Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Mack MD Special Upfit Protects Highway Workers in Rear-Impact Crashes

Gulf Highway Equipment is purchasing 160 more Mack MD models to be upfit with truck-mounted attenuators, an energy-absorbing crash cushion attached to the rear of a truck that is designed to protect workers and motorists in construction zones.

White work truck with yellow bed and yellow rear-mounted crash protection device parked in a parking lot.

Gulf Highway Equipment will upfit truck-mounted attenuators onto 160 Mack MDs to better protect construction zone workers and motorists.

Credit: Mack Trucks

3 min to read


Gulf Highway Equipment, a leader in delivering truck-mounted attenuators (TMAs) and equipment to construction companies and government agencies, has announced plans to purchase 160 more Mack MD Series chassis cabs.

Mack said the decision comes as a result of the strong performance and durability of the more than 250 Mack MD6 vehicles GHE previously purchased to support its commitment to quality, long-term reliability, and safety.

Ad Loading...

“Gulf Highway Equipment selected the Mack MD because it delivers the durability, reliability, and versatility we expect from a vocational platform at a competitive price,” said Travis McCain, founder of GHE. “The MD offers a strong chassis, excellent upfit flexibility, and the engineering quality Mack is known for, all in a medium-duty package that fits well with our specialized equipment applications.” 

Founded in 2014 by McCain, Gulf Highway Equipment, based in Richland, Texas, specializes in designing and manufacturing highly customized highway safety and vocational equipment solutions. With a focus on quality, performance, and long-term reliability, GHE partners with industry-leading OEMs and dealers to deliver equipment built to work, day in and day out. 

Energy-Absorbing Crash Cushion 

A TMA is an energy-absorbing crash cushion attached to the rear of a truck that is designed to protect workers and motorists in construction zones. The TMA is placed behind work crews to help protect them and redirect motorists from potentially driving into the work zone. Should an accident occur, the attenuator absorbs the impact, reduces its effect on the worker and the driver, and can increase the likelihood of survivable accidents.

“We’re proud that Gulf Highway Equipment continues to choose the Mack MD6 as the foundation for its TMA upfits,” said Gregory Stohler, Mack vice president of leasing, rental, and medium-duty sales. “The MD6 pairs a strong, durable chassis with upfit-friendly packaging and a comfortable cab to support crews through long shifts. We’re happy that GHE recognizes the versatility of the MD6, and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with them.”

The Mack MD6 & MD7

The Mack MD6, a Class 6 model, has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 25,995 pounds, and the MD7, a Class 7 model, has a GVWR of 33,000 pounds. Both models are exempt from the 12% Federal Excise Tax (FET).

Ad Loading...

Mack said the MD Series models meet the needs of trucking applications requiring dry van/refrigerated, stake/flatbed, dump, and tank truck vocations. The MD6 model does not require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate for non-hazardous payloads.

The Mack MD Series is a model range built specifically for medium-duty applications. Available in 4x2 configurations, the MD6 and MD7 models feature a sharp wheel cut for enhanced maneuverability in tough urban settings. The MD Series cab was updated in 2025 to include a larger cab with a bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement of 107 inches, providing industry-leading comfort.

“The Mack MD aligns well with our current and future needs,” McCain said. “Combined with the responsive service, parts availability, and ongoing support provided by Bruckner’s Truck Sales, the Mack MD is a platform we expect to continue investing in as Gulf Highway Equipment expands. Since 2020, we consistently increased our demand for Mack trucks.”

More Upfitting

Image of blue power take off automotive part against a blue background and a logo for Muncie Power Products.
UpfittingMay 4, 2026

Muncie Power Products Launches Heavy-Duty A40 Series Power Take-Offs for Allison 3000/4000 Series Transmissions

Muncie Power Products has released its A40 Series power take-off, which features a small envelope, making it ideal for applications with space limitations.

Read More →
Image standing by a truck and talking about an extended liftgate, logos for Work Truck and Truck Chat, and yellow headline WALTCO's New Liftgates.
Upfittingby Wayne ParhamApril 29, 2026

Exploring WALTCO’s New Liftgates

WALTCO launched its new MDV-40 liftgate and the DD Series, which can lift a technician up to 120 inches. In this video, Work Truck takes you on a full tour of the new liftgates to learn about their functions and benefits.

Read More →
Man inn business attire against a blue background with logos for Leadership Update and Work Truck and headline Grote Industries.
Upfittingby News/Media ReleaseApril 29, 2026

Grote Industries Marks 125th Anniversary with Key Promotion

Grote Industries has promoted Josh Wilber to vice president of human resources to support the company’s continued global expansion as it celebrates its 125th anniversary.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two men dressed in blue stand in front of a work van, tinted blue, with a Holman logo on the side and image has logos for Truck Chat, Work Truck, and yellow headline Strategic Upfitting.
Upfittingby Wayne ParhamApril 23, 2026

Why an FMC is Valuable for Upfit Decisions

How do fleets benefit when they draw on the resources and expertise of fleet management companies to help with upfitting decisions? In this video, we will get the answers from Ted Davis and Sean Otterberg, both of Holman.

Read More →
Man standing and talking in front of a trade show wall showing different models of cranes with logos for Work Truck and Truck Chat and headline 16 New Service Cranes.
Upfittingby Wayne ParhamApril 17, 2026

IMT Introduces 16 New Telescopic Cranes

Iowa Mold Tooling (IMT) has introduced 16 new telescopic crane models, and in this video, Jeff Nelson, IMT's sales engineer, explains how each new crane is lighter and longer than its predecessors.

Read More →
Front angled photo of a white dump truck with an orange snow plow on the front.
Upfittingby News/Media ReleaseApril 16, 2026

Kenworth Announces Availability of New Reinforced Front Frame Option for T880 and T880S

Kenworth's new reinforced front frame option delivers a high-strength mounting location ideal for a variety of front-of-frame-mounted equipment such as hose reels, snowplows, steady legs, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Fleet of work trucks and vans with open doors showing organized storage systems at a jobsite.
Upfittingby Lauren FletcherApril 13, 2026

Inside the Truck is Where Productivity is Won (or Lost)

Fleet productivity problems often start inside the truck. Here’s how smarter storage boosts safety, cuts wasted time, and protects uptime.

Read More →
Man pointing to metal reels with headline Work Truck Reels and logos for Work Truck and Truck Chat.
Upfittingby Wayne ParhamApril 10, 2026

Exploring Hose & Cable Reels from Hannay Reels

Work Truck learned a little about hose and cable reels from Scott Hannay, of Hannay Reels. In this video, he will showcase some of the company’s reels and discuss the applications of each.

Read More →
Air suspension kit with all fasteners displayed against a blue background with upper left white area with logo for Air Lift Company.
UpfittingApril 10, 2026

Air Lift Company Releases LoadLifter 5000 for 2025 Toyota 4Runner

Air Lift Company now offers its LoadLifter 5000 air spring kit for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner. The kit is designed to provide enhanced load support and improved ride quality when towing or hauling.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Man looking breaking up with his old toolbox for DECKED at Work Truck Week, representing disorganized storage frustration.
Upfittingby Lauren FletcherApril 9, 2026

We Broke Up With Our Toolbox and Honestly It Was Time

When your toolbox is messy, loud, and unreliable… it might be time to break up. Check out this funny take on upgrading your truck storage.

Read More →