Massive Range Means More Time on Road, Fewer Pit Stops: All-New Super Duty Brings Largest Fuel Tank in Segment

•     All-new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty gets a 48-gallon fuel tank on long-box Crew Cab configuration for both gasoline and diesel applications – allowing most productive Super Duty ever to spend more time on the road and less time at the pump
•     New 48-gallon tank is the largest available in the heavy-duty pickup truck segment – 22 percent larger than 37.5-gallon tank in diesel-equipped 2016 Super Duty and 37 percent larger than 2016 gas-equipped truck’s 35-gallon tank
•     Improved water separator filter and fuel filter design enables longer change intervals, minimizing time and money spent performing routine maintenance

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 26, 2016 – The all-new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty is the toughest, smartest, most capable and most productive Super Duty ever – an essential tool for work. Just one way in which it can accomplish this is through the addition of a massive 48-gallon fuel tank – the largest in its class – which aims to maximize time between fill-ups to allow for more time getting the job done.

Thanks to the all-new long-box Crew Cab’s longer wheelbase and wider track, the new tank fits between frame and driveshaft. It is 22 percent larger than the 2016 diesel-equipped Super Duty’s 37.5-gallon tank and 37 percent larger than the 2016 gas engine’s 35-gallon tank. Along with improved fuel economy enabled by light-weighting through the use of high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy, the all-new Super Duty’s range increases significantly.

Adding to that range is a larger-capacity diesel exhaust fluid tank for Power Stroke®-equipped Super Duty – up 2.5 gallons from the 2016 truck to 7.5 gallons for 2017. An improved fuel filter and water separator filter allow for longer change intervals to minimize time and money spent on maintenance, allowing Super Duty more time on the road getting the job done.

“We want to give our customers a more productive tool for getting the most out of their trucks,” said Brian Rathsburg, Super Duty marketing manager. “This means less downtime at the fuel pump and performing routine maintenance, and more time on the job.”

The all-new Super Duty is available fall 2016.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford aggressively is pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.  For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Covercraft launches new Carhartt truck cover

Covercraft has launched a new custom Carhartt cover 

for light trucks, SUVs and vans.

 

The covers feature Covercraft’s exclusive Ultra’tect fabric with Carhartt Rain Defender durable water-repellent protection.

For more than 100 years, Carhartt has been known as America’s trusted brand when it comes to rugged outdoor, work and military-inspired apparel, and our original Carhartt SeatSavers have been hugely successful,” said Mark Korros, CEO of Covercraft. “We’ve expanded the line to include these heavy-duty vehicle covers for the outdoor enthusiast, sportsman and work truck owner—perfect for light trucks, SUVs and vans.”

carhartt-gravel-truck-coverCarhartt Truck Covers feature overlapped triple-needle stitching on stress seams, solution-dye fabric for fade resistance, UV protection and Carhartt logos on the sides and tailgate area.

“Rain Defender treatment makes the covers extremely water repellent and easy to clean while maintaining breathability,” a Carhartt representative said.

Carhartt Truck Covers are available for pickups, SUVs and vans in traditional Carhartt Brown or Carhartt Gravel.

Carhartt Truck Covers are available to order now at covercraft.com and select authorized Covercraft dealers and will begin to ship on September 1, 2016.

- See more at: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/covercraft-launches-new-carhartt-truck-cover/#sthash.qKGGUEL1.dpuf

2017 Ford Super Duty: Exploring the Smart Features

We took our group of truck customers on the road to see firsthand, how Ford is helping to lead the way in driver-assist technology making it easy to own work with the smartest Super Duty ever.

From a 360-degree bird’s-eye-view camera system to Lane Keeping alert*, see how the 2017 Super Duty helps drivers navigate more effectively on the road and on the worksite.

*Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle.

Autonomous Evasive Maneuver Assist in action—ZF Innovation Truck

Autonomous truck technology is not a fad. ZF, a supplier of driveline, chassis and safety technology, showed off the next step in autonomous technology evolution with its Innovation Truck. Taking autonomous technology to the next level was the unveiling of Evasive Maneuver Assist. A partnership between ZF and WABCO birthed a level two autonomous system that assists the driver in performing an emergency braking lane change to avoid a collision. For a better understanding of the technology and what lies ahead for the Autonomous truck trend, I spoke with Dr. Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, ZF’s Senior Manager Testing, Innovation Management.

Top 5 Reason Why Heavy Duty Trucks are Better Than Light Duty Trucks...Or Not

The Top 5 Reason Why Heavy Duty Trucks are Better Than Light Duty Trucks...Or Not

249 Series Power Take Off - Parker Chelsea

Jeff demonstrates how Parker has developed a PTO that is much quieter than other models on the market. See more at http://www.phtruck.com

Freightliner Cascadia Evolution. Pros & Cons.

OnPoint Trucking Concepts With LoShawn Parks

Jay Leno Drives a 2016 Cascadia Evolution

We all know he's a car buff, but Jay Leno knows a thing or two about big rigs. Watch him drive a 2016 Cascadia Evolution around the race track.

Tread Depth Violations Highlight Tire-Focused Roadcheck

 

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's annual Roadcheck inspection blitz this year focused on tires, and an analysis of inspection data shows that tread depth was by far the most common violation cited.

This year, RoadCheck was conducted June 7-9. Vigillo, which offers big data analysis through its Athena platform, analyzed inspection results from RoadCheck for a blog by Steve Bryan, founder and CEO.

The analysis showed there were 57,404 inspections conducted during RoadCheck in the 50 states. "The previous week Tuesday-Thursday recorded 36,030 inspections and the week after Roadcheck fell right back into a normal pattern with 35,159 inspections," Bryan says, showing a definite increase in inspection activity during the event.

According to Vigillo, a total of 5,203 tire violations were written up during RoadCheck 2016, and 2,222 of those were tread depth violations (less than 2/32 inch), almost 43%. If you add the additional 246 citations for front tires that were less than the minimum 4/32, that takes it up to 47%, or nearly half.

In addition, 743 were sited for a flat tire and/or audible air leak, 641 for flat tire or fabric exposed, and 518 for tread and/or sidewall separation.
"Sometimes, we see inspection activity at higher levels in some states than in others." Graph: Vigillo
"Sometimes, we see inspection activity at higher levels in some states than in others." Graph: Vigillo

Bryan also looked at the number of inspections with tire violations by state. "Sometimes, we see inspection activity at higher levels in some states than in others," he writes. "We call those states Texas. RoadCheck 2016 continues to show heavier enforcement activity in Texas. Much of that heightened activity takes place at the southern border crossings."

California was the second-highest and New Mexico the third highest.

To read more of Vigillo's analysis, read Bryan's blog.

VMAC - Vehicle Mounted Air Compressors UNDERHOOD Demo

Demonstration of VMAC's VR70 and VR140 UNDERHOOD air compressors. Learn More: http://vmacair.com/product/underhood-...

VMAC is a world-leader in the development of truck mounted mobile air compressor solutions used for service trucks, public works, utilities and highway/heavy construction.

VMAC engineers and manufactures 70cfm and 150cfm UNDERHOOD Air Compressor Systems, 40cfm and 60cfm PREDATAIR hydraulic driven Air Compressor Systems and THROTTLE COMMANDER 3-speed engine throttle controls. UNDERHOOD and PREDATAIR Air Compressors feature high-powered rotary screw air-on-demand technology. Both systems are ideal for use on work trucks in applications such as mining, construction, tire-service, fire-apparatus and municipal operations. THROTTLE COMMANDER throttle controls are easy to install idle up speed controllers activated with a 12-volt signal. Designed for electronic engines, these load sensing throttle controls will follow a preset programmed rpm setting.

VMACs success comes from working with customers to determine what their air compressor needs are and then surpassing those needs with unparalleled product quality, innovation and customer service. By regularly introducing new and innovative products to the market, VMAC ensures it remains the leader in truck mounted mobile air compressor technology.