Trucking Biz Buzz Archive: Land Line Magazine

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Trucking Biz Buzz Archive

Wreaths Across America gets support from Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J has announced it is trying to raise $100,000 for Wreaths Across America – the nonprofit group that places wreaths on the graves of thousands of military veterans each year.

The Knoxville, TN-based mega truck stop chain hopes to raise the money by selling special-edition mugs of coffee to truckers. For $4.99, drivers can purchase a special limited-edition travel mug from any Pilot Travel Center or Flying J Travel Plaza across the U.S.

With every mug purchase, $3 will be donated to Wreaths Across America. They’re calling it the “Cup for a Cause” campaign.

Nine commercial trucks nominated for Truck of the Year in 2013
The American Truck Dealers has announced the nine nominees for the 2013 ATD Commercial Truck of the Year, a national award recognizing the top truck entries in the heavy- and medium-duty categories.

The heavy-duty (Class 8) truck nominees are Freightliner Cascadia Evolution (equipped with Detroit DT12 transmission), Kenworth T680 76-inch sleeper with Paccar MX Engine, Peterbilt model 579 and Western Star 4700SF.

The medium-duty (Class 3-7) nominees are Ford F-650, Hino 195h, Isuzu Reach, Kenworth K370 cabover and Peterbilt 337 extended day cab.

The annual award, which will be presented Sunday, Feb. 10, during the 2013 ATD Convention and Expo in Orlando, FL, recognizes a winner in both the heavy- and medium-duty truck categories. The ATD convention will once again run concurrently with the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention and Expo in Orlando from Feb. 8-11.

To determine the winners, a five-member panel of journalists will test drive and evaluate the trucks at ADESA Las Vegas on Oct. 5. The judges are Tom Berg, chief judge, Heavy Duty Trucking; Paul Hartley, writer and owner of AddMedia; David Kolman, Fleet Maintenance Magazine; Jim Park, Heavy Duty Trucking; and Jack Roberts, Commercial Carrier Journal. The judging categories include innovation and design, safety and driver satisfaction.

Goodyear unveils new commercial tire inflation technology
Researchers at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company have been working on a new Air Maintenance Technology application that they say can improve fuel savings and carbon dioxide reductions while potentially improving performance and eliminating the need for external inflation pressure intervention.

The commercial application of Goodyear’s Air Maintenance Technology made its debut at the 2012 Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany, on Sept. 19.

Goodyear’s Air Maintenance Technology mechanism allows tires to maintain constant, optimum pressure without the use of external pumps, electronics and driver intervention.

Navistar to upgrade 2,300 mine-resistant vehicles for troops in Afghanistan
Navistar Defense received a delivery order this week for up to $282 million to provide more than 2,300 survivability upgrade retrofit kits for International MaxxPro Dash Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, or MRAPs for short. The order from the U.S. Army will upgrade MaxxPro Dash vehicles with additional protection in response to evolving threats in Afghanistan.

Navistar has delivered nearly 9,000 MaxxPro units in nine major variants to the United States and its allies. This order follows the company’s MaxxPro rolling chassis body swap, which upgrades more than 2,700 MaxxPro vehicles with a DXM independent suspension, MaxxForce 9.3 engine, 570 amp alternator and driveline.

Work for the survivability upgrade will be done in Afghanistan beginning in December 2012. The order is scheduled to be completed by July 2013. The order also includes parts and service.

Magellan and AAA team together for faster breakdown service
A new venture between GPS manufacturer Magellan and AAA is designed to get assistance to drivers quicker in the event of a breakdown.

The companies have extended their ongoing partnership, combining AAA’s travel services with Magellan’s RoadMate series GPS devices. In addition, they announced a “new integration” on Sept. 18 that unites the Magellan RoadMate Commercial 5190T GPS – featuring trucking-specific applications – and AAA’s D/2000 roadside assistance dispatch system.

With Magellan’s 5190T, drivers can accurately pinpoint their location and pass that information on to a AAA/CAA operator. Service can then be dispatched and arrive faster, getting the driver back on the road quicker.

EPA and CARB give Thermo King the nod on new reefer units
Thermo King is the first transport refrigeration manufacturer to receive Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board certification for 2013 model year engines greater than 25 horsepower. It has done so without the use of a diesel particulate filter.

The regulations require an engine to be 37 percent cleaner for particulate matter and 90 percent cleaner for nitrogen oxides as compared with the previous interim Tier IV standard.

“Customers can now keep their transport refrigeration units longer than seven years. And if they do decide to sell, values should remain higher because no incremental investment will be required,” said Doug Lenz, director of product management and marketing for Thermo King.

The new engines will be introduced in the Precedent platform available in January 2013. Precedent is a new trailer temperature control platform built from the ground up to deliver double-digit fuel savings and lower life cycle costs while still being compliant.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, Thermo King will also offer a full range of truck and auxiliary power unit (APU) solutions compliant with Environmental Protection Agency Tier IV final regulations for engine emissions. TK customers can obtain CARB and EPA certification documents from their local dealer.

New smartphone app targets trucking sportsmen
With so many truck drivers interested in hunting and fishing, Interstate Sportsman Radio expects that its new smartphone application will prove to be popular.

The Interstate Sportsman Radio Network says it is the world’s first radio network devoted exclusively to reaching North America’s professional truck driver. An Internet-based broadcast, the Interstate Sportsman Radio Network offers a free app, which enables listeners to catch the broadcast anywhere in the U.S. via their mobile telephone. Broadcast all day, every day, this network features entertainment, news and outdoor content specific to the continent’s over-the-road drivers.

The brainchild of Brock Ray, co-host of the Interstate Sportsman Radio show on the Sirius XM Road Dog channel, the Interstate Sportsman Radio Network prominently features the country’s leading hunting and fishing radio shows as well other sports and recreational entertainment.

Roadrunner on the move
Milwaukee-based Roadrunner Transportation Systems has acquired Expedited Freight Systems, a regional LTL company for $10 million. EFS, with total revenues of $19 million, is the third acquisition for Roadrunner this year.

Roadrunner acquired Omaha-based refrigerated carrier R&M/Sortino Transportation of Omaha, NE, earlier in August for $24.4 million. In June, it acquired refrigerated carrier CTW Transport, Boston, MA, for $7.5 million.

Mack Trucks introduces two new Bulldog coolants
Mack Trucks has introduced two new proprietary Bulldog-branded coolants.

Mack Bulldog Extended Life Coolant uses carboxylate-based, organic additive technology that contains nitrite. Mack claims that it delivers a service life of 600,000 miles or 12,000 hours or 48 months, with no extender needed. It is silicate-free and phosphate-free, and can be distinguished by its red color.

Mack Bulldog Heavy-Duty PF Coolant is a fully formulated, phosphate-free coolant. It offers a service life of 300,000 miles or 6,000 hours or 24 months and has a purple or fuchsia color.

Bridgestone wants to set record straight on retreads
In an effort to set the record straight on retreads, Bridgestone Commercial Solutions has relaunched Retread Instead as an online campaign aimed at educating truckers and fleets on the value of extending tire life.

The website hosts short, informational videos about the benefits of retreading as well as easy-to-understand clips on the retreading process. A feature of the site is the space dedicated to debunking common myths around retreads, especially those surrounding safety and mileage.

Pilot Flying J opens gym in Dallas, more coming
By Kimberely Lennard, Land Line staff writer

Snap Fitness Rolling Strong gyms have introduced a way to get fit and stay fit on the road. The company has partnered with Pilot Flying J Travel Centers to open a gym for professional drivers.

The first location recently opened at the Pilot Flying J on Bonnie View Road in Dallas. There are currently almost 100 members.

Gym memberships give access to Snap Fitness Rolling Strong Gyms located at the Pilot Flying J location 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, plus over 1,300 Snap Fitness locations worldwide. More than 45 of the existing Snap Fitness locations will be truck friendly and also open 24 hours a day, according to Sean Mohr, Vice President of Development at Rolling Strong and Snap Fitness.

Facility equipment includes treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes and a full body strength circuit. The gym has 24-hour surveillance and requires a membership card to access.

A professional trainer is available during certain hours to assist drivers with their fitness goals and to develop a workout plan that fits their needs. Fitness workout cards allow drivers to manage their workout routines, regardless of which location they visit.

Mohr told Land Line that four more locations have broken ground in Rising Fawn, GA, just south of Chattanooga, TN; Lebanon, TN on I-40 outside of Nashville; East St. Louis, IL; and Gallup, NM. All locations will be approximately 1,000 square feet and contain the same high-end fitness equipment found at normal Snap Fitness gyms. The company hopes to have at least 10 open by the end of the year, with a plan to build up to 150 locations as quickly as possible.

Snap Fitness Rolling Strong gym memberships are $19.95 a month for the member and $12.95 for a spouse, with no contract or enrollment fee. Mohr said drivers can sign up for an initial month for $8.95 to try it out.

Snap Fitness is a franchise of compact, state-of-the-art fitness centers that provides members a fast, convenient workout alternative to health clubs.

Rolling Strong is a driver wellness program delivered to drivers on the road. Its mission is to educate drivers and share products and services to help them on the road. Chief Operating Officer Diana Van Leuven said the company introduced a Rolling Strong food product line last week, in addition to an in-cab workout system called FIT with Freightliner.

For more information, go to RollingStrong.com.

TravelCenters of America opens 40th free fitness facility
The 40th StayFit fitness center in the TA and Petro Stopping Centers network has opened at TA Dallas South, located at Interstate 20 and I-635, Exit 472, in Dallas, TX.

All StayFit fitness rooms are free to professional drivers who carry the UltraONEDriver Rewards card. Rooms include weight training resistance equipment, adjustable sit-up boards, elliptical for cardio workouts, and recumbent bikes.

StayFit rooms also have weight scales, workout mats, wall-mounted TVs and fans.

TA launched the StayFit program in early 2011 and continues to expand it. The program includes “better-for-you” food options in restaurants and travel stores for drivers while they are on the road.

In addition, there are 120 mapped walking trails at TA and Petro locations nationwide, seven locations have basketball hoops, and all locations have pet exercise areas. Drivers interested in the walking trails can pick up maps at participating sites.

The 41st StayFit fitness room is opening at the Petro Stopping Centers in Carnesville, GA, within the next week. More will be added soon.

For a complete listing of all TA and Petro fitness rooms, walking trail and basketball locations, visit tatravelcenters.com.

IdleAir opens new site at Flying J in Milton, PA
As brutal temperatures continue to punish parts of the U.S., truck drivers without APUs are looking for places to stop and keep cool while out on the road.

On Tuesday, July 24, IdleAir announced that a new site has opened at the Flying J at exit 215 on Interstate 80 in Milton, PA.

According to the release, customers can enjoy “free, limited service” at IdleAir’s newest location through July 31.

The company now has 29 locations in 12 states throughout the country. They hope to have more than 100 locations by 2014.

Companies announce partnership to build CNG infrastructure
By Clarissa Kell-Holland, Land Line staff writer

The race to secure the alternative fuels market is on as unpredictable diesel prices have forced the trucking industry to explore other fueling options to help increase their profits, while lowering their fuel costs.

On Tuesday, July 17, two companies, DeBartolo Development, a real estate development company, and Keystone Consulting Group, a real estate consulting firm, announced a plan to build 1,000 compressed natural gas fueling stations in the U.S. over the next four years. They plan to build 10 initial sites as part of the CNG Infrastructure Expansion Project.

Erik Hector, a managing member of the Keystone Consulting Group, told Land Line that they are initially focusing their efforts to build sites in five states – Florida, Louisiana, West Virginia, Ohio and California – but opportunities are being discovered in many other states as well.

“We are negotiating with several co-developers, users and tenants, but we are not yet able to announce locations,” Hector said.

“In the initial years of our effort, we anticipate private access facilities will be the predominant investment option with public stations becoming more popular as markets are ‘seeded’ with bi-fuel vehicles,” Hector said. “We hope to deploy a layered strategy to foster the acceptance of CNG fuels by both private and public users.

When asked if new fueling stations will be available to small-business truckers, Hector said that “one-third of our outstanding Letters of Intent involve stations serving your (Land Line) readership.”

Biz Buzz: Shell, TA announce plans to develop LNG fueling centers
v id="byline">By Land Line staff

Shell and TravelCenters of America LLC have finalized an agreement to develop a U.S. nationwide network of liquefied natural gas fueling centers for heavy-duty road transport customers.

The plan is to construct at least two LNG fueling lanes and a storage facility at up to 100 existing TA and Petro Stopping Center-branded full-service travel centers along the U.S. interstate highway system. Construction and opening of the LNG stations will be done in a phased approach. Within a year, the companies hope to develop the main trucking corridors to provide the potential for the first-ever coast-to-coast LNG-fueled commercial transport network.

“Shell is investing now in the infrastructure that will bring this innovative, cost-competitive and environmentally beneficial fuel to our customers,” said Elen Phillips, vice president of Shell Fuels Sales & Marketing Americas. “We are leveraging our strength as an integrated company to produce, liquefy, distribute and commercialize natural gas in transport. And TravelCenters of America is the ideal partner to help us bring this vision to life.”

Demand for innovative fuels, like LNG, from commercial customers is growing due to the wide range of benefits for trucking fleet operators. These benefits can include lower fuel costs, as well as the potential to reduce emissions and reduce noise levels in certain engines.

The collaboration between Shell and TA was announced last year. Shell is also developing LNG stations at Flying J truck stops in Alberta, Canada – the first of which opened this year.

In March, Shell announced it will invest in two small-scale LNG production units that form the basis of two new LNG transport corridors in the Great Lakes and Gulf Coast regions, which will provide LNG to marine and heavy duty road customers. This brings the total to three planned Shell LNG production units dedicated to transport in North America.

AirFlow Bullet Truck gets 13.4 mpg on coast-to-coast trip
By Land Line staff

Back in 1985, a truck driver named Bob Sliwa built an aerodynamic truck. Sliwa, an OOIDA member from Newington, CT, ran his truck for a while, then retired to pursue other interests. But he never forgot his dream. In 2008, he began work on his current project, the AirFlow Bullet Truck.

The truck was featured on a 1985 cover of Land Line. And in June 2012, Senior Technical Editor Paul Abelson reported on the details of Sliwa’s new aerodynamic “bullet truck” in his article “How flow can you go?”

In the latest news, Sliwa reported recently that the AirFlow Bullet Truck just completed “a coast-to-coast, revenue-producing, real-world, freight-hauling run” and achieved 13.4 mpg average for the entire trip.

ITS Financial Services will offer 75K bond for its Diamond Broker members
In response to the newly enacted legislation mandating the higher bond limit upon all brokerages and freight forwarders, ITS Financial Services announces the addition of a $75,000 surety bond as part of its Diamond Broker program.

ITS Financial Services is an affiliate of Internet Truckstop and manages the Diamond Broker program. Members of Internet Truckstop who maintain an “A” experience factor with Internet Truckstop and meet certain credit and performance criteria are eligible to participate in the Diamond Broker program. At present membership includes more than 1,000 brokers. ITS says the program will allow these brokers to meet the new requirement at an “affordable price.”

According to ITS, the program does not require the maintenance of collateral, which addresses a major industry concern particularly for smaller to mid-sized firms.

The program will be available in August of this year.

Still time to apply for a C.H. Robinson scholarship
The C.H. Robinson Foundation is accepting applications for its Truckload Contract Carrier Scholarship Program through Feb. 15, 2013.

C.H. Robinson is offering 10 scholarships to full-time employees of truckload contract carriers and their children who plan to continue their education at an accredited college or vocational school. Each scholarship holds an award value up to $2,500 for tuition for the 2013–2014 academic year.

All applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

Full-time employees of truckload contract carriers who have a minimum of one year of employment with the company as of the application deadline date.
Dependent children of qualified employees of qualified truckload contract carriers of C.H. Robinson. That means biological children, stepchildren or adopted children living in the employee’s household or primarily supported by the employee.
Employees of qualified truckload contract carriers must have a minimum of one year of employment with their respective company as of the application deadline date.
Dependent children of carriers must enroll in transportation logistics, supply chain or business related programs.

To view the full scholarship program guidelines and to apply, please visit http://sms.scholarshipamerica.org/chrobinson-carrier/.

The applications must be postmarked by Feb. 15, 2013.

Iconic 'Glass House' over I-44 gets $14.6 million facelift
By Greg Grisolano, Land Line staff writer

The arches that span Interstate 44 at the travel plaza in Vinita, OK, will still be there. But the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority announced this week it will spend $14.6 million to take the rest of the building that spans the width of the Will Rogers Turnpike down to its structural steel.

“We’ll take it down to the bridge structure and leave the arches as well, but everything else will be brand-new,” OTA spokesman Jack Damrill said. “It really hasn’t received a total renovation since it was built in 1957. Small ones have occurred. The last significant one was in 1987, and it just added some coats of paint. It’s never really been rebuilt since it was built in ’57. Unfortunately, age has caught up with it.”

The site was originally opened as a pancake house operated by the Howard Johnson hotel chain. Its current occupant, a McDonalds franchise, has been there since at least the mid-1980s.

The destination is the first place many westbound travelers stop upon entering Oklahoma, and Damrill said the state’s goal is to make the location more attractive to visitors.

“Early on, there were a few schools that held dances out there, and proms,” he said. “It was a destination point. We have it set up to hold gatherings and events in the new facility. It was really used as a big-time destination point for people to gather and eat and have civic functions out there.”

The OTA also hopes to upgrade the facility by adding an additional dining option. New fueling stations for both eastbound and westbound traffic will offer diesel for the first time. The building will also be equipped with new insulated windows and a new HVAC system.

Damrill said the renovations will also address the most common complaint from visitors. Lack of restrooms.

“Lack of restroom facilities is probably the number-one complaint we get,” he said. “There’s not very many upstairs and with the amount of traffic, that’s always our biggest complaint. We’ll be adding a significant amount of restrooms in the new facility.”

Plans also call for ground-floor restrooms.

Timberlake Construction of Oklahoma City was awarded the bid. Damrill estimates the facility will be closed for one year while the renovations take place. During that time, portions of I-44 will also be shut down.

“We will have to close down two lanes at a time as they tear down and build back the structure,” he said. “Because this is over the road, it’s not an easy demolition. They’ll tear half down. Then shift to the other side. We will have head-to-head traffic just in this portion of the area. We just don’t know how difficult the teardown will be once we get in there.”

Truckers sought for study of weight loss drug
By Land Line staff

A biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of obesity drugs announced early this month that it is sponsoring a large study in its quest for final FDA approval of its weight-loss drug Contrave. The “Light Study” has begun enrolling patients for the clinical trials and among those sought for participation are truckers.

OrexigenTherapeutics Inc. is the maker of Contrave, which combined with exercise, aims to help obese individuals with weight loss. The goal is to have the drug approved and on the market by 2015.

The study – which seeks 10,000 participants – is designed to assess the cardiovascular health outcomes of the drug. The study drug is made up of two medications, bupropion and naltrexone, that are already FDA approved and used for other medical conditions. This combination study drug is not yet FDA approved.

The Healthy Trucking Association of America – an organization that offers programs to raise awareness and help improve the health of professional drivers – wants truckers to be aware of the the Light Study. HTAA says the study offers truckers the opportunity to participate in the clinical trial, get a free doctor-supervised weight-loss program, plus receive up to $840 for taking part in the program.

According to HTAA, individuals may qualify for the Light Study if they are men age 45 or older or women age 50 or older; must be obese; and have a cardiovascular risk factor like high blood pressure and/or type 2 diabetes with certain heart risk factors. A placebo is also used in the study.

“There are millions of truckers in the U.S., and a large percentage of them are overweight. Many many are classified as obese,” said HTAA’s Brett Blowers. “Many are hypertensive and/or suffering from type 2 diabetes, as well. Research suggests that losing just 5-10 percent of your body weight can significantly improve your health and lower your risk of complications from diabetes and heart disease.”

According to Blowers, truckers can apply online and, if qualified, be notified and enrolled.

Your doctor does not have to give his/her permission for truckers to take part. However, either you or the physician conducting the study, with your permission, should contact your personal physician to discuss your participation in the study before you begin and to keep your doctor up-to-date about your progress.

J.D. Power finds heavy-duty truck owners sufferin’ from EPA blues
The introduction of engines that meet revised EPA regulations is once again taking a toll on heavy-duty truck quality and customer satisfaction, reports J.D. Power and Associates. In its 2012 customer satisfaction study on U.S. heavy-duty trucks released Wednesday, June 27, the global marketing info company says customers are reporting more problems with their truck engine.

The study is based on responses from 1,725 primary maintainers of one-model-year-old Class 8 heavy-duty trucks. The study was fielded in April and May 2012.

Overall customer satisfaction with heavy-duty trucks declines to 737 index points on a 1,000-point scale in 2012, compared with 751 in 2011, primarily due to an increase in the number of problems experienced. The study finds that quality of Class 8 trucks that are one model year old has decreased, with problem levels rising 9 percent to 223 problems per 100 trucks in 2012, up from 204 in 2011. Overall quality is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 trucks, with a lower score reflecting higher quality. Much of the overall quality decline is attributed to a higher rate of engine- and fuel-related problems, which have increased by 14 percent from 2011.

The most problematic engine and fuel problems are driven by technology that is designed to reduce emissions from heavy-duty truck engines.

“Following the revised EPA regulations in 2007, there was an increase in problems and a decline in customer satisfaction, and we anticipated the same thing would happen with the introduction of 2010 EPA-compliant engines,” said Brent Gruber, director of the commercial vehicle practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “Emission-related technology results in a high rate of problems, particularly with ECM calibration, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves and engine sensors. The new, more complex engines are resulting in more problems and downtime.”

Vocational truck customers experience an average of 2.2 unscheduled maintenance procedures per year, resulting in an average of 7 days of downtime, while on-highway owners report an average of 2.9 unscheduled maintenance procedures, or an average of 7.7 days of downtime.

“Engine reliability has the greatest impact on overall product satisfaction, so it’s vital that truck and engine manufacturers work quickly to reduce the number of problems related to the emission technologies,” said Gruber. “The truck brands of European companies have fewer problems, specifically, those related to the technology required to meet the emission standards, because they have been using the technology for years in other markets.”

Gruber explains that since 2008, Europe has had emission standards similar to those enacted in the U.S. market in 2010, so manufacturers that build heavy-duty trucks for that market have the advantage of applying technology proven in Europe in its U.S. models. As a result, brands such as Freightliner and Volvo earn above-average satisfaction for engine reliability and dependability, as well as fewer engine- and fuel-related problems than industry average. On average, truck brands owned by U.S. companies experience 22 percent more engine- and fuel-related problems than their competitors owned by European companies.

The study measures the satisfaction of primary maintainers of Class 8 heavy-duty trucks that are one model year old in two product segments, on highway and vocational. In each segment, satisfaction is determined by examining six key factors: cab/body; cost of operation; engine; ride/handling/braking; transmission; and warranty.

Freightliner ranks highest in heavy-duty truck customer satisfaction in both the on-highway and vocational segments.

In the on-highway segment, which evaluates long- and short-haul trucks, Freightliner ranks highest with an index score of 750 and performs particularly well in all six factors. Volvo ranks second (739), while Peterbilt ranks third (736).

In the vocational segment, Freightliner ranks highest with an index score of 789. International ranks second (766) and Peterbilt ranks third (753).

The study also measures satisfaction with service received from authorized truck dealers by examining six factors: service advisor; service delivery; service facility; service initiation; service price; and service quality.

Kenworth ranks highest in Class 8 customer satisfaction with dealer service for a second consecutive year. Kenworth, with an index score of 804, performs particularly well across all factors. Following Kenworth in the rankings are Freightliner (802) and Volvo (784).

Headquartered in Westlake Village, CA, J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company providing forecasting, performance improvement, social media and customer satisfaction insights and solutions.

Pilot Flying J donates $100,000 to Wreaths Across America
In early December, hundreds of thousands of wreaths were placed on the tombstones and memorials of the nation’s fallen heroes thanks to Wreaths Across America. With the help of professional drivers and customers across the nation, Pilot Flying J was able to contribute $100,000 to the WAA campaign to honor the men and women who gave their lives to defend our country.

In October, the company announced its “Cup with a Cause” campaign, which donated $3 from every $4.99, limited-edition travel mug. In December, Pilot Flying J donated $100,000 to WAA to assist the nonprofit organization in coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and nearly 800 additional veteran cemeteries and memorials across the country and overseas.

WAA started in 1992 and has grown to include more volunteers, more locations and more wreaths. This December, a total of more than 420,000 wreaths were placed to honor U.S. veterans, including 110,662 wreaths placed on headstones at Arlington National Cemetery.

“Cup with a Cause” mugs are still available for purchase. As a token of appreciation for customers who support the “Cup with a Cause” campaign, each travel mug includes a coupon for a free refill. Customers can redeem the coupon for any premium coffee or cappuccino selection.

For more information about Wreaths Across America, visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org. To find a Pilot Flying J location nearest you to purchase a “Cup with a Cause” mug, visit pilotflyingj.com or download the Pilot Flying J app to your smartphone.

Mack contributes $25,000 to NYC disaster relief
Mack Trucks recently presented a $25,000 check to New York City Commissioner of Sanitation John J. Doherty to support relief efforts following Hurricane Sandy. The donation will go to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to community and economic improvement, and will be used to meet immediate needs for food, water and supplies, as well as long-term relief and restoration projects.

“New York City has long been an important refuse and heavy-duty truck customer for Mack Trucks,” said Kevin Flaherty, president of Mack Trucks North American Sales and Marketing. “We value our relationship with New York, and we want to assist them as they deal with enormous demand for public services in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.”

Mack’s relationship with New York City stretches back more than 100 years to 1900 when the Mack brothers incorporated the company and began manufacturing their first heavy-duty vehicle, a 20-passenger touring bus aptly named the “Manhattan,” in a Brooklyn factory.

New York City was a customer of Mack Trucks as early as 1911, and the New York Departments of Sanitation and Transportation together have more than 6,000 Mack vehicles currently in service.

Volvo makes $100,000 donation to hurricane relief efforts
The Volvo Group says it’s donating $100,000 to help with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

Half the money will go to the Red Cross. The other half will be split between relief funds in New York City and Allentown, PA.

The New York City donation will be used for food, water and supplies and to support long-term relief and restoration projects. Allentown will use the funds to replace the severely damaged roof of a fire station.

A Volvo official says that while the headlines are tapering off, the hard work of recovery continues.

Navistar announces S-Cam tube bracket recall on six International models
Navistar Inc., headquartered in Lisle, IL, is recalling the brake S-cam tube bracket assemblies on some of its newer model International tractors, citing possible brake assembly fractures that could result in an increased risk of a vehicle crash.

Navistar notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Nov. 21 that as many as 6,779 International tractors may be included in the recall, including six newer models of the International 9900, the LoneStar, the PayStar, the ProStar, the TranStar and the WorkStar, manufactured from Aug. 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012. The recall is on the brake S-Cam tube bracket assemblies on the steer axles, which may fracture and could cause the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly or cause an increase in the stopping distance. The affected tractors will have front brake linings listed as feature codes 0504501 or 0504504.

The recall is expected to begin by Jan. 21, 2013. Navistar plans to notify owners, and dealers will replace S-Cam tube bracket assemblies free of charge. Those with questions are urged to call Navistar at 800-448-7825 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

Rush Enterprises acquires MVI Group
Rush Enterprises has picked up several dealerships in Ohio in a recent $107 million deal with MVI Group.

Rush announced Jan. 2 that its subsidiaries have acquired some assets of MVI Group, which operates commercial truck and bus dealerships in Ohio. The dealerships include Miami Valley International, Center City International, CCI North Coast and Buckeye Truck Centers. International, IC Bus, Isuzu and Idealease franchises in seven cities are included in the acquisition.

The newly acquired locations will operate as part of the company’s Navistar Division and bring the company’s total truck centers to 78 locations in 15 states. The capabilities of Rush Truck Leasing and Rush Bus Centers will be expanded as a result.

Trimble acquires ALK Technologies
Trimble Navigation announced Jan. 3 that it has acquired ALK Technologies Inc., developer of routing, mapping, mileage and navigation technologies.

ALK’s addition is expected to extend and complement Trimble’s Transportation and Logistics Division portfolio. Trimble T&L products include TMW Systems’ transportation management solutions, PeopleNet’s integrated onboard computing and mobile communications systems and GEOTrac’s fleet management and worker safety solutions for the oil and gas industry.

ALK’s product line includes CoPilot Live, a GPS navigation system for professional drivers; and PC*Miler, a truck-specific mileage tool.

ALK Technologies will be part of Trimble’s Mobile Solutions group. Trimble is best known for providing GPS receivers and laser rangefinders in the construction, surveying and agriculture fields.

A Trimble official says ALK will keep its present leadership team.

Limited number of 2013 Peterbilt calendars now available
The 2013 Peterbilt calendar is now available for purchase and the company is saying “heads up,” the quantities are limited and sale of the calendars may not extend beyond January.

Peterbilt’s calendar is available in two formats. The oversized wall calendar features six beautiful truck images with two months per truck image. The spiral bound appointment calendar featuring 12 unique truck images.

Appointment calendars feature 12 monthly photos, measure 12-7/8 x 9-3/4 inches and cost $10.95. Wall calendars feature six two-month pages, measure 28 x 26 inches and cost $15.95. Prices do not include shipping and handling.

The calendars can be purchased through Peterbilt dealers. Check out the network of dealerships at peterbilt.com.

Meritor manufacturer Fras-le expands U.S. operations
Fras-le, manufacturer and supplier of friction materials for Meritor Inc., announced Jan. 22 that it began production of heavy-duty brake linings at its facility in Prattville, AL, earlier in the month.

This is the first time Fras-le has produced heavy-duty brake linings in the United States. Previously, the company manufactured only disc brake pads at the Prattville location.

Fras-le invested $11 million to expand its operations for the North American commercial vehicle market. In addition to new equipment, the expansion added nearly 100 new employees.

Meritor’s aftermarket group is the exclusive North American distributor for Fras-le’s heavy-duty brake linings for new and remanufactured brake shoes. Fras-le and Meritor have partnered for 16 years in developing and supplying friction materials for North American commercial vehicles.

Western Star's limited edition 2013 calendar is here
The engineering-inspired “Tough by Design” calendar features Western Star trucks across various applications, from logging and mining to on-highway and heavy-haul. Renowned artist Jeff Foster returns for the third year to illustrate the specialization of each truck with blueprint-style drawings that complement original truck photography by Paul Hartley.

Presented in a horizontal 18-inch by 27-inch format, the “Tough by Design” calendar is available to order through the Western Star website at westernstar.com or at a Western Star dealer.

Freightliner Trucks 2013 calendar, with a new twist
The Freightliner 2013calendar is now available to order. In addition to highlighting on-highway and vocational truck models in unique settings and applications, the 2013 Freightliner Trucks calendar includes a new interactive component.

Starting in January, participants can log onto FindThisFreightliner.com and guess where the picture was taken. The first 25 people to identify correctly the location every month will win Freightliner merchandise.

Visit costore.com/freightliner to order the 2013 Freightliner Trucks calendar for $15.

American Truck Dealers move 2013 convention to Orlando
The American Truck Dealers has announced that it is moving its 2013 Convention and Expo to Orlando, FL, in February, in response to survey results of attendees from the past convention. The 2013 ATD convention was originally scheduled for Tampa next April.

Orlando is the site of the 2013 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention and Expo, which is considered “the industry event of year.” The two events will run simultaneously at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando from Feb. 8-11.

In a press release, ATD stated nearly 77 percent of respondents who attended the ATD convention in Las Vegas this past February indicated that they favored holding future ATD conventions in conjunction with NADA. Earlier this year, both conventions were held together for the first time.

The American Truck Dealers represents about 2,000 medium- and heavy-duty truck dealers. ATD members share in NADA’s programs, services and benefits. ATD hosts an annual convention and expo for dealers and dealership managers.

Kenworth, Paccar Financial offer extended warranty program
Kenworth Truck Co. and Paccar Financial announced an extended warranty program on Jan. 23. The program is for U.S. customers who purchase new Kenworth Class 8 trucks financed through Paccar Financial.

Customers can receive a three-year/300,000-mile basic vehicle extended warranty. The warranty is an additional two years and 200,000 miles of coverage valued at $3,200, Kenworth stated in a press release.

The offer applies to trucks ordered between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2013, and must be financed through Paccar Financial no later than March 31, 2014. Customers can take advantage of this offer for up to 20 trucks.

Bosselman Boss Shops aquires locations in Maryland, Virigina
Bosselman Boss Truck Shops Inc. has announced the acquisition of two Patriot Truck Care/HSV locations.

They are located in Elkton, MD, at I-95 Exit 109A; and Ruther Glen, VA, at I-95 Exit 104. Both are adjacent to a Flying J Travel Plaza, and will be part of the Uni-Maxx Truck Care network.

Adding these two locations to the Boss Shop lineup creates a total of 41 Boss Shops in 23 states.

Boss Shops offer tires, quick lube oil changes, preventive maintenance, brake, electrical, drive train, air conditioning and other repairs, as well as roadside service. Boss Shops carry high-quality tire lines, including Michelin, BF Goodrich, Bridgestone, Goodyear and DynaTrac. They offer a wide variety of accessories for the industry, such as cargo control and chrome items.

Drivers can also enroll in the MaxxCareRewards program, a card-based program that rewards points based on purchases in any Uni-Maxx Truck Care network shop. Boss Shops service large nationwide fleets as well as regional and local fleets.

For a complete list of all Boss Shops locations, visit bosstruckshops.com.

More information about MaxxCare Rewards is available at any Boss Shop or Wingfoot Truck Care Center. Visit unimaxxtruckcare.com to learn more.

U.S. Xpress to expand Mexican 'footprint'
U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc. has announced that it will significantly expand its presence and range of U.S./Mexican cross-border services through two key deals. Mexican expansion comes on the heels of U.S. Xpress’s recently-announced cross-border partnership with Canadian carrier Maritime-Ontario.

U.S. Xpress will purchase a 90 percent interest in Xpress Internacional. The deal marks an expansion of the joint venture originally created by the two companies five years ago.
The company has also formed a joint venture with Monterrey-based Logisti-K, a leading provider of cross-border and Mexican logistics services in operation since 2002. The deal will allow U.S. Xpress to expand its range of services in Mexico to include warehousing and distribution, as well as freight forwarding services via full truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal, ocean and air.

“The majority purchase of Xpress Internacional confirms our commitment to cross-border truckload transportation,” said Brian Quinn, vice president and general manager of international services at U.S. Xpress, “and our investment in Logisti-K opens new capabilities to provide those solutions.”

International rolls first ProStar with Cummins engine off line
By Charlie Morasch, Land Line contributing writer

The first International ProStar Plus with Cummins ISX 15 engine has rolled off the production line – both a real and symbolic sign of a new era for Navistar International Corp.

The new ProStar Plus, built at a company plant in Escobedo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, features selective catalytic reduction exhaust after-treatment systems. Navistar says it has already received orders for 1,000 new ProStar Plus trucks.

Navistar’s change from exhaust treatment by Exhaust Gas Recirculation to SCR was announced in August.

“This is a great accomplishment for Navistar and an important milestone as we bring our first SCR-based Class 8 trucks to the marketplace,” said Troy Clarke, Navistar president and COO, according to a company news release. “The entire launch team and hundreds of others working behind the scenes are committed to a high-quality launch, and this achievement is another proof point in our progress.”

The company moved into a new headquarters in Lisle, IL, last winter. This summer, amid rumors of bankruptcy, Navistar announced it had secured a $1 billion line of credit from a group of large banks, including J.P. Morgan.

In August, Navistar parted ways with former CEO Daniel Ustian, who had championed the company’s use of EGR while all rival truck manufacturers had used SCR for 2010 model year and newer trucks.

Last month, Navistar made 10.6 million shares of public stock available to raise cash – only two months after the company secured the $1 billion line of credit.

By March, Navistar expects to enter pilot production for International ProStar Plus trucks with the company’s MaxxForce 13 engines and a Cummins SCR-based after-treatment system. Regular production could begin by April. Other truck models will follow.

For more reporting on Navistar, click here.

Cummins adds new NG engine to heavy-duty lineup
Cummins is adding a new natural gas truck engine to its heavy-duty lineup. The engine is aimed at regional-haul truck/tractor, vocational and refuse applications. The new Cummins Westport ISX12 G burns either compressed or liquid natural gas and is currently in field trials with full production expected to begin in early 2013.

The ISX12 G natural gas engine is based on the Cummins ISX12 diesel engine platform.

TransCore DAT partners with Truckers Against Trafficking
Know a driver who deserves some recognition? Nominate him or her for the DAT.com Driver of the Month and for every nomination submitted, Truckers Against Trafficking will receive a $10 donation from DAT.

To nominate a driver, leave a comment on DAT.com’s Facebook post telling them who you would like to nominate and why. A winner will be selected on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013. In addition to being named DAT’s December Driver of the Month, the winner will also receive a $100 gift card.

Truckers Against Trafficking is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to ending human trafficking with the help of professional truck drivers. For more information, visit truckersagainsttrafficking.org.

2013 Shell Rotella SuperRigs calendar now available
Shell announced this week that through Nov. 30, truckers can get the 2013 Shell Rotella SuperRigs calendar at no cost with an oil change. After that, it can ordered from the website, which has a complete list of locations offering the calendar.

The 2013 Shell Rotella SuperRigs Calendar captures 12 of the hard-working trucks that participated in the SuperRigs contest earlier this year and the stories of their drivers.

The 30th Anniversary Shell Rotella SuperRigs was one of the most memorable ever as truckers from all across North America converged on Joplin, MO, in May. The truck contest was the signature event for “All Roads Lead to Joplin” – a group developed to raise funds to benefit the YMCA of Joplin’s community disaster recovery efforts following a devastating tornado in May 2011.

While supplies last, the calendar is free with a purchase of 10-gallon (minimum) oil change of Shell Rotella T Triple Protection, Shell Rotella T5 Semi Synthetic Technology, or Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic.

The 2000 Kenworth W900L of Ron Saris from Leamington, Ontario is the cover photo and month of December photo for the 2013 Shell Rotella SuperRigs calendar. The picture was taken at the Route 66 Drive-In in Carthage, MO.

The Shell Rotella SuperRigs calendar provides monthly offers from the MyMilesMatter loyalty program beginning in January 2013. The calendar will be available for purchase from www.Rotella.com beginning on Dec. 1, 2012.

Navistar commits to expanding LNG truck offerings
By Paul Abelson, Land Line senior technical editor

At a special briefing held in connection with the grand opening of Navistar’s new world headquarters in Lisle, IL, company executives announced a commitment to natural gas as the fuel of the future.

“Natural gas has clearly emerged as the most reliable alternative fuel option for the trucking industry,” said Navistar chairman, president and CEO Dan Ustian. “Together, Navistar and Clean Energy developed a breakthrough program.”

Clean energy president and CEO Andrew Littlefair announced his company’s plans to open 150 liquid natural gas (LNG) fueling stations, with 70 operating by the end of 2012. Most will be co-located at Pilot Flying J. The company foresees a nationwide network of natural gas fueling stations within a few years.

Navistar will develop natural gas versions of most existing engine platforms. Currently it offers DuraStar and WorkStar vocational trucks with natural gas-powered MaxxForce DT inline engines and will soon offer the Cummins-Westport ISL-G engine in its TranStar and WorkStar trucks. The company plans on developing LNG-fueled MaxxForce 13-liter engines with diesel pilot injection.

While engines like the ISL-G require spark plugs to ignite the fuel, Navistar’s pilot injection uses diesel to initiate combustion. Once a burn is established, it is sustained by the gas. That eliminates any need for spark plugs and related electrical systems.

The per-gallon-equivalent price deferential between gas and diesel is relatively constant at around $1.50, according to T. Boone Pickens, chief investment officer of BP Capital Management.

Pickens is a major force in natural gas exploration and production. “The United States has a minimum of 100 years of gas reserves, more than enough to drastically reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Pickens said.

Gas has not caught on as a fuel because of lack of infrastructure and a limited number of engine and fuel system options. Clean Energy’s commitment to build infrastructure and Navistar’s commitment to engine technology address the two major obstacles.

A third obstacle, the cost of vehicle conversion, is being addressed by Clean Energy. For operators who commit to purchasing 1,000 gallons of LNG per month per truck (equivalent to 100,000 miles a year at better than 8 mpg), monthly rebates will be available to repay the upcharges.

Special fuel tanks and engine changes are estimated at $35,000 per truck. In other words, up charges will be rebated over five years.

Vehicle range will be 400 to 600 miles depending on tank sizes. When the Clean Energy program is completed, fuel should be available every 250 miles. Vehicle weight will increase by less than 100 pounds. Refueling will take about 10 minutes.

Savings from the conversion to LNG should result in break-even periods as short as several years. The projections are based only on private investment. No government incentives are involved, although any incentives or tax credits for alternative clean-burning fuels will significantly shorten payback.

IdleAir adds new entertainment package
IdleAir, a truck stop electrification service provider, has added a new entertainment package that includes more than 60 channels of satellite TV, including the ESPN package. It also offers 120V electricity inside and outside the cab, and basic Internet access on the IdleAir touchscreen.

The new ConvoyTV+Power package will be offered for free at select locations nationwide through Jan. 15, 2013. Then beginning Jan. 16, 2013, it will be offered at a flat $1.49 per hour (plus tax), and available through IdleAir member cards at select locations through April 30, 2013.

Wall Street Journal picks TrailerTails for award
ATDynamics announced this week that the company has been awarded the 2012 Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award in the transportation category for its patented TrailerTail line of rear-drag aerodynamic technologies.

The TrailerTail is a lightweight, thermoplastic composite fairing installed at the back of a tractor-trailer to streamline airflow behind the trailer, reducing drag and fuel consumption. Using an origami folding design, TrailerTails collapse automatically out of the way when a driver opens the rear doors of a semi-trailer to access cargo.

ATDynamics was selected from among 536 applications originating from more than two dozen countries.

According to the press release, to date 12,000 TrailerTails circulating on U.S. highways have logged more than 300 million miles. The company claims a savings of more than 2 million gallons of diesel fuel.

Pilot Flying J partners with Truckers Against Trafficking
In an effort to help raise awareness about human trafficking along America’s roadways, Pilot Flying J has partnered with Truckers Against Trafficking to expand education for employees and outreach to customers.

Truckers Against Trafficking ia an organization dedicated to educating, equipping, empowering and mobilizing the trucking industry to fight human trafficking. It recently received its nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service, making it a 5019(c)(3) organization.

Pilot Flying J posted information from the growing organization in its more than 550 travel centers and travel plazas across the U.S. These posters provide the national hotline number that individuals should call to provide an anonymous tip if they witness or suspect human trafficking. The number is 888-373-7888.

Professional drivers are encouraged to pick up a Truckers Against Trafficking wallet card at Pilot Flying J locations, which along with the national TAT hotline number provides an email contact, tips on trafficking red flags and specific information to provide to law enforcement with each tip.

Pilot Flying J also now includes general training about human trafficking and the organization’s resources to all company employees.

Volvo goes for better mpg, sweet spot
Volvo says its new powertrain, the XE-13, will improve fuel efficiency by 3 percent or more in its VN series trucks. A Volvo press release says the system produces a low-rpm cruising speed while increasing torque. The company says the result is that the engine runs at its ‘”sweet spot” at all speeds.

Goodyear blog lets trucking professionals interact with tire expert
The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company has launched the fleetHQ “Ask The Tire Answer Man” blog, exclusively available at http://blog.fleethq.com/.

“This unique blog gives fleets and owner-operators an opportunity to interact with Tim Miller, Goodyear’s ‘Tire Answer Man,’” said Bruce Woodruff, director of business solutions marketing, Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems.

A 30-plus-year commercial tire veteran, Miller also serves as marketing communications manager for Goodyear's commercial tire business.

“Having spent his career working with original equipment truck manufacturers, fleets and owner-operators in a variety of capacities from engineering to national account sales, Tim will draw upon his vast knowledge of the tire and trucking industries to discuss issues that are important to transportation professionals,” said Woodruff.

Goodyear’s fleetHQ program offers a variety of tools and benefits, including the 24/7 fleetHQ Solution Center, which dispatches service technicians to downed trucks. It also offers TV Track, a powerful online management tool that helps fleets monitor tire conditions and performance, among other functions; Gold Medallion retreaded tires; the fleetHQ Truck Stop Network, which encompasses more than 300 locations; and more.

Freight Wing offers OOIDA member discounts on side skirts
Owner-operators who own their own trailers can save on their fuel bills if they run with aerodynamic trailer side skirts. If they happen to be OOIDA members, they can save even more, thanks to a 15 percent OOIDA member discount being offered by Freight Wing, the company that manufactures EPA SmartWay-verified Aeroflex side skirts.

New rules in California are requiring pre 2011-model year 53-foot dry van trailers to have aerodynamics by Jan. 1, 2013. New trailers must be spec’d with side skirts now.

For those running more than one trailer (up to 20), you can phase in trailer side skirts, but you must file a compliance agreement by Jan. 1, 2012. Refrigerated trailers must also comply, although the deadline varies by model year. For complete CARB requirements, go to the CARB web site: http://www.arb.ca.gov and click on The Truck Stop icon.

To learn more the OOIDA discount, go to the OOIDA website, www.ooida.com (click on benefits and services and go to discounts), or contact Freight Wing at 866-464-9464 or info@freightwing.com.

Inver Grove Heights travel center to remain open during remodeling
Pilot Flying J recently acquired a travel center in Inver Grove Heights, MN, and will remodel the Pilot Travel Center to feature 43 parking spaces for trucks plus full amenities for professional drivers and the motoring public.

Located at 11650 Courthouse Blvd. along U.S. Highway 52/55 in Dakota County, the travel center will remain open during remodeling, which is expected to be complete in May 2012.

The 7,500-square-foot travel center will feature four fuel islands and five diesel islands along with DEF at the pump.

The Inver Grove Heights location will include a Cat scale, Subway restaurant, which will reopen after the remodeling is complete; hot food deli; clean restrooms; pay phones; an AirVac; fax and copy services; Western Union and check cashing; an ATM; lottery and Lotto tickets; an arcade; laundry services; and general merchandise for professional drivers and highway travelers.

As with all other Pilot Flying J locations, the Inver Grove Heights Pilot Travel Center honors the Frequent Fueler Advantage card. Pilot and Flying J merged in 2010, and both brands are still available on U.S. highways.

Pilot Flying J is headquartered in Knoxville, TN, and has more than 550 retail locations across North America.

Recall: Bendix scrambles to remedy defective valve
By Sandi Soendker, editor-in-chief

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is recalling certain traction relay valves that will affect shipment of a large number of heavy trucks made by Paccar, Volvo, Mack and Navistar. In late January, the Ohio-based company notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration it had identified a potential defect on a traction relay valve fitted on 50,000 to 60,000 trucks manufactured between Dec. 2, 2010 and Jan. 18, 2012.

According to Bendix, OEMs were notified to ensure that the potentially affected trucks won’t be delivered for sale until there’s a fix. Bendix Communications Manager Barbara Gould said Thursday that the company was working as diligently as it could to get a remedy in place.

“Safety and customer satisfaction are top priority for us,” said Gould, “and when these types of situations arise, we do everything we can to get the right information and insure the fastest and least disruptive solution we can.”

The problem was discovered in mid-December after reports of intermittent brake applications. The company reports that following inspection of complaint vehicles, Bendix replicated the event under lab conditions and verified the situation in the field.

Gould said Bendix notified NHTSA on Jan. 26 of a potential defect on the ATR-6 traction relay valve. The problem is that internal leakage can develop, resulting in pressure being delivered to the affected service brake circuit.

Gould said it’s a potential problem, which means it doesn’t happen in every valve but can happen. The one consistent element, she said, is that it has occurred in vehicles operating in extremely cold – below zero – temps.

According to Gould, a temporary remedy kit is out there now and permanent one is forthcoming.

“From the OEM perspective, we are working closely with them to come up with a solution that works for them,” she said. “Some are already in the field installing the temporary remedy kit and we are working with others to come to a decision.”

Gould noted some confusion with a few reports she’d seen that indicated the defect was connected with Bendix’s stability and collision mitigation systems. Those reports are not accurate, she said.

“It’s not true that there are problems with these systems,” she said. “It’s an intermittent air leak issue, not related to stability and collision mitigation systems. Our Bendix ESP Full Stability System and Wingman ACB and Wingman Advanced – although they are temporarily suspended when you install the temporary remedy kit – are not the root cause of the condition.”

When the permanent remedy kit is installed, Gould said those systems will be instantly reactivated on the vehicle.

Bendix is providing online information and the latest developments at its Product Action Center and is now manning a toll free action line at 1-800-478-1793.

Daimler brings the cloud to the cab
You know that “cloud” word you are always hearing in ads about the Internet? Now it’s coming to trucking. A strategic agreement between Daimler Trucks North America and a company called Zonar promises to offer some Freightliner drivers Virtual Technician, which DTNA says is the industry’s first real-time remote diagnostic system. They say it will be standard equipment on 2012 Freightliners equipped with Detroit Diesel BlueTec engines.

By leveraging Zonar cloud-based (Internet) technology with the Virtual Technician system, DTNA can provide immediate and proactive diagnostic service to their customers. The Virtual Technician transmits real-time engine diagnostics with vehicle performance indicators to the Detroit Diesel Customer Support Center. The support center then proactively communicates with fleets and vehicle owners regarding potential performance issues and service scheduling.

Rebates available to help truckers ‘electrify’
Truckers needing a cost-effective way to purchase anti-idling equipment for their rigs may want to check into a new rebate program being offered through the U.S. Department of Energy.

The manager of the DOE grant program is Cascade Sierra Solutions of Eugene, OR, which announced the $10 million Shorepower Technologies Electrification Project – or STEP. The goal is to provide “idle reduction equipment rebates for devices on medium and heavy-duty diesel trucks that incorporate electric standby operation or run on battery power to eliminate engine idling during mandated rest periods,” according to Cascade’s press release on Aug. 15.

The STEP plan is to “locate and install 50 truck stop facilities over the next 18 months” in busy freight corridors.

Individual rebates can be as much as 20 percent of the “installed equipment price.”

Owner-operators operating in the lower 48 states will be eligible to apply for the program. Small fleet owners may also apply, with a maximum of 25 rebates per fleet.

“Equipment purchases must be pre-authorized by Cascade Sierra Solutions with a rebate certificate prior to installation,” Cascade’s release stated. Those selected must agree to use STEP project “electrified truck parking where available until June 2014.”

According to the release, the types of equipment eligible for the rebates, and the maximum payments, include auxiliary power units or generator sets with electric stand-by options, $2,000 max; battery HVAC systems, $1,600; battery evaporative cooler systems, $700; thermal storage systems, $260, truck cold plate systems, $3,200; trailer transport refrigeration units with electric stand-by options, $5,000; and e-Hybrid transport refrigeration units with electric stand-by options, $5,000.

The equipment must be SmartWay-approved technology. Click here for the list.

Freightliner aims for 8 mpg in 2015
The people at Freightliner say they’ve set a goal of improving the fuel efficiency of the Cascadia by 5 percent every two years. If they can pull it off, it will mean the Cascadia’s fuel use will improve from 6.7 miles per gallon in 2010 to almost 8 mpg in 2015.

Freightliner says it’s already boosted the tractor’s mileage with aerodynamic fairings and expects to introduce more aerodynamic improvements as well as mechanical advances and things like switching to a 5W-30 engine oil.

Discovery Channel announces new 'World's Toughest Trucker' series
Eight truck drivers from six different countries will put their driving skills to the test in a new Discovery Channel series, World’s Toughest Trucker, premiering at 10 p.m. EST on Monday, Feb. 13.

The new series features truck drivers from the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Australia and Sri Lanka. All are competing for a $150,000 prize.

According to the release, truck drivers will compete in three-day challenges in some of the harshest environments on earth, including the Australian Outback and icy roads in the Himalayas.

Drivers must face “unusual cargo, massive rigs, lethal roads and each other” as a driver is eliminated in each episode for “slow times and penalties.”

ATD Commercial Truck of the Year winners announced Feb.5
The winners of the American Truck Dealers Commercial Truck of the Year will be announced at the Las Vegas Hotel on Sunday, Feb. 5. The award recognizes the top truck entries in the heavy- and medium-duty categories. Nine trucks were nominated for the award.

The heavy-duty (Class 8) truck entries are the Freightliner 114SD conventional dump truck, International ProStar Plus tractor with MaxxForce 15 engine, Kenworth T660 Regional Hauler with Paccar MX engine, and Peterbilt 587 SmartWay conventional tractor. The medium-duty (Class 3-7) truck entries are the Fuso Canter FE160 low cab forward, Isuzu NPR-HD Gas, Kenworth T440 Conventional, Peterbilt Model 210 low cab forward, and UD 2600 low cab forward.

Trucks were judged on overall appearance, cab comfort, noise levels, roominess, ease of getting in and out of the truck, and convenience of maintenance.

Four journalists on the judging panel test drove the trucks on an eight-mile course that included rural and highway driving in Dallas last fall. Key judging factors included the trucks’ overall appearance, cab comfort, noise levels, roominess, ease of getting in and out of the truck, and convenience of maintenance.

The judges were Paul Abelson from Land Line magazine, Tom Berg from Heavy Duty Trucking, Paul Hartley from Fleet Equipment magazine, and Jack Roberts from Commercial Carrier Journal.

Thanks to truck stops, Subway is bigger than ever
“Five, five, five dollah foot-longgg” …The next time you order one of those at a Subway, you’ll be dining in the world’s largest restaurant chain. Subway is even bigger than McDonalds, with more than 37,000 sandwich shops in 98 countries.

One of the reason they’ve now topped all the others, in terms of units, is they are willing to operate Subway shops in so many non-traditional locations, like truck stops. Out of the more than 8,100 non-traditional locations with Subway restaurants, more than 4,100 locations are in convenience stores and truck stops.

Les Winograd with Subway’s franchise world headquarters in Milford, CT, told Land Line that the exact number of truck stop locations isn’t clear, but confirmed that Pilot Flying J and Love’s Travel Stops are among the top three non-traditional franchisees in the U.S.

“In the U.S. Pilot is the largest non-traditional franchisee, but they are our second largest non-traditional franchisee worldwide,” says Winograd. “The number one overall non-traditional franchisee worldwide is Couche Tard convenience stores, with 173 Subway franchises. The majority of Couche Tard’s Subway locations are in Canada with 108 franchises versus 65 in the US, which is why Pilot beats them out if you are only looking at the U.S. store counts.”

Winograd reports that Pilot currently owns and operates a total of 170 Subway franchises, all in the U.S. except one that’s in Canada.

The Pantry Inc. comes in next with 150 to rank the second largest U.S. non-traditional franchisee and the third largest non-traditional worldwide.

Next is Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc. with 131 franchises open and operating. Love’s is the third largest non-traditional franchisee in the U.S. behind Pilot and The Pantry, and the fourth largest non-traditional franchisee worldwide.

The most non-traditional location is neither a truck stop nor convenience store, but the True Bethel Baptist Church in Buffalo, NY.

Don Schneider dies at age 76
Alzheimer’s Disease has claimed the life of former Schneider National president and chief executive officer Donald Schneider. He died Jan. 13 at age 76.

Schneider was named president of the Wisconsin-based trucking company in 1976 and stayed at the helm for more than 25 years. He retired from the daily operational responsibilities at Schneider National in 2002.

He is survived by his wife Patricia, five children, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The company was founded by his father, Al Schneider.

Chapter 11 for Hostess
The company that makes Twinkies and Wonder Bread has filed for bankruptcy for the second time in five years. Hostess will continue operating its 36 bakeries and more than 500 distribution centers while it tries to restructure its finances.

Hostess says it filed for protection from its creditors because of debt, declining sales of some products, and the high cost of pensions and medical plans for its mostly union employees. Hostess has about 7,500 Teamster truck drivers and thousands of other workers who are represented by other unions.

Hostess was in bankruptcy from 2004 until 2009 and, at the time, cited many of the same reasons.

Dana, Eaton end alliance for marketing drivetrain components
Dana Holding Corp. and Eaton Corp. jointly announced in December that while they still have “deep respect for one another,” the marketing relationship between the two companies will end by the middle of 2012. Over the next six months, each company will be preparing to sell, market, and service customers independently of each other.

Eaton will continue to provide field services and support for all Eaton and Dana products through the middle of 2012 under the Roadranger brand, after which Dana will have the support systems in place to effectively service and support its customers independently.

Pilot Flying J completes purchase of Bosselman travel centers
Pilot Flying J and Bosselman Travel Centers Inc. announced in early January that the sale of seven Bosselman travel centers in the Midwest to Pilot Flying J is a done deal.

The centers are located in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota and are open for business Thursday, Jan. 5, as Pilot Travel Centers.

In addition to Pilot Flying J’s acquisition, the companies agreed to expand Bosselman’s Boss Truck Shops repair facilities to 20 additional Pilot Flying J locations across the country.

The newly acquired centers are located in Des Moines (Altoona), IA; Colby, KS; Salina, KS; Rapid City, SD; Big Springs, NE; Wood River, NE, and Elm Creek, NE.

Another Yokohama Tire price adjustment coming in February
Yokohama Tire Corp. will implement another price increase of up to 8 percent on all of its commercial truck tires in the U.S., effective Feb. 1. A spokesman for Yokohama confirmed that this represents the fifth increase since January 2011.

The tire company upped the price of its commercial tires 6 percent in January 2011, 8 percent in April, in July and again in October.

Rick Phillips, director of Commercial Sales cites costs of manufacturing and logistics, and domestic and global economic pressures.

Florida company develops ‘no fuel’ reefer
A Florida company has applied for a patent on a system that it says can power a reefer unit with batteries that are powered by the kinetic energy generated by the spinning of the truck’s wheels.

Emerald Technology Partners says the Wedway Refrigeration Power System refrigeration unit can run up to 10 hours after the truck has stopped. Or, the company says, it can be run off shore power.

With a Wedway-equipped refrigeration unit, the company claims the cost of operation is greatly reduced by doing away with the fossil fuel, lowering the overall weight of the system and allowing for more cargo weight.

By Emerald’s calculation, there are more than a million reefers on the road that consume nearly $13 billion dollars worth of fuel each year.

Paccar parts to please
TRP Aftermarket Parts from Paccar recently announced a line of chrome-plated and stainless steel accessories. TRP parts are manufactured with tested 304-grade or 430-grade stainless steel to resist corrosion, while the chrome plating provides a uniform, attractive finish. Axle and hub covers feature screw-on wheel nut covers instead of pop-on installation features and are less likely to fall off.

TRP chrome and stainless parts include exterior accessories such as fenders, bumpers, kick panels, steps, skirts and toolboxes, and interior accessories such as knobs and panels. TRP also offers accessories designed specifically for popular Kenworth and Peterbilt models.

TRP Aftermarket Parts are available through authorized retailers including Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF dealerships. Visit TRPParts.com for a location near you.

Volvo Trucks offers Bluetooth as standard on two models
In advance of the federal ban scheduled for Jan. 1, 2012, on commercial drivers’ use of hand-held mobile devices while driving, Volvo Trucks in North America will now offer its Bluetooth-equipped radio as standard equipment on all VN and VHD models.

Volvo’s standard Bluetooth radio package includes a radio unit, microphone mounted in the overhead console, and full audio delivered through the truck’s speaker system. The integrated design allows drivers to see pertinent incoming and outgoing call information on the vehicle’s Driver Information Display.

The system extends the phone’s features, such as answering the phone by pushing one button, as required in the regulation.

In addition to the Bluetooth mobile phone system, the radio features AM, FM, CD and MP3 capabilities, accessible through an auxiliary and USB connector installed in a dash switch location.

IdleAir extends price freeze through end of May
IdleAir has announced an extension of the 2011 Price Guarantee Program, which freezes current prices through May 31, 2012.

IdleAir Premium Service will remain at $1.99 an hour through May 31, 2012, and IdleAir’s Extended Stay Service for continuous stays beyond the first 10 hours will remain at $1.25 an hour through May 31, 2012. Drivers and fleets with different discounted rates will automatically receive the lowest hourly rate.

Freightliner design contest for college students
Freightliner Trucks has announced its “Design the Future of Pride & Profit” truck design contest. Open to college students studying within North America, entrants are invited to submit original designs for the owner-operator-style truck of the future.

The company is sponsoring a contest to see which college student can submit the best original design for a new truck – one that’s good looking, aerodynamic and user-friendly for owner-operators. The goal is to help generate out-of-the-box ideas for what owner-operators want.

Judging criteria will cover a broad spectrum of required skills, including concept, overall product appearance, originality, power of emotion, and illustration quality.

The contest runs from now through February 2012.

Three finalists, selected by a panel of commercial vehicle design experts, will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the 2012 Mid-America Trucking Show, where their designs will be on display at the Freightliner Trucks booth. The winner will receive a $20,000 scholarship fund and option for a paid internship at Freightliner Trucks.

For more information about the competition and a complete list of rules, go to www.FreightlinerTrucks.com/TruckDesignContest.

DVX sunglasses for serious drivers
The hot new sunglasses that NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon was wearing this week at Daytona International Speedway will soon be available for all professional drivers. Although sunshine was sparse and the race didn’t happen until Monday night after sundown, the DVX Eyewear brand made its official debut anyway at the Sprint Cup Series kickoff festivities in Daytona Beach, FL.

The DVX brand by Wiley X includes 25 designs (five of which are Rx-capable) for both men and women. The new product line will be available exclusively through Wal-Mart Optical Centers beginning in mid-March.

The DVX sunglasses retail for $48 for non-polarized and $78 for polarized models. Wal-Mart Vision Centers offer free vision screenings in the store and a free 12-month guarantee on all frames and lenses.

Petes take top honors in ATD Commercial Truck of the Year
The winners of the American Truck Dealers Commercial Truck of the Year were announced at the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino on Sunday, Feb. 5. The award recognized the top truck entries in the heavy- and medium-duty categories. Nine trucks were nominated for the award; Peterbilt trucks won in both the heavy-duty and medium-duty categories.

Winners were the Peterbilt 587 SmartWay conventional tractor in the heavy-duty (Class 8) division and the Peterbilt Model 210 low cab forward in the medium-duty (Class 3-7) competition.

Other entries in the heavy-duty category were the Freightliner 114SD conventional dump truck, International ProStar Plus tractor with MaxxForce 15 engine, and the Kenworth T660 Regional Hauler with Paccar MX engine. The medium-duty truck entries were the Fuso Canter FE160 low cab forward, Isuzu NPR-HD Gas, Kenworth T440 Conventional, and UD 2600 low cab forward.

Trucks were judged on overall appearance, cab comfort, noise levels, roominess, ease of getting in and out of the truck, and convenience of maintenance.

The judges were Paul Abelson from Land Line Magazine, Tom Berg from Heavy Duty Trucking, Paul Hartley from Fleet Equipment magazine, and Jack Roberts from Commercial Carrier Journal.

Onspot automatic chains growing
Did you catch the article in March/April Land Line about OOIDA Members Bob and Linda Caffee and their Onspot automatic chains? We just heard some positive news from Onspot of North America announcing the expansion of its factory in North Vernon, IN.

Onspot had been planning to add to its existing 30,000 square foot facility when the building and property next door became available. The company chose to purchase the three- acre parcel with its 7400 square foot building. This will become Onspot’s storage warehouse. The additional space frees up the room required to add two more machines that assist in the production of Onspot’s automatic tire chain systems.

Onspot of North America has been supplying automatic tire chain systems for the past 24 years to more than 200 OEMS as a factory-installed option and to more than 1,400 dealers throughout North America. For more information, contact Onspot at 800-766-7768 or www.onspot.com

TRIB to give away $10,000 of retreads during MATS
The Tire Retread and Repair Information Bureau is expanding its “Spot the Retreads” competition at the Mid-America Trucking Show March 22-24 in Louisville, KY.

Visitors to TRIB’s booth No. 13036 can enter the “Spot The Retreads” contest and try to correctly identify a range of new and retreaded tires. Participants who correctly identify all the tires will be entered into daily drawings for sets of eight commercial truck tires to be retreaded on the participants own casings. With seven sets of retreaded tires to be won, the total value of the tires to be given away during the show is more than $10,000.

For more information about MATS, visit www.truckingshow.com.

Fat to fuel?
Tyson Foods has partnered with Syntroleum, a Tulsa-based company, to convert animal fat into diesel fuel. Dynamic Fuels – the joint venture of Syntroleum and Tyson – claims the renewable fuel has a higher cetane rating than normal diesel and is some of the highest-quality diesel fuel in the world.

Operations are underway at the new Dynamic Fuels plant, which is converting animal fats and greases into high-quality renewable fuels. Production at the Geismar, LA, plant began in early October, and the volume currently being produced is 2,500 barrels per day and growing.

Unlike the ethanol and biodiesel industries, which use food ingredients such as corn and soybean oil to produce fuel, Dynamic Fuels uses non-food-grade animal fats and greases.

According to the company, the facility’s renewable diesel fuel product meets all ASTM D975 specifications for diesel fuel and boasts a carbon footprint 75 percent below that of petroleum diesel.

Battle ongoing over Tony the Tiger
Yet another lawsuit was filed in Louisiana on Thursday, April 6, in the on-going legal battle over “Tony the Tiger.” Tony is a Siberian-Bengal tiger that’s been on display in a cage at the Tiger Truck Stop off Interstate-10 near Baton Rouge for years.

An animal rights group has now filed suit hoping to get Tony moved to wildlife refuge.

In November, a judge ordered that the truck stop owner’s permit to keep the tiger be revoked, but another judge issued a temporary order barring the state from moving the animal.

Ritchie Bros. conducts largest Mexico auction in its history
By Land Line staff

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers’ first-ever Mexico national auction broke records last week for highest gross auction proceeds and largest number of bidders.

Ritchie Bros., the world's largest auctioneer of used and unused heavy equipment, set multiple records at its first-ever Mexico national auction held in Polotitlan, state of Mexico, on March 28-29, 2012.

In total, more than 1,150 heavy equipment items and trucks were sold during the two-day auction, with each item being sold to the highest bidder, regardless of price, with no minimum bids or reserve prices. The unreserved public auction set new company records in Mexico for highest gross auction proceeds – nearly $19 million (US) – and most bidders at 735.

In the transportation sector, more than 60 truck tractors were sold. In that group, the high sellers were two 2012 Freightliner Cascadias that went for $82,500 each. The median sale price of tractors was $44,000. The low seller went for $3,250.

A corporate communications rep from Ritchie Bros. told Land Line that the tractors came mainly from northern Mexico – Baja, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango – and that many of them were being used to haul equipment from the recently booming mining operations in the region, mainly gold and copper. The sellers of the trucks reside in Mexico, but also operate in the U.S. and Canada.

More than 700 people from 27 countries, including 32 Mexican states, registered to bid in person or online from as far away as Australia, Malaysia, Ireland and India. Bidders from outside of Mexico purchased nearly $2 million (U.S. dollars) worth of equipment (10 percent of total gross auction proceeds). In total, more than 325 bidders registered online and purchased more than $4 million worth of equipment.

Additional equipment included 36 crawler tractors, 27 hydraulic excavators, 26 wheel loaders, 12 articulated dump trucks and more.

The company has been in business for more than 50 years and has been conducting unreserved heavy equipment auctions for more than 15 years in Mexico.

Volvo hybrid race truck to attempt new speed records
By Land Line staff

The world’s fastest hybrid Class 8 truck will try to beat its own speed record (it owns three) April 27 at Wendover Airfield in Utah. From a standing start, the Volvo hybrid “Mean Green” will attempt to do more than 165-miles-per-hour in a little over half-a-mile.

In building the Mean Green, which was revealed by Volvo Trucks at the Mid-America Trucking Show, Volvo’s team of hybrid technology experts adapted Volvo’s hybrid driveline to the chassis requirements of a truck built for speed. Engineers then outfitted Mean Green with a highly tuned Volvo D16 engine and a modified version of Volvo’s automated I-Shift gearbox, which interacts with the hybrid’s electric motor.

“The result is a lightning-speed boost from start-off without any of the customary diesel-engine delay,” said Boije Ovebrink, Mean Green’s owner and driver. “It’s like a champagne cork, but without the sound effects. For the first couple of seconds the truck just makes a slight whistle until the diesel engine, which runs on renewable liquid rosin diesel, starts delivering with explosive force.”

In total, Mean Green pumps out a massive 2,100 horsepower and nearly 5,000 lb-ft. torque – of which, 200 horsepower and 885 lb-ft. of torque come from the electric motor. Volvo designers selected a North American VN cab and sculpted the optimal aerodynamic shape for the truck.

Trucker’s Helper donates to St. Christopher
John Ewing is the owner of Trucker’s Helper, a company that specializes in accounting software specifically designed for truckers. For the second year, he took some of his company’s earnings and made a donation to the St. Christopher Trucker Development and Relief Fund. This year at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ewing made a $500 donation. The check was accepted by SCF’s Director of Fundraising Denise Pittenger.

Bridgestone: New project could be breakthrough for rubber industry
By Land Line staff

This could be big. With the demand for tires expected to increase, Bridgestone Corp. has announced the Bridgestone Group’s plans for an extensive research project in the United States dedicated to developing guayule as a commercially viable, renewable source of high-quality natural rubber and as an alternative to the hevea tree, which is currently the primary source for tire rubber.

Guayule (pronounced why-u-lee) is a perennial shrub native to the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. This plant produces natural rubber in its bark and roots. Natural rubber from guayule has almost identical qualities compared to natural rubber harvested from hevea trees.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations is currently seeking land to establish the pilot farm and construct the rubber process research center in the southwestern U.S. The facility is expected to be fully operational in 2014. Trial rubber production should start in 2015.

Goodyear DuraSeal Tire Survives 367 Punctures Without Losing Pressure
This year’s Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY, drew a record number of attendees, and The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company set its own record of sorts during the three-day event thanks to its DuraSeal Technology.

Mid-America Trucking Show attendees drove 367 nail holes into a Goodyear G394 SST wide-base trailer tire at the tire manufacturer’s booth – without any impact on tire inflation.

Attendees punctured the tire using Goodyear’s “DuraSeal Popper,” a device that enables users to pierce the tread area of a tire by pulling down on a handle. (The tire was mounted on the DuraSeal Popper, but not under a load at the time.)

“The results were eye-popping,” said Tim Miller, marketing communications manager, Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems. “DuraSeal Technology is the industry’s first and only built-in tire sealant, and is designed for multiple punctures while maintaining tire pressure.”

DuraSeal is a yellow, gel-like rubber compound that instantly seals punctures of up to 1/4-inch in diameter in the tread area of the tire. (It does not seal sidewall punctures.) As a nail enters the tire and reaches the tire’s inner liner, DuraSeal immediately surrounds the puncture to seal the leak.

“If the nail is pulled out, DuraSeal can instantly fill the hole and keep air from escaping,” said Miller. “People are amazed that a truck tire can seal itself.”

Goodyear’s DuraSeal Technology is available in drive and trailer tires for over-the-road applications, plus in all-position tires for mixed service and waste-haul applications. To learn more about DuraSeal, visit www.goodyeartrucktires.com/technology/duraseal.aspx.

Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems offers a broad portfolio of products and services to the commercial fleet industry, including a full range of original equipment and replacement tires; the fleetHQ portfolio of business solutions; national programs, tire management tools; online information; and business problem-solving tools for tomorrow’s commercial fleets. For more information, go to www.goodyeartrucktires.com. For more information about fleetHQ, go to http://www.fleethq.com.

IdleAir opens new location in Arizona
As fuel prices continue to hover above the $4 mark, truck drivers without APUs continue to seek alternative idling solutions.

IdleAir services are now available at 27 locations in 12 states with more than 2,000 installed parking spaces.

Until April 30, IdleAir will offer free limited service at its newest location at the Sunmart Truck Stop at exit 378 on Interstate 10 in San Simon, AZ.

According to an IdleAir release, premium service will be available for $1.25 per hour through May 31, at the new site.

MHC Kenworth-KC earns KW’s first Paccar MX Dealer of Year Award
MHC Kenworth-Kansas City was named the first recipient of the new Kenworth Paccar MX Dealer of the Year award for the United States and Canada at the annual Kenworth dealer meeting held recently in Columbus, OH.

“We’re thrilled to be the first Kenworth dealer to win this award,” said Tim Murphy, CEO of MHC, which operates 43 Kenworth dealerships in 10 states, including MHC Kenworth-Kansas City.

Gary Moore, KW’s general manager and Paccar VP said more than 20,000 trucks now operate with the Paccar MX engine in various customer applications throughout North America. The engine is available with a horsepower range of 380 hp to 485 hp and torque up to 1,750 lb-ft on selected Kenworth Class 8 models.

Atlas drivers like Subway, Shell Rotella, KWs and satellite radio
Atlas Van Lines is out with its annual survey of driver preferences when it comes to things like food and lodging. This year, a majority of the 167 drivers who responded said Subway is their favorite fast food and Petro’s Iron Skillet is their top restaurant.

Most think Kenworth makes the best tractor and Bridgestone scored as their favorite tire. Favorite truck stop chain is Petro and Super 8 is the favorite lodging. A whopping 47 percent use Shell Rotella. Fresh fruit is the snack of choice while driving.

More than half (55 percent) reported they listen to satellite radio.

Sixty percent have smartphones and of those, most have iPhones. Verizon topped the cell phone service provider of choice.

Seventy-five percent use the Internet daily and 56 percent use social networking (like Facebook) every day.

TravelCenters of America to honor women drivers on Mother’s Day
TravelCenters of America invites all professional driving women to enjoy a complimentary meal on Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 13, at any participating TA or Petro Stopping Centers sit-down restaurant.

“We understand that drivers sacrifice their personal and family time by being on the road, doing what needs to be done to keep America moving,” said Tom O’Brien, president and CEO of TravelCenters. “We hope to make Mother’s Day a little brighter for moms and daughters, aunts and nieces, and grandmothers and granddaughters, especially if they are away from their families on this special day.”

Women drivers simply need to show their valid commercial driver’s license to their restaurant server prior to ordering to receive one free meal (up to a $15 value) at more than 170 participating Iron Skillet, Country Pride and other full-service, home-style restaurants within TA and Petro Stopping Centers.

Schneider National replacing 3,000 trucks
Schneider National announced this week it will replace one-third of its 10,000-plus trucks by the end of this year. The company has invested in 3,000 new 2012 and 2013 tractors, or 75 per week.

The trucks are primarily Freightliners and include Meritor WABCO’s OnGuard collision mitigation system. OnGuard features a forward-looking radar sensor that monitors the distance, speed and deceleration of a vehicle ahead and alerts the driver to take appropriate action through an in-cab display.

Don Osterberg, senior vice president of safety and security at Schneider National said, “If a situation should arise where the gap between our truck and the vehicle in front closes to less than 3.6 seconds, a warning will sound, allowing the driver to take the necessary steps to regain a safe cushion.”

If the driver fails to take appropriate action, the system will deactivate the cruise control, depower the engine, and even apply the brakes to avoid a collision.

The tractors have aerodynamic features that reduce drag, including wheel covers. Most will have redesigned fairings to optimize fuel efficiency and improve mileage per gallon, as well as Predictive Cruise Control. Annually, the new trucks will save almost 2 million gallons of fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 22,000 tons.

Freightliner Natural Gas Tour planned for May 17-24
By Kimberely Lennard, Land Line staff writer

The Freightliner Natural Gas Tour is planned for May 17-24. A Cascadia day cab tractor fueled by CNG will be driven from Los Angeles to Washington, DC.

The truck will be refueled with CNG along the way. Stops include Phoenix, AZ; Oklahoma City, OK; North Little Rock, AR; Nashville, TN; and ending just south of Washington, DC, in National Harbor, MD.

The tour truck is pulling a 53-foot trailer, courtesy of Ryder, loaded with approximately 30,000 pounds of cardboard that will be delivered for recycling in Washington, DC.

To follow the Cascadia’s progress and learn more about CNG, visit FreightlinerGreen.com. The total fuel savings counter has statistics tracking miles traveled, average CNG fuel price, average MPG and estimated greenhouse gas reduction.

TA/Petro: Be ready for Roadcheck with a free mid-trip inspection
Truckers aren’t the only ones who are prepped for the annual 72-hour safety blitz. Travel Centers of America invites truckers to “avoid a CVSA Roadcheck violation with a free mid-trip inspection.”

TA/Petro says truckers can stop at any participating TA Truck Service or Petro Lube location for a “quick, non-measured” inspection of key items that the DOT looks for. Mid-trip inspections are available through June 9.

After June 9, TA and Petro will still offer free mid-trip inspections if there is an empty bay at participating locations.

WIT to name Influential Woman of the Year
Women in Trucking’s choice for Influential Woman of the Year will be announced at the Truckload Carriers Association annual conference March 4-7 in Orlando, FL.

A panel assembled by the Women in Trucking organization will discuss “Overcoming the Challenges” faced by women working in the trucking industry. Panelists include Andreea Raaber, Bendix VP for business development; Joyce Brenny, president of Brenny Transportation and Chairman of Minnesota Trucking Association; Phyllis Cochran, president of the Navistar Inc. Parts Division; and Rochelle Gorman, chief executive officer, CalArk International Inc. Moderator will be Chris Burruss, president, Truckload Carriers Association.

The Influential Woman of the Year will be named following the panel discussion. Three finalists will be introduced. WIT President and CEO Ellen Voie will announce the winner.

Xata: Can we be ‘tweet hearts’?
Fleet optimization software people, Xata Corp., have announced they are conducting a Twitter follower contest Feb. 7-28, 2012, to benefit the St. Christopher Development and Trucker Relief Fund. Follow them on Twitter at @XataNation.

For every new @XataNation Twitter follower, Xata will donate $1 (up to $1,000) to the St. Christopher Fund.

The SCF is a nonprofit dedicated to helping drivers who struggle with medical bills and unemployment due to illness or injury.

Shell announces new loyalty program
Shell Lubricants has launched a loyalty program that rewards truck drivers and equipment operators for choosing Shell Rotella products. The “My Miles Matter” loyalty program allows members of the program to earn reward miles by purchasing select Shell Rotella products and services. Membership in the program is free.

In celebration of the launch of “My Miles Matter,” those registering on or before Feb. 29, 2012 will receive double miles for the reward code entered.

Between March 1 and April 30, all members (in most states) can register to have a chance to win $25,000 in diesel fuel. Everyone who registers during this time period will also get 250 miles automatically credited to their account. Secondary prizes include one hundred $25 Shell gift cards. See www.MyMilesMatter.com for the complete rules.

Kenworth's NavPlus System: What? No kitchen sink?
Kenworth’s NavPlus system is spoiling KW operators with a driver’s-side 7-inch high-resolution color screen display that is loaded.

It offers everything from truck-specific navigation to hands-free telephone conversations – along with audio controls (including satellite-enabled radio, AM/FM, CD, MP3 and USB), and camera inputs for up to four optional video cameras for monitoring the truck and trailer.

Six virtual gauges provide current information on truck operation. Oil temperature, transmission temperature, manifold boost, current and average fuel economy, diesel particulate filter (DPF) status and percentage of torque come preloaded.

In addition, an on-screen preprogrammed button automatically dials the Kenworth PremierCare Customer Center, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for roadside assistance.

At the core of the Kenworth NavPlus is an on-board navigation system that provides drivers with true truck-optimized routes from Garmin, customized to truck and load specifications. The system also allows truck and load information to be entered, which allows drivers to steer clear of restricted roads and streets. Audible prompts keep drivers’ eyes on the road, instead of on the screen.

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