March 2010, Work Truck - Feature
By Sean Lyden
Effective Jan. 1, the heavy-duty onboard diagnostic (HD OBD) ruling requires truck manufacturers install OBD systems on trucks 14,001-lbs. GVWR or greater.
Tags: EPA, heavy-duty, OBD, onboard diagnostic
March 2010, Work Truck - Feature
By Cheryl Knight
Is your fleet safe? Minimize driver risk and lower accident rates through a safety and risk management program. Whether outsourced or run in-house, a comprehensive program is critical.
Tags: Best Practice, Keller Consulting, risk management, safety
March 2010, Work Truck - Feature
By Lauren Fletcher
From tracking preventive maintenance to reducing vehicle idling and fuel consumption, truck-based fleets are adding telematics devices to their fleet vehicles to improve operations.
Tags: Asplundh Tree Experts, Eastern Municipal Water District, Heavy Transport Inc., Kennecott Utah Copper, McLaughlin Communications, Nestle, Nexus IS, Schnucks Markets Inc., Telematics
March 2010, Work Truck - Feature
By Chris Brown
Downsizing to a smaller truck or van can improve your total cost — if you can afford the downgrade in capabilities.
Tags: Rightsize, Spec, Vincentric
March 2010, Work Truck - Feature
By Lauren Fletcher
Meeting super ultra low emission vehicle (SULEV) II emission standards, ROUSH’s line of
propane-fueled Ford E-Series vans was prompted by fleet manager interest.
Tags: E-Series, Ford, Propane, ROUSH
March 2010, Work Truck - Feature
By Ashley Willis
Portland, Ore.-based Freightliner introduces the Business Class M2 112 NG, its first natural gas-powered truck. 2010 EPA emissions-compliant, the truck is targeted for natural gas utilities, port operations, and municipalities.
Tags: Freightliner, M2 112, natural gas
March 2010, Work Truck - Cover Story
By Mike Antich
Hino expanded vocational applications for its lineup of Class 4-7 trucks. In addition, it will introduce Class 4 & Class 5 hybrid cab-over models in MY-2012. Hino increased its Class 6 market share to 15 percent, up from 5 percent in 2005.
Tags: cab-over engine, Class 4, Class 5, Class 6, Class 7, Hino, hybrid
January 2010, Work Truck - WebXclusive
By Work Truck Staff
Top viewed stories included "What Fleet Managers Should Know About Diesel Particulate Filters," "Aftermarket Crew Cab Conversions Offered for Several Medium-Duty Trucks," and "Materials of Trade - Are You Sure You Know the Limits?"
January 2010, Work Truck - Cover Story
By Cindy Brauer
Ram adds a Crew Cab model to the 2011-MY 3500, 4500, and 5500 Chassis Cab series. The new models feature all-new styling, enhanced upfitting accommodations, and 2010 emissions-compliant diesel engines.
Tags: 2011 Ram, Dodge, Ram Chassis Cabs
January 2010, Work Truck - Feature
By Jonathan Starks
While small points of optimism signal the economy finally may be starting to recover, that recovery is weak. Truck sales this year will be barely better than the dismal 2009 market.
Tags: economy, recession, sales
January 2010, Work Truck - Feature
By David Maxsimic
Companies are seeking creative ways to blunt the impact of volatile fuel costs on fleet budgets. A hedging program can be an invaluable tool to help manage the price of fuel and offset the risk of adverse price movements.
Tags: fuel, hedging program
January 2010, Work Truck - Feature
By Lauren Fletcher
The new 2011 Ford F-550 Super Duty includes first responder-oriented features, as well as Live Drive Power Take Off for diesel customers.
Tags: F-550 Super Duty XLT, Ford
January 2010, Work Truck - Feature
By Cheryl Knight
Penske Truck Leasing has expanded its reach with a new eBay Motors storefront, creating buzz with an innovative and entrepreneurial sales strategy expansion.
Tags: eBay Motors, Penske Truck Leasing
January 2010, Work Truck - Feature
By Steven Bennett
The heat build-up from welding a wheel can produce serious safety hazards to technicians and drivers and violates OSHA regulations. Heat from other sources as tire fires or sealants can also pose dangers.
Tags: OSHA regulations, Tire, welding
November 2009, Work Truck - Cover Story
By Cindy Brauer
From Massachusetts to Hawaii and in-between, Kenworth's Class 7 hybrid provides fuel savings and subsequent emissions reductions for a variety of medium-duty truck applications.
Tags: Green, hybrid, Kenworth T370
November 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Lauren Fletcher & Grace Lauron
Several truck fleets have taken steps to make their operations more environmentally friendly by deploying alternative-fuel models.
Tags: alt-fuel, CNG, Green
November 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Lauren Fletcher
Truck fleet accident management costs continue to fluctuate due to factors including a soft economy and new technologies on the market.
Tags: Accident Management, accidents, collisions
November 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Dwight Siewert
Something as simple as a checklist of pre-drive instructions, including a review of required documents and vehicle and equipment details, helps drivers complete their tasks safely and legally.
Tags: driver safety, inspections
November 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Richard Alaniz
Several factors hinder improving workplace ergonomics for truck fleet drivers. However, growing government enforcement efforts will hold fleet managers and their companies accountable for regulatory compliance.
Tags: ergonomics, OSHA
November 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Chad Simon
Manufacturing hybrid-electric chassis since 2001, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. now retrofits older medium-duty diesel trucks with new engines and hybrid systems for fleet use.
Tags: hybrid, retrofitting
November 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Richard Alaniz
When used correctly, add-on equipment such as liftgates, back-up cameras, and roll-up doors can save time and reduce the risk of injuries.
Tags: add-on equipment, back-up cameras, liftgates, OSHA, pull-out ramps, roll-up doors, step bumpers
August 2009, Work Truck - Cover Story
By Cindy Brauer
Most light- and medium-duty truck manufacturers have carried over 2009-MY product lines to 2010-MY with only minor changes and enhancements. The following provides an overview of major OEM product lineups in the coming model-year.
Tags: 2010-MY, Dodge, Ford, Freightliner, GM, Hino, Isuzu, Kenworth, Mitsubishi Fuso, Navistar, new products, Nissan, Toyota, UD Trucks
August 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Lauren Fletcher
Short-term truck rentals provide the ability to leverage assets, increase fleet capacity, assist with market expansion, and improve a company's business image.
Tags: short-term rentals, truck rentals
August 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Richard Alaniz
Even as telematics - the marriage of wireless technology and mobile communications - becomes increasingly sophisticated and useful, fleet managers must heed the potential legal and liability risks of these new tools.
Tags: distraction, GPS systems, regulations, Telematics
June 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Steve Frisch
The DOT has just informed you that your transportation operation will be audited. Are you prepared? Do you know what records will be reviewed? Do you comply with the regulations?
Tags: Department of Transportation
June 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Russ Cass
Reviewing payload, cargo requirements, access, mileage, and roadway requirements can be the answer to saving costs and simplifying fleet vehicle choices.
Tags: audit, fuel
June 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Cindy Brauer
As companies struggle to justify the costs of environmental operations, the 2009 Green Fleet Conference, presenting all things green for fleets, will "show you where to find the money," say organizers.
Tags: Green Fleet Conference, green fleet programs
June 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Cindy Brauer
Consulting end users - drivers, service techs, warehouse managers, etc. - is the first critical step in developing efficient, safe cargo management systems. They are the experts in how the cargo is used.
June 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Joe Bohn
Commercial vehicles need auxiliary power to operate tools, equipment, and cell phone chargers. New technology offers exciting new technological developments in auxiliary power.
Tags: generators, inverters
June 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Sean Lyden
What should a company look for in insurance coverage for its fleet vehicles? An industry expert suggests a regular policy review and offers guidelines to obtain insurance best suited to individual company needs.
Tags: Accident Reporting, insurance coverage, liability
June 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Lauren Fletcher
Customizing truck beds can help improve work truck driver efficiency and productivity, while keeping tools and equipment safe. The following truck bed accessories are a few of the options currently available in the market.
Tags: Hellwig Products, QWIKLINER, Roll-N-Lock Corp. , UnderCover
June 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Stephen Bennett
Work truck fleets come in all shapes and sizes, with differing needs and requirements. While some see the benefit in utilizing bailment pools, others rely on upfitting to get the job done.
Tags: bailment pool, Upfitters
April 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Mike Antich
The biggest factor behind the spike in medium-duty operating costs was the increase in diesel prices, which jumped 32 percent from the then-historical high in 2007. Other factors included increased labor rates and higher taxes.
Tags: CARB, diesel, emission standards, medium-duty trucks
April 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Kathy Close
Mistakes in complying with federal testing regulations may result in both fines and penalties issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every year, thousands of motor carriers are cited during FMCSA audits.
Tags: Department of Transportation, federal testing regulations, FMCSA
April 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Mike Antich
SEE Technology is the basis of all of Isuzu’s product development. Isuzu’s goal is to incorporate three core areas — safety, economy, and environment — in all future products. WT recently traveled to Japan to get a first-hand look.
Tags: economy, environment, Isuzu, Isuzu Fuel Economy Challenge, safety, SEE, SEE Technology
April 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Lauren Fletcher
After the successful launch of the propane-powered F-150, ROUSH is introducing a liquid-propane conversion for the F-250 and F-350.
Tags: F-250, alternative fuel, F-150, F-350, ROUSH
April 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Bill Kampf
In addition to encouraging greater cost-saving driver habits, fleet managers can examine company insurance arrangements to squeeze additional budget reductions.
Tags: insurance plans
March 2009, Work Truck - Cover Story
By Cindy Brauer, Lauren Fletcher, & Sean Lyden
Determining the right transmission for work trucks is based not only on the truck application, but also the right combination of OEM product specifications, including horsepower and torque.
Tags: OEM, transmission
March 2009, Work Truck - Feature
By Lauren Fletcher & Grace Lauron
Telematics is more than simply GPS - it's a tool to reduce vehicle idling and expenses, ensure stolen vehicles are located in a timely manner, and increase driver safety.
Tags: GEOTAB, GPS, Telematics