May 1, 2008
Editor's Page
Diesel's new math
While it's impossible to fully understand why diesel prices have risen so much, one thing is clear: whatever the cause, or causes, you have no control...
Management: In Box
Can Washington help?
Many trucking companies have reported an unwanted milestone. Fuel now accounts for about one-quarter of truckers' operating costs surpassing labor and...
Twenty-fifth Highway Hero named
Goodyear awarded its 25th North American Highway Hero award during this year's Mid-America Trucking Show to Richard Filiczkowski for diving into an icy...
Women in Trucking names president
Women in Trucking has named former chairwoman Ellen Voie president of the organization. Leigh Foxall of Internet Truckstops will serve as chairwoman;...
Pendulum swinging for truckload
After almost two years of declining freight volumes, there are signs now that the truckload portion of the industry is approaching equilibrium in [capacity]...
Graebel honored
David Graebel of Graebel Companies Inc. has received the American Moving and Storage Institute's (AMSA) 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished...
Ryder swallows Gator
Ryder System Inc. has announced the purchase of Gator Leasing Inc., acquiring its truck fleet of 2,300 full service lease and rental units as well as...
FYI
Write Up The Road Publishing has released a new series of eBooks, 7 Secrets of a Successful Trucking Company. The result of a workshop conducted by author...
Management: Feature
Rethinking Fuel Economy
The calculus of fuel efficiency has changed. The new math fleets can employ in the face of rapidly mounting diesel prices may not come in handy forever...
Management: Economics
Feel the pain
Economic data reported through March have been pointing to a recession under way. If there truly is a recession, it may have started last December. Certainly,...
Management: Safety Matters
Going strong at 100
Recently, I realized that May 2008 marks my 100th month as the contributing editor for this column. Over these past eight-plus years, we have seen many...
Equipment: Nuts & Bolts
2010: The big picture
The market for equipment that cuts emissions and reduces idling will experience considerable growth due to imminent government regulations, according...
Regional steer tire upgraded
Originally released in 2006 as the RT606, the new Double Coin RT606+ regional steer tire features a deeper 22/32-in. original tread depth. Designed for...
Bulletins
Fontaine PartSource, the aftermarket parts unit of Fontaine Trailer Co., has launched its online parts catalog, Fontaine PartSource ESP (Easy Source Parts)....
Former Freightliner CEO joins Navistar
James Hebe, the former president and CEO of Freightliner LLC, has rejoined the executive ranks of the truck manufacturing industry as senior vp of North...
Self-sealing added to trailer tires
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is bringing its DuraSeal self-sealing tire technology to the long-haul truck market with its Unisteel G316 LHT trailer tire....
Making biodiesel better
As annual production numbers for biodiesel increase rapidly, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is warning the trucking industry to pay closer attention...
Hino adding automated transmission
Eaton Corp. says its UltraShift Highway Value (HV) transmission will be offered by Hino Trucks on its 2009 model year 268A and 338 medium-duty trucks....
Equipment: Tire Tracks
Accidents live forever
It used to be that the last thing fleets ever wanted to see was their truck leading off the news because it was involved in an accident. Executives would...
The Last Word
The last word
On a wink and a paw Surprisingly enough to us pooch people, not every trucker's best friend is a dog. At this year's Mid-America Trucking Show, many attending...
Management: Running Green
Eye on the goal
Bay & Bay Transportation isn't new to the fuel savings and emissions-reduction game. In fact, ever since the Anderson family bought the 67-year-old Rosemount,...
EPA coughing up greenbacks
The EPA is making available $49.2 million in grant-funding for clean diesel technology a substantial increase from the Clean Diesel program's 2007 budget...
Propane-injected pickup
Advanced powertrain engineering firm Roush Performance Products has developed a Ford F-150 pickup powered by liquid propane injection (LPI). Roush said...
NYC congestion plan nixed
The congestion pricing plan for vehicles entering Manhattan furiously lobbied for by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was killed by the New York...
Light side of green
Light truck makers are increasingly broadening their green vehicle efforts for commercial users and consumers alike, from offering flexible fuel options...
Port call for LNG Kenworths
Westport Innovations Inc. has announced that Southern Counties Express (SCE) has placed an initial order for 50 Kenworth T800 Class 8 trucks powered by...
Management: Green is Gold
Green is gold
Optimism is a good characteristic, but if carried to an excess, it becomes foolishness. We are prone to speak of the resources of this country as inexhaustible;...
Management: Private Fleets
Toad's board
Richard Smith serves as outbound traffic manager for Shopko, one of the country's most successful regional general merchandise/pharmacy discount chains...
Management: Closing the Deal
Consider a cure-all
Too many trucks chasing too little freight. You hear it every time the market feels soft. But there's always freight to be had, and you don't have to...
Equipment: Light & Medium Report
New player
Nissan North America Inc. (NNA) has announced it is entering the light commercial vehicle (LCV) arena with vehicles designed specifically for the North...
Plugging in
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has agreed to a three-year deal with Ford Motor Co. to develop ways to integrate plug-in hybrid electric...
Equipment: Countdown 2010
Countdown 2010: A Special Report From Fleet Owner
With 18 months to go before the EPA's 2010 emissions standards take effect, some real differences are beginning to emerge as engine makers start releasing...
Engines
Cummins According to Cummins Inc., it continues to move down its dual track toward 2010: the company's medium-duty engines will rely on the addition of...
Equipment: Feature
Talk of the Show
After shouldering through the 76,563 attendees crowding the aisles at the 2008 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY, one could almost believe better...
Clearing the air on SCR
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), which builds Freightliner, Sterling and Western Star trucks, sought to dispel what it regards as misinformation about...
Tailoring emissions solutions
According to Cummins Inc., its heavy-duty engine market share in the U.S. grew from 23 to 24% in 2006 to 38% by 2007, reaching 44% in January of this...
Future Focus
Landon Sproull, Peterbilt Motor Co.'s chief engineer, said the company invested over $100 million in product improvements in 2007 alone and plans to continue...
Rolling tarp system updated
Aero Industries showcased the new features of its Conestoga 2 rolling tarp system at the Mid-America Trucking Show, including a panelized tarp with no...
All-weather retread
Michelin's Retread Technologies brought a new all-weather drive retread to Mid-America the XDN2 Pre-Mold, designed for improved traction and mileage....
Cascadia line growing
Freightliner Trucks announced a 72-in. XT sleeper version of its Class 8 Cascadia model. The Cascadia 72-in. XT, designed for flatbed and tanker operations,...
Five roads to green
Bob Christensen, Kenworth general manager and Paccar vp, detailed the OEM's multifaceted environmental program, which he called a comprehensive environmental...
BlueTec for green engines
Detroit Diesel Corp. (DDC) announced it will deploy parent firm Daimler's BlueTec system, which uses selective catalytic reduction (SCR), as its chosen...
Pin the tail on the trailer
ATDynamics announced the commercial launch of its aerodynamic TrailerTail, a rear-drag reduction device the company said is proven to increase fuel efficiency...
Lower cost on-board scale
Air-Weigh Scales has expanded its product line with a new entry-level model that features a compact design flexible enough for a variety of truck and...
New Top Dog
After unveiling its newest heavy-hauler at the ConExpo show in early March, Mack Trucks introduced the Titan and its exclusive 16L powerplant to the on-highway...
Urea for 2010
Brenntag North America announced at the Mid-America Trucking Show that it is preparing to provide appropriate availability of the automotive grade urea...
APU updated for CARB
Thermo King announced a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for its TriPac hybrid auxiliary power unit (APU). The DPF is designed to meet the California Air...
LoneStar rides in
Although it was rolled out earlier this year at the Chicago Auto Show, the new International premium flagship tractor the eye-grabbing LoneStar made its...
Bendix endorses safety push
From supporting legislation for safety-system tax incentives to developing new accident mitigation technology, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC is...
Dana and Eaton re-up
Ten years after Eaton Corp. and Dana Holding Corp. created the original Roadranger marketing organization, the two companies announced they have agreed...
Three engine-off heater systems released
Espar Heater Systems, a member of the Eberspcher Group, introduced three new products at the Mid-America Trucking Show the Hybernator on-frame coolant...
LowMax updated and more
Western Star Truck Sales Inc. revealed several product enhancements for on-highway and vocational applications, including availability of air disc brakes...
I-Box untangles trailer wiring
Like many a smart idea in the trucking industry, the new i-Box unveiled by Phillips Industries at a press conference at the Mid-America Trucking Show...
Batteries power day cab A/C
A battery-powered auxiliary air conditioning system intended for day cabs was introduced by Dometic Environmental Corp. at the Mid-America Trucking Show....
LED lines expanding
Declaring the days of incandescent bulbs are over, Grote Industries officials announced new additions to a number of its LED lamp models at the Mid-America...
Hydraulic front wheel drive
Tuthill Drive Systems showed its new EZ Trac hydraulic drive system, which it said provides front-wheel drive for on-road trucks that need to go off-road...
Steer tire built for long hauls
Toyo Tire U.S.A. introduced the M137 steer radial tire, aimed at long-haul, OTR applications, at the Mid-America Trucking Show. Toyo says the M137 has...
Outside-the-box solutions
Vanguard Trailers is exploring some new design elements to make trailers lighter and easier to build without compromising durability or product life cycle....
Frog leaps into action
Webasto chose a green frog as a mascot for its LEaP (Lowering Emissions and Particulates) Idle Reduction Information web site (www.makealeap.org) because...
Walker, Monroe lines growing
The Walker line of commercial vehicle emissions control products has been expanded by 150 new part numbers, and Monroe has added 12 new commercial vehicle...
Web site offers clean technology loans
With just a single online application, users of a new EPA SmartWay web site can apply to multiple lenders for loans to buy SmartWay-certified tractors...
New truck tires roll tires roll
Featuring a new sidewall design and an all-steel casing for improved retreadability, the ST244 steer tire and TR144 trailer tire were introduced at the...
Smarter & better
The focus for Utility Trailers going forward is to offer products that are smarter and better, in the words of Craig Bennett, the company's senior vp-sales...
Equipment: Hardware Report
What's New In: Refrigeration units
Truck and trailer refrigeration is evolving as new regulations governing the transportation industry tackle the problem of pollution. There are already...
Equipment: Vocational Profile
The perfect partner
Designing and fabricating economical, ready-to-assemble metal building structures is Ceco Building Systems' specialty. Over its 60-year history, the company's...
Information Technology: Truck.com
Remote reefer monitoring
Untethered trailer tracking from Qualcomm's OmniVision service now includes full monitoring functions for refrigeration units. Announced at the Truckload...
U.S. Xpress brings training into the cab
U.S. Xpress has announced that it is equipping over 4,700 truck cabs with the new DriverTech Fleet Management System. Each unit includes some 50 Pro-Tread...
C2Logix launched
WasteBid.com has relaunched with a new name and web site. The company, now called C2Logix, was initially focused on applying Internet technologies to...
Aljex introduces TL software
Brokerage software supplier Aljex Software has announced the planned launch of Aljex for Carriers, a web-based management solution for truckload carriers....
Software identifies fatigue
Innovative Computing Corp. has released IES Aware, a safety alert system designed to interpret and manage signals of driver fatigue and assist in monitoring...
Flying J launches load service
DriveLine Load Exchange, a web-based load board service, is the latest addition to Flying J Enterprise Solutions' DriveLine suite of business tools. It...
Inrix rolls out traffic alerts
Inrix has introduced Nationwide Traffic Alerts, which is designed to provide real-time information on abnormal traffic congestion on more than 100,000...
Information Technology: Feature
Secret Success Stories
While the discussion continues into its second decade over mandating electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs), at least for carriers with repeated hours of...
Small Business Review
Growing Your Company
The most common question I'm asked by small fleets is, How do I grow my company? Creating growth is not based on luck. Growing a trucking company requires...
