Great Dane Provides a Glimpse into the Future of Trucking

Visitors to Great Dane’s booth at the 2014 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) will be among the first to explore the Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience, the latest in tractor and trailer technology.
The project is the result of a multi-year collaboration between a team of vendor partners including Walmart, Peterbilt, Great Dane and Capstone Turbine. Almost every component on this vehicle is cutting edge and showcases innovations of the future that will drive increased efficiencies.

The vehicle’s tractor, built by Peterbilt, includes advanced aerodynamics; a Capstone prototype advanced turbine-powered range-extending series hybrid powertrain, combined with an electric motor and battery storage system; a sliding driver’s door; a centered driver’s seat; electronic dashboard with customizable gauges and performance data; and a comfortable full-size sleeper.

The vehicle’s trailer, manufactured by Great Dane, offers a host of fuel-saving features. The trailer body is built almost exclusively with carbon fiber, including one-piece carbon fiber panels for roof and sidewalls, saving nearly 4000 lbs. compared to traditional designs. The trailer’s convex nose also enhances aerodynamics while maintaining storage space inside the trailer.

Walmart’s U.S. trucks log millions of miles every year, so when it comes to sustainability and fleet efficiency its goal is simple: Deliver more while driving fewer miles on efficient equipment. It’s the driving principle behind the company’s commitment to double fleet
efficiency by 2015.

4 Things You Need To Consider Before Signing Up For Truck Driving School

One of the worst things that you can do is make a career choice in a short period of time. Unfortunately many people, both men and women, make a snap decision about being a trucker. This is usually because they feel they understand the basics of the job, after all, everyone likes being out on the open road and being their own boss, don't they?

The reality is that you are not going to be your own boss, at least if you are like most new drivers, for at least the first few years. Getting experience and learning the ins and outs of the industry is almost as important as getting your CDL, which is really all that truck driving school is going to provide. Yes, you will have some experience behind the wheel but it is limited to just a couple of weeks of driving, and not full time even in that period.

Trucking is a great job match for many people, but it is not always an easy career to get into, even after you attend a top school. For those that choose a school with a poor reputation or those that commit to driving for a company to get tuition covered you choices to move around in the industry and earn those top paying jobs may be limited for a few years.

While you do need to do your research on the school, which is now easy using the internet, you should also evaluate if the job is right for you and your family. Understanding what you are getting into is critical, both in attending the school as well as hitting the road after you complete the training program.

Can You Work Away From Home?

While it is possible to find a trucking job that includes day driving and weekends at home, this is not the typical job opportunity for most new drivers. Since routes with trucking companies are typically offered based on seniority with the company, getting these ideal routes in the first few years with a company is not common.

You should be prepared to work away from home, which can be an issue for people with young children, people with animals and pets, or people that just like to be in their own bed every night. In some jobs you may be on the road for long stretches of time, so you do need to be comfortable with this arrangement.

Can You Afford The Typical Entry Level Salary?

While commercials on the television may promise lucrative salaries immediately after completing truck driving school, this is not the case for the vast majority of new drivers. Most new truckers will make a basic entry level salary if and when they can get full time work with a freight company.

There is the option to lease a rig, which may provide you with more work, but you also have the added cost of running the truck. Leasing is not cost effective for many new drivers and can actually end up costing them money.

Once you get experience and seniority in a company, it is possible to make a good income. Many drivers also become owner/operators which allows you to specialize and create a market for your trucking service.

Could You Afford To Pay Tuition If Something Doesn't Work?

A great number of students at truck driving school are attending for "free". In reality they are actually paying for their school over time as they have agreed to commit to drive for the company that is paying their tuition. This can be a good option if you cannot afford tuition on your own, but there are some important things to think about.

You need to carefully read all the fine terms of the agreement you sign to have your tuition covered or when attending a company provided truck driver training program. Most will require that you pay back the total amount of the tuition to the sponsor company if you fail to pass, drop out of the program or are asked to leave the program for any reason.

Does Your Family Understand The Job?

Although this may seem a bit like the question about being comfortable being away from home, discussing the job honestly and openly with your family is critical before committing to the training. Many drivers are fine with being on the road, but their spouse or children are uncomfortable with the arrangement.

Getting a good understanding of life as a trucker will help you talk to your family about the reality of the career. Read trucker forums, talk to those in the job and be open to listening to what those that have chosen this profession have to say, they can provide amazing insight into the job's match for you.

If you are interested in attending truck driving school please visit http://truck-school.com/




By Ryan Grifford

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Grifford

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8352426

Dispelling Myths About Rubber on the Road

Cummins Westport ISX12 G Driver Familiarization

Wheel End Safety (1 of 3)

Diesel Slides, CNG Rises in Commercial Truck Engines

Cummins ISL-G medium-duty CNG engine

Diesel-powered engines remained the dominant fuel powering newly registered commercial trucks in 2013, as vehicle owners continued pushing adoption of natural gas powerplants, according to Polk.

Diesel engines are powering 77.9 percent of the commercial trucks registered in Class 3-8 in 2013, a decline from the 81 percent of newly registered diesels in 2012.

The modest decline came as a result of an increase in Ford and Chevrolet gasoline and flex fuel engines mostly in Class 3 vehicles, according to a Polk report released Wednesday.

Overall, new commercial vehicle registrations reached 572,478 in 2013. In the government sector, registrations continued to advance from 2011 lows as federal, state, and local agencies added 58,049 vehicles into service. Government agencies registered 52,155 vehicles in 2011.

Diesel engine market penetration fell in all six gross vehicle weight classes. The sharpest decline came in medium-duty Class 6, where it fell to 73.6 percent from 81.2 percent.

At the same time, newly registered commercial trucks with dedicated natural gas engines rose 5.8 percent from 2012. There were 4,330 factory installed compressed natural gas engines during 2013.

Cummins retained its dominant share of CNG engine installs with 89.3 percent of factory installed natural gas engines. Westport accounted for 4.8 percent of the installs.

From: www.government-fleet.com

Pre-trip inspection Air-brakes and walk-around

The Best Practices For Truck Repair And Increased Mileage

Truck repair is avoidable to an extent. If you regularly service and maintain your truck you can avoid truck repair and the associated tension and loss while enjoying the benefits of increased mileage. You are practically spending more than half of the time you are awake in the truck and it is with you passively helping you, making your livelihood. It's working doubly hard as you do, five days a week, all day, in stop-and-go traffic, in the heat, cold, rain, snow, ice, etc., It's high time you stop and pay it back or it's going to leave you stranded.

Truck repair is essentially a demanding expense in your business. As long as you have the owner's manual it is going to come handy telling you categorically when to take it for a service maintenance. In its absence how often should you change fluids, check brakes, etc.? Unfortunately, there is not a single answer. There are several variables to consider - the climatic condition your truck is subjected to, the fuel used, the age of your truck, etc., and of course its type.

Another crucial question is how often you are taking care of its service maintenance. Are you doing it yourself or having it done by a technician? Either way, you will have to be proactive in keeping a time log in terms of the service maintenance frequency.

Preventive Maintenance

The adage "prevention is better than cure" will apply squarely for your truck maintenance.

Best Practice Daily Checks

• Regardless of the age and type of the truck you are running, many of the basics are the same. Make it a habit to do a visual check of your truck. This is just to make sure it's clean and sparkling.

• Next, you should do a basic safety check by checking the lights (including hazards), tire condition and air pressure. It is crucial to check fluid levels daily, engine oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. Get your brake line inspected, spark plugs inspected and filters replaced regularly. These can warn you about bigger repair problems beforehand.

• Look underneath your high-mileage truck for signs of fluid leaks, they shouldn't be ignored. If left unattended to they can turn into expensive truck repair jobs.

• Listen for unusual sounds, such as thumps, bangs or pings. These could be warning signs that your truck needs serious attention. Keeping track of any new noises and info on when they started may help your mechanic to diagnose the problem.

Best Practices for increased mileage

• Tire pressure is critical! It is a proven fact that you can improve your gas mileage by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. This will also ward off unexpected flats and blowouts.

• Performing regular tune-ups on you truck will keep your truck's engine running at top speed.

• Stick to a certain mechanic who knows the history of your truck.

• Another most important system to the "health" of your engine is the lubrication system; clean oil in your truck is like healthy blood in a human body so change it every three months.

Therefore, it is better to learn how to maintain your high-mileage truck to keep repair bills at a minimum and enjoy increased mileage. The concept is quite simple - maintain the truck before it becomes too late and breaks down. Remember, a stitch in time saves nine. Regular truck maintenance multiplies profits and reduces truck repair instances.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Alen

Mitsubishi Fuso Introduces Higher-GVWR Class 3 Work Truck

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America (MFTA) introduced its 2015 Canter FE130 cabover work truck, which increases payload capacity over the earlier FE125 model, at the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

The Canter FE130 boosts gross-vehicle weight by 700 pounds to 13,200 compared to the 12,500-pound rating for the FE125 model. The new Canter extends the truck's wheelbase to 169.3 inches, which will allow the installation of 20-foot bodies. The company had added a long-wheelbase version to the 2014-model FE125. The longer wheelbase allows greater cargo volume capabilities, said Todd Bloom, MFTA's president and CEO.

"For our customers who transport high-bulk items, this is a real benefit," Bloom said about the extended wheelbase. "Those who haul heavier items could only take advantage of the longer wheelbase if the GVWR also increased. That's where the new FE130 comes in."

Individual axle ratings for the FE130 come in at 5,360 pounds front and 9,880 pounds rear. The ratings total 2,040 pounds more than the FE130's GVWR, according to the company.

"That GVWR-to-axle-rating margin provides the loading flexibility for the FE130 that FUSO owners have come to rely on and expect," said Leighton Good, MFTA's manager of product and applications.

Engine specs won't change. The FE130 is powered by a DOHC turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that generates 161 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. However, company engineers have adjusted the engine's operating parameters, transmission shift points, and emissions control system to improve performance. The truck meets OBD II and EPA 10 emissions requirements.

Other improvements include relocating the oil dipstick to the driver's side so it can be checked without tilting the cab and a bright blue DEF tank cap color for maintenance.

The additional capacity will especially pay off for transport fleets, Bloom said.

"That 700 additional pounds means two more zero-turn landscaper mowers or 700 pounds more mulch per trip," Bloom said. "Or 33 additional cases of soda, 560 loaves of bread or 1,806 bananas."

The Canter FE130 and other 2015 Fuso models will be available at dealers by mid-April.

From:  http://www.businessfleet.com/

Ford F-650 and F750 Turn to Power Stroke Diesel Engine

The biggest power pullers in the Ford Commercial truck lineup — the new-for-2016 F-650 and F-750 pickups — will drop the Cummins/Allison engine and transmission option in favor of the newly upgraded gen-two 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel and Ford six-speed TorqShift automatic transmission.

The new medium-duty trucks debuted in Indianapolis at the National Truck Equipment Association's Work Truck Show, which runs today through Friday, where Ford is showing off the F-650's and F-750's new interior and exterior design. In fact, some are saying the new trucks look a touch like the old GMC TopKick and Chevrolet Kodiak medium-duty trucks, which were essentially chased out of the market by Ford product domination.

The new F-650 and F-750 will come in three cab designs — regular, SuperCab and crew — and include several segment-exclusive features such as power telescoping and folding tow mirrors, as well as interior reconfigurability. Additionally, the new engine will offer a more aggressive Tow/Haul mode and a new dedicated switch for activating engine braking. Ford has not released the horsepower and torque numbers for the big trucks, but we'd guess its likely to offer the new engine in various power outputs to accommodate different industries.

From PickupTrucks.com

CDL training - Understanding Air Brakes for your CDL Exam