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
Bestpass adds Oklahoma coverage, completes national tolling solution
Bestpass Inc., a company that provides single-source payment and streamlined toll management services to commercial fleets, has announced that it is actively processing toll in Oklahoma. With the addition of Oklahoma, Bestpass now offers the first, and currently only, fully functional and operational national tolling solution for commercial fleets, the company said. “When we started processing
Eye-popping graphics for trucks and trailers
Sometimes a coat of paint just isn’t enough. Some fleets want to take advantage of the considerable space on the trailer to showcase their unique branding, whether it’s a logo or a specific color scheme. This can be an effective way to increase brand awareness. For these needs, there are several companies that provide specialized
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
Ford to offer strobe lights for F-150
Ford Motor Co. is making strobe lights available to F-150 fleet customers for the first time. The strobe light kit is designed for use by utility, road construction and municipal crews that need enhanced vehicle visibility while working on-site to warn motorists and others that workers may be present and to proceed with caution.* The
A look at the Mack Trucks 2017 powertrain lineup
Powertrain integration is all the rage in today’s trucking market. With that in mind, Mack Trucks has released its 2017 powertrain lineup, and Fleet Equipment takes a look at the updates and features of these new engines and transmissions.
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.
Stemco announces TrailerTail milestone
Stemco has announced that its 50,000th TrailerTail aerodynamic rear tail trailer fairing (boat tail) device is hitting the road. TrailerTail increases fuel efficiency by an average of 5.5% and improves stability and visibility for drivers, according to Stemco. TrailerTail technology streamlines the airflow around a semi-trailer and mitigates the low-pressure suction drag that reduces fuel efficiency and creates
Battle destructive corrosion with routine maintenance
Fleets pay millions of dollars annually for electrical system repairs. One of the main causes of electrical system problems is the damaging effects of corrosion caused by road salt, de-icing agents, extreme cold or heat, vibration, flexing, grit and sand. Additionally, magnesium chloride or calcium chloride used to salt and de-ice most roadways can be
Unpacking NACFE’s confidence report on trailer aerodynamics
The North America Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE), which partnered with the Carbon War Room (CWR) to form Trucking Efficiency, recently released a Confidence Report to provide an unbiased review of tractor aerodynamic technologies available on the market today, and to increase investment in cost-saving tractor aerodynamic technologies. Tractor aerodynamics increase fuel efficiency by lowering air
