The 4 State Trucks Blog

Freezing winter weather temperatures, heavy snow, ice, and road salt take an unseen toll on your semi truck. Corrosion directly affects your semi truck brakes, electrical terminals,  suspension mounts, and hundreds of other components within your big rig. Three main keys to maintaining your truck all throughout the year.  1. Year-Round Critical System Inspections Changing temperatures expose different vulnerabilities. Inspect these core components constantly: System Key Components …

Every truck has a story, but some are worth taking a closer look at. Richard Bonner’s 1996 Peterbilt 379 is one of those trucks. Purchased new in 1996, the Peterbilt became part of the Bonner Farms operation in Ohio and spent years doing what a truck is meant to do—working. It moved from driver to driver, accumulated hard miles and eventually began to show the wear that comes with a life on the road. But underneath all those years of use was still the truck Richard remembered. He r …

DOT semi truck inspections can make anyone nervous. There are multiple levels that start from a quick 10-minute check with the driver’s credentials to an hour-long mechanical inspection of the rig. If they find something wrong, you could be looking at thousands of dollars in out-of-service-violation fees (that’s not counting down time and revenue loss). Here are some general tips for passing your DOT inspection and avoiding financially crippling penalty fees!   Check: Lights: T …

Semi-truck brake defects account for 30% of out-of-service violations, according to CVSA’s 2025 International Roadcheck. OOS violations will get you shut down on the spot - no matter what it is.  Whether the DOT inspection found something as trivial as a busted brake chamber or a worn-out rotor disc, if they catch it, you're fined. That OOSV gets put on your CVSA scorecard and attached to your truck's DOT number. Now, every time you pull into the weigh station, you're looking at anoth …

Semi-truck breakdowns cost money and time; but they aren't inevitable. With the right emergency accessories, drivers can minimize costly delays, tackle minor repairs on the fly, and safely power through severe weather. Here's how to build a semi truck emergency kit with the accessories you need. How to Build a Semi Truck Emergency Kit in 5 Sections #1. Prioritize Roadside Safety Items  Keep the critical items within reach: first aid kits, charging cables, work gloves, reflective triangles, …