5/29/16

Are you willing to pay more for connected vehicle technologies?

We all know all sorts of technologies, everything from autopilot systems and remote diagnostics to stolen vehicle tracking, offer some potentially big benefits to the trucking industry.

But are truckers willing to pay extra for them? And if so, how much extra?

Global consulting firm Accenture recently conducted a survey posing those very questions to consumers in China, Germany and the U.S. regarding a range of automobile technologies and found – on average – drivers would opt to pay up to an additional 10% of a new car’s sticker price to obtain various in-car systems offering a variety of entertainment, information, remote and driver support services.

In the U.S., where average sticker prices for new light vehicles hit $34,428 in December last year, according to Kelly Blue Book, that “up to 10%” figure translates into some $3,400 or so for technology.

As a point of reference, Axel Schmidt, managing director in Accenture’s automotive practice, noted that the firm polled 5,111 drivers over the age of 18 who operate a vehicle on a regular basis in China, Germany and the U.S. and who also own a smartphone or plan to buy one in the next 6-12 months.

“Consumers are becoming more inclined to make separate purchases of the in-car functions they want most,” he added. “We believe that the demand for a range of features, from safety systems and remote services to parking assist technology, will increase in the coming years.”

Indeed, Accenture believes that by 2025, all new cars sold will be connectivity-enabled. But the question remains exactly what kinds of “connectivity” will appeal most to drivers. Some indications from the firm’s survey include:
  •     The functionalities consumers would be most willing to spend more on include remote services such as when a vehicle automatically sends a distress message (63%) to the nearest emergency center when a life-threatening situation occurs or alerts when vehicle breaks down (41%).
  •     There is also high interest in remote diagnostics (75%) and vehicle lifecycle management reports (71%), with nearly half of the respondents (43%) willing to spend extra on these features.
  •     Over half (55%) want location functionalities like stolen vehicle tracking and recovery, navigation, and remote parked car locator systems, with a third (29%) willing pay more for those in-car services.
  •     All told, seven in ten of all respondents (71%) would pay up to 10% of a car’s price to add such functionality to their light vehicles.

Accenture also emphasized that consumer interest in key in-car technologies is likely to grow, with 75% and 71% respectively expecting to use vehicle health and vehicle lifecycle management services in the future.

Appeal for location-based services is also anticipated to gain popularity, with 78% of respondents to Accenture’s poll saying they are interested in having a stolen vehicle recovery and tracking system in the future, with 71% desiring features like the remote parked car locator and just under two-thirds, or 59%, welcoming the use of in-car navigation systems down the road.

In addition, 35% of drivers surveyed by the firm desiring “concierge services” such as voice-activated responses to location-based questions, with 19% willing to pay an additional fee to get it.

A further 32% want “smart home” integration for their vehicles, which provides the ability to control automated devices within the home from a connected vehicle, and 20% would pay more for it.

Yet how much are folks willing to spend for such offerings? Here’s what Accenture’s poll found:
  •     Drivers surveyed in China would be willing to spend an average of 16% of the new car’s price on “infotainment” features, while U.S. drivers stop at 15% and Germans at 11% of a new car’s sticker price.
  •     For “convenience” services, drivers in the U.S. are willing to spend on average up to 16% of a car’s price, followed by China at 15% and Germany at 11%.
  •     With regard to payments for in-car services, nearly half of respondents (47%) are willing to make an upfront payment when buying a new car, or pay for connected services over the lifetime of the services.
  •     More than one-third of those polled (34%) want free basic services subject to in-car advertising with the option to upgrade to premium versions of services.
  •     And 32% would consider paying a monthly fee for connected vehicle services using a credit card or PayPal.
Some things to think about as we continue diving deeper into the connected vehicle future, in both the car market and commercial trucking space.

Source: http://fleetowner.com/blog/are-you-willing-pay-more-connected-vehicle-technologies


5/27/16

GMC Enlists Josh Duhamel to Support Building for America’s Bravest During Military Appreciation Month

To donate visit ourbravest.org/enlistme 
or call 844-BRAVEST



DETROIT - In honor of Military Appreciation Month, and as part of the ongoing relationship between GMC and veteran support program Building for America’s Bravest, the brand is calling on its staff, fans and fellow Americans to support the foundation’s work to build life-changing smart homes for severely injured service members. GMC has committed to contribute up to $2 million by the end of 2016 and is asking people across the country to “enlist to unlist” the more than 200 severely injured service men and women currently waiting for smart homes.

As part of the campaign, a continuation of the #enlistme activity started in 2015, GMC has enlisted the support of actor Josh Duhamel as campaign ambassador, in an effort to increase awareness and raise funds to make significant differences in the lives of these courageous service members.

Speaking on why he chose to support, Duhamel referenced his strong ties to both the military and the GMC brand. “I grew up near a military base in North Dakota. My aunt was in the military and completed a number of tours overseas and my grandfather was a proud veteran. I feel it’s my duty as an American, and as a supporter of our veterans, to do as much as I can to bring awareness to the work of Building for America’s Bravest. I have owned a GMC truck since 2004, so when GMC asked me to step up and work with them, it was a no-brainer. I hope you will join me in enlisting to support this incredible cause.”

GMC and its parent company have supported the U.S. military for more than 100 years, working with the mantra of “Helping, Hiring & Driving,” through a mixture of employment programs, veteran support programs and offering the best possible automotive military discount during Military Appreciation Month, which is offered to all 21 million veterans and their families through May 31, 2016.

Speaking on the importance of the #enlistme campaign, U.S. Vice President GMC, Duncan Aldred added, “GMC supports the military all year round, but we are especially excited to work with Josh Duhamel during Military Appreciation Month to raise awareness for Building for America’s Bravest. The GMC brand is about precision and attention to detail across our vehicles, and as such, it makes sense for us to support the building of precise smart homes to give these heroes a sense of independence and comfort.”

The #enlistme campaign features two pieces of unique content, hosted by Duhamel, that introduce viewers to some of the veterans who have benefitted from the work of the program:

GMC #enlistme 360 Skydive - The first film sees two severely injured veterans, Marine Cpl. Todd Love and Army Staff Sgt. Stephen Valyou, complete a skydive to celebrate the feeling of independence that smart homes give to veterans. The unique 360-degree video will be available to view and post beginning May 21.

Discussing his passion for skydiving, Love, a triple amputee, said, “When I’m in the sky flying with my friends we’re all equals. Gravity treats us all the same.”

GMC Presents #enlistme with Josh Duhamel - In a documentary-style film, Duhamel meets Marine Sgt. Ben Tomlinson at his smart home in Jacksonville, Alabama to speak with Tomlinson and his family about their journey and the positive impact this home has had on his life. The mini documentary will be available to view and post beginning May 26.

Describing his experience with Building for America’s Bravest, which is a program of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Tomlinson said, “Living in this house has made my outlook on life more positive, and I know the impact on my family has been as big, if not bigger, than it has been for me. I am told all the time that I’m a hero, but to me, the people from Building for America’s Bravest are the real heroes because they’re helping to improve people’s lives. I’m grateful to GMC for supporting their work.”

Speaking on the longstanding relationship with GMC, Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation CEO Frank Siller stated, “GMC’s support of the military is second to none. We’re incredibly thankful for our partnership with them.” Siller continued, “The respect and appreciation that Josh Duhamel has for our veterans truly serves as an example for us all. We’re grateful for his selfless effort to help raise funds and awareness for our Foundation. With the help of Josh and GMC, we’ll be able to build more smart homes for catastrophically injured service members through our Building for America’s Bravest program.”

5/25/16

Venturo Van Cranes for HVAC, Plumbing, Parcel Delivery, Utility Services, Etc!


Van manufacturers have been boosting production as demand increases for Euro style, high roof, cargo vans.  This includes many industries which could require lifting solutions such as HVAC, plumbing, parcel delivery, health services, construction fleets, utility services and government fleets.  With this in mind, Venturo has developed specialized crane applications that are the first of its kind in the industry.  The all-new VC1000 van crane from Venturo features a horizontally articulated jib boom to reach deep within the van with a capacity of 1,000 lbs. at maximum reach.  The VC1000 allows safe and productive material handling without the need for a forklift or a heavy, expensive lift gate.  Venturo also offers a side-door option with a 500 lb maximum capacity and a 2.6′ reach with a 12V DC winch.


 Model  VC500FB

The VC500FB van crane includes a 2 ft, 6 in boom length with a maximum capacity of 500 lbs. for the Ford Transit 250 Mid-Roof work van side door. This crane fits the new Euro-style vans.

Note: 500LB maximum capacity is based on typical van floor structure limitations, not winch capacity. It is the sole responsibility of the installer to determine if additional floor reinforcement is necessary.



VC1000 Commercial Van Crane – Coming Soon!    

All-New Van Crane Coming 2016!

The Venturo VC1000 Van Crane utilizes a unique dual floor and ceiling mounted telescopic mast that integrates with the van structure itself to ensure maximum structural integrity. The horizontally articulated boom uses roller bearings that allow the operator to guide the load easily in and out of the van. A unique rotation control feature utilizes a hand lever that operates a cable controlled multi-position rotation lock. This rotation lock enables the operator to lock the crane in various positions. This key feature adds an additional safeguard for the operator as the load is being loaded and unloaded.


12110 Best Place Cincinnati, OH 45241   PHONE: 800-226-2238  EMAIL: info@venturo.com 
Copyright

5/23/16

ErgoRack-For fast, safe, easy loading and unloading of a ladder


Van manufacturers have been boosting production as demand increases for Euro style, high roof, cargo vans.  This includes many industries which could require lifting solutions such as HVAC, plumbing, parcel delivery, health services, construction fleets, utility services and government fleets.  With this in mind, Venturo has developed specialized crane applications that are the first of its kind in the industry.  The all-new VC1000 van crane from Venturo features a horizontally articulated jib boom to reach deep within the van with a capacity of 1,000 lbs. at maximum reach.  The VC1000 allows safe and productive material handling without the need for a forklift or a heavy, expensive lift gate.  Venturo also offers a side-door option with a 500 lb maximum capacity and a 2.6′ reach with a 12V DC winch.


 Model  VC500FB

The VC500FB van crane includes a 2 ft, 6 in boom length with a maximum capacity of 500 lbs. for the Ford Transit 250 Mid-Roof work van side door. This crane fits the new Euro-style vans.

Note: 500LB maximum capacity is based on typical van floor structure limitations, not winch capacity. It is the sole responsibility of the installer to determine if additional floor reinforcement is necessary.



VC1000 Commercial Van Crane – Coming Soon!    

All-New Van Crane Coming 2016!

The Venturo VC1000 Van Crane utilizes a unique dual floor and ceiling mounted telescopic mast that integrates with the van structure itself to ensure maximum structural integrity. The horizontally articulated boom uses roller bearings that allow the operator to guide the load easily in and out of the van. A unique rotation control feature utilizes a hand lever that operates a cable controlled multi-position rotation lock. This rotation lock enables the operator to lock the crane in various positions. This key feature adds an additional safeguard for the operator as the load is being loaded and unloaded.


12110 Best Place Cincinnati, OH 45241   PHONE: 800-226-2238  EMAIL: info@venturo.com 
Copyright

5/21/16

Sacramento Auto Museum Spotlights Pickup Trucks


Anyone living in or traveling to the Central Valley of California in the next few months should plan to visit the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento. You'll want to see the dozen historically significant pickup trucks on display there.



Dressed up to do the things they're built to do, the pickups are part of a temporary exhibit called "The Pickup Truck: Where Utility Meets Everyday." The exhibit showcases some of the most important pickups built during the last century. It even includes an aluminum-body Ford F-150 to represent today's workhorse (some will argue whether this pickup will ever become a classic, but you never know).

"Where Utility Meets Everyday" includes period-correct displays of the activities for which these trucks may have been purchased, along with several interactive displays designed to get kids and adults contributing to the exhibit. Our favorites were the miniature toy truck display and the post-the-oddest-thing-you've-seen-in-a-pickup-bed board, where people can briefly tell their own stories about how creative pickup owners can be when it comes to cargo.

See more at: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/05/sacramento-auto-museum-spotlights-pickup-trucks.html

5/19/16

Reading Truck Body - 2016 - Craig Bonham, The Classic II



READING TRUCK BODY discusses their Flagship 9 foot all-Aluminum Classic II service body with 40 inch cabinet network, which matches Ford's flowing bumperline with the skirtline of the body. Craig demonstrates stainless steel paddle latches, a brand-new pull-out mechanic's drawer system, as a part of the partnership with ProTech, a quick install modular design. Craig also demonstrating Readygate, announced this year, giving the owner/operator 1.1 cubic feet of additional storage space.

5/17/16

2016 GMC SAVANA CARGO - New for 2016




New for 2016:
•    Standard digital AM/FM radio with auxiliary port
•    Optional GMC IntelliLink with navigation radio
•    OnStar with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot
•    Six standard air bags: frontal, side curtain and seat-mounted thorax 
•    Six standard D-ring tie downs
•    Optional single-pane side-view mirrors
•    Optional 220-amp generator
•    Optional dual isolated battery system

2016 GMC SAVANA CARGO IS ONE OF INDUSTRY’S MOST VERSATILE VANS

The GMC Savana Cargo is a versatile van designed to make work easier and more accommodating. It is available in regular (135-inch / 3,429-mm) and extended (155-inch / 3,937-mm) wheelbase lengths, in heavy-duty 2500 Series and 3500 Series models.

The 2500 Series models are rated at 8,600 pounds (3,901 kg) GVWR and the 3500 Series is rated at 9,600 pounds (4,354 kg) GVWR. Both have a standard 4.8L gas V-8 and optional 6.0L gas. Also available is 9,900-pound GVWR (4,490 kg) with the available Duramax 6.6L turbo-diesel.

New for 2016 is OnStar 4G LTE connectivity, which includes a Wi-Fi hotspot. It provides a mobile hub for drivers and passengers to stay connected all the time. The hotspot allows passengers to connect up to seven personal devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets to high-speed wireless Internet whenever the vehicle is on.

Also new is an available navigation radio with the GMC IntelliLink infotainment system. Additional equipment and configurations offer many competitive advantages, with standard and available features including:
•    Standard 4.8L and available 6.0L gas engines
•    Available dedicated compressed natural gas package
•    Available 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel engine with B20 biodiesel capability
•    Six standard air bags
•    Fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmissions
•    Available locking rear differential
•    Trailer rating of up to 10,000 pounds (4,535 kg)
•    StabiliTrak electronic stability control is standard on all models
•    SiriusXM Satellite Radio is available
•    Available 220-amp generator.


The unique Savana Crew Cargo Van offers a three-passenger rear bench, with additional equipment including full-length black rubberized-vinyl floor covering, fixed full-body window package glass, swing-out passenger-side door, full driver and passenger head-and side-curtain air bags and a Medium Pewter interior color. On extended wheelbase models, it also includes rear air conditioning.

Savana design and exterior features:
•    Chrome appearance package is available and includes chrome front and rear bumpers and chrome grille with dual composite headlamps. Black-painted bumpers are standard
•    Swing-out 60/40-split passenger-side doors are standard
•    Sliding passenger-side door is available
•    Heated power-adjustable outside folding mirrors are available on all models in both single and dual-pane mirrors
•    Sixteen-inch steel wheels are standard
•    Ambulance prep package and hotel shuttle package are available
•    Exterior colors: Onyx Black, Quicksilver Metallic, Cyber Gray Metallic, Deep Blue Metallic, Emerald Green Metallic, Summit White, Cardinal Red, Wheatland Yellow and Bronze Alloy Metallic.

Savana interior standard and available features:
•    Power locks and windows are standard
•    Air conditioning (single-zone) is standard
•    Rear air conditioning is available
•    A standard digital radio including AM/FM/MP3 capability
•    A range of optional audio systems including USB port, CD and navigation is available on all models. An audio system provision package is available
•    SiriusXM Satellite Radio is available
•    Driver information center is standard on all models. A compass and outside temperature features are available
•    A rear auxiliary heater is available
•    An enhanced interior lighting package with three light-emitting diode roof-mounted lights in the cargo area is standard
•    Six standard D-rings for securing cargo
•    Two auxiliary 12-volt power outlets are standard and located on the dashboard
•    110-volt outlet located on dash is standard
•    Remote keyless entry is available
•    Remote vehicle starter system is available
•    Six-way power-adjustable driver and passenger seats are available
•    Leather-wrapped steering wheel and steering wheel audio controls are available
•    Custom vinyl or cloth upholstery is offered in Neutral or Medium Pewter colors.

Savana powertrains: 6.6L Duramax diesel
The available Duramax turbo-diesel V-8 delivers best-in-class torque and horsepower. Known by its “LGH” engine code, it is rated at 260 horsepower (194 kW) and 525 lb-ft of torque (711 Nm).

The LGH Duramax was designed with a robust EGR cooling system, along with revised turbocharger tuning that helps enhance EGR performance. It also has a large-capacity selective catalytic reduction system. In fact, the engine features the latest in emission control technology, making it the cleanest Duramax engine ever produced. NOx emissions are controlled via a Selective Catalyst Reduction aftertreatment system that uses urea-based Diesel (Emission) Exhaust Fluid (DEF). The DEF is housed in a 5.83-gallon (20 L) tank and needs to be replenished about every 5,000 miles (8,000 km). Electrically heated lines feed the DEF to the emission system to ensure adequate delivery in cold weather.

The Duramax also includes GM’s second-generation diesel particulate filter system. Unlike most competitors’ systems, the Duramax regenerates its diesel particulate filter using a downstream injection of diesel fuel directly into the exhaust stream and can travel up to 700 miles (1,125 km) between regenerations – a 300-mile (482 km) increase over the previous Duramax engine. The use of downstream injection also helps improve engine life by eliminating concerns regarding the possibility of diesel fuel contaminating engine oil, which can happen when fuel used for regeneration is introduced directly into the cylinder. 

The Duramax also provides outstanding cold-weather performance, with  microprocessor-controlled glow plugs capable of gas engine-like start performance in less than three seconds in temperatures as low as -20 degrees F (-29 C), without a block heater. The engine has been developed to operate for at least 200,000 miles (322,000 km) on a rough-duty cycle without the need for a major overhaul; and it is backed with a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.


A fuel-operated heater also is available for vans equipped with the Duramax 6.6L to provide heat quickly to the vehicle interior in cold weather. The seamlessly integrated system is designed into the Express chassis, saving customers the time and labor of upfitting an aftermarket system. The electronically controlled, fuel-operated heater operates automatically, turning on and off within parameters that include outside air temperature, fuel level, coolant temperature and whether the engine is running. It features a self-contained, pressurized auxiliary coolant heater (with a surge tank) that uses diesel fuel to generate up to 17,200 Btu/h (5 kW) of heating energy.

The Duramax engine is backed by GM’s Hydra-Matic 6L90 heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission.

Savana powertrains – gas engines
GMC Savana offers a choice of two gas engines: a standard 4.8L V-8 rated at 285 horsepower (213 kW) and 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm) and an available 6.0L V-8 rated at 342 horsepower (255 kW) and 373 lb-ft of torque (506 Nm). Each is part of GM’s legendary small-block engine family and designed for quiet operation, including:
•    Special friction-reducing polymer coating on piston skirts
•    Full-floating piston pins
•    Damping patch on the oil pan (externally mounted)
•    Timing chain tensioner
•    Quiet alternator.

Backing the engines’ quietness is the assurance of long-lasting performance. The engine family was validated under extreme conditions, with the 6.0L engine dynamometer-tested to the equivalent of 200,000 miles – 50,000 miles more than other engines in the family. The engines also feature many long-life engine components that can reduce maintenance intervals and costs. The iridium-tip spark plugs, engine coolant, accessory drive belt and sealing gaskets are some of these items.

Some of the stringent durability testing included cycling engines between the peak torque and peak horsepower rpm points – the equivalent of towing a heavy trailer up a steep grade – for 600 straight hours.

The engines are mated to the Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic and a fast-idle option makes it easier to run accessories at a work site.

The 6.0L is also offered in a special version with hardened valve seats for the available dedicated compressed natural gas models – the industry’s only CNG vehicles that are fully integrated at the factory, crash tested and backed by GM’s 60,000 mile/five-year transferable powertrain limited warranty.
(Certain commercial and government fleet customers receive the 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty.)

Two systems are offered:
•    A three-tank system (RPO code UFM) provides a range of up to 200 miles and allows the complete use of the cargo area
•    A four-tank system (RPO code UFP) provides a range of up to 300 miles, with the additional tank in the driver’s side of the cargo area, just inboard of the wheel well.

Savana chassis and suspension
The Savana is built on a strong, ladder-type full frame architecture. The frame features fully boxed sections for greater strength and rigidity, while extended and tapered front frame rails are used for improved crashworthiness. Also, additional tubular frame cross members are used to increase torsional stiffness.

All models feature an independent short-long arm (SLA) front suspension, with a 35mm front stabilizer bar. Two-stage, semi-elliptic multi-leaf springs are used in the rear suspension and help locate a semi-floating axle.

Additional chassis and suspension features include:
•    Hydroboost four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and dynamic rear proportioning 
•    StabiliTrak electronic stability control is standard on all models
•    A locking rear differential is available
•    31-gallon (117.3 L) fuel tank is standard on all models (except for dedicated compressed natural gas package)
•    8,600-pound GVWR on 2500 models
•    9,600-pound / 9,900-pound GVWR on 3500 models.

Savana safety and crash-avoidance features
Savana is equipped with a host of safety features, including six standard air bags: frontal, head and side curtain, and thoracic air bags, which provide a higher level of protection in the event of a side impact or a vehicle rollover.

Additional standard safety features include:
•    StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
•    OnStar with Turn-by-Turn navigation
•    Tire pressure monitoring
•    Flat and convex exterior mirrors (for a wider field of vision)
•    Four-wheel anti-lock disc brake system with Hydroboost
•    Daytime running lamps.

5/15/16

Exxpand: Types of Boxxes



Watch as Nathan Campbell, Central Regional Sales Manager, gives us a tour of the variety of Boxxes our Exxpand program offers.

Venturo Van Cranes for HVAC, Plumbing, Parcel Delivery, Utility Services, Etc!


Van manufacturers have been boosting production as demand increases for Euro style, high roof, cargo vans.  This includes many industries which could require lifting solutions such as HVAC, plumbing, parcel delivery, health services, construction fleets, utility services and government fleets.  With this in mind, Venturo has developed specialized crane applications that are the first of its kind in the industry.  The all-new VC1000 van crane from Venturo features a horizontally articulated jib boom to reach deep within the van with a capacity of 1,000 lbs. at maximum reach.  The VC1000 allows safe and productive material handling without the need for a forklift or a heavy, expensive lift gate.  Venturo also offers a side-door option with a 500 lb maximum capacity and a 2.6′ reach with a 12V DC winch.


 Model  VC500FB

The VC500FB van crane includes a 2 ft, 6 in boom length with a maximum capacity of 500 lbs. for the Ford Transit 250 Mid-Roof work van side door. This crane fits the new Euro-style vans.

Note: 500LB maximum capacity is based on typical van floor structure limitations, not winch capacity. It is the sole responsibility of the installer to determine if additional floor reinforcement is necessary.



VC1000 Commercial Van Crane – Coming Soon!    

All-New Van Crane Coming 2016!

The Venturo VC1000 Van Crane utilizes a unique dual floor and ceiling mounted telescopic mast that integrates with the van structure itself to ensure maximum structural integrity. The horizontally articulated boom uses roller bearings that allow the operator to guide the load easily in and out of the van. A unique rotation control feature utilizes a hand lever that operates a cable controlled multi-position rotation lock. This rotation lock enables the operator to lock the crane in various positions. This key feature adds an additional safeguard for the operator as the load is being loaded and unloaded.


12110 Best Place Cincinnati, OH 45241   PHONE: 800-226-2238  EMAIL: info@venturo.com 
Copyright

5/11/16

Stories From The Road - Level 3 Communications



Watch Senior Fleet Manager Jeff Myers of Level 3 Communications explain how the Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet City Express, and GMC Sierra from General Motors Fleet help his company provide reliable Internet connectivity.

5/09/16

Masterack Aluminum Shelving Packages


This lightweight interior has aluminum shelving, toolbox cradles, full-length drawers, and a full line of
customizable accessories. The aluminum is 30% lighter than steel with the ability to support a comparable capacity. Our aluminum shelf modules are made in the U.S.A.

When it comes to choosing high quality, professional grade commercial vehicle equipment, Masterack is an industry leader with over 40 years of experience in product design, manufacturing, and installation. Our large selection of steel and composite van interiors, pickup equipment, ladder racks, and accessories are available as pre-designed trade packages or can easily be mix-and-matched to customize your vehicle.


5/07/16

Sortimo By Knapheide - Work Truck Show Recap 2016



Sortimo By Knapheide announced the addition of new products and options to its Exxpand program at the Work Truck Show 2016.

5/05/16

Automatic Emergency Brake Technology to Be Standard by 2022


Who says automakers can't work together for the good of the consumer?

In a voluntary agreement including just about every automaker that sells vehicles in the U.S., almost all vehicles will have forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking as standard equipment by model-year 2022. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that is about two years faster than the time it would have taken for regulations to force them to add the technology.

According to Cars.com, the new technology could cut rear-end collisions up to 40 percent, saving thousands of lives. Collision avoidance systems with automatic emergency braking use cameras or radar to sense an impending collision, prepare vehicle safety systems — and hit the brakes if the driver does not react quickly enough, avoiding the crash or lessening the impact.

Each automaker will create their own timeline to incorporate the systems into their vehicles, but it looks like both cars and pickups will be included. The 2022 target applies to all vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings of 8500 pounds or less (which includes every half-ton and midsize pickup). Pickups with GVWR ratings from 8500 pounds and 10,000 pounds GVWRs get a little longer, with the technology to be standard by 2025.

We expect the technology to show up in the upper trim packages first, then trickle down to become a standard safety feature across the lineups by the target dates.


Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/03/automatic-emergency-brake-technology-to-be-standard-by-2022.html#more

5/03/16

Smarter Suspensions Are on the Way for Pickups




In the future, unique suspension systems used today likely will find wider acceptance and offer better control and more flexibility. We expect more air suspension options and magnetic ride technology to provide better fuel economy, load-carrying capability, comfort and handling. It wouldn't surprise us if the computer systems on new vehicles will be better able to predict what's likely to happen next on the road, possibly leaning into a turn at the first steering input to make a big truck feel more like midsize car.

Active anti-roll-bar systems already found in Range Rover SUVs, luxury sedans, and Toyota's and Lexus' active suspensions could improve highway and trail performance for small and large pickups. The Toyota 4Runner SUV's cross-linked shock system is an impressive active suspension system that works as well in four-wheel drive as it does when entering a 240-degree curving freeway on-ramp.

We also predict that as sales of luxury-model pickups increase, we'll be more likely to see more canyon-carving trucks with independent rear suspensions. The new 2017 Ridgeline will have coil rear springs and an IRS, and is anticipated to have a payload of 1,600 pounds; likewise, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris midsize commercial van (also with coil springs and IRS) has a minimum payload rating of 1,800 pounds, more than many half-ton pickups. 

Bushing technology also is likely to improve, perhaps adding a self-adjusting or computer-controlled aspect to them, allowing them to quiet engine vibration or wheel chatter while allowing precise steering. Less vibration means quieter and less-stressed parts and pieces.

And we expect broader application of magnet ride systems, perhaps even grouped with towing packages where damper behavior would be modified simply by engaging Tow/Haul mode or when sensing heavier loads.

Front suspensions may adopt a dual ball-joint lower coupling and have been used on everything from VW Passats to BMW SUVs and the new Lexus LS. This arrangement pays big dividends in bump absorption, handling and directional stability, and leaves more room for axle shafts and bigger brakes to move freely and stay cool.

Further down the road, we expect tuning of active suspension pieces like air springs, self-adjusting shocks or active anti-roll bars to link with cameras and navigation data to prime the suspension before it hits a bump or comes to a sharp bend, making the suspension more predictive than reactive. No matter what happens, we're confident we'll be getting more sophisticated and smarter suspensions to keep our pickups under control.

Read more at:  http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/04/smarter-suspensions-are-on-the-way-for-pickups.html

5/01/16

Safe Fleet inView 360 Fleet Monitoring System Demo



inView 360™ from Safe Fleet brand SEON is a revolutionary fleet monitoring and protection system that gives drivers a 360° view of their surroundings to avoid accidents, and provides fleet managers greater insight into fleet incidents.