Putting truck data to work with Paper Transport, Detroit Connect
It’s easy to get lost in the telematics shuffle; to be so focused on data streaming off of your trucks that you lose sight of what makes your fleet successful—the equipment you spec and how it’s operated out on the road. So let’s slow down for a minute. Close your inbox, pour a fresh cup
Only the beginning: As Freightliner’s New Cascadia rolls out, innovation rolls on
Roger Nielsen leans against the railing on a balcony looking over Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA)’s High Desert Proving Grounds in Madras, Ore. He chats up anyone who happens to be standing beside him, as if he is picking up the ends of a long interrupted conversation with an old friend. Below, a battalion of
Proper paint protection: Ensuring your trucks’ paint and finish protect and shine
Today’s truck components are infused with the latest technology and advanced features, and the paints and finishes that coat your truck are no exception. According to J.J. Wirth, brand manager of the fleet segment for the U.S. and Canada with PPG, the three major areas that have seen the latest advancements and formulations are corrosion
The pros and cons of powder and liquid coatings
When asked about the differences between powder and liquid coatings, Bill Lemons, technical manager with AkzoNobel, ran down the details.
Steering toward automated trucks
Automated technology is out-pacing acceptance, but the stepping stones toward adoption have been laid in the form of adaptive cruise control and collision mitigation safety systems. Steering is the next logical step in its evolution, and availability of driver-assist steering functions is closer than you may think. ZF, a supplier of driveline, chassis and safety
Kenworth T880s tackle a Rallycross course
Located in the Pacific Northwest, DirtFish’s rally courses are carved out of 315 acres and promise the ultimate driving experience. Kenworth trucks decided to put that claim to the test by deploying a small army of T880s to attack the off-road course. The T880 rolled onto the scene in 2013 and has since seen a
Inside axle ratios: Detailing the range of downspeeding options
Any on-highway truck you spec today will likely employ downspeeding to some degree. The sources within this story all agree that the majority of trucks today are putting faster ratios on the road. It’s a trend being driven by increased powertrain innovation and integration, with automated manual and automatic transmissions playing a key role in
Connecting to trucks, working with people
Life in the digital world is full of intangibility. Heavy-duty trucks that roar down the highways are transformed into plots on an MPG graph and notifications in a safety or maintenance incident. Staring at a dashboard with seemingly limitless digital truck data can be overwhelming and intimidating. The key to using data to
How Daimler Trucks Aftermarket aims to beat Amazon Prime expectations
There’s no denying Amazon’s influence on trucking, and Daimler building its latest PDC across the street from an Amazon fulfillment center isn’t just symbolic, it’s a statement. It’s part of an expansion plan that aims to increase next day parts delivery to 90% of the OEM’s coverage area. I sat down with Daimler’s aftermarket leadership
Lightning striking: Electrification is coming, but where will it be put to work?
Consider the July magazine Fleet Equipment‘s unofficial electrification issue. Four out of six editors agree—there’s something electric crackling in the air. Alex Crissey reviews electrification in refuse applications; Seth Skydel hooks you up with electric power takeoff technology; John Martin name-drops UPS experimenting with fuel cell technology; and for my part, I caught up with
What’s in your truck’s coolant?
Extended life coolant (ELC) is the coolant of choice for the many over-the-road long-haul fleets today. As engine OEMs churn out improved efficiency and fleets battle for lower cost per mile, it just makes sense. Flushing the coolant is a time-consuming process and your clients aren’t paying for downtime. That said, it’s not a fill-it-and-forget-it
Volvo VNR regional truck test drive
There’s a duality to the demands of regional haul applications. Rigs have to navigate cramped city streets before hitting an open highway. They’re expected to be rugged workhorses, while providing the latest in driver creature comforts. With its new VNR, Volvo aims to serve both masters. I caught up with Volvo’s Magnus Koeck to talk