When you manage a fleet, you live by the numbers: delivery times, fuel economy, load capacity, and maintenance schedules. But sometimes, those numbers don’t tell the whole story. The real danger to your bottom line can sneak up in the form of overlooked trailer issues—until one small oversight turns into a roadside breakdown, a missed delivery, or worse, an accident.
As a fleet manager, you’re responsible for more than just keeping the trucks moving—you’re responsible for uptime, safety, DOT compliance, and cost control. And that means spotting the red flags before they put a unit out of commission.
Here are three critical warning signs that your semi-trailer needs immediate service—and why ignoring them could cost your fleet more than just repair dollars.
What to Look (and Listen) For:
These aren’t just annoying—they’re dangerous.
The Risks of Ignoring It:
A failing brake system doesn’t just increase stopping distance. It jeopardizes driver safety, risks cargo loss, and invites DOT citations. Worse yet, it can lead to liability in the event of a crash.
Common Culprits:
Quick Fleet Fix Tip:
Instruct drivers to conduct air brake leak-down tests weekly. Any loss over 2 psi per minute (with brakes released) is a sign something’s wrong. Also, during inspections, use a flashlight to check brake drum wear or uneven contact.
Pro Insight: “If a driver mentions ‘a weird noise’ during braking, don’t wait. That’s usually the last warning before something locks up—or fails.”
What to Watch For:
These issues don’t just affect tire life—they impact ride quality, fuel efficiency, and cargo safety.
The Hidden Costs:
Misalignment or sagging suspensions can reduce tire life by up to 30%, translating to thousands of dollars across a mid-sized fleet. Add in the reduced MPG and potential handling problems, and you’ve got a silent profit killer.
Common Suspension & Alignment Issues:
Visual Inspection Tip:
Encourage pre-trip inspections to include tire “feel tests” (rubbing hands across tread for feathering) and to eyeball the trailer from 20 feet away. A tilt or lean could indicate air ride issues or busted hangers.
Fleet Fact: A suspension issue ignored for 30 days can turn a $300 bushing job into a $3,000 axle and frame realignment—plus downtime.
To the untrained eye, a dead marker light might seem minor. But to the DOT—and to roadside inspectors—it’s a red flag. One flickering light or missing turn signal can be the reason your driver gets pulled over, delayed, or even taken out of service.
Key Signs:
Root Causes:
The Real Impact:
A lighting violation is an easy DOT target. It may seem like a $20 bulb fix—but if it triggers a full inspection or OOS (out-of-service) order, it could mean $800–$2,000 in fines and downtime.
Plus, recurring electrical problems erode driver confidence and customer satisfaction—especially for sensitive or refrigerated freight.
Pro Maintenance Tip:
Make dielectric grease a must during every PM. This simple step prevents corrosion and ensures reliable contact in harsh weather. Also, consider investing in a 7-way plug tester—a $50 tool that can save hours of diagnosis.
Quote to Remember: “Most trailer electrical issues start at the connection—and end in a fine.” —DOT Inspector, Indiana
Sometimes, it’s not a wear part or a visible defect—it’s a sound, a smell, or a driver’s gut feeling. You’ve heard it before: “Something’s just off.” In many cases, that’s the only warning you’ll get before a breakdown.
The worst mistake a fleet manager can make? Telling a driver to “just keep going and we’ll look at it later.” By then, it might be too late.
You might not be behind the wheel, but you’re behind every safe delivery.
Delaying repairs to “save money” often leads to higher losses:
With today’s tight freight margins and driver shortages, you can’t afford to gamble. A proactive service culture builds trust—with your team, your clients, and the DOT.
Chief Legal Officer
Anthony Sciara is our Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Secretary, and a Member of our Board of Directors. He has been a licensed attorney for nearly 15 years. Anthony earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University in 2002 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois (Chicago) Law School in 2006. Anthony represented the company for eight years as outside counsel before formally joining the team in October of 2019. Anthony handles and/or supervises all legal and compliance matters for the company, including executive strategy, corporate transactions, and dispute resolution. In addition to his responsibilities with the company, Anthony serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Northville Educational Foundation, participates in the Association of Corporate Counsel, and was previously an Adjunct Professor of Lawyering Skills at the University of Illinois (Chicago) Law School. Anthony is most proud that his position allows him the opportunity to solve problems for us in creative ways, which minimizes risk and maximizes success. The thing Anthony loves most about being part of Royal Truck & Utility Trailer is the sincere and uncommon passion that ownership, leadership, and other employees share for the success of the company.
Chief Financial Officer
Julie Igielski is the Chief Financial Officer at Royal Truck & Utility Trailer. Julie attended Michigan State University and earned her Bachelor’s in Merchandise Management in 2004 before attending Eastern Michigan University to get a Master’s degree in Accounting. After graduating with her MSA, she received her Certified Public Accountant license. Prior to joining the Royal team in 2013, Julie held various accounting positions at both publicly and privately owned companies. Since deciding to continue on in the family business nearly 8 years ago, she has helped us accomplish so much. Julie is in charge of all of our finances, creates all of our financial statements, works closely with our CEO and COO when making executive decisions, and works with the bank when acquiring new properties and companies. She is most proud of her CPA license and all of the growth and success she has helped Royal achieve. The thing she loves most about her job is being able to work with her family and her co-workers who have become her family over the years. We are so happy that Julie decided to join the team, we are so appreciative of all she does for us every day.
Chief Operating Officer
Adam Pigeon is the Chief Operating Officer here at Royal Truck & Utility Trailer. Adam joined the team in 2009 after graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelors of Science in 2008. He first joined us as a Parts Counter Representative and advanced to Parts Purchasing Manager. Adam was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in January of 2015 and under his leadership we have seen such tremendous growth. Adam is tasked with overseeing all of our day to day operations between all four facilities and works closely with Corporate Officers, Department VPs, and Directors to implement the company’s strategic plan. When asked about his favorite part about being a part of Royal Truck & Trailer, he shared that he loves the people he works with every day. Something Adam takes pride in is all of the company growth that he has helped achieve over his time at Royal. With over 10 years experience, he has become knowledgeable about the industry and strengthened his skills in operations management, leadership, team building, and contract negotiation. Adam has served on multiple industry advisory and councils and boards. Adam is such an asset to our company and we are so proud of everything he has accomplished during his time with us at Royal Truck & Trailer.
Chief Executive Officer
Ken Bumgardner is the CEO of Royal Truck & Utility Trailer. Ken is an extremely hardworking individual with interpersonal and problem-solving skills. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Business Management in 2001. Ken has been with the company since he was 12 years old, he was always helping out at the shop to spend time with his dad before joining the team full time in 2001. Before becoming our current CEO, he has held various positions working his way up in the company, such as: cleaner, parts runner, parts counter, parts manager, trailer salesman, office manager, vice president, and president. Ken wanted to join the family business because of his very close relationship with his family, and he loved working with and spending time with his dad. On a daily basis, he is in charge of merger and acquisitions and overseeing our C-level executives. In addition to these responsibilities, Ken also makes sure everyone at Royal is happy in their roles; he thoroughly enjoys working with all of the members of our team. Something he is very proud of is the acquisition of East Michigan Trailer Sales in 2017 because of how it has impacted the dynamic of Royal. He is on the Board of The National Trailer Association and formerly was on the Board of The Michigan Trucking Association. Under Ken’s leadership, we have accomplished great new highs and cannot wait to see what else we can accomplish in the future.
Chief Executive Officer
Ken Bumgardner is the CEO of Royal Truck & Utility Trailer. Ken is an extremely hardworking individual with interpersonal and problem-solving skills. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Business Management in 2001. Ken has been with the company since he was 12 years old, he was always helping out at the shop to spend time with his dad before joining the team full time in 2001. Before becoming our current CEO, he has held various positions working his way up in the company, such as: cleaner, parts runner, parts counter, parts manager, trailer salesman, office manager, vice president, and president. Ken wanted to join the family business because of his very close relationship with his family, and he loved working with and spending time with his dad. On a daily basis, he is in charge of merger and acquisitions and overseeing our C-level executives. In addition to these responsibilities, Ken also makes sure everyone at Royal is happy in their roles; he thoroughly enjoys working with all of the members of our team. Something he is very proud of is the acquisition of East Michigan Trailer Sales in 2017 because of how it has impacted the dynamic of Royal. He is on the Board of The National Trailer Association and formerly was on the Board of The Michigan Trucking Association. Under Ken’s leadership, we have accomplished great new highs and cannot wait to see what else we can accomplish in the future.