Defining truck tire underinflation
Defining underinflation seems like a simple enough question, and it actually is simple if we’re talking solely about passenger cars or light-duty trucks. The answer for these vehicles is easily found in the owners manual under the alphabetical index labeled “tires.” Easier yet, all new cars/light trucks manufactured in the last three or four decades
Mack Trucks: Tackling the industry’s biggest challenges
The two biggest challenges these days are the cost of fuel and the lack of qualified drivers. According to Stu Russoli, Mack Trucks construction product marketing manager, “Mack’s integrated powertrain components are designed to seamlessly work together to help the efficiency of transferring power from the engine to the wheels, thus saving fuel.” He goes
CSA report card
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) initiative is still a thorn in the paw for the trucking industry. One of the reasons is that shippers have become more selective of the carriers they hire and are requesting both the publicly and non-publicly available Behavior Analysis & Safety Improvement Categories
New models and technologies are growing in popularity among utility fleets
At the 2014 Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC), Werner Schweiger, president, electric distribution at Northeast Utilities said that while the utility industry is addressing how efficiently it manages its energy portfolio—sustainability is a fleet issue as well.
Extreme flexibility: Western Star 4900 FE offers versatility, durability, fuel efficiency
The Western Star 4900 series truck is a model for multiple applications, from trucks and tractors in a variety of vocational configurations to the more aerodynamic on highway tractor model. According to, Guy Lemieux, marketing segment manager Western Star Trucks Inc., “The 4900 base model is like a ‘Swiss Army knife,’ it provides total versatile
Automatic and automated manual transmissions can improve fuel efficiency
Pouring over specs, investigating equipment options and analyzing your equipment usage, you work hard to build the most efficient, dependable trucks for your fleet. You carefully take stock of your business needs and build a truck to exceed those expectations, calculating costs and mitigating equipment risks. And then you put that perfectly spec’d machine into
Choosing SmartWay vehicle components to save fuel
In 2004, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched SmartWay, a public/private collaboration with the freight transportation industry that helps carriers and other companies improve fuel efficiency and lower costs. EPA’s SmartWay Technology program develops test protocols, reviews strategies and verifies the performance of vehicles, technologies and equipment that have the potential to reduce greenhouse
Combined Transport leverages technology, the right specs
Specialized operations require equally precise equipment and maintenance practices, and that is exactly the case at Combined Transport Inc. The Central Point, Ore.-based specialized motor carrier, as well as a hauler of general commodities throughout the lower 48 U.S. states and Canada, routinely handles oversized loads with multi-axle heavy haul trailers. Additionally, the company’s Glass
The better brake rules
Two laws will go into effect over the next two years that will limit certain constituents or elements present in brake linings for on highway vehicles—and the focus is on protecting the environment. So what’s the concern and how will it affect fleets? Here’s the background: Both the States of California and Washington have enacted
Putting heavy-duty truck aerodynamics to the test
In the fight for fuel efficiency, fleet managers are assaulted with a litany of efficiency products that claim to reduce fuel usage. The aerodynamic product category is starting to come into its own, where the impact has shifted the question from “Do these products work?” to “How do these products work for my fleet?” There
Ford expands truck lineup
Ford is expanding its commercial vehicle lineup for 2014 and is offering new information sources. The truck maker has set its commercial lineup for 2014 and among the announcements from the OEM is a new CNG/LPG-prepped engine for the F-150 half-ton pickup. Beginning last fall, the 2014 Ford F-150 equipped with a standard 3.7-liter V6
Rush Enterprises: After acquisition, it’s time for consolidation
After a year of explosive growth through acquisition of 34 International dealerships in six states, Rush Enterprises Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Rusty Rush, says that the company is now in a consolidation mode as the International “stores” as he calls them, are brought into the Rush operation and culture. In an interview at the
