Truck News - June 2009 Print Edition

Speed Limiters: A Country Divided?

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

FREDERICTON, N. B. - The province of New Brunswick is the latest to consider drafting speed limiter legislation, which would mechanically cap truck speeds at 105 km/h. [Full Story]

The Long And Short Of LCVs

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

TORONTO, Ont. - Long Combination Vehicles (LCVs), consisting of a tractor and two 53-ft. trailers measuring 40 metres in total length, are coming to Ontario. [Full Story]

Did You Know?

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

From 2003 to 2006 trucking rates increased by a greater degree than at any time since deregulation. And although both TL and LTL rates have been taking a beating since then, the continuing drop in cap... [Full Story]

An Alternative Look At Diesel Power

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

The diesel engine is one of the most efficient energy converters we have available to us today, delivering an overall efficiency of about 35%. Compare that to energy sources such as hydrogen or biogas... [Full Story]

Five Opportunities That Didn't Exist A Year Ago

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

At a recent Driving for Profit seminar, industry consultant Dan Goodwill urged fleets to "Think offensively as well as defensively, because opportunities are presenting themselves that you may never s... [Full Story]

LCVs: The Eastern Canada Experience

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

MONTREAL, Que. - Driving east toward Rivere du Loup after supper, a steady stream of Train Routier, or Long Combination Vehicles (LCVs) as they are better known outside of Quebec, pass me going the ot... [Full Story]

LCVs: The Western Canada Experience

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

CALGARY, Alta. - In Australia, they say, there are highway trains a half-mile long. [Full Story]

Auditor General Criticizes N. S. Truck Enforcement

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

HALIFAX, N. S. - Nova Scotia's commercial truck and passenger carrier safety programs have been targeted in an auditor general report that revealed "weaknesses which diminish their ability to improve ... [Full Story]

TANS Members Receive Nice Surprise From Transport Minister At AGM

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

TRURO, N. S. - Construction truckers represented by the Truckers Association of Nova Scotia (TANS) received some good news at the group's annual general meeting Apr. 18. [Full Story]

New Escort Fees Required For Super Loads

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

MONTREAL, Que. - As of Apr. 1, Surete Quebec now charges a $75 per hour fee to escort super loads. But according to long-time oversized loads hauler Transport Watson Montreal, this is not a bad thing. [Full Story]

Energotest '08 Results Released

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

BLAINVILLE, Que. - Two trailer skirt designs were the best performers of 12 fuel-saving technologies tested by FPInnovations-Feric for Project Innovation Transport (PIT) last September. Feric conducte... [Full Story]

Ontario: Keep APU Rebate Forms Coming

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

TORONTO, Ont. - The Ontario government is continuing to encourage fleets and O/Os to apply for grants under its Green Commercial Vehicle Program (GCVP). [Full Story]

Ontario Municipalities Target Noisy Engine Brakes

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

TORONTO, Ont. - Most modern engine brakes are barely audible, yet an Ontario coalition of municipalities is pushing the province to implement a costly mandatory engine brake inspection program to redu... [Full Story]

Continued Challenges, But Some Glimmers Of Hope In OTA Survey

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

TORONTO, Ont. - Is the Ontario trucking industry beginning to stabilize? The Ontario Trucking Association's (OTA) second quarter 2009 Business Pulse e-Survey shows continued tough times, but also glim... [Full Story]

And The Winners Are:

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

CALGARY, Alta. - In addition to Wheeler Transport, three other fuel hauling companies were honoured for their safety records today by the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (CPPI). [Full Story]

Wheeler Transport Wins Top Safety Award For CPPI Fuel Haulers

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

PORT MOODY, B. C. - Safety has become a major priority for a Port Moody, B. C. fuel transport company - and it's paying off. [Full Story]

Kelly Sheehan On Awards, Surviving The Recession And The Customer/Dealer Relationship

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

BURLINGTON, Ont. - Each year, the American Truck Dealers (ATD) presents its ATD Truck Dealer of the Year Award. It's rare for a Canadian dealer to be nominated and equally rare for a female to find he... [Full Story]

Report On Maintenance

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

T oiling in the shop can be a thankless job. But you could easily make the case that a fleet's maintenance manager and his or her crew of technicians play as important a role in a company's success as... [Full Story]

Canadian trucking industry voices concerns over biodiesel mandates

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

A federal mandate that will force biodiesel upon the Canadian trucking industry is causing great concern about maintenance and warranty implications. [Full Story]

French Fries And Freight

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Tim McDonald sees plenty of comparisons between biodiesel and the petroleum-based fuel that it is designed to replace. [Full Story]

Talk It Out

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

J erry Springer's name was bound to come to mind when the Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) announced that dealers and fleet maintenance managers would participate in a "talk show" during Febru... [Full Story]

The ABCs of AGM

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

One truck battery can look like the next. The charged cubes all include positive and negative terminals and they are all called upon to offer the energy for everything from starting requirements to ba... [Full Story]

Against The Fence

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

How to properly park equipment - and ensure it's ready to roll when needed [Full Story]

Alcoa Rolls Out Lighter, Brighter Wheel

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Alcoa has taken advantage of a new, proprietary manufacturing process to create an aluminum wheel that's two pounds lighter than its predecessor, the company announced. [Full Story]

Navistar Partners With Harley-Davidson To Create Special Edition LoneStar

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - It's darn near impossible to find a trucker who doesn't have dreams of riding a Harley, and hard-charging Navistar is banking on the good name of the legendary motorcycle brand in un... [Full Story]

Bendix Offers Cruise Control With Active Braking

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Bendix introduced Wingman ACB at the Mid-America Trucking Show, an active cruise system with braking capabilities. [Full Story]

Truck-Lite Introduces LED Headlamp

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Truck-Lite has unveiled what it claims to be the world's first 12-volt, seven-inch round LED headlamp. [Full Story]

Grote Unveils Paper-Thin LED Light Strips

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Grote Industries displayed at the Mid-America Trucking Show for the first time a line of paper-thin, flexible LED strips the company says are 98% smaller than traditional LEDs. [Full Story]

SAF-Holland Introduces Air Suspension For Vans, Reefers

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - SAF-Holland introduced the SAF CBX40 air suspension system to the industry at the Mid-America Trucking Show. [Full Story]

Who Said Ontario Manufacturing Is Dead?

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Mascot Truck Parts recently merged its three Ontario plants into one - but don't mistake the consolidation as downsizing. [Full Story]

Quebec Dealers Do Well At Volvo, Mack VISTA Competitions

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

GREENSBORO, N. C. - Volvo dealer Pare Centre du Camion was Volvo's VISTA 2009 winner, a hands-on competition that pits service and parts personnel from across North America against each other. [Full Story]

B. C. International Dealers Restructure

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

VANCOUVER, B. C. - International dealer Co-Van International is restructuring and taking on a new name. [Full Story]

Shell, HDDC Award Scholarships To Future Technicians

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

CALGARY, Alta. - Shell Canada and the Heavy-Duty Distributor Council (HDDC) teamed up to award scholarships to five future heavy-duty technicians. [Full Story]

Reimer Express, Yellow Canada Brands Merged

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

WINNIPEG, Man. - Reimer Express Lines and Yellow Canada have been merged into a "single market facing brand" to be known as YRC Reimer, YRC Worldwide has announced. The company says the move will offe... [Full Story]

Kriska Congratulates Newest Apprentices

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

PRESCOTT, Ont. - Kriska has announced that four of its company drivers have successfully met the requirements of the new Ontario Commercial Tractor-Trailer Driver Apprenticeship Program. [Full Story]

Challenger Moves Into New Western Terminal

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

ALDERGROVE, B. C. - Seemingly thumbing its nose at rumour-mongerers who have questioned the health of Challenger Motor Freight, the company has just announced the opening of a new 10-acre terminal her... [Full Story]

People

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Harper Power Products has named Brian Husk the company's new territory manager for Northern Ontario. The company said Husk will assume responsibilities for commercial, operational and strategic growth... [Full Story]

The Swine Flu (Or H1N1, As The Pigs Would Prefer)

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

If you have watched the news anytime in the last few weeks, I am sure that you are aware of the recent outbreak of the swine flu. [Full Story]

Membership Has Its Privileges

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

So, Long Combination Vehicles (LCVs) are finally coming to Ontario, and with them comes a new twist on the old economic regulation theme. [Full Story]

What Do You Think?

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Are LCVs a good idea in Ontario? Is the pilot project set up fairly? Have your say on the CyberCB message board at Trucknews.com. [Full Story]

All Is Not As Good As It Seems At The Border

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Two-thirds (by value) of Canada's trade with the US moves by truck. So, I often get asked the question: 'How are things at the border these days?' [Full Story]

Stick To The Schedule

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Most Canadians pay income tax every two weeks. It's called withholding: your employer deducts a portion of the salary or wages from your paycheck and sends it to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on you... [Full Story]

It's Summertime...and The Driving's Hectic

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Summer should be a time of rest and relaxation. The days of black ice and white-outs are behind us, after all. Circle checks can even be completed without chipping away at chunks of ice and snow. [Full Story]

Divergent Views But One Answer Regarding EOBRs

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

There are distinctly different views on the topic of mandating on-board recorders. [Full Story]

Ears To You

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Spring has finally arrived! This is the time that I get to enjoy the sound of birds singing - one of my favourite signs of spring. We all have different sounds we enjoy, whether it's music, nature or ... [Full Story]

Of Language Barriers And Black Boxes

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Dear Editor: [Full Story]

Running Faster Doesn't Make You More Profitable

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Dear Editor: [Full Story]

There's Still Too Much Misinformation About Speed Limiters

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Dear Editor: [Full Story]

Letters To The Editor

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Have you got a complaint, compliment, criticism or question? [Full Story]

Credit Card Abusers, Beware

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Dear Editor: [Full Story]

Isn't 105 Km/H Still Breaking The Law?

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Dear Editor: [Full Story]

The Industry That Keeps On Giving

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

Despite the times, I'm happy to report that goodwill and generosity are alive and well in the land of the big rig. Case in point, we've teamed up with Chevron for the past three years to organize a ch... [Full Story]

Thou Shunt Not Kill!

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

The story so far: [Full Story]

How Do You Feel About The LCV Pilot Project In Ontario?

Truck News — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:26:58 EST

BOWMANVILLE, Ont. - A new pilot program will see up to 100 vehicles each totalling more than 40 metres in length hitting Ontario highways in the next few months. [Full Story]