Five truck trend takeaways from January

Five truck trend takeaways from January

We know it’s tough to keep up with everything that happens in the world of trucking. So here are the biggest stories focused on the latest truck trends, all in one place.

1. Diesel prices continue to stay low

“From the beginning, people said it couldn’t last. The falling diesel fuel prices were bound to be temporary; fleets should not adjust their spending plans. There was every reason to think this was true—it had been years since diesel prices hit such a low. Then they kept falling and falling, and they stayed low for the rest of the year—the lowest, in fact, that they have been since May of 2009.”

Can diesel prices stay this low? Associate Editor Alex Crissey takes a look at fuel price trends, and where they might head in 2016.

2. Strapping in to the latest advanced safety systems

“In the past year, safety systems that orchestrate radar, camera systems and adaptive cruise control features have grown in popularity as fleets aim to mitigate collisions, reduce costs and better protect not only the driver and truck, but those who share the road with these heavy trucks.”

With safety systems becoming a bigger part of the trucking industry all the time, Fleet Equipment does a walk around of the latest advanced safety system offerings from Bendix, Meritor WABCO and Detroit Assurance.

3. Unpacking the requirements of the ELD Final Rule

“Christmas came early for the trucking industry when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) gift-wrapped the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Final Rule and placed it under the tree on Dec. 10, 2015. Fleet Equipment ripped open the regulation package and talked with truck technology experts who are on the ELD front lines. So let’s get right into it.”

Editor Jason Morgan dug into the ELD Final Rule and took the pulse of the movers and shakers in the truck technology segment. If you’re looking for an overview of what will be required and the equipment that will meet your needs, look no further. Click here to read all about the ELD Final Rule.

4. Truck and trailer aerodynamics are helping fleets save fuel

“A heavy-duty truck moving at highway speeds is bound to experience a great deal of wind resistance, and mitigating it in any small way can be very valuable. From side skirts and gap fairings to wheel covers and rear fairings, tractor and trailer aerodynamic products aim to reduce drag from wind resistance as a truck heads down the highway and, ultimately, improve the fuel economy of the fleet.”

Knowing that saving fuel is never far from any fleet manager’s mind, Associate Editor Alex Crissey takes a look at the wide variety of aerodynamic products available for trucks and trailers.

5. Catch up with the first season of Fleet Equipment’s On the Road video series

Why be told about a truck’s new features when you can see them in action for yourself? FE‘s On the Road series lets you do just that. Catch up with the first season of the series with this video compilation below, and check out full episodes here.

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