8/31/15

Tommy Gate's G2 Series Liftgate



Tommy Gate's G2 Series is the latest in parallel-arm technology. Dual hydraulic cylinders apply direct power to both sides of the platform for increased consistency in motion and stability. With reduced maintenance requirements, wide variety of platform options, and vast hitch compatibility, G2 Series hydraulic lifts are a strong, versatile lift that are convenient, efficient, and make trucks work better.

Liftgate Features:

    Dual hydraulic cylinders
    Maintenance-free components
    Recessed control
    Larger platforms
    Fully-enclosed hydraulic system

Find out more at:  http://www.tommygate.com

8/29/15

GM Marks Tech Center’s National Historic Landmark


National Park Service and Michigan Historic Preservation Office make site official



WARREN, Mich. – With officials from the U.S Department of the Interior, National Park Service and Michigan Historic Preservation Office on hand, General Motors  today unveiled a 5-foot-tall, 1,200-pound bethel white granite marker of its Technical Center’s selection as a National Historic Landmark.

The National Park Service selected the campus for the honor because it possesses national significance as one of the most important works of famed architect Eero Saarinen.

The dedication of the marker, which required a crane and several people to guide it into place, also was attended by Executive Vice President of Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain Mark Reuss and Vice President of GM Global Design Ed Welburn.

“When the GM Tech Center was dedicated in 1956, it was the pinnacle of engineering, design and advance technology,” Reuss said. “We recently announced a $1 billion investment that will bring new construction, significant renovation and 2,600 new jobs to the campus,” he said. The expansion of the Tech Center will continue his original design style.

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 

8/27/15

GM Invests $877 Million for Flint Assembly Upgrades


New body facility links assembly plant with Flint Metal Center
FLINT, Mich. – General Motors’ oldest assembly plant in North America, a popular destination for pickup truck customers who want to watch their vehicles being built, will undergo transformation in the coming years.

GM officials today announced plans to invest $877 million to build a new body shop for the assembly plant, locating it closer to the Flint Metal Center, which supplies sheet metal and other parts used in the Chevrolet and GMC full-size pickups produced in the assembly plant.

The investment will also cover improvements to the general assembly area inside Flint Assembly, as well as retooling and the installation of new equipment at the plant.

“This investment will allow us to use a more innovative approach to deliver material between two critical facilities, reducing handling and the time it takes to ship parts,” said Cathy Clegg, GM North America Manufacturing and Labor Relations vice president.

Since 2011, GM has announced investments topping $1.8 billion for Flint Assembly. This includes $600 million for plant upgrades and a new standalone paint shop that is under construction and slated to open in 2016. Work on the 883,000-square-foot body shop is expected to begin in the first half of 2016, with completion slated for 2018.

“In the last several years, GM’s investments in the city of Flint have topped $2.5 billion, creating hundreds of construction jobs and an economic boost for the community,” said Flint Mayor Dayne Walling. “This investment not only strengthens the ties between GM and the city, it demonstrates that Flint continues to play an important role in the resurgence of manufacturing in Michigan and the rest of the United States.”

Opened in 1947 as part of a post-World War II building boom by GM’s Flint Assembly has produced more than 13 million vehicles. The plant’s “View Builds,” as they are called, allow customers to see their heavy-duty Silverados or heavy-duty Sierra trucks being assembled and roll off the line after a series of quality checks by members of UAW Local 598.

“While the plant has received numerous awards for initial quality and long-term durability and reliability, our latest investments in the plant will raise the bar in vehicle quality and customer satisfaction,” Clegg said.

For starters, when the new paint shop opens in 2016, trucks will be painted using a wet-coat process that results in a smoother, more durable finish. The new body shop will be constructed north of the Flint Metal Center, reducing transportation time and handling between facilities.

“This announcement is due to the hard work and dedication of our UAW members in Flint,” said UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, who leads the UAW GM Department. “This proves once again that when we work together in a collaborative approach, UAW members continue to come up with innovative ways to grow the business, which provides jobs and improves the quality of the products we produce. This is both good for the Company and good for our members.”

Today’s announcement completes the $5.4 billion in investments GM and the UAW announced at the end of April. Since June 2009, GM has announced U.S. facility investments of approximately $17.8 billion, including $12.4 billion since the end of the 2011 UAW-GM National Agreement. These investments have created approximately 6,250 new jobs and secured 20,700 other positions. 

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.

8/25/15

2015 GMC Yukon Denali Start Up, Test Drive, and In Depth Review



Hello and welcome to Saabkyle04, YouTube's largest collection of automotive variety! In today's video, we take an in depth look into the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali!

8/23/15

Pickup Packs by Highway Products



The Pickup Pack™ is a unique alternative for companies needing organized storage and lockup security without the cost of a service body and that can be easily installed on your pickup in a few hours.

Pickup Packs™ include a headache rack, two lockable low side boxes, a flat or dome center hatch, and a removable ladder rack. Other options include gullwing saddle box and an HPI Truckslide™.

Learn more at http://www.highwayproducts.com/pickup...

8/21/15

Equipment Positioning Critical When Towing Equipment With Pickups



2014 Silverado towing rear_BS26003Load placement key to keeping within factory towing guidelines for a safe tow

One of the biggest mistakes pickup owners make in towing is exceeding the truck’s hitch tongue weight.

This leads to overloading the truck’s rear suspension, creating significant handling, braking and potentially serious  business liability issues.
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Moving a piece of equipment, such as a 9,000-pound Bobcat compact loader, six inches forward or back on a tandem-axle equipment trailer can change the tongue weight 600 pounds.

So load positioning is critical if you want to be in compliance with the pickup manufacturers’ towing guidelines.

Every pickup has a set limitation on how much tongue weight can be placed on the hitch (noted in the owner’s manual), and every hitch shank has a load limit (noted on the shank) as to how much it can safely support.

The two capacities ratings are not always equal, but the lowest number always takes precedence.

For instance, the majority of ½-ton pickups only allow 500 pounds of tongue weight while ¾- and 1-tons with 2-inch receivers generally max out at 1,200 pounds.

The newer HD pickups with 2 1/2-inch receivers may be rated to support up to 1,700 pounds tongue weight.


Weigh-Safe Hitch shows tongue weight right on the hitch ball mount for accurate reading.

Note: Vehicle manufacturers also require 10- to 15 percent of the trailer’s loaded weight on the hitch ball.

So if you are towing a loaded trailer that tips the scales at 9,700 pounds, you should have between 970 and 1,115 pounds on the tongue (hitch ball), with 12- percent being ideal as that gives you a little leeway toward being too heavy or too light.

Too little tongue weight leads to trailer sway — and too much adversely affects the pickup’s braking and steering.

The easiest way to ensure tongue weight is set in accordance to the pickup manufacturer’s requirements is to use a scale such as those offered by Sherline or using a built-in hitch unit from Weigh-Safe.

Sherline’s scales are capable of reading tongue weights up to 5,000 pounds, although the 2,000-pound-capacity model is sufficient for most pickup trailer towing applications.

The easiest, fastest way to check tongue weight is to use Weigh-Safe’s adjustable-height drop-shank system. It has a built-in scale that shows tongue weights up to 1,500 pounds.



Sherline scale accurately measures trailer tongue weight.

Using Sherline’s scale requires placing the scale under the trailer coupler and slowly lifting it with a floor jack into the coupler until the jack is supporting the weight of the trailer tongue.

For both weigh systems, read the dial on the scale. If the weight is too high or too low, adjust the position of the load or equipment on the trailer until the number is correct.

If a piece of equipment is going to be hauled on the same trailer all the time, it’s good to paint or mark the trailer bed to indicate where the bucket edge or a tire needs to be positioned to keep that weight balance correct. – Bruce W. Smith




By Bruce W. Smith

Source: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/equipment-positioning-critical-when-towing-equipment-with-pickups/?utm_source=daily-responsive-1&utm_medium=email&utm_content=07-24-2015&utm_campaign=HWT&ust_id=e2e69cf73e

8/19/15

GM Paving Way to Smarter and Safer Driving at All-New Active Safety Test Area

22 crash-avoidance technologies offered 
on 2016 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models 



MILFORD, Mich. – Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac will offer 22 different active safety technologies across their 2016 model year U.S. lineups, ranging from driver alerts to those that automatically intervene and assist the driver in critical situations.

Safety engineers will develop and test these and other safety technologies for products around the world at GM’s new, 52-acre Active Safety Test Area at its Milford Proving Ground near Detroit. The $14 million facility officially opened Friday.

“Our comprehensive safety strategy of helping customers before, during and after a crash continues,” said Jeff Boyer, vice president of GM Global Vehicle Safety. “GM historically has been a leader in the development and testing of safety technologies, and applying our deep knowledge and expertise to prevent crashes from happening in the first place.”

Examples of available crash-avoidance technologies for 2016 GM models include:

City Speed Front Automatic Braking: If the vehicle is traveling at a low speed and the system detects that a front-end collision situation is imminent while following a detected vehicle and the driver has not already applied the brakes, the system automatically applies brakes to help reduce the collision’s severity. The system may even help avoid the collision at very low speeds.

Front Pedestrian Braking: If the system detects that a pedestrian is directly ahead and a collision is imminent, and the driver has not already applied the brakes, the system alerts the driver and, if necessary, automatically applies the brakes to help reduce the collision’s severity or avoid the collision.

Rear Camera Mirror: Compared to a traditional inside rearview mirror, this rear view mirror display provides a wider, less obstructed field of view to assist when driving, changing lanes, and checking for vehicles and traffic conditions.

Night Vision: Provides the driver an infrared night vision image of the area lit beyond the headlamps that highlights and provides alerts to detected pedestrians or large animals.

Curb View Camera: When in Forward gear during low-speed maneuvering (e.g., parking),  this system provides the driver a view of the scene immediately ahead of the vehicle on the vehicle’s center stack display to help the driver avoid low-speed collisions into nearby objects, such as curbs, poles, and parked vehicles.

“The technologies we are developing and testing at this facility are available to our customers across our GM brands,” said Cynthia Bay, director of Active Safety Electronics and Controls. “Front Pedestrian Braking will be offered on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, and the lowest-priced Chevrolet we offer in the U.S. – the new 2016 Spark – has available Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert.”

The new Active Safety Test Area concentrates the company’s active safety testing into one, state-of-the-art site. It features:

A 16-acre dynamics pad for testing a variety of robot-controlled and automated vehicles.

Highway simulation with six lanes, on/off ramps, controlled lighting and road signs that represent specifications around the world.

A parking test area with different curb types and landscaping detection.

Pedestrian test area with a 90-degree traffic intersection and specially designed rig for accurate dummy movement.

Simulated tunnel with walls and posts.

A building for observation, indoor testing, hoists for test preparation and a robotic control station.

Bay said the facility is ideal for testing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technologies, which will be standard on the 2017 Cadillac CTS.

“In addition to helping customers all over the world avoid crashes, many of the technologies we develop and test here are integral to our ongoing V2V communications work and even the development of future autonomous vehicles,” she said.

The V2V dedicated short-range radio communication enables vehicles to “talk” to each other and exchange basic safety data such as speed, location and braking status. It complements existing safety components like radar, camera and ultrasonic sensors; some of the components rigorously tested at the new Active Safety Test Area facility, in a fast and efficient way.

The facility is also used to assess performance in regulatory and insurance industry consumer metric tests, such as those conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Euro New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and others.

“General Motors is committed to setting a new standard for global product safety, and developing vehicles that continue to provide leading safety technologies which can help drivers avoid crashes,” said Boyer. “This facility will accelerate GM’s development and testing of innovative safety technologies.”

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.

8/17/15

OnStar Tops 1 Billion Customer Interactions

Customers reach out via phone, mobile app 
and through their vehicles

DETROIT – OnStar has fielded more than 1 billion requests from customers, who interact by phone, mobile app or embedded cellular service in their cars and trucks.

Launched nearly 19 years ago as an industry-first service that would place a call from the vehicle when an air bag deployed, OnStar today remotely unlocks doors, loads driving directions directly to the vehicle, compiles and sends emails on vehicle health and can aid law enforcement by slowing down a vehicle being pursued.

A customer contacts OnStar every two seconds. That adds up to about 5 million calls a month from its subscriber base of more than 7 million. Add 8.8 million interactions a month from the RemoteLink mobile app and you can see how indispensable OnStar has become since launching on three Cadillac models in 1996.

“OnStar created the original connected car in 1996 and today remains at the forefront of innovation through the services offered in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and soon, Opel vehicles around the globe,” said Alicia Boler-Davis, senior vice president, General Motors Global Connected Customer Experience.

“The pace at which the brand has reached 1 billion interactions shows the vast customer demand for vehicle connectivity and there’s no doubt our second billion interactions will come even quicker.”

By the numbers, here is what 1 billion interactions looks like:

•    5.5 million Emergency Services delivered, including when Bernadette Holzer was driving her Chevrolet Equinox in Tionesta, Penn., triggering an Automatic Crash Response and OnStar’s Crisis Assist service helping Jacqueline Teeters avoid a tornado while driving from Houston to Dallas.

•    156 million RemoteLink Mobile App requests, including Tysha Gill unlocking her car from her smartphone when her keys were locked inside.

•    More than 270 million Turn-by-Turn Navigation requests, including helping Diana Richard find a gas station late at night when she was traveling from Virginia to Ohio.

•    Delivered Roadside Assistance more than 3.9 million times, including bringing gas to Lixi Cacho who was stranded in a remote area

•    More than 800,000 Good Samaritan calls, including Tyler Andrews from Dallas being named OnStar’s “Good Samaritan of the Year” for helping an unresponsive motorist.

•    More than 390 million Vehicle Diagnostic reports delivered, including helping Debbie Yaeger and her 9-year-old daughter on a drive from Florida to Ohio.

•    More than 350 stolen vehicles slowed down. Mississippi State Senator Terry Burton used Stolen Vehicle Assistance to recover his stolen Chevrolet Impala.

OnStar has even helped deliver babies and works with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to track Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

In honor of the milestone, OnStar has provided loyal subscribers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and China with a year of premium OnStar service. Top performing OnStar advisors in each market were honored as well.

Before becoming known as OnStar, the original name for the service was Project Beacon. Its goal was integrating wireless communication into vehicles, years before mass adoption of smartphones.

In the fall of 1996, OnStar debuted in the Cadillac DeVille, Seville and Eldorado. The service initially offered Airbag Deployment Notifications, the core of OnStar’s safety and security premise, which progressed into Automatic Crash Response that uses sensors capable of determining the severity of a crash impact and alerting an OnStar emergency advisor to assist. OnStar today responds to more than 100,000 emergency calls every month.

OnStar features have expanded to convenience services such as Turn-by-Turn Navigation, which is used 3.8 million times every month to download driver-requested directions to the vehicle. OnStar also sends more than 4 million vehicle diagnostic emails each month, providing up-to-date checks on a vehicle’s key operating systems.

RemoteLink enables its 1.5 million active users to lock and unlock their vehicle, start the engine and access vehicle diagnostics such as tire pressure and oil life from their mobile devices.

“We need to provide an overall customer experience that will keep customers coming back for life,” said Boler-Davis. “To do that, we need to meet customers on their terms and offer them a variety of choices. We realize every customer is different.”

OnStar services include OnStar 4G LTE, a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot inside properly equipped 2015 and newer model year vehicles. More than 1 million Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles on the road in the U.S. and Canada have OnStar 4G LTE. The service will be available in China and Europe later this year.

New OnStar services include Smart Driver Assessment, through which consenting drivers can get feedback on their driving habits for potential insurance discounts, and Advanced Diagnostics, which includes real-time and proactive vehicle health alerts.

OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of GM Holdings LLC (“GM”) that launched in 1996, offers in-vehicle safety, security and connectivity services in Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick-GMC models, including Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Turn-by-Turn Navigation, RemoteLink mobile app and 4G LTE Wi-Fi. Along with its affiliate Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd (a joint venture involving OnStar and SAIC General Motors), OnStar has 7 million subscribers in North America and China. In 2015, OnStar recorded its 1 billionth customer interaction, topped more than 1 million 4G LTE Wi-Fi equipped-vehicles, and launched in Opel/Vauxhall.

8/15/15

The New 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Revealed



A drone hovering over the top-secret Milford Proving Ground captures the new design of the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 for the first time. Available late 2015. Preproduction models shown.

8/13/15

2.8L Duramax rounds out the 2016 GMC midsize pickup power offerings

GMC introduced the 2016 Canyon diesel today – featuring an all-new powertrain that expands the Canyon’s already class-leading capabilities, including trailering capacity of up to 7,700 pounds in the 2WD model and 7,600 pounds in the 4x4s.

The new 181hp 2.8L Duramax diesel, which is shared with the Chevrolet Colorado and adds $3,730 to the sticker price, pumps out 369 lb-ft of torque and will be available this fall.
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It’s estimated to deliver greater highway fuel economy than the Canyon’s segment-topping gas engines, with highway estimates nearing 30mpg.  The new Duramax is also the cleanest diesel truck engine ever from General Motors.

Several new technologies and supporting features complement the Duramax diesel’s capability while helping ensure GMC’s trademark refinement:

  •     Standard Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic transmission matched with a Centrifugal Pendulum Vibration Absorber in the torque converter, which reduces powertrain noise and vibration
  •     Smart diesel exhaust brake system that enhances vehicle control and reduces brake wear on steep grades
  •     An all-new integrated trailer brake controller is standard and exclusive on diesel models
  •     A new, electronically controlled two-speed transfer case on 4WD models.

  •       2016 GMC Canyon SLE and SLT models will get the option ($3,730) of the 2.8L diesel this fall.

2016 GMC Canyon SLE and SLT models will get the option ($3,730) of the 2.8L diesel this fall.


“The new Duramax diesel takes the GMC Canyon’s award-winning capabilities to a new level in its segment,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing.

The new Duramax diesel is offered on SLE and SLT Crew Cab models, with 2WD or 4WD. It is priced $3,730 more than a comparably equipped Canyon V-6 model.

All diesel-equipped models feature the Trailering package, which includes a hitch receiver and seven-pin connector, as well as the segment-exclusive automatic locking rear differential, a 3.42 rear axle ratio and four-wheel disc brakes with Duralife™ brake rotors. Capacities include:

  •     Maximum trailering rating of 7,700 pounds (3,492 kg) for 2WD models and 7,600 pounds (3,447 kg) for 4WD
  •     Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings of 6,000 pounds (2,721 kg) for 2WD and 6,200 pounds (2,812 kg) for 4WD.

Source:  http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/gmc-canyon-duramax-diesel-arrives/




8/11/15

THE TRUCK BODY LANDSCAPERS DREAM ABOUT

PLB-090B Landscaper Body on a GM 3500 chassis with a KPLS-942463A Storage Pack and Solid Rear Cargo Gate


Versatility and functionality meet with Knapheide's Landscaper Body. Our Landscaper Body was designed to do the jobs that other landscaper bodies can't.

Want to transfer mulch, dirt, or sand into a wheelbarrow without spilling half of it?  Our metering gate can handle it.  Want to load pallets of sod into the bed?  Our 50" wide side access door that opens to a full 180 degrees is perfect for the job.  Want a hassle-proof way of climbing into the bed to retrieve your equipment?  Our grab handle and step has got you covered.  No matter if you need to haul or dump, the landscaper body can do it all.  Add on some external secure storage with our storage packs or under body roughneck toolboxes.

Find out more at: http://www,knapheide.com/product/landscaper-bodies


8/09/15

Rugby Manufacturing Introduces HD Rancher



Rugby Manufacturing (Rugby, North Dakota) introduced an all-new Rugby HD Rancher Body, ideal for heavier duty construction and landscape applications, as well as oil field operations. Designed for maximum durability, the HD Rancher offers several enhanced features including an upgraded 3/16-inch tread plate floor, 7 gauge formed cross-members with 12-inch spacing, 12-gauge bulkhead sheet and a 3/8-inch tie down rail.

The HD Rancher is also available with a B&W Turnoverball™ Gooseneck Hitch that allows a flat surface with no cutouts in the floor.  Five models of the new HD Rancher are available ranging in length from 9 feet 3 inches to 12 feet.

For more information, visit www.rugbymfg.com.

8/07/15

General Motors Helps Honor Five U.S. Service Members



 Military Times Service Members of the Year awards recognize courage, pride

DETROIT – Five men and women representing each branch of the U.S. military were honored Tuesday night for their exemplary service during the 2015 Military Times Service Member of the Year Awards.

The 15th annual event was held in Washington, D.C., with members of Congress and senior Pentagon officials in attendance. General Motors has been a corporate sponsor of the event for more than 10 years.

“These five men and women represent the character, commitment and values of the U.S. military,” said GM Chief Diversity Officer Ken Barrett, a retired Navy captain.

The award winners are:
•    Staff Sgt. Joseph Fontenot, U.S. Army, Fort Campbell, Ky.
•    Staff Sgt. Zachary Rubart, U.S. Marines, Washington, D.C.
•    Hospital Corpsman Third Class Sara Freeman, U.S. Navy, Norfolk, Va.
•    Senior Airman Joseph Moreland, U.S. Air Force, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
•    Aviation Maintenance Technician Second Class Lee Biladeau, U.S. Coast Guard, Traverse City, Mich.

Since 2000, Military Times has singled out five "Everyday Heroes" – service members who demonstrate pride, dedication and courage beyond what is expected. All five branches of the military – Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard – are represented.

In addition to the awards gala, winners are recognized online, in the Military Times newspapers and at special events in and around Washington.

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 

About GM’s Military Support: For more than 100 years, GM has proudly provided ongoing support to members of the U.S. military and their families. Through the support of key hiring and training initiatives – including Hiring Our Heroes, Shifting Gears and more – GM remains a committed partner as many veterans return to the civilian workforce. To learn more, visit GMMilitaryDiscount.com.

8/05/15

GMC Easy-to-Use Trailering App



DETROIT – GMC owners can pull off their next trailering chore without a hitch – at least figuratively – thanks to a new trailering guide app available today at the iTunes store. The free app is designed to give GMC customers a better understanding of trailering techniques and capabilities. It, even helps identify the appropriate GMC model for specific trailering needs.

“Our customers believe in the right tool for the job, and this app helps them get the most out of their GMC trailering capability in a convenient and accessible way, whether they’re hauling a utility trailer across town or a fifth-wheel cross-country,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president, GMC Marketing.

The app packages trailering tips and information from the trailering section of gmc.com, including maximum trailer weight ratings by model. When consumers open the app, they can access information either by selecting a specific GMC model or by entering their trailering needs to identify the right GMC model for the job.

Also featured is a dedicated learning center that caters to both first-timers and veterans, with features that include:

  • Trailering 101
  • Hitches and equipment
  • Pre-trailering checklist
  • How GMC trailering technologies work
  • Power and performance information
  • Safe trailering techniques
A third section contains a glossary of commonly used terms, and a fourth category focuses on dinghy (flat) towing. Video content includes Trailering 101 videos developed earlier this year in conjunction with the launch of the all-new 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup. Additional “How To” video content will be added over time to enhance the app’s user experience. 

“Even for customers who’ve been trailering for years, our continuing enhancements in features, power and technology make the GMC Trailering Guide App a handy resource,” said Hugh Milne, GMC Training and Accessory manager.

The new Sierra 1500, equipped with a 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 offers segment-best standard V-6 torque with trailering capacity of up to 7,200 pounds (3,266 kg) and segment-best V-8 fuel economy.

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, and is one of the industry's healthiest brands. Innovation and engineering excellence is built into all GMC vehicles and the brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC is the only manufacturer to offer three full-size hybrid trucks with the Yukon, Yukon Denali SUVs and the Sierra pickup. The Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are the most capable and powerful trucks in the market. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

8/03/15

GMC Dually Rear Sway Bar Install


LEAN ON ME:  Adding Hellwig Big Wig rear stabilizer bar improves load control and reduces body lean on heavy-duty pickups

by Bruce W Smith

Heavily loaded pickups and service bodies tend to lean a lot in corners, especially if the load in the bed is a bit top-heavy. Body lean (sway) isn’t a particularly a good thing.
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The good news is it’s easy to get under control: add a heavy-duty rear stabilizer bar.

Our 2008 GMC Sierra 3500HD Dually, Big Red, has more than 130,000 miles under its tires. The suspension is stock (sans the 6″ Cognito lift) and it still retains the firm one-ton dually ride.

But we wanted to make sure when 1,800 pounds of service body and equipment are in the bed that our Dually stays stable thorugh corners, dips and over off-camber sections on- and off-road.


So we added both front and  rear Hellwig Big Wig stabilizer bars. The bars are designed specifically for heavy-duty and lifted applications and they are built out of 4140 chromolly steel.
Hellwig Big Wig rear stabilizer bar being installed on Project Big Red at Truck Supply & Outfitters.

Stabilizer bars are an excellent suspension upgrade for a heavy-duty pickup because performance improves in several ways:
  •     Reduces body roll so you benefit from better vehicle control
  •     Improves cornering traction for safer driving and cornering capabilities
  •     Distributes weight evenly
Installing them is one of the easiest suspension upgrades. The average shop mechanic about 45 minutes to install both front and rear bars. It’s a straight-forward bolt-in upgrade.

Source: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/sway-control/



8/01/15

2016 GMC Sierra Unveiled


 With exterior styling as its top reason for purchase, the new truck adds key design elements: LED “C-shaped” signature daytime running lights and LED headlights; new front fascia and grilles for each trim level; new LED fog lamps; new bumpers; and new “C-shaped” LED taillights.

The new Sierra will be available in the fourth quarter of this year, with additional details and information on the new model 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/, onTwitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.


GMC’s best-selling truck has great momentum coming off its best June since 2006 and 12 consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains.