Business, Equipment

Trailer OEMs Work to Keep Up With Supply, Labor Demands

Great Dane trailer

Trailer manufacturers are “eating backlog” now that market demand has normalized and supply chain disruptions have abated after the pandemic. But some components are still in short supply.

Steve Brawner | Contributing Writer
September 15, 2023
Business, Technology, Equipment

Leasing Offers Pathway for Fleets Interested in EVs

Ryder EV

Fleets that want to test the waters with electric vehicles or other technology don’t have to do it themselves or even use their own trucks. Leasing companies are providing that opportunity.

Steve Brawner | Contributing Writer
July 24, 2023
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, For-Hire

Fleets Tackle Parts Shop Organization

Ozark parts shop

Fleets share strategies on how to maintain parts inventory to eliminate downtime and other inefficiencies.

Steve Brawner | Contributing Writer
July 14, 2023
Business, Technology, Equipment, Fuel

Medium-Duty Segment Offers Entrée to Fleet Electrification

Lion electric medium-duty trucks

With its potential use and broader recharging capabilities, the medium-duty truck market will adopt battery-electric vehicles faster than the heavy-duty one will, experts say.

Steve Brawner | Contributing Writer
June 11, 2023
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety, Fuel

Electric Truck Options Expand

Volvo trucks charge

Battery-electric trucks are still a young, emerging segment of the commercial vehicle market, but fleet operators already can choose from a broad selection of electric vehicle options.

Steve Brawner | Contributing Writer
May 10, 2023
Business, Technology, Equipment, Safety

Getting a Lift: Fleets Weigh Lift Equipment

Penske

Penske Truck Leasing has a simple strategy for heavy-duty vehicle lifts in its shop network: Mobile is better. It's not alone.

Steve Brawner | Contributing Writer
April 7, 2023
Business, Technology, Equipment, Fuel

With Electric on the Way, Truck Makers Continue to Update Diesel Models

Western Star

While truck manufacturers make advances in battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell technology, they also are making fuel efficiency and aerodynamic improvements to their diesel offerings that will form the backbone of the trucking industry for years to come.

Steve Brawner | Contributing Writer
January 20, 2023
Government, Business, Technology, Equipment

A New Era for Heavy-Duty Trucks

Volvo VNL

Increasingly stringent emissions regulations over the past few decades have driven a steady cadence of changes to diesel engine architecture and heavy-duty truck design.

Steve Brawner | Contributing Writer
January 20, 2023
Business, Technology, Equipment

Trailer Makers Use Composites, Materials to Extend Life, Limit Moisture and Overloading

Wabash factory worker

Amid a challenging landscape of supply chain issues, manufacturers are extending the lives of trailers using products such as composite materials and galvanized elements.

Steve Brawner | Contributing Writer
November 14, 2022
Government, Business, Equipment, Fuel

Trailer GHG Ruling Muted by California Rules, Industry's Direction

Image

A D.C. court of appeals ruling exempts trailers from federal greenhouse gas and fuel-­efficiency rules, but California mandates will create the same technology standards for many fleets, while others are adopting the technology because of the economic case for it.

Steve Brawner | Contributing Writer
January 28, 2022