Components

Dana is promising to improve fuel mileage, reduce maintenance costs and increase driver comfort with its new line of single-drive axles for medium-duty trucks. The Spicer S140 series single reduction axles are available now, and replace all previous 17,000-to 19,000-lb Spicer drive axles, the company reports. They can be spec’d on any make and model straight truck chassis with gross axle weight ratings of up to 19,000 lbs. The new axles are 85 lbs lighter than the models they’re replacing, leading to fuel economy improvements, Dana says. The Spicer S140 series axles are suited for applications with GVWs of 31,000 lbs, or 33,000 lbs under specific application approvals. For more info, contact Roadranger at 800-826-4357.

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Ridewell Suspensions and Polar Tank Trailer have combined to release the RAR-240 suspension featuring stainless steel hangers and upper spring plates. It’s suited for a wide range of tank trailers, exclusively through Polar Tank, the companies have announced. The manufacturers claim the new suspension boasts an improved appearance and durability and also lead to more efficient production at Polar Tank. It’s well-suited for pretty much every kind of on-or off-highway tanker trailer and is available in under-and overslung configurations rated at 25,000 and 30,000 lbs.

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Bergstrom has introduced a new battery-powered, idle-free cab comfort system for day cabs. The NITE Day Cab No-Idle System provides idle-free air-conditioning using one or two deep-cycle AGM batteries. The truck’s batteries are protected from discharge by a separator, the company says. Components include a compressor and evaporator, which are installed behind the truck’s seats. It comes with an optional heating system that burns about 0.05 gallons of fuel per hour, the company says. The system is CARB-approved and available now through major OEMs and Bergstrom Kysor. For more, see www.bergstrominc.com.

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Walk-in vans built by Freightliner Custom Chassis (FCC) can now be retrofit with hybrid-electric drivetrains, according to the company. The retrofit program began last November and so far about 100 MT-45 walk-in van chassis have been fitted with hybrid components, the company says. It allows fleets to capitalize on the lower emissions and fuel consumption offered by hybrids without the cost of purchasing an entirely new vehicle. The retrofit program involves removing old powertrain equipment and replacing it with the Eaton hybrid-electric system.

Lighting

Alliance Parts has introduced a complete line of replacement LED lights, which the company claims will offer improved lighting performance and energy efficiency compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs are also less susceptible to damage from vibration and offer longer life than traditional bulbs. The new LED products from Alliance Parts include stop, turn and tail lights as well as others. They’re now available through the company’s 1,000-plus retailers in the US and Canada and are backed by a one-year, unlimited mileage warranty, the company says. For more info, visit www.alliancebrandparts.com.

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Peterson Manufacturing has introduced a new economical LED stop/turn/tail light in 4-inch diameters. They’re listed as the Piranhabranded 817-3/818-3 Series, the company announced. Peterson says it’s able to offer the new LEDs at a significant cost savings due to efficiency improvements in the manufacturing process. The company also says the long life and reliability of the lights is not compromised. For more info, visit www.pmlights.com.

Accessories

Truck News has teamed up with KRTS Transportation Specialists to create a new online information video series that’s designed to inform and entertain. The Driver’s Seat online information video series, powered by CarriersEdge, will address safety, compliance and business topics critical to the success of both fleets and owner/operators, the companies announced. Videos will feature Truck News personality Adam Ledlow as he learns the correct procedures for common driver tasks such as coupling/ uncoupling, air brake checks and daily vehicle inspections under the guidance of KRTS instructors. You can find out more by visiting www.TheDriversSeat.ca.

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Night Moves has come out with an eye-catching night-time illumination technology for commercial vehicle graphics. Night Moves installs thin, true-colour graphic panels with electro-luminescent lighting to vehicles which provides excellent visibility at night-time, the company claims. The panels are as thin as a credit card yet can last three to five years, the company says. For more info, visit www.nightmoves247.com.

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