Execs learn Olympian lessons at convention

Hurricane relief boosts spot market freight

Study Explores Maintenance and Equipment Buying at Fleets

When it comes to maintenance practices and equipment replacement cycles, there are some fairly significant differences between large fleets and small fleets, according to a recent study undertaken by FTR and CK Commercial Vehicle Research.

The study took survey information gathered from fleets canvassed by CKCVR, and overlaid it with FTR data and analysis. That combination makes this report unique, according to the authors.

“Most of the information you see in this area doesn't get down to the fleet level, to asking the fleets exactly what they're doing,” explained Don Ake with FTR.

The 30-page report gives a close look at the activity that drives equipment replacement and parts purchases, such as vehicle age, typical trade cycles, miles driven per year, and preventive maintenance intervals.

One of the significant findings, although not necessarily surprising, was that the average Class 8 vehicle age differs significantly between small, medium and large fleets. For small fleets (fewer than 100 trucks), the average age of Class 8 vehicles was 5 years, while large fleets (1,000 trucks or more) reported an average of 2.7 years.

“The one thing I saw was how long some of the small fleets run their equipment,” Ake said in response to a question about anything in the survey that was a surprise. “They run it for a long time, and that's consistent with some of the trends we've seen lately. In this economic recovery, because it hasn't been robust, small fleets [aren't] making a lot of money. They're profitable but not making the amount of money they want, so they will tend to put off new expenditures, or even replacing their equipment with used equipment. They will run their equipment a very long time and use the money they have to repair it rather than replace it, and over time that leads to more maintenance ...Read the rest of this story

Specialized Light Aims to Reduce Dropped Trailers

LED 5th Wheel Light Image: Purkeys

Purkeys, a provider of electrical solutions for the heavy-duty trucking industry, has developed what it calls the 5th Wheel Light that drivers can use to illuminate a king pin's lock-jaw position, to help greatly reduce the incidence of dropped trailers.

The 5th Wheel Light is a coupling light, or trailer-hitch light, that eliminates shadows on the locking mechanisms and removes the need for a flashlight. Purkeys said this tractor-trailer LED light makes it easier for drivers and technicians to verify that everything is properly connected by freeing their hands.

The company added that it easy to install and is easy to use as it works automatically, day and night. “This simple product can help drivers and fleets avoid expensive, catastrophic accidents by allowing drivers to visually inspect and confirm a proper coupling between the truck and trailer,” Purkeys noted.

Click here for more information on the 5th Wheel Light.

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Baylor Trucking honors U.S. heroes with pay increase

Baylor Trucking announced the expansion of its Veteran's Recognition Program with a pay increase honoring all of those who have served.

Baylor Trucking, Inc. is saluting America's driving professionals who have served in the Armed Forces with an additional $.01 per mile increase, $1 per hour for local drivers and a 1% salary increase for all office associates. The pay increase is expected to provide an additional $50,000 to military veterans at Baylor and additional earnings for new hires.

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VTNA and Mack win “gold” for uptime programs

Volvo Trucks North America's (VTNA) new Certified Uptime Center process – along with the similar system operated by its brother company, Mack Trucks – both took home “gold awards” from the Brandon Hall Group in that firm's “best learning program supporting a change transformation business strategy” category

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Werner Enterprises Hosts Veterans Day Ceremonies