The 4 State Trucks Blog

The spring season is one of the best times to check on the functionality of your semi truck, especially after brutally cold winter weather. Here are five money-saving tips for maintaining and cleaning your semi truck in the springtime.  #1. Replace the Windshield Wipers It’ll soon be the rainy season. Now is the best time to swap out worn wipers. Ice and snow tear down the rubber edges of the wiper blades. Replacing these is an easy first step towards spring cleaning your semi. Whil …

Owner-operators, fleets, and repair shops across the Midwest now have expanded access to one of the largest selections of aftermarket semi truck parts in North America. I-65 Chrome Shop is officially an Authorized Dealer of 4 State Trucks, strengthening parts availability, installation support, and service for drivers traveling through Northern Indiana and surrounding freight corridors. This partnership connects the trusted local expertise of I-65 Chrome Shop with the national inventory, product …

In trucking, growth doesn’t just happen in boardrooms. It happens in shops. On backroads. In early-morning conversations over coffee. And sometimes, it starts with a simple handshake built on shared values. On June 17, 2025, 4 State Trucks—home of the legendary Chrome Shop Mafia—announced a new partnership that stretches beyond state lines and across the Canadian border. Their newest Authorized Dealer? Soaring Eagle Equipment Inc. of Winkler, Manitoba. And for drivers in centra …

In trucking, reputation isn’t built overnight. It’s built mile after mile, handshake after handshake, and customer after customer. That’s exactly how 4 State Trucks and Swanks & Sons Chrome Shop grew into trusted names among drivers who take pride in their rigs. Though they started in different states, both businesses were founded on the same simple principle: take care of drivers first, and everything else will follow. Today, that shared mindset is bringing them together i …

The reality is, a truly comprehensive semi truck fifth wheel guide would be volumes, novellas even.  However, here's a broad overview of fifth wheels on semi trucks.  What is a Semi Truck Fifth Wheel? A semi truck fifth wheel is basically a hinged plate with a locking mechanism that’s mounted to a slider/base which bolts to the frame. The kingpin slides into the throat, the lock holds it, and the whole assembly pivots during turns. The fifth wheel can be considered the sum o …