Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024:
Great Dane dry vans recalled
Great Dane Trailers is recalling approximately 225 model year 2025 Champion dry van trailers in which missing kingpin welds may prevent the upper coupler from securely connecting the trailer.
An insecure connect may allow the trailer to detach from the tow vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, Great Dane determined some of the trailers were equipped with hot dipped galvanized upper couplers which were missing welds to the kingpin.
Great Dane will inspect and replace the upper couplers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Feb. 7, 2025. Owners can contact Great Dane customer service at 877-369-3493. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-922.
Strong rates gain a week ahead of Christmas | Spot rates were up most for dry vans, fairly typical the week preceding Christmas. That's according to the weekly spot market snapshot from the Truckstop load board service and FTR Transportation Intelligence. The national-average rate "rose by the most since early October’s hurricane-related stress," FTR/Truckstop reported. "Dry van’s gain basically matched its increase then. Refrigerated spot rates also were strong but have seen a couple of slightly larger gains since mid-October." Flatbed rates were up slightly, gaining back about the same amount they lost last week, though volumes were strong by year-over-year comparisons.Truckstop/FTR
Driver recognized for helping injured trucker
The Truckload Carriers Association has named ABF Freight truck driver Brian Sims, from West Milton, Ohio, a Highway Angel for stopping to help an injured trucker when he was struck in the head while working on his trailer.
Brian Sims
“I saw him and thought, ‘what the heck is this guy doing?’” Sims said.
When the pins released suddenly, the trailer violently lurched downward, struck the driver in the head and knocked him out.
“The trailer comes down and knocks him out cold in the middle of the street,” Sims said. “I thought he was dead -- he went completely limp and out on the ground.”
Along with a few other witnesses, Sims pulled up and exited his truck to check on the man. The unconscious man had a large, bloody gash on his forehead. Sims talked to a 911 operator and tended to the man, who regained consciousness. Just a few minutes later, before the ambulance arrived, the man decided to drive away and left the scene.
“I don’t know if he was embarrassed, but he hopped back in his truck and away he went,” Sims said. “He had blood running down the side of his head. He was a mess. I had just stopped and tried to do what’s right.”
