Understanding the 2020 trucking market and what’s ahead in 2021
If you would have asked me what the trucking market at the end of 2020 would look like in March or April, my answer would have been something like this: Clearly not optimistic. And I would have been wrong. Like all things in 2020, the market was unpredictable. The shape of recovery has been compared
Fear of tire wear doesn’t have to be a path to the Dark Side
If there’s one thing trucking publications like to harp on, it’s taking care of your tires so you can be sure you’re getting the most out of them. Hopefully, at one time or another one of these columns has brought about the inspiration to go have a look at those tires yourself. And, maybe, particularly
The ABCs of winter trucking prep: Air systems
Freezing temperatures; snow and ice in the air and on the ground; corrosive road treatments: Winter throws a lot at truck drivers and their vehicles. With an eye on keeping trucks in good operating condition in cold and nasty weather, this installment of the Bendix Tech Tips series provides reminders on taking proper care of
Hauling refrigerated goods in the winter
If you haul refrigerated products, keeping them cold in the summer is of obvious importance; but in the winter it gets tricky—because there is such a thing as too cold. “For optimal food quality as well as food safety, temperature control of perishable products is always important regardless of whether it’s hot or cold outside,”
Watch: The importance of tire sidewalls – A truck tire Christmas Story
If Santa ever tells you “You’ll blow the tire out, kid,” you tell him that not so long ago, the industry found that by stiffening up the sidewall of an over-the-road tire, the reduction of elasticity or deformation will increase fuel economy. The more elasticity built into a tire, the more energy is consumed as
Unpacking the Cummins EPA 2021 X15, X12 engine details
Gone are the days where updated HP and torque specs tell the full tale of a new engine launch. Cummins optimizing its 2021 engines on the foundation of its 2017 X15 and X12 platforms shows that there’s still plenty of operational efficiency to be reaped from diesel powerhouses. It’s impressive, but it’s also complicated. It’s
Podcast: How regional haul fleets can maximize their fuel efficiency
In a tumultuous 2020 for trucking, regional haul and last-mile delivery fleets were some of the only applications that saw consistent traffic, especially in the spring as shutdowns hit and the economy was upended. But this was not just a 2020 phenomenon—regional haul is poised for growth in 2021 and beyond. Mike Roeth of the
Hands on with the Western Star 49X
Rolling loads through a quarry, traversing the job site and tackling the rough and tumble landscape of Oregon’s high desert, the new Western Star 49X worked with confidence. The OEM put its new truck in the hands of trucking trade journalists and let us put it through its paces. Watch the video above as we
How the right driver workflow lets your drivers get to driving
Recording load and route data, checking in with dispatch, logging hours of service (HOS) (the FMCSA Final Rule change just took effect in September) … given the choice, drivers would rather be, well, driving.
Pro driver workflow tips from the telematics pros
Addressing a proper work-life balance, recognition and opportunities for training are important in any industry for keeping employees satisfied, and in trucking, fleet managers have access to unique tools to keep tabs on these employee satisfaction levels. “Fleet management tools can be customized to collect rich data insights that adapt to the needs of the
The future of driver workflow is open wide
When it comes to driver retention, driver workflow technology is just as important for the fleet manager as it is to the driver. As data-gathering opportunities continue to grow, what can we expect to see from these applications in the future? According to Stephen White, senior business development manager, Class 8 market at Geotab, the
Volvo Trucks sounds the horn on the start of VNR electric truck’s availability
During a virtual press conference, Volvo Trucks announced that its VNR Electric is now commercially available in the U.S. and Canada. The Volvo VNR Electric truck is designed for applications and driving cycles with local and regional distribution ranges, including food and beverage and pick-up and delivery routes. The 264-kWh lithium-ion batteries, which charge up
