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
Bendix offers tips on preparing for CVSA roadcheck
Figuratively and literally, a commercial vehicle’s wheels and brakes carry a lot of weight when it comes to safety. With the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 29th annual International Roadcheck just around the corner (it takes place June 7-9), and now is the time for fleets to make sure their braking systems, wheel-ends and tires
May Class 8 orders tick up, medium-duty sales fell
According to preliminary numbers from FTR and ACT Research Co., heavy-duty truck orders were up for May, while medium-duty sales fell. FTR has released preliminary data showing May 2016 North American Class 8 truck net orders only up slightly from April to 14,100 units, a 4% m/m comparison. Orders for Class 8 vehicles remained subdued
Five truck trend takeaways from May
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 May focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.
Good news, bad news: Trailer orders up month-over-month, down year-over-year
U.S. trailer orders rose 12% month-over-month but fell 7% year-over-year in April, according to the most recent State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers from ACT Research Co. “New orders continued to meander in April, the result of fleet caution about current freight conditions and the extent of the current backlog,” said Frank Maly, director of CV transportation analysis and
Used truck sales drop month over month
Used truck sales fell month-over-month and year-over-year in April according to ACT Research Co. This ended what had been an upward trend for used Class 8 sales so far this year. This information comes from the latest State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks report from ACT. “April Class 8 used truck volumes fell
Watch: A look at Mack Trucks’ 2017 powertrain lineup
Powertrain integration continues to be a growing trend in today’s heavy-duty truck market. Recently, Mack Trucks released its 2017 powertrain lineup, and the latest episode of Fleet Equipment’s On the Road takes a look at the updates and features of these new engines and transmissions. From the MP7 and MP8 engines to the mDrive transmission, the video above runs through
Class 8 truck orders drop in April
Class 8 truck orders in April dropped 16% month-over-month and 39% year-over-year, to a total of 13,676 units. Medium-duty net orders totaled 20,880 units, down 7% month-over-month but up 16% from April 2015.These results were published in the latest State of the Industry report, recently released by ACT Research Co. “For Class 8, U.S. tractors
DeCarolis Truck Rental finds a winning approach
“The common goal for all of our customers is to have reliable equipment at a predictable cost,” says Michael Margarone, president of Rochester, N.Y.-based DeCarolis Truck Rental, Inc., a family-owned business for more than 75 years. “Today, that challenge is more difficult because the entire industry is dealing with both a lack of technicians and
Watch Western Star’s Multi-Body Transformer truck in action
It’s not every day that Fleet Equipment gets to take trucks off road in an adult-sized sandbox. So we jumped at the chance to put the new Western Star XD off road package through its paces at Michelin’s Laurens Proving Grounds. Even more impressive was the unveiling of the Western Star 6900XD off road MBT-40.
The sophisticated evolution of truck engines continues to amaze
Over the last couple of decades, commercial truck engines have undergone significant changes to adapt to the demands of fleets and of government mandates. Engine manufacturers worked to reach EPA 2016 and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) 2017 requirements, which included onboard diagnostics requirements with enhanced monitors to ensure that exhaust tailpipe emissions stay within EPA limits.
Watch: Reward truck ROI with Western Star President Kelley Platt
With the launch of the 5700XE last year, Western Star aimed to redefine the words “reward truck.” After all, what’s more rewarding than getting to jump behind the wheel of a burly truck? Many of the 5700XE features—the polished stainless steel grill surround and bumper, as well as a sun visor that provides adequate sun
