Fleetmaster Express is expanding its fleet by 10% and hiring drivers to fill the added trucks, it said. The Roanoke, VA-based carrier, which provides over the road, local, and dedicated hauling as well as freight brokerage, warehousing and spotting services, is adding 60 additional 2014 Freightliner Cascadia trucks to its fleet for a net gain of 10% to the fleet of about 300 units.
Forty of the same model trucks were added in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Each truck will have DD-13 Detroit engines, Eaton 10-speed transmissions, Meritor Fuel Lite rear suspensions and the Qualcomm MCP 110 communications platform. The trucks will also come fully equipped with Virtual Technician and Thermo King Tri Pac APUs..
“We are excited about adding 60 more Freightliner chassis to our regional fleet,” said Carl Bumgarner, president & CEO for Fleetmaster. “With the proven reliability and fuel economy of the Detroit Diesel engine we have enjoyed favorable operating results while furnishing a vehicle that delivers superb driver satisfaction.”
The trucks will be purchased through the Virginia Truck Center and will be added to Fleetmaster’ s existing fleet by the end of this year.
“I am very excited and confident that Fleetmaster will be very satisfied with the performance of the new trucks,” said Pete Witt, Virginia Truck Center sales manager. “We’re happy to help Fleetmaster get great equipment for their driving force.”
The compand is also adding 100 new Wabash DuraPlate dry-van trailers and plans to purchase another 100 by the end of 2014.
The trailers, purchased through the Virginia Truck Center, will be integrated into Fleetmaster’s existing fleet throughout the upcoming year. The 53-ft. long by 102-in. wide Wabash units are being spec’d with wide-base tires on aluminum wheels and equipped with a patented pneumatic slider pin pull release with push-pull release.
"These lighter-weight trailers will help us service our customers even better by allowing us to haul the maximum weight allowed," said Travis Smith, COO of Fleetmaster Express.
“We are excited to be getting these top-of-the-line trailers to work in tandem with the 100 new 2014 Freightliner Cascadia trucks we’ve recently added,” he continued. “We believe investing in these additions is appreciated by both our customer base and our driving force.”
