How to identify and repair an issue with a spring suspension
Durability is one of trailer spring suspensions’ claims to fame, with spring suspensions often outlasting the life of the trailer. That’s not to say it’s a “spec it and forget it” component. On the contrary, according to Collin Parker, engineering project manager for Hutchens Industries, the number one reason for premature spring suspension failures is
How the latest axle technology integrates into powertrains
If the engine is the heart of your powertrain and the transmission is the shifting brains behind the operation, then the axle is the muscle, propelling your truck down the highway. While the engine and transmission get much of the spotlight, the axle plays a key role in increasing efficiency—in both proprietary powertrains and those
Predictive maintenance is giving small fleets access to large amounts of data
One notable advantage of trucking technology is the opportunity to level the playing field between large and small fleets. You might be familiar with the story of the Moneyball Oakland A’s (of book and movie fame), who overcame significant disadvantages in resources compared to their MLB competition by taking advantage of the data available to
Why you might want to consider wide base tires
If you run a fleet in a weight-sensitive application, you might want to consider wide base tires. A 2015 report from the North American Council for Freight Efficiency found that wide base tires intended for the over-the-road line-haul market will save significant amounts of fuel when compared to tires that are not designed for low
Bestpass partners with Idealease
Bestpass recently partnered with Idealease, a prominent commercial truck leasing and rental company, to provide Idealease’s customers with its Leased Equipment Toll Solution, a toll management service, that includes seamless re-billing, nationwide toll coverage and single-source payment. According to Bestpass, Idealease locations will be able to manage and re-bill toll transactions to customers without reviewing and processing
Truck orders hit near record levels in January
Preliminary data from both FTR and ACT Research Co. shows a record-setting month for truck orders in January, with numbers not seen in over a decade. According to ACT, the industry booked 80,400 units in January for Classes 5-8, which has only been surpassed by March 2006 by ACT’s estimation—a month which, ACT notes, was
Watch: Heavy-duty Aftermarket Week—On the show floor
Las Vegas played host to the 2018 Heavy-Duty Aftermarket week recently, and the show offered a bevy of press announcements. (Click here for all the news from HDAW 2018.) Here are some of the highlights. Meritor announced a new product portfolio strategy with distinct aftermarket brands that includes multiple price points. The portfolio offers Mach
Meritor launches aftermarket air spring product line
Meritor Inc. announced the launch of a new line of aftermarket air springs to cover a wide range of commercial vehicle applications. Meritor said its air springs are engineered to accommodate higher load-carrying capacities, deliver improved road handling and offer more protection to drivers and cargo from shocks and vibrations. “The springs are made with robust
Haldex ModulT air disc brake now offered by Hendrickson
Hendrickson has recently added the Haldex ModulT air disc brake as a product offering for trailer applications. Features of the Haldex Air Disc Brake ModulT, according to the company, include: Features a unique combination of low weight and high performance for a broad field of applications. The single-tappet mechanism provides excellent pressure distribution. The result
Bendix offers remanufactured brake shoe
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is offering a remanufactured brake shoe with the same friction and coating specs on its original equipment (OE) brake shoe, as well as an extended, five-year warranty against rust jacking. The warranty matches that which Bendix offers on its OE shoes. To help vehicle operators maintain performance of RSD-equipped vehicles (those