The Innovation Truck By Daimler Trucks North America Offers a Sampling of Cutting-Edge Truck Technology

The Freightliner Trucks homepage reports on the Innovation Truck by Daimler Trucks North America, a preview of the latest trucking technologies that appeared at the recent Mid-America Trucking Show.

According to Freightliner Trucks, the Innovation Truck features advanced technologies directly from DTNA’s development labs. It takes Freightliner Trucks’ most aerodynamic solution – the Cascadia™ – and adds a sampling of cutting-edge advancements that will further enhance fuel economy.

“We’ve created the new Innovation Truck to highlight not only our existing technologies, but to show our customers what they can expect from us in the near future,” said Elmar Boeckenhoff, senior vice president, Engineering and Technology for Daimler Trucks North America.

Building on the highly successful Cascadia platform, the Innovation Truck reflects greater refinement in aerodynamics with the addition of rear wheel fairings to smooth the airflow around the rear wheels, under body panels that smooth air flow under the chassis, a roof deflector to direct air over the trailer, and a front air splitter incorporated into the front bumper to pass air around the truck.

The Innovation Truck also replaces the mirrors with side view cameras to further reduce drag. The camera system improves the field of view, eliminates blind spots, and reduces the typical “fish eye” effect. Together these enhancements improve the airflow over, under, and around the vehicle – resulting in further fuel savings.

One such system is the RunSmart Predictive Cruise™ system. A world premiere for heavy-duty trucking industry, this system offers significant fuel savings by combining the latest in GPS technology with digital mapping to provide a 3D profile of the road ahead. The truck evaluates the upcoming road profile more than one mile in advance and determines the most fuel efficient vehicle speed.

Further pushing the aerodynamic envelope, the Innovation Truck integrates a Dual Ride Height system that, at highway speeds, lowers the tractor height, reducing under chassis drag. This system utilizes a proprietary front air suspension in conjunction with Freightliner’s popular rear air suspension.

“Aerodynamic drag reduction is at the foundation of DTNA’s engineering efforts, but decreasing friction can also result in fuel economy savings,” said Boeckenhoff.

Source: Frieghtliner Trucks

Volvo, Goodyear, and GetLoaded.com Demonstrate Products at the Mid-America Trucking Show

Commercial Truck Trader recently attended the Mid-America Trucking show, featuring displays of the cutting-edge of trucking technology.

FleetOwner Magazine has posted some video demos on their YouTube account of products ranging from puncture-resistant tires to load matching services that work on your cell phone. Special thanks to Tachoblog for this.



Here is an explanation of  how Volvo's selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology not only reduces NOx levels but also active regeneration too.



Here is a demonstration of Goodyear's DuraSeal Technology. According to Goodyear, this is the world’s first built-in tire sealant for commercial truck tires that instantly seals tread punctures.



The marketing manager from GetLoaded.com explains the web-enabled cell phone load matching service, helping truckers do load seaching from their cell phone rather than using a laptop.

Source: FleetOwner.com and Tachoblog

More Photos From the 2009 Mid-America Trucking Show

It is day two for Commercial Truck Trader attending the 2009 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY at booth 12092 in the North Wing.

Commercial Truck Trader's booth at the Mid America Truck Show is handing out hundreds of the National edition every hour.

Antique trucks are on display in the North Wing.

Author Earl Conlon stopped by the Commercial Truck Trader booth Friday. His book "And The Trucks Quit Running".

Doors open for day 2 at MATS Large crowd moves into the show.

NITE Plus booth draws a crowd.

Source: Commercial Truck Trader

Commercial Truck Trader at the 2009 Mid-America Truck Show

Here are some more pictures of Commercial Truck Trader attending the 2009 Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, KY at booth 12092 in the North Wing.

Director of Sales and Marketing Mark Bondi at the Commercial Truck Trader booth.

Left to right. Dominic DiLoreto and jonathan sanders of Wholesale Truck and Finance of Troy, MI, talk with Mark Bondi about advertising solutions.

A lot of interest in the new national edition of Commercial Truck, Trailer, and Equipment Trader book.

The 2009 Mid America Truck Show runs today through Saturday.

Commercial Truck Trader Visits The Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, KY.

Commercial Truck Trader will be attending the Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, KY. Come by and see us at booth 12092 in the North Wing.

We are also posting frequent updates on our Twitter account at twitter.com/commercialtruck.

Attending the show from Commercial Truck Trader is Director of Sales and Marketing Mark Bondi, Sales Development Manager Charles Bowles, and Sales Managers Tina Schildgen and Ron Graf.

The Mid America Truck Show runs today through Saturday. Visit www.truckingshow.com for more details.

Source: Commercial Truck Trader and The Mid-America Truck Show

Ford Reveals New 2011 F-59 Super Duty Commercial Stripped Chassis

Ford recently announced it has expanded its commercial stripped chassis offerings with the new F-59 Super Duty.

“The F-59 Super Duty chassis brings significant Ford commercial vehicle expertise to a unique commercial segment,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “These three new offerings expand our stripped chassis portfolio, helping more customers address their task-specific applications.”

This 2011 F-59 stripped chassis to can be tailored specific application and subsequent needs. This chassis will be ideal for multi-stop couriers and expeditors, linen and commercial laundry services, printed media delivery, carpet delivery and installation, parcel portage, mobile machine shops, portable medical units and food/beverage delivery, among others.

The F-59 Super Duty commercial stripped chassis is powered by the 6.8-liter, three-valve per cylinder, Triton® V-10 gasoline powered engine, delivering 362 horsepower and 457 ft.-lbs. of torque. This advanced engine features a single overhead camshaft and electronic fuel injection for responsive power and precise fuel metering for enhanced fuel economy. It also meets all applicable 2012 emissions standards.

Source: Ford Motor Company

Kenworth Clean Power No-Idle System Qualifies for U.S. Federal Excise Tax Exemption

Kenworth has announced that the Kenworth Clean Power no-idle system has qualified for an exemption from the 12 percent U.S. Federal Excise Tax (FET).

According to Kenworth, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay(SM) program has long recognized Kenworth Clean Power as a certified idle reduction device. The Internal Revenue Service recently acknowledged that it now recognizes such EPA-approved systems as qualifying for the FET exemption.

Kenworth Clean Power is available as a factory-installed option for the Kenworth T660, T800 and W900 models equipped with the 72-inch AeroCab® sleeper. The system may enhance fuel economy by as much as 8 percent for customers with high-idling times. Among the system’s benefits are factory installation, Kenworth warranty coverage, comprehensive no-idle features, and full compliance with California Air Resources Board (CARB) idling regulations for sleeper trucks with 2007 and later model engines.

Kenworth Clean Power uses dedicated, advanced deep-cycle batteries that power a thermal storage cooler with 21,000 BTUs of cooling capacity. The system has the capability to provide engine-off cooling and heating, plus 120-volt power for hotel loads. Once the truck is shut off, a sleeper control panel regulates the temperature range and a variable speed fan circulates chilled air through a duct located near the bunk.

Source and Image Credit: Kenworth

Peterbilt Introduces New Proprietary Fuel Efficiency Package

Peterbilt Motors Company has introduced a new proprietary Fuel Efficiency Package designed to provide fuel savings gains of up to 12 percent for its traditionally styled Models 388 and 389.

According to Peterbilt, the Fuel Efficiency Package utilizes a set of proprietary components to reduce vehicle drag by up to 24 percent, resulting in an estimated $5,600 in savings annually (130,000, $2.30/gal) versus a comparable non-equipped Peterbilt Model 388 or 389. Benefits were validated by the company with state-of-the-art technologies such as computational fluid dynamics studies, wind tunnel testing and on-track drag metering.

“Reducing fuel consumption and overall operating costs are primary concerns for all customers; the new Fuel Efficiency Package provides tangible savings that help our customers compete in today’s challenging economic environment,” said Bill Jackson, Peterbilt General Manager and PACCAR Vice President. “For fleets and owner-operators who prefer Peterbilt’s traditional styling, the Fuel Efficiency Package offers fuel savings with uncompromised style and performance.”

Source: Peterbilt