Trailer orders stay healthy in February

Trailer orders stay healthy in February

February orders bolster stronger forecast for 2017 and 2018 trailer production levels.

Preliminary net trailer order estimates topped 26,400 units for February, according to data tracked by ACT Research, with order backlogs growing in several segments, particularly for dry van units.

“We've seen delayed timing this order season, as fleets appeared to wait to make their investment decisions ‘post-election.' That makes analysis of monthly changes as well as year-over-year results a bit challenging,” noted Frank Maly, ACT's director CV transportation analysis and research, in a statement.

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Spot Truckload Freight Rates Ease Slightly Following Jump

After a 17% jump the previous week, spot truckload freight volume increased a modest 1.3% during the week ending March 11 while rates gave back at least part of their gains from the week before, according to DAT Solutions' network of load boards.

The national average van rate fell 3 cents to $1.63 per mile while the refrigerated rate slipped 1 cent to $1.87 per mile. The flatbed rate also dipped 1 cent to $2.01 per mile, after a 6 cents gain the previous week. This follows the first week-over-week increase in all national averages in more than a month.

All reported rates include fuel surcharges. This happened as the national average cost of diesel fell 0.8% from last week to $2.56 per gallon.

Load-to-truck ratios held firm with vans down 2% to 2.8 loads per truck while reefers moved 1% higher to 5.8 to 1 and flatbeds increased 4% to 35.8 loads per truck.

While weather has upended planting and harvest schedules in California and elsewhere, one reefer market that has particularly stayed hot is Texas, home to three of the top five markets for reefer load posts last week, according to DAT.

McAllen was second behind Atlanta and had some sizzling rate increases, including outbound to Atlanta, up 24 cents for an average of $2.12 per mile; Elizabeth, New Jersey, up 18 cents to $2.09 per mile; and Chicago, gaining 16 cents to $1.97 per mile. Houston was the nation's number three reefer market, followed by Elizabeth and Dallas rounding out the top five.

Outbound van load volume on the spot market declined 2.5% and truck posts held steady. While average outbound van rates were mixed in key markets across the country, some lanes showed pricing strength:

Dallas-Houston was up 5 cents to $2.11 per mileDallas-Chicago paid 4 cents better on average at ...Read the rest of this story

Daimler plans DD8 engine release for 2018

Its new 7.7-liter inline six cylinder medium-duty diesel engine will initially be available in the Freightliner M2106, 108SD and 114SD models.

INDIANAPOLIS. Detroit Diesel Corp., a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), officially took the wraps off its Detroit DD8 medium-duty engine here at the 2017 National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Work Truck Show.

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Oliver rolls out new drive retread, ULP trailer retread size

Oliver Rubber Company announced the launch of the Oliver Lug Traction Drive (“ORCO LTD”), a new lightweight, open-shoulder drive-position retread for regional and urban commercial vehicles.

“Designed to deliver excellent all-weather traction and durability, it is ideal for school bus pick-up and delivery, as well as food and beverage applications,” according to the company.

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ESW opens new facility for aftermarket DOCs and DPFs

ESW Group, a manufacturer of Skyline aftermarket DPFs (Diesel Particulate Filters), DOCs (Diesel Oxidation Catalysts), announced the opening of a new production facility in Montgomeryville, PA.

DPFs and DOCs are components of the emission control systems of the post-2007 diesel powered trucks and buses, and have allowed a new generation of vehicles to emit low levels of diesel particulate matter emissions.

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