6/30/16

Own A Pickup? Watch Your Tailgate!

 

If you own a pickup truck in Texas (and we know there are a lot of you), be sure to keep a close eye on your tailgate. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Texas is the riskiest state for thieves to steal your tailgate. But don't think if you live in another state you're safe; tailgate theft rates are climbing everywhere.

According to Cars.com and the NICB crime statistics the number of tailgate thefts likely is growing due to the extra technology truckmakers are packing into the drop-down (or swing-out) gate. Features such as cameras, hidden steps, exotic materials, and specialty locking mechanisms mean today's tailgates can cost as much as $1,500 to $2,000 to replace and that's making them a bigger target for theft.

Traditionally, taking a tailgate off a pickup bed has been as simple as unclipping the cables, unplugging a wire loom and pivoting the tailgate. Thankfully, many new-truck makers now are integrating an electronic tailgate locking system into the key fob so gear inside the bed -- or the tailgate itself - is more protected.

But if your truck isn't equipped with that kind of system, there are plenty of high- and low-dollar choices you can add to keep your tailgate more secure. Our advice is to play it safe and be prepared, especially if you don't want to have to purchase an expensive new tailgate for your unlucky pickup.

Image from YouTube.com

6/28/16

VMAC UNDERHOOD Lite - The Real User Experience



See the VMAC UNDERHOOD Lite 30 CFM Vehicle Mounted Air compressor performing standard service call tasks. Come along for the ride and watch this real user experience from a first person view. Learn More: http://vmacair.com/products/underhood...


6/26/16

Ford first in line for DriveVansA2Z 2016



Ford has announced its plans for the UK’s premier interactive, hands-on LCV driving event, DriveVansA2Z , taking place at the home of British motor sport, Silverstone, on 20 & 21 September 2016. Visitors will be able to get behind the wheel of Ford’s entire and extensive Euro 6-compliant light commercial vehicle line-up.

Andy Barratt, chairman and managing director, Ford of Britain commented: “We are delighted to be taking part at this year’s DriveVansA2Z event at Silverstone. It is a wonderful venue and a great place for visitors to test drive our new range of Euro Stage 6-compliant light commercial vehicles; not just the UK’s best-selling Transit range, but also Fiesta van and the Ranger pick-up.

DriveVansA2Z is a live show dedicated to vans, 4x4 pick-ups and vans, and light trucks. It allows visitors to see, touch, feel and drive back-to-back all kinds of vehicles, providing a real-world appraisal before that all-important purchase. Visitors can use the Stowe Circuit, perimeter roads, rough terrain and 4x4 course, all at this world famous racing circuit.

All drivers and operators of light commercial vehicles, regardless of the number they run, are welcome. Tickets are priced at £25 for the day, but register for the VansA2Z e-Newsletter and entry is free. Once registration has been completed we will e-mail a code to claim a free ticket by return.

Tickets and further information about the event can be found here.

6/24/16

Test drive: Ford’s F-650, Super Duty’s biggest brother



Sitting in Ford’s F-650, towering above the surrounding traffic, feels strangely familiar. Strange only because I haven’t driven the truck before, but familiar because of how much of its design is shared with its Super Duty siblings.

This generation F-650 gets a facelift that puts exterior styling and interior comforts more inline with the rest of the Super Duty lineup.

The bright orange 2016 F-650 dump truck I piloted through the greater Ann Arbor, Mich., area featured Ford’s Triton V-10 gasoline engine. Pumping out 320 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque, the 6.8 liter is the only gasoline engine offered in a Class 6-7 truck.

Whether in or outside of the cab, engine sound is minimal – hardly louder than you would expect from any standard size pickup – and that offers additional benefits.

“Pulling up on a job site before 7 a.m., people really appreciate not hearing the diesel clatter coming down the road,” says Kevin Koester, Ford’s medium duty truck and Super Duty fleet brand manager.

An optional 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbo diesel is also available with three power ratings. For anyone who’s driven the current generation Power Stroke diesels, you know “diesel clatter” is pretty minimal as well.

Regardless of which engine you choose, you’ll wind up with a fully integrated “Built Ford Tough” powertrain. The Cummins inline-six and Allison automatic transmission are no longer available. After the dissolution of Blue Diamond Truck Company – a partnership between Ford and Navistar – Ford went all-in on its own gasoline and Power Stroke diesel engines along with its built-in-house TorqShift HD 6-speed automatic transmission.
IMG_3403Inside my 4-door Crew Cab test truck, many cues are again borrowed from smaller Super Duty models, like the XLT cloth seats. Gauges, auxiliary switches and controls – including power window and locks – were all conveniently located and within reasonable reach for the driver.

“The ergonomics are very similar to Super Duty,” Koester adds. “You’re just riding higher.”

The air conditioning was cold on a cool June afternoon and the truck is standard with Ford’s SYNC system, which offers hands-free calling, AppLink and Bluetooth capabilities. If creature comforts are important, you’ll find plenty in the new F-650.

The chrome snout brings a little bling to a truck otherwise designed to be battered around a construction site, but the white 22.5-inch steel wheels bring you crashing back to the reality that this really is a work truck.

Egress in and out of the truck is surprisingly easy thanks to strategically located grab handles and side steps.

The front axle, a 8,500-lb. Dana D-850F, features 8,500-lb. parabolic taperleafs while the rear gets a 17,500-lb. Dana S17-140 (6.50 ratio) on 19,000-lb. multi-leafs.

Longer leaf springs versus prior generation models give the F-650 a smoother ride, almost like you’re driving your pickup – if your pickup was huge and had a GVWR of upwards of 26,000 pounds. Okay … so it doesn’t ride or handle exactly like a pickup, but it does drive more like one than you otherwise might expect. Steering was tight for a truck of its size.

Maneuverability, thanks in part to the massive windshield and the visibility it provides, was incredible. Navigating some of Michigan’s rural roads in a truck with a 194 inch wheelbase loaded with 5 yards of top soil was surprisingly easy and comfortable and posed little challenge to the rear springs. Ride and handing actually improved significantly with a dump full of dirt.

- See more at: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/test-drive-fords-f-650-super-dutys-biggest-brother/#sthash.QmOU9dk5.dpuf

6/22/16

Upscale 2017 Ford Super Dutys Get Heavy Duty Vinyl Floor Option



The 2017 Ford Super Duty will be different in many ways but offering a vinyl floor on top-of-the-line models is a stroke of genius because trucks with the option installed can be washed out the floor with a sponge, rag or hose if needed. Ford will offer an upgraded vinyl flooring on both King Ranch and Platinum models of the 2017 F-Series Super Duty trucks that go on sale this fall.

Vinyl flooring previously was offered on the lower XL and XLT trim levels, but this is the first time (for any HD truck maker) that the option has been extended to the more luxurious trims. Ford says that the "Super Duty customers... want the luxury of a King Ranch or Platinum edition, while maintaining their ability to use the truck for work without fear of ruining the interior."

Thankfully, the vinyl flooring in both the King Ranch (shown in these photos) and Platinum trim levels will be thicker and more durable than the base vinyl and will come with clips to install floor mats. Each trim's vinyl floor will also have a unique design to match the rest of the luxury interior.

6/20/16

Silverado Impact Strength: Engineering Overview and Demonstration Methodology | Chevrolet



In extensive laboratory testing, as well as 26 real-world demonstrations, the impact strength of the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado bed consistently outperformed the stamped aluminum bed of the 2016 Ford F-150.

All of the comparisons were conducted using 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 trucks. A total of 12 pairs of truck beds were used for video demonstrations, all purchased through retail dealerships. All demonstrations were conducted without bed liners, in order to compare the impact strength of each vehicle’s bed construction.

Learn more about the Chevy Silverado: http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado-15...

Connect with Chevy on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/chevrolet or follow @Chevrolet on Twitter.

6/18/16

The New Isuzu FTR Reveal at The 2016 Work Truck Show



Isuzu unveils all new class 6 F-Series truck live at the 2016 Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, Indiana.

6/16/16

Ram Trucks | 2017 Power Wagon Reveal | “Push On"



There is a point when giving up is not an option.
When you find out if you have what it takes to continue.
This is the point of no return. And this is the 2017 Ram Power Wagon.

6/14/16

SmartSpace Van Storage Solutions by Masterack



See how different configurations offer storage solutions for different industries and contractors.

6/12/16

2016 Transit - Innovative New Configurations


  •     SYNC® 3, Ford’s new communications and entertainment system, is available for 2016 Ford Transit – making America’s best-selling van even smarter
  •     The vehicle with the most configurations in its class just got even more flexible, as dual sliding doors now give customers a total of 58 vehicle configurations, up from 47 for 2015
  •     Ford Transit became the best-selling van in America only six months after going on sale; Ford built more than 100,000 Transit vehicles for the 2015 model year
Ford Transit provides professional tradesmen and fleet customers with innovative new configurations and leading versatility in an expanding commercial vehicle market.

Ford Transit became the best-selling full-size van in America just six months after it went on sale. For the 2015 model year, Ford has produced more than 100,000 Transit vans and wagons at Kansas City Assembly Plant.

Transit is available in passenger van and wagon versions, in three lengths, three heights and two wheelbases. Now, Transit offers even more versatility by offering dual sliding doors on medium- and high-roof van models.

SYNC® 3 – Ford’s new communications and entertainment system – is available for 2016, featuring faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, more intuitive smartphone-like touch screen, and easier-to-understand graphical interface to help Ford customers connect on the road.

A rearview camera is standard on all 2016 van and wagon models, as is a front dome lamp with map lights and theater dimming. New colors are Shadow Black, Magnetic, Race Red and Caribou.

Transit is also available in chassis cab and cutaway body styles, while Transit wagon offers XL and XLT trim levels.

Choice of power

A CNG/propane gaseous engine prep package is available for the 3.7-liter V6 to enable customers to run their vehicles on compressed natural gas or liquid propane. This engine is also engineered for optimal performance with E85 flex-fuel capability.

The 3.2-liter Power Stroke® five-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel – based on Ford’s proven global diesel engine architecture – features state-of-the-art fuel, turbo and emissions systems that meet stringent U.S. clean diesel standards.

For maximum capability, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost® promises to be a trusted workhorse – whether carrying materials to a job site or towing a trailer with Transit’s available hitch. This EcoBoost provides best-in-class maximum gasoline engine torque of 400 lb.-ft.

Each engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission for efficient rear-wheel-drive operation.

Most configurations ever

With Transit, the power of choice goes beyond powertrain options to encompass multiple lengths and roof heights to provide full-size van buyers with the precise configuration they require.

The high-roof van features 81.5 inches of interior cargo height – enough headroom for a person 6 feet, 4 inches tall to stand upright in the cargo area. The medium-roof model offers as much as 72 inches of cargo height, while the low-roof model has nearly 57 inches to provide an ideal combination of payload management, upfit readiness and garageability.

When properly equipped, Transit provides up to 487.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity, with rear cargo doors that can open up to 237 degrees for easy loading and unloading.

The interior has been designed for easy upfit of racks, bins, shelving and other cargo storage and hauling solutions. The largest passenger version can carry as many as 15 people, while providing 100.5 cubic feet of storage.

Driving quality

Thanks to a power rack-and-pinion setup, Transit provides drivers with an exceptionally communicative steering feel. The front suspension consists of subframe-mounted MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar for smoother, flatter cornering, while progressive rear leaf springs and heavy-duty gas-charged dampers provide for well-controlled ride quality – regardless of load status.

Minimized operating costs

Transit’s global design delivers on the same customer expectations in 116 markets worldwide where this sturdy commercial vehicle will be available – expectations for versatility, fuel efficiency and low operating costs.

Transit has been developed to be efficient to service and maintain, with specialized technical service support including extended operating hours available at more than 600 Ford Business Preferred Network dealers.

Built Ford Tough

Transit features rugged unibody construction and extensive application of high-strength and boron steel, which has been tested at Ford proving grounds and in the hands of real-world fleet customers in North America.

Transit is assembled at Ford’s recently upgraded Kansas City Assembly Plant.

6/10/16

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.

6/08/16

American Truck Historical Society’s National Convention & Truck Show 2016



Hosted in Salem, Oregon from May 26 to May 28, 2016, the annual American Truck Historical Society National Convention & Truck Show in Salem this past week attracted hundreds of trucks and plenty of spectators.

Special thanks to Hard Working Trucks reader Gow Litzenburger for passing along photos of the event which we’ve packaged in a slide show below.

Other antique truck shows are scheduled this summer. Shows generally feature class 1 to 8 trucks that are at least 25 years old. Visit the ATHS website for more information. For those interested in vintage truck restoration, membership in ATHS and networking at truck shows can prove invaluable.

“There’s actually quite a lot of parts out there that are stashed away. It’s just a matter of knowing who has them,” said ATHS member Scott Smith, who brought a 1957 Peterbilt to the show.


- See more at: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/slideshow-antique-truck-show-attracts-hundreds-of-trucks/#sthash.Qw86ZjYN.dpuf
The annual American Truck Historical Society’s National Convention & Truck Show in Salem this past week attracted hundreds of trucks and plenty of spectators.






Special thanks to Hard Working Trucks reader Gow Litzenburger for passing along photos of the event which we’ve packaged in a slide show below.
Other antique truck shows are scheduled this summer. Shows generally feature class 1 to 8 trucks that are at least 25 years old. Visit the ATHS website for more information. For those interested in vintage truck restoration, membership in ATHS and networking at truck shows can prove invaluable.
“There’s actually quite a lot of parts out there that are stashed away. It’s just a matter of knowing who has them,” said ATHS member Scott Smith, who brought a 1957 Peterbilt to the show.
- See more at: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/slideshow-antique-truck-show-attracts-hundreds-of-trucks/#sthash.Qw86ZjYN.dpuf
The annual American Truck Historical Society’s National Convention & Truck Show in Salem this past week attracted hundreds of trucks and plenty of spectators.






Special thanks to Hard Working Trucks reader Gow Litzenburger for passing along photos of the event which we’ve packaged in a slide show below.
Other antique truck shows are scheduled this summer. Shows generally feature class 1 to 8 trucks that are at least 25 years old. Visit the ATHS website for more information. For those interested in vintage truck restoration, membership in ATHS and networking at truck shows can prove invaluable.
“There’s actually quite a lot of parts out there that are stashed away. It’s just a matter of knowing who has them,” said ATHS member Scott Smith, who brought a 1957 Peterbilt to the show.
- See more at: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/slideshow-antique-truck-show-attracts-hundreds-of-trucks/#sthash.Qw86ZjYN.dpuf
.

6/06/16

2017 GMC Sierra Denali 2500HD: Bold Hood Design Hints at What Lies Beneath


DETROIT – GMC today released the first photos of the 2017 Sierra Denali 2500HD featuring a functional hood scoop design hinting at what is beneath its bold new appearance.

In May 2016, Sierra Denali HDs accounted for 48 percent of HD retail sales.

Additional details and information on the new model will be released in the coming months.
GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup, is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest-possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

6/04/16

GMC Offers Trailering Enhancements for 2016 Sierra

Factory- and dealer-installed features 
add convenience, confidence to towing duties


DETROIT – New available features including a gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailering prep package and a trailering camera system complement built-in technologies to help make trailering with the 2016 GMC Sierra easier and more comfortable than ever. 

The gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailering prep package is offered on Sierra HD models and makes them ready to tow larger trailers right from the factory, while the trailering camera system is available for Sierra 1500 and HD models. It was developed with Echomaster to help reduce blind spots on the highway and when reversing with a trailer.

“GMC’s reputation was forged on the ability to perform heavy work with a premium touch, and these new options do more to make that work comfortable and confident,” said Sierra Marketing Manager Stuart Pierce. “With a 112-year legacy of professional-grade trucks behind them, the entire Sierra lineup handles the toughest tasks with the utmost ease.”

Gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailering prep package
The new gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailering prep package is a $350 option featuring a frame-mounted hitch platform and tray that accommodates a gooseneck ball hitch or fifth-wheel hitch mounting brackets.

The platform is concealed beneath the truck’s bed floor and when the hitch isn’t needed, it can be removed for full use of the bed’s cargo capacity. Caps for the openings in the floor are included and a bed-mounted seven-way trailer wiring connection comes with the prep package.

Additionally, a new gooseneck completion kit is available from GMC dealers that features a 2-5/16-inch ball hitch and two chain tie-downs. It carries a retail price of $315. GMC dealers also offer CURT Manufacturing fifth-wheel hitches compatible with the factory-installed hitch platform. They are available in 20,000-lb. and 25,000-lb. versions for $939 and $999, respectively (not including tax, installation and labor charges). 

The 2016 Sierra HDs’ fifth-wheel trailering ratings are aligned with SAE J2807 standards, with maximum capacities including:
•    2500HD trailering rating of 18,000 pounds (8,165 kg)
•    3500HD single-rear-wheel trailering rating of 17,500 pounds (7,938 kg)
•    3500HD dual-rear-wheel trailering rating of 23,200 pounds (10,523 kg)




Trailering camera system
Developed with safety feature manufacturer Echomaster, GMC’s new dealer-available blind-spot-assist towing package system is compatible with 2014-16 Sierra 1500 and HD truck equipped with the DPN- or DQS-code trailer mirrors.

It features three cameras: two side-view cameras and one for the rear of the trailer. The side cameras are integrated with the trailer mirror housings, offering improved vision on the sides of the truck and trailer, displayed on the IntelliLink screen in the cab.

The rear camera is designed to be mounted to the top, rearmost edge of the trailer, providing a view of what’s behind the trailer when reversing. It is hardwired to the trailer lights for electrical power and wirelessly transmits images to the interior display. It also features infrared lighting for enhanced images in low-light settings. 

The Sierra’s rear backup camera is activated when reverse is selected. Pressing and holding the radio Home button for five seconds brings up the camera menu screen to select the trailer camera image. The system also supports the use of an optional fourth camera, such as one inside the trailer, transmitting video to monitor horses, other livestock or additional content during transport.

Any of the camera views can be activated at any time on the IntelliLink display. Later this summer GMC will also offer a camera integrated in the center brake lamp housing that provides a view of the cargo bed contents or additional assistance when connecting a fifth-wheel/gooseneck trailer.

The trailering camera system is available from dealers and starts at $999 (not including tax, installation and labor charges). It is warranted by Echomaster, a division of AAMP Global.

Built-in trailering technologies
Sierra 1500 and HD models are engineered to deliver great trailering capability with refinement and control – attributes that provide driving confidence when using that capability to the fullest.

All models feature standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control with trailer sway control and hill start assist, as well as four-wheel disc brakes. An automatic locking rear axle is standard on HD models and included with the available NHT Max Trailering package on Sierra 1500.

Additional features include:
•    Integrated trailer brake controller is available on Sierra 1500 and 2500HD and standard on 3500HD
•    Available rear-vision camera system
•    Available integrated cruise control, auto grade braking and diesel exhaust braking offer greater driving control and reduced brake wear on grades

New Digital Steering Assist is offered on crew cab SLE, SLT, Denali and double cab diesel SLE and SLT Sierra HD models. It enhances driver control with a trailer by using technology similar to active rack-and-pinion systems to provide corrections that enhance stability on the highway.

FAST FACT: The GMC Sierra 1500 was named the 2016 Texas Truck Showdown Towing Champion in a head-to-head capability test conducted by editors from Cars.com, PickupTrucks.com and MrTruck.com.

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup, is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest-possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

6/02/16

Harbor Contractor II Body Increases Storage Capacity and Effectiveness



Jordan Lewis, Commercial Truck Manager at Dow Lewis GMC in Yuba City CA shows off a great solution for many contractors who want storage, but also want the benefits of a flatbed truck. This body, mounted on a GMC 1-ton Dually chassis is a Harbor Contractor II Body. The twist with the Contractor II Body is the tall and deep compartment at the front of the body. The open lid typical upper box is retained, but the real value of this body is the combination of the two types of boxes.

You can see how much more storage capacity there is in the Contractor II arrangement. The shelves are moveable or removable and the compartment is deep enough to carry a wide variety of items, including tall items.

This unit also has a removable forklift loadable rack, fold-down contractor style gates in the rear, and a class IV receiver, and 7-pin trailer connector. It also has a great full-length step for easy rear access.

See more at http://DowLewisTrucks.com