Since 1949, Tidewater Transit Co. Inc. (TWT) has been focused on providing dependable and efficient transportation of dry and liquid bulk products for a variety of industries. Headquartered in Kinston, N.C., the privately owned fleet of 331 company-owned tractors and 755 tank trailers hauls dry and liquid materials in bulk, including everything from industrial chemicals to plastic pellets.
Part of TWT’s ability to provide the best customer service, notes John Williams, vice president of business development, is the company’s longstanding relationship with its suppliers. “Our suppliers are excellent at keeping us informed of what trends they have experienced with equipment maintenance and what is new or in development,” he says. “They are also very willing to let us try new equipment features on a test basis for our information as well as theirs.”
Spec’ change
One recent example, notes Roy Morelock, fleet maintenance manager at TWT, is found in the company’s latest order for 54 new power units. “We continue to buy Volvo VNL64T models in three different cab configurations,” he states. “About halfway through our latest order, however, we changed our specifications to include Meritor XTended Lube MXL drivelines.”
The MXL driveline from ArvinMeritor combines the manufacturer’s universal joints and driveline components into a system that offers TWT 100,000-mile lubrication intervals in linehaul applications. Of particular interest to the fleet as well, according to Morelock, was the driveline’s seal design that keeps lubricant in and contaminants out, and helps resists corrosion, a large factor in TWT’s 500,000-mile tractor trade cycle.
“At about the same time,” Morelock continues, “we changed our spec’s to include the Meritor WABCO System Saver 1200P desiccant-type air dryer. We liked the air dryer’s extended cartridge life and the ease of maintenance afforded by its spin-on design. In addition, the air dryer married up very well with the Meritor WABCO System Saver Series air compressors on our tractors.”
The combination of these technologies, which are designed to lower oil consumption and reduce contamination, mean added durability for our fleet,” Morelock adds. “While we did pay an upcharge to spec’ the Meritor components on our tractors, their quality and the company’s excellent support system make it well worth the investment.”
100 years
The TWT fleet is maintained in 10 company shops by 30 technicians. 20-year company veteran Roy Morelock leads the team, which includes shop foremen with well over 100 years of combined experience.
TWT’s vehicles are also constantly evaluated for performance and value. “We measure return on investment in a variety of ways depending on the technology,” explains Williams. “For example, we look at changes in percentage of revenue for particular cost categories. We are also able to measure MPG improvements with the PerformX driver and vehicle evaluation tool from PeopleNet.”
PerformX monitors driver and vehicle performance by communicating with the engine’s data bus and can deliver information in customizable reports in the PeopleNet Fleet Manager program. PerformX also has a management calculator to help set goals for vehicles and calculate savings from increased fuel efficiency, decreased idling, and lower over-RPM and speeding. The system also includes an in-cab driver scorecard to help improve driving habits in real-time. Other benefits of PerformX include improving vehicle reliability. For example, the system’s fuel usage data from the engine ECM makes it easier to track maintenance needs, while diagnostic data can help avoid breakdowns that might impact customer service.
Numerous awards
Considering the nature of its loads, safety is very important to TWT. The company, Williams notes, has received numerous safety awards from state trucking associations as well as the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC). In addition, TWT’s DOT accident rating is one of the lowest in the trucking industry.
“The safety of our employees and the public is of utmost importance to us,” Williams states. “Our commitment is evident in our spec’s, for example in our choice of the Volvo tractor for its high overall safety rating, the use of electronic vehicle stability control systems, and in limiting top speed to 68 MPH. Our safety department is proactive and innovative with its awareness training, and monitors driver behavior while our drivers receive a quarterly safety bonus for having no accidents or moving violations of any kind.
“The products we transport are contained in tanks that are specially designed to handle these materials safely,” Williams continues. “Manufactured primarily by Polar, Brenner and Heil, our liquid and dry bulk tank trailers are traded to keep the average age of the fleet around eight years.”
TWT also fields some highly specialized equipment. One vehicle, called Mack Daddy for its manufacturer, uses hydraulics combined with a fifth wheel locking device to lift any trailer, tank or container. This truck is primarily used for vacuuming pellets (usually plastic) out of sea containers that need to be lifted to ensure that the entire product is unloaded.
Specially designed and manufactured by Heil for TWT is the Mother Ship. The one-of-a-kind trailer is made for vacuuming powder and pellets out of rail cars requiring a
“nitrogen blanket” during the unloading process. In addition, the fleet operates The Beast, a two-story de-duster used on some aggregate products that may release excessive amounts of dust into the atmosphere during loading and unloading.
Staying competitive
“We are constantly looking to expand and furnish our customers with the transportation support they need to stay competitive,” Williams says. “We regularly haul hazardous and non-hazardous loads directly to manufacturing facilities from company terminals that are located close to customer plant sites. In many cases we operate as a private fleet offering dedicated service. “Our success,” William concludes, “stems from having dedicated people, the right equipment and suppliers that are behind us every step of the way.”
Tidewater Transit Co. Tractor Specifications
Model: Volvo VNL64T 300/430/630 Wheelbase: 183/219/239 in. Engine: Cummins ISX Clutch: Eaton Transmission: Eaton Fuller Driveline: Meritor XTended Lube MXL Front Axle: Meritor FF961 Easy Steer Power Steering: TRW THP60 Rear Axle: Meritor RT40-145 Wheel Seals: Chicago Rawhide Brakes: Meritor Q Plus Drums: Meritor SteelLite X30 ABS: Bendix Automatic Slack Adjusters: Meritor Parking Brakes: MGM Rear Suspension: Volvo Air Wheels: 24.5 x 8.25 Alcoa Polished Aluminum Tires: Continental HSL steer, HDL Eco Plus drive 5th Wheel: Fontaine 6000 Air Compressor: Meritor WABCO System Saver, 18.7 CFM Air Dryer: Meritor WABCO System Saver 1200P Fan Clutch: Kysor HDMS, Variable Speed Starter: Volvo Gear Reduction Model 105P55 Alternator: Delco, 135-amp Fuel/Water Separator: DAVCO Seats: National Comfort Air Fuel Tanks: dual 100 gal., aluminum Paint: DuPont Elite Ocean Blue Metallic
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Tidewater Transit Co. Trailer Specifications
Models: Polar, Brenner, ST&E liquid bulk; Heil pneumatic Landing Gear: SAF Holland Mark V Axles: Meritor TN4670-Q; Hendrickson HP Suspension: Hendrickson AANT 23K-16 Oil Seals: Chicago Rawhide Brakes: Meritor Q Plus; Hendrickson HT-1 ABS: Meritor WABCO Automatic Slack Adjusters: Meritor Tires: Continental HSR Wheels: 24.5 x 8.25 Alcoa Polished Aluminum Lighting & Electrical: TruckLite body
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