CCJ Innovators profiles carriers and fleets that have found innovative ways to overcome trucking’s challenges. If you know a carrier that has displayed innovation, contact CCJ Chief Editor Jason Cannon at [email protected] or 800-633-5953. An ongoing challenge Ryder (CCJ Top 250, No. 14) and thousands of fleets across the country battle is idle equipment. Ryder let that common problem serve as unifying call to action when they launched their vehicle sharing platform COOP in 2018. Now a dedicated website and app has become so popular that COOP has seen 250% year-over-year growth since rolling out four years ago. Their growing online presence, which Ryder likens to Airbnb, is not only helping Ryder itself to rent more of its equipment it’s also helping more than 10,000 fleets across the country generate revenue from trucks, trailers and vans that otherwise would be sitting around unused. “I'm getting revenue on assets that basically sit for six months,” said Cliff Riegler, fleet manager at Home City Ice, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. “It’s a big deal. We’re not talking chump change. We’re getting a negotiated number that Ryder gives and I think they’re very fair on the daily rates we get. I’m not going to complain at all.” As Riegler puts it, the ice business “is extremely seasonal.” In addition to renting out 16- and 18-foot reefer trucks during the fall and winter off-season, he turned to COOP this past summer during peak ice demand to rent “somewhere around 50 units over the course of the summer from various locations.” COOP customer Phil Sneed, president of Sneed Leasing in Austin, Texas, said COOP has helped put more of his 53-foot dry van trailers to work. “Our asset utilization rate increased from 76% to 98% thanks to the COOP mobile app,” Sneed said. Backhaul Direct based in Indianapolis earned more than $300,000 renting out trailers during its first year with COOP. “In our experience, the platform’s ease and flexibility has enabled us to reduce vehicle downtime and, in turn, earn a profit to offset costs,” said Backhaul Director CEO Greg Harris. “Since joining COOP, we’ve been able to keep our fleet moving and create long-lasting relationships with businesses and renters in need of vehicles.” In something akin to the old adage of “a rising tide lifts all boats,” the growing popularity of COOP’s web and app presence has benefitted Ryder too. “COOP works hand-in-hand with Ryder to help maximize vehicle utilization and facilitate asset repositioning, which helps generate additional revenue across multiple Ryder divisions,” said Romain Rousseau, vice-president of COOP. COOP’s success led Ryder to announce last week a drop-and-hook trailer service to complement its growing freight brokerage business. Shippers and carriers now have access to more than 6,000 dry and refrigerated trailers available through COOP. Strength in numbersFor fleets that lack the resources to shift gears and rent idle equipment, turning to a major leasing company like Ryder makes for an easy transition.COOP eliminates many of the major friction points associated with a peer-to-peer sharing network like insurance, DOT compliance and payments. COOP also offers Ryder’s 24/7 Roadside Assistance. “They're the intermediary in the process that gives me a lot of comfort in renting the trucks,” Riegler said. With over 1,100 trucks in his fleet, for Riegler it’s just a matter of submitting truck specs and photos to COOP, which in turn posts the truck for rent on its website and app. Riegler gets a notification when someone signs up to rent. Renters that show up to a Home City Ice location to rent a truck are vetted by Ryder, which gives Riegler additional peace of mind. Riegler has rented out his trucks in the past, but Ryder’s depth of experience and large line-up of resources that stem from managing nearly 239,000 commercial vehicles made switching to COOP a no-brainer, he said. “I could rent these trucks on my own to various places and I have done that in the past, but it was the maintenance piece that made it difficult for us,” Riegler said. Each Home City Ice location typically has one mechanic, Riegler said, who might be off for the weekends. That’s where Ryder’s 24/7 Roadside Assistance, something that Riegler says is COOP’s “biggest advantage,” comes into play. “Ryder System has all that infrastructure in place, so if truck goes down, they call Ryder. Ryder handles the issue. They'll make a call to us. Do we approve it? Yes or no? I think just that piece alone has made this thing well worth the effort,” Riegler said. Bringing it all togetherWhen it comes to attracting large volumes of equipment, COOP is in the driver’s seat according to Rousseau.“We're able to find the capacity regardless of the market conditions so that's a huge advantage,” he said. Technology created in-house with development partners is driven by “proprietary software and mobile application with the input of our many customers using the solution every day,” Rousseau said. If fleets don’t come to COOP, COOP can seek them out and determine if they’re a good fit for the platform. “COOP relies on advanced data analytics to determine the ideal customer profile and identify idle fleets based on industry seasonality,” Rousseau said. “COOP also leverages its analytics platform to recommend daily rates and match vehicle owners with the best renting partners.” Renters are charged a daily rental rate plus a mileage fee. COOP keeps 20% of the rental rate while the vehicle owner keeps 80%. “Mileage is a pass through to the owner to cover running cost,” Rousseau said. Tire damage is usually covered by the renter while vehicle damage is covered by a physical damage policy renters are required to carry. Renters can use their own insurance or purchase insurance through COOP for a daily fee. Discounts are available for longterm rentals. COOP concentrates on renting Class 3 - 8 trucks and vans. COOP reviews a vehicle’s inspection report to ensure it’s road-ready prior to making it available for rent. Companies interested in renting are also vetted. “COOP checks the DOT record of every company before they are able to join platform,” Rousseau said. “Companies with violations and/or low DOT scores do not qualify to rent.” Differences in vehicle inventories help to keep COOP from competing with Ryder. “COOP actually complements Ryder’s rental product,” Rousseau said. “COOP offers equipment outside of our traditional rental footprint and also offers inventory that might not be available through our traditional rental locations such as trailers, chassis and specialized equipment. COOP and Ryder Rental operate hand-in-hand to offer more options and value to our customers.” Rousseau added that COOP is garnering longer rental commitments over Ryder’s traditional rental footprint. “We are seeing longer term rentals on the COOP platform, in part due to the fact that we drive a large volume of trailer rentals, which have a tendency to stay out longer,” he said. Earlier this year, COOP rolled out to all 50 states in mostly high density transportation markets. As the platform continues to grow, Rousseau said their longterm goal is to continue to create a community of users who work in close proximity. “We provide a nice piece of technology for people to just go get the equipment nearby without having to drive to a rental branch,” Rousseau said. “Our goal at scale is to have enough vehicles listed on the platform so that there's always a vehicle nearby.” The CCJ Innovators program is brought to you by Comdata, Freightliner Trucks and Valvoline. https://ift.tt/CRboxj9
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No doubt, it’s important to implement sound maintenance practices to keep trucks up and running. Creating a culture that’s driven to improve the health – not only of drivers, but also the entire company and their families – is even better because a business is only as healthy as the people behind it. That’s exactly what Gulf Relay had in mind when they signed up for Espyr’s Fit to Pass program. However, as Fit to Pass co-creator and trucking health guru Bob Perry pointed out, Gulf Relay went even further by coming up with cash-based incentives and expanding the driver-focused weight loss program to include everyone at the office who’d like to be part of a team-effort approach to healthier living. The Clinton, Mississippi-based carrier also opted to acquire software that helps to keep a closer eye on driver health. Roughly a year after implementing its health program, Gulf Relay is seeing positive results which has Chief Operating Officer Andy Vanzant breathing a sigh of relief and feeling emboldened about the road ahead. “We worry about the health of a truck. We want it to be fit and running right and getting eight miles per gallon and running for 600,000 miles and all that kind of stuff," Vanzant said, "but we’re not going to worry about the guy driving it?” Vanzant was very familiar with Fit to Pass after seeing the program’s success firsthand at another carrier he had worked for prior to joining Gulf Relay last year. He reached out to Perry when he learned that driver health at Gulf Relay was an issue that needed to be addressed. “We had four drivers in 2021 that lost their medical card,” Vanzant said. “About 65% of our drivers had a one-year or a less DOT physical medical card, not the two-year that you want and I said, ‘We’ve got to do something.’” Fit to Pass is a year-round health program that leans on an encouraging coaching approach to help drivers — and in Gulf Relay’s case non-drivers too — to take on more healthy habits centered around diet and exercise. When it comes to recertifying for their DOT medical cards, drivers needing a little more help can turn to the program’s intensive wellness track 90 days ahead of the exam. The approach has been paying off at Gulf Relay. “We've gone from four lost drivers in '21 to just one this year so far,” Vanzant said, "and we've decreased our one-year [DOT cards] from 65% down to 58%. We still have a lot of folks at one year and six months, so it is a work in progress, but we're making progress.” That progress has gotten a big thumb’s up from Perry. “It’s been my experience when a company sincerely takes interest in their employees and their families well-being, positive outcomes are produced,” he said. “Gulf Relay’s vision to do things differently has paid off in retaining drivers, by providing the necessary wellness tools to maintain their health.” Coaching and technology help lead the wayAs part of its three-year Fit to Pass contract, Gulf Relay signed up for a health coach who helps drivers and other employees reach their fitness goals. Besides passing along advice on diet and exercise, the health coach meets regularly with program participants to see how they’re keeping up with their plans. Having a coach also sharply reduces the workload of program management.[Related: Pets help boost drivers' physical and mental health] “It comes down between the driver and Camaryn [Donaldson], their onsite health coach,” Vanzant said. “That's not our deal. It benefits us, but I'm not involved in that. Camaryn is the expert. She's the health coach, the diet coach, all that stuff. All I'm trying to do is get our driver to believe in what she's trying to do to benefit all of us.” Donaldson makes presentations at driver orientations and at safety meetings to help encourage program participation. Gulf Relay also relies on social media to get the word out since, as Donaldson pointed out, a work-administered health program is still a fairly new concept. “Usually in orientation I'll ask the guys, ‘Okay, out of the many years that you have been driving, how many of the companies had wellness programs?’ And very few of them will raise their hands. So that's usually kind of a shocker to me,” she said. Driver interest varies and typically there’s some pushback along the way, but it doesn’t always end on a bad note. “You'd be surprised because the people that kind of brush it off are usually the ones that are pulling me to the side towards the end of the class or whenever I'm done presenting [to sign up],” she said. Given Gulf Relay's company-wide push to improve health for everyone, office personnel have also approached Donaldson and gotten guidance and motivation for embracing a healthier lifestyle. "We have some office people who have also taken advantage of it and lost a good deal of weight," said Gulf Relay's marketing manager Sarah Williams. To help drum up more interest, Gulf Relay came up with a weight loss challenge in the summer dubbed “Lighten your Load” which offered participants $10 for every pound they shed plus $500 to the driver that lost the most weight. “It was a good turnout. It was definitely new for a lot of people,” Donaldson said. “A lot of drivers lost weight with small behavioral changes and just felt better while doing their jobs.” Those small changes can include opting for water and healthy snacks instead of soft drinks, chips and candy. Donaldson said to avoid the potential for relapse, changes in diet should be brought on gradually. For example, for a driver accustomed to drinking five cans of soda a day, Donaldson advised that he slowly throttle back and try substituting one bottle of water for a can of soda instead and keep gradually adding more water to his diet. ‘We're trying to work on just gradually setting boundaries, setting plans of what we actually want to do,” she said. Participants can also get help with their health goals with the Fit to Pass app, which allows for tracking of hydration, diet and exercise. Instructional exercise videos are posted there as well. The app can also be used to talk with licensed behavioral health therapists 24/7. Vanzant said Gulf Relay has also acquired new software from Idelic that focuses on keeping up with driver health. Drivers voluntarily submit medical information, which is used to better address needs like getting them more physically fit ahead of medical card recertification. “That software allows us for the first time to keep up with things like their medical cards, doctors, all the details that we didn't really have before,” Vanzant said. Driving it homeKris Shelton, an owner-operator with Gulf Relay, credits the company’s approach to Fit to Pass for helping both him and his wife to lose weight and get more fit.While out on the road, Shelton has learned to make fairly simple adjustments that can add up to weight loss over time. This includes parking his truck at the far end of the lot, weather permitting, so he can get “a few extra steps in.” Walking around the truck during breaks and fuel-ups also provides additional exercise. A resistance band makes for quick and easy workouts to help tone-up biceps, triceps and chest muscles. Doing squats outside the truck has also helped. In the sleeper, Shelton said there’s room for leg lifts and sit ups. “The biggest key is getting active, not just sitting in the truck,” Shelton said. Another big help is having Donaldson motivate him and Angie along the way. They both shed some pounds during the weight loss challenge and they made a squat exercise video to help inspire others to get in shape. Donaldson will reach out to a drivers’ spouse or partner to enlist their help when it comes to motivating drivers with diet and exercise choices. “Camaryn does a really good job,” Shelton said. “Every time you see her in the yard, she’s going to ask you if you’re getting your water or whatever the deal might be with you, she's going to make sure she asks you about it.” Shelton said another weight loss challenge will be rolling out with the new year which with all the holiday feasting will make for another good opportunity to take on some healthier habits. “If the drivers would just give Fit to Pass a chance and listen to their coaches, it's a great thing honestly,” he said. https://ift.tt/zptFvwj Louisiana-based United Vision Logistics (CCJ Top 250, No. 115) has been acquired by private investment partnership Bluestem Equity. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. A provider of heavy haul, long haul and expedited shipping, UVL has more than 100 facilities across the U.S., a fleet of more than 1,200 owner-operators, drivers and equipment, and more than 30,000 partnered carriers. UVL will continue to operate out of Lafayette, Louisiana and Houston, Texas. "Over the past decade, UVL has been under the ownership of a group of large capital providers and credit managers. Bluestem's purchase allows us to partner with an industrial services leader with similar goals and ambitions," said UVL President Colby Domingue. "With our renewed emphasis on customers, employees, and partners, Bluestem and UVL will work together to continue to build our business into a formidable presence in the logistics industry," Board Member and Founder Ronnie Murphy cited the 138-plus years combined experience of the company's leadership team – and "core values [that revolve] around safety, integrity, excellence, community and drive" – as instrumental in making the strategic decision to partner with Bluestem. "The UVL family is thrilled to join forces with those who share our same values and look forward to continuing the tradition of safe customer service delivered," Murphy added. Houston-based Bluestem is a private investment partnership with a primary focus on operating and partnering with businesses serving the industrial and construction sectors. Vice President of Business Development Ben Tucker said his company has an extensive business history in industrial services and transportation and logistics are a large part of that portfolio. "After two years of searching, Bluestem found UVL to have the right mix of capabilities, people, customers and geography," he said. "After our first meeting with UVL leadership and witnessing UVL’s operations, we knew it was the perfect fit." There have been at least 32 deals among CCJ's Top 250 for-hire carriers since the beginning of June, and 36 Top 250 fleets have struck 41 deals this year. https://ift.tt/zptFvwj The state of Illinois has the steepest potential fines for CDL speeding tickets, and California has the largest minimum fine for CDL drivers who exceed the speed limit. That’s according to a recent study by TrafficTickets.com, a division of traffic violations law firm Rosenblum Law, which analyzed nationwide data for CDL speeding tickets to determine which states distribute the costliest penalties and which are more reasonable. The firm studied this data to educate the industry in practicing better safety standards as speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities, and large trucks contributed to 10% of all fatal vehicle accidents (4,014 deaths) in 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of large truck accidents, 74% are attributed to crashes involving tractor trailers. States have specific laws against speeding by CDL drivers because the combination of large trucks and speeding can often result in serious injury or death, which is why 18-wheelers are more often seen pulled over on interstates. "Not only does this new information help educate professionals in the trucking industry, but it also adds to our knowledge and expertise in the field," said Jobin Joseph, managing attorney at TrafficTickets.com and Rosenblum Law. States have a range of fines for speeding, but they can vary significantly. The study found that some states are more lenient than others. In its initial ranking, the study first considered the highest possible fine for a first speeding offense over 15 miles per hour. Illinois topped the list with the highest potential speeding fine at $2,500 and the lowest potential fine at $75. Arizona followed with a range of potential fines from $0 to $2,500. Colorado, Nevada, Iowa, Connecticut, Maryland, California, Hawaii and Utah rounded out the top 10. California had the highest minimum fine at $230. CDL drivers caught speeding may not be ticketed at the state’s highest fine, but the study shows that multiple states have mandatory minimum fines – 13 of which have a minimum speeding fine of over $100 for CDL drivers. Florida and Hawaii follow California with the highest minimum fines of $219 and $200, respectively. Connecticut, Alabama, Texas and Ohio rank 4th through 7th in this category, with minimum fines of $198, $190, $185 and $175, respectively. Speeding in both Indiana and Utah will cost a CDL driver at least $150. Completing the list of 13 are Oregon and Colorado (both $115), Tennessee at $109 and Washington at $108. "Having defended thousands of truck drivers from CDL traffic violations, we wanted to know more about which states were imposing the steepest fines and which were imposing the highest minimum fines," says Adam H. Rosenblum, founder of TrafficTickets.com and Rosenblum Law. "We hope these new findings bring awareness to carriers and truck drivers and, ultimately, help to decrease speeding." A full ranking across 45 states can be found here. https://ift.tt/zptFvwj Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022: Stevens Transport gets pre-CDL waiverStevens Transport (CCJ Top 250, No. 54) is receiving an exemption from the requirement that a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holder be accompanied by a CDL holder in the front seat while the CLP holder performs behind-the-wheel training on public roads or highways. In a Federal Register notice published Wednesday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said the exemption allows a CLP holder who has passed the skills test but not yet received the CDL document to drive a Stevens truck accompanied by a CDL holder who is not necessarily in the passenger seat, provided the driver has documentation of passing the skills test. FMCSA noted that because the CLP holders in question have already passed their skills test and are eligible to obtain their CDL, they could already have their CDL if they had been trained in their state of domicile and be driving solo without any supervision. Similar exemptions have been granted to other carriers in recent years, including CRST Expedited, C.R. England, New Prime, Werner Enterprises, and Wilson Logistics. Real Women in Trucking seeks Queen of the Road entriesThe Real Women In Trucking organization opened nominations for its sixth annual Queen of the Road recognition of women truck drivers. New additions to the awards program this year will recognize a trainer of the year and a top rookie driver. Nominations may be made online. Criteria for the Queen of the Road award include:
The organization said the "Trainer of the Year" is:
The "Rookie of the Year" is a driver that has more than six months but less than one year of driving accident free as a solo qualified driver who is committed to being a safe and successful on the road. Nominees who meet the criteria must have a nomination biography submitted through this form before Jan. 13. Voting on nominees will take place between Jan. 20 and Feb. 24. All nominees receive a free RWIT lifetime membership and a limited-edition event t-shirt. Women in Trucking seeks Driver of the Year nominationsThe Women in Trucking Association is seeking nominations for its annual Driver of the Year award, sponsored by Walmart. The fourth annual award recognizes exceptional female professional drivers who lead the industry in safety standards while actively working to enhance the public image of the trucking industry. The application is open to any female driver who has safely driven at least one million consecutive, accident-free miles. Nominees must demonstrate a positive contribution to the trucking industry and their community. Nominations are open to owner-operators and company drivers Other requirements include:
The finalists and overall winner will be recognized at the 2023 Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 31. The winner will be chosen based on her safety record, positive community contributions, and impact on the public image of the trucking industry. She will receive a plaque, commemorative ring, and more. Nominations are due here before Feb. 1. https://ift.tt/Pl06bKc CCJ's weekly webisode, the 10-44, celebrated its second full year in 2022. Each week – in partnership with sponsor, Chevron Lubricants – hosts Jason Cannon and Matt Cole bring readers, listeners and viewers news and updates from around the tucking industry in a conversational, informal, yet informative format. Below, Jason and Matt look back on some of their favorite and most popular episodes this year. How is the commercial vehicle insurance market going to handle under-21 pilot program truck drivers?A pilot apprenticeship program allows under-21 CDL holders to drive across state lines as long as they undergo two separate probationary periods totaling 480 hours of on-duty time, while also requiring a number of safeguards to be put in place by fleets. We spoke with Shuie Yankelewitz with the Central Analysis Bureau, well-known for its CAB Reports on motor carriers, who provided insight on how some of CAB’s insurance provider customers view FMCSA’s upcoming pilot program. Engine oil testing can extend drain intervals and save moneyAn engine oil change in the grand scheme of things isn’t really that big of a deal. It’s really just puling that truck in, a 20 to 30 minute fluid and filter swap, and you’re back on your way. At least that’s how it’s supposed to work. Even though it might be less than an hour, time in the shop is money – but the business case for extending an engine oil drain is mostly just buying less engine oil over a truck’s lifecycle – that is, assuming your PMs are on point. What are truck drivers’ top complaints?The Professional Driver Agency released its first ever Top Ten Driver Issues List of 2021, identifying the top driver frustrations from last year based on thousands of phone calls with drivers. It’s important to note that PDA’s list only looks at issues within the fleet’s control as it relates to driver satisfaction and turnover, which is why you don’t see things like parking, detention, and fuel prices here. The benefits of electric terminal tractorsThe major truck OEMs have made strides in recent years toward electrification with the production of electric Class 8 trucks. While electrifying a portion of Class 8 trucks will go a long way toward reaching environmental goals, there is still a large piece of the pie that can be tackled with electrification. Two former inmates are using a box truck course to help others beat the oddsAccording to the American Trucking Associations, the trucking industry is currently facing a driver shortage of around 80,000. The industry is taking many different strategies to address that deficit, and two former inmates are taking a different approach to first help people and in turn help trucking. Aaron Smith and Ed Hennings both spent time in prison, but when they got out, they were determined to turn their own lives around, as well as help others. To do that, they started a box truck class to help other formerly incarcerated people, or anyone else, looking for a new opportunity. Are battery-electric trucks really better for the environment?There has been a big push in the trucking industry in recent years toward zero-emission trucks, particularly battery-electric trucks, to help reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. When considering on-road performance, alternative powertrain vehicles like battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell electric far outshine the traditional diesel internal combustion engine. When you take the full life cycle of the trucks into consideration, though, the environmental benefits of these alternative powertrain trucks may not be as beneficial to the environment as previously believed. Drug use among transportation professionals is on the riseAs of May – the most recent data available – almost 130,000 truck drivers have found themselves in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Almost 97,000 of those are still in prohibited status – and 72,000 of those haven’t even started the return to duty process. Truck driving isn’t the only role in transportation to undergo workplace drug screenings, and if those other roles had something like the Clearinghouse, a lot of transportation professionals would find themselves entangled in it. Tapping military veterans to put high-quality, high performing drivers in the seatThe U.S. Census Bureau estimates that about 10% of all professional truck drivers in the U.S. today are veterans, and that is likely on the rise. Military veterans were identified by the Biden administration late last year as a vast pool of would-be employees that could help unkink the supply chain. Trucking has traditionally provided a soft landing spot for military retirees, and they are fairly sought after because veteran drivers generally have fewer safety violations than civilian drivers and bring a lot soft skills that are mostly unique to military veterans. Fleets can leverage data to improve driver safetySince 2005, the American Transportation Research Institute has been conducting periodic research to analyze a truck driver’s future crash likelihood based on prior violations, convictions and crash involvement. ATRI released the 2022 version of its Predicting Truck Crash Involvement research in October – the fourth iteration of the study. It pulls driver data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) and the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) to determine crash likelihood. What Millennials and Gen Zs are looking for out of a trucking careerMillennials and Gen Zs, generally considered to be the generations born between 1981 and 2012, are many of the current and future workforce in America, including truck drivers and diesel technicians. With trucking’s aging workforce in particular, it’s important for fleets to understand what motivates these two generations when it comes to a career path. https://ift.tt/Pl06bKc Winter is tough on shocks, making maintenance all the more important considering the critical role shocks play in truck handling and safety. According to Monroe’s commercial vehicle division, shocks play a vital role in all three parts of the safety triangle: they help distribute weight over tires to improve handling and steering during turns; they work alongside properly maintained brakes to help stop a truck sooner under certain driving conditions by minimizing weight transfer; and shocks and tires work together to help maximize tire-to-road contact, improving truck stability. However, when harsh winter weather sets in, shock performance can decline, leading to handling and safety concerns — that is if fleets don’t stay on their toes to ensure that shocks are in good working order. “Breakdowns during extreme winter weather can not only be costly, but extremely dangerous,” said Larry Clark, senior vice president of product research and development at Bulldog HD. “In winter weather conditions such as snow, the truck’s weight and handling characteristics can dramatically change. “In addition, icy roads can make driving conditions challenging – quality of roads less than ideal – and adding a greater chance of damage to suspension components, making the truck harder to control and increasing the likelihood of an accident,” Clark continued. When asked if freezing winter weather adversely affects shocks, Gabriel Ride Control engineering manager Gerald Anderson got straight to the point. “The simple answer is yes,” he said. “All suspension components, including tires, will be affected by cold temperature. The result will be increased harshness and higher impact loads transferred to the vehicle chassis and driver.” Stressed shocks already near end-of-life “could be subject to failure with a change to cold temperature,” Anderson added, making it more critical he said to inspect shocks “more often for worn or damaged components.” Of course, the best approach is to inspect shocks and correct any issues before winter comes calling. It’s also advised to keep a close eye on shocks throughout the more challenging colder months. For instance, ice and road grime can build up on suspension parts, increasing the likelihood of damage or premature failure, Clark said. “Inspect your shocks regularly during the winter months by watching signs of oil leaks,” Clark continued. “Examine mounting weld points for cracks and breaks caused by road hazards. Always change your shocks when a tire or airbag replacement is performed on a truck. If road conditions are severe, it is best to increase awareness and adjust driving patterns to maximize and extend the life of your shocks.” How shock performance changes in winterEven shocks in good working order can be subject to performance problems when temperatures drop.It’s the materials used in shock construction – like oil and rubber – that can be impacted by freezing weather, which in turn impede their dampening abilities and leave both truck and driver with a rougher ride until things warm up. “Cold temperatures can affect rubber components such as mount bushings and internal components such as piston and rod seals,” Anderson said. “The cold temperatures also will affect the shock oil viscosity. The result is the shocks will be more stiff than normal until they get back to normal operating temperatures. This may take a few miles of driving depending on road conditions and ambient temperatures for the oil.” Rubber on the other hand doesn’t warm up as quickly as oil and “will take longer to lose some stiffness,” Anderson added. Clark said oil type becomes more critical in colder temperatures. “Ideally, a premium all-weather oil is preferred, tested and able to perform at -30 degrees Celsius,” he said. “All-weather oil allows greater protection and less likelihood for the oil in the shock to thicken, which reduces its dampening performance characteristics.” An unfortunate consequence of freezing oil wiper seals can be oil blow by, or misting; when the rubber seals lose their elasticity and cannot effectively contain the oil that’s under pressure in a shock. “The loss of oil will reduce the shock’s ability to provide optimal dampening performance,” Clark said. Know what to shop forTrucks subjected to harsher winters will more than likely present more shock issues than trucks operating in warmer climates. It’s not just the freezing temperatures that adversely affect performance but also the roads themselves, which Monroe points out can be more damaged from buckling and potholes that develop from the freeze-thaw cycle.“Road conditions, such as potholes and pavement impacts, can also create a force multiplier leading to a multitude of suspension, mounting points and tire damage,” Clark said. “All these issues can lead to increase driver fatigue, safety challenges, costly fixes and unwanted downtime.” That’s where spending a little extra on shocks can help spare both truck and driver from some jarring and uncomfortable rides. “Premium shocks have seals that are formulated with molecular properties to withstand extreme cold conditions and allow them to continue to perform their [dampening] function,” Clark said. Also, look for reinforced double welds at the mounting eyelets which “are built to withstand the rigorous suspension jarring and impacts created by winter damaged roads,” Clark added. Don’t go cheap and end up with a shock that’s not up for the more demanding conditions that winter brings. “Shocks are designed to work within a defined temperature range,” Anderson said. “Make sure you have the right shocks for the working environment. Avoid large potholes and inspect more often for worn or damaged components.” https://ift.tt/Pl06bKc Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022: Translead recalling trailers for brake issueHyundai Translead is recalling certain 2020-2021 dry van and reefer trailers to fix a retaining clip in the brake pad retaining assembly that may be loose or could detach, loosening the brake pad. The company believes 39 units are affected. A retaining clip or bracket that detaches can damage the brake pad, reducing brake performance, damage a tire valve, causing a flat tire, or become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will repair the spring bracket assembly free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on Dec. 8, 2022. Nikola inches closer to incentives programsNikola Corporation last week received a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Zero Emission Powertrain (ZEP) Executive Order – a requirement for Nikola's Tre hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) to be eligible for CARB's Hybrid and Zero Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) program. Following receipt of the Executive Order, Nikola submitted an application for eligibility of the Nikola Tre FCEV as an authorized vehicle under the HVIP program for a base incentive amount valued at $240,000 per FCEV truck. "Obtaining this CARB Executive Order is an important step for Nikola to support the launch of the Tre FCEV in California, our first priority market for this zero-emission powertrain option, with full production deliveries expected to start in the second half of 2023," says Nikola President and CEO, Michael Lohscheller.. "We expect the funding available through HVIP will drive a competitive total cost of ownership for the Tre FCEV truck, powered by the hydrogen fuel supply and infrastructure we are developing, and serviced by our local dealer network." CARB's ZEP Executive Order is a certificate of compliance with CARB regulations for zero-emission powertrains determined to meet specific emissions standards required for sale in California, Nikola says. Obtaining this certification is also a requirement for vehicles to qualify for HVIP, a program intended to advance commercialization and to help reduce the total cost of ownership of advanced commercial vehicles in the state of California. Upon final HVIP approval, purchasers of the Nikola Tre FCEV in 2023 will be able to qualify for a base incentive valued at $240,000 per truck; $270,000 per truck for drayage fleets; or up to $288,000 per truck for fleets with (i) 10 trucks or less, (ii) performing drayage operations, and (iii) located within a disadvantaged community area. Eligible non-drayage fleets may secure up to 30 HVIP vouchers and drayage fleets may secure up to 50 vouchers. In addition to the funding provided by HVIP, purchasers of Nikola's Tre battery-electric vehicle ("BEV") and FCEVs will also qualify for an additional $40,000 in clean commercial vehicle tax credits in 2023 from the federal government due to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the company said. FMCSA publishes new webpage for entry-level driversThe Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration added a new page to its website for those in search of driver training. On Dec. 22 the FMCSA updated the Training Provider Registry website to create a new section for entry-level drivers, including a new page with recommended steps drivers can take when selecting a training provider from those listed on the agency's Training Provider Registry. This information is also available as a downloadable guide. In a notice about the new webpage, FMCSA said, "Drivers are strongly encouraged to use care when selecting a training provider that will help them meet their specific ELDT requirements. Visit the Training Provider Registry to learn more about how to stay compliant while training for your CDL or CDL endorsement." The new webpage includes:
https://ift.tt/Pl06bKc Trucking companies have been falsely taught that if their average speed is below 55 mph then aerodynamics won't work in their operations. This sentiment is especially prevalent with fleets that operate in regional and local haul duty cycles. Most fleets are unaware that average speed is meaningless when considering aerodynamics — absolutely meaningless. What matters is the distance traveled at speeds where aerodynamics save fuel. There are two key points: distance and speed where aerodynamics work. The only way to know if aerodynamics apply to a fleet's operation is to conduct fleet analysis. Consider this story: A company that distributes groceries and non-food items to a variety of retail locations had an internal debate regarding whether aerodynamic devices made sense for their fleet of more than 3,500 tractors. Their duty cycle involved the trucks making 8 to 20 stops on each route and their average speed was around 40 mph, well below the so-called 55 mph cut-off for aerodynamics. A modern-thinking fleet manager urged the company to "let data decide the debate." After having a third party complete a fleet analysis on its operation, the fleet manager learned that 70% of its miles were at highway speeds. This meant that adding aerodynamic devices actually would have a decent return on investment and would reduce the fleet’s fuel cost. The company mindset changed, and they’ve been benefiting ever since. How is this possible that a fleet could be misinformed about its operation? Imagine your truck is based at an urban distribution center. Leaving the center, the truck spends the first hour in traffic at 20 mph. The next hour is at 60 mph getting to its destination. It then drives back to the distribution center where it again encounters one hour of highway speed and one in traffic. Not including the deliveries, that truck traveled 160 miles in four hours, which is an average of 40 mph. An unaware fleet manager would believe aerodynamics won’t save them fuel. However, that truck actually traveled 120 miles at 60 mph highway speed, which was 75% of the total miles traveled where aerodynamic devices are saving fuel. Now you understand why a modern-thinking fleet with a 40 mph average speed and 8 to 20 stops per day is adopting aerodynamics. Fleet analysis quantifies the potential for fuel savings, typically in less time than it takes to debate it internally. The example above is simplified, and proper analysis and data is required for each fleet. However, if you want to make smart and rewarding decisions for your fleet, find someone to do this kind of analysis.
https://ift.tt/Pl06bKc The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week updated emission standards for heavy-duty commercial vehicles for the 2027 model year, turning already tight screws on truck and engine manufacturers to build ever-cleaner diesel powered units. Truck and engine OEMs had been working with EPA on framing out the guidelines the agency released last Tuesday, but now work begins in earnest on clearing an even higher low emissions bar. Below is a roundup of the major Class 8 truck players and their reaction to the forthcoming regulation. When reached last week, Paccar declined to comment. Freightliner and Western StarSean Waters, Daimler Truck North America vice president of product compliance and regulatory affairs, called EPA’s Clean Trucks Plan targets for medium- and heavy-duty engines and vehicles "challenging." "We’re ready to rise to meet the technological hurdles of the plan and help reduce emissions from conventionally-powered vehicles even further," Waters said. "This is an important and intermediary step on our pathway to the goal of offering exclusively CO2-neutral (in driving operation) medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles by 2039.” International TrucksNavistar, via statement, said it was "investing in technologies that will drive toward a zero-emission future. Navistar has worked collaboratively with the EPA on the technical details of a new national NOx rule that targets technical feasibility and market acceptance. With our shared goal of decarbonizing the transportation industry, we look forward to reviewing the EPA’s heavy-duty NOx regulation in its entirety to understand its full impact." Volvo and Mack TrucksVolvo Group Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications John Mies said the maker of Mack and Volvo-branded trucks, "strongly supports EPA’s goal of significantly decreasing emissions from heavy-duty engines. While we believe zero-emission vehicles are the future of our industry, we’re also committed to delivering lower NOx from our diesel products," he said. "It’s clear that the new standard is very challenging. Beyond that, the rule is extremely complex, so we need time to examine it and understand what it means for our customers, our dealers and our employees." CumminsCummins said through an emailed statement it was still reviewing "what appears to be a very challenging final rule. We appreciate EPA’s efforts to balance diverse stakeholder perspectives while delivering significant environmental benefits. We plan to work toward meeting the standards with reliable and durable new technologies that our customers will be ready to adopt. We look forward to working with EPA and our customers toward a successful implementation." https://ift.tt/h9JHoDz |
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