Tommy Slaymaker Shares Fleet Maintenance Strategies on FreightWaves' What The Truck?!?

Recently, Tommy Slaymaker, Director of Fleet Services at The Pete Store, joined FreightWaves' What The Truck?!? podcast to discuss how proactive maintenance, proper truck specification, and strong customer partnerships can help fleets reduce downtime and lower operating costs.

Whether you're an owner-operator or manage hundreds of trucks, Tommy's insights reinforce a simple idea: successful fleet maintenance starts long before a truck enters the service bay.

Fleet Maintenance Starts Before the First Mile

One of Tommy's biggest takeaways is that effective fleet maintenance begins with properly spec'ing the truck for its application.

Rather than relying solely on specifications on paper, The Pete Store works directly with customers to understand how their trucks are actually being used.

"It starts at the beginning when we spec a truck. The Pete Store is different in that we put ourselves boots on the ground with customers. We're physically going out and making deliveries with customers."

By understanding each customer's operation firsthand, trucks can be spec'd to better match the work they'll perform, helping reduce unnecessary wear, improve reliability, and maximize long-term value.

Fleet Partnerships Don't End After Delivery

Tommy also discussed the importance of building long-term relationships with customers.

As fleets grow, maintenance needs evolve. Supporting that growth means investing in technicians, facilities, inventory, and service capabilities that scale alongside customers.

"One of the mistakes I see a lot of folks make is that when their customers grow, they're not growing with them."

At The Pete Store, supporting customers extends well beyond the initial truck purchase. From preventive maintenance to emergency repairs and fleet support, the goal remains the same: helping customers maximize uptime throughout the life of their equipment.

4 Fleet Maintenance Tips from Tommy Slaymaker

Stay Ahead of Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance remains one of the most effective ways to reduce unexpected breakdowns and avoid costly repairs. Following manufacturer-recommended service intervals helps identify issues before they become major failures.

Don't Overlook Fuel Filters

Routine fuel filter replacement is a simple maintenance item that can have a significant impact on engine performance and reliability. Staying on schedule helps protect critical fuel system components and minimize downtime.

Invest in Driver Education

Drivers spend more time with the equipment than anyone else. Teaching them how their trucks operate—and what warning signs to watch for—helps identify issues early while promoting more efficient operation.

Standardize Your Fleet

Whenever possible, maintaining similar truck specifications across the fleet simplifies technician training, parts inventory, maintenance procedures, and driver familiarity, helping reduce complexity and improve efficiency.

Managing Rising Operating Costs

While fuel prices often receive the most attention, Tommy emphasized that they're only one part of the equation.

Labor rates, service costs, parts pricing, and overall operating expenses continue to fluctuate, making proactive maintenance more valuable than ever.

Unexpected downtime doesn't just create repair costs—it can also result in missed deliveries, reduced productivity, and lost revenue. Building a maintenance strategy focused on prevention helps fleets control costs while keeping trucks on the road.

Watch the Full Conversation

Tommy's appearance on FreightWaves' What The Truck?!? offers practical advice for fleets of every size looking to improve reliability, maximize uptime, and better manage today's operating costs.

Watch the full episode here: $500,000 In Bourbon Vanishes: The Posing Carrier Heist | WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

Whether you're managing one truck or hundreds, Tommy's insights provide valuable reminders that successful fleet maintenance begins with the right equipment, strong partnerships, and a proactive approach to keeping trucks moving.