATRI’s 2025 Operational Costs of Trucking report highlights that truck and trailer payments have undergone a “sea change” and are now structurally higher (up 52.53% since 2019) p.54. With fixed costs effectively uncontrollable, the only way to preserve an effective margin is by controlling variable costs like drivers, repair and maintenance, and preventing downtime. ATRI’s operational costs report shows that fleets achieving more miles between breakdowns experience materially lower repair and maintenance cost per mile. TripVision works to move fleets above that curve, by catching problems earlier, prioritizing the most severe faults, and structuring maintenance around the actual issue instead of guesswork. The Fleets that Control their Costs Will Win In 2026 With revenue stuck near breakeven, maintenance is one of the few strategic initiatives a fleet controls. Tools like TripVision help fleets proactively address issues as they arise, reducing the risk of problems escalating into expensive repairs or roadside breakdowns. Today’s environment makes TripVision a necessary tool for fleets looking to reduce maintenance-related expenses. By limiting unnecessary, unscheduled service events and improving maintenance planning, fleets are better positioned to protect their profit margins from unplanned downtime and maintenance. A Modern Approach to CAN Bus Diagnostics Why traditional CAN bus diagnostics fail and how modern diagnostics identify faults faster. Guide to CARB’s Clean Truck Check Learn about California’s Clean Truck Check program and how to stay compliant with new requirements. A Technician’s Guide to DPF Regens Learn the importance of DPF regens and the costs and consequences of running them unnecessarily. Small Town Shop Offers Big-Time Services Learn how Van Cleef Auto Parts uses TaaS to provide leading service, versatility, and customer satisfaction. This whitepaper explores the 2026 economic outlook, industry trends, and customer research findings. 10 Steps Before Clearing Fault Codes Learn the 10 steps to take before clearing a fault code to avoid recurring issues. Streamline the Diagnostic Process As shops take inventory of their diagnostic tools, it's vital to consider the importance of tech-to-tool ratios. Differences Between OE and SAE Fault Codes Learn the differences between OE and SAE fault codes and how JPRO can simplify fault code analysis. Ways to Recruit & Retain Skilled Truck Drivers Explore the most effective ways to recruit and retain the backbone of the American economy: truck drivers. ©Noregon. JPRO, NextStep, and TripVision are registered trademarks of Noregon. All Rights Reserved.