PETERBILT DEBUTS 379X SPECIAL EDITION
Peterbilt will begin production of the 379X, a special edition of its classically styled truck, in September. The truck is trimmed with polished aluminum fenders, a polished aluminum centerline hood accent, brushed aluminum dash and sleeper accessories. It also features an oversized exhaust stack, factory-installed accessory lighting, charcoal cabinetry and trim, leather embroidered seats, a chromed Texas-style bumper, extended sun visor and chrome shift lever.
Peterbilt
www.peterbilt.com
NEW FREIGHTLINER MODELS
Freightliner Trucks has introduced a 112-inch bumper-to-back-of-cab version of its Columbia heavy-duty truck and tractor. The new model’s shorter length offers better maneuverability, visibility, payload and ease of operation for regional and bulk operations, LTL, distribution and inner city delivery applications.
The unit’s set-back front axle and up to 50-degree wheel cut offer improved maneuverability. A 12,000-pound leaf-and-a-half front suspension is standard; Freightliner’s AirLiner Rear suspension is optional. Ratings up to 52,000 pounds are available.
The Columbia 112 is powered by the Mercedes-Benz MBE4000 or Caterpillar engines, with horsepower ratings to 470. Eaton-Fuller, Meritor and Allison transmissions are available.
Freightliner also introduced two new models to its Class 5-8 Business Class M2 line. The M2 112 features a 112-inch BBC and is available in gross weight ratings to 66,000 pounds. Available as a truck or tractor, the M2 112 offers front axles rated from 12,000 pounds to 20,000 pounds and rear axles up to 46,000 pounds. Freightliner rear AirLiner suspensions and heavy-duty TufTrac suspensions with ratings of 40,000 pounds and 46,000 pounds are offered as options.
The M2 100 is a 110-inch BBC model and is available in gross weight ratings from 16,000 pounds to 26,000 pounds. It is designed for mid-range applications.
Production of the Columbia 112 and the M2 112 will begin in the third quarter of 2003.
Freightliner Trucks
www.freightliner.com
(503) 745-8000
EATON’S TWO-PEDAL AUTOMATED TRANSMISSION
Eaton launched a fully automated, two-pedal heavy-duty transmission, the Eaton Fuller UltraShift 10-speed. It is based on the Eaton Fuller 10-speed “B” ratio transmission and is offered in four torque capacities from 1,050 pounds-feet to 1,650 pounds-feet The UltraShift 10-speed allows drivers to use the transmission in full automatic mode or with manual intervention.
Key features are:
Eaton Corp.
www.roadranger.com
(616) 342-3000
WIDE-TREAD TRUCK TIRE
Toyo Tires’ wide-tread M-122 commercial truck tire is designed for local delivery and regional haul applications. Stone Ejector grooves are incorporated into the design to minimize “stone packing,” which causes damage due to cuts. A rugged sidewall helps to prevent harm from curb strikes. The casing features an all-steel, four-belt construction for an extended casing life.
Toyo Tires
www.toyo.com
STERLING EXPANDS ACTERRA SERIES
Sterling Truck Corp. is offering two new versions of its Acterra medium-duty and vocational truck.
The crew cab option will include an interior passenger compartment measuring 113 inches from the front to the rear wall inside the cab. Standard features include a full-length three-person bench seat in the rear and an air-ride suspension.
The all-wheel-drive conversion option, manufactured by Fabco Automotive Corp., is available for all Acterra 4Ă—2 versions. Conversions for 6Ă—4 trucks are expected later this year.
Sterling Truck Corp.
www.sterling-trucks.com
(440) 269-5500
STAINLESS STEEL BUMPERS
American Durabilt’s stainless steel bumpers are guaranteed not to rust, chip or peel. The bumpers shine like chrome but last much longer, the company says. The bumpers are offered in sizes that are compatible with most Peterbilt, Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack and International trucks.
American Durabilt
www.truckersbumpers.com
(866) 866-6629
WABASH INTRODUCES TRAILERS
Wabash National’s new dry van line, FreightPro, is a repackaged traditional sheet-and-post trailer design that comes with an air-ride suspension, premium brakes and corrosion-resistant DuraPlate doors. DuraPlate panels are made from a composite material, consisting of a polyethylene plastic core sandwiched between two sheets of pre-painted, high-strength galvanized steel designed to resist punctures, scrapes and corrosion.
Wabash National
www.wabashnational.com
www.wabashusedtrailers.com
(765) 772-2703
IN-CAB AIR HEATER
Webasto’s new Air Top 2000 produces 7,000 Btu per hour. It delivers up to 20 hours of heat on a single gallon of fuel, says Webasto. The unit features technology that regulates heat output, saving battery and fuel consumption. It is compact and equipped with a maintenance-free Ferro-tech burner with metal evaporator.
Webasto
www.webasto.com
NEW PRODUCTS FROM MARMON
Marmon Group subsidiaries have introduced new products, including Stabil-Air, a value-priced air suspension system manufactured by Detroit Steel Products. Stabil-Air offers exceptional ride and handling, as well as strong straight-line stability and comfort, the company says.
Fontaine International has introduced its 3000 Series, low-cost, lightweight, low-maintenance fifth wheel, and its new, Low Lube fifth wheel.
Fontaine Specialized has a new 353-WDMR low-dock-height, adjustable, removable-gooseneck trailer.
Webb Wheel offers BTS self-cleaning, cool-running brake drums for severe-service applications.
Marmon Highway Technologies
www.marmon.com
(800) 874-9780
NEW WHEEL END COMPONENTS
Consolidated Metco’s new PreSet ductile iron trailer hubs use a spacer to positively set the bearing clearance. The hub and its components are precisely machined to exacting tolerance, including higher-precision bearings. The optimum bearing setting is guaranteed and retained for the serviceable life of the hub assembly. The company says with periodic inspections, service intervals can extend up to 500,000 miles.
Consolidated Metco
www.conmet.com
(800) 547-9473
NEW ODOR CONTROL DEVICE OFFERED
Hi-Tach’s odor control product for truck cabs, Fleet Sweet, does not mask odors, but removes them completely from surfaces and the air, the company says. Fleet Sweet is available at truck stops and dealerships.
Hi-Tach Oil Co.
www.hi-tach.com
(800) 572-4556
TELEFLEX INTRODUCES IMPROVED POWER UNIT
Teleflex has released a new, streamlined edition of its Proheat auxiliary power unit. The Proheat Gen4 has tapered corners to fit under current fairings. Two removable panels allow for easy access to service components, and larger-capacity air and fuel filters extend service intervals to 600 hours. The oil change interval has been increased to 400 hours. Teleflex has reduced the noise level of the APU by five decibels and included an illuminated touch pad control panel for controlling the sleeper environment. The Proheat Gen4 costs about $6,500.
Teleflex
www.proheat.com
(800) 667-4328
WESTERN STAR’S ROOMY NEW SLEEPER
Western Star’s new Stratosphere Star Light Sleeper, an 82-inch walk-through sleeper, offers stand-up room and a flat floor throughout the cab and sleeper. Its design allows for installation of roof-mounted air horns and marker lights.
The Stratosphere is available on all Western Star 4900 models, including the EX, FA and SA. Four bunk configurations are available, including an optional dinette sleeper seating package.
Western Star Trucks
www.westernstartrucks.com
(440) 269-5500
ARVINMERITOR EXPANDS DISC BRAKE LINE
ArvinMeritor expanded its DiscPlus air disc brakes family to include two EX225 models for a wide variety of heavy-duty truck, specialty vehicle and trailer applications. The new models will be available in October.
The new air disc brake will be offered in two configurations: the EX225L, a lightweight brake for linehaul applications, and the EX225H, for heavier duty applications, such as coaches and fire trucks.
The EX225 series air disc brakes feature a modular sliding caliper design, which installs in 22.5-inch wheel envelopes. The brakes also feature internal automatic adjustment for pad wear, sealed synchronized twin pistons and enhanced sealing of slide pins for environmental protection.
ArvinMeritor
www.arvinmeritor.com
(248) 435-1000
