New Products & Equipment
Auto Truck Group's new general catalog features information, images and specifications on bodies that are routinely stocked, including dump bodies, service bodies, platforms, mechanic trucks and snowplows. The catalog also offers a body selector guide and lists ship-through, drop-ship and facilities codes for the company. Auto Truck Group is an expert upfitter specializing in the design, manufacture and installation of truck equipment. www.autotruck.com/catalog
CrashFlasher Roadside Emergency Light and Safety Kit
Written by Erica Burke
The patent-pending CrashFlasher Roadside Emergency Light and Safety Kit offers increased visibility to passenger vehicles stopped in an emergency. The nearly 5-foot-tall beacon, with its 16 flashing red and white LEDs, warns oncoming drivers up to a half-mile away to slow down and go around. Its height allows it to be seen over intervening vehicles. Engineered in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina, CrashFlasher has an ABS base with magnets that adhere to a metal roof, extender poles and lights that are connected via elastic shock cord so there are no loose parts. CrashFlasher requires no tools to assemble and, in an emergency, can go from trunk to roof in less than a minute. Three AAA lithium-ion batteries are included, are good for more than five years in storage and will power the 16 LEDs for 10 hours. Three additional LEDs face up in case the vehicle is in a ditch or snowbank. www.crashflasher.com
Cee-Jay 360 Safety Walkaround Cones, available in 13 colors, help ensure employees are OSHA safe. Simply placing the cone on the hood in front of the driver’s seat reminds the employee to walk around the vehicle, making sure ladders, equipment and tools are in place and roll-up doors are secured. www.cee-jay.com
Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies has announced a major product upgrade to its Load’N’Go Powerbody. It now features the new AirNArc 150 All-In-One Power System with a beefier 18-horsepower Kohler engine, providing more energy required to power the tools necessary for the commercial tradesman. Power, storage and the security of 16-gauge steel construction are the foundation of the Load’N’Go Powerbody. It is a transferable service body upfitted with a generator, compressor, welder and battery booster/charger that universally fits Ford, Dodge and GM 1-ton pickup trucks. Major features include a control panel in the side compartment for easy access and a 1,000-pound capacity slide-out parts drawer. The Load'N'Go Powerbody also has built-in forklift tunnels for easy transfer from one pickup to another. www.fleetwest.net
The RAM X-Grip is a non-cookie-cutter compact mount for cell phones or tablets. The clean and clever four-leg design sports great holding power without hiding handheld devices behind foam pads and plastic. Simple to open and close, the spring-loaded X-Grip leaves the outside edge of devices almost completely free of bothersome obstructions. Soft rubber fingers apply just enough force to keep devices safe and secure. The perfect balance to the modern interior of today's vehicles, the RAM X-Grip with suction-cup mount is the smartphone holder evolved. www.rammount.com
GM Business Choice Program Business Maintenance Plan
Written by Erica Burke
General Motors Fleet and Commercial Sales’ GM Business Choice program, designed specifically for business customers, now includes an industry-first, two-year, 30,000-mile business maintenance plan, in addition to a cash allowance for vehicle accessories or upfits. The GM Business Choice maintenance plan – which covers tire rotation, a 27-point inspection, and lube, oil and filter changes – is now available to Business Choice customers. Eligible vehicles include cargo, passenger and cutaway vans; chassis cabs; 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups; and the Chevrolet Avalanche. Customers will now receive a GM Accessory cash allowance or an upfit cash allowance, depending on the vehicle and the customer’s needs. www.gmfleet.com
GammaTech Computer Corp., a major international manufacturer and supplier of innovative notebook and tablet computers, has introduced its semi-rugged, ultramobile tablet PC, Durabook model CA10. The unit features a 10.1-inch TFT LCD display with resistive multitouch screen panel; meets military standard 810G and IP43 standard for drop, shock, dust and water resistance; has a hot, swappable dual-battery design that offers up to eight hours of power; and offers a quick menu support for easy operability. The Durabook CA10 provides utility workers, public safety employees, fleet managers and many others with the information they need no matter where they are. Its wireless connectivity increases their productivity and efficiency while keeping them in touch with company networks. Additionally, optional GPS technology enables them to get exactly where they need to be. www.gammatechusa.com
The most popular Hydratrek Inc. model among utility companies and commercial operations is the D2488B Planetary, which has recently undergone several upgrades and improvements: an 85-horsepower Kubota diesel engine, two-speed planetary drives, reinforced undercarriage and body, 27 inches of ground clearance, 3,000-pound payload capacity on land and optional 12,000-pound hydraulic winch. Other features include 14 mph ground speed, twin 11-inch bronze props for water propulsion, powder-coat painting process, standard electric winch, rear tow hitch, tie-down points for hauling, ROPS, optional cab system and seating capacity for nine people. www.hydratrek.com
Allison Transmission 5th Generation Electronic Controls
Written by Erica Burke
Allison Transmission’s 5th Generation electronic controls – now available to all OEM customers – have been designed to match the new generation of global vehicle electrical-electronic architectures and for easy integration during the vehicle assembly process. These innovative electronic controls are flexible, providing optimal shift strategies for industry-leading productivity and efficiency, while still addressing varying OEM and operator requirements. The controls feature enhanced programming and a brand new bump lever selector design. Allison engineers also focused on upgrading TCM hardware and software for faster, more precise processing capabilities. Embedded in the 5th Generation control module is a new inclinometer, which enhances vehicle productivity and efficiency in stop-start operations. This new generation of electronic controls provides two additional acceleration levels, enhancing vehicle acceleration control to allow for an even greater ability to improve fuel economy by controlling engine fueling and moderating aggressive driving practices. www.allisontransmission.com
The 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup is the most powerful, advanced and refined truck in the brand’s 110-year history. Sierra’s bold new exterior houses one of three all-new EcoTec3 engines, a fully updated cabin with available next-generation IntelliLink connectivity and other features designed for the most discerning truck owners. In addition to all-new design and technology, the 2014 Sierra boasts the longest list of standard features ever for a full-size GMC pickup. From connectivity solutions to a standard tie-down system in the rear to the segment’s only standard projector beam headlamps, many premium features are found on each and every all-new Sierra. www.gmc.com
Gamber-Johnson’s new work truck console can be used in most trucks with bucket seats. The console allows users easy access to radios and light controls by placing them in the front of the console. It mounts directly to a Gamber-Johnson top plate and utilizes vehicle leg kits for a no-drill installation. The work truck console offers a locking file box for hanging folders or to be used as storage. The console comes with a dual cup holder and armrest. A vertical surface mount can be ordered separately to mount a computer on the passenger side of the box without obstructing access to radios or the storage compartment. www.gamberjohnson.com
Coxreels, the leading U.S. manufacturer of industrial-grade hose, cord and cable reels, has added the commercial-duty V-117-850 to its vacuum reel selection. Designed to extract unwanted particles and by-products from the workplace, this direct hand-crank reel handles up to 50 feet of 1.5-inch standard vacuum hose with bullet cuffs, making it the ideal solution for any general maintenance and vacuum operation, including commercial vacuum systems, construction sites, plant floors, machine shops, wood shops and more. The V-117-850 features a solid one-piece steel U-shaped frame and open drum design and a direct connect port, no thread, for fast and convenient vacuum hose installation. This model is lightweight, compact, and has CNC robotically spun and ribbed discs with rolled edges for greater safety, strength and durability. This state-of-the-art, chip-resistant and rust-inhibiting CPC powder-coated reel mounts to any horizontal or vertical flat surface and maintains the durability and superiority found in every Coxreels product. www.coxreels.com
Eco-Star is an idle reduction system that automatically turns the engine off – and back on – when the vehicle is in park. While the engine is off, battery power is still available to keep the lights, radio and other auxiliary equipment available for use. Eco-Star is a passive system for the driver so they do not operate the vehicle any differently than they do now. Best of all, the fuel savings can pay for the system in just a few months. Eco-Star automatically restarts the engine based on several programmable conditions – low Vbat, service brake applied or interior temperature. Using the optional thermostat, Eco-Star can be programmed to restart the vehicle if the interior temperature becomes too hot or too cold. This option is perfect for operators who use the vehicle as a mobile office or to transport passengers. Current applications are available for Ford, GM and medium-duty (J1939) chassis. www.intermotive.net
The FX50, manufactured by The Charles Machine Works Inc., is Ditch Witch underground construction equipment’s latest 49-horsepower vacuum excavator. Designed for a wide range of cleanup and soft excavation tasks, it can be customized to a customer’s specifications. The FX50 is available with optional reverse flow, a feature that enables the operator to quickly and easily off-load fluid spoils from the vacuum tanks, and comes standard with a hydraulic tank door that opens fully to maximize the efficiency of spoils removal. www.ditchwitch.com
Peterbilt Motors Co. has released of the next generation of PACCAR engines, developed to meet the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s 2013 emissions requirements. The PACCAR MX-13, PX-9 and PX-7 engines are designed to maximize fuel efficiency and reliability and provide a low total cost of ownership. The engine lineup will be available in Peterbilt’s complete range of medium- and heavy-duty products beginning this year. The 12.9-liter MX-13 engine is characterized by its combination of proven technologies and a large number of state-of-the-art innovations that improve fuel economy. The MX-13 also is designed to meet the demands of heavy-duty truck applications in both vocational trucks and on-highway tractors. It’s available in a wide range of horsepower ratings starting at 380 with torque offerings up to 1,450 pounds. Additional MX-13 engine enhancements include a common rail fuel system that maintains injection pressures of 2,500 bar, providing improved efficiency. The result is finer fuel atomization and more ways to optimize combustion, ensuring the lowest possible fuel consumption, emissions and noise levels. www.peterbilt.com
KH Industries has developed a versatile dash-mount controller for its NightRay H3 Spotlight. The new wireless controller is designed to be permanently mounted in the vehicle with industrial fasteners, which simplifies installation and eliminates the need for a hardwired controller. Models available include the Wireless NightRay with new dash-mount controller; Dual Controlled NightRay with new dash-mount controller and handheld key fob; and dash-mounted wireless controller, which can be programmed to any wireless NightRay spotlight. www.khindustries.com
Reading Truck Body LLC has engineered an SL Dump Body to add to the rugged Marauder Dump Body line. The SL Dump will have Reading’s exclusive features, such as an E-coat primer and powder coat finish. Built for Class 4 and 5 chassis, the Marauder SL Dump Body is engineered to be an industry leader. Utilizing Reading’s high-quality manufacturing methods and procedures found in other Reading products, the SL is built to get the job done. The SL model complements the already successful Marauder Dump line, carrying many of the same features that are important to Marauder users while eliminating some extra components. www.readingbody.com
The Firestone Industrial Products Co. LLC R4Tech air suspension system is available for 2011-2012 Ford F-450 4WD Long Bed trucks (part No. W287600147). The R4Tech kit is a hybrid air/leaf suspension system designed to replace the factory leaf spring suspension. It delivers an improved ride at all times by using the variable spring rate of the air spring to stiffen when the truck is loaded and soften when unloaded. Featuring Firestone Airide air springs, Ride-Rite air accessories and a SANLUIS Rassini leaf-spring suspension, the R4Tech kit creates a fully functional system that adjusts for varying load capacities. It also improves headlight aim and driveline angles independent of load conditions, and delivers improved towing effectiveness. The complete R4Tech system comes with the Rassini foundation suspension, Airide air springs and an air compressor control system that maintains proper air level in the spring for the exact load that’s being carried. www.ride-rite.com
A comprehensive guide to effective work truck upfitting is now available to fleet managers. The 10-page manual is the only known resource that details critical considerations for the increasingly complex process of specifying and building work trucks for all types of applications and requirements. The guide takes decision-makers through a detailed process of evaluating the most important considerations when selecting a work truck upfitter. Each of the evaluation criteria is described and a list of key questions is provided. Sponsored by Auto Truck Group, a leading work truck upfitter, the recently published “Work Truck Upfit Selection Guide” addresses the expanding role of the fleet buyer/manager and the knowledge gap caused by staff layoffs and job consolidation/reassignment resulting from the economic realities of the last several years. In addition, strict new government regulations and the introduction of sophisticated technologies now impact work truck owners and operators at even the most basic levels. The guide includes charts and illustrations and references pertinent study data; provides a list of industry resources and links for more information; and offers 10 quick tips for making the upfit process go smoothly. Download the PDF guide at www.modernmarketingpartners.com/guidedownload.cfm. http://store.autotruck.com
Reelcraft has introduced the Series SD10000 low-profile spring-retractable hose reels designed to facilitate larger diameter 3/4-inch and 1-inch hose up to 50 feet. They feature a high-quality external drive spring and a heavy gauge all-bolted frame. Each reel is built with high-quality, industrial-grade components for superior strength and design. The ultra low-profile design of the reel is the most compact in its class, making it ideal for mounting in truck cabinets or other areas where space is limited. Models are available for air, water, oil or vacuum recovery hose. www.reelcraft.com