Fleet Owner Magazine

More Sights from the 2012 Shell SuperRigs Show

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:32:00 +0000

Lots of big and bight iron took center stage at the 2012 Shell SuperRigs show, held at Speedco's Joplin, MO, truck lube facility off I-44 -- along with some other unusual sights as well.

Dash-cam truck crash video goes viral

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:17:00 +0000

A terrifying semi-truck accident in Russia was captured by an SUV fitted with a dash camera. The video of the wreck was featured on NBC’s Today Show yesterday and quickly went viral on YouTube.

The video shows that the top-heavy truck suddenly took a sharp turn, which put it on its side and sent it into the path of the SUV.

The SUV driver said he and the trucker were both okay after the crash.

Ohio troopers train truckers to spot crime

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:04:00 +0000

A new program to train truck drivers to watch for signs of potential crimes and homeland security threats while traveling the highways was launched by the Ohio Highway Patrol at a May 23 training session for a group of Wal-Mart drivers, which was held in a distribution center in Grove City, OH.

Distracted trucker found guilty of homicide

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:52:00 +0000

Driver might have had his eyes off the road for almost a minute

A judge has found that a truck driver — who was searching for an energy drink that had dropped at his feet — took his eyes off the road for at least 16 seconds before his rig slammed into stopped traffic killing two women, one of whom was pregnant.

Trucker Jason Styrbicky was found guilty of three counts of criminal vehicular homicide and one count of careless driving in the 2010 accident on Interstate 35 in Lakeville, MN.

2012 Kenworth Ride & Drive

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:49:00 +0000

Fleet Owner Managing Editor Brian Straight attended a special Kenworth Truck Co. ride and drive event at the Paccar Technical Center north of Seattle, WA, this week, getting a chance to put some of the Kenworth's latest models through their paces on a closed test track.

Interstate unveils more rugged AGM battery design

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:39:00 +0000

The new 31-AGM7 extreme absorbed glass-mat (AGM) battery design being rolled out by Interstate Batteries this month is designed to offer a much higher power discharge than typical truck batteries to allow for faster and stronger starting and recharging performance.

Warranty coverage touted for new Carrier reefer models

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:08:00 +0000

Refrigeration system maker Carrier Transicold is touting the warranty coverage of the two newest models to join its X series of trailer refrigeration units – the 2500 APX and 2100 APX.

Warranty coverage for 2500 APX and 2100 APX units includes 60-month/10,000-hour coverage for the microprocessor module as well as for the electronic control modules and the clutch assembly.

Waddell wins TCA safety award

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:08:00 +0000

The Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) safety & security division recently named Jerry Waddell, safety director for Cargo Transporters, Inc., as its “safety professional of the year” for 2012, receiving the group’s Clare C. Casey award.

Kenworth delivers first urban-duty K370 truck

Fri, 25 May 2012 05:22:00 +0000

OEM also showcases new T680 Class 8

Kenworth presents Coca-Cola Refreshments with first cabover model; presents T680 in special ride-and-drive event

"The Keepers"

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:09:00 +0000

It’s not every day that a trucker gets to give a college commencement address and even though he’s a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), Max Fuller – chairman & CEO of billion-dollar trucking conglomerate U.S. Xpress Enterprises – found himself more than a little surprised by opportunity to be the school’s 2012 commencement speaker.

Trucks at Work

Arnold Transportation names Mendenhall vp of operations

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:36:00 +0000

New veep notes fleet is growing to beyond 1,000 trucks

Jacksonville, FL-based regional truckload carrier Arnold Transportation Services (ATS) has named David Mendenhall as its new vice president of operations. Mendenhall, who has been with the company a few months, has over 38 years of transportation experience, most recently as vice president of operations at LinkAmerica for 14 years.

Telogis, FleetCor partner on telematics/fuel-card integration

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:27:00 +0000

Telogis, Inc., which specializes in location technology, information and services, and FleetCor Technologies, Inc., a global provider of fuel card and workforce payment products, have announced a global partnership “for the integration of telematics and fuel card reporting that will assist in bringing greater visibility to a business’ fueling activities, improve reporting, and help reduce unauthorized fuel card use with the ultimate goal of driving down total fuel expense.”

Injured truck driver awarded $11.4 million

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:11:00 +0000

A refuse-truck driver who claimed his spine was injured when the front wheel on his rig collapsed, causing the vehicle to drop to the ground, has been awarded a $11.4-million judgment by a federal court jury in San Francisco.

In the 2007 incident, the right front hub of the truck fractured and the wheel fell off while Raymond Mariolle, 46, was driving.

Retrofit electric-drive powertrain for medium-duty trucks

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:04:00 +0000

Stating that it is challenging convention, Wrightspeed has rolled out its Route-- an electric-drive powertrain retrofit featuring an on-board generator that is engineered for the medium-duty commercial fleet market. The company claims the Route will save over 20 times more fuel than a 100-mpg car.

Wrightspeed uses the following scenario to illustrate how the Route will save more fuel than such a highly efficient car:

Cost savings driving fleet strategy, surveys find

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:32:00 +0000

Sean Kilcarr, senior editor

Surveys recently conducted by GE Capital Fleet Services (GECFS) determined that achieving costs savings – whether from reducing maintenance expenses or improved management of vehicle life cycle costs – remains a significant driver of current fleet management strategy.

PeopleNet makes promotions

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:53:00 +0000

Mobile communication provider PeopleNet is making changes to its executive suite, bringing aboard Mark Botticelli as executive vp and head of technology while promoting several other key personnel.

Botticelli is now responsible for PeopleNet’s North American technology strategy and product delivery across wireless, software, hardware, infrastructure and quality assurance. He previously led the development of several mobile worker-centric and vehicle-centric applications within mobile resource management business at Trimble, a PeopleNet subsidiary.

Online university for driver training

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:35:00 +0000

Interactive training programs for truckload and LTL drivers are now available from the newly launched Equinox University for Carriers, an offshoot of the bookkeeping and consulting firm Equinox Owner-Operator Solutions.

The course are designed using the latest adult-learning techniques, according to Equinox. They can be custom configured to a fleet’s specific requirements, offering an efficient way to bring new drivers onboard, retrain existing drivers and provide continuing education for all, the company said.

Schneider honored with military employment listing

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:19:00 +0000

TL carrier Schneider National was named to the CivilianJobs.com 2012 most valuable employers list for aiding military-experienced job seekers searching for civilian careers.

“We are honored to have earned this recognition as a top employer for current and former military members,” says Mike Hinz, a Schneider vp and a veteran of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve.

Truck tonnage suggestive of a “moderating economy”

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:19:00 +0000

Pace of freight slowed in first quarter

Thanks to an economy that is still growing but slowly, truck tonnage has taken a hit in the first quarter of the year.

The advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index generated by the American Trucking Assns. climbed 0.2% in March. That’s after rising 0.5% in February. The SA index stood at 119.5 (where 2000=100), up from 119.3 in February. Compared with March 2011, the SA index was up 2.7%, marking the smallest year-over-year increase since December, 2009.

Injuries state-by-state and by the numbers

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:08:00 +0000

If you are a resident of the great state of New Mexico and get injured, “The Force” will DEFINITELY need to be with you, for the self-styled “Land of Enchantment” (hey, that’s its nickname!) is home to the highest rate of injury-related deaths in the U.S. at a rate of 97.8 per 100,000 people compared to the national rate of 57.9 per 100,000 Americans who die in injury-related fatalities annually.

Trucks at Work

Waste Industries adds CNG power to truck fleet

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:56:00 +0000

Waste Industries has announced it is updating its fleet by adding 19 refuse trucks and one service truck that run on compressed natural gas (CNG). The $8-million project also includes the construction of a private CNG fueling station for the new and an upgrade to the fleet’s maintenance shop.

California seat-belt campaign under way

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:52:00 +0000

Zero tolerance for motorists during campaign ending June 3

Law-enforcement agencies across the state of California, including the California Highway Patrol, will be on the lookout for drivers not properly buckled up and will begin zero-tolerance enforcement of the state's occupant-protection laws as part of the statewide “Click It or Ticket” seat-belt campaign.

ATA slams CSA program, calls FMCSA “unresponsive”

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:33:00 +0000

The board of directors of the American Trucking Assns. (ATA) has called on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to make changes to its Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) safety-monitoring system.

The board said the agency has been “unresponsive” to motor carriers’ concerns about the unreliability of scores and suggestions from truckers on how to improve the program.

EOBR-only model added for Rand McNally TND 760

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:23:00 +0000

A new lower-cost version of the TND 760 onboard management system offers on-board electronic hours of service and vehicle inspection reporting for $649 plus $19.95/mo. for service, according to Rand McNally. A fully featured version of the TND 760 loaded with Rand McNally navigation continues to be offered for $799.

Mock Special Forces battle in Tampa today will cause road closures

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:18:00 +0000

Expect explosions and gunfire around Harbor Island

If your travels take you in and around Harbor Island in Tampa, FL, today you can expect to encounter road closures and loud noise from explosions and gunfire. No worries, though. It's all part of a military mock battle demonstration organized by U.S. Special Operations Forces, according to an ABC Action News report.

Denver university to offer transportation degree

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:42:00 +0000

The University of Denver’s college of professional and continuing studies announced that it is offering a new global commerce and transportation major through its Bachelor of Arts Completion Program (BACP).

Trucks & Parts of Tampa wins OSHA safety award

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:51:00 +0000

For the fifth straight year, Trucks & Parts of Tampa received the Occupational Health & Safety Administration’s (OSHA) Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program [SHARP] award, signifying that the company “cultivates a culture of safety awareness” in conjunction with OSHA's consultation arm, headquartered at the University of South Florida<

DPF, diesel oxidation catalyst replacement products

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:07:00 +0000

DCL International has released its RoadWarrior products for model year 2007 and newer trucks. RoadWarrior products include aftermarket diesel particulate filter (DPF) and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) replacements.

The products are direct replacements for OEM parts, DCL said, and work with existing OEM temperature and pressure sensors and engine operating parameters. All the products are newly manufactured and are not reconditioned or remanufactured.

Horton expands QuickShip program with new locations

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:01:00 +0000

Two new locations have been added to Horton’s QuickShip warehouse program, bringing to eight the total number of facilities strategically situated throughout the country, the company has announced.

“The expanded QuickShip program enables Horton to offer one-day ground delivery to nearly half of our U.S. customers and two-day delivery to virtually the entire U.S. population,” said Jeff Lindgren, senior vice president of sales.

ACT: Dry-van trailer orders up sharply in April

Tue, 22 May 2012 19:45:00 +0000

Meanwhile, reefers see weak new orders

According to ACT Research Co., truck fleets “returned to the order board in April, following recent lackluster performance, although the gains were not universal across all trailer categories.”

“The industry booked22,017 net orders in April,” said Frank Maly, director-- CV Transportation with ACT Research. “While that was a 12.3% month-over-month increase, the widely ranging performance across the various trailer types was striking.