Looking for the future of trucking at MATS
The Mid-America Trucking Show is the industry’s largest show, the site of big news announcements from every corner of the industry. Showcased throughout the hall are the latest examples of trucking technology, which has taken a giant leap over the last few years with no sign of slowing its progress. So aside from learning the
Alternative fuels in the age of Trump
Recent years have seen a burgeoning interest in alternative fuels, from natural gas to fully electric trucks, in the trucking world. On the surface, it seems that much of the impetus for adoption of electric and zero emissions vehicles comes from government grants. Last year, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offered $26 million
Five truck trend takeaways from March
We know it’s not easy to keep up with everything that happens in the world of trucking. So here are the biggest stories from March focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.
Prioritizing luxury: Today’s cabs are built with driver retention in mind
In a recent Fleet Equipment fleet survey, we found that 75% of fleet managers are spec’ing in-cab amenities and creature comforts as part of a driver retention program. That should come as no surprise, as the latest driver shortage numbers from the American Trucking Associations are still concerning, with 83% turnover for larger fleets and
The importance of heavy-duty truck paints, finishes
It’s not just what’s inside the cab that’s important. The paint and finish of the truck is critical to painting a picture of an exciting, cutting-edge fleet. “Fleet units are rolling billboards for your business,” said Ephrem Casper, AkzoNobel’s product manager for commercial vehicle and fleet. “Utilizing the exterior of your fleet for name
What protects the driveline from the demands of today’s downsped engines?
The continued integration of powertrain components propels advancements in downspeeding as ratio speeds increase. In fact, Dana recently announced a new 2.47:1 axle ratio for the Spicer AdvanTek 40 tandem axle. Meritor’s new 14X HE tandem axle has ratios down to 2.15. According to Ken Hogan, Meritor’s vice president of rear drivetrain, approximately 25% of today’s
Five truck trend takeaways from February
We know it’s not easy to keep up with everything that happens in the world of trucking. So here are the biggest stories from February focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.
Answering your wide base tire questions
Adoption of wide base tires has continued to increase in the years since their entrance into the market in 2000. Still, they make up a relative minority of the market, and many fleet managers may still have questions about whether wide base tires are right for their fleet. So with that in mind, let’s tackle four
Newer is better: Survey finds newer trucks improve fuel economy, maintenance costs
When looking for improved fuel economy, decreased maintenance costs or virtually any other aspect of running an efficient fleet, spec’ing a newer truck will, in nearly every case, improve each of those numbers, according to the results of a recent Fleet Advantage survey. Trucks and equipment are constantly pushing the boundaries of efficiency and,
Five truck trend takeaways from January
We know it’s not easy to keep up with everything that happens in the world of trucking. So here are the biggest stories from January focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.
Power outage prevention: How fleets can combat the growing problem of hotel loads
When we talk about parasitic loads, we are quick to point the finger at drivers and their expectations of home-away-from-home creature comforts. That means TVs, microwaves, refrigerators, game systems and DVD players—all of which end up putting significant strain on a truck’s battery and electrical system. However, there are other power-hungry parasitic monsters lurking within
Keeping up with the truck maintenance process: Inside the new VMRS Code Key 24
The ATA Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC)’s Vehicle Maintenance Report Standards (VMRS) program was started in 1970 with the goal of developing a standard method of communication for everyone involved in the truck maintenance process, from fleets to repair shops to OEMs. Recently, the VMRS Codes Committee determined that VMRS needed more flexibility to describe
