Covering all bases: GM adds a Class 6 medium-duty model
With seven straight months of year-over-year market share gains through March of this year, GM’s commercial truck business has been growing steadily. Recently, Chevrolet announced it is expanding its range of trucks with a new dock-height Class 6 model. The 2018 Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 6500XD, expected to be available by the end of the
Test driving the Western Star XD-25 lineup
I recently drove the truck pictured above, but before you call and report me to the authorities for driving without a CDL, I want to point out that I was on a closed track. I am always hesitant to hoist myself up into a truck cab where the door handle is more than eight feet
Let’s talk fuel economy and engine emission reductions
I feel like Diogenes, the Greek philosopher who walked around with a lantern searching for an honest man. As a physicist, I forever search for the truth, but I’m often disappointed. Many people would have you believe that the truth is variable depending on your point of view, but that just isn’t the case. Science
Internal tire options to improve tire life and performance
In recent years, a growing number of products designed to be used inside mounted truck tires have begun to emerge, leaving fleet managers with plenty of choices. These products are promoted to improve vehicle ride, reduce punctures and keep tires running cool—which will help in increasing casing retreadability and improve fuel economy—while others reportedly reduce
Lubricating oils for alternative fuels
A tremendous amount of attention has been focused on alternative fuels. However, little attention has been paid to lubricating oils for use with alternative fuels, and each alternative fuel prefers oils with slightly different compositions. In general, the heavier and more complex a fuel is, the more that is required of its lubricating oil. Diesel,
Increasing axle efficiencies
When Fleet Equipment caught wind that Meritor is using a unique lube management systems on its new 14X HE tandem axle, we wanted to know more. So we caught up with Ken Hogan, Meritor’s vice president for rear drivetrain, to find out how it works, what the benefits are for the axle and what other
Using regulatory advantages to build better natural gas vehicles
If you’re looking for ways that alternative fuel vehicles can help enhance your company’s sustainability initiatives when the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Phase 2 standards go into effect, manufacturers may have a new way to help expand your choices. The Phase 2 standards jointly adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway
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
Now we’re talking: The heavy-duty aftermarket moves to build a new data standard
One of the biggest challenges facing the datafication of the trucking industry is getting everyone to speak the same language. The integration of complex technology systems is not unlike the integration trend you see within today’s powertrains. For systems to share data, they need to be able to understand each other. The same goes from
Maintenance- and headache-free truck ownership
When you buy an upscale vehicle, more and more come with all future maintenance included. The automobile manufacturers want to support more captive work for the dealers, control the customer and the maintenance of the vehicle with the full circle of ownership, and the next sale. Included is all maintenance including tires and some options.
How the Trump administration may benefit the trucking industry
Now that a new regime is in power in the U.S. government, what do we expect to see that will benefit the trucking industry? With a little help from our federal government, this nation may get on better economic feet. First: infrastructure. Everything I read about newly appointed Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao says she will
Maximizing tire removal miles
Tires continue to be the highest fleet maintenance cost, next to fuel. Fleets all have similar goals when it comes to their tires: Maximizing tire removal miles, increasing fuel economy, improving retreadability of the tire casing and reducing tire-related roadside service calls are all important to keep the tire budget in line. There are many