Plotting a course for truck platooning
Truck platooning technology often gets lumped into the overall autonomous technology conversation. While platooning is certainly a building block toward a more autonomous truck, its merits are worth investigating separately. The recent Trucking Efficiency Confidence Report looked at a two-truck platoon case study and found that a separation distance of 40 to 50 ft. could
GHG Phase 2: The effects on heavy-duty truck fleets
According to John Flynn, chief executive officer of Fleet Advantage, “The initial Greenhouse Gas (GHG) mandates have already saved Class 8 transportation fleets millions of dollars in operating costs by reducing fuel consumption.” On Aug. 16, the federal government passed the proposed regulation, GHG Phase 2, to further tighten emissions and improve fuel economy for
SAF-Holland introduces the CBX40 AeroBeam sliding air suspension system
SAF-Holland has introduced the new CBX40 AeroBeam sliding tandem axle air suspension. Designed for greater fleet efficiency, the SAF CBX40 AeroBeam Slider Suspension has a base weight of 1,267 lbs., 85 lbs. lighter overall than the previous generation CBX40 and 27 lbs. lighter than the nearest competitive slider suspension, the company said. Per Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Phase 2 legislation, the
Jacobs announces optimized engine brake system for Cummins X15
Jacobs Vehicle Systems has announced an optimized engine brake for the 2017 Cummins X15 engine. Jacobs’ and Cummins’ engineers worked together to optimize the performance of the engine brake, and according to the companies, the 2017 X15 capitalizes on the optimization of the VGT and the braking cam to deliver approximately 10% additional braking power at engine speeds
Kenworth adds Cummins Westport ISL-G natural gas engine as option for T680, T880
Kenworth has announced that it will offer the Cummins Westport ISL G Near Zero NOx emissions natural gas engine for the Kenworth T680 and T880. Emissions from the ISL-G Near Zero natural gas engine are 90% lower than the current NOx limit of 0.2 gram per brake horsepower-hour, and meet the 2017 EPA greenhouse gas
Trailer orders fall in September
According to FTR, final September net trailer orders came in at 11,800 units, down 16% month-over-month and -66% year-over-year. Dry van orders fell even further than overall trailer orders, -43% m/m and -80% y/y. In spite of falling trailer orders, build for September was up 10% per day over August. The lower than expected orders and
Marathon Brake Systems introduces heavy-duty air disc brake pads
Marathon Brake Systems introduces DiscStar Highway Premium (DSHP) brake pads designed for air disc brake systems used in on-highway truck, tractor steer and drive axles and motor coach applications. DSHP is premium low-metallic friction material rated for 23,000 lbs. and formulated to provide a longer pad and rotor life than OE pads, while delivering a
How to recognize and address air contamination that can impact connected vehicle systems
With the increasing adoption of automated manual transmissions (AMTs) and advanced safety technologies supported by electronically controlled braking systems, protecting a commercial vehicle’s air system performance has never been more important. Many AMTs on the market utilize a mechatronic shifter, which combines the intelligence of electronic controls with the reliability and high power density of
Meritor introduces Opti-Lite brake drums
Meritor has introduced a new line of lightweight drum brakes, the Opti-Lite line. According to Meritor, the Opti-Lite drum is designed for linehaul and weight-sensitive applications such as tanker/trailer and freight, and is geared toward cost-conscious aftermarket consumers. “Developed on the same platform as our established STEELite X30 brake drums, the Opti-Lite drum maintains the high
Market data update: September Class 8 preliminary numbers show modest decline
Class 8 truck preliminary order numbers are in for September, and show a small decline over August. ACT Research data shows 13,900 Class 8 net orders, while FTR’s number is 13,800, a 2% decline from August. “Owing to September’s dubious distinction as the weakest net order month of the year, seasonal adjustment boosts the month’s
Uniroyal introduces LD10 long-haul drive tire
Michelin North America’s Uniroyal brand has announced the addition of the Uniroyal LD10 for commercial trucks, a SmartWay-verified long-haul drive tire. The Uniroyal LD10 is available in two sizes, 275/80R22.5 with load range G and 11R22.5 with load range H. “We continue to expand the Uniroyal portfolio to meet the needs of our owner-operator and fleet
Kenworth adds 52-in. sleeper to T680 Advantage options
Kenworth has added a 52-in. mid-roof sleeper to the list of options for the company’s aerodynamic T680 Advantage package. Kenworth’s T680 Advantage configuration utilizes an optimized powertrain featuring the 2016 PACCAR MX-13 engine or PACCAR MX-11 engine and Eaton Fuller Advantage series 10-speed automated transmission, combined with Meritor MT40-14X drive axles rated at 40,000 lbs.
