4/29/16

Smarter Suspensions Are on the Way for Pickups






In the future, unique suspension systems used today likely will find wider acceptance and offer better control and more flexibility. We expect more air suspension options and magnetic ride technology to provide better fuel economy, load-carrying capability, comfort and handling. It wouldn't surprise us if the computer systems on new vehicles will be better able to predict what's likely to happen next on the road, possibly leaning into a turn at the first steering input to make a big truck feel more like midsize car.


Active anti-roll-bar systems already found in Range Rover SUVs, luxury sedans, and Toyota's and Lexus' active suspensions could improve highway and trail performance for small and large pickups. The Toyota 4Runner SUV's cross-linked shock system is an impressive active suspension system that works as well in four-wheel drive as it does when entering a 240-degree curving freeway on-ramp.


We also predict that as sales of luxury-model pickups increase, we'll be more likely to see more canyon-carving trucks with independent rear suspensions. The new 2017 Ridgeline will have coil rear springs and an IRS, and is anticipated to have a payload of 1,600 pounds; likewise, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris midsize commercial van (also with coil springs and IRS) has a minimum payload rating of 1,800 pounds, more than many half-ton pickups. 


Bushing technology also is likely to improve, perhaps adding a self-adjusting or computer-controlled aspect to them, allowing them to quiet engine vibration or wheel chatter while allowing precise steering. Less vibration means quieter and less-stressed parts and pieces.


And we expect broader application of magnet ride systems, perhaps even grouped with towing packages where damper behavior would be modified simply by engaging Tow/Haul mode or when sensing heavier loads.


Front suspensions may adopt a dual ball-joint lower coupling and have been used on everything from VW Passats to BMW SUVs and the new Lexus LS. This arrangement pays big dividends in bump absorption, handling and directional stability, and leaves more room for axle shafts and bigger brakes to move freely and stay cool.


Further down the road, we expect tuning of active suspension pieces like air springs, self-adjusting shocks or active anti-roll bars to link with cameras and navigation data to prime the suspension before it hits a bump or comes to a sharp bend, making the suspension more predictive than reactive. No matter what happens, we're confident we'll be getting more sophisticated and smarter suspensions to keep our pickups under control.


Read more at:  http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/04/smarter-suspensions-are-on-the-way-for-pickups.html

4/27/16

Bradley Briggs Shows Off The AG Body Drawer Systems and Options





AG Body of Salt Lake City makes drawers for service bodies, other
enclosures, utility needs, or wherever you might need the convenience of
drawers--even your garage!



Here, Bradley Briggs of AG Body shows
Commercial Truck Success a few of their different drawer designs and
available hardware and finishes. See much more from AG Body at
www.agbody.com, or call them at 800-786-BODY.

4/25/16

Safe Fleet inView 360 Fleet Monitoring System Demo



inView 360™ from Safe Fleet brand SEON is a revolutionary fleet
monitoring and protection system that gives drivers a 360° view of their
surroundings to avoid accidents, and provides fleet managers greater
insight into fleet incidents.

4/23/16

Safe Fleet Brands at the 2016 NTEA Work Truck Show





At the 2016 NTEA Work Truck Show, Safe Fleet brands Prime Design, ROM,
Bustin, Seon and Bus and Rail exhibited their products to the highest
attendance in event history.

4/21/16

Safest F-150 Ever: Ford F-150 SuperCrew and SuperCab Only Full-Size Pickups to Earn 2016 IIHS Top Safety Pick



  •     Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the 2016 Ford F-150 pickup its Top Safety Pick for SuperCrew and SuperCab configurations – the only large pickup to earn this recognition
  •     Superb crash test performance of new Ford F-150 – including highest possible rating in small overlap front crash test – is enabled by high-strength steel in the frame; high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body; and smart engineering
  •     2016 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever – is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest rating, a five-star Overall Vehicle Score and five-star rating for driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab
DOWNLOAD THE 2016 F-150 TOP SAFETY PICK FACT SHEET



DEARBORN, Mich., April 12, 2016 – The 2016 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever – is the only large pickup to earn an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for SuperCrew and SuperCab configurations.



Class-leading crash test performance of the new Ford F-150 is enabled by the use of high-strength steel in the frame; high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body; and smart engineering, which also help to save up to 700 pounds of weight to enable best-in-class ratings for towing, payload and EPA-estimated gasoline fuel economy.



“From the moment our team set out to design and build the new F-150, we knew it had to be best-in-class,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, Global Product Development, and chief technical officer. “This Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick is another example of Ford’s commitment to building the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever.”



A cross-functional group of Ford truck veterans worked thousands of hours to deliver improved durability, capability, fuel economy and safety. The team created 31 safety-related innovations – including new structures that manage crash forces, and joining methods that were tested virtually with supercomputer simulations, then retested in Ford’s advanced laboratories to engineer the safest F-150 ever.



These smart innovations include a patented extruded aluminum roof crossmember and additional frame crossmember to help improve crash resilience.



To manage crash forces in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety small overlap front crash test, Ford created a system of innovations that work together to help protect the driver. Nylon hinge pillar reinforcements save weight, and in conjunction with specially designed wheel blockers, work to control crash forces while also providing additional safety.



“The same innovative approach applied to every other attribute of the 2016 F-150 is exemplified in our commitment to safety,” said Nair. “We spent thousands of hours engineering, designing and developing multiple safety features that work together in the event of an accident.”



F-150 is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest rating, a five-star Overall Vehicle Score and a five-star rating for driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.

About Ford Motor Company



Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

4/17/16

2016 Work Truck Show Recap - Knapheide





The 2016 Work Truck Show was the platform for some huge announcements
from The Knapheide Manufacturing Company, watch the video to see for
yourself.

4/15/16

Service bodies: Part 4, Fiberglass gaining more attention at Altec

 Fiberglass inserts and service bodies at Altec 
are turning more heads
 



“People are starting to take a strong look at fiberglass,” Andy Price, Altec’s market manager, tells Hard Working Trucks. “One of the real advantages of fiberglass is that a fiberglass body comes out of a mold, so you don’t have tracing points for water. It’s one piece.


“It generally can be a one piece body so you don’t have things bolted or welded together, but again all this depends on the design. I don’t want to give the impression that all fiberglass bodies have no penetration points. That isn’t the case at all. Depending on the design, it can have some advantages in fiberglass in those areas.”


HWT (Hard Working Trucks) Related: Iowa utility acquires more Altec hybrid service trucks


Altec, which entered the fiberglass body market about three years ago, recently introduced a new fiberglass insert with a seamless, aerodynamic design. The Capsule features aesthetic contours to complement the chassis, recessed side and rear doors, stainless steel latches, an all-aluminum interior and forklift pockets for easy installation and removal.


- Source:  http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/service-bodies-part-4-fiberglass-gaining-more-attention-at-altec/#sthash.coXqFxfE.dpuf

4/13/16

Ford Introduces Kansas City-Built F-150 MVP Edition


  •     Limited run of 300 Ford F-150 MVP edition trucks built at Kansas City Assembly Plant
  •     Suggested by a Ford customer, 2016 Ford F-150 MVP edition follows the 1986 Ford Ranger MVP edition – first time Kansas City celebrated a professional baseball world championship
  •     Midwest Ford Dealers renewed its sponsorship for the 2016 season with Kansas City Royals
CLAYCOMO, Mo., March 29, 2016 – Ford, America’s truck leader, salutes Kansas City’s world championship by announcing a limited run of 300 Ford F-150 MVP edition trucks built at Kansas City Assembly Plant.


Based on the F-150 XLT with chrome package and available in either Oxford White or Blue Flame, F-150 MVP edition includes special MVP badging, unique polished stainless rocker panels and a spray-in bedliner. 


The 2016 Ford F-150 MVP edition started as an idea from Marc Lassalle, a Kansas City Royals fan, to celebrate his team’s second world championship. It follows the 1986 Ford Ranger MVP edition, created and sold in 1985 to celebrate Kansas City’s first time as world champions. 
 
“Like our manufacturing team members at Kansas City Assembly Plant, the Kansas City Royals are a great example of what terrific teamwork can accomplish,” said Gary Johnson, Ford vice president for North America manufacturing.


F-150 MVP edition customizations are added at Kansas City’s unique SubTropolis underground business complex, where Ford applies custom accessories to its vehicles in the energy-efficient cave system.


Ford worked with former Kansas City Royals star Bret Saberhagen, from the 1985 team roster, and Salvador Pérez, from the 2015 Kansas City lineup, to promote the F-150 MVP edition.


Saberhagen will be on hand today to greet Kansas City Assembly Plant employees. Midwest Ford Dealers has also renewed its sponsorship agreement with the Kansas City Royals for 2016.


The F-150 MVP edition is on sale now at Kansas City area Ford dealers.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

4/11/16

DRW Ford Transit Cab-Chassis with Harbor Service Body and Rack - Plenty of Storage, Great Visibility and Easy Access!

Harbor Service Body is 10 foot Plus 4 inches 
Length Inside Cargo Area


This Ford Transit Cab-Chassis has an 80 inch Cab to Axle dimension. It allows for a
longer body and provides for a lower bed-to-ground height.



The view of the Harbor Body from the rear shows the low access into the cargo area. This allows for easier loading and unloading of materials and equipment. The extra long ladder rack access is also lower than it would be on a standard chassis cab body.



Note the Great Visibility the wide rear window provides. The low profile of the Harbor Body allows a wide, virtually unobstructed rear view over the tailgate and side boxes.



The compartment depth on this Dual Rear Wheel body is 19 inches, the Single Rear Wheel version would be 15" deep. The DRW version floor width is 50", plenty of room to slide in that 4 foot wide plywood!


The body is standard height (about 40") and sits lower because of the chassis design.


This body has the  Master Lock System, a Non-Forklift Rack, Standard One-Hand Latch, Self-Opening Stainless Steel Lids with Two Gas Shocks. Lighter and stronger and rust free! (Aluminum Treadbrite overlay is available as an option). Matching Stainless Steel Gravel Guards are standard. (Closed top models are standard steel and offer Aluminum Treadbrite as an option). 


Find out more at: 

http://htbi.net/

4/09/16

The Reading Aluminum Classic II Service Body



Reading’s Classic II™ aluminum service body combines the superior fuel economy and corrosion resistance of aluminum with Reading’s legendary quality and durability. Built with premium recycled aluminum alloy and protected by Reading’s exclusive Triple Protection E-coat primer and powder coat finish, it resists corrosion better than any other service truck body on the market. It features all the standard and exclusive options that have made our flagship Classic II™ a leader in the truck body industry while offering environmental benefits that today’s consumers appreciate. Standard features include a pressed diamond plate floor and inner tailgate surface, heavy-duty compartment doors and a rugged undercoated understructure for superior durability and strength. The Classic II™ aluminum service truck body also features Reading’s exclusive adjustable hidden hinges, Dual-Pro® door seals, a slam-action tailgate and much more. Add our industry-leading 10-year limited warranty and it’s easy to see why there’s No Body Better than the Classic II™.

  •     Increased available payload
  •     Corrosion resistance
  •     Weather-tight storage
  •     Customized compartments
Find out more at:  http://www.readingbody.com/product/aluminum-classic-ii/




    4/07/16

    We Own Work: Inside the Manufacturing of the All-New 2017 Ford Super Duty





    Five truck customers head inside the Kentucky Truck Plant for exclusive behind-the-scenes access to witness the unique manufacturing innovations involved in creating the smartest, toughest and most capable Super Duty ever.


    In this episode, our teams of Insiders see the innovative joining techniques used to build the Super Duty’s high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body. From self-piercing rivets to flow-drill screws and powerful structural adhesives, this is truly manufacturing at its best.


    Discover the all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty: https://www.ford.com/trucks/superduty...


    4/05/16

    Knapheide Customer Story: J.F. Electric

    Since 1848, we have been a family-owned company led by six generations of the Knapheide family. We are proud to say that some of our best customers are multi-generational as well, like J.F. Electric in Edwardsville, Ill. Check out their story!


    4/03/16

    Ford F-150, Edge, Transit Connect Honored with TrueCar Awards Recognizing Highest Retained Value






    DEARBORN, Mich.– The 2014 Ford F-150, Edge and Transit Connect will retain the highest percentage of their value as they enter the market for resale in 2016, according to TrueCar, which has recognized the three vehicles with its inaugural Pre-Owned Value Awards, making Ford the leader in truck segments.


    The new awards, powered by ALG, TrueCar’s analytics division, evaluate pre-owned model-year 2014 vehicles available for resale in 2016 that are expected to retain the highest percentage of their value during the next three years.


    The 2014 F-150 won the full-size pickup category in the 2016 Pre-Owned Value Awards. The 2016 F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever – has helped make Ford F-Series the best-selling truck in America for 39 years running, and America’s top-selling vehicle for 34 consecutive years. Ford has the most F-Series trucks on the road with more than 250,000 miles compared with any other competitor.1


    The 2014 Edge won among midsize utility vehicles with second-row seating. With an available 2.7-liter EcoBoost® V6 engine, available enhanced active park assist and an available front 180-degree camera, the 2016 Edge is a showcase of Ford innovation that helps drivers be unstoppable.


    The 2014 Transit Connect won the midsize commercial vehicle category. Strong demand for the current Transit Connect – along with Transit and E-Series – made Ford the best-selling brand of commercial vans in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. in 2015, based on the company’s analysis of IHS Automotive total vehicle registration data and Ford custom segmentation for commercial vans.


    TrueCar Pre-Owned Value Award winners are determined through careful analysis of used vehicle performance, brand outlook and product competitiveness. Eligibility for a brand award requires a manufacturer to have vehicle entries in at least four different segments. To account for differences across trim levels, model averages are weighted based on percentage share relative to the entire model line.


    1 Based on vehicle registration data and latest odometer readings available to Polk for 1992 and newer model year full-size pickups still on the road in the U.S. as of 4/1/15.


    About Ford Motor Company


    Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

    4/01/16

    The Smartest Super Duty Ever





    With up to seven available cameras & LED lighting, the 2017 Ford Super Duty is the smartest Super Duty ever. Towing is at the center of the Super Duty mission. Equipped with up to seven available cameras, the 2017 Super Duty can help make hitching up a standard or gooseneck trailer a snap. And the first-ever, factory-available trailer camera can be attached to a trailer to improve visibility while backing up.


    Explore the 2017 Ford Super Duty: http://www.ford.com/trucks/superduty/...