We sometimes forget that the difference between winning and losing can be very, very small. Countless golf tournaments are won by just a single stroke. That’s usually far less than one percent.

Races are so close that we need sophisticated electronic timers to learn who won. Horses win, not by a furlong or even a length, but by a nose, in a photo finish.

What we’re saying is that many times, the secret of success isn’t some big thing.

Many times, it’s a small thing, something perhaps that a competitor never even thought to do.

For professionals in the trucking industry, it might be spending a few minutes every week learning more about their industry. Commercial Carrier University, which we help sponsor together with the Truckload Carriers Association, could give you that edge.

For Calex Logistics, it’s offering services that go beyond hauling freight from one place to another. For McCarthy Tire, it’s doing things that fleets like Calex can’t afford to do – or don’t want to do – for themselves.

Our new R195 trailer radial offers a little extra tread depth and a few extra irregular wear-reducing features.

The result is significant improvement in tread life and smooth wear.

Even a lowly valve cap can pay off big. Add a few dollars worth of double-seal, flow-through valve caps to your tires and you could see big savings through easier maintenance.

Plus, in this issue, we’ll look at an artist who makes his living painting pictures of trucks, continue our series on how tires are made and review the new verbiage you’ll find stamped on your tire sidewalls.

As you read this issue of Real Answers, we hope you discover that “little bit extra” you can use to make your job easier – and your company more successful.