Daimler unveils options, apps

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ATLANTA, GA – Daimler Trucks North America unveiled an array of truck options, apps and upgrades during the inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta, Georgia.

Service apps

Completing a work order or tracking repairs? Daimler Trucks North America has some apps for that in the form of the new Express WriteUp and updates to Uptime Pro. The Express WriteUp app gives service advisors a tool to wirelessly complete repair orders. Once a truck arrives, vehicle data is collected by scanning the VIN or QR code found on the door pillar. That taps into warranty coverage, repair history, and Virtual Technician details.

“A scanned vehicle number eliminates human entry errors and further speeds the overall repair process,” said Marty Kubiak, manager – central service systems, Daimler Trucks North America. “An incorrect VIN can create many problems downstream of the repair process. The intake process for a truck repair is the first and most critical step.”

Once the vehicle is received, Uptime Pro connects dealers and customers throughout the repair process, connecting to the dealer management system, and enabling email and text messages. Email responses from customers are also automatically logged to the repair order.

Western Star options

Michelin X Multi D tires are now available for Western Star 4700, 4800, 4900 and 5700XE trucks as a factory-installed option. They’re best suited for dry van LTL, food and beverage, pickup and delivery, tankers, energy, and construction applications, the company says.

New options for Western Stars don’t end there, though. Western Star 4700 models can now be spec’d with factory-direct H4 halogen headlight bulbs, said to offer a brighter light than regular incandescent bulbs. And the 4800 and 4900 models include factory-installed LED headlights.

In-cab battery boxes for the 5700XE day cabs, meanwhile, have also expanded to hold up to four batteries under the passenger seat, rather than requiring them to be mounted on the chassis. That can help to protect batteries from weather conditions and road spray, as well as limiting chassis-related vibrations.                                                   

Hendrickson forward tandem

Freightliner and Hendrickson are partnering together to offer the Hendrickson Optimaax 6×2 liftable forward tandem axle exclusively on the New Cascadia.

The liftable axle comes into play when carriers like bulk haulers or delivery vehicles have diminishing loads. The load capacity is sensed automatically, lifting or lowering the axle as required.

Benefits are not limited to better fuel economy. There’s improved traction when backing under trailers in soft soil or other low-traction conditions. And maneuverability is improved when the axle is raised.

The design is compatible with drum and air disc brakes, while the axle itself is fully welded rather than bolted on.

It’s about 300 to 400 pounds lighter when compared to a 6×4, the companies add.

It’s available in the second quarter of 2018.

Severe-duty enhancements

Freightliner has unveiled six new product options for its severe-duty trucks.

Now available on the Freightliner 114SD, the Allison 4700 RDS provides heavy vocational operators with improved startability, two reverse gears, enhanced PTO options and the durability required for severe applications. It’s also available with the Freightliner 122SD.

Optional LifeGuard RollTek seats can offer added protection in the event of a rollover. They have side-impact airbags that deploy as the seatbelt tightens and the seats compress to the lowest possible position.

Routing and clipping have improved throughout Freightliner’s vocational truck lineup as well, thanks in part to new standoff brackets and simplified body and equipment mounting. And the Bendix Tire Pressure Monitoring System is also an available option.

On Freightliner M2 106 and 112 trucks, modular LED headlights have been introduced.

And for auto haulers, the new 122SD Auto Hauler Package is offered in a collaboration with Fontaine Modification. It lowers the laden roof height to 100 inches, supporting those who require a sleeper berth.

 

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John G. Smith is Newcom Media's vice-president - editorial, and the editorial director of its trucking publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, and Transport Routier. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.


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