Large fleets that have adopted electronic logging devices (ELD’s) in recent years learned that productivity dropped, said Todd Amen, president of owner-operator financial services provider ATBS. “You lose 10 to 20 percent of your ability to run miles,” said Amen, on Friday at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas. Most small fleets and independent owner-operators will wait until late 2017 to comply with the mandate, which takes effect in December…
Read MoreCaterpillar May Close its Belgium Plant
Caterpillar Inc. has started a consultation process that may lead to closing its plant in Gosselies, Belgium, and the loss of 2,000 jobs there, as part of a global restructuring and cost-savings plan announced a year ago. The Peoria, Ill.-based heavy equipment maker on Friday said the construction equipment manufactured at the site may be shifted to its facility in Grenoble, France, and other sites outside Europe. The company also…
Read MoreU.S. Proposes Speed Limiter on Trucks
A national association of small-business truckers claims the government’s proposal to mandate speed-limiting devices on large commercial trucks would be dangerous for all highway users. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the nation’s only organization representing professional and small-business truckers, says such devices create speed differentials that lead to more crashes and promote road rage among other motorists. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic…
Read MoreDOC Issues 40% Tariff on Chinese Truck Tires
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) says truck and bus tire manufacturers in China are dumping tires in the U.S. at less than fair market value, and those tires should be subject to tariffs of at least 20%. The tariffs are retroactive. The DOC announced its preliminary results Aug. 29. In every tariff investigation, the DOC selects manufacturers to serve as mandatory respondents. Those companies then provide data and answer…
Read MoreTemsa TS 45 Motor Coach Twin Tire Recall
Temsa Global Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. (Temsa) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 TS 45 motorcoaches manufactured July 25, 2014, to April 21, 2016. Due to insufficient clearance between the twin tires on the rear axle, the tires may rub against each other resulting in their failure. CONSEQUENCE: A tire that fails unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Temsa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the…
Read MoreDodge Ram 2500/3500 Track Bar Recall
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Dodge RAM 2500 trucks, and Dodge RAM 3500 trucks and cab chassis. The affected vehicles may have inadequate welds securing the front track bar frame brackets, possibly resulting in the bracket components separating from the frame. CONSEQUENCE: If the bracket components separate from the frame, the vehicle may have a reduced response to steering input, increasing the risk of a…
Read MoreTiffin Breeze Motor Home Air Brake Recall
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Breeze motorhomes manufactured July 7, 2015, to June 14, 2016. The affected vehicles have air compressors attached to the engine that may fail due to debris from manufacturing being left in the air intake tube. CONSEQUENCE: Failure of the air compressor may result in the inability to maintain air pressure while driving which would cause the parking brake to set…
Read MoreGreat American Trucking Show Aug 25-27
The Great American Trucking Show is a trucking convention with more than 500,000 feet of exhibit space, aisles full of vendors, and thousands of professional truck drivers. It happens in Dallas every year. And on Thursday, Aug. 25, through Saturday, Aug. 27, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center will be turned into a trucking hub. Some of the events include the Pride and Polish Truck Beauty Competition, educational seminars, Landstar’s…
Read MoreJayco Alante & Percept MotorHome Recall
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Alante and Precept motorhomes manufactured October 13, 2014, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles have a driver seat that may loosen and detach from the seat base as a result of the seat having been swiveled around. CONSEQUENCE: If the seat detaches from the seat base while the vehicle is being driven, the operator may lose control, increasing the risk…
Read MoreNavistar International ProStar Fuse Recall
Navistar, Inc. (Navistar) is recalling certain model year 2014-2017 International ProStar trucks manufactured June 11, 2013, through May 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the connection for the cube fuse terminal may break resulting in a total loss of power to the cab and an unexpected engine stall. CONSEQUENCE: An unexpected engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Navistar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the…
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