Founded 50 years ago by Bob West as a single truck cattle-hauling operation, Ashland City, Tenn.-based R.E. West Transportation is now a nationwide carrier with 130 tractors and 350 trailers.

Along the way, the fleet has always worked hard to stay ahead of the curve. “A carrier’s commitment is only as reliable as its equipment,” says Dustin Stricker, maintenance manager. “We field only late-model vehicles and use state-of-the-art solutions to manage operations and ensure our fleet is always available and reliable.”

R. E. West is composed of two divisions that service customers across the continental U.S. and Canada. The carrier’s dry van operation’s major traffic lanes include inbound and outbound freight from Tennessee to Michigan, Texas and California. Its oversized/overweight freight division provides a range of specialized equipment and a complete solution from permitting to escorts.

Highest value
The entire dry van division tractor fleet at R.E. West consists of about 120 Freightliners. “Recently,” Stricker relates, “we changed our tractor trade cycle from six years to four years. What we’ve found is that after four years and about 500,000 miles of service, our cost per mile goes up significantly. In addition, at four years we tend to get the highest resale value for our equipment.”

The latest tractors in the R.E. West fleet are Freightliner Cascadia mid- and raised roof models fitted with Detroit Diesel DD15 engines. The newest dry vans in the fleet are Wabash DuraPlate HD series units.

R.E. West is transitioning its entire fleet of tractors and trailers to air disc brake systems. “We’ve specified air disc brakes since they first became available,” Stricker reports. “We’re getting longer brake life with discs than drums, and our drivers like them because they say their vehicles stop faster. We’re also finding that the disc brakes lower maintenance costs. In most cases, we get two sets of pads per rotor and they’re simpler to inspect because it’s easy to see the wear marks and determine if the pads need replacing.”

New tractors and dry vans at R.E. West also are now being fitted with Michelin X One wide-base single tires. Additionally, new tractors and trailers are equipped with Stemco AirBat tire pressure monitoring sensors to alert drivers and technicians when tire pressure falls below a certain target.

“Constant monitoring and regulation of tire pressure on trailers is about more than improving tread life and fuel efficiency,” Stricker says. “It’s also about reducing delivery delays for customers.”
Captive facility

Prevention, Stricker points out, is also at the heart of R.E. West’s approach to maintenance. “Our shop is staffed, stocked and operated by Penske,” he explains. “It’s a closed, captive facility only for our equipment.

“At the same time,” Stricker continues, “this partnership gives us access to the entire Penske network across North America. We find that we have better, more responsive service when we consolidate repair management activity. We do that with Penske, as well as Freightliner dealers and the Detroit Diesel distributors that are part of the WheelTime network.”

R.E. West, Stricker reports, also has begun using Daimler Trucks North America’s Virtual Technician. The real-time remote diagnostic system is now standard on Freightliner trucks with Detroit Diesel engines equipped with BlueTec emissions systems.

Virtual Technician provides vehicle system analysis through remote telemetric tracking systems. The program formulates vehicle insights based on engine diagnostic codes from sensors and components that are then packaged and analyzed. The result is a series of reports and recommended remedial actions for R.E. West provided by the Detroit Diesel Customer Support Center.

R.E. West tractor specs

Model: Freightliner Cascadia Engine: Detroit Diesel DD15, 455 HP Clutch: Meritor self adjusting—new aluminum Transmission: Eaton Fuller, 10-speed direct Driveshafts: Meritor Front Axle: Meritor Power Steering: TRW Rear Axle: Meritor 14X, 2.47 ratio Rear Suspension: Freightliner Air Wheel Seals: Stemco Brakes: Bendix Air Disc ABS: Bendix Wheels: Alcoa aluminum Tires: Michelin X One XDA Energy drive; XZA3+ steer 5th Wheel: SAF Holland, sliding Air Dryer: Bendix Batteries: Alliance (4), 750 CCA Starter: Delco Remy Alternator: Delco Remy Tank Heater: Arctic Fox Fuel/Water Separator: Davco, heated Fuel Tanks: dual 80-gal.

Reducing downtime
“Virtual Technician is both predictive and preventive,” Stricker says. “It reduces diagnostic and downtime by communicating immediately what’s wrong with the truck, without any guesswork, and what it needs to get back on the road as quickly as possible. It’s especially helpful in determining the best choice of repair facility based on the severity of the problem and the vehicle’s location.

“Our newest trucks are more reliable, but they also are increasingly dependent on electronics systems.”
Stricker continues, “These systems provide more valuable information. Virtual Technician puts that data into a meaningful form, so issues can be resolved as they happen, and in some cases prevent them in the first place.”

Electronic communication at R.E. West also extends to the carrier’s operations. Every tractor, for example, is equipped with a Qualcomm mobile communications system and an electronic onboard recorder (EOBR). Electronic vehicle inspection reports (EVIR) also are now used by the fleet on a regular basis.

Live information
“Electronic communications capabilities make it easier for us to manage our business and our fleet maintenance activities,” Stricker states. “Live information also means we can provide better customer service. That’s why we’re spending what it takes to make sure our business and every new vehicle in our fleet has the latest technology.”

R.E. West trailer specs

Model: Wabash National DuraPlate HD Length: 53 ft. Landing Gear: SAF Holland Axles: Meritor Brakes: Bendix Air Disc Tires: Michelin X One XTA Wheels: Alcoa aluminum Lighting & Electrical: Truck-Lite LED

That, of course, is in keeping with the long-standing desire at R.E. West to stay ahead of the technology curve. R.E. West also remains a personal, people-driven company. Bob West is still a hands-on owner, along with his wife Reita and their two children, Bill Bob and Jenny, who all play major roles in the day-to-day operations of the company.

“We’re in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment,” Stricker says. “On-time delivery of our customers’ loads is essential to our success. We take great pride in fielding a fleet that helps make that happen every day.”