Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Daybreak, Four Winds, Quantum, Delano, Tiburon, Chateau and Freedom Elite motorhomes and 2020 Gemini, Chateau Citation, Compass, Siesta, and Synergy motorhomes built on Sprinter Van chassis (platform 970 (VS30), equipped with swivel seats due to a wiring harness recall issue. The wiring harnesses for the front seats may have been routed incorrectly and could become jammed and damaged in the swivel seat…
Read More2019 Mercedes Sprinter Van Chassis Recall
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2019 Mercedes Sprinter Van vehicles. The chassis may be missing the additional stabilization required for its cargo capacity. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, “Electronic Stability Control Systems.” If the vehicles are operated without the necessary chassis stabilization, vehicle handling could be negatively affected, leading to the potential for a…
Read MoreRVs Experiencing Record Sales Numbers
The RV market has seen record sales in the time of coronavirus. According to a new report from the RV Industry Association, wholesale shipments of RVs reached their highest monthly total in June since October 2018, leading to record sales numbers. In June, more than 40,462 RVs were shipped out, the industry association reported — a 10 percent increase from the same time last year. For context, in April the RV…
Read MoreAurora to Test Autonomous Trucks in TX
Aurora, the autonomous trucks technology startup backed by Amazon, is expanding into Texas as it aims to accelerate the development of self-driving trucks. The company said it plans to test commercial routes in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area with a mix of Fiat Chrysler Pacifica minivans and Class 8 trucks. A small fleet of Pacificas will arrive first. The trucks will be on the road in Texas by the end of…
Read MoreFreightliner Cascadia Brake Modulator Valve Recall
Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Freightliner Cascadia tractor trailers. The single brake modulator valve may be affected by chemical corrosion which can slow down the release timing and cause the brakes to pull to the affected side during automatic braking events. Remedy DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will perform repairs, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided the repair procedures. This recall…
Read More15 States to Electrify Trucks, Vans & Buses
Fifteen states and Washington, DC have announced that they will follow California’s lead by doing away with diesel in favor of switching to electrify all heavy-duty trucks, vans, and buses, in what could be one of the most significant efforts to reduce harmful diesel engine pollution in the United States. It could also be a big development in the fight for environmental justice because emissions from diesel-powered commercial vehicles disproportionately harm…
Read MoreNJ Cracks Down on Selling Dirty Trucks
Multiple car dealerships in New Jersey turned profits in recent years by selling dirty trucks that lacked pollution controls, placing public health at risk. Now the state wants to make them pay. New Jersey officials announced on Wednesday that the state is taking car dealerships who sold polluting vehicles — particularly diesel trucks — to court. The action comes after a two-year investigation by the state Department of Environmental Protection.…
Read MoreWestern Star 4700 5700 Ground Harness Recall
An Undersized Ground Wire in some 2019-2021 Western Star 4700 and 5700 models may melt, subsequently causing the engine to stall without the ability to restart, posing both a potential fire and traffic hazard simultaneously, as an engine stall may increase the risk of a crash. Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Western Star 4700 and 5700 vehicles. A particular wire in the ground harness may…
Read MoreEmergency Declaration for Relief Supplies
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on March 18 issued an expanded national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency relief in response to the nationwide coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including adding fuel and raw materials needed to manufacture essential supplies to the list of freight covered under the order. While the order added some clarification to the first such declaration issued less than a week earlier,…
Read MoreTechnician Shortage Increasing Labor Rates
The Heavy Duty Truck maintenance and repair industries are experiencing a skilled labor shortage as those working the technician positions in the Baby Boomer demographic retire in greater numbers than those replacing them, causing the unintended consequence of higher shop labor rates. “The key differences impacting maintenance costs today are skilled labor shortages combined with advancements in vehicle technology. Employees with advanced technical skills are becoming more difficult to find…
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