Wabash National introduces new rear impact guard
Wabash National Corp. introduced a new rear impact guard design option for its 53-ft. dry van trailers at the American Trucking Associations’ Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn. The RIG-16 Rear Underride Guard System is engineered to prevent underride in multiple offset, or overlap, impact scenarios, the company said. “Safety is our
Meritor introduces MFS+ steer axle for linehaul
Meritor has announced the launch of MFS+, a lighter-weight, front-steer axle for linehaul applications. The MFS+ saves up to 85 lbs. from the current offering due to a new gooseneck beam design, and an offset knuckle with integrated torque plate and tie-rod arms, the company said, adding that the new design also reduces space constraints for easier
Leasing alternative fuel trucks
“Ryder offers both compressed natural gas [CNG] and liquefied natural gas [LNG] heavy-duty vehicles for lease,” says Ryder’s Vice President of Supply Management and Global Fuel Products Scott Perry. “We have seen continued interest in utilizing CNG and LNG as a replacement for diesel technology, but the level of interest is suppressed compared to two years
The many faces of a truck tire
Much has been written about the different functions performed by modern truck tires. In fact, automotive engineers have often referred to the pneumatic tire as the single most complex component on a vehicle. This may be challenged, today, by the increasingly complex electronic control devices designed to interface multiple drivetrain components, but tires are certainly
Mayhem Wheels introduces Big Rig 8180
Mayhem Wheels has announced the release of its Big Rig 8180 wheel. It is the company’s first offering for the heavy-duty market. The Big Rig 8180 wheels come in gloss black with milled spokes in sizes 19.5, 22.5, and 24.5. According to the company, the wheels’ lightweight design improves freight efficiency, which creates a higher load capacity, allowing
Meritor reveals FastSet King Pin Kit, PlatinumShield III brake shoe coating
Meritor launched the Meritor FastSet King Pin Kit to support market demand for a quicker solution to aftermarket king pin replacement. According to the company, the new kit eliminates the need for reamers, special tools and presses. With the kit, king pin bushings do not need to be reamed after they are installed into the
International Truck inks record order of HX Series trucks
International Truck announced that it has received its largest one-time order of International HX Series trucks to date. RLJ Thompson Trucking, Inc., based in Concord, Va., has purchased 15 HX620 trucks equipped with the 15-liter Cummins ISX engine. International Truck recently launched the HX Series, its newest new line of Class 8 vocational trucks. It is the
Meritor unveils new line of clutches
Meritor has announced that it is launching a new line of AllFit clutches. The new all-makes clutch line includes both manual-adjust and self-adjusting models and covers heavy-duty, medium-duty, light-duty and off-road applications. AllFit all-makes clutches are equipped with high-performance friction material exclusive to Meritor and are new units with no assessed core charge or core handling fees,
Fleet profile: Marten Transport meets challenges, changes the status quo
It’s one of the trucking industry’s best-known names, and for good reason. Since 1946, trucks sporting the Marten Transport logo have been traveling the highways hauling temperature-controlled goods. “Over the last several years, we’ve transformed our business from a primarily long-haul temperature control carrier to a multi-faceted temperature control carrier,” says David Meyer, the company’s
Balancing act: Sleepers keep drivers comfortable while the fleet stays efficient
Driver retention is one of the biggest issues facing fleets today. There simply aren’t enough drivers to go around, and it’s impacting the bottom line. With that being the case, fleets have been going out of their way to provide drivers with all the creature comforts they require, in order to ensure that they stay
FTR says 2016 ‘not looking to be a strong year’ as Class 8 orders fall
FTR has released preliminary data showing that January 2016 North American Class 8 truck net orders slipping back to 18,062 units, down 35% month-over-month and 48% year-over-year. Net Class 8 orders for five of the last eight months were below 20,000 with a monthly average for the period of 21,200 units. Since September order activity has
Commercial vehicle demand weakens as Jan. orders stumble out of the gate
ACT Research Co. sounded off on January order numbers, noting that Class 5-8 booked a total of 36,400 vehicles. At 18,200 units in January, NA Class 8 net orders were down 48% against a tough January 2015 comparison. January volume was off 35% versus a better than expected December, making January’s orders the second lowest intake
