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July 2010, Work Truck - Cover Story

TerraStar Takes International Truck Lineup to New Level

By Grace Lauron

The addition of the TerraStar Class 4-5 commercial truck equips International’s product lineup to serve truck needs spanning Classes 4-8.

Tags: International, NTEA, TerraStar

July 2010, Work Truck - Feature

Is Carbon Fiber the Future of Truck Bodies?

Much of the Chevrolet’s Silverado ZR2 concept pickup body is constructed of carbon
fiber, including the front fenders, extractor-style hood, rocker extensions, and tailgate.

By Sean Lyden

While cost remains an obstacle to widespread acceptance of carbon-body trucks, this lightweight, durable, and strong material can facilitate fleet vehicle downsizing, promote fuel-efficient engines, and help extend lifecycles.

Tags: Carbon Fiber, Chevrolet, Silverado ZR2 concept, Truck Body

July 2010, Work Truck - Feature

Daimler Vans USA Launches 4th Sprinter Model

By Mike Antich

Daimler Vans USA has expanded its parts distribution network to expedite parts delivery, implemented a dealer training program for Sprinter technicians, and adopted a new ordering system for faster order-to-delivery.

Tags: Daimler Vans, Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter

July 2010, Work Truck - Feature

What Fleet Managers Should Know About Idle Limiters

By Sean Lyden

Automatically controlling idling with engine idle limiters can help produce fuel economy savings, lower maintenance costs, and diminish a fleet’s carbon footprint.

Tags: Idle Limiter, Idling, maintenance

July 2010, Work Truck - Feature

How to Predict & Address At-Risk Driver Behaviors

By Thomas Bray

If not corrected, certain driving behaviors greatly increase the odds the driver will be involved in a crash. Find out how to avoid on-the-job driving accidents.

Tags: ATRI, At-Risk, driver behavior, JJ Keller

July 2010, Work Truck - Feature

7 Questions: Are Extended Warranties Right for Your Trucks?

By Sean Lyden

An extended warranty has benefits, but it may not be ideal for every vehicle in a fleet operation. Consider these seven questions before purchasing an extended warranty.

Tags: Extended Warranty, factory warranty, warranty

May 2010, Work Truck - Cover Story

2010 F-Series Ford Super Duty Named 2010 Work Truck of the Year

By Cheryl Knight

For the third consecutive year, Ford’s 2010 F-Series Super Duty was voted Medium-Duty Truck of the Year by Work Truck magazine readers. The commercial “work horse” offers a variety of cab styles and tow/payload capacities.

Tags: cost of ownership, Ford, F-Series, Work Truck of the Year

May 2010, Work Truck - Feature

Spec'ing Truck Bodies to Prevent Corrosion

(left) Aluminum truck body; (right) Stainless steel truck body

By Sean Lyden

Truck bodies rust in salt-laden environments, whether in coastal areas or regions that require road salts for de-icing. To lengthen truck body life — and help contain fleet costs — consider five factors in spec’ing bodies.

Tags: Coating, Corrosion, Spec'ing Truck Bodies

May 2010, Work Truck - Feature

2011 Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel Now Biofuel-Capable

2011 Duramax Diesel 6.6L V-8 Turbo for the Chevrolet Silverado.

By Lauren Fletcher

Powering the redesigned 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups and Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans, the revised engine will offer B-20 capability and meet strict ASTM standards.

Tags: biodiesel, Chevrolet, Duramax

May 2010, Work Truck - Feature

How Does the 2010 EPA Standard Impact Fleet Biodiesel Use?

By Sean Lyden

The EPA’s 2010 standard calls for reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions by 83 percent from the 2007 mandate. Industry experts discuss the new standard’s impact on NOx levels, engine performance, and fuel quality.

Tags: biodiesel, Biodiesel Blends, EPA Emissions Standards, Onboard Diagnostics

May 2010, Work Truck - Feature

Ford Charges Up for the Transit Connect Electric

By Ashley Willis

Drawing on the success of the Transit Connect, Ford Motor Company will release a battery-powered version of the commercial vehicle to help fleets lower operating costs.

Tags: electric vehicles, Ford, Transit Connect

May 2010, Work Truck - Feature

CNG Fills Up AT&T's Alt-Fuel Fleet

AT&T plans to complete 1,850 CNG conversions during 2010.

By Grace L. Suizo

To meet a target of 15,000 alt-fuel vehicles by 2019, AT&T is replacing 8,000 of its fleet’s petroleum-powered service vehicles with compressed natural gas (CNG) models. This year, 1,850 service vehicles will be converted to CNG.

Tags: Alt-Fuel Vehicles, AT&T , CNG

May 2010, Work Truck - Feature

Propane Provides Competitive Edge

Eric Hansen, founder and president of Competitive Lawn Care, takes delivery of the first propane-powered Ford F-350 from Jack Roush at the ROUSH Performance assembly plant.

By Tariq Kamal

Competitive Lawn Service may soon become the first lawn care company in the United States to run its vehicles and equipment entirely on propane.

Tags: Emissions Reduction, Ford, Propane Vehicles, ROUSH

May 2010, Work Truck - Feature

Who's Looking at Your Logs?

By Mike Butsch

Noncompliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Hours of Service regulations can carry stiff penalties. Reviewing company drivers’ Records of Duty Status or Logs is critical.

Tags: Driver Logs, FMCSA, Hours of Service Regulations, Interstate Commerce

March 2010, Work Truck - Department

Product Highlights: Safety

Mohawk Medium-Duty Truck Lift

By Lauren Fletcher

Highlighted are products for the work truck industry. This issues focus: Safety.

Tags: E-Line, Knaac L.L.C., Mohawk, Saddle Box, SnowEx, WEATHERGUARD

March 2010, Work Truck - Feature

EPA HD OBD Ruling Impacts Medium-Duty Fleets

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

Trailer Tire Trends: Fuel Economy & Downtime Remain Big Concerns

By Mike Manges

Reducing trailer-tire rolling resistance is a goal for most fleets. These tires take more abuse and are more likely to experience en route failure than any other tire position.

Tags: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., DuraSeal, Goodyear TIre & Rubber Co., SmartWay, Trailer Tire, Yokohama Tire Corp.

March 2010, Work Truck - Feature

Risk Management: Best Practices of a Safe Fleet Operation

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

Telematics Use Grows in Work Truck Fleets

Photo: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / Matt Jeacock

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

How to 'Right Spec' Your Trucks and Vans

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

ROUSH Offers Propane-Fueled Ford E-Series Vans

Ford E-Series Propane-Fueled Van

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

P&H Deploys New-Generation Crane Technology

By Chad Simon

A partnership between P&H Mining Equipment, Stellar Industries, and Equipment Upfitters allows P&H crane operators to safely lift and move heavy equipment without fear of overload.

Tags: Crane Dynamics Technology, Equipment Upfitters, P&H Mining Equipment, Stellar Industries

March 2010, Work Truck - Feature

Freightliner M2 112 Goes All-Natural

Business Class M2 112

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

Hino Well-Positioned to Expand Commercial Market Share

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

Top 10 Most Viewed Stories in 2009

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

Ram Introduces 2011 Chassis Cabs

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

Class 4-7 Truck Market 2010 Outlook: Mix of Good, Bad & Ugly

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

Comprehensive Fuel Management: More than Controlling Margins

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

DEF: A New Variable in Managing Truck Fleets

By Mike Antich

DEF is an acronym for diesel exhaust fluid used by diesel engines incorporating selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. As of Jan.1, DEF is now required for SCR-diesels to meet 2010 EPA emission standards.

Tags: Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), emissions, EPA, exhaust gas recirculator (EGR), selective catalytic reduction (SCR)

January 2010, Work Truck - Feature

Ford Introduces Super Duty First-Responder Vehicle

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

Penske Truck Leasing Sells used Trucks on eBay Motors

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

Caution: Welding Wheels Is Dangerous

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

January 2010, Work Truck - Feature

Isuzu Launches New Initiatives to Manage Vehicle Maintenance Costs

By Ashley Willis

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Inc. introduces the Priority Service Maintenance Program to provide truck fleet managers guaranteed preventive maintenance with fixed parts and labor expenses.

Tags: Gold Star Warranty Program, Isuzu, Preventive Maintenance, Priority Service Maintenance Program

January 2010, Work Truck - Feature

Del-Air Sees Big Cost Reductions Through Creative Processes

By Lauren Fletcher

The Florida-based heating, air conditioning, and electrical company uses out-of-the-box thinking to increase fuel efficiency.

Tags: Del-Air Air Conditioning, Del-Air Electrical, Del-Air Heating, fuel, SCT Fleet Solutions

November 2009, Work Truck - Cover Story

Fleets Deploy Kenworth T370 Hybrid as Green Work Horse

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

Green Initiatives Flourish in Commercial Truck Fleets

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

Uncertainty Affects Truck Accident Management Costs

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

Prepare Your Drivers to Succeed

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

How to Spot and Avoid Potential Ergonomic Injuries

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

How Retrofitting Fits in Today’s Fleets

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

Legal Liability for Add-On Equipment

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

What’s New in 2010 Model-Year Light- and Medium-Duty

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

Rent or Own? The Short-Term Use Dilemma

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

Are Your Company's Light-Duty Vehicles Regulated?

By Ed Emerick

Noncompliance can lead to loss of a company's vehicle operating license. Compliance failure may also be a factor in determining negligence in accident and injury incidents.

Tags: compliance, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), light-duty vehicles, regulations

August 2009, Work Truck - Feature

Beware the Legal Pitfalls in Telematics Monitoring of Employee Drivers

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

August 2009, Work Truck - Feature

Controlling Fleet Costs Through Metrics

By Chad Simon

Using systems that monitor maintenance, advertising, payroll, and job tracking, Joe Christenson has improved his fleet's efficiency and alleviated the need to outsource fleet management.

Tags: cost savings, maintenance, Plumbing Plus and Remodel Works Bath & Kitchen, roaming billboards

July 2009, Work Truck - Cover Story

Coca-Cola Enterprises Invests Big in Hybrid Trucks

By Shelley Mika

With a total of 327 hybrid trucks and diesel-electric tractor trailers, the Coke products bottler deploys the largest hybrid truck fleet in North America.

Tags: Coca-Cola, diesel-electric hybrid trucks, hybrid, Kenworth T270, Kenworth T370

June 2009, Work Truck - Feature

How to Prepare for a DOT Audit

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

Is it Time to Conduct a 'Size Audit' of Your Truck Fleet?

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

Greening Fleets in a Down Economy

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

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Do You Know What Your Drivers Are Really Doing?

By Mike Antich
Do you really know who is driving your company-provided vehicles? Often the "at-work" persona of an employee is not the true indicator of their behavior when no one is watching. Recently, someone forwarded me a link to a chat room for pharmaceutical reps. I did a search of posts that included the phrase "company car" and, in short order, I was shocked at some of the comments written about their use of company cars and how drivers play "the system" to their advantage.

The Need to Extend 50-Percent Bonus Depreciation

By Mike Antich
First-year 50-percent depreciation, known as bonus depreciation, expired Jan. 1, 2010. An amendment to retroactively extend bonus depreciation through the end of calendar-year 2010 has been added as an amendment to H.R. 5297. Bonus depreciation has been benefical to commercial fleets, especially those with long-life assets. As an industry, we need to urge members of Congress to pass H.R. 5297. But this is easier said than done due to the many other contentious issues in the bill.

Uptick in Fuel-Related Problems in Diesel Trucks

By Mike Antich

Who Will Succeed You as Fleet Manager?

By Mike Antich

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Work Truck - Septembet/October 2010

In This Issue:
Here are the Highlights

  • Isuzu Introduces 2011 NPR ECO-MAX Truck
  • How You Can Minimize Driver Distraction Liability Exposure
  • 6 Cost-Effective Strategies for Purchasing Trucks From Dealer Stock
    And much more…