Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020:
More than 8,000 Freightliner, Western Star trucks included in two recalls
Two separate recalls announced by Daimler affect approximately 8,206 Freightliner and Western Star trucks from the 2018-2021 model years, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.
The largest of the two recalls includes approximately 6,795 trucks and is due to an internal component in the clutch assembly that may fail, which could cause the truck to move unexpectedly. Models included in this recall include:
- 2018-2019 Freightliner 108SD
- 2018-2019 Freightliner 114SD
- 2018-2019 Freightliner 122SD
- 2018-2019 Freightliner Business Class M2
- 2018-2019 Freightliner Cascadia
- 2018-2019 Western Star 4700
- 2018-2019 Western Star 4900
- 2018-2019 Western Star 5700
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will update the software and replace the clutches, free of charge. Owners can contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with recall number FL-865. NHTSA’s recall number is 20V-642.
The other recall affects approximately 1,411 model year 2020-2021 Freightliner Cascadia, 2021 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD and Business Class M2 and Western Star 4700, 4900 and 5700 trucks. In the affected trucks, the steer axle spindle nut snap-ring locking feature may be incorrectly installed or missing from the left spindle nut at the spindle, which could result in a wheel-end failure and potentially a wheel-off/separation incident.
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hub cap plug, and reinstall or replace of the snap-ring as needed, free of charge. Owners can contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with recall number FL-866. NHTSA’s recall number is 20V-660.
Kentucky fleet increases pay for drivers
CoreTrans, a 150-truck fleet based in Somerset, Kentucky, recently announced a new pay program for drivers that allows them to earn up to 53 cents per mile, as well as added home time options.
Under the new pay plan, drivers can receive anywhere from 47-53 cents per mile based on their years of experience while team drivers can earn 71 cents per mile. CoreTrans still offers weekly home time, but drivers will now have the option of a 12-2 schedule, which gives them 48 weekend hours off after every 12 days of working. New drivers to CoreTrans will also be eligible for the company’s $5,000 sign-on bonus, which pays out during the driver’s first nine months of employment.
In addition to the new pay, CoreTrans offers $500 paid orientation; health, dental, vision, and life insurances; 401k and paid vacation; 100% no-touch freight; no forced dispatch to New York City; and pet and rider policies. Drivers can also increase their income with the company’s $3,500 referral bonus and .5 cpm raises every six months with no cap.
Stevens Transport raises driver pay
Dallas, Texas-based Stevens Transport is raising driver pay across all divisions, effective Nov. 16. The company says the raise is by as much as 14% in its dedicated, OTR, regional and team divisions.
Starting pay under the new pay plan in the OTR division could be up to 54 cents per mile, depending on the driver’s experience. Drivers in the dedicated division can top out at 62 cpm depending on division and experience. Regional drivers earn up to 55 cpm under the new pay scale, and teams in the expedited division can start as high as 56 cpm.
New Illinois Love’s adds 85 truck parking spaces
A new Love’s Travel Stops location in Tuscola, Illinois, off of I-57, adds 85 truck parking spaces to the region. The Tuscola store is the 24th Love’s in Illinois.
The location also offers a Hardee’s restaurant, eight diesel bays, seven showers, Love’s Truck Care with on-site Speedco and more.
