But here’s what I’ve started asking: when did you last look at your trailer tire pressure? 

Nine times out of ten, the answer is some version of “we check them when we can” or “the drivers do walk-arounds.” And that’s where the problem lives. 

The Drain You Can’t See 

A tire that’s 10 PSI low doesn’t look underinflated. It looks fine. It rolls fine. But it’s quietly costing you on every single mile. 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a tire running 10 PSI low burns 2–3% more fuel per mile than a properly inflated tire. Get to 20–30 PSI underinflation (which happens faster than you’d think on trailers sitting at docks or drop yards for days at a time), and field testing puts that fuel penalty at 8–10%. 

With diesel sitting above $5 a gallon right now, that’s not a rounding error. For a fleet running hundreds of trailers, that’s a meaningful line item leaving the business every single month through tires that, on the surface, look perfectly fine. 

And according to FMCSA data, 55% of commercial vehicles have at least one tire running 10 or more PSI below optimal. This isn’t an edge case. It’s the norm. 

Why Trailers Are the Problem 

Tractors get attention. Drivers walk around them every day, and shop techs see them regularly. Trailers are a different story. They get dropped at docks, sit in yards, and spend days or weeks disconnected from anyone who might notice something’s off. 

By the time a tire issue shows up visually, you’ve already absorbed the cost: fuel, accelerated wear, and potentially a blowout that means a roadside call, a delayed shipment, and a safety incident. NHTSA data shows that tires underinflated by more than 25% are three times more likely to contribute to a crash. 

Only about 15% of trailers currently have any kind of tire pressure monitoring in place, compared to 25–30% of tractors (NACFE). That gap is exactly where the money is going. 

What We Do About It 

This is the problem Phillips Connect TPMS was built to solve. Our sensors give fleet managers continuous visibility into trailer tire pressure and temperature, reporting every three minutes with immediate alerts the moment something changes. If a tire starts losing pressure at 2 AM in a drop yard in Memphis, you know about it before it becomes a problem. 

The sensors install quickly and easily, last up to four times longer than competing solutions thanks to their energy efficiency, and come backed by an 8-year warranty. They’re built to live on your trailers for the long haul. 

The FMCSA studied the impact of TPMS across tractor-trailer fleets and found a 1.4 to 1.8% improvement in fuel economy. Layer in the avoided blowouts, extended tire life, and reduced roadside service calls, and the ROI conversation tends to get straightforward pretty quickly. 

Let’s Talk 

I’m not going to tell you trailer TPMS is a silver bullet for everything that’s happening with fuel prices right now. But I will tell you that in almost every fleet conversation I have, tire pressure is an overlooked line item, and it’s fixable fast. 

If you want to talk through what your fleet looks like and where the gaps might be, I’m easy to reach. No pitch deck required. 

►  Get in touch with Thomas

The post Before You Blame the Pump, Check Your Tires  appeared first on Phillips Connect.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – March 15, 2026 – Phillips Connect today announced new enhancements across three key trailer system categories that expand how fleets manage roadside safety, brake performance and liftgate operations. Introduced at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition, the updates strengthen how fleets capture operational intelligence from critical trailer systems and distribute those insights across maintenance, operations and safety teams. 

“Every system on the trailer generates insights that can help fleets operate more safely and efficiently,” said Mark Wallin, general manager and senior vice president of product at Phillips Connect. “Our platform is designed to capture those signals and turn them into actionable insights. By working closely with leading equipment providers, we can also deliver deeper intelligence from systems fleets already rely on across their trailers.” 

Phillips Connect Roadside Safety Intelligence 

Phillips Connect introduced new Roadside safety solutions designed to improve visibility and awareness during roadside events. 

Through a partnership with Emergency Safety Solutions (ESS), the Phillips Connect platform can trigger ESS’s H.E.L.P. DeliverSAFE intelligent roadside hazard technology when a trailer is stopped on the shoulder. When a driver activates the trailer’s hazard lights, the system automatically initiates H.E.L.P. Lighting Alerts, flashing the trailer’s lights in a distinctive high-visibility pattern designed to attract more attention than standard hazard lights. The system also sends real-time shouldered vehicle alerts to approaching motorists through navigation apps and in-dash systems, helping drivers identify roadside hazards earlier and move over more safely. 

Roadside safety intelligence builds on Phillips Connect’s existing light circuit monitoring technology, extending its functionality to improve roadside awareness and help protect drivers, equipment and freight during roadside events. 

Phillips Connect Brake System Intelligence 

Phillips Connect also added system enhancements to its existing brake solutions that provide greater visibility into trailer brake performance and status. 

When fleets operate trailers equipped with Bendix TABS Advanced brake system electronic control units (ECUs), Phillips Connect can access diagnostic trouble code (DTC) fault reporting and standard formatted data messages. This information includes brake wear, trouble codes and other system data that may help maintenance teams detect developing issues and prioritize service before they escalate. 

Phillips Connect can provide fleets access to insights from this data that strengthen cultures of safety by enabling fleets to respond more quickly to events such as roll stability activation or braking faults that may require attention. 

Phillips Connect Liftgate Intelligence 

Phillips Connect also enhanced its liftgate solutions to provide fleets with improved liftgate performance and usage data. 

Liftgates are essential to many delivery operations, particularly on routes with frequent stops or locations without loading docks. When fleets operate Maxon liftgates equipped with MAX LINK technology, Phillips Connect can provide fleets with deeper insight into liftgate activity, system health and performance through its partnership with Maxon. 

This information helps fleets identify potential liftgate issues earlier and avoid delivery disruptions that can occur when liftgate batteries or hydraulic systems stop functioning properly. 

Expanding the Connected Trailer Ecosystem 

These enhancements reflect Phillips Connect’s broader strategy to capture operational intelligence from the systems already installed across the trailer. 

By supporting deeper data visibility from leading equipment and solutions providers, Phillips Connect enables fleets to monitor critical trailer systems while continuing to operate the equipment and technologies they already rely on. 

Phillips Connect will showcase these technologies at TMC in Nashville, March 16–18. Show attendees can learn more about the company’s smart trailer platform and see the latest innovations in connected trailer intelligence at the Phillips Connect booth 2029. 

About Phillips Connect 

Phillips Connect develops smart trailer technology that helps fleets capture and apply intelligence from across the trailer. Its platform brings together sensors, cameras and integrated systems to provide visibility into trailer operations, equipment health and cargo activity. By turning trailer intelligence into operational insight, Phillips Connect helps fleets improve safety, increase uptime and operate more efficiently. 

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Irvine, California, Phillips Connect develops technology that helps fleets monitor trailer systems, identify issues earlier and make better decisions by making trailer intelligence accessible across the fleet. Learn more at www.phillips-connect.com. 

The post Phillips Connect Expands Trailer Intelligence Across Roadside, Brake and Liftgate Systems  appeared first on Phillips Connect.

Most conversations about fleet safety center on the driver and the truck, and we agree – investments in driver training, advanced assistance systems, and cameras are essential. That said, they leave out a critical piece of the safety equation: the trailer. More than just a box for freight or cargo, it’s an intricate system of brakes, tires, lights, and mechanical components that must perform flawlessly to keep both the driver and the load safe. Treating the trailer as an afterthought creates unnecessary risk, but managing it with the same discipline and intelligence given to tractors creates a decisive safety advantage.

Fleet trailer safety systems close the gap, transforming safety from a reactive process into a proactive one by applying data and automation to the trailer. Instead of waiting for a driver to notice a soft tire, integrated monitoring provides real-time visibility into ABS codes and tire pressure (TPMS). Potential problems are flagged before the trailer leaves its parking spot, allowing maintenance teams to act before a small defect becomes a roadside failure or violation. Automated digital pre-trip checks like the ones enabled by our TechAssist app verify system readiness in seconds, adding a layer of assurance that manual inspections alone cannot deliver.

Safety also extends to cargo. Trailer door sensors send alerts if doors are opened at an unauthorized time or place, reducing theft risk. Load sensors confirm whether cargo is present and secured, helping prevent load shifts that can damage freight or cause rollovers. These insights not only protect goods but also shield the fleet’s reputation and customer relationships.

For drivers, the benefit is equally significant. A trailer that has been digitally validated for road readiness allows drivers to focus on the road rather than worrying about hidden mechanical issues. By reducing the chances of tire blowouts, brake failures, and other malfunctions, fleets cut down on the roadside emergencies that cause stress and danger for their drivers.

Fleet Trailer Safety Systems also simplify compliance. Automated logs create a digital trail of inspections, fault monitoring, and system checks. This record provides auditable proof of diligence while streamlining DOT inspections and documentation. What once required manual tracking now becomes a transparent, automated process.

True fleet safety doesn’t end at the cab, but rather it extends through the entire vehicle – tractor and trailer. Incorporating a dedicated fleet trailer safety system creates a connected ecosystem that safeguards people, assets, cargo, and the reputation of your brand. The fleets that make trailers a visible and managed part of their safety strategy are building operations that are more resilient, efficient, and profitable.

Are you managing the entire safety picture, or just part of it? I’m interested in how other leaders are integrating trailer data into their broader safety initiatives.

The post Beyond the Cab: Why Your Trailers are the Next Frontier for Fleet Safety appeared first on Phillips Connect.

And with BLT issues come every fleet owner’s worst enemy – lost productivity for your drivers and trailers, or potential CSA violations. Dispatching drivers to trailers that have BLT issues wastes valuable hours of service for drivers and negatively impacts trailer productivity. CSA violations are rated based on severity and expressed through a point system. To make things easier, the more points you get, the worse your carrier rating, and the more money it will cost you. Bottom line: Points are not your friend! 

But how can a fleet proactively tackle problems with BLT? According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), nearly 70 percent of all out-of-service violations in roadside inspections come from BLT issues.

But have no fear. There are actions your fleet can take to keep your BLT “fresh”. Keep reading to learn the importance of brakes, lights, and tires.

1. Brakes

Did you know that 24 percent of roadside out-of-service violations come from brake issues, making it the category responsible for most out-of-service violations?

There are cost-effective means to ensure that ABS faults are addressed before a driver is dispatched. Make sure you check your brakes before the CSA checks you.

2. Lights

Lights are the second most frequent cause of roadside out-of-service violations, accounting for 22 percent of these infractions. Before you dispatch, do the other drivers a favor and check your lights.

3. Tires

It’s no secret that tires are the highest maintenance cost of any other item on a trailer. That’s why making sure your tires are properly inflated and healthy is beneficial to your driver’s safety – and to your wallet.

The inflation of your tires also has a direct impact on fuel consumption. Underinflation kills not only tires, but also fuel economy. A tire underinflated by 10% can result in 20% increase in rolling resistance. And with more rolling resistance comes more fuel consumption. Gas is expensive enough these days, so give your wallet a break and watch those tires.

To sum it all up…

Brakes, lights, and tires are a critical part of any trailer.  Proactively addressing BLT issues can save you money, improve your CSA ratings, and help you retain drivers. That’s why Phillips Connect addresses 16 of the 20 most common CSA violations with its telematics solutions. That’s 71 percent more peace-of-mind for you and your fleet. From TPMS√, our tire pressure monitoring sensor, to Light Out Detection√, our trailer exterior LED monitoring sensor, to ABS Fault Code√, our PLC reader for ABS trailer brake ECU data, our solutions could be just what you need to avoid your next violation.

Don’t believe me? Visit our website at https://www.phillips-connect.com to learn more.

The post Keep your “BLT” fresh  appeared first on Phillips Connect.