12/31/15

Masterack Van Ladder Racks at Harbor Truck Bodies



Masterack has a ladder rack for every type of commercial van, plus accessories to customize a package to your particular need. Choose from the original Masterack Locking Rack, the ergonomic Slide-Down Rack, the effortless PowerRack, or the economical heavy-duty Utility Rack.
 

To find out more, you may call Harbor Truck Bodies at 800-433-9452.
Also find us at http://htbi.net/

12/29/15

Tommy Gate - Tuckunder Development Video



The Tommy Gate Tuckunder Development Video depicts the hard working staff at Woodbine Manufacturing Company and the production of the Tuckunder Series hydraulic lift. It was filmed on location in Woodbine, Iowa.

12/27/15

CargoGlide Models and Features



The different models and features CargoGlide has to offer.

12/25/15

The Annual Victoria, BC Christmas Truck Parade



http://www.1-vctoria-real-estate.com Victoria Annual Xmas light Truck Parade to raise food for the local food banks in Victoria BC.MERRY CHRISTMAS Copyright © 2008 By Fred Carver All Rights Reserved.http://www.1-victoria-real-estate.com

12/24/15

12/22/15

Cargo Vans: Prosperity as a Problem

We’re selling everything we can build,’ manufacturers say 
as they boost production, and they see no letup.



Cargo Vans: Prosperity as a Problem

By Ian Lahmer
November 9, 2015

‘We’re selling everything we can build,’ manufacturers say as they boost production, and they see no letup.

By Tom Berg
m-cargo-1

Ford says its full-size Transit became America’s best-selling commercial van six months after entering production last year. It replaced the venerable E-series van, though E cutaways and chassis-cabs remain in production.

Demand for cargo vans has builders scrambling to increase production.

Sales of the full-size, Euro-style Sprinter, handled by Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz dealers, have grown enough that it will be assembled here instead of being imported as knocked-down kits from Germany and reassembled at a plant near Charleston, S.C., says Volker Mornhinweg, head of M-B Vans. It will invest about $500 million to build a new van plant in the same area to supply the North American market with the next-generation Sprinter.

General Motors plans to speed up assembly lines at its Wixom, Mo., factory, where its Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana traditional full-size vans are produced. Ford Motor’s plant in Kansas City, where the Transit Euro-style full-size van is made, is adding a third shift.

Ford’s Transit represents the fast-developing trend in the U.S. toward unibody vans, which now include compacts such as its Transit Connect, as well as Ram’s ProMaster City and Nissan’s NV 200 (also sold by GM as the Chevrolet City Express). Daimler’s Sprinter arm is adding a third type here, the “mid-size” Metris, which other builders will watch closely. Its announced pricing, in the $29,000 to $32,000 range, is closer to full-size vans and that might limit its appeal, competitors think. But those prices also reflect the premium stance of the full-size Sprinter, the first Eurovan introduced to America in 2001. GM and Nissan, meanwhile, are finding that there’s plenty of life left in the body-on-frame design.

By  By Tom Berg

 (This article was written by Tom Berg for the October 2015 Feature on Truckinginfo.com)


Find the complete article at: http://www.truckinginfo.com/channel/equipment/article/story/2015/10/cargo-vans-prosperity-as-a-problem.aspx

12/20/15

Manual Transmission, How it works ?



Working of a Manual transmission is explained in an illustrative and logical manner in this video with the help of animation. Here the working of Sliding mesh and synchromesh transmissions are well illustrated. This video also explains the working of a reverse gear.

12/18/15

MAXON's Standard Tuk-A-Way® Liftgates - The 72-150 & TE-20 Series


72-150/TE-20
Maxon invented the Tuk-A-Way® liftgate in 1957 so that the platform can fold and stow under the truck body in the dock ready position. Today, Maxon offers a wide range of steel and aluminum platforms of different sizes along with various bed height options.

Evolved from this product line, the Tuk-A-Way® 72-150 and TE-20 models have resulted as the ideal economical and lightweight choices for smaller trucks with general purpose applications. Here are some of the product highlights:


Specifications

•    Lifting Capacities: 1,500 lbs. to 2,000 lbs.
•    Bed Heights: 38” – 54”
•    Weight: 542 lbs. to 570 lbs.
•    Platform Material: Reinforced Steel Diamond Plate
•    Key Features: Center arm, low maintenance, standard ride, low bed height compatible, platform folds & stows under the body in the dock ready position, lightweight design, torsion spring assist platform, available in painted or optional galvanized finishes

bolt-on opener

Recent Design Updates:

Bolt-On Opener

The 72-150/TE-20 series come with a new and improved bolt-on style opener assembly. This new assembly eliminates the need for welding thereby protecting the liftgates factory coating(s).




Mount Plates Now Bolted Instead of Tack Welded
mount plates
The 72-150/TE-20 mounting plates are now attached to the main frame tube by means of a bolt that is attached to a single tab that is welded to the main frame tube. This new mount plate attachment method replaces the previous one that used several tack welds to hold the mount plates in place. This new method shortens installation times by eliminating the grinding of tack welds.



Grease-able Pins
greaseable pins
The 72-150/TE-20 series of gates now come standard with grease-able pins.


Important Note for Gates Ordered in Galvanized Finish

Orders received for galvanized 72-150 and TE-20 models will have mount plates welded solid at spacing as noted below. Bed heights need to be identified on all galvanized orders.

•    34.25” spacing for high bed ranges of 44" to 54"
•    33.75” spacing for low bed ranges of 38" to 42”

An SOR (Special Order Request) will be required for all other spacing requirements or a callout for NON solid weld (tacked only) mount plates.

For more information on product updates, please contact Customer Service at (800) 227-4116 or visit our website at www.maxonlift.com.

12/16/15

Wind Energy to Power GM’s Texas Assembly Plant

 Renewable power will be used to build up to 125,000 trucks a year



Arlington Assembly produces more than 1,200 vehicles daily, including the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe; GMC Yukon and Yukon XL; and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV. The 115 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy will be enough to manufacture more than half of the plant’s annual vehicle output.

GM signed a power purchase agreement with EDP Renewables North America, a fully owned subsidiary of EDP Renovaveis, for its first U.S. wind power – 30 MW of energy from the planned 250 MW Hidalgo Wind Farm in Edinburg, Texas. Fifteen of the wind farm’s 261-foot-tall turbines will generate the energy GM will use. 

Arlington Assembly expects to start using the clean power during the fourth quarter of 2016, avoiding about $2.8 million in energy costs annually. Over the course of the 14-year deal, GM will avoid more than 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions – equivalent to the emissions of 112 million gallons of gasoline consumed.

“Our investment is helping accelerate the proliferation of clean energy in Texas and the use of wind as a reliable, renewable source of energy,” said Jim DeLuca, GM executive vice president of Global Manufacturing. “Our sustainable manufacturing mindset benefits the communities in which we operate across the globe.” 

“We are pleased to enter into this agreement with General Motors and look forward to providing clean and more economical energy for GM’s Arlington Assembly plant in the coming years,” said EDP Renewables North America CEO Gabriel Alonso.

Renewable energy complements a robust energy efficiency program at the plant. Arlington Assembly recently met the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® Challenge for Industry by reducing the energy intensity of its operations by 10 percent in five years – the second time it met the challenge. Arlington Assembly also is investing in a new paint shop that will use half the energy of the system it will replace. 

Beginning in the first quarter of 2016, wind energy will help power three GM Mexico facilities. Once on line, the company will exceed its commitment to use 125 MW of renewable energy by 2020. GM’s investments in renewable energy to date have yielded nearly $80 million in savings.

For more information on GM’s environmental commitment, visit its sustainability report and environmental blog.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

12/14/15

Harbor Truck Bodies' Washington and Canadian Distributors

Washington Harbor Truck Distributors

IDA (Independent Dealer Accessories Inc)
Kent WA
253-859-5450
www.idatruck.com


Mobile Fleet Services
Yakima WA
509-575-8888


Capital Industrial Supply
Tumwater WA
360-786-1890
www.capitalindustrialinc.com


The Fab Shop
Edgewood WA
253-568-9124
www.thefabshop.com


Cobalt Truck Equipment
Spokane WA
800-572-4369
www.cobalttruck.com


Canadian Harbor Truck Distributors

Nor Mar Industries
Pentiction Britsh Columbia
250-492-7866
www.normarindustries.com



12/12/15

Ford Accelerates Expansion of Electrified Vehicle Battery Research and Development, Benefiting Customers Worldwide


  • Ford is expanding its global battery research and development footprint for electrified vehicles this year, adding research and engineering capabilities in Europe and Asia to take advantage of new market opportunities

  • The company has invested in a world-class battery research and development facility at the University of Michigan to accelerate advanced battery research and development

  • Ford is the top seller of plug-in hybrid vehicles and second in total sales of  electrified vehicles in America and has recently expanded its offerings in growing markets, including China, Taiwan and Korea


DEARBORN, MICH., Dec. 10, 2015 – Ford is expanding its electrified vehicles research and development program in Europe and Asia this year, creating a “hub and spoke” system that allows the global team to further accelerate battery technology and take advantage of market-specific opportunities.
The global expansion also allows Ford’s Electrified Powertrain Engineering teams to share common technologies and test batteries virtually, in real time, to develop new technology faster while reducing the need for costly prototypes.

Ford – the top seller of plug-in hybrid vehicles and second largest electrified vehicle seller in the U.S. – continues investing in electrified vehicle technology, research and development teams.
This year, for instance, Ford expanded its Electrified Powertrain Engineering (EPE) program in Dearborn to focus on developing new and innovative technologies for electrified vehicles by hiring more than 120 additional electrified vehicle engineers and moving the EPE team into its own dedicated facility, Ford Engineering Laboratory.

The expanded engineering capabilities enabled by the Ford Engineering Laboratory allow the team to control a network of world class facilities in China, England, Germany, and the U.S. Through this network, the EPE team will take advantage of globally connected technologies to develop lighter and more durable EV batteries.

Ford also is expanding in China and Europe to accelerate battery technology research and development for new markets. By using an innovative hardware and software system called HIL, or Hardware-in-the-Loop, the global team can test battery technology and control system hardware in a virtual environment to simulate how batteries and control modules would behave in different – often punishing – environments in any part of the world.

Testing of batteries across a range of temperatures and charge/discharge cycling conditions is important for determining how quickly a battery could degrade in different parts of the world.
The global Ford team has used temperature testing extensively for more than a decade as part of its production battery design and validation process. Through testing, Ford has been able to develop more durable batteries that can survive extreme cold and hot temperatures.

“Batteries are the life force of any EV, and we have been committed to growing our leadership in battery research and development for more than 15 years,” said Kevin Layden, director, Ford Electrification Programs. “Battery technology has evolved rapidly since we launched our first volume electrified product, the Ford Escape Hybrid, in 2004, and we look forward to developing even better vehicle battery technology for our customers.”

The company recently expanded its offerings in growing markets, including Taiwan and Korea, where the company offers the Mondeo Hybrid. Ford also announced it is bringing the C-MAX Energi Plug-In Hybrid and the Mondeo Hybrid to China.

University of Michigan Battery Lab
In October, Ford, the University of Michigan and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced a new $9 million battery lab at the University of Michigan that is helping the company develop batteries that are smaller, lighter and less expensive to produce.
The state-of-the-art, small-scale manufacturing facility uses the latest battery development and research technologies to replicate the performance of full-scale production batteries, allowing for faster implementation in future production vehicles.

“The Battery Lab gives us an opportunity to test hundreds of chemistries and cell designs that can then be translated into the production line,” said Ted Miller, senior manager of energy storage strategy and Research. “This is truly a world-class environment for Ford to develop and test industry-leading battery technology.”




About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 197,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

12/10/15

Five Ford Transit Connect Vans Donated to Help Feed those in Need, from FL to AZ



Ford is helping to ensure more people have enough to eat this holiday season by donating five Transit Connect cargo vans to organizations that provide hunger relief services.

Ford is helping to ensure more people have enough to eat this holiday season by donating five Transit Connect cargo vans to organizations that provide hunger relief services.

The groups in the Kansas City, Louisville, Miami, Phoenix and Dallas metropolitan areas will use the vans to pick up food, transport it to their facilities and deliver it to recipients.

Each Transit Connect van offers 103.9 cubic feet of cargo space and is capable of carrying 1,470 pounds, which equals more than 1,100 meals per vehicle per trip.

“The first step in creating a better world is helping to fulfill the most basic needs of our neighbors,” said Janet Lawson, director, Ford Motor Company Fund. “More than 48 million Americans live in fear of going hungry each day and these vehicles will deliver meals – not just during this season of giving but throughout the year.”

The program kicks off Dec. 7 with the donation of a Transit Connect to The Salvation Army of Kansas City. The organization last year served 497,590 meals through its corps community centers, social service centers and emergency feeding units – in addition to delivering more than 27,000 meals to homebound individuals. Earlier this year, Ford worked with The Salvation Army in Washington, D.C., to outfit a larger Transit van to serve as a mobile kitchen.

Ford will donate a second Transit Connect van to Dare to Care Food Bank in Louisville on Dec. 8. Dare to Care partners with more than 300 local social service agencies to distribute food – providing more than 16 million meals in the past year.

Source: Automotive World

Photo Source: J.D. Power

12/08/15

Chevrolet Supports Wreaths Across America

Vehicle fleet will help honor and teach 
during journey to Arlington National Cemetery
 


DETROIT – Chevrolet will support Wreaths Across America next week as it honors America’s military heroes by helping the organization place more than 700,000 wreaths at military cemeteries across the country.

A fleet of Chevrolet vehicles provided to Wreaths Across America – including several decorated Silverados and Suburbans – will lead the Wreaths Across America journey from its Maine headquarters to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., beginning Sunday through Dec. 12.
Along the route, Chevrolet employees, dealers and volunteers will donate more than 13,000 wreaths and help the organization accomplish its mission to remember, honor and teach during several stops at local schools and community centers.

"We think it is so important to teach our younger generation that our freedoms are not free, and that the stories of our fallen and departed heroes should not be lost through the years,” said Dan Adamcheck, Chevrolet regional sales and marketing manager. “Laying those wreaths and paying tribute is a small way to show how grateful we are.”

Wreaths Across America began when Maine businessman Morrill Worcester – inspired by the power of Arlington National Cemetery during a childhood visit – began placing wreaths there in 1992 with a small group of volunteers.

Today, his vision has become a national grassroots movement to remember America’s military heroes during the holidays. In 2008, Congress unanimously passed legislation to recognize Wreaths Across America Day each December, and memorials are held to honor veterans at historic military landmarks and statehouses in nearly all 50 states.

For more information, including local opportunities to volunteer, visit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.

In addition to its support for Wreaths Across America, Chevrolet has expanded its military discount program – normally reserved for active-duty, reserves, retired personnel and veterans within a year of discharge – to include all 23 million veterans and their spouses. The discount is available through Jan. 4, 2016. To learn more, visit ChevySalutes.com.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

12/06/15

HINO TRUCKS OFFERS CUSTOM PAINT OPTIONS




NOVI, MI – Hino Trucks is pleased to announce custom color conventional trucks beginning with
truck colors that customers can order as a factory option or color match to their customized request.
“Inside the Hino cab and under the hood, Hino offers the most comprehensive package of standard features in the market.satisfaction and these customize availability of varying paint colors their truck uniquely their own or Vice President of Marketing, Dealer Operations and Product


Hino will now offer a wide variety of exterior with the 2017MY. At Hino, we strive to achieve a higher level of customer customizable paint options have yet again raised that ba now provides customers with a convenient way to create a visually harmonized truck fleet,” said Glenn Ellis, Planning for Hino Trucks 4-7 conventional and cab-over Michigan, Hino boasts a network of over of ownership, superior fuel economy
maneuverability.

Hino Trucks is the premier medium duty nameplate in the United States with a product ineup that offers the lowest total cost reliability and maneuverability http://www.hino.com or follow us on

About Hino:
Hino Trucks, a Toyota Group Company, assembles, sells, and services the most environmentally friendly lineup of Class 4 trucks in the United States. Headquartered in Novi,MI

Hino Motors Sales U.S.A., Inc.
Novi, MI 48375 Ph (248) 699-9300
www.hino.com

For More Information:
Glenn Ellis, Vice President
Marketing and Dealer Operations
Hino Motors Sales U.S.A., Inc.


2017MY. Hino will now offer a wide variety of exterior At Hino, we strive to achieve a higher level of customer customizable paint options have yet again raised that ba now provides customers with a convenient way to create a visually harmonized truck fleet,” said Glenn Ellis, Planning for Hino Trucks 4-7 conventional and cab-over Michigan, Hino boasts a network of over of ownership, superior fuel economy
maneuverability.

For more information, visit our internet home page at Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

12/04/15

From Salt Spreaders to ATV Platforms: Ford Tough Tests All-New Super Duty Cargo Boxes with Aftermarket Equipment


Ford engineers tough tested the high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy cargo box of the all-new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty with popular aftermarket equipment, ranging from glass racks to salt spreaders to ATV carriers
  •     Testing was performed virtually using supercomputers to predict robustness and with maximum-loaded aftermarket equipment over some of the most extreme road surfaces available, from potholed durability courses to off-road terrain
  •     The all-new 2017 F-Series Super Duty is the toughest, smartest and most capable Super Duty ever, leveraging advanced materials to reduce weight and featuring all-new, segment-exclusive smart technology to help increase customer productivity, comfort and convenience
From virtual torture testing in supercomputers to purpose-built potholes, Ford has tough tested the all-new Super Duty – the toughest, smartest, most capable Super Duty ever – to make sure it’s ready for popular aftermarket cargo box equipment that ranges from glass racks to salt spreaders.

For the first time, the Super Duty body uses high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy, which is more dent- and ding-resistant than the outgoing steel cargo box and not subject to red rust corrosion.

The backbone of Super Duty is an all-new, fully boxed frame composed of more than 95 percent high-strength steel that is up to 24 times stiffer than the previous frame.

The new truck line also features heavier-duty four-wheel-drive components, driveline, axles and towing hardware than the current Super Duty.

Together, high-strength steel and high-strength aluminum alloy help reduce weight by up to 350 pounds. Ford is reinvesting additional weight savings everywhere it counts to give customers more towing and hauling capability than ever before.

“Ford Super Duty customers depend on their trucks to work hard every day across a variety of jobs,” said Kirk Leonard, vehicle integration engineer for Ford. “We drove prototype vehicles over the durability roads of the Ford Proving Grounds fitted with common aftermarket accessories to test the fitment and capability of our toughest pickup box ever.“

Before the first truck hit the roads at Ford’s Michigan Proving Grounds, plenty of upfront work was accomplished virtually using supercomputers to predict and engineer cargo box robustness.

“Our team of vehicle integration engineers worked together to develop a unique design approach with the Ford Truck Body Engineering team to drive optimized panel shape, added reinforcements and up-gauged materials into the pickup box – all of which were proved beneficial in our evaluation,” explained Leonard.

During the design of the new truck, Ford body structure engineers ran countless hours of supercomputer simulations with various aftermarket equipment examples to predict box load performance. The focus was to ensure the all-new 2017 Super Duty cargo box was as tough or tougher than previous models.

“Our modeling analysis enabled us to improve the structure and strength of the box in the design phase of the truck,” said John Comiez, Ford body structure engineer.

Throughout the evaluations on extreme durability roads and off-road terrain, and even after overloading select equipment, the new box design stood up to the abuse, run after run. Upon completing the challenge, the vehicles were examined in the lab by the team. No concerns were found in either the supporting structure or the mounting surfaces.

The all-new Super Duty will be built at Kentucky Truck Plant, and goes on sale late next year.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 197,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

12/02/15

Interested in the future of alternative fuels? Attend the Green Truck Summit



During the Green Truck Summit, held in conjunction with The Work Truck Show® 2016, industry experts will provide insights and trends, as well as an overview of fuel and technology developments expected in the next few years.

New at the Green Truck Summit in 2016:

    Expanded curriculum uniting Green Truck Summit and Work Truck Show concurrent sessions
    Latest developments on Phase Two greenhouse gas regulations
    Presentation on economic benefits of commercial vehicle lightweighting

Learn more.

Join us March 1-3, 2016 at the Indiana Convention Center (Indianapolis, Indiana) for the Green Truck Summit.

register  |  hotel & travel  |  schedule of events  |  floor plan
Join NTEA today and save at The Work Truck Show
Not a member of NTEA and interested in attending the educational sessions? Join by Nov. 30, 2015 and receive one complimentary Conference & Trade Show package (up to a $299 value). Plus, get 15 months of membership for the price of only 12.

View more information or contact Luci Pfaff, NTEA senior member services manager, at luci@ntea.com or 248-479-8148.