TP-8656 Kit Looks for Leaks

Tracerline's TP-8656 Opti-Pro Plus/EZ-Shot is an A/C leak detection kit that comes with all the pieces necessary to pinpoint a fluid leak.

The kit makes it easier to find the exact source of a leak, including very small, multiple and intermittent leaks. Technicians can use it to safely search near moving parts and it is ideal for preventative maintenance and diagnostics.

By finding and fixing leaks, fleets can conserve refrigerant and other fluids, reducing costs.

The kit features the Opti-Pro Plus cordless, rechargeable, violet light LED detection flashlight and original equipment manufacturer-approved fluorescent dye. Also included in the kit is an EZ-Shot A/C dye injection gun, R134a hose/coupler with R-12 adapter and purge fitting, an 8-ounce, TP-9940 fluorescence-enhancing glasses, and other needed pieces.

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The Electrics Are Coming

Mercedes-Benz is 20 select European customers pre-production electric e-Trucks to run in real-world fleet conditions.

Photo credit: Mercedes-Benz 

It's called the eTruck. Built by Daimler's Mercedes-Benz division, and it was wheeled out at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany, last year. And this week, the automaker announced it is supplying an extremely exclusive group of customers with the first 20 pre-production models to run them for a year as a sort of real world Beta test in German cities.

At first glance, the eTruck looks like a fairly conventional European truck design, but underneath there's some pretty interesting advanced engineering. The truck is fitted with 212 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery packs, allowing for a range of around 124 miles per charge, according to Mercedes-Benz. The powertrain is centered around front- and rear-mounted electric motors, providing a combined 335 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque. Payload capacity is rated up to 12.8 tons, with a permitted gross vehicle weight of around 25,000 lbs. and a GVWR of up to 50,000 pounds – not bad for urban delivery applications.

And that's not Daimler's only electric vehicle effort: The company also owns a significant share of Mitsubishi-Fuso. And reports indicate that an all-electric version of the company's medium-duty Canter cabover trucks — fittingly called the eCanter – is set to get a similar real-world test run in Japan and North America soon.

Of course all of this comes on the heels of the introduction of the Nikola One Class 8 electric tractor a few months ago.

All this begs the question: Are electric trucks about to become a “thing?”

The short answer is yes. In some ways, EV technology seems to be mirroring autonomous technology – most strikingly in that the timeline for production and adoption is accelerating at a pace far faster than ...Read the rest of this story

Central Freight Lines to Buy Virginia-Based Wilson Trucking

Photo: Central Freight Lines

Central Freight Lines has signed a letter of intent to buy certain assets of Virginia-based Wilson Trucking, a 91-year-old less-than-truckload carrier with 29 terminals in the Southeast.

The acquisition expands CFL's coverage to the Southeast and Puerto Rico, which the company expects to improve its competitive position in the LTL and distribution markets. CFL operates 56 terminals in the West and Southwest regions of the U.S.

“This is very good news for the many loyal customers of Wilson,” said C.L. (Chuck) Wilson, chairman and CEO of Wilson Trucking. “Central Freight Lines has been in business for over 90 years just like us, and I'm confident our customers will be quite impressed with the many quality services they offer.”

CFL is a Waco, Texas-based LTL common carrier operating 1,600 tractors and 8,000 trailers in 17 states.

Related: How E-Commerce is Changing Trucking

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Peterbilt Announces Annual Dealer Award Winners

The Peterbilt Store's president and CEO John Ascott accepted the North American Dealer of the year with his two sons Jeff and Greg Arscott. Photos: Peterbilt

Peterbilt announced the winners of its Dealer of the Year awards at its Dealer Meeting in Palm Springs, Calif.

Winning Peterbilt's North American Dealer of the year for its outstanding fleet sales and support, Paccar MX engine sales and territory acquisition was The Peterbilt Store dealer group. The dealer increased its area of operation to a total of 15 locations in seven states.

“The Peterbilt Store has been an outstanding Paccar partner since they joined the Peterbilt family,” said Kyle Quinn, Peterbilt general manager and Paccar senior vice president. “The Peterbilt Store is committed to achieving day-to-day excellence, and the results have been realized in sales growth and customer satisfaction.”

Peterbilt named Coast Counties Peterbilt of California its Medium Duty Dealer of the Year for its outstanding medium-duty sales and market share. The dealership sold more than 300 medium-duty trucks in 2016, resulting in 18% market share.

“We strive to be a complete solutions provider for all of our customers, and this award serves as validation for the hard work and commitment of the entire Coast Counties team to achieve maximum customer satisfaction,” said Craig Archer, dealer principal of Coast Counties Peterbilt of California.

Peterbilt Manitoba was named the Peterbilt First Class Service Excellence Dealer of the Year. Peterbilt service locations were all measured by First Class Service Excellence performance criteria. Peterbilt Manitoba had the highest dealer group performance for First Class Service Excellence based on the comprehensive dealer group score.

The Paccar MX Engine Dealer of the Year award went to Camions Excellence Peterbilt for the dealer's superior commitment and support of the MX engine. More than 83% of all Class 8 trucks sold by the dealer were powered by ...Read the rest of this story

No Tariffs Will Be Assessed on Truck and Bus Tires From China

Photo: Jim Park

No tariffs will be assessed on truck and bus tires manufactured in China and imported into the U.S. The International Trade Commission upended the tariff investigation by voting against imposing tariffs on the products.

The ITC didn't immediately publish an explanation of its vote, but instead issued a single sentence that it has "made a negative determination." As a result, the tariff investigation on truck and bus tires from China has ended and no tariffs will be assessed.

After its initial one-sentence announcement, the ITC provided one more detail on its decision. The five-member commission voted 2-3.

Commissioners Rhonda Schmidtlein and Irving Williamson voted in the affirmative (which was a vote to impose the tariffs), and commissioners David Johanson, Meredith Broadbent and F. Scott Kieff voted in the negative.

A sixth member of the commission, Dean Pinkert, did not participate in the case. Pinkert also recused himself from the separate investigation studying tariffs on off-the-road tires earlier this year.

Related: Department of Commerce Recommends Tariffs on Chinese Tires

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December Shippers Conditions Index remains above neutral

FTR predicts rate, supply pressures