Trucking news and briefs for Monday, April 10, 2023:
Owner-op wins latest WIT truck giveaway
Angelique Temple, owner-operator of Virginia-based Tornado Transport LLC, won a 2018 Volvo VNL during Women in Trucking's Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event at the Mid-America Trucking Show on March 31.
WIT awarded the 2018 Volvo VNL670 pictured above, which includes a Volvo VED13 engine and a double-bunk sleeper, to Angelique Temple, owner-operator of Virginia-based Tornado Transport LLC, during WIT’s Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event March 31 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky. The truck was donated by Kansas City-based Arrow Truck Sales.
Temple has more than 20 years of experience in the trucking industry. She began her trucking career in 1999 as a hazmat driver and trainer for Oil Transport and became a hazmat driver and certified trainer for Atlantic Bulk Carrier.
In 2021, she started her own company, Tornado Transport LLC, through which she hauls dry foods, medical supplies, and most anything that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. This additional truck she was awarded will enable Temple to expand her capabilities in her business, as well as actively introducing professional truck driving opportunities to young girls at high school career days.
[Related: Hats off to 50-year trucking veteran Candy Bass]
Temple has been an active member of the WIT Image Team since 2015. She regularly grants interviews, speaks at events, and does ridealongs when needed. She was recently inducted into the Howes Hall of Fame and has been selected to be one of the new voices of safety for FMCSA’s Our Roads, Our Safety program. She also is active in her community feeding the homeless and securing Christmas gifts for local families.
“I’m still in shock that I won this truck,” Temple said. “Having this truck will expand my capabilities in my business and also will give me the ability to regularly talk with women about getting into the industry through events, my social media accounts, radio interviews, and conversations about new opportunities in trucking.”
WIT received more than 30 applications for the 2023 Truck Giveaway last fall. Qualified applicants were at least 23 years old, held a valid commercial driver’s license, and were a member of WIT. Applicants completed an application form and submitted a short essay on why it is important to attract more women into the trucking industry.
The truck package also will include enhanced features as a result of donors: Fuel-efficient tires from Michelin; a keyless entry unit from Irdeto; a year's supply of Howes Products; an extended warranty from National Truck Protection; the TND 750 GPS device from Rand McNally; six free truck washes from Blue Beacon; a one-year subscription to Drivewyze Preclear; a driver-essentials kit from Imperial Supplies; and $1,000 gift cards from Exxon Mobile and Mobil Delvac.
[Related: Why hazmat-tank veteran Angelique Temple went out on her own]
International LT, RH trucks recalled over ECM issue
Navistar is recalling approximately 770 model year 2021-'24 International LT and RH trucks, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.
The recall was issued because the engine control module (ECM) may be unresponsive to throttle pedal application, which can cause the trucks to unexpectedly slow to idle speed on the road.
Dealers will update the ECM software free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26. Owners can contact Navistar's customer service at 800-448-7825 with recall number 23509. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-220.
Great Dane van trailers recalled over wheel hubs
Great Dane Trailers is recalling approximately 562 model year 2023 Champion dry van trailers in which the wheel hubs may have an insufficient amount of lubrication, which could cause the hub bearings to fail.
Hub bearing failure could cause the wheel hub assembly to detach, causing a loss of stability and control and/or a road hazard, and likewise increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the wheel hubs and add the proper amount of lubricant as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 30. Owners can contact Great Dane customer service at 877-369-3493. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-230.
[Related: Nikola battery-electric trucks recalled over brake issue]
