Continental launches Ameristeel tire line
Continental Tire the Americas is launching a new line of commercial vehicle tires, which will be known as Ameristeel by General Tire. “We’re very excited to offer a line of products for our customers who want a balance of both affordability and performance to suit their needs,” said Alex Chmiel, marketing director for commercial vehicles tires
Integrated safety systems: Living up to the hype
Mandating stability control and safety systems for heavy trucks began several years ago with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) test analysis, which revealed that a large percentage of heavy truck crashes are rollover-related and can be mitigated by stability control interventions. During that period, braking system suppliers began testing new braking and stability
Bridgestone introduces two Bandag treads for drive applications
Bridgestone Americas announced two new Bandag retreads, the Bandag DR 5.3 closed-shoulder drive pattern and the Bandag DR 4.3 open-shoulder drive pattern. This rounds out a trio of patterns (including the Bandag b799) that the company says are designed to balance dependable performance and affordability. Features of the Bandag DR 5.3 closed-shoulder drive pattern described by
Peterbilt launches special edition Model 567 Heritage
Peterbilt plans to release a special edition Model 567 Heritage—a truck that combines modern and advanced work truck technology with distinctive styling and exclusive features, the company explained. The Model 567 Heritage is configured with a 121-in. BBC and set-forward front axle (SFFA) to optimize payloads and weight distribution. It can be spec’d as a day cab or with
Schneider’s investment in safety technology pays dividends
Take one look at the numbers and it’s easy to see why Tom DiSalvi, vice president of safety and loss prevention at Schneider, says the company’s first core value is “safety first and always.” Every day, he notes, the truckload, logistics and intermodal services provider’s fleet of 10,120 tractors travels 8.2 million miles hauling 19,318
Redefining reward: Western Star’s 5700XE puts an edge on efficiency
The driver shortage continues to plague fleets. The latest numbers from American Trucking Associations showed that annualized turnover rate for large truckload fleets rose two percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2015 to 102%, the second straight quarter in which it was at least 100%. The turnover rate for small truckload carriers—fleets with less
CSA compliant: safe, secure loads
Cargo security and safety have always been a concern for fleets. We all know that a damaged or lost load negatively impacts the bottom line. Ever since the enactment of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program guidelines, securing loads to avoid CSA fines for improperly secured cargo are also
SAF-Holland introduces its P89, P89 Plus air disc brakes
SAF-Holland Inc. has introduced its new P89 Air Disc Brake Series. Designed with the commercial fleet in mind, P89 air disc brakes provide improved braking performance, extended service intervals, and ease of maintenance, according to SAF-Holland. “We are able to pass this cost savings to our North American fleet customers and for the first time put air disc
Bridgestone releases all-position retread for refuse applications
Bridgestone Americas has announced the launch of its new Bandag BRM3 retread. The Bandag BRM3 retread, which features a proprietary compound and advanced tread design, is engineered to deliver a balance of long wear, durability and traction and is designed to be used as an all-position tire in the refuse industry, the company said. “Bridgestone continues
Maintenance tips to improve fuel efficiency
Truck fuel efficiency is no simple matter with many factors to consider. Some of them are out of fleet managers’ control such as weather, traffic or required routes, but many factors can be controlled, like powertrain specifications, vehicle aerodynamics and driver training. Proper maintenance can also positively impact fuel economy. Industry research shows that proper
Michelin releases X Works Z tire for mixed on-, off-road applications
Michelin Americas Truck Tires has introduced the Michelin X Works Z, an all-position tire, for mixed on/off road applications. The Michelin X Works Z features a 50% wider protector ply and a thicker layer of cushion gum than leading competitive tires, the company said; together, these provide extra protection and casing durability. It also offers a 5%
What you need to know about tire mileage testing
Tire manufacturers are continuously developing new products for steer, drive and trailer tires. Many of these new tire makes/models are designed to increase removal mileage (miles/32 in.). A combination of new and improved compounds along with design and construction enhancements can lead to increased tire removal mileages. The key is to determine if the specific
