October 2008
Cover Story
Utility Trailer Sales Southeast Texas sets up a one-stop shop with ten times the space and a variety of products that drive sales
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM, BY RICK WEBER
If the parts-display area at Utility Trailer Sales Southeast Texas' old location in Pharr was more like a convenience store, then consider the parts-display...
Editorial
Separating the temporary from the permanent
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM, by Bruce Sauer
Here's a challenge for you: as you read this issue of Trailer/Body Builders, see if you can distinguish between the fixed and the fleeting, especially...
Features
Max-Atlas finds greater success aiming at a smaller target
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
It's tough offering a little something for everybody. Wal-Mart might be able to pull it off, but Wal-Mart isn't a trailer manufacturer or a trailer dealer....
Fontaine Trailer Company's PartSource is working just as it was drawn up by not trying to be all things to everyone
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM, BY RICK WEBER
Fontaine Trailer Company had been in business for over 60 years and had become the largest flatbed trailer manufacturer in the world. But it had never...
With help from industry task force, NHTSA steps up the battle against noncompliant parts with best-importer-practices document
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM, BY RICK WEBER
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is taking aim at noncompliant parts and the companies that are importing them into the United...
A game plan for independents
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
The aftermarket parts industry appears to be gearing up for another wave of consolidations. TruckPro Inc acquired several stores from Auto Wheel. FleetPride,...
VIPAR scores one for efficiency
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM, BY RICK WEBER
Fleets are always looking for ways to remove costs and improve efficiency. And VIPAR Heavy Duty believes it has unlocked one of the secrets to doing that....
The sky seems to be falling, but Latin-Kasper says municipal government and export markets will continue to thrive
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM, BY RICK WEBER
As Steve Latin-Kasper surveys the economic landscape in America, the picture is rather disconcerting. There is no way to avoid the reality: It could be...
Troubleshooting bearing failure
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
For the parts customer, it's nice to be able to get the part that's needed. But better yet to be able to know why the part failed in the first place....
Industry Newsdesk
Truck body capital of the world?
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Has anyone selected a town to be recognized as the truck body capital of the world? The mayor of Dunn NC thinks it's a Dunn deal. During the September...
Navistar subsidiary inks bus joint venture
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Two leading companies based in Latin America intend to form a partnership to help meet the growing demand for public and commercial transportation around...
Polk forecasts 723,000 Class 3-8 new vehicle registrations by 2012
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
The commercial vehicle market for Classes 3-8 vehicles is expected to grow to 723,000 by 2012, according to R. L. Polk & Co. This announcement was made...
Clean Seal reflects on 30 years of growth
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Clean Seal celebrated its 30th year October 1, 2008. Started in 1978 by Juanita Moore, the company has seen continuous growth in marketing extruded rubber...
HDMA looks back on first quarter century
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
September 2008 marked the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), a market segment association of the Motor...
Navistar Defense, U.S. military sign deals
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Two new contracts of nearly $92 million highlight the increased sales of Medium Tactical Vehicles to the United States military from Navistar Defense,...
Oshkosh unit gets $180 million contract
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, has been awarded a new contract valued at more than $180 million from the United States Marine Corps...
FleetPride acquires Truck & Trailer Supply
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
FleetPride, Inc., the nation's largest independent aftermarket distributor of heavy-duty truck and trailer parts, has acquired Truck & Trailer Supply...
Buffers USA makes Inc. 5000 list
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Buffers USA now ranks in position 3,546 on the 2008 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States. For more than...
East Mfg. partners with Meritor WABCO
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
East Manufacturing's flatbed, refuse, and dump trailers can now communicate critical intelligent data to the driver through an optional Power Line Carrier...
MSBMA requests public comment
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
The Mid-Size Bus Manufacturers Association (MSBMA), an affiliate division of the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA), announced a period of public...
Cox Enterprises adds nine International Durastar hybrid bucket trucks
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Cox Enterprises announced the addition of nine International Durastar hybrid bucket trucks. The hybrid trucks from Navistar provide potential fuel savings...
Dana Holding Corp. moving headquarters
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Dana Holding Corp., based in Toledo OH, plans to sell its corporate headquarters building and grounds and relocate to its existing Automotive Systems...
Drive a Volvo truck? Send a child to college
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
College education is a dream for many students and their parents. Volvo Trucks North America will help three students pay for that dream through its Volvo...
Product Profiles
Rickson adds beauty to plain steel wheels
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Now you can enhance the look of the plain steel wheels on a truck with stainless steel trim rings (a.k.a. beauty rings) exclusively from Rickson Wheel...
Travis appoints dealer for all of Colorado
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Travis Body & Trailer Inc. of Houston TX has appointed Utility Trailer Sales of Colorado LLC of Denver CO as its newest independent dealer representing...
Phillips adds Qwik-Snap to spring kits
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Phillips Industries' new Qwik-Snap 3-Hose Holder has become a standard component in the company's Tracker Bar Spring Kits (Part #17-148-25). The Qwik-Snap...
A.R.E. lets users build before you buy
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Truck cap and tonneau manufacturer A.R.E. has launched a new interactive tool on its website that allows consumers to custom-build and view a truck cap...
ArvinMeritor opens South American center
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
ArvinMeritor's Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) business group announces the opening of a new Global Center of Excellence in Limeira, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The...
Russian firm honors WABCO as supplier
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
WABCO Holdings Inc. announced that WABCO was named Best Supplier 2007 by KAMAZ, the largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in the Russian Federation....
Using tarps can help reduce fuel costs
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Truckers may not be able to do anything about the rising price of gasoline, but they can cover their load with a tarp to help lower fuel costs. Research...
Pre-approved warranty repairs offered by Eaton
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
With new pre-authorized warranty repair guidelines now posted on www.roadranger.com, telephone calls for many Eaton repair authorizations may no longer...
HAB bumper designed for Mack trucks
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Hendrickson Bumper and Trim has unveiled a Hendrickson Aero Bright (HAB) three-piece bumper for Mack CH, CHN, and CHU trucks. Easily installed to factory...
Ship Direct adds Onspot tire chain system
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Onspot of North America announces that the Onspot automatic tire chain system and its replacement parts have been added to the Ship Direct Program offered...
Metaris provides PTOs, Dump Pumps
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
The Metaris six- and eight-bolt medium-duty PTO (power take-off) is built to last. Cast iron construction, heavy-duty output bearings, and oversize assembly...
Holland FWAL provided on Volvo VN
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
SAF-Holland announced that the FWAL aluminum fifthwheel is now an available option for the Volvo VN from Volvo Trucks North America. The Holland FWAL...
Upgraded Paralift has adjustable ride height
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Hendrickson Auxiliary Axle Systems has unveiled the newly upgraded 20,000-lb-capacity Paralift steerable truck lift axle system. Paralift is available...
Waytek adds solenoids to product line
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Waytek Inc, a distributor of electrical wiring supplies, recently added solenoids to its product line. Solenoids remotely switch high electrical current...
Volvo will continue to offer Cummins ISX
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Volvo Trucks North America will offer the 15-liter Cummins ISX engine certified for 2010 emissions standards in the Volvo VN. This is an extension of...
ZF Sachs to supply shock absorbers to Daimler Trucks North America
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
ZF Sachs, the Powertrain and Suspension Components division of ZF, has been awarded the contract to supply all production heavy-duty twin-tube chassis...
Cummins offers Clean Idle Certified engines
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Cummins Inc. is offering Clean Idle Certified on-highway engines, meeting the new California Air Resources Board's (CARB) idle reduction regulation. The...
Michelin rolls out an improved XZE tire
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Michelin Americas Truck Tires has taken its all-position XZE tire and made it better. The new Michelin XZE2 tire was recently unveiled at the Technology...
Vanguard adds SB-4 as standard equipment
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
The Bendix trailer product business continues to grow after a recent agreement with Vanguard National Trailer Corporation. This agreement adds the Bendix...
Shelter-Lite tarp fabric comes in five colors
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Shelter-Lite, a truck tarp fabric that is 28% lighter than the average lumber tarp, is available in five colors including black, white, blue, red, and...
Compressor combines power, compact size
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
VMAC has released what it terms North America's lightest and most compact above-deck hydraulic air compressor available in its class, the PREDATAIR40....
Permalogic TC wins award at HDAW 2008
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Permalogic TC from Phillips Industries was voted a Top 5 Aftermarket Product at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week held in Las Vegas recently. Phillips also...
DocuDent Kit a vital witness in an accident
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
DocuDent USA announces the debut of its revamped flagship product, the DocuDent Accident Documentation Kit. The kit relaunches with a sporty new design...
Fuller aftermarket clutch kits save time
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Eaton Corporation has made ordering of replacement kits for Fuller clutches simpler and faster by combining key clutch and transmission components into...
Bridgestone M775 can handle aggression
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC (BFNT) is offering fleets in the United States the new Bridgestone M775 on/off-highway drive radial. Ideal...
People and Positions
Trailer, truck, & body OEMs
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
William Garrison, the longtime vice president-marketing for trailer manufacturer Clement Industries, has retired from that position effective the end...
Component manufacturers
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC has appointed Robert Legato as vice president of integrated supply chain. Bill Mossing has been promoted to vice...
Industry association profiles
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has appointed Clint Lancaster as technical director. Lancaster has been an NATM compliance consultant...
Articles
Meritor WABCO offers new ABS with ECU
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems announced its next generation anti-lock braking system with enhanced electronic control unit (ECU). Features include....
OnGuard system includes active braking
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems has introduced OnGuard, a forward-looking, radar-based adaptive cruise control system with active braking for commercial...
NTEA redesigns its own website
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) launched a newly redesigned website at www.ntea.com. This redesigned site organizes industry information,...
MAC parts catalog updated, offered as CD
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
MAC Trailer Manufacturing has completed an entire reformatting of its Aftermarket Parts Catalog. Individual sections from suspensions, to hardware, to...
DVD covers MTIS operation, maintenance
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
A new Operation, Maintenance, and Service Manual DVD for the Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS) by PSI is now available. The DVD includes an overview...
Goodyear simplifies website navigation
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Because specifying tires can make or break a fleet's cost structure, Goodyear's new commercial tire website features a dealer locator and simplified search...
Karmak updates dealer management system
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Karmak Inc. has released a major update of its INFO 5 dealer management system. The new software release includes enterprise-wide enhancements for more...
Fontaine Parts Connection offers catalog
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Fontaine Parts Connection introduces a new, full-color parts and service catalog. In addition to covering the complete line of genuine Fontaine parts...
Carrier Transicold enhances RoadCare
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Carrier Transicold has enhanced its transport refrigeration unit RoadCare contract maintenance programs with a new Web-enabled asset management tool called...
Kenworth T800 LNG trucks help fleet bring cleaner air to California
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
When outdoorsman Vic La Rosa is on vacation in Montana, hiking the hills and valleys to his favorite fishing holes and hunting grounds, he routinely stops...
Stellar adds Model 12628 service crane
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Stellar Industries Inc. is introducing the Model 12628 telescopic service crane. This new 66,000-ft-lb crane boasts a maximum hydraulic reach of 28'-6...
Global Insight analyst bullish, especially for emerging truck markets
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
In spite of economic slowdowns, the global truck market continues to hold promise for long-term growth, especially in emerging markets, according to an...
What about the world view?
Oct 1, 2008 12:00 PM
The Europeans saw it coming. Speaking at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany, two representatives from Global Insights seemed prescient...
