Trucking news and briefs for Monday, July 13, 2020:
FMCSA extends COVID emergency hours of service exemption
Due to the ongoing national COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended the hours of service waiver through Aug. 14 for carriers providing direct assistance in support of COVID-19 relief efforts. The exemption was previously set to expire on July 14.
The waiver covers drivers hauling livestock and livestock feed; medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; and supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants.
“Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration,” FMCSA says in the declaration.
Over 160k Cascadias, small number of Volvos recalled
Daimler Trucks North America is recalling more than 160,000 Freightliner Cascadia models for an issue that could affect the trucks’ automatic braking systems, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents. Additionally, Volvo Trucks is recalling a small number of trucks for improperly labeled gross axle weight ratings (GWR).
Daimler’s recall affects approximately 164,317 model year 2017-2021 Cascadia trucks. DTNA says the single brake modulator valve may be affected by chemical corrosion, which can slow down the release timing and cause the brakes to pull to the affected side during automatic braking events.
Daimler will notify owners of affected trucks, and dealers will perform repairs for free. Owners can contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with recall number FL-855. NHTSA’s recall number is 20V-390.
The Volvo recall affects approximately 89 model year 2018-2021 VNL and VNR models in which the GAWR for the rear drive axles stated on the Federal Certification Label exceeds the actual rating of the wheel hubs.
Volvo will notify owners and send corrected replacement labels for free. Owners can contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586 with recall number RVXX2002. NHTSA’s recall number is 20V-384.
Guilty By Association Truck Show postponed to 2021
4 State Trucks owner Bryan Martin announced in a Facebook post Monday morning that the biennial Guilty By Association Truck Show that was set for Sept. 24-26 this year has been postponed to 2021.
“While working on the finishing touches of the best truck show of the year, it became evident that we were going to have to downplay several of the key events that make GBATS so fun and exciting,” the Facebook post reads. “Our main entertainer for Saturday night canceled on us last week due to COVID-19 concerns, several sponsors and longtime exhibitors were expressing concerns, and Joplin has been dubbed a [Missouri] hot spot for the virus.”
The next iteration of the event was scheduled for 2022, but 4 State Trucks will host GBATS in 2021 to make up for the missed show this year.
In lieu of the live event this year, 4 State Trucks will host a 4-hour Facebook Live event on Friday, Sept. 25. Details of the event will be announced at a later date.
GBATS 2020 Show Updatehttps://youtu.be/eyD_g2CULvsWhile working on the finishing touches of the best truck show of…
Posted by 4 State Trucks on Monday, July 13, 2020
Driver named Highway Angel for helping fellow trucker after accident at train tracks
Travis Smallwood, a Penfield, New York-based truck driver for J&R Schugel Trucking, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association for helping a driver whose truck was resting on railroad tracks after a collision.
Travis SmallwoodSmallwood was near Coal City, Illinois, one morning in January with a load bound for Georgia. As he came down a hill, he saw dust flying up ahead and knew something had happened. As he approached the scene, he noticed a car on his right and someone lying on the ground. On his left, the cab of a grain hauler was in a ditch and the trailer was on railroad tracks.
“The way the truck was positioned, he was probably northbound and the car was coming out of a side road,” Smallwood said. “I think the truck maneuvered to try to avoid the car.”
Smallwood set his four-ways and brakes, jumped out and ran over to check on the driver of the car, who said he was hurting. He grabbed a blanket from a truck, covered the man up and ran over to help the truck driver.
“The cab of the truck was mangled, just a wreck,” he recalled. “Diesel fuel was leaking from the fuel tank.”
He knocked on the window of the truck but didn’t get a response. He then opened the door and saw the driver had a cut on his forehead and was bleeding. Smallwood helped him out of the truck. Nurses who stopped to help tended to the car driver as Smallwood walked the truck driver a safe distance away.
He later learned a train was coming down the tracks but had been stopped about 20 minutes away.
For his willingness to help, TCA presented Smallwood with a certificate, patch, lapel pin and truck decals. EpicVue sponsors the TCA Highway Angel program.
Howes launches sweepstakes to celebrate 100th anniversary
Lubricants producer Howes has launched the first of two sweepstakes as part of the company’s 100th anniversary celebration. The Howes “From Our Family to Yours” sweepstakes is open to drivers who purchase any Howes product.
To enter, photograph the receipt and text it to 413-299-2020 in the U.S. or 705-410-2020 in Canada. You will then receive a link that enables you to spin the Howes Prize Wheel to see if you are an instant winner.
Hundreds of prizes will be awarded throughout the contest. Grand Prize winners get the chance to open the Howes Prize Vault, where they can choose their prize. For the first phase of the sweepstakes, prizes include an ultimate backyard makeover, a full size off road UTV, a supreme truck makeover or $5,000 in cash.
The first phase of the sweepstakes runs from July 1 through Sept. 30, and the second runs from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.
