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
Freightliner New Cascadia prototype test drive, CEO Roger Nielsen interview
Daimler Trucks’ new High Desert Proving Ground is highly engineered to simulate a truck’s full service life in approximately six months. One test track mile is equal to 200 real-world miles in terms of durability testing. And the test track doesn’t fool around. I hopped inside a Freightliner New Cascadia Prototype and hit the three
The ins and outs of engine, transmission and coolant filters
From engines to transmissions, there has been a massive amount of innovation in recent years. As the new API category oils—CK-4 and FA-4—find their way into heavy-duty engines, fleets should continue to monitor the performance of their engines and adhere to the necessary oil analysis procedures. Just don’t forget about the filtration. “With the
What’s tracking your warranty?
Fleet maintenance software. What was the first thing to come to mind after reading that phrase? Improved maintenance processes? Inventory management? Repair order generation and reporting? Those are all staples of the software, but there’s one major component which might not immediately spring to mind but can pay dividends: warranty tracking and recovery. “When most fleets
Western Star 5700XE on-highway, XD off-road trucks test drive
From sun-baked asphalt to dirt-caked job sites, Western Star trucks seek out tough jobs and tackle them with gusto. On-highway that means producing a premium reward truck to retain drivers with the 5700XE. In vocational segments, it’s all about crafting a durable, dependable tool to take on the task with the XD off-road lineup. After
How you can benefit from an ELD solution beyond compliance
Come this December, most commercial drivers will need to be using electronic logging devices (ELDs). It is anticipated that approximately three million drivers will be impacted. Like any equipment, your ELD selection is going to be determined by application. It’s important to take a look at your fleet’s needs and see how those align with
Comparing duals with super-wide base tires
“For vehicles equipped with dual tires, if one of the dual tires becomes significantly underinflated or flat, the other tire will carry the load for both tires, resulting in an overloaded condition for both tires,” said Gary Schroeder, director of Cooper’s truck and bus tire business, which includes the Roadmaster brand. “Mismatched tire inflation on
An in-depth look at steer, drive tire issues
Maintaining proper tire pressures in all positions is a challenge. While automatic tire inflation systems (ATIS) are available for trailer tires, maintaining a constant, and correct, pressure in tractor tires is trickier. Both Meritor and Dana have previewed tractor tire inflation systems, but they are not currently available. Much of maintaining proper tire pressure in
Volvo Trucks VNR regional haul truck unveiling
Regional haul applications can differ wildly in their demands, from close corner-cutting of city streets to rugged agricultural routes. Like most segments of the trucking industry, efficiency, uptime and driver comfort are must-haves. Volvo Trucks unveiled the new VNR to tackle the regional market, but how is the company meeting the varied demands? Watch this
The power behind proprietary powertrains
Adoption of proprietary integrated powertrains continues to climb, making up the majority of today’s Class 8 orders. At the launch of the Volvo VNR during ExpoCam, held in Montreal last month, Wade Long, director of product marketing for Volvo Trucks North America, said that demand for the Volvo engine makes up around 93% of orders
Freightliner Custom Chassis expansion, Logistics Center groundbreaking
In the time it will take for you to watch this video, another custom chassis will roll off the line at Freightliner Custom Chassis manufacturing facility in Gaffney, South Carolina. Let me throw a few numbers at you: Each Chassis, on average, takes about 4,000 total pieces to complete. Freightliner Custom Chassis is currently building
Pump you up: The importance of water pumps for engines
Upgraded water pumps are one of many components that engine OEMs are putting to work to improve fuel economy. The water pump is one of the major components in the cooling systems, and the cooling system can impact fuel economy and the longevity of the engine if it’s not cooling correctly. “The cooling system is designed
