Trimming trailer brake costs

June 1, 2000
Dana partners with Express Brake InternationalThe Spicer Trailer Products Div. Of Dana Corp., in partnership with Express Brake International, has created a trailer brake system designed to reduce maintenance and replacement part costs for fleets.Called the Express Brake system, Dana's trailer brake package features 12% more brake shoe lining surface to help extend maintenance intervals. Once installed,

Dana partners with Express Brake International

The Spicer Trailer Products Div. Of Dana Corp., in partnership with Express Brake International, has created a trailer brake system designed to reduce maintenance and replacement part costs for fleets.

Called the Express Brake system, Dana's trailer brake package features 12% more brake shoe lining surface to help extend maintenance intervals. Once installed, the linings can also be replaced without removing the trailer's wheels - even as the trailer is being loaded for its next trip. According to Dana, the Express Brake package can be replaced in 90% less time than other conventional trailer brake systems.

The Express Brake system currently fits all Spicer 16.5 x 7-in. double anchor pin trailer axle applications; its brake shoe can be attached to the brake lining via the use of two floating grippers. As a result, this design requires no rivets in the friction material, which can cause road sludge to build up, thus damaging the brake drum.

The Express Brake package meets all federal FMVSS121 standards for air brakes and will be backed what the company calls "one of the best warranties in the industry."

Ridewell Suspensions is offering a retrofit version of its RAD-227 WB 100% drive axle air-ride for special applications using the Ford F-450 and F-550 chassis, including vans, shuttles, and ambulances. The suspension, which has four air springs, can replace factory-supplied leaf spring suspensions by using OE shock absorbers, anti-roll bars, bolt patterns, and axle seats. Axle capacity is 13,400 lb.

The proposed purchase of Renault VI/ Mack by AB Volvo will allow Mack, Volvo, and Renault VI to retain strong, individual brand operations while realizing economies of scale in back-office operations, according to Mack Trucks president and CEO Michel Gigou.

Stressing that details of the proposed merger still have to be worked out by Renault VI chairman and CEO Louis Schweitzer, and AB Volvo president Leif Johansson, Gigou said he expects the new organization to function much the way Renault VI interacts with its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Mack.

The two share purchasing and initial project engineering resources, with concrete applications for individual markets being made at the brand level.

Mack's next generation of on-highway Class 8 trucks was developed with that joint approach and will be ready for introduction early next year, Gigou added. Additional models in what is sometimes called the Granite Line will follow as planned.

The two partners are not talking about introducing a European style truck in North America, but rather to develop unique products for their own markets.

"I would be very surprised if we simply merge the brands because that would negatively impact our products and the way customers see us," Gigou said.

Gigou did mention that Renault VI parent Renault SA will retain the rights to the Mack name for "non-truck products."

Kenworth Truck is now offering discount parts and savings coupons at its Internet site for its PremierCare parts and service network. Each month, a new parts coupon will be available at www.paccar.com/kwparts. Service coupons will be located at www.paccar.com/parts/Kenworth/ServSupt and will feature items such as $150 Caterpillar engine upgrade kits or $35 a Cummins engine lube, oil, and filter. Kenworth is also offering e-mail registration notification so customers can be sent announcements as to what parts and service coupons will be made available.

The XZY-1S all-position radial tire from Michelin North America is designed for on- and off-road applications in the sanitation and waste industries. The XZY-1S tire features extra-wide tread for better traction and handling, plus extra-thick sidewalls to prolong tire life.

Truck-Lite has purchased the assets of Raydyot Limited of England, a manufacturer of mirrors and lighting for the worldwide heavy duty OEM truck market. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

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