Reining in Rising Maintenance Costs
Fleet managers are relying more on high-tech shop equipment, technology-savvy technicians, efficient shop practices and flexible preventive maintenance scheduling in efforts to rein in the rising maintenance costs inherent with the complexity of today's trucks.
March 17, 2017Nitrite-Free Coolants on the Rise Due to More Aluminum in Engines
As manager of technical development for TA and Petro travel centers, Homer Hogg sells a lot of coolant to fleets of all sizes. In 2010, he started seeing something strange: a white residue plugging coolant filters and coating cylinder liners.
March 17, 2017GHG Regulations Drive Engine, Trailer Development
The effect of current and future emissions regulations on the trucking industry, particularly those for engines and trailers, are examined in two stories in this issue of Equipment & Maintenance Update.
March 15, 2017Roadside Inspections, Food Safety Law Spur Increase in Tractor, Trailer Washes
Regular tractor and trailer washes are helping fleets stave off problems during roadside inspections, extend equipment life and improve public perception. In addition, new government regulations — particularly for food safety — are leading to an uptick in wash intervals and documentation.
March 15, 2017Spec Aero Devices With Fuel Calculator
All fleets want to improve fuel economy, and many turn to aerodynamic devices to attain their fuel-consumption goals, but there’s a lot of trial and error that takes place in the process. Wouldn’t it be nice to know in advance what to expect from aerodynamic supplier offerings?
March 15, 2017FMCSA to Review ELDs, Entry-Level Policies at MATS
Federal trucking regulators intend to host seminars on the minimum training requirements for entry-level drivers and the implementation plan for electronic logging devices at the Mid-America Trucking Show next week.
March 14, 2017US Retail Sales of Class 8 Trucks Drop in February
U.S. retail sales of Class 8 trucks in February fell 29.5% from a year earlier, as all truck makers posted double-digit declines, WardsAuto.com reported.
March 14, 2017Twin 33-Foot Trailers Would Boost Safety, Efficiency, New Analysis Concludes
A new analysis by traffic safety researcher Ronald Knipling has concluded that widespread adoption of twin 33-foot trailers would boost safety and efficiency for U.S. drivers, consumers and businesses.
March 13, 2017Opinion: Virginia Increases Availability of TWICs at DMVs
As reported in Transport Topics in early December 2016, (12-12, pp. 4, 43) American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear told a roundtable of lawmakers at a Senate hearing in Washington, D.C., that the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, or TWIC, represents the future of secure transportation.
March 6, 2017Class 8 Orders Rise 28%, Reach Highest Total in 14 Months
North American Class 8 orders in February reached a 14-month high as they cleared 23,000, and exceeded expectations, analysts said.
March 3, 2017