Digging into the details: Addressing the complexity faced by today’s fleets
Connectivity breeds complication. As equipment, technology, data, driver and shipping demands are woven together, new challenges bubble up from complexity. Fleet managers are on the equipment front lines, streamlining operations through smart truck purchases. At the heart of it, you are the risk managers of your fleets. Yet even a seemingly simple solution such as
The right parts keep trailers on the road
Providing OE-quality parts for trailers in a speedy fashion remains a high priority for Utility Trailer Manufacturing and the parts management team at its Parts Distribution Center in Batavia, Ohio, where they remain focused every day on meeting the parts-service needs of their customers who operate more than 350,000 Utility trailers through the 105 Utility
Tire expectations: Fuel economy, high milage, retradability and beyond
Talking with managers from many of the larger commercial fleets at a recent TMC meeting, it was clear what fleets are looking for when it comes to their tires: Fleets want tires that generate the best possible fuel economy; highest mileage to removal; excellent retreadability; and tires that are not prone to developing uneven and
Growing popularity of propane as a light- and medium-duty fleet alternative fuel
Several developments reflect the growing popularity of propane autogas as a light- and medium-duty fleet alternative fuel. A central part of the recent Green Truck Summit’s focus on clean vehicle technologies and alternative fuel trends was propane autogas. In fleet terms, the business case for propane autogas in his company’s 30 cargo vans was explained
New and used truck sales are up
ACT Research reported that used Class 8 trucks sales rose in March, 8% above February’s volume. According to Steve Tam, vice president-commercial vehicle sector with ACT, “The volume gain was expected, since sales usually gain through March or April before slowing for the summer months.” Healthy used truck sales have usually been a reliable indicator
Shell Rotella demonstrates low-viscosity oil fuel efficiency, durability with engine teardown
Dan Arcy, global OEM technical manager for Shell Global Solutions U.S. Inc., updated media at the company’s Shell Rotella engine teardown event in Greensboro, N.C. The oil category, PC-11, has been in development for two years; the category has been driven by demand to meet federal greenhouse gas emissions regulations that will go in effect
75 years of excellence and a bright future: Peterbilt marks milestone with new vehicle innovations
When Darrin Siver, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president, talks about current industry trends, he notes the increasing optimism throughout the industry and that trucking will have a strong year in terms of fleet performance and manufacturer and dealer sales. Siver says, “We’re seeing fleets replacing older equipment, as well as adding capacity. Reducing
Combining fuel saving technologies to improve fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions
You would never guess I was a scientist, would you? Recently two things occurred that made me better appreciate the work scientists do on our behalf. The National Research Council (NRC), a private non-profit organization of scientists chartered by Congress to provide unbiased technical expertise, released a series of recommendations on what the Phase II GHG/MPG
Fleet Talk: Proper practices—Just do it
Because of the various skill levels of mechanics and the increasing demands for vehicle uptime, there is usually a high degree of flexibility in the way employees perform in their jobs. Is this good or bad? In this article we will discuss the second principle of business evaluation—process. PROCESS: Procedures Required to Operate Consistently in Every Service Segment By having processes in
Managing tires matters: Products and systems to ensure uptime, lower operating costs
With well over one million tires on the road, it’s highly appropriate that Ryder System’s vice president of supply management, Scott Perry, uses the word “dynamic” when he’s describing the company’s extensive Total Tire Management program. “With a commercial fleet nearing 200,000 vehicles, we have approximately 1.25 million tires in our system,” he says. “Needless
Empire Express deploys technology and the right equipment, fields trained drivers to meet expectations
Empire Express has always had an excellent long-term safety record, says Tim Gatlin, president and chief executive officer of the Memphis-based general commodities and contract carrier. “As a specialist in hauling hazardous materials and time sensitive freight,” he adds, “we’re always looking for ways to refine our practices and improve our performance.” A good deal
Reducing truck and trailer drag, increasing fuel efficiency
Fleet managers are well aware that aerodynamic drag (wind resistance) accounts for most truck energy losses at highway speeds. Reducing drag improves fuel efficiency. The longer the drive and the higher the speed, the greater the potential efficiency benefits become. Over the past two decades, manufacturers have made significant progress in reducing the drag coefficient
