Autoblog

How to unload a truckload of bamboo poles

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Safety, Videos, Work

Have you ever wondered why home improvement delivery trucks have that little forklift piggybacking on the back of the trailer? To make unloading all the heavy supplies easier, of course. But what happens if you're trying to unload a massive amount of bamboo quickly and without a forklift? For this driver, the answer is to get creative.

We don't want to spoil that action for you, but you can check it out for yourself in the video posted below. We're just not sure if we should file this as a "How To" or a "What Not To Do" video. Either way, enjoy.

Continue reading How to unload a truckload of bamboo poles

How to unload a truckload of bamboo poles originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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US truck fleets turning towards CNG, LPG

John McElroy — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Diesel

Fleets can save well over $150,000 in fuel costs over the six-year life of a truck.

The electric vehicle market is turning into a financial nightmare for many of the automakers and suppliers that invested in the technology. Hybrids only comprise three percent of total new car sales, despite there being over 40 different models. And fuel cells are still more science lab experiment than mass-production reality.

But in a different part of the market, the green revolution looks a lot more promising. Commercial truck fleets in the United States are now keenly interested in converting their trucks to nun on natural gas or propane.

Thanks to the precipitous drop in prices for compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid propane (LPG), fleets can save a fortune by switching over to these fuels. OEMs such as Freightliner and Thomas Built Bus have jumped into the market. International now offers the Transtar Class 8 semi (above) that runs on CNG. A cost calculator on the truck maker's website shows that a fleet can save well over $150,000 in fuel costs over the six-year life of a truck. For fleets that run their per-mile operating costs to the penny, this is a financial windfall.

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US truck fleets turning towards CNG, LPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Ford Transit unveiled in Chassis Cab and Cutaway versions

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, Specialty

As a leader in commercial vehicles here in the US, we knew Ford wouldn't take too long to show off the chassis cab and cutaway versions of its 2014 Ford Transit van. Set to go on sale this fall, Ford already revealed the full-body version of the Transit, and now it has pulled the cover off exposed-frame models just in time to to compete against the all-new Ram Promaster.

The term "chassis cab" refers to models with a fully enclosed cabin used for box vans or rental trucks, while cutaway models leave the cabin open behind the B-pillars for a pass-through on vehicles such as Class C motorhomes or ambulances. Both will offer three wheelbase options (138, 156 and 178 inches), the choice of single or dually rear axles, and plenty of upfitter-friendly touches including a pre-wired body harness and multiple body mount locations.

The new design will also help make upfitting a little easier since the fuel filler is now built into the cab (just behind the driver's door). Those integrated fuel filler necks will serve to feed either a 3.7-liter V6, a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, or a 3.2-liter Power Stroke diesel. Transit chassis cab and cutaways will wear varying Gross vehicle weight ratings from 9,000 pounds to 10,360 pounds depending on spec.

Like all US-spec Transit models, the chassis cab and cutaway will be built at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri. About the only thing that has yet to be announced for the new Transit is its pricing.

Continue reading 2014 Ford Transit unveiled in Chassis Cab and Cutaway versions

2014 Ford Transit unveiled in Chassis Cab and Cutaway versions originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blue Oval's new Cargo cab-over rig is largest "One Ford" initiative yet

Chris Paukert — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Europe, Work, Ford, South America

The imposing commercial truck above has a feature that might be surprising to most Autoblog readers - a Blue Oval emblem on the front. Here in North America, Ford simply doesn't play in the eighteen-wheeler sandbox, but that doesn't mean that the Dearborn-based automaker is absent in the heavy hauling space in other parts of the globe. In fact, Ford presently fields two completely different big rig ranges under the Cargo moniker - one a product of an Eastern Europe/Turkey joint venture, and another from Brazil. But that's about to start changing with the advent of this new cab-over model seen here.

Unveiled in São Paulo, Brazil, this new generation of Cargo is perhaps the largest physical embodiment of CEO Alan Mulally's "One Ford" global streamlining strategy. Instead of multiple models, company engineers have developed a new single truck that it says will better meet the needs of truckers in all markets. Designed to compete in what's known as the "extra heavy-duty segment" elsewhere in the world, this Cargo was developed jointly by Ford engineering teams in Brazil, Turkey and Europe.

Specifics remain hard to come by (read: unreleased), but Ford is promising an all-new engine enabling hauling capability of up to 56 tons while still returning excellent fuel economy. Ford's global Cargo lineup will henceforth consist of a dozen models, but Ford tells Autoblog has no plans to bring this hot and heavy-duty action to North America.

Blue Oval's new Cargo cab-over rig is largest "One Ford" initiative yet originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW mulling stake in U.S. truckmaker Navistar

Zach Bowman — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Europe, Work, Earnings/Financials

Volkswagen is reportedly looking into taking a stake in heavy truck maker Navistar International in an attempt to gain ground on rival Daimler. Reuters references a Financial Times Deutschland report as saying such a move would give VW a leg up on Daimler Trucks, which holds the keys to U.S.-based Freightliner.

Navistar International hasn't performed particularly well in recent months. Last quarter saw the truck maker post a second quarter loss tied to warranty costs. The news sent the company's stock down by 28 percent to its lowest level since 2008.

The current Volkswagen portfolio includes both MAN and Scania, though neither of those commercial truck brands offer any presence in the sizable U.S. market. But Navistar has other suitors beyond Volkswagen. Investor Carl Icahn has voiced his desire for the company to merge with Oshkosh Corporation. Icahn increased his stake in Navistar by 12 percent last Friday. Meanwhile, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has made it clear he wants to delve into the U.S. big rig market as well.

VW mulling stake in U.S. truckmaker Navistar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infographic: Breaking down the costs of trucking

Zach Bowman — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Work, Earnings/Financials

If you've ever had visions of telling your boss exactly where he can put his TPS reports and heading off to reenact your favorite scenes from classic trucking movies like Smokey and the Bandit, Convoy or Over the Top, we have bad news for you: Trucking is prohibitively expensive.

The crew at TheTruckersReport.com worked up an infographic filled with examples of just how pricey it can be to operate an eighteen wheeler. According to the information, only eight percent of all trucks on the road are privately operated. The rest are run by larger trucking companies.

No surprise there. A new cab can cost upwards of $100,000, while a trailer will set you back $50,000. Companies typically pay around $30,000 a year on their truck loans, which actually makes it the third largest expense in operating a big rig. Number one? Diesel fuel. A single truck can suck down 20,500 gallons of fuel in a year, which can add up to over $70,000 depending on location. Driver pay falls second, with operators earning around $0.36 per mile. Maintenance, meanwhile, can cost around $15,000 annually.

Hit the jump to check out the full graphic for yourself. Now if you'll excuse us, we have some reports to file...

Continue reading Infographic: Breaking down the costs of trucking

Infographic: Breaking down the costs of trucking originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Freightliner's awesome new Revolution Innovation is a future rig done right [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Truck, Technology, Videos, Work, Design/Style, Diesel

Freightliner is stealing the spotlight at this week's Mid-America Trucking Show in Kentucky with a new truck concept. The Revolution Innovation is aimed squarely at reimagining the face commercial trucking. With innovations like a more aerodynamic body, cold-rolled aluminum frame that's 200 pounds lighter than its steel equivalent, low-slung engine placement and an intelligent rear axle that can automatically switch between four and six-wheel drive as needed, the concept is more fuel efficient while retaining plenty of functionality.

Designers looked at how most drivers use their rigs, and determined that most of the time, there's only one occupant in the cab. To that end, they scrapped the passenger door in favor of a more efficient work station and a rest area. There's even an innovative rear door between the cab and trailer. A new gauge cluster and cell-connected center console both add extra layers of functionality as well.

Outside, clever use of LED lighting and low-drag cameras replace traditional design elements. Despite its concept looks, the Revolution Innovation is a fully operational truck. Hit the jump to check out the full video for yourself and peruse the gallery for more.

Continue reading Freightliner's awesome new Revolution Innovation is a future rig done right [w/video]

Freightliner's awesome new Revolution Innovation is a future rig done right [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vehicle hauler shortage to threaten new car sales?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Videos

New car sales have endured all manner of impediments since The Great Recession began in 2008, and for various reasons including everything from restricted lending by banks to strikes and Acts of God. Next up among the bugbears could be a shortage of car haulers, which were pulled from active duty when there simply weren't cars to haul.

However, with 2012 sales riding a projected wave of 15 million in sales for the year, the opposite has happened: too many new vehicles to be shipped paired with a paucity of tractor-trailers and trains to do the shipping. Estimates put the disparity between demand and supply at 1.7 million vehicles - the kind of number that could make a dent that won't buff out.

On the other hand, shipping companies are buying all the haulers they can, it's only March, and no one knows how long the superheated sales will continue. Yet even if the hauler shortage is remedied, there could be a shortage of drivers. According to Heavy Duty Trucking magazine, finding truckers to fill the drivers' seats will become more difficult since pay hasn't kept up with the economy.

Follow the jump to see the Autoline Daily report (skip to 1:18 for the car hauler story).

Continue reading Vehicle hauler shortage to threaten new car sales?

Vehicle hauler shortage to threaten new car sales? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big Cheese: Kraft pushing for 97,000-pound "bridge wrecker" trucks

Jeff Sabatini — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

Kraft Foods wants to bring you more Velveeta, more efficiently. According to Bloomberg, the food giant says it needs to pack its 97,000-pound trucks full of processed deliciousness in order to combat high diesel prices. Problem is, interstate highways have an 80,000-pound weight limit.

But Kraft (along with other big corporations like Home Depot, MillerCoors, and Archer-Daniels-Midland) thinks it can get the law changed. Congress just extended a one-year pilot program to allow 100,000-pound trucks on interstates in Maine and Vermont for an additional 20 years, and a new bill would let every state decide whether they would allow the heavier trucks on their interstate highways.

Advocates of the "Safe and Efficient Transportation Act" say that the proposal is an economic necessity, and point out that states are already allowing heavier trucks to travel their secondary roads. But others have raised concerns about increased wear-and-tear on roads, and the questionable state of repair of the nation's interstate bridges, which were only designed for 80,000-pound trucks, according to the report.

There's also the potential for more highway fatalities. Though highway deaths have been on the decline, commercial truck-related deaths were up last year, according to the report. John Lannen, executive director of The Truck Safety Coalition, told Bloomberg that if the weight limits go up, "The entire country's motoring public will be put in grave danger."

Big Cheese: Kraft pushing for 97,000-pound "bridge wrecker" trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Dec 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Mexican truck poised to enter U.S. as tensions mount

Zach Bowman — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

The very first Mexican truck is set to enter the United States seventeen years after a provision in the North American Free Trade Agreement allowed cargo carriers from the south to carry freight across the border. The provision has faced stiff opposition from lawmakers and union officials alike, with the latest hurdle coming from the Obama Administration. In early 2009, the administration canceled a pilot program that would have had Mexican drivers making deliveries on a trial basis that year. Mexico responded with hefty tariffs on a range of 99 agricultural products worth around $2 billion annually.

Since then, President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon have agreed on an inspection and monitoring program for companies intending to operate inside the States. Mexico cut its tariffs in half as a result, and promises to do away with the rest once the first trucks leave the border zone.

Opposition still remains, however. U.S. Representatives Duncan Hunter (R, Calif.) and Bob Filner (D, Calif.) have said they will make a stand at the border in opposition to the program. The two politicians will be joined by Teamsters union President James Hoffa and Todd Spencer, who operates the Independent Drivers Association.

Meanwhile, the long-haul truck operated by Transportes Olympic is scheduled to cross the border at Laredo, Texas, before traveling 450 miles north to Garland Texas. Transportes Olympic says that, by not having to stop, unload goods and reload them on American trucks, the company will be able to save its customers around 15 percent on shipping costs.

First Mexican truck poised to enter U.S. as tensions mount originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS: Underride guards on semi trucks can fail even at low speeds

Dan Roth — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Technology

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety semi trailer crash test - Click for high-res image gallery

A new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that underride guards on semi trailers are prone to failure. Despite major advances in passenger car safety since the mid-1970s, it seems the guards on tractor trailers still fail to reliably prevent vehicles from sliding under trailers in the event of a collision - a similar result to studies conducted over 30 years ago.

Of course, some trailers are better than others, but there is no testing standard for evaluating the underride guards and their attachment points and hardware. Despite this, there is a federal safety standard for the guards, and there's also a more stringent Canadian specification that requires the guards to be stronger and absorb more crash energy. In analyzing the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, a federal database of about 1,000 actual crashes from 2001-2003, the Institute determined that of the 115 crashes where a passenger vehicle struck the rear of a truck or semi, nearly 80 percent involved underride, and nearly half of those vehicles suffered severe or catastrophic damage.

The guards aren't required on as many trucks as you'd first think, despite a 1996 standard calling for increased strength, guard size and energy absorbtion. Many trucks are exempt due to their trailer or chassis configuration, with dump trucks being a notable (and notably dangerous) example. When hit straight-on, the guards can perform better than offset tests, but in crash tests, the IIHS found performance was all over the map for trailer underride guards.

The worst performance in these new IIHS tests belongs to a Hyundai trailer whose guard bent and tore from its attachment points in a 35-mph crash test with a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu. Instead of keeping its passengers safe with its high-performing safety design (the Malibu is an IIHS Top Safety Pick), the front of the car slid under the trailer and left the roof structure to absorb the impact with the trailer. A Wabash trailer with a Canadian-spec guard kept the Malibu from plowing under the trailer in the 35-mph center crash test. Offset impacts - when only part of the guard is engaged by a vehicle - are still troublesome, and even the high-performing Wabash trailer suffered severe underride in a 30-percent overlap test.

In light of this ever-present danger on roadways, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is callig for more stringent standards, closing the gaps that allow many trucks to go without guards or use guards that don't meet the 1996 standards for strength and energy absorption, and a more comprehensive standard that incorporates a method of better protecting vehicles in offset impacts as well as crash tests by trailer manufacturers to certify that the underride guards and their mounting systems live up to the intent of the law. Full press release after the jump.

Gallery: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety semi trailer underride crash tests

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Continue reading IIHS: Underride guards on semi trucks can fail even at low speeds

IIHS: Underride guards on semi trucks can fail even at low speeds originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA angling to make stability control systems mandatory on big rigs?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Safety, Technology

Automakers are legally required to install stability control to all new cars and trucks for sale to the public, but as of yet, there is no such law for commercial tractor trailer trucks. That may soon change, however, as the Associated Press is reporting that The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is studying whether to mandate the safety system for all big rigs. Stability control systems utilize an array of sensors to detect imbalance and possible rollover. If a risk is detected, the system applies the brakes to an individual wheel (or wheels) until balance is restored. NHTSA crash avoidance director Nathaniel Beuse claims that mandating standard stability control systems on all semi trucks could prevent 3,500 rollover accidents, 4,400 injuries and 106 deaths each year.

Those are awfully powerful numbers that appear to justify the estimated $1,200 cost to retrofit existing trucks and the $1,000 it is said to take to install such hardware on a new rig, but it would also appear to make more sense with some trucks than others. Tanker trucks, which the AP says account for six percent of all big rigs on the road, account for 31 percent of all rollover accidents. And since tanker trucks often carry hazardous, potentially explosive materials like propane or gasoline, adding stability control systems could greatly mitigate the loss of life and property. One trucking company that has already installed the systems in its trucks, Trimac Transportation Systems, tells the AP that rollover accidents dropped from an average of 11 per year to only one last year. While that's just one company's results, it does suggest that even with the heightened cost incurred to purchase stability control systems, that the money can be recouped in lower insurance claims and perhaps even lower premiums.

NHTSA is conducting a two-day hearing to study whether or not enough is being done to prevent tanker trucks from running over. If in fact NHTSA determines that more needs to be done to prevent these potential rollovers, we're thinking that legally compulsory stability control, at least for tankers, could be right around the corner.

[Source: Associated Press | Image: David McNew/Getty]

NHTSA angling to make stability control systems mandatory on big rigs? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Semi-Dangerous? Truckers group says texting while driving is safe, necessary

Chris Shunk — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Safety

Research shows that a driver can be as much as 23 times more likely to get into an accident if he or she is texting while driving. New legislation in Washington aims to ban texting while driving by forcing states to adopt the federal mandate or risk losing federal highway greenbacks. One group is fighting the legislation, and it's not teen drivers or multimedia addicts, it's our nation's truck drivers. Truckers, the guys who drive around in 18 wheelers which take 2-3 times as much road to stop when compared to the typical car, often have touch screen computers on the dashboard and keyboards on their laps. They use the multimedia tech to map routes and converse with dispatch, saving minutes (and money) in the hyper-competitive shipping business.

Drivers told The New York Times that they're all but forced to communicate with such computers, as pulling off the road to send a message can cost their companies $1.50 per minute, and the driver risks having his or her pay docked. Clayton Boyce, spokesman for the American Trucking Associations, called the bill "overkill," going so far as to say that banning such devices "won't improve safety." But safety advocates counter that the measure would effectively be underkill, and they have some stats to back up their argument: Heavy trucking deaths in the U.S. have steadily climbed over the past decade, as big rigs now account for 12% of all highway fatalities (4,808 deaths in 2007) versus 11% (4,777) in 1997 - in spite of the fact that passenger cars and trucks are now far safer than they have ever been.

Americans like low prices, and fast, efficient shipping helps keep costs in check. And at the same time, we like to be safe and sound as well, and truckers looking down at a keyboard while driving a 40-ton truck 60 mph just a few feet from strikes us as hazardous to our nation's health. Should truckers be able to text and use computers while driving? Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section after the jump.

[Source: The New York Times | Image: Joe Raedle/Getty]

Semi-Dangerous? Truckers group says texting while driving is safe, necessary originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Euro trucker sought by police after releasing drive-dancing footage

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Videos, UK, Humor

Follow the jump to see the video of the dancing trucker

It gets lonely in a semi cab, long hours of doing little more than light bouncing and trying to stay in your lane. But on the bright side, it does provide a lot of "me time," and with a little background music and the urge to shake it, the cab could be a great place to... dance! One truck driver, a Romanian Happy Feet, did just that. Then he filmed it and shared his passion with the world. Predictably, police aren't as amused, and they are seeking to have a few words with the twinkle-toes trucker, distributing the video across Europe in order to catch the offender. Follow the jump to see him get his groove on.

[Source: Telegraph]

Continue reading VIDEO: Euro trucker sought by police after releasing drive-dancing footage

VIDEO: Euro trucker sought by police after releasing drive-dancing footage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to drive a big-rig

Erin Mays — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 20:56:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Work

It's rush hour, and you're late for work. Needless to say, you've got absolutely no patience for the trucker trying to merge onto the freeway, so you speed up to ensure you won't end up behind him. Later on, you cut another truck off to get into a faster lane... then slam on your brakes when the "fast" lane screeches to a halt.

This story seems to be played out every day we drive to work, but in addition to being jerks, we fools are being extraordinarily dangerous. Check out the link for Joe Hollingsworth's experience in driving a big rig for the first time. It doesn't sound like it's easy. You try changing gears nine times before you hit 45 mph. For the folks who cut off trucks, also remember that it takes them many times longer to stop than you do. For the guy who won't let the trucker merge, the truck is bigger than you and just might take the lane anyway. And if you hear a "whup, whup, whup," get out of the way -- that's the truck's tire about to blow off into your windshield. Check out the link for more tips on driving safely with trucks, and even driving a truck safely.

Also check out the AOL Autos forum where truckers have been invited to speak about their experience driving with us on America's roads. There are currently 41 pages of comments from truckers, so I guess they have some things they'd like us to know.

[Source: AOL Autos]

How to drive a big-rig originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Sep 2006 20:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Network truck stop showdown at the Flying J

Chris Paukert — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 14:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Work

A consortium of networks including ABC, CBS, Fox, Turner Entertainment and Disney have banded together to file a federal lawsuit against the Flying J truck stop chain.

Apparently, the chain of 178 travel plazas and fuel stops has taken to substituting outside commercials for their own spots in every location that has a trucker's lounge playing a service called Plaza TV. Basically, this is made possible by a little box called the segOne 2000 LS, which detects commercials in normal broadcasts, them replaces them with new ones. In this case, trucker-specific ads for Flying J, which itself turns around and charges other companies $31,250 per month for a 30-second spot on Plaza TV.

The suit alleges copyright infringement and "unfair competition."

[Sources: eTrucker.com; Flying-J]

Network truck stop showdown at the Flying J originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jun 2006 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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