9/29/19

NEXT-LEVEL 2020 FORD SUPER DUTY PICKUP OWNS TOWING, OWNS PAYLOAD, OWNS POWER AND OWNS WORK


Best-in-class diesel towing: New Ford F-Series Super Duty pickup raises the bar again with best-in-class maximum gooseneck towing of up to 37,000 pounds, best-in-class maximum fifth-wheel towing of 32,500 pounds and best-in-class maximum conventional towing of 24,200 pounds with available 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel engine

  • Best-in-class diesel power and torque: Available 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 – the most powerful diesel Ford has ever built – delivers best-in-class 475 horsepower and 1,050 ft.-lbs. of torque, surpassing the 1,000-ft.-lbs. barrier without checking an extra option box
  • Best-in-class gas power and torque: All-new available 7.3-liter V8 – the most powerful gas engine ever offered in Super Duty – cranks out best-in-class gas power of 430 horsepower and best-in-class gas torque of 475 ft.-lbs.
  • Best-in-class payload: Haul even bigger loads with best-in-class maximum payload capacity of 7,850 pounds with standard 6.2-liter gas engine

2020 F-Series Product Page

DALLAS, Sept. 26, 2019 – Ford F-Series, America’s best-selling truck for 42 consecutive years, is once again delivering for its most demanding and hardworking customers by producing its most capable and powerful heavy-duty pickup ever – the new 2020 F-Series Super Duty.

“Ford truck customers are building a better world with Super Duty and we’re helping them work even harder with the most available diesel towing, payload, torque and power you can get in a heavy-duty pickup,” said Mike Pruitt, Super Duty chief engineer. “We’re excited to be in the nation’s largest truck market at the State Fair of Texas announcing we’ve surpassed the kilotorque barrier and made it standard with every pickup truck featuring a Power Stroke diesel engine.”

Built Ford Tough from the ground up, the new 2020 F-Series Super Duty pickup is an icon of durability and capability. It owns six key best-in-class heavy-duty pickup truck claims for full-size pickups over 8,500 pounds:

Best-in-class maximum available diesel gooseneck towing of up to 37,000 pounds
Best-in-class maximum available diesel fifth-wheel towing of 32,500 pounds
Best-in-class maximum available diesel conventional towing of 24,200 pounds
Best-in-class diesel power and torque with available 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel V8 delivering 475 horsepower and 1,050 ft.-lbs.
Best-in-class gas power and torque from all-new available 7.3-liter V8 delivering 430 horsepower and 475 ft.-lbs.
Best-in-class maximum payload capacity of 7,850 pounds with standard 6.2-liter gas engine
To put the capability of Super Duty into perspective, its maximum available towing figure means a properly configured F-450 could tow about as much weight as 31 American quarter horses at 1,200 pounds. That is one big trailer. For 2020, maximum towing capacity increases across all Super Duty pickup series – F-250, F-350 and F-450 – versus the outgoing model.

The 2020 Super Duty with Tremor Off-Road Package is the most capable off-road Super Duty ever. It will have maximum towing of up to 15,000 pounds for conventional trailers and 21,900 pounds for gooseneck trailers with the available diesel, in addition to 4,210 pounds maximum payload capacity with the all-new 7.3-liter gas engine that is available – providing the towing and payload capability customers expect of Super Duty.

With 19 million miles of accumulated testing, Super Duty is designed to stand up to the harshest conditions and heaviest work. Every aspect is torture tested including its high-strength steel boxed frame, high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body, integrated gooseneck hitch mounts, available all-new 7.3-liter gas V8, available third-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel and all-new 10-speed heavy-duty TorqShift® automatic. This transmission, available with all engine options, is a critical link in an equation that results in efficient and improved trailering confidence.

A dedication to quality, capability, power and innovation may be why F-Series Super Duty commands the highest market share in demanding industries such as mining, with more than 62 percent, emergency vehicles, with 50 percent, and construction, with more than 47 percent share – according to Ford analysis of IHS Markit TIPNet U.S. registration data, January 2017 through June 2019.

Super Duty also introduces new technology to help improve towing convenience and confidence. New class-exclusive available Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes negotiating even the largest trailers into the tightest of spaces as easy as turning a dial. Following setup, drivers use a knob instead of the steering wheel to easily maneuver the trailer via the reverse camera. Trailer Reverse Guidance shows trailer angle and direction and provides steering suggestions to most efficiently direct a trailer backward. Ford is the only manufacturer to provide Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Trailer Reverse Guidance technology that accommodates all trailer types – conventional, fifth-wheel and gooseneck designs.

Because today’s work is a 24/7 proposition, keeping customers connected is essential. 2020 Super Duty is the only heavy-duty pickup to make connectivity standard with a FordPass Connect™ embedded 4G LTE modem with Wi-Fi access for up to 10 devices to keep crews in communication no matter where the job might take them. Modern touches include the addition of wireless charging for compatible mobile phones and USB-C ports to power your devices.

Standard features on XLT and above Super Duty trim levels include Lane-Keeping Alert to help you stay in your lane and Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Coverage to monitor for vehicles in blind spots – even with one next to your trailer. Also standard on XLT and above is Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking to alert you of potential collisions with vehicles in your path. Should an accident occur, class-exclusive second-row seat belt pretensioners, standard on all Super Duty models, are activated.

2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty is proudly built at Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, and Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Ohio. Trucks start shipping to dealers by year-end.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 194,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

9/27/19

Quality Modular Rack For Pickups by Rack-it


Gary gives us a tour of their modular truck rack system. These racks have the same high quality as Rack-it's famous fully welded versions. This is the standard version and all of their racks are made truck-specific so that it is designed for your truck. See more at http://www.rackitinc.com

9/25/19

StabiliGrip - Dimensionally Stable Rigid Floor


Where durability and safety matter most.
Protecting operators and cargo of the hardest-working fleets and helping increase their productivity by having a reliable anti-slip rigid floor. In this video you will learn more about StabiliGrip - the industry's only dimensionally-stable rigid floor. Learn more here: https://blog.legendfleet.com/products...

9/23/19

Ranger Design Van Accessories - Vehicle Security


For long term profitability, make sure your van is always well-protected and well-kept. Have your most expensive equipment locked away out of sight, and take other protective measures to help prevent theft. By keeping your vehicle burglar-free and in good condition, you can improve the resale value for the future.

9/21/19

Compare 2019 Nissan Titan With the 2019 Ford F-150 | Head to Head | Ford


Thinking about buying a 2019 Nissan Titan? Compare it with 2019 Ford F-150 with best-in-class towing, best-in-class payload and Class Exclusive Pro Trailer Backup Assist™.*

*Max towing on F-150 XL SuperCrew®, 6.5' box, 3.5L Ecoboost®, 4X2 and Max Trailer Tow Pkg. Not shown. Max payload on F-150 XL Regular Cab, 8' box, 5.0L, 4X2, Heavy-Duty Payload Pkg. Not shown. Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR based on Ford segmentation.

9/17/19

DECKED Truck Bed Storage System Accessories Explained



DECKED offers a handful of accessories that can help maximize the versatility of a sliding drawer system in your truck or cargo van. In this video, I discuss every Decked add-on one by one and show you how they work. Learn more about Decked: http://decked.com



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9/15/19

Involve Your Techs With Spec'ing Work Trucks

 Store Long Items

Many business owners or fleet and equipment managers cringe when the time comes to purchase new work trucks. When you don’t work out of the vehicle that is being purchased, it can be a challenge to understand the daily application and requirements. Incorrectly “spec’ing” the vehicle translates into lost ROI, safety issues and unhappy techs.

Many companies choose one extreme or the other when it comes to input from the techs that actually use the vehicle. Either the techs get little to no input on the new work trucks or the company leaves it up to the techs entirely. The best approach, for both the company and techs, is to establish a collaborative process. One that values the perspective of the technicians while taking into account the position and direction of the company. Read on to discover how.
On the side of technicians...

The work truck is the mobile office of the technician. It can also serve as the shop, break area and more. Regardless if they are HVAC techs, plumbers, or electricians, they all depend on their work truck on a daily basis. With the next work truck purchase approaching, be sure to gather this information from the techs to ensure it is set up to be efficient and safe.

  •     Thoroughly understand what is stored on the vehicle. Are there a lot of hand tools that can be found quicker if a set of mechanics drawers are provided? Do they carry a lot of hardware or small parts that warrant parts bins. Does any larger equipment (think ladders) or materials (think pipes) eat up too much space in the bed? If the tech spends 15 minutes on every jobsite just trying to locate and retrieve what they need on the vehicle, it is time to increase organization which will lead to better efficiency.
  •     Are there repetitive motions being performed that put the tech at risk of injury while on the job? For instance, are they stepping up and down on a tall bumper or lifting heavy components or equipment in and out of the bed? Items like cable steps mounted to the bumper or collapsable cargo area cranes can alleviate these dangerous repetitive motions. Without asking, you may never uncover these issues.
  •     While creature comforts in the cab may seem like just convenience to you, for the tech they may make the difference between happy on the job and feeling appreciated or hating to go to work every day. These can be as small as power windows or as big as remote start.
  •     Last, but certainly not least, are safety and security. Is the tech having rear visibility issues when reversing on a jobsite or attempting to hook up to a trailer? Are their tools and equipment commonly stolen when working in high-theft areas? Investing in rear vision cameras and enhanced security options can make a huge difference in the safety and security of the work truck.
On the side of business owners and fleet/equipment managers…

While work trucks can be a major expense, business owners and fleet managers also realize work trucks are a major contributor to revenue. However, with all businesses there are budgets to maintain. No one understands the position of the company better than a business owner or fleet manager. Be sure to take the following items into account prior to the next work truck purchases.

  •     The jobs that are being done today may change dramatically a few years down the road, depending on the growth and direction of the company and the industry. Many companies will keep work trucks in service for a long period, some for 10 years or more. Keep this in mind as the work trucks may need to transition along with the business.
  •     Cost will always be a major limiting factor with work truck purchases. While the techs may want the Cadillac, that can’t always be the outcome. Maximize the value by creating the best work truck possible with the money that has been allocated.
  •     Maintenance costs can drain the ROI directly out of a work truck. Spec a work truck that has a solid reputation of reliability and performance. Sometimes, the best place to obtain this info is from other business owners or fleet managers.

Remember, take into account both sides of the coin in order to produce the best possible work truck.

Source:  https://www.knapheide.com/news/blog/2018/05/involve-your-techs-with-specing-work-trucks


9/13/19

All-Electric F-150 Prototype

All-Electric F-150 Prototype

An all-electric Ford F-150 prototype during a capability test. The battery-powered truck successfully towed more than 1.25 million pounds of rail cars and trucks during the test.

9/11/19

7 Tips for Sharing the Road with Semi-trucks

Vehicles and semi-trucks driving on an interstate

Driving near large trucks

Did you know 75 percent of commercial vehicle accidents are caused by drivers in passenger cars? While actions like distracted driving certainly play a role in some of these cases, there are likely multiple occasions that happen simply because drivers don’t understand how to safely maneuver around large vehicles.
Though sharing the road with semis is a daily task, not all motorists understand the limitations of a semi — mainly wide turning radiuses, slow stopping times and large blind spots. To help educate the general public on safe driving techniques, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) started a highway safety program called Share the Road. Using some of the ATA tips and our own, we’ve compiled a list of driving habits that will help make the road a safer place.

Seven tips for motorists sharing roads with semis

Roadway safety is the responsibility of all drivers, but you can take certain steps to ensure you’re doing your part. When driving near or around a semi-truck, be sure to:
  1. Drive defensively
    Operating a vehicle probably comes second nature to you. But, no matter how comfortable or skilled you are behind the wheel, it’s important to remain alert at all times — especially around large trucks. Semis are bigger in size and weight, making them slower to react to avoid collisions. Pay attention to vehicle locations, traffic flow, vehicle signals and weather so you can anticipate problems and have plenty of time to safely change course if necessary.
     
  2. Keep a safe distance
    Driving close to a semi puts you at greater risk for being hurt by sudden stops, tire blowouts or roll overs caused by strong wind. So, whether you’re behind, in front or beside a large truck, leave plenty of space for merging, swerving and maneuvering. It’s best practice to keep at least a four-second following distance between you and the trailer in case of a sudden stop.
  1. Avoid blind spots
    The right side of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is the largest blind spot for a truck driver — sometimes blocking their view for three or more lanes. Other areas of concern include directly in front of the cab, behind the trailer and certain zones along the driver’s side. Avoid spending time in these zones to ensure the driver can see you.
     
  2. Pass quickly
    Passenger vehicles typically travel faster than semis, so it’s not unusual to pass a lot of trucks along your route. Practice safe passing by driving closer to the shoulder rather than the truck, and speeding up instead of lingering.
     
  3. Don’t cut a large truck off
    Semis have much longer stopping distances — up to two football fields when traveling 65 mph. To prevent a rear-end collision, make sure you can see the entire front end of the truck before merging in front of it.
     
  4. Dim the bright lights
    When traveling near or past a semi, make sure your bright headlights are dimmed. Bright lights reflecting off large truck mirrors can cause two seconds or more of temporary blindness when traveling at 55 mph. The general rule of thumb is to lower your bright lights when you’re one block (or closer) behind a semi.
     
  5. Always signal
    As mentioned, trucks require more time to react to motorists stopping, turning or merging lanes. Because of this, it’s important to signal the driver at least three seconds or more before upcoming changes. This timing allows the truck driver to slow down or move over.

9/09/19

FORD Trucks at the 2019 Work Truck Show


NTEA Work Truck Show, all new Ford F600, RV chassis, E-chassis and of course 2021 F650-750. Commercial trucks chassis cabs will all the safety features of a F150.

Source: MrTruckTV

9/07/19

The Rugby Eliminator LP Dump Body - The Industry Leader in Class 3-5 bodies


The Eliminator LP Dump Body, by Rugby Manufacturing, is the industry leader in Class 3-5. Featuring a sleek, streamline style and designed for maximum durability, these units are available in 9' to 12' lengths with 12 and 17" side height options. Units come equipped with a sloped 1/4 cab shield that has a slotted viewing window. A lower mounting height improves the body’s overall stability. The patented EZ-LATCH™ system is also included for easy tailgate operation and maximum safety.

Other industry leading design features include:
  •     10 ga construction throughout on bodies with rigid sides, bodies with fold down sides have 12 ga sides
  •     Fully boxed and tapered dirt-shedding top rail
  •     Double-walled rigid sides with 6" vertical braces
  •     Single-walled fold down sides with 6" vertical braces
  •     Pockets for 6" side boards increase load capacity
  •     Side design includes fully boxed 45° dirt shedding top rail and a 50° sloped bottom rail for a completely self-cleaning profi le
  •     Front body's seamless one-piece design features triple bend top rails for long-term durability
  •     Stacked understructure consisting of 5" structural long members overlaid with 3" structural I-beam crossmembers spaced 16" (12" optional) apart
  •     1/4 cab shield with viewing window
  •     Full height corner posts with rear surface sloped 6° aids in tailgate closing
  •     Tailgate double walled panel design fabricated from 10 ga steel featuring fully boxed dirt-shedding top and bottom rails. Two vertical braces to provide additional strength and rigidity
Body Options
2-3 & 3-4 Yard Rigid & Fold Down Side Carbon Steel:
  •     Cabshields (1/4, 1/2, 3/4, Full) Standard and Tall
  •     7-gauge floor
  •     Cross sills on 12" centers
  •     Understructure Options: 
    • Stacked  
    • Crossmemberless
Aluminum Side Assemblies available on 3-4 yard Fold Down Side model

Standard Features
  •     Cab Shield Posts
  •     Full depth front pillars include easily locating cut-out for fast installation of cab shield insert. Makes all Eliminator LP cab shields interchangeable, helping to keep inventory low.
  •     Fold down sides feature a centrally located quick release lever that extends and retracts 3/4" pins at each end using a solid linkage member. Weight-saving aluminum fold down sides are optional on steel bodies.
  •     Low Mount Hoist
  •     The Eliminator LP's lower mounting height improves the body's overall stability. Actual mounting height 7 5/8".
  •     Rugby's patented and industry leading EZ-LATCH™ (located on each side of body) allows for easy body access. The latch system is designed for quick opening and slam lock operation with a cam action to draw-in upper tailgate pins.
Find Rugby Eliminator Accessories  and other products at:
 http://www.rugbymfg.com/light-dump-bodies/eliminator-lp.html


9/05/19

ENTREPRENEURS GOING MOBILE INSTEAD OF BRICK AND MORTAR, DRIVING BOOM IN AMERICA’S VAN BUSINESS


  • Ford is seeing an additional increase in sales of its Transit van – already America’s top seller – as small business owners rethink traditional models of operation with the rise of an on-demand economy
  • Transit has seen a 5.3 percent uptick in sales for fleets ranging in size from one to five vans; added connectivity, configuration options and available driver-assist features in the 2020 Transit will provide owner/operators even more reasons to go mobile
  • Businesses are adding on-site services or going exclusively mobile for the benefit of lower overhead costs and a more personalized experience
DEARBORN, Mich. August 29, 2019 – Steve McBride, executive director of Pewabic Pottery, knew the future success of this historic business couldn’t rely on foot traffic alone. To find new ways to engage with the community and increase awareness of its business, owners of the 116-year-old ceramic studio and school purchased a Ford Transit and created a traveling exhibition space with portable ceramic firing kilns that allows the artists to bring the Pewabic experience to community festivals and schools.

9/03/19

Custom Designed Welders Bodies by Harbor Truck Bodies

Harbor can custom build a Welders Body 
for each customers unique needs







It seems that there's no such thing as a standard Welder Body because every welder want something different.Harbor can custom build a Welders Body for each customers unique needs.Here's a 9' Low Pro 34" Open Top Service Body with Stainless Steel lids and with slightly raised front compartments to the standard height of 40" closed compartment style.

This also has a small sized transverse compartment with two compartments for tall gas bottles in storage, while in the main front compartment are bottle brackets and rings for short gas bottles. This also has the rear compartment cut off and an 18" work platform with V-groove on the back plus the standard 8" step bumper.

This is all mounted on a new Dodge 3500 regular cab chassis and makes for a very clean looking rig.

Let Harbor create a unique body for you! Call 800-433-9452. www.htbi.net

9/01/19

Understanding the Critical Role of the Utility in Fleet Electrification

Proper planning and engagement can aid in the smooth transition to fleet electrification.

Proper planning and engagement can aid in the smooth transition to fleet electrification.
Adding electric vehicles to your fleet is not as simple as selecting the vehicle you want and ordering it. Unlike diesel and gasoline powered vehicles, you can’t just pull into a truck stop and plug in your EV to recharge the battery. At least not yet.

But don’t let this scare you off from considering bringing electric vehicles into your operation. Proper planning will help you have a smooth transition to a hybrid or electrified fleet. Even if you’re not an expert on charging infrastructure or fleet electrification, there are resources at your disposal: a local utility can provide helpful guidance and it’s quite likely they already have experience assisting other fleets with electrification efforts.

Engage Your Utility First
When it comes to electricity, rates can fluctuate up to 200% in a given day depending on when and how quickly it’s used. To put things in perspective: imagine if the price of oil varies based on when and how fast you filled the tank. Think how difficult it would be to plan and budget properly.
The 3,300 electric utilities in the U.S. have varying tariffs structures, peak demand rates, time of use charges, etc.; all of which impact what you will be paying to charge your vehicles. Therefore, it is imperative that you work with your local utility and not rely on general information about needed electric charging infrastructure, rates, etc.

So before you even place an order for an electric vehicle, you first want to speak with your electric utility company. They can not only give you information on your current electrical , but can also tell you about special, local funding opportunities that might be available to defray costs. They can assist with everything from your substation to your transformer through to your meter.

Each case is unique and should be dealt with on an individual basis by working in tandem with partners and utility company staff.

Utility as Consultant
Fleet managers also need to determine exactly what their operational needs are going to be, and how charging will fit into this. How many EVs are you planning to add to the fleet? Will they all need to be fully charged at the end of each day? Will they all be charging at the same time of day or will they be returning to the yard at different times and therefore charging throughout the day?

Here again you can bring in a utility partner or specialist consultant to help you model multiple charging scenarios. They can also help you build out an infrastructure that is capable of handling additional charging stations in the future as you bring more EVs into your fleet. When it comes to retrofitting your facility, your energy provider can advise if electrical upgrades may be necessary to accommodate your specific needs.

Now is when you should start thinking about ongoing energy management. This is an area that is often overlooked, but failure to think through how to manage energy and avoid demand charges could result in costly surprises on your energy bills month after month.
Bring up the discussion on load management and best ways to fuel your electric fleet early. Only at this point should you begin constructing the infrastructure and installing the charging equipment.

Don’t Underestimate Planning
In its Guidance Report, Amping Up: Charging Infrastructure for Electric Trucks, The North American Council for Freight Efficiency found that, “Because of the nature of EV charging infrastructure, utilities will need to be involved in the planning and implementation processes as partners, and because they are subject to much regulation and government bureaucracy, it’s best to engage them early, as planning and permitting can take over a year.”

In addition, the report found, “Planning and permitting for charging infrastructure can be very time-intensive process.” This means you need to begin the process well before you take possession of your first electric vehicle. NACFE advises that “infrastructure planning, negotiating, funding, permitting, installation, and certification can take much longer than procuring the [vehicle] itself.”

While different from diesel and gasoline powered vehicles, there is no need to shy away from electric vehicles. With some careful, early planning you can seamlessly integrate them into your current operation.

Muffi Ghadiali is founder and CEO of Electriphi Inc., a developer of EV fleet and energy management solutions. Electriphi offers a planning tool to help fleets begin to electrify their fleets.

Source:  https://www.greenfleetmagazine.com/338418/understanding-the-critical-role-of-the-utility-in-fleet-electrification

 by Muffi Ghadiali Share with FacebookShare with TwitterShare with LinkedInShare by Email
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Originally posted on Fleet Forward