Fleet Equipment’s 2016 Truck Equipment Trend of the Year
This past year saw the introduction of new trucks, new proprietary integrated powertrain equipment—including the introduction of 2017 engines—and a huge leap forward in terms of truck technology and telematics. Yet the biggest equipment talking point this year was the piece of the equipment productivity puzzle that has the largest direct impact on the truck’s
Understanding tire pressure recommendations
Determining the best tire pressure to run in your steer, drive and trailer tires should be very easy, but in reality it can be very confusing. Proper tire inflation pressure is critical for many reasons: optimizing tire footprint, maximizing treadwear; keeping tires running cool; maximizing retreadability; increasing fuel economy; minimizing irregular wear; and reducing tire
Why aren’t you using your truck’s data to improve fuel economy?
It’s no secret that your trucks are streaming data from their on-board computers every second that they are on the road. Everything from the time spent in top gear to the time spent in cruise control is spilling off your truck, leaving a breadcrumb trail of insight that can lead your fleet to improved fuel
November preliminary truck orders rise
According to FTR’s preliminary Class 8 net order numbers for November, orders came in at 19,300 units, up 41% month-over-month. This was right in line with the FTR forecast, and represents the market making a return to tracking normal cycles. Class 8 backlogs are expected to increase for the first time in ten months. Including November, Class
Optimize routes, save money
So, you run a logistics and distribution fleet and are juggling the rising cost of fuel and equipment—and equipment utilization—as well as a variety of other issues that have left you trying to figure out the best way to optimize your resources. You are not alone. These days most major carriers are focusing on becoming
Peloton to participate in NEXTCAR program, readies platooning system for 2017 launch
Peloton Technology has announced that it will participate in the Next-Generation Energy Technologies for Connected and Autonomous On-Road Vehicles (NEXTCAR) program sponsored by the U.S Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The goal of the project is to cut heavy-duty truck fuel use by 20% through the use of platooning technology. Led by
November’s five truck trend takeaways
We know it’s not easy to keep up with everything that happens in the world of trucking. So here are the biggest stories from November focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.
Western Star 5700XE sports new graphics package option
Western Star Truck Sales Inc. has announced the factory-installed Phantom 2 Graphics package as an option for customization of the 5700XE. The Phantom 2 Graphics package is an extension of the original graphics package and is available in several different colors and textures including matte, carbon fiber, and brushed aluminum. The components can be spec’d as
Detroit to offer PTO option for DT12 transmission
Detroit has announced the availability of a power take-off (PTO) option for its DT12 automated manual transmission. Both the direct drive and over drive DT12 transmissions are available for order with a proprietary rear mounted PTO on original Freightliner Cascadia models with or without the Evolution aerodynamic package, and Western Star 5700XE models. This option
October Class 8 orders weak, according to ACT Research
Class 8 net orders continued to move sideways for the third consecutive month in October at 13,907 units. Seasonally adjusted, October’s orders were weak at 12,060 units, according to the numbers from ACT Research Co. “The driving factor behind the weak net orders number was an unusually high level of cancellations booked in the month
How to prepare your truck for winter
There are some lucky over-the-road fleets whose truck tires will never touch snow or ice this winter, but for most fleets, this is the time of year to get their trucks ready for cold weather. (And even the drivers who stay down South shouldn’t get too cocky. In recent years, snow and ice storms have hit
October trailer orders up month-over-month, down year-over-year
According to FTR data, final October net trailer orders came in at 20,200 units, up 72% month-over-month but down 38% year-over-year—meeting FTR’s expectations. Although dry van orders in October were the highest in ten months, they were significantly below the robust numbers that came in during the same month in 2015. Backlogs dipped 3% and
