Vanessa Beaty asked:
You’ve surely heard their motto “Built Ford Tough”. Well, Ford is not simply referring to their line of pickups. Ford Motor Company is currently the third largest automaker in the world. This Dearborn, MI company that was founded on June 16, 1903 by Mr. Henry Ford has more than held up to its reputation with personal vehicles as well as heavy duty trucks. Today the Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational Company and chances are you would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t know something about this company.
Ford first began its manufacturing of trucks in 1908. Things have changed considerably since that first truck rolled off the assembly line. Commercial vehicles were eventually produced for the Ford truck line in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Spain, Turkey, the UK and the United States, although this manufacturing maneuver did not last long. The European venture lasted longer than others although it too is now non-existent. In 1986 the European Ford venture, called the Ford of Britain, was sold to the Iveco group and new models from this company are manufactured under the Transcontinental and Cargo logos.
The United States version of the Ford heavy truck division was sold to Freightliner, which is now part of the Daimler truck line. Since 1997 the brand has been known under the Sterling logo. Although Ford continues today to manufacture medium class trucks with the ever popular F-650 and F-750 names, they have also recently added the new LCF series to the line-up which is somewhat similar to the Ford Cargo trucks of yesteryear.
Ford has received many distinguished award over the years, including the ever coveted J.D. Power award multiple times. Although the Ford F-250 and F-350, commercial vans and the new E-Series are the main Ford trucks in manufacturing today, the name Ford still stands for quality and many drivers will simply not sit behind the wheel of anything else. You simply have to drive through the southern section of the nation to see how Southerner’s feel about their Ford trucks. Whether you drive a medium to heavy duty semi or simply flit about in an F-150, Ford trucks are synonymous with farming, hauling and heavy duty driving. For many there simply is no substitute. Henry Ford himself must be looking down with pride at the reflection that his life’s work has made on the automotive industry.
Marilee McCormack asked:
Expeditor or hot shot trucks are typically those used for delivering freight which is time sensitive. Hot shot freight is also often referred to as red-hot or shut-down cargo. There are many industries that use these services and the products that are typically transported range considerably in both size and structure. Hauling this way can be a very demanding job. There are typically no breaks between the pick-up and delivery of the load. Hot shot driving is typically of an emergency nature and does not conform to regular scheduling.
Expeditor-hot shot trucks are very readily available if you are searching for this type of work. These trucks are normally driven by owner/operators and are often leased by carriers. The drivers and/or owners are considered by the IRS to be independent contractors who operate their own business and simply lease their equipment to the expediting company. Some examples of the freight carried include automotive plant shipments which eliminate the need to inventory production parts, medical equipment delivered on an emergency basis and other cargo that is time-sensitive or otherwise considered critical.
The difference between expeditor-hot shot trucks and typical trucks is that conventional trucking normally involves scheduled shipments that are delivered on a regular basis. These deliveries often contain multiple stops and the freight is not considered to be time-critical. Expediting can range in size from one envelope to a complete trailer full of parts. Of course larger trucks will be used for hauling larger items and a wide selection of expeditor-hot shot trucks can be found online within many website listings.
If you are planning to get into the hot shot business, you should consider purchasing a used truck. Used expeditor-hot shot trucks can be found plentifully and can typically save you thousands of dollars over purchasing them new. Used trucks can be very efficient and cost-worthy as long as you know how and where to purchase them. It is recommended that you spend just a little time researching the many manufacturers and models before you begin an actual purchase. Once you have all the information about the used vehicle that you need, you can make an informed decision about whether or not this truck is right for you. Information that you should strive to collect includes price, condition, year/make/model, contact information for the seller and any other information that will help you to decide on your purchase.
Marilee McCormack asked:
You see them on the freeways every day. Conventional trucks or semis are virtually everywhere. Without them, we would be hard pressed to find anything in stores that we want or need to purchase. The television that you are watching, the computer that you are using and the food that you eat were all transported via semi truck. Whether it came on a Peterbilt, International, Freightliner, Volvo or any other of the multiple truck manufacturers, the fact remains that without these trucks we would be stuck right back in the middle of the 19th century, when all we had was what we could produce ourselves.
Many people simply do not realize the effect that the trucking industry has had on our everyday lives. We would be completely without many of our everyday luxuries without them. Gourmet or specialty foods would be virtually non-existent to many people without a truck to transport it to local food stores. Electronics would also be reserved for those who live within traveling distance of manufacturers. When you see conventional trucks on the road you should stop for a moment and remember that the car you are driving was delivered to the dealer on one of these trucks.
That being said, it is very important to know where to purchase these trucks if you are planning to drive one. The trucking industry produces many models each year, although many truckers choose to buy used trucks simply for the money that they save in doing so. Used conventional trucks can be found all over the nation. It is a good idea when you begin your search to look online for the truck that you want. Sellers online often include multiple photographs which give you a good idea of the overall condition of the truck as well as contact information and the price that they are looking for.
While new conventional trucks can run you more than $100,000, used ones can be found for less than $20,000, depending on the model and overall condition. If you are looking to save money on your trucking venture, then purchasing a used truck is an excellent idea. Of course if money is not a problem, then any of the new models released each year would be a good choice. The truck that you choose depends mostly on your own preferences. Just remember that without these trucks, we would all be living in a much different world.
C. Jent asked:
When fuel oil distributors talk about their truck needs, the most frequently mentioned among these needs are durability and maneuverability. Practical design enhancements can make fuel oil trucks better tools to provide greater productivity for the oil industry.
Fuel oil distributors engaged in the task of selecting new delivery truck enhancements typically have a list of ‘must-have’ features and a list of ‘like-to-have’ features. Ideally, the truck that finally gets purchased has all of the ‘must-have’ features and at least a couple of the ‘like-to-haves.’
Truck manufacturers have both of the lists and have been working to provide these and additional features after learning from the fuel oil distributors what actually is expected in performance. Bob Bees, marketing product manager for Volvo Trucks North America in Greensboro, N.C. said that while Volvo might not be an obvious or common choice for fuel oil delivery, “it’s got a great wheel cut” - a primary consideration for operators who require maneuverability in negotiating driveways and other tight spots in the course of making deliveries.
Home heating oil tankers typically have a capacity of approximately 2,000 - 3,000 gallons. These are typically single-axle vehicles. The front axle often ranges from 14,000 to 16,000 pounds, with a rear axle typically ranging from 23,000 to 26,000 pounds. “They might go all the way up to a 30,000-pound rear axle,” Bees said. “We can do this making a very, very good home fuel oil truck, but it’s on the high end of the cost spectrum.”
Other original equipment manufacturers (OEM) that make trucks that can be designed for fuel oil delivery to the priority of maneuverability have listened to the fuel oil distributors’ needs. Freightliner, for example, said its Business Class M2 106 features up to a 55-degree wheel cut, achieved through a combination of a setback front axle and a swept-back bumper. They also offer to complement the wheel-cut, a 2,500-square-inch windshield, low-profile dash and an aerodynamic sloped hood - features that combine for visibility, which are crucial in the negotiating of tight spots. Wide door openings, low step-in heights and interior and exterior grab handles on the M2 are designed to help reduce fatigue, and offer easy entry and exit for drivers who make numerous fuel oil deliveries daily.
Hino Motors Sales USA in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan offers a Hino Model 338 Class 7 straight truck with a 260 HP engine, optional in-cab controlled rear locking differentials and optional vertical exhaust. This truck also has an air suspension. The straight truck features an exceptional turning radius because of its 55-degree wheel cut and wide visibility for ease of movement during fuel oil deliveries, even to homes where access is cramped. The truck’s dashboard includes a ‘Driver Information Display’ capable of presenting a range of information, including trip fuel economy, service, and interval maintenance check ups.
Some other design features, integral parts of the specs requested by the oil truck distributors, that different dealers are now offering are: automatic five-speed transmission because many fuel oil distributors find that the automatic transmission helps save several minutes off each stop; new halogen projector low beam headlamps which offer three times longer life than sealed beam headlamps; a new hood assist device and 90-degree hood tilt opening providing easy access to the engine compartment for mechanical repairs; air or hydraulic brakes; and the option of a combination of diesel and electric modes of operation automatically switching between the two seamlessly.
Oil Companies like Triple Diamond Energy Corporation are always looking into improvements in each of the systems of operation in their business to make it run as efficiently as possible.
Lynn Fugaro asked:
Overweight and overloaded trucks pose a very serious danger on our nation’s roadways. When a truck has more weight than it can safely carry, stopping is much more difficult, and the truck is much more likely to get out of control when swerving to avoid a collision or an animal in the road. Overloaded trucks can damage the brake and steering system of the truck. An overweight truck is an accident waiting to happen, and when trucks are involved in accidents, the results can be catastrophic and deadly due to their massive size and weight.
Trucking Laws and Weigh Stations
Trucking laws determine how much weight a certain commercial truck can carry, how heavy the load can be, what the combined weight of the load and the truck can be, how much weight can be on each axle, and how much weight can be on the tires. The amount of weight is not the only factor to be considered. How the weight is distributed on the truck is also very important to truck safety as distribution of the weight also affects how the truck handles.
We have all probably seen signs on bridges and under/overpasses indicating the maximum weight allowed or the maximum height that can be cleared. These warning signs cannot be ignored as they are there to prevent damage and/or collapse of the structure.
Weigh stations are set up all along the highways in the United States and serve as checkpoints where trucks are supposed to stop, get weighed and get inspected. Weigh stations will check for truck and load weight, illegal cargo, falsely reported cargo, and compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) laws. If an overweight truck is detected at a weigh station, the driver may only be given a ticket. This allows a dangerous truck with an unsafe weight right back on our roadways. Other violators may be detained until an overweight permit is issued or the weight can be reduced somehow.
Overloaded Trucks Cause Major Problems
There are a variety of ways that overloaded trucks are dangerous and cause accidents:
? Tires can burst when there is too much weight.
? Overweight trucks, when going downhill, travel much too fast and are difficult to control.
? The added weight adds momentum which can mean too much stress on the brakes causing brake failure.
? Overweight trucks need much longer stopping distance.
? Overloaded trucks can have the weight shift in the truck causing steering difficulties.
? An overloaded truck is more likely to roll over due to a raised center of gravity.
? An overloaded truck can cause a bridge or overpass to collapse, killing massive amounts of people.
Most of the time, truckers are responsible for the weight of their load. They must ensure that it not only meets the weight requirement but that it is distributed properly and is secured. On rare occasions, a load may be sealed, and the driver is not permitted to look at it.
Ensuring truck load safety is the responsibility of several parties including the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck loading companies, and weigh station officials.
Marilee McCormack asked:
With safety as its focus, Freightliner trucks are built to handle the rigors of rough driving, heavy hauling, and years of use. The company is always coming up with new and innovative ways to incorporate safety into its already performance-savvy design.
For example, the Freightliner Cascadia includes a steering wheel that lets truckers keep their eyes on the road while still operating the features of their cabs. The wheel is covered in switches including cruise control, marker light interrupter, engine break on/off switch, and message center switch. Because the switches truckers need to control their drive are located right on the steering wheel, drivers are less likely to take their eyes off the road.
Freightliner’s commitment to safety doesn’t end with innovation, however. The company has also proven itself to be committed to the safety of its drivers even when that safety requires an admission of wrong. The 2008 recall of some freightliner trucks because of minor safety issues exemplifies this point.
For truckers who want a safe and powerful ride, Freightliner is an unparalleled choice, but truckers do not have to shell out big bucks for a new Freightliner. Instead, used Freightliner vehicles can be purchased on a variety of Internet classified web sites. With the same commitment to safety, but a lower overhead cost, used Freightliners are both physically and economically safe options for truckers. Not only will truckers pay less, but they will also have a chance to learn about the truck’s history and performance, in addition to convenience of avoiding dealers. Purchasing a used Freightliner truck online, therefore, is an excellent option for the intelligent trucker.
William Davis asked:
Ford Super Duty trucks are legendary for their durability and reliability. The F450 is a top seller year after year. These trucks are used all over the world on countless jobs each day.
Ford offers several power train options on F450 and Super Duty models to meet the requirements of any job. Two gas versions are available, a 5.4 liter 3 valve SOHC rated at 300 horsepower, and a 6.8 liter 10 cylinder 3 Valve SOHC rated at 362 horsepower. Both engines feature sequential electronic fuel injection. Both have aluminum cylinder heads and cast iron blocks.
The diesel Super Duty is a 6.4 liter Power Stroke 4 valve workhorse that has 350 horsepower and 650 foot pounds of torque. It has cast iron cylinder heads and block. It is inter-cooled and has dual sequential turbochargers. It features gear driven timing and is available with dual alternators for heavy duty lighting applications.
Ford Super Duty trucks are available with either a 6 speed manual transmissions or the Torqshift 5 speed automatic overdrive. The 5.4 liter engine can be matched to a 3.73 or 4.10 rear axle ratio. The 6.8 liter is available with a 4.10 or 4.30 rear axle ratio. The diesel version comes with 4 choices, 3.73, 4.10, 4.30, or 4.88. The Torqshift feature a selectable tow/haul mode that compensates for altitude, grade and load.
An innovative feature available on these trucks is a reverse camera system. A camera mounted in the tailgate handle is monitored in the interior rear view mirror. This is an invaluable aid when backing up, and especially useful when hooking up to a trailer.
Ford Super Duty trucks, including the popular F450 continue to be industry leaders with new options and innovations added each year. The slogan “built Ford tough” is even more true today.
Marilee McCormack asked:
Whether you’re looking for a big rig that will make daily cross-continental hauls or you’re searching for a work truck that will stand up to the beating of your industry, the power of the Internet has made commercial trucks for sale easy to find, test, and purchase.
There are many online truck sales sites. With just a few clicks and some typing in the address bar, potential buyers find themselves staring at commercial trucks for sale in a variety of categories. Truckers can choose to peruse big trucks, trailers medium duty trucks, or work trucks. In each category, truckers will find numerous listings by make and model, or truckers can choose simply to browse. Truckers can view listings, photos, and truck specs, then save listings in which they are interested to a folder for a later time.
In addition, searchable sites allows truckers looking to unload a commercial vehicle to list it for sale, and online auctions are a new and potentially money saving way to trucks. Many sites allow truckers to view photos and specs on vehicles that have been seized by bankruptcy courts and are now being sold at public auction. Buyers can learn about physical locations for auctions, where they can go to view the truck, and actually buy and pay for a commercial vehicle online.
Although auction sites may seem risky to those who are new in the cyber world, they are great places to start the search for a commercial vehicle. Whether truckers are looking for big rigs and trailers or medium-duty vans, the Internet, with its commercial truck listings and auctions, is at least an excellent starting point for research, if not a place to buy.
Mike Piston asked:
You’ve Got to Love the Old Chevy Trucks
Love is indeed the correct terminology when you begin talking about old Chevy trucks and their owners. Fierce brand loyalty follows this breed of truck everywhere it goes. As well it should, Chevrolet have been making trucks since the early thirties.
A new phenomenon is being seen across the antique world, it appears that restoration of the old Chevy truck, and in particular, the 67-72 periods are beginning to be a popular past time. Higher and higher numbers of these models are showing up across the nation all decked out and ready to strut their stuff.
A brief history:
1967
In 67, the Chevy was already a popular vehicle for years it had been Americas work truck. In this era, the executives decided it was time for a face-lift and so gave the truck a great modern look. It was this look that would really carry the brand for the next six years.
Along with the new modern, look Chevy would also go to great lengths to make the ride and handling more comfortable. I think the idea was to broaden the demographic to include a woman’s interest, as women were becoming prominent in consumer economics. Whatever their reasons though the changes were much appreciated by everyone. Coil springs instead of leaf would increase handling though it was only standard on a few models.
1968
Happy birthday Chevrolet, in 1968 they celebrated 50 years of truck making. This was also the year of the Longhorn; this ¾-ton hoss of a truck could hold an eight and a half foot long slide in camper! I do not know about you but this was one package I had never heard of. See the things you can learn with a little research? I wonder what an all-original 1968 Longhorn truck would be worth today? Little body changes were made this year with the exception of a few trim parts.
Want to learn more about old Chevy trucks? Are you wondering what else you may not know about the trucks you love? “A Collectors Guide To Old Chevy Trucks” is a great source for information, like the difference between a Cheyenne and a Sierra or what year saw the birth of the K-5 Blazer. All these are important details should you see an old Chevy Truck for sale. Know about your old Chevy trucks! knowing when the engine is not original, and when the bolt hole pattern changed on light duty trucks will be an asset when making your investment. You will be glad you did!
