Investing in aerodynamics to improve fuel efficiency
Wind resistance is a total drag—literally. Wind resistance is one of the top forces working against the truck as it runs down the road. (The other factors being: grade resistance; tire rolling resistance; and engine accessory and/or drivetrain losses, according to Cummins MPG Guide: “Secrets of better fuel economy”.) Did you know that every 2%
Building the perfect work truck
Building the best truck for the job begins with knowing all the options. We asked the experts to tell us what fleets need to know to get the most of their buying decisions.
Equipment that drives retention
While you may be able to spec the most efficient truck the world has ever seen, designed to reap the benefits of unprecedented fuel economy, it would all be for naught if there weren’t an operator to drive it down the road. The looming driver shortage cloud is growing darker month by month. The latest
In-house vs. outsourced fleet maintenance
Increasing adoption of onboard technology has been a boon and a bane for fleets. The boon is greater transparency between the fleet maintenance manager and driver/vehicle—that provides information on how vehicles are being driven and access to more and better data for maintenance and repair decisions. The bane is that the increased sophistication can make
Cabover offerings for medium-duty vocational fleets
While cabover engine (COE) style trucks are rarely if ever seen in on-highway trucking operations, they are considered effective by many local and regional medium-duty operations. Highly maneuverable in tight spaces and offering exceptional visibility and maneuverability, COEs are the vehicle of choice for a range of vocations, including pick-up and delivery, lease and rental,
Medium-duty, big business potential in 2015
In the vocational markets, activity is strong across the board and retail sales of construction trucks continue to grow for just about every application. “Last year the industry sold more than double the number of construction units than it did in 2009,” explained Anthony Gansle, Peterbilt marketing manager, on-highway product. “There’s been significant year-over-year growth
PacLease launches new website
PacLease unveiled a new website, which provides full information on PacLease’s full-service leasing, rental and contract maintenance programs, according to the company. “The site is very easy to navigate and provides information on all our lease programs and services,” said Michelle Harry, Paccar Leasing’s director of marketing. “It provides a breakout on the trucks we offer,
What’s trucking’s biggest equipment trend?
Without a doubt, the heavy-duty trucking industry took one of its biggest leaps forward in 2014 in terms of getting the latest equipment technologies into fleets and on the road. There was no shortage of efficiency solutions as truck OEs and suppliers showcased everything from downsped engines and integrated powertrains to aerodynamic packages and vehicle connectivity
Fontaine to shift production to Texas modification center
Fontaine Modification Vocational Services is reopening its 45,000-sq.-ft. modification center in Garland, Texas. The Garland facility has been closed since 2012, when most of the truck production that it supported moved away from Garland. Since 2012, demand for modifications on Peterbilt trucks produced in Denton, Texas, has grown steadily, according to Fontaine. Currently those trucks
Peterbilt Manitoba-East joins Peterbilt dealer network
Peterbilt Manitoba Ltd. added a third dealership to its group with the opening of Peterbilt Manitoba-East, a parts and service facility in Springfield, Manitoba, just east of Winnipeg, Peterbilt Motors Co. recently announced. Peterbilt Manitoba-East has six service bays staffed by factory-trained technicians, said the company. Peterbilt Manitoba-East’s parts warehouse is 1,500 sq. ft. and
Peterbilt adds to Kansas dealer network
Doonan Peterbilt Truck and Equipment has opened a third dealership with a new, purpose-built facility with access from Interstate 70, Peterbilt Motors Co. recently announced. “We’re pleased to continue expanding our Peterbilt dealerships to give customers greater convenience and superior customer satisfaction,” said Kenny Doonan of Doonan Peterbilt Truck and Equipment. “Doonan Peterbilt of Hays,
Peterbilt Model 220 offers optional clear frame rail package
Peterbilt’s medium-duty Model 220 can now be spec’d with a clear frame rail package that provides up to 10 in. of additional frame rail space versus the previous clear frame rail package, Peterbilt Motors Co. recently announced. “This new option is ideal for customers in applications such as beverage delivery, street sweeping and striping and
