Truck News November 2013 by Annex Business Media

November 2013 Volume 33, Issue 11 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com

A natural progression Bison, Robert give honest accounts of experiences with natural gas

the right to lead the convoy. Just as impressive as the funds raised, was the spirit of the event itself. Drivers not only decked their rigs out in pink, many wore pink themselves, including some brave men who even styled pink tutus. Joanne Ritchie, executive director of the Owner-Operators’

By James Menzies TORONTO, Ont. – Representatives from two of Canada’s most experienced liquefied natural gas (LNG) truck fleets opened up about their experiences with the technology during a candid conversation at the first annual Natural Gas Vehicle Infrastructure Canada conference. Both Trevor Fridfinnson, senior vice-president with Bison Transport, and Yves Maurais, engineering manager with Robert Transport, were refreshingly honest when discussing how well, or not, LNG trucks have worked for them. Robert currently runs 115 LNG Peterbilts and is two years into its project, while Bison deployed 15 LNG Petes early this year and is approaching its first million miles. Bison is running its LNG trucks in its long combination vehicle (LCV) fleet between Calgary and Edmonton. When the project was launched, the company envisioned a two-year payback. Fridfinnson now acknowledges that won’t happen. “It’s not going to be possible to hit that timeline,” Fridfinnson said. “Where it ends up, I think that remains to be seen because we think there are further efficiencies that

Continued on page 16

Continued on page 24

head-turner: This Kenworth was one of more than 80 trucks that took part in this year’s Trucking for a Cure convoy, which raised more than $50,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Photo by James Menzies

Trucks don pink for Ontario convoy By James Menzies WOODSTOCK, Ont. – On Oct. 5, more than 80 pinked-out trucks gathered at the TA Travel Centre in Woodstock, where they formed a convoy that would travel along Hwy. 401 in a headturning display of solidarity against breast cancer. When all the loonies were counted, more than $50,000 had been

collected for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The Trucking for a Cure convoy invites drivers of any gender to participate. They just have to bring a minimum pledge of $75 to the table, but most go well beyond that. The top fundraisers, representing Superior Propane, raked in $4,360 between the two trucks that subsequently earned

Keeping his cool

Inside This Issue...

• He’s the champ: It’s been an eventful year for the National This ice cream hauler travelled Truck Driving Champion. First he lost his job, then he got a the world to find a cooler solution new one and now he’s Canada’s best. Page 32 • Bright ideas:

Tips on maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing lighting systems. Page 38

• A smaller diesel: In one of its biggest new product investments,

Cummins has announced it is introducing a 5.0L V8 diesel engine for light and medium truck applications. Page 58

• The Truxpo Gambit:

Mark Dalton looks forward to a truck show, till he realizes he’s the one being sought. Page 68

Our mufflers are stronger, last longer and save you $$$! See our ad page 64 905-795-2838

Pages 40-41

To view List of Advertisers visit us at www.trucknews.com

Careers 40-59

Ad Index 65 PM40069240

pg 1, 16, 24-25 tn nov v3.indd 1

13-10-15 2:37 PM

Bleed Size: 22 x 16.75” Close Date: 10/10/2013

App: InDesign CS6 Colors: 4cp

Competitive financing available through Daim i ler Truck Financ na a ial. i l For o the th Fre Freightliner Trucks ck dea cks aler er nea ne rest near e you, cal ca l 11-80080000 FTLFTL-HELP HELP H E . www.fr f eigh igh htlinertrucks ks.com. .com com. FTL/MC-A-1297. F FT 297 Spe S cificati cati cat atitionss are are subj ar subject sub ect ec c tto chang ang nge e wiithou ut notic tice ice. Co righ Copy ht © 2013 2 . Daimler Trucks North America LLC. All righ hts reser eserved. ved. d Fre F ight Fr g line in ine n rT Truckss is a divisi divvisi d is on n of Da aimle imlerr Trucks Trucks uck Nor o th America A LLC, LC, a D Daimlerr c compan mpany. mp y.

Freightliner.indd 2 13145_FTC8529-YourCSAScore_TruckNews.indd 1

13-10-04 11:54 AM

There’s a lot of discussion around how a CSA score can affect your livelihood, as well as what you can do to maintain or improve your score. Which is why the pros at TeamRunSmart.com provide helpful advice on a wide variety of business topics, including CSA scores, and how things like inspections and insurance can impact your number. Join our online community today. We’ll help keep you running smart.

SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE AT TEAMRUNSMART.COM

Freightliner.indd 3

13-10-10 11:41 AM 9/18/13 12:15 PM

Page 4 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

Monthly Class 8 Sales – Aug 13 The 2,252 trucks sold in August, although a strong total, were more than 250 behind last year’s pace. That has been the trend for the entire year so far: good, but not as good as the previous year or on pace with the best years in truck sales. Every OEM, with the exception of Peterbilt and Volvo, posted lower figures than the previous year. Going back to 1999, there were only 7 years with better sales results in June. The sales total for the month is also more than 400 above the five-year average.

OEM

This Month

Last Year

Freightliner

502

675

International

308

394

Kenworth

395

428

Mack

179

209

Peterbilt

366

335

Volvo

351

271

Western Star TOTALS

Historical Comparison – Aug 13 Sales

151

205

2252

2517

Historical Comparison – YTD Aug 13 Class 8 Sales (YTD Aug 13) by Province and OEM OEM

ALTA

SASK

MAN

ONT

QUE

PEI

CDA

Freightliner

389

569

144

268

2,146

772

249

4,649

Kenworth

545

1,162

342

560

577

3,364

Mack

115

242

119

576

245

1,476

International

109

461

109

1,124

528

2,545

Peterbilt

370

884

202

157

418

377

122

2,576

Volvo

253

153

142

926

511

2,230

Western Star TOTALS

237

503

273

306

1,553

2,018

3,974

1,003

867

6,023

3,316

733

334

18,393

YTD Class 8 sales of 18,393 units places 2013 more than 2,000 trucks behind last year’s pace but also more than 3,500 above the five-year average. So far this is the 7th best year in sales going back to 1999 but slippage is occurring. We don’t expect a particularly strong second half of the year. Our revised estimate is for Class 8 sales to come in around 28,500 vehicles in 2013.

3,200 2,800 2,400 2,000 1,600 1,200 800 400 0 Sales

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

2,392

2,575

2,411

2,326

1,916

1,808

2,442

2,669

2,721

2,346

2.239

2,252

company product

company product A

company product

company product A

Class 8 sales have come in above 2,000, reminiscent of the industry’s capacity boom years of 2005 to 2007, for six straight months now. The three-month trend towards increased sales figures month over month came to an end in July but August showed improvement again. The big question was whether sales would hold up over the summer months and they have. Next question now is how they will hold up the rest of 2013.

Chevron Global Lubricants CS6.indd 4

Freightliner, last year’s Canadian market leader, is solidly in control of the market share lead with more than a quarter of Canadian Class 8 truck sales. Kenworth finished 2012 in the number two spot for market share and there it still sits with an 18% market share. Navistar International finished the year with 15% market share and is now in a dead heat with Peterbilt with a 14% share of the Canadian Class 8 market. Volvo is the only other OE with a market share above 10%.

Source: Canadian Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association

Market Share Class 8 – Aug 13 YTD

12-Month Sales Trends

Go with Delo and you’ve got a partner all the way.

13-10-11 10:23 AM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 5

www.glasvangreatdane.com 1.888.GLASVAN (452.7826)

November 2013, Volume 33, Issue 11

ISSN 0712-2683 (Print) ISSN 1923-3523 (Online) Truck News, USPS 016-248 is published monthly by BIG Magazines LP., a div. of Glacier BIG Holdings Company Ltd. U.S. office of publication: 2424 Niagara Falls Blvd, Niagara Falls, NY 14304-5709. Periodicals Postage Paid at Niagara Falls, NY. U.S. Postmaster send address corrections to: Truck News, P.O. Box 1118, Niagara Falls, NY 14304. Truck News is published 12 times a year by BIG Magazines LP, a leading Canadian information company with interests in daily and community newspapers and business-to-business information services. Creative Directors: Carolyn Brimer, Beverley Richards Circulation Manager: Mary Garufi V.P. Publishing: Alex Papanou President: Bruce Creighton

When you need more than just a box, go for the whole package.

Advertising Sales

Inquiries: Kathy Penner (416) 510-6892 NEW GREAT DANE 53’ HIGH CUBE REEFERS 53’, Hendrickson Air Ride, 11 R 22.5 Tires on Aluminum Wheels, Stainless Front & Rear, Duct and Flat Aluminum Floors, Logistic Track, LED Lights, Single Temp, Dual Temps, Tridems & Full Stainless Models available. Thermo King or Carrier units.

NEW GREAT DANE 53’ COMBO FLATDECKS 53’, Tandem & Tridem Air Rides, 22.5 Tires, Aluminum Outer Wheels, Toolboxes, Winches & Straps, Aluminum Floors with Chain Tie Downs, Optional Sliding Tarp Systems In Stock, Ready To Go.

NEW GREAT DANE 53’ HIGH CUBE DRY VANS 53’, Hendrickson Air Ride, High Cube Interiors, We have the model to fit your needs. Choice of Interior Lining: Plywood, Damage Proof SSL, High Impact Polyethylene or Composite Plate Walls with Logistics Posts on 16”, 24” or 48” centres. Buy the trailer that’s right for you!!!

NEW GREAT DANE 53’ ROLL UP DOOR REEFERS 53’, Tandem Air Ride, 22.5 Tires, Aluminum Outer Wheels, Insulated Roll Up Rear Door, Heavy Duty Flat Aluminum Floor, Heavy Duty Scuff Liner and Exterior Rub Rail. Ready to install a Thermo King or Carrier unit.

NEW GREAT DANE TRIDEM REEFERS 53’, Tridem Air Ride with 72”/72” Axle Spreads, 11 R 22.5 Tires, Steel Wheels, Stainless Steel Swing Rear Doors, HD Flat Aluminum Floor, PunctureGuard Interior Lining with Logistic Track, CorroGuard Anti-Corrosion Coating, Thermo King SB-230 Units

NEW ETNYRE “FALCON” LIVE BOTTOM TRAILERS SPIF Tri-Axle and Quad-Axles Available, Extra wide 42” Belt with Speed Control and Optional Reversing Feature, Cross-Slat Free design with Heavy Duty 100,000lb Chain System, Full Weather Proof Tarps, Steeper Bin Walls for less product bridging. Heavy Duty, Reliable Design.

Kathy Penner

Lou Smyrlis Publisher

Associate Publisher

lou@TransportationMedia.ca

kpenner@trucknews.com

(416) 510-6881

Brenda Grant

National Account Sales

(416) 494-3333

brendacgrant@bell.net

Doug Copeland

Regional Account Manager

(416) 510-6892

Don Besler

National Account Sales Manager

(416) 699-6966

donbesleris@rogers.com

Laura Moffatt Research Director

(905) 715-9511

dcopeland@trucknews.com

Editorial

NEW AUTOCAR “XSPOTTER” SHUNT TRUCKS Road Legal and Non-DPF Off Road Units, Cummins Diesel and CNG Engines, Automatic Transmissions, Single Axle and Tandem Axles up to 44,000 lb rating available, 100,000 lbs. Hydraulic 5th Wheels, Extra Large 78” High Cab, Full Driver Comfort, Safety and Harsh Climate Packages. Ask us about CNG Trucks Today!!

NEW EQUIPMENT SALES TEAM:

NEW LANDOLL 455 TILT DECK TRAILERS 53’, Tridem Air Ride, 17.5 Tires on Aluminum Outer Wheels, 55 Ton Capacity, 20,000-30,000 lbs winches available, Wireless Remote Control, Side Mounted D-Rings, Container Package Available, Galvanized and Powder Coated finishes In Stock.

NEW CHAPARRAL 53’ TRIDEM DEEP DROP 53’, Tridem Air Ride, Aluminum Wheels, 35” Deck Height, Lightweight All Aluminum Design, Heavy Duty Drop Neck, Wide Load Lights, Chain Hooks, 14 Winches, Only 12,520 lbs!!!

Adam Stevens | Tom Pepper | Greg Pepper l Jason Dutton l Mike Hignett

USED EQUIPMENT SALES

MIKE HIGNETT T 905.625.5843 | mhignett@glasvangreatdane.com

(3) 2006 TRAILMOBILE 53’ DRY VANS

2009 GREAT DANE 53’ TRIDEM REEFER

(3) 2006 GREAT DANE 53’ DRY VANS

53’, Tandem Air Ride, 22.5 Tires, Swing Rear Doors, Galvanized Rear Door Frames, Aluminum Roof, Plastic Lined Interior with Logistic Posts, As Is or Safety Certified.

53’, Tridem 72” Air Ride, 22.5 Tires, Aluminum Wheels, Stainless Steel Swing Doors, Aluminum Duct Floor, PunctureGuard Interior Lining with Logistic Track, Refurbished ThermoKing SB-III “King of the Road” Reefer Unit.

53’, Tandem Air Ride, 11 R 22.5 Tires, Steel Disc Wheels, Swing Rear Doors, Aluminum Roof, Logistic Post Interior, HD Scuff Liner, Safety Certified.

2002 GREAT DANE 53’ HIGH CUBE REEFER

2007 CAPACITY HEAVY DUTY SHUNT

53’, Tandem Air Ride, 11 R 22.5 Tires, Swing Rear Doors, Aluminum Duct Floor, High Cube Interior, Carrier Ultra unit with only 10,800 hours. Reefer Serviced and Trailer Certified.

Cummins 215HP Engine (No DPF), Automatic Transmission, Heavy Duty 42,000# Rear Axle, 100,000 lb Hydraulic Fifthwheel, Dura-Ride Suspension, Automatic Greasing System, Road Legal, Only 11,000 Hours, Well Maintained.

(4) 2009 CAPACITY SHUNT TRUCKS

2008 GREAT DANE 48’ SPIF QUAD AXLE VAN

2008 GREAT DANE 53’ HIGH SPEC DRY VAN

Off-Road models in stock, Cummins diesel engines, Allison automatic transmissions, 100,000 Hydraulic Lifting 5th Wheels, Dura-Ride Rear Suspension, Automatic Greasing Systems, Just in from long term Full Maintenance Leases, Excellent Condition.

48’, SPIF Compliant Quad Axle Air Ride, 11 R 22.5 Tires, Aluminum Wheels, Swing Rear Doors, Aluminum Roof, Logistic Post Interior, HD Scuff Liner, Safety Certified.

53’, Tandem Air Ride, 11 R 22.5 Tires on Aluminum Wheels, Stainless Steel Front & Rear, LED Light Package, Logistic Post Interior, 110” Inside Height, ETR Roof with full length protectors, Excellent Condition.

Inquiries: James Menzies (416) 510-6896

Daniela Piteo

Julia Kuzeljevich

Assistant Editor

Contributing Editor

dpiteo@ trucknews.com

julia@ TransportationMedia.ca

John G. Smith

Brad Ling

(416) 510-6890

Technical Correspondent wordsmithmedia@rogers.com

(416) 510-6880

Video Production Manager

Subscription inquiries

2006 GREAT DANE 48’ DUAL TEMP REEFER 48’, Tandem Air Ride, 22.5 Tires on Aluminum Wheels, Fenders, Stainless Front & Rear, Swing Doors, Broker LED Light Package, Duct Floor, Interior Logistic Track, Thermo King Spectrum SB Dual Temp Reefer. 2009 Great Dane 49’6” Also Available.

Anita Singh (416) 442-5600 (Ext. 3553) From time to time, we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or services may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact our privacy officer via one of the following methods: Phone: 1-800-668-2374 Fax: (416) 442-2191 E-mail: jhunter@bizinfogroup.ca Mail: Privacy Officer. Business Information Group, 80 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto, ON M3B 2S9 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT: TRUCK NEWS, 80 VALLEYBROOK DRIVE, TORONTO, ON M3B 2S9 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40069240

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

pg 5 tn nov v3.indd 5

1.888.GLASVAN (452.7826) NEW EQUIPMENT 905.625.8441

www.glasvangreatdane.com

USED EQUIPMENT 905.625.5843

MISSISSAUGA

PARTS 905.625.8812

SERVICE 905.625.8448

WHITBY

ALLISTON

PUTNAM

Sales, Parts, Repair Centre 1201 Aimco Blvd. Mississauga, Ontario L4W 1B3

Truck Centre 5151 Everest Dr. Unit 7 & 8 Mississauga, Ontario L4W 2Z3

Parts & Repair Centre 1025 Hopkins Street Whitby, Ontario L1N 2C2

Parts & Repair Centre 4917 C.W. Leach Road Alliston, Ontario L9R 2B1

Parts & Repair Centre 3378 Putnam Road RR #1 Putnam, Ontario N0L 1B0

T 905.625.8441 F 905.625.9787

T 905.625.8441 F 905.629.4911

T 905.430.1262 F 905.430.0914

T 705.434.1423 F 905.434.0125

T 519.269.9970 F 519.269.3327

13-10-11 2:17 PM

Page 6 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

Remote diagnostics is the real deal Editorial Comment James Menzies

nearest dealership. Quite often, this really wasn’t necessary, as the problem that triggered the fault light could have been addressed when the truck returned to the shop or during its next scheduled service interval. Think about that for a second: 80% of the time a truck was taken out of service for a Check Engine light, it could’ve continued on its way uninterrupted. If the problem does require an immediate fix, the operator is advised by phone or e-mail of the most appropriate course of action. This is very useful technology, and a variation of remote diagnostics is now being offered on Detroit and Volvo engines, with Mack the latest to join the club. Mack earlier this month announced the release of GuardDog Connect, which monitors some 30 engine and aftertreatment fault codes, providing the truck owner or driver with useful advice when any one of these fault codes triggers a light on the dash. The Mack and Volvo programs can

Fuel surcharges: Is there a better way?

Which carriers are most likely to buy used? The high price of new Class 8 trucks combined with still stagnant rate increases is leaving Canada’s small for-hire carriers hard pressed to renew their fleets. Is buying used a viable alternative? Eight in 10 Canadian for-hire carriers have purchased used trucks before, so it’s a common practice industry wide, our annual Equipment Buying Trends Survey indicates. Differences in used truck purchasing strategies, however, are revealed when we examine for-hire

Lou Smyrlis

the surcharge formula mechanisms and how they are applied. For example, a Shipper Pulse Survey conducted by the Canadian Industrial Transportation Association in partnership with us back in 2012 found that only 69% of shippers agreed with the statement “Fuel surcharges are necessary as long as fuel costs continue to be highly volatile.” That should raise concerns among carriers who need surcharges to keep their fuel costs in check. Of even greater concern should be the fact that only 46% of shippers believed that carriers were generally

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

CAN YOU GET USED TO IT?

20%

80%

client integration and development, Wheels Group; Roger McKnight, senior petroleum analyst, En-Pro International. We are going to look at where diesel pricing is headed; explain how surcharges should work from both the carrier and shipper points of view; and debate what is the best way forward. It’s going to be an engaging and informative session and I hope to see you there. USED TRUCK(S) this And PURCHASING while you’re considering REMAINDER OF YEAR session, take a moment to look at all the other sessions planned for Reposition 2013. YES I think this is the most information (and fun) packed conference CITT has ever put together. All the information is available at www.citt.ca. n

14%

– Lou Smyrlis can be reached by phone at (416) 5106881 or by NO e-mail at lou @Transportation Media.ca. You can also follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/LouSmyrlis.

86%

Probing for-hire carrier

fleets by size. While thaniron three appetites forless used quarters of large for-hire carriers Small fleetsused are hard pressed to have purchased trucks in the purchase new trucks due to past, 100% of small carriers rehightopurchase pricing. Is buying sponding our survey have done used a viable alternative? Eight so and 18% expect to add some in 10 Canadian for-hire carriused iron to their fleet before the purchased year is ers out,have again higher used thantrucks largbefore, so it’s a common pracer carriers. tice industry wide, our annual Our survey also examined which Buyingpurchasing Trends SurfactorsEquipment are key when vey indicates. Differences in used trucks. The age and mileage used truck purchasing strategies, is an obvious top consideration. however, are revealed when we Other top considerations include examine for-hire fleets by size. GVW/load capacity, availability of While less thanhistory three quarters parts, horsepower, of the of large for-hire carriers have truck and type of transmission. purchased used trucks in the Speaking of transmissions, while past, 100% of small carriers the manual 18-speed still ranks reas sponding our survey have the most popularto option, followed done so and 18% expect to add by the manual 13-speed, automatsome used iron to their fleet beics are preferred by almost a fifth fore the year is out. of the carriers responding to our survey. n

PURCHASED USED TRUCKS BEFORE BY SIZE OF CARRIER

PURCHASING USED TRUCKS REMAINDER OF YEAR BY SIZE OF CARRIER

Small for-hire carriers

100%

18%

Medium for-hire carriers

80%

14%

Large for-hire carriers

72%

14%

All for-hire carriers

14%

5 4.5

4.5

44%

5 4.5

pg 6 tn nov v3.indd 6

4.5

KEY FACTORS CONSIDERED WHEN PURCHASING USED TRUCKS

Did you know?

The view with Lou

applying fuel surcharges correctly while 61% believed “fuel surcharges are a way for carriers to squeeze additional revenues from their customers and improve their profits.” It makes me wonder, are fuel surcharge formulas understood as well as they should be? Is there a better way forward? To find out, I’m leading a panel discussion on the issue at PURCHASED USED the upcoming CITT Reposition NaTRUCKS BEFORE tional Conference in Toronto, Nov. 3-5 (the fuel surcharge session is on the 4th). NOof indusI’ve got a great bunch try experts on the panel: Ginnie Venslovaitis, CITT, director, transportation operations, Hudson’s Bay Company; Jeff Bryan, president and CEO, JeffYES Bryan Transport Ltd., and chairman, Ontario Trucking Association; Mark Lerner, assistant vice president, domestic intermodal, CN; Richard Patenaude, director,

– James Menzies can be reached by phone at (416) 510-6896 or by e-mail at jmenzies@trucknews.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/JamesMenzies.

4.5

Researching and writing about fuel prices and their impact on transportation costs since fuel prices initially started to spike back in the late 90s, I’ve come to realize – despite what some fuel experts will tell you – the only truly predictable thing about fuel pricing is its volatility and unpredictability. And the resulting impact on transportation buyers and providers who don’t take measures to protect themselves can be substantial. Fuel surcharges have become a staple of the transportation industry but I’m hearing a lot of grumbling from both shippers and carriers about them. Carriers complain about the added administrative burden that comes with surcharges and about shippers who refuse to accept the higher surcharge levels when prices hit a peak. Shippers show a fair bit of distrust of

ing gas cap was to blame. Total cost of parts was $50; hooking up to the computer to find out what it was cost five times that. The advent of remote diagnostics in the heavy-duty industry offers a compelling reason to upgrade to the newest generation engines. n

Fleets and owner/operators have had legitimate reason over the past few years to complain about a costly increase in unplanned downtime. Most of the problems can be traced back to the emissions systems installed on 2007 and later model year trucks. I believe these problems have been largely sorted out, but it’s true that downtime has become a bigger issue since the advent of finicky exhaust aftertreatment systems. Complain all you want, but that’s not going to do anything to solve the problem. Just as technology has brought about some costs to the industry in the form of additional downtime, it also promises to solve the problem. I’m talking about remote diagnostics, which after a couple years in the field are proving to be highly effective at reducing unplanned downtime and all its associated costs. At a recent Daimler Trucks event, at which it announced the formation of its new Detroit Connect telematics division, officials there said the company’s Virtual Technician has eliminated taking the truck out of service in 80% of incidents in which the Check Engine light appears on the dash. Previously, cautious truck operators would take a truck with a Check Engine light off the highway and check it into the

even direct drivers to the closest location for service, based on the availability of parts and appointment times. Another benefit to these programs is that they can reduce the cost of diagnostics inspections; pull into the dealership and they’ll already have received a file notifying them of what needs to be done to the vehicle to get it back on the road. That’s a time and money saver, right there. Remote diagnostics is the next frontier against unplanned downtime. I suspect there’ll come a time before long when it’s standard on all makes of heavyduty truck engines. I also look forward to the day when the automotive industry catches on to this technology. I’ve had two recent trips to the dealer lately resulting from a Check Engine light on the dash. (I’d have ignored it myself, but my Nervous Nelly wife insisted I take it in). In both cases, I shelled out $125 for a diagnostics inspection. The first time the light was triggered by an emissions sensor that wouldn’t impact the performance of the car and the second time an ag-

Automatic

Manual 10-speed 13-10-15 2:44 PM

ACTION

TORONTO

2332 DREW RD., MISSISSAUGA, ONT. L5S 1B8 Call: Murphy Barton, Vince Cutrara, Rob Moorehouse, Todd Warren, John Gwynne

TRAILER SALES INC.

905-678-1444 Fax (905) 678-1566

MONTREAL

1100 RUE COURVAL, LACHINE, QUEBEC H8T 3P5 Call: Mario Perrino, Michel Pouliot Raymond Lanthier, Sean Ireland, Hugh Davis

New And Used Sales

514-633-5377 Fax (514) 633-6488

Rentals

TANDEMS/TRIDEMS • AIR RIDE

Long Term Finance Lease

DROP DECKS

Full Maintenance Lease

ALUMINUM COMBO FLATS

Full Service Trailer & Reefer Shops Providing Maintenance And Parts

Over 200 Used Reefers In Our Yard . . . Ready To Roll!! ARRIVING NOW!

“REFRIGERATED STORAGE VANS” – SALE OR RENT

(150) 2008/09 UTILITY AND GREAT DANE REEFER

SEVERAL 48' and 53' REEFER TRAILERS

TRADES FROM WELL-MAINTAINED FLEET, CARRIER 2100A REEFER UNITS, STAINLESS FRONT PANELS, REAR DOORS, WING PLATES, VENTS, HEAVY DUTY FLAT ALUMINUM FLOORS, 1 ROW RECESSED “E” TRACK, HENDRICKSON AIR RIDE, 46K SUSPENSION, ALUMINUM WHEELS, PLUS.....

EQUIPPED WITH ALL ELECTRIC REFRIGERATION UNITS, BOTH OVERHEAD AND SWING REAR DOORS AVAILABLE.

SPECIAL PRICING 2008 - $23,500. 2009 - $27,000.

IN STOCK AND

ARRIVING DAILY

UTILITY 3000R 53' x 102" High Cube Reefers, 1071⁄2" I.H. Front, 1091⁄2" I.H. Rear, 981⁄2" I.W. Recessed “E” Track, H.D. Duct Floor, Stainless Front & Rear, Vents, LED Lites – Weight 12.155 LBS. (Standard Model) H.D. Intraax Air Ride Susp. Alum. Wheels.

AVA ILA

BLE

UTILITY 53' x 102" x 13'6" Dry Freight Vans 13,180 Lbs. 110" Door Opening

hendrickson Air Ride Suspension, Logistic Side Posts – Alum. or Translucent Roof availABLE, Stainless rear Door Case, 12" corrugated steel Scuff Liner, 24" steel Threshold Plate. Priced Right!

NOW

(3) NEW 53' x 102" UTILITY STEP DECKS Aluminum combo, front axle slide, winches and straps.

2012 UTILITY 32' x 102" DRY FREIGHT VAN

Single axle, overhead rear door, stainless door case and rear bumper, front vent, aluminum roof, logistic side posts. Excellent Condition.

(2) 2006 UTILITY 31' B-TRAIN LEADS

(3) 2005 MANAC 53' x 102" DROP DECK VAN Hendrickson air ride dock leveling suspension, well spec’d. Priced To Move!!

Carrier XTC units, 100 gal. fuel tanks, curb side and overhead rear doors, HD flat aluminum floor, Interior lights, 1 row recessed “E” track, 24" aluminum scuff liner, Hendrickson air ride suspension, aluminum wheels. Very Clean Units.

SS NLE TAI EEFER S L FUL DEM R TRI

2013 GREAT DANE 53' REEFER

Thermo King SB210 unit, stainless front & rear, vents, Hendrickson air ride, aluminum wheels, duct floor, 16" alum. scuff liner, 1 row recessed “E” track, like new.

Action Trailer Sales.indd 1

(20) (6) NEW 53' x 102" UTILITY DRY FREIGHT VANS

Pre painted black side panels, black side skirts, front & rear vents, stainless front panels, rear doors, door case & Bumpers, Hendrickson air ride suspension on aluminum wheels with Michelin tires.

2010 utility 53' tridem reefer

Thermo King SB190, Hendrickson air ride suspension with 6 and 6 spreads, aluminum wheels, 1 row recessed “E” track, aluminum duct floor, 16" alum. scuff liner, extra light pkg.

(55) 2005/06/07 GREAT DANE 53' REEFERS

Thermo King SB210 units, 100 gal fuel tank, Neway 6' spread air ride suspension, aluminum wheels, HD flat aluminum floor, 18" scuff liner, overhead rear door, clean and well maintained fleet.

13-10-11 2:13 PM

24•7

“GOODYEAR FLEET HQ GETS OUR TRUCKS ROLLING IN 2 HOURS, 16 MINUTES!” STEVE GRAHAM – SCHNEIDER NATIONAL

From call time to roll time, Goodyear’s 24/7 emergency roadside service is dedicated to getting you back on the road in as little as two hours. And that’s just the beginning of how Goodyear® can help improve your fleet’s profitability. When you sign up at no cost for Goodyear’s Fleet HQ program, you also benefit from a national network of more than 2,200 dealers, tire tracking & reporting, national pricing program and more.

To learn more, call 1-866-Fleet-HQ or go to goodyeartrucktires.com.

044132gytk247TruckNews.indd 1 Goodyear.indd 1

2/8/13 4:18 PM 13-02-11 10:58 AM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 9

contents

departments

Question of the month

Why are truckers so eager to give back? page 70 Mark Dalton in...

The Truxpo Gambit Part 1

page 68

oem/dealer news: A new 5L V8 diesel from Cummins. Pages 56-64

Truck Sales 4 Opinions 6 9 In Brief Border 10-12 Quebec 14-15 Ontario 16 Canada 18-32 Christopher Singh, Health 34 Karen Bowen, Health 35 Al Goodhall, Over the Road 36 Mark Lee, Opinion 37 Lighting 38-39 Refrigeration 40-41 David Bradley, Industry 42 Scott Taylor, Tax Talk 44 Safety, Ask the Expert 45 New Products 49 Bruce Richards, Industry 52 Bill Cameron, Opinion 55 Fleet News 66-67 People 69

C.U.T.C. 866-927-8294

For more information call or visit our web site at www.cutcinc.ca

FULL a/c rePairS

Pick-UP & croSS DeLivery croSS

canaDa canaDa ShiPPing ShiPPing

ARLINGTON, Va. – US for-hire truck tonnage spiked 1.4% in August, on the heels of a 0.6% decline in July. However, the American Trucking Associations’ cautioned the impressive tonnage is attributed to the heavy weight of freight being hauled, and not necessarily increasing demand. The ATA index posted its highest month-over-month gain since May. It was 6.9% higher than August 2012,

pg 9 tn nov v3.indd 9

which is the largest year-over-year gain since December 2011. “The strength in tonnage continued again in August, with the index increasing in three of the last four months,” ATA chief economist Bob Costello said. “However, tonnage’s strength in recent months, and really through 2013, is probably overstating the robustness of the economy and trucking generally.” n

hour Drive-in Service

(most models)

Industrial Radiators Heavy Truck Radiators Charge Air Coolers Drive-In Fuel Tank Repairs

MON-FRI 8-7 • SAT 8-2 Sunday by appointment only

Call Travis

1CA0NA0DI% AN

416-679-0053 1-866-817-0053

ODUCTS

2115 Codlin Cres., Etobicoke, ON M9W 5K7

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers on page 65

August US truck tonnage robust

Same Day Day Same Service Service

TN-125 Nov 2013 M. Jackson

TORONTO, Ont. – Business therapy will be in the spotlight at the Ontario Trucking Association Convention and Executive Forum. The OTA Convention and Forum, Nov. 13-14, will be held at a new location, The Ritz-Carlton in downtown Toronto, and features a line of panelists and speakers that will touch upon corporate performance, the association announced. Leadership and change expert, Tom Connellan, will join the conference to discuss integral business practices including creating customer loyalty, attaining superior sales performance and navigating a turbulent economy. The convention and forum and will be joined by Don Bell, a cofounder of WestJet. Bell has been credited with shaping the company into prosperity, one of the most successful companies in North America. Bell will discuss the keys to understanding business at each stage. The CEO and co-founder of the Business Entrepreneurship Hub for Virgin Unite and author of Success Built To Last will be on hand to share his insights. Mark Thompson has studied the success of world-class companies that have confronted change and generated teams that have experienced successful and exponential growth. Doug Robbins, author and business columnist, will join the forum as a facilitator. Robbins will steer a session that opens discussion between veteran fleet owners and the next generation of trucking professionals and examine how they are bridging the generation gaps at their companies. Register for the event at www.otaconvention.ca. n

• Canadian Licensing • FMCSA (ICC Authority) • DOT Registrations • IFTA Registrations • Fuel Tax Reporting • Unified Carrier Registration • PARS/PAPS/ACE • Corporate Registrations • Regulations • IRP Registration • Bonded Carrier Status

Trucking made Simple

in brief

New look OTA convention to feature prominent business leaders

INC

Across 1 8 9 10 11 12 14 18 20 22 23 24

Customs-clearance delays (6,7) International LoneStar styling Truck-transaction type, ____ sale Road-map compendiums Wheel shafts NV commercial-van brand Boucherville-based carrier Lidar’s speed-detection beam Repo-truck sale, sometimes Send goods via trucking company Restaurateur in Arlo Guthrie song Monthly operating costs, for some (5,8)

Down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 13 15 16 17 18 19 21

Used-truck buyer’s quest Old-truck noises Paper logbooks’ successors (1,4) Highway loop around city City known as Windy Aptly named rent-a-truck (1,4) Truck buyer’s requirements, briefly Pneumatic suspension (3,4) Castrol diesel-engine oil Double-axle setups SW Ontario border-crossing city Cartage-company delivery range North Pole toys-payload teamster Post-crash insurance action

Try it online at www.trucknews.com

13-10-15 1:03 PM

Page 10 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

border

US driver turnover continues to climb ARLINGTON, Va. – Turnover at large US truckload fleets continued to increase in the second quarter, according to The American Trucking Associations’ Trucking Activ-

ity Report. Turnover in the second quarter rose two percentage points to 99%. “Continued high turnover shows that the market for qualified, expe-

rienced drivers remains extremely tight,” ATA chief economist Bob Costello said. “The continued improvement in the freight economy, coupled with regulatory challenges from the changing hours-of-service rule and CSA will only serve to put a further squeeze on the

market for drivers.” Driver turnover now stands at its highest point since the third quarter of 2012, and is just slightly higher than the annual rate of 98% reported last year. By contrast, turnover at LTL fleets dropped 9% to just 6%, the lowest level in two years. n

DEPENDABLE www.dependable.ca A L L U N I T S S A F E T I E D

Truck & Tank LIMITED

HELPING YOU FUEL YOUR FUTURE . . . 3499 USWg BARRELS IN STOCK *** 5500 USWg ARRIVINg SOON!

A L L U N I T S

www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca

S A F E T I E D

NEW FUEL, LUBE & WATER DELIVERY TRUCKS, & CUSTOM BUILT C TO YOUR E SPECIFICATIONS! R

& C E R T I F I E D !

BRAMPTON, ONTARIO

www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca www.dependable.ca

DEPENDABLE QUALITY FOR OVER 38 YEARS!! PRODUCTS * SERVICE * PARTS

Providing: - Complete B-620 Inspections - Meter Calibration Service - PTO and Pump Service - Complete Pipe and Plumbing Service - Valve and Actuator Service - Electrical and Air Service - Hose Inspections and Services - Complete Tank Remounts

T I F I E D !

MANUFACTURER OF ALUMINUM , STEEL & STAINLESS STEEL TANKS We provide true “One Stop Service” for our customers: Manufacturing, Service, Parts & Support from our facility

Call our Watts Line from anywhere in Canada

1-800-268-0871

pg 10 tn nov v4.indd 10

DON STEWART

905-453-6724 13-10-11 2:09 PM

Saskatchewan Government Insurance.indd 5

13-10-10 11:13 AM

Page 12 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

border

Managing fatigue can improve driver health, extend lives, author says By James Menzies SEATTLE, Wash. – Drivers who understand the causes of fatigue and how to manage it will be safer, more productive workers and may even live longer. That according to Dr. Ronald Knipling, author of Safety for the Long Haul and the guest on a recent Webinar sponsored by Zonar. Knipling said professional drivers, as a whole, are an unhealthy lot, and much of that can be blamed on fatigue. “The health problems associated with fatigue are as big as the safety problems,” he said. “Commercial drivers are among the unhealthiest of Americans. About half are obese and another 20% are overweight, they smoke much more than the general population and most of them don’t exercise regularly. On just about any index of health, they

compare unfavourably to the general population. A lot of commercial drivers retire and die before the age of 60. I think by reducing fatigue, one of the benefits is improving the health and longevity of your drivers.” There are two general categories of fatigue, Knipling explained. Acute fatigue refers to day-to-day drowsiness, which is primarily affected by the previous night’s sleep and the current day’s activities. Chronic fatigue, meanwhile, could be caused by a sleep disorder or long-term sleep deprivation. Most humans require about eight hours of sleep per night and experience drowsiness between 2-7 a.m. and again in the afternoon. Various studies have sought to determine how many crashes are caused by driver fatigue, but there has been no definitive conclusion.

Knipling said studies have looked at whether fatigue caused the crash, and also whether it was present at the time of the crash, though not necessarily to blame. The most credible of those studies, he said, is the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, which found fatigue was present in 13% of truck crashes while it was to blame in 4% of all crashes. Another study by the National Traffic Safety Board examined fatal truck crashes in which the truck driver was killed, and determined 31% of those crashes were caused by fatigue. Knipling said the higher figure in that study was because fatigue is more likely to have been a factor in fatal truck crashes, where the truck often careens off the roadway. There are two primary causes of fatigue: physiological factors (including the amount of sleep, time of day,

(613) 546-0431 Check out our Online Inventory!

www.morgan-diesel.com

Christmas holidays December 20 until Jan 6, 2014

1999 MACK RD

350 Mack, Mack 8 spd., 18 F.A./20 Pusher/46 R.A. $13,500.

1987 FORD TRIAXLE DUMP Whole or Parts.

NEW HOLLAND 6635

4WD, 12 spd., 5200 hours, loader.

2013 IH PROSTAR CAB

1987 THIBAULT

100' ladder pumper, rebuilt Mack engine.

2012 IH PROSTAR CAB

Wired for Maxxforce engine.

1985 MACK MR

2006 IH 8600

2012 MAXON RAIL GATE 6500 lbs.

2009 VOLVO VN

ISM Cummins 370, 10 spd., 12 & 40’s.

D13 485 hp, 12 spd. Volvo automatic, 12 & 40’s. For Parts

2008 CAT C7

2013 MACK MP7

2012 MAXXFORCE 13

Low kms.

40,000 kms., 300 hp.

In service 1 week.

kingston, ontario

WE BUY TRUCKS Ask for JAMES or RON

E-Mail: james@morgan-diesel.com R.R.1 Glenburnie (Kingston) ON K0H 1S0

pg 12 tn nov v4.indd 12

400 Mack, 8LL trans., 20 F.A./20 Pusher/46 R.A. $15,500.

with Schwim cement pump.

2013 CUMMINS ISX

1248 McAdoo’s Lane

1998 MACK RB

Wired for Maxxforce engine.

Fax: (613) 546-4206

485 hp.

Monday to Friday 8 a.M.-5 p.M. Closed saturday & sunday CASH OR BANK DRAFT CREDIT CARD PURCHASES ARE SUBJECT TO A 3% PRICE INCREASE

how long the driver has been awake); and task-related factors (the type of work being done and how monotonous or complex the task is). Another variable, said Knipling, is an individual’s susceptibility to fatigue in the first place. He highlighted studies that showed some individuals are affected by fatigue to a greater extent than others. In fact, one study showed that 14% of the drivers contributed 54% of the drowsy periods. “Fourteen per cent of the drivers are more than half the problem,” said Knipling. “I’d say in your average fleet, that’s probably going to be the case. If you have a fleet of 100 drivers, a large part of your problem is those high-risk drivers. The challenge is knowing who they are, identifying them and helping them, or not hiring them to begin with, so that should be a big part of your focus.” In yet another study, four subjects were monitored for lapses in attention while tired. Subject A had 14 times more lapses as Subject B. “That’s not unusual,” Knipling said. He also addressed hours-of-service, and opined that the current US rules are necessary and reasonable. “My personal opinion is that they are reasonable rules,” he said. “If I were King, would I change them? No, I don’t think I’d change them much.” That said, he admitted the rules themselves don’t effectively manage fatigue, because they don’t do anything to control the physiological factors of fatigue, such as quality of sleep or the time of day drivers drive. “They don’t address these individual differences in susceptibility,” he added. “Hours-of-service compliance is a good thing, but you can still have a lot of fatigue going on in a fully compliant fleet.” The good news is that there are now more tools available to help educate fleet managers and drivers on the science of fatigue. The widely praised North American Fatigue Management Program is now available free-of-charge online at www.nafmp.com. Knipling was one of the developers of the program and would like to see it well used by industry. The program includes instructional modules designed for safety managers, drivers and even drivers’ families. Among the information that’s revealed within the NAFMP are a list of dos and don’ts. Here are a few of them, as shared by Knipling during the Webinar: Do: Value alertness and wellness; recognize sleep as a main ingredient; self-assess your fatigue level based on objective signs; try to go with, not against, your circadian rhythms; be aware of the fatigue factors affecting you at all times; seek sleep apnea testing if you have symptoms; and take breaks, especially with naps. But don’t: Ignore signs of fatigue; use caffeine excessively; use alcohol as a sleep aid; eat heavy meals before driving; exercise strenuously just before sleep periods; let a sleep debt worsen; set the alarm clock on weekends; rotate your daily workrest schedule backwards. n

13-10-15 2:13 PM

BEND THE LAWS OF PHYSICS IN YOUR FAVOR.

For more than 100 years, Mack’s integrated powertrain has been an unstoppable force of nature. The new Super Econodyne™ package kicks our legendary Pedigree™ powertrain up a notch. By optimizing hardware and software to cut 200 rpm at highway speeds, fuel economy improves up to 3.5% with no loss of power. Proving you don’t have to sacrifice performance to reduce costs and emissions. Not one little drop. LIVE BY THE CODE. DRIVE BY THE CODE.

MACK_SE_01_TruckNews_TabPg_Feb_280.indd 1 Mack Canada.indd 1

MackTrucks.com

1/14/13 4:26 PM 13-01-15 9:27 AM

Page 14 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

quebec

PIT shares test results for trailer side skirts, undercarriage devices MONTREAL, Que. – After five years of testing trailer side skirts and undercarriage fairings, the results are

Two shows coming together as one QUEBEC CITY, Que. – Master Promotions, Canada’s largest independent trade and consumer event management company is hosting the Quebec Forestry & Construction Expo, co-locating with Salon CAM Quebec, Apr. 25-26, 2014 at the Centre de foires in Quebec City. “These two events are a perfect combination and offer up a huge opportunity for exhibiting companies to broaden their customer base with the creation of this super-event,” said national show manager Mark Cusack. “The trucking industry works closely with the forestry and road building industries, and this natural partnership will produce a one-stop shopping experience for the many products, services and technology common to both.” Combined, these two events will have the potential to showcase 185,000 sq.-ft. of exhibit space and offer unparalleled sales opportunities to exhibiting companies, organizers say. Truck News and sister publication OnSite, a magazine serving the construction industry, are media partners for the event. The Quebec Forestry & Construction Expo will cater to those in forestry, construction, heavy equipment owners/operators, municipal workers and other facets of these industries. Evolving from as far back as the late 1990s, including Logfor ’98 and more recently, Wood Week, the need was there then and it is now for an event of this nature to help industry stakeholders make informed decisions about product and equipment purchases. This industry showcase is modeled off the recent success of the Canada North Resources Expo in Prince George, British Columbia, the Atlantic Heavy Equipment Show in New Brunswick and Expo Grands Travaux in Montreal, Que. The formula works and the timing is right for an event of this nature in Quebec, according to organizers. Salon CAM Quebec will draw buyers from the trucking, logging, road building and other related industries from all over Quebec. Trucks are a “driving force” in the forestry, construction and road building industries. Organizers say this makes it a natural fit to share the venue and audience with the Quebec Forestry & Construction Expo. The buyers for these industries will be common to both events. Salon CAM Quebec will have a strong emphasis on trucks from the Classes 5-8 markets, which includes transport trucks, logging trucks, fuel trucks, dump trucks and other big rigs. The event will also showcase trucks from the lighter duty market, including pickup trucks, utility vans and city delivery trucks. For more det a i l s , v i sit www.EFCQ.ca or www.CAMQC.ca for regular updates. n

pg 14 tn nov v3.indd 14

in, and the fuel savings are real. That was the message from FPInnovations’ Performance Innovation Transport (PIT), which shared its findings last month to coincide with the conclusion of its most recent Energotest. Testing has shown that trailers with side skirts consumed an average of 6.69% less fuel than similar vehicles without skirts, the organization announced. Meanwhile, trailers with undercarriage aerodynamic devices consumed an average of 1.43% less fuel than those without. “The goal of these trials was to identify the real value of each technology so fleet operators can focus their implementation efforts where they get the best value and can more easily justify their capital investment,” said Yves Provencher, director of PIT. “Our controlled test-track fuel efficiency studies accelerate technology implementation and provide the

real savings: PIT has verified that trailer skirts do, in fact, save fuel.

commercial vehicle industry with the information it needs to make sound technology choices.” Side skirts from Freight Wing, Laydon Composites, Ridge Corp. and Transtex Composite were among those tested. Fuel savings ranged from 5.2% to 7.45%. Undercarriage air deflectors from

AirFlow Deflector, Airman and SmartTruck were tested, with fuel savings ranging from 0% to 2.2%, PIT announced. Testing was done to SAE J1321 Fuel Consumption Test Procedure – Type II standards. Fuel consumption was measured by weighing portable tanks before and after each trip. n

“Northbridge showed me that many of our drivers couldn’t see all the hazards around them.” Steve Farris, VP Safety and Risk Management, International Truckload Services, Belleville, Ontario

sid

“To assist us in the

companies, more

prevention of certain

than we do

types of accidents,

at Northbridge

they instituted a mirror

Insurance®. With

adjustment training

over 60 years

fro

program,” says Steve

of experience in

Farris. “It was so well

the transportation

tru

received by our drivers,

sector, quite simply,

I still get feedback today

we get trucking.

from people who have

Our Visibility

been driving transport

Improvement

trucks for years. They

Program is one

were impressed and

example. Properly

surprised that there

adjusted mirrors

was a bit of science

dramatically reduce

and a lot of technique involved in

Nobody knows trucking and

major accidents, and minor

adjusting their mirrors. Our CFO

logistics, or understands the unique

incidents that lead to below

was pretty happy, too.”

challenges facing transportation

deductible costs, such as

Policies are underwritten by Northbridge Commercial Insurance Corporation. ®Registered trademark of Northbridge Financial Corporation (“Northbridge”). Used under license from Northbridge.

13-10-15 1:21 PM

ario

ore

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 15

Snowball fight near the capitol By Carroll McCormick GATINEAU, Que. – A dozen rigs blocked Ottawa’s Champlain Bridge this summer as part of a fight by the Greater Ottawa Trucking Association (GOTA) to restrict Quebec dump truck access to Ottawa snow removal work this winter. The GOTA is frustrated with two things: First, what it feels is restricted access to snow removal work by Ontario companies in Quebec. Second, having Quebec trucks removing Ottawa snow, even as some of its own members go without work. The GOTA has about 180 members and about 95% of them do snow removal. Of the 310 snow removal companies that currently work for Ottawa, 10% of them are from Quebec, according to GOTA CEO and general manager Ron Barr. “We have enough guys here. When they come in, some of our guys are not working.”

Snow removal companies from the Quebec side of the Ottawa River can get on the list of companies on-call to remove snow in Ottawa, yet GOTA members find it extremely difficult for Ottawa-based companies to do the same thing in the city of Gatineau, according to Barr. “There is nothing to stop a Quebec-based company from bidding on City of Ottawa snow removal,” Barr says, yet his members report problems working in Gatineau. “I have members who are compliant in Quebec who have been stopped up to seven times in a single day. It is common knowledge that enforcement is fierce over there. The situation is boiling over. It is not fair.” For the record, the City of Gatineau explains that Ontario companies may apply to remove snow there. “All of the companies who are interested in obtaining a contract may

sideswipes and backing into

at our own driver training

stationary objects. We work with

facility in Guelph, Ontario.

you to reduce the frequency of

“With Northbridge, you

these occurrences so you can

really feel like they’re in your

improve your bottom line.

corner,” says Mr. Farris. “They

“Compared to other insurers,

are way more proactive. I guess

the Northbridge Insurance team

it comes from their many years

brings an awful lot to the table in

of understanding trucking.

the range of services they provide,”

It’s in their genetics.”

says Mr. Farris. “Not only are they

Talk to your insurance broker.

a very talented group of people,

Learn how we empower you with

they are truly experts in their field.“

tools and resources so you can

Many Northbridge Insurance Risk Services Consultants come from the trucking industry with

focus on what’s important—your customers and your profits. “Working with Northbridge

various backgrounds ranging from

has been like going from the

tion

truck drivers to management.

minor leagues to the majors,”

mply,

We focus on solutions that work

says Mr. Farris. “The impact of

to prevent loss. Many insurers do

changing insurers was immediate

an initial risk assessment, then

and tangible to our bottom line.”

you may never see them again.

We provide ongoing customized

erly

support, training and materials

to assist with your specific needs.

duce

No other insurer matches the

comprehensive safety management and driver training capabilities that we offer nationwide, and

pg 14 tn nov v3.indd 15

nbins.com/transportation

chilly reception: Will Quebec snow removal companies be barred from working for Ottawa this winter? Photo by Carroll McCormick

apply, including companies from Ontario,” writes the city’s communications service. The GOTA has demanded an interpretation of the Discriminatory Business Practices Act, which it feels is being used to allow anyone from anywhere to come into Ontario and work.

“Ottawa has told us that if it refuses to put a Quebec company on the snow removal list, Quebec could sue the city. We say ‘Let an out-of-town company test the act in a lawsuit’,” Barr declares. Barr says he wants to see the Discriminatory Business Practices Act challenged. “I want to challenge it, vehemently. I have asked the Minister of Labour for a proper interpretation of the Act. I want to know if it is reciprocal in Quebec. If not, we have to work like Client: Northbridge hell to getInsurance it changed. I will expose the Job No:that Quebec NB-1001 fact could sue us. I won’t Name: “Steve – stop at that, and I will most certainly Risk Prevention” make it an election issue. I am going Publication: News/ to insist Truck that Ottawa has to protect Truck West Ontario first. If not, I have a lot of billAd Size: ⁄ Island Spread boards – the sides Trim: 15.75" x 10.75" of our dump trucks 16" x expose 10.875" –Bleed: and I will anyone in an elecLive: 15.75" x 10.25" tion who is not interested in protectColour: 4C Process ing our jobs. What I would really like Issue: Nov 2013 Due: Oct 11, 2013 isMaterial to have the door slammed on Quebec trucks and equipment. You have your side, your playground, and we have our own side.” The GOTA had hoped that a bill introduced this year by Conservative MPP Jack MacLaren would help regulate the imbalance. Called the Fairness is a Two-Way Street Act, Bill 80 was described as “An Act respecting labour mobility in the construction industry aimed at restricting access to those taking advantage of Ontario’s policy of free mobility.” MacLaren stated in the House that, “This bill is in response to Quebec’s unfair practice of effectively stopping Ontario construction contractors and workers from working in Quebec by creating a mountain of red tape, permits, fees and harassing inspections and fines.” Bill 80 passed first reading this May, but it died in a second reading vote this Sept. 23-25. Despite this setback, Barr reports that there is considerable government support for his cause. First, he cites an Ottawa city council motion that “Supports the principle of unrestricted labour mobility for construction contractors, truckers and haulers between Quebec and Ontario…” and “Supports the elimination of any unfair or discriminatory enforcement practices that single out Ontario truckers and haulers.” Second, he notes that Liberal Party MPP and Minister of Labour Yasir Naqvi supports finding a solution to the problem of unequal access to the Quebec market. Further discussions were scheduled for mid-September between Barr and the government, but so far, Quebec snow removal companies appear free to ply the streets of Ottawa this winter. n 1

13-10-15 1:22 PM

Page 16 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

ontario

Trucking for a Cure convoy turns the 401 pink Continued from page 1

Business Association of Canada (OBAC) brought in just under $3,000, enough to earn the third slot in the convoy. The event held special meaning to Ritchie. “I’m at a high risk for breast cancer because my mom died of breast cancer,” she said. “The other good thing (the event) does for OBAC, is it gives us the opportunity not only to raise awareness about breast cancer, but also about other health and wellness issues drivers face out on the road.” The event also brings positive publicity to the trucking industry, she added. “At an event like this where you have a lot of volunteers who are non-trucking folks, it brings the trucking community together with those non-trucking folks,” she said.

“It builds those bridges and does a world of good.” This year’s convoy marked the fourth for the Trucking for a Cure organizers. Heading into this year’s event, the convoy had already raised more than $135,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Organizer Joanne MillenMacKenzie was last year named the Foundation’s top volunteer in Ontario. This year, Millen-MacKenzie was presented with a specially decorated Peterbilt 579 on behalf of Highland Transport and Peterbilt Ontario Truck Centres. She’ll drive the truck for the next four years on behalf of Highland, bringing attention to the cause all year round. “I knew there was something going on, but I wasn’t 100% sure,” Millen-MacKenzie told Truck News at the event. “When I got to

see everything, I was like ‘Wow.’ I’m overwhelmed that people believe in the cause and are supporting us 100%.” Because she was too busy organizing the convoy to drive in it herself, she handed the keys to friend Stephanie Schroeder, who has been the top female contributor for the past three years. “We put this truck together for Joanne, who is the leader of Trucking for a Cure,” said David Climie, president of Peterbilt Ontario Truck Centres. “We’ve been working with Joanne since the very first convoy and we figured it was time she was driving a Peterbilt. This will be her truck for the next four years. This truck has every single option you can get on a Peterbilt.” Unlike previous editions of the convoy, this one started and end-

THE PARTY HATS WILL BE A LITTLE EXTREME NEXT YEAR.

We’re taking our 100th Birthday Celebration very seriously.

Date: 10/15/13 Director: pg 1, 16,Account 24-25 tn nov v3.indd 16

Client: Utility

Job #: 07322013

File Name: 0732-UT-100th-AdCampaign-Cake-TN-Nov13-r1

Editor:

Designer:

Revised By:

ed at the TA truck stop, which served as a home base for the event throughout the day. “This year, a few things changed with our convoy,” Millen-MacKenzie said. “Normally, we start at a different location and come here. This year, we started and ended here. I was a little nervous about the turnout, but we got over 80 trucks. I’m really excited about the amount of truckers who came through.” n

Natural gas takes centre stage at Outdoor Farm Show WOODSTOCK, Ont. – Farmers attending Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) this year got a chance to kick the tires on some natural gas-powered light and heavy trucks. Canada’s largest agricultural trade show featured more than 750 exhibitors and 49,000 visitors Sept. 10-12. Many of them were drawn to the New Fuels/New Trucks Expo, sponsored by Peterbilt. On-hand were natural gas-powered trucks from Peterbilt and Volvo. CNG, LNG, hybrids and electric vehicles were all on display, organizers say. “Interest is really growing in compressed natural gas,” said COFS manager of renewable energy development, Murray Logan. “It’s an emerging technology and was a highlight of the New Fuels/New Trucks Expo this year.” Visitors to the show learned that fuel expenses can be reduced by as much as 50% when using natural gas rather than diesel. Organizers said it’s a compelling fuel in the agriculture segment, for fleets hauling grains, livestock or milk. Presenting sponsor Faromor Energy Solutions of Stratford, Ont. has installed CNG fuelling stations in rural Ontario, making the fuel more widely available. Another interesting angle for ag-haulers is that CNG equipment can be adapted to run on biomethane created right on the farm using an anaerobic digester. “Farmers are always interested in ways to cut their energy costs. Feedback was very positive with quite a number of attendees seeking follow up information,” said Logan. “CNG and LNG fueling will gain greater popularity as the infrastructure to support it grows.” On the lighter side, vehicles from Chrysler, GM and Ford were also displayed with dual-fuel capabilities. These vehicles can be run on natural gas when it’s available, and diesel or gasoline when it’s not. More i n fo on t he Outdoor Farm Show is available at www.outdoorfarmshow.com. n

Page 1 of 1

Production: jb

13-10-15 2:37 PM

Volvo Trucks. Driving Success.

Roll Out the Savings! up to $4000 Down payment assistance on seLect vehicLes.

HuRRy!

LimiteD time oFFeR

Don’t miss out on this chance to save! See your nearest Volvo Dealer for complete details. Visit us at volvotruckscanada.com

Volvo.indd 1

13-09-13 2:58 PM

Page 18 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

canada

Play small ball to improve driver retention: Haight By Daniela Piteo MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – During the Canadian Recruiting and Retention Conference, hosted by Over the Road, the CEO of Transrep delivered key points to retaining a positive workforce. Ray Haight steered his attention away from recruiting drivers to retaining them, which according to the CEO and former chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association, goes far beyond the operators of tractor-trailers. “There is no magic bullet (to retention), just a lot of hard work,” Haight said. The question Haight posed to attendees is, “Are you playing small ball?” It’s the small things, Haight said, that will pave the way for big things

to happen. “Information is power,” said Haight. “Encouraging people to grow and educating them is good leadership.” At his own companies, Haight has issued quarterly newsletters, a biweekly newsflash, posted information on bulletin boards, displayed plaques honouring outstanding work and achievement and issued company awards. “If you have two people in a company, you have a rumour mill,” said Haight. “Get people talking about the positives and it will change the culture of the company.” This typical work environment behaviour can be used to spread 7.5 arrival in good news – the of a new baby, an upcoming wedding or anniversary party, an operator buying a

new truck, drivers being recognized for safety, in-house promotions or new awards. Companies, Haight advises, should draft a value statement that informs staff of the key qualities the business hopes to espouse. When asking employees what the ideal company for whom they’d like to work for looks like, Haight found the common answers included trust, honesty and respect. “If you have a high turnover, you have to start looking at things differently. You’ll need a paradigm shift,” Haight said. Retaining drivers also means reaching out to the people that they come in contact with on the road and ensuring that the interaction is pleasant and respectful, according to Haight.

“Reward customers that are doing it right,” Haight said. Find out from drivers if their destination offers a clean facility, access to restrooms, cafeterias and safe rest spots. In the operations end, Haight said, “Be aware of the fact that I don’t take in information the same way someone else might.” The individual needs to be recognized, Haight said, and their training should be tailored accordingly. “Coach first and discipline when required,” said Haight. “Recognize the efforts of those who go the extra mile.” Administrative support is also integral to retaining a strong and content workforce, according to Haight. “Make sure your drivers understand things like their paycheque and paperwork,” Haight said. Ensure policies for paperwork processes are fully comprehended; explain paycheque deductions and benefits. Maintenance is another area of a company that requires attention. “An area of a company that is often a point of aggravation for drivers is maintenance,” said Haight. Maintenance appointments should be upheld; upon receiving a new assignment, the driver should be presented with a clean truck that is safe and comfortable; and the waiting facilities should offer clean and comfortable services for all drivers are some points that Haight stresses should be looked at to keep the driving force content. “Play small ball,” said Haight. “It’s the little things that go a long way.” n

Get SMART when recruiting and retaining drivers 10.25 in

By Daniela Piteo MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Recruiting and Retention conference regular Kelly Anderson welcomed industry leaders with his session at the Oct. 2 event, entitled ‘Creating an unfair advantage in your Recruiting Department.’ “Knowledge is an unfair advantage,” Anderson said. “Successful people make time to read.” According to Anderson, if an individual spends 30 minutes a day reading about the industry that employs them, in one year, they will be considered an industry expert; in two years a national expert and in three years the 30-minute daily commitment will make an individual an international expert in their field. Recruiters, Anderson said, need to set goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timed goals. These S.M.A.R.T goals set companies a part. “The common denominator of successful people is goals, yet they don’t teach this in school,” Anderson said. Expectations, according to Anderson, should also be defined – creContinued on page 20

pg 18-20 tn nov v3.indd 18

Trim = 7.5” x 10.25”

Ryder Canada FMS Advertising

13-10-15 10:12 AM

Maximizing fuel economy is an important component of improving operational efficiency. By switching to Chevron Delo® 400 LE Synthetic SAE 5W-30, you could see up to 4.5% fuel economy improvement compared to SAE 15W-40 oils. Plus, Delo products with ISOSYN® Technology help provide extended service protection and are designed to provide maximum engine durability and minimize operating costs. Learn how much your business could save on fuel costs with the exclusive new Delo Fuel Economy Calculator at ChevronDelo.com *SAE J1321 Fuel Consumption test for the Delo 400 LE Synthetic SAE 5W-30 shows up to 4.5% fuel economy improvement with short haul trucks (Class 6) and 2% with long haul trucks (Class 8) when compared to SAE 15W-40 oil. Actual results will vary depending upon vehicle type, load and other driving conditions.

Fan us on Facebook Chevron Products are available from the following locations:

CHEVRON CANADA LTD 1500-1050 Pender St. West. Vancouver BC V6E 3T4 Tel: (604) 668-5735

LORDCO AUTO PARTS 22866 Dewdney Trunk Rd. Maple Ridge BC V2X 3K6 Tel: (604) 466-4162 Toll Free: 1 (877) 591-1581

NORTHERN METALIC SALES (GP) 9708-108 St. Grande Prairie AB T8V 4E2 Tel: (780) 539-9555

HUSKY ENERGY CORPORATION 707-8th Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 1H5 Tel: (403) 298-6709

UFA 4838 Richard Rd. S.W. Suite 700 Calgary AB T3E 6L1 Tel: (403) 570-4306

CHRIS PAGE & ASSOCIATES 14435-124 Ave. Edmonton AB T5L 3B2 Tel: (780) 451-4373

RED-L DISTRIBUTORS LTD 9727-47 Ave. Edmonton AB T6E 5M7 Tel: (780) 437-2630

OAKPOINT OIL DISTRIBUTORS 33-A Oakpoint Hwy. Winnipeg MB R2R 0T8 Tel: (204) 694-9100

THE UNITED SUPPLY GROUP OF COMPANIES 2031 Riverside Dr. Timmins ON P4R 0A3 Tel: (705) 360-4355

TRANSIT LUBRICANTS LTD 5 Hill St. Kitchener ON N2G 3X4 Tel: (519) 579-5330

R. P. OIL LTD 1111 Burns St. East Unit 3 Whitby ON L1N 6A6 Tel: (905) 666-2313

CREVIER LUBRIFIANTS 2320 Métropole Longueuil QC J4G 1E6 Tel: (450) 679-8866

NORTH ATLANTIC PETROLEUM 29 Pippy Place St. John’s NL A1B 3X2 Tel: (709) 570-5624

Chevron Global Lubricants.indd 1

13-10-08 2:09 PM

Page 20 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

canada

Women in Trucking CEO urges industry to redefine the road By Daniela Piteo MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – The leader of Women in Trucking expressed the need to redefine the road, during a session at the recent Recruitment and Retention conference hosted by Over the Road. On Oct. 2, Ellen Voie, president, CEO and founder of Women in Trucking, spoke to industry experts and colleagues about the lacklustre perception women have of the transport industry. “I want to help you think about ways to get more women in trucking,” Voie said. She told a crowd at the conference that the mandate of Women In

Trucking is to increase the number of females in the industry. “We are not necessarily an organization for women, we are about women,” said Voie. Women, according to Voie, are ideal candidates to get behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer for various reasons. Women, it has been reported, take fewer risks, are usually easier to train, and tend to be better with customers, paperwork and even equipment. “It is proven that women take fewer risks because of testosterone,” said Voie. “That’s simple biology.” While the benefits of having women behind the wheel are proven, the industry still faces many challenges, such as image and exposure, recruiting, the demands in a physical environment, harassment and safety at truck stops and docks. “Images appeal to both women and men,” Voie said, hoping that the industry will begin to use realistic models and create ads that reflect the driver. Voie said some advertisements within the industry have a sexist undertone that she hopes is eliminated. “One ad asked readers to ‘Take a peek under our skirt’,” said Voie. “Is this a company a woman wants to work for?” Image isn’t the only challenge; physical demands are also playing a difficult role and ergonomic vehicles could alleviate some of those problems. “Trucks need to be as adaptable for

Get SMART Continued from page 18

ate a mission statement, define your company’s vision and explain what is required of the employer and employee. “The way people behave is directly related to expectations,” said Anderson. “People will rise to the absolute best of their ability or to the level of your expectations, whichever is less.” Finally, Anderson stressed the importance of a clear purpose within an organization. “Purpose will give you direction that keeps you on course in a life full of distractions.” n

calling all women: Women make excellent professional drivers, Voie said, but the industry isn’t as welcoming as it could be.

women as they are for men,” said Voie, who recounted a recent conversation she had with a female driver who always tucked the seatbelt behind her back because it cut into her neck and shoulders since it was made for the average man’s build. Safety and security issues are also a

concern for all drivers, but especially female operators. Voie reported that most women always pay close attention to their surroundings, never park at the rear of a building and stay close to well-lit areas, issues that their male counterparts have often attested they overlook, but to which they are not ignorant. “All drivers have to be safe,” Voie said. “Not just women.” n

Truck safety system wins innovation award

Trucking

insurance for hard-working professionals like you

Trucking insurance specialists Fleet & Owner-operator Programs competitive Pricing Insurance for Your Specific Needs Personalized service

Central Ontario 1-888-690-0010

Eastern Ontario 1-888-657-3329

www.burrowes.ca 60 years of experience to better serve you!

OAKVILLE, Ont. – The creator of the Zafety Lug Log wheel-locking device that prevents wheel-offs has won a prestigious Ernest C. Manning Innovation Award. Ilfor ‘Taffy’ Caine Davies of Oakville, Ont. won $10,000 as part of the award program. His device ‘cuffs’ wheel nuts to maintain the required resistance to keep wheel bolts secure. There are a million Zafety Lug Lock devices on public and commercial vehicles around the world. The award was announced Sept. 30 by Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation president, Jennifer Diakiw. “This Foundation champions Canadian innovators of all ages from across Canada,” she said. “These are Canadians who inspire us with their imagination to innovate and the stamina to succeed. We want to shine a national spotlight on them as Canada works to build our knowledge-based economy.” The 2013 award winners shared $145,000 in prize money, while five Young Canadian Award winners brought home $16,000 in reward money. Ernest C. Manning Innovation Award winners are selected by an independent selection committee, comprised of members from across Canada who are established leaders and authorities from various disciplines. n

Capacity as a competitive advantage. What do you get with North America’s most powerful truckload network? The confidence that every freight shipment arrives at its destination on time. People in every C.H. Robinson office have the local market knowledge and visibility to maximize your opportunities. Now, your customers are satisfied and you’re prepared for any situation. Say yes to coast to coast connections working for you. solutions@chrobinson.com | 800.323.7587

CH Robinson.indd 1

13-09-06 12:52 PM

Page 22 TRUCK NEWS

Sponsored Article

Forty-eight trucks participated in the convoy led by Scott Verbruggen of Jay Verbruggen Trucking, who earned the lead spot by raising about $7,000. Verbruggen produced and sold truck show calendars to raise money. Leonard Taylor of Challenger Motor Freight was taking part for the second year. He said it was the interaction with the Special Olympians that lured him back. “When we get paired up (with an athlete), we bring them to the trucks and their eyes light up,” he said. “It’s a few hours that they have enjoyment, but it’s a lifetime of memories. I will never forget doing this, I really enjoy it.” Ron Walsh, a driver with Drumbo Transport, was back for the fourth time at this year’s convoy. He missed last year’s, because he was in the hospital for an operation, but he was determined to return. “It’s such a great cause,” he said. Across Canada, other versions of the WLTC were also enjoying success in September. In Manitoba, a record 170 trucks took part in the convoy, raising more than $55,000; in Saskatchewan, 63 trucks participated with an expected contribution of about $40,000; and an Atlantic Canada leg of the WLTC was held Sept. 21 with the final tally yet to be reported. The World’s Largest Truck Convoy has spawned a whole series of other convoys, for equally important causes. One of these is the Trucking for a Cure Con-

Michael ‘Motor’ Rosenau honours Canadian troops with this tractor-trailer.

military-themed tractor-trailer to events throughout Alberta, anywhere Canada’s veterans are being honoured. When it’s not appearing at military events, the trailer is used to haul goods in the western provinces, and to raise awareness about the important role the Canadian military plays. “I guess I wanted to be a part of this because of the military background in our family,” Michael Rosenau explained, noting he had many relatives who served in the military. His truck cab is adorned with a collage that includes the image of a childhood friend from Leduc, Alta., who was serving in Afghanistan when the tractor was designed. When Frank Lindegger arrived at his soldiers’ homecoming in Edmonton, he was surprised to see his image gracing the side on Motor’s truck cab. “Frank didn’t know about that decal, and that was a pretty big surprise for him,” Motor recalled. Seeing the tractor-trailer at ceremonies always strikes a cord with veterans, he added. “They are very, very surprised and they’re very appreciative of the support,” Rosenau said. And then there are the convoys that include participation from owner/operators, fleets and company drivers. There’s a convoy for about every type of cause you can imagine, and for good reason. Few images evoke emotions like the sight of dozens of big rigs, parading slowly single-file down the highway, their drivers united behind a cause. Perhaps the most high-profile truck convoy is the World’s Largest Truck Convoy (WLTC) for Special Olympics. The WLTC was launched by Norm Schneiderhan, a corporal with the Orange County Sherriff’s Department in Florida. He wanted to contribute to Special Olympics and did so through the Law Enforcement Torch Run. He took the event a step further and used his trucking connections to form the inaugural World’s Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics in 2001. The convoy has since spread to include more than 37 states and provinces. This year’s convoy in Paris, Ont. Sept. 14 set a new record, with $80,000 raised for the Special Olympics.

Hardworking Truckers Nov2013.indd 23

voy, held Oct. 5 in Woodstock, which raises funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. There’s plenty of pink on display at this event, which has become a year-round endeavour, with organizers visiting many industry events to raise awareness. “My aunt Anna battled cancer three times, breast cancer twice,” said organizer Joanne Millen MacKen-

TRUCK NEWS Page 23

There’s plenty of pink on display at the Trucking for a Cure Convoy.

zie. “She died in 2008 and I wanted to do this for her.” Despite the prominence of pink on display, the convoy is open to all drivers, regardless of gender. “We don’t turn anyone away. Even if you don’t have a big rig, you are welcome to join the convoy,” said Millen MacKenzie. “We have drivers in trucks of all sizes, dump trucks and other vehicles.” While the funds raised through this year’s event are still being counted, more than 80 trucks took part and it was expected that the final tally would exceed well over $50,000. “We were thrilled with the turnout,” Millen MacKenzie said of this year’s event. Since its inception in 2010, the event raised more than $136,000 heading into this year’s event – and just as important, a lot of awareness about breast cancer. “We want everyone to be a part of the celebration and work together for the cause,” said Millen MacKenzie. “We also want to spread the message about breast health, early detection and living well.” Contributing to the same cause – breast cancer research and awareness – was the Alberta Convoy for a Cure, which ran Sept. 28. What’s amazing about all these events and initiatives is that trucking companies, owner/operators and drivers continue to find the time to give back, often while incurring some personal expense. This even though costs and the demands of the job show no signs of abating. Canada’s trucking industry really does much more than just deliver the goods; it delivers dreams, hope and memories as well.

Shell Rotella® Celebrates Canada’s

hardworking truckers

13-10-15 10:10 AM

Page 24 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

canada

Expect some growing pains when adding natural gas to your fleet Continued from page 1

can be drawn out of this particular model, but suffice it to say, it is an extended timeframe.” Bison normally runs tractors in its LCV fleet for just five years, which is why a quick payback was hoped for. However, fuel economy and maintenance costs have derailed those initial ambitions. Fridfinnson said Bison went into the project expecting a fuel economy degradation of about 10% when moving from diesel to natural gas. “Today we’re tracking at just around 5 mpg on the LNG tractors and around 6 mpg on our comparable diesels, so we have a difference there that’s 17-18% as opposed to the 10% we were targeting,” Fridfinnson said. He remains hopeful that the considerable gap can be cut in half as the company familiarizes

still evaluating: Bison remains committed to its natural gas fleet program, but is non-committal about expanding the program.

itself with the technology and realizes further efficiencies. One of the problems is that the LNG fuel tanks eat up a lot of frame rail space, requiring a longer wheelbase and larger trailer gap, which

hampers fuel economy. Bison has added some tractor fairings in hopes of addressing that issue. Bison also has learned that its LNG tractors aren’t getting the 550mile range they had predicted. In-

INTRODUCING DEFENDER

KNOCK OUT CORROSION WITH DEFENDER.

NEW! DEFENDER System Backed by an amazing 10-year guarantee, the new Defender is the toughest modular harness/lighting system in the world. Maxi-Seal’s exclusive Power Seal Technology® and Peterson’s Piranha® LED lighting fortifies the system against moisture intrusion. Billions of test miles proved it. Give corrosion the beatdown it deserves. Fight back with Defender. *Full details on request.

Exclusive advances in modular harness technology make Defender virtually impervious to moisture and corrosion. 4 2 0 0 E . 1 3 5 t h S t r e e t | G r a n d v i e w, M O 6 4 0 3 0 | 8 1 6 - 7 6 5 - 2 0 0 0 | w w w. m a x i s e a l h a r n e s s . c o m | w w w. p m l i g h t s . c o m

MS_5207_DefenderAd_TruckNews.indd 1 pg 1, 16, 24-25 tn nov v3.indd 24

stead, they are achieving about 450 miles. “For our purposes, it mostly works,” Fridfinnson said of the range. “But there are times in less optimal operating conditions where we can run closer to the line than we want to be.” Maintenance costs have been another unpleasant surprise. Dieselpowered LCV tractors in Bison’s fleet normally incur maintenance costs of three to four cents per mile, Fridfinnson said. “These (LNG) trucks have had an inordinate amount of issues,” he admitted, noting their maintenance costs have run about seven to eight cents per mile – or double their diesel counterparts. The biggest problems have involved sensors, gauges and software related to the LNG fuel system. “I will say, those things have moderated over time and I will give props to our supplier partners for their attentiveness, to make sure we’re not out there on our own trying to deal with these types of things,” Fridfinnson said. Bison is still committed to the project, he added, but enthusiasm – even among customers – seems to have waned in the face of so many disappointments. Fridfinnson said he’s confident there are opportunities to improve fuel economy and reliability, but was non-committal about adding more LNG trucks. “Certainly we’ve run into more obstacles than you ideally want to face in the initial rollout, but we remain strongly committed to the concept and to exercising it fully,” he said. “Whether or not we expand it is yet to be determined. We’re nine months in, so we still have room to do some fine-tuning.” Robert Transport, which has been running its LNG tractors for two years, had a markedly better story to tell, though blazing the LNG trail hasn’t been without its challenges. Maurais said Robert was surprised by how much diesel the 15L Westport GX engine consumed. Because it’s compression ignited, it requires diesel to initiate the combustion cycle. Robert expected the diesel consumption to be about 5% of total fuel consumed, but it has turned out to be closer to 10%, Maurais noted. One of the biggest issues Robert encountered was the additional weight the LNG tanks contributed. The first of its trucks were overweight by US standards on the steer axle the first time they were fuelled up. A day cab with one LNG tank added 546 lbs compared to a diesel equivalent and a sleeper cab with two LNG tanks weighed 1,149 lbs more than a diesel. Another issue was that the in-cab methane detectors sucked power, requiring additional batteries – and more weight – to be added to the vehicles. Not to be deterred, Robert has begun adding solar panels to the roof fairings to power the methane detectors and air-conditioning systems. The tanks – for diesel, natural gas and diesel exhaust fluid – competed with APUs for frame rail space, requiring a longer wheelbase and adding to the trailer gap.

3/29/12 10:26 AM 13-10-15 2:38 PM

November 2013

“Using sleeper trucks, it’s very hard, almost impossible, to get the truck shorter than a 220-inch wheelbase, so it makes for a very long truck,” Maurais said. On the plus side, Robert has substantially reduced its greenhouse gas emissions. Maurais said GHG has been slashed by 58% in LCV appli-

Natural gas: How to make it work

If you haven’t been deterred by the less-than-glowing reports coming from some early adopters of natural gas trucks, then there are steps you can take to make the transition less painful. Trevor Fridfinnson, senior vice-president with Bison Transport, said it’s important to involve drivers in every step of the implementation process. “Make sure you spend ample time on the driver component,” Fridfinnson said. Bison did this at the outset, providing classroom, online and physical training for drivers, but even that wasn’t enough, Fridfinnson now believes. “We got a lot of good uptake with it, however when you run into issues, as you do with any project rollout, it’s very quick for momentum to turn on those things if you’re not on top of it,” he explained. Bison began assigning driver mentors who were experienced and comfortable with the natural gas vehicles, to pair up with neophyte drivers who had questions or were uneasy about the technology. “We have them participate in a ride-along before the driver gets assigned a truck, and cut off some of those fears that come along with something like this,” Fridfinnson said. “It can die on the vine if you don’t get that buy-in.” Bison also has involved its Driver Advisory Board in the discussions about natural gas. The company learned many drivers had concerns about safety, range, fuelling complexity and performance. Drivers who were among the first to drive the LNG trucks were brought in to address the advisory board and debunk some of the myths that were circulating. “Those exercises were pretty important to us, to help get a sense of confidence and buyin to what we were doing,” Fridfinnson said. Yves Maurais, engineering manager with Robert Transport, said it’s also important to do your homework and understand the various types of natural gas that are available. “Know your fuel,” he stressed, noting there are even differences between warm and cold LNG, not to mention CNG. He also said fleets should focus on “Training, training, training.” To maximize the benefits of running LNG, Maurais suggested deploying the trucks into the highest-mileage routes possible. “If you can give them doubleshifts, LNG trucks are perfect for that,” he said. Finally, Maurais said to keep expectations realistic and to “expect some downtime.” n

pg 25 tn nov v2.indd 25

TRUCK NEWS Page 25

cations when compared to pulling two trailers with two diesel-powered tractors. And unlike Bison, Robert is getting fuel economy that’s nearly equal to its diesels. Maurais pointed out that the Westport GX uses the EPA07 generation Cummins ISX as its base engine. Therefore, comparisons should be made against the EPA07 engines – not the more fuel-efficient 2010s. The GX engines in Robert’s fleet are getting fuel economy equal to its trucks with the EPA07 Cummins ISX15 diesels. “These trucks have been in service now for 18 months to two years, so we’re figuring out that the breakin period of these engines is a lot longer than a regular diesel engine,” Maurais said. “It could be up to 200,000 kms before we get optimal fuel consumption.” He believes the Westport GX engine can equal comparable diesels for fuel economy. n

Healthy Trucker Pilot Program www.HealthyTrucker.com

Brought to you by NAL Insurance

13-10-15 10:58 AM

Page 26 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

canada

Why the trucking industry’s current interest in natural gas isn’t just a fad By James Menziess TORONTO, Ont. – The trucking industry has had its flirtations with natural gas in the past, so why will the present surge in interest be any different than previous experiences in the 80s and 90s, when the alternative fuel was examined and then just as quickly, abandoned? Bob Bleaney, vice-president, external relations with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) insisted things are different this time around, thanks to advances in technology that have unlocked vast swaths of shale gas. Bleaney was speaking at the first annual Natural Gas Vehicle Infrastructure Conference. He said horizontal drilling techniques refined over the past few years have proven to be safe and effective at extracting previously unavailable gas. In 2000, Bleaney said, there was thought to be a 70-year supply of natural gas, or about 390 trillion cubic feet. By 2010, new drilling techniques increased available supply to 700-1,300 trillion cubic feet, or more than 100 years’ supply. This development will keep natural gas prices low and stable for the foreseeable future, Bleaney said. “The evolution of shale gas development has been a serious game-changer to the resource base

in North America,” he said. The down side to all this for Canadian producers, is that the US is enjoying the same phenomenon and is now the world’s largest producer of natural gas. As a result, Canada has seen its exports to the US drop by 16% over the past five years, and has fallen from being the world’s third largest natural gas producer to the number five spot, behind the US, Russia, Iran and Qatar. Canada’s abundant supply of natural gas, and drying export opportunities, mean producers are looking to develop new opportunities domestically. The most obvious of those is transportation. Bleaney said just 0.1% of Canadian natural gas consumption is used for transportation. “To me, that means there has got to be a huge opportunity to expand this use,” he said. And it’s not just limited to trucking. Bleaney said the rail and marine modes are also beginning to experiment with natural gas. Ironically, he noted, CN is using a natural gas-powered locomotive in Alberta to transport crude oil out of Fort McMurray. Still, Bleaney acknowledged there needs to be a stronger fuelling infrastructure network if the alternative fuel is to truly catch on. He said there are only five operating facilities in Canada that pres-

ently can produce liquefied natural gas (LNG). “If we’re going to see a material movement of LNG use in the

transportation industry, there’s going to have to be a build-up of infrastructure to support that,” he said. n

Government rep mum on feds’ taxation plans TORONTO, Ont. – Frank Des Rosiers, an assistant deputy minister with Natural Resources Canada, spoke at the first annual Natural Gas Vehicle Infrastructure Conference, to provide a federal government perspective on the use of natural gas for transportation. But what delegates really wanted to know from him, was if and when the feds would slap road taxes on natural gas if its role as a substitute to diesel is expanded. Des Rosiers parried such questions by saying the government cannot discuss future taxation strategies. He did, however, add that using natural gas for transportation “meets a lot of public policy objectives.” Des Rosiers said the government is aware there are substantial benefits to using natural gas for transportation, including economic benefits to industry and end-users, as well as a 20-25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. He noted Canadian companies have invested more than $350 million in natural gas vehicles, infrastructure and research and development to date. The present landscape for natural gas adoption in trucking is “quite encouraging,” Des Rosiers said, because the supply outlook has improved drastically, there have been technological advancements and greater vehicle availability, and there has also been an increased interest among industries and governments worldwide in going green. Still, it was the taxation issues that delegates returned to. Alicia Milner, president of the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance, said the industry would like some assurance that a road tax won’t be applied to natural gas in the near-term. “We had Manitoba apply taxation six months ago,” she said. “We were able to get them to scale it back a bit. They acknowledged the revenue impact was negligible but they moved forward (with taxation on natural gas) based on one project. Don’t immediately start to tax something that at this point represents a very small percentage of energy use.” To which Des Rosiers said, “I’m not in a position to comment about future tax intention.” n

More Drive time. Less Downtime. On the road, in your yard, or at our location, OK Tire has what it takes to get the job done. We have the experience to help lower your overall cost per kilometer by recommending the best tire for your needs; like Smartway Tires or special application tires. Our broad selection of brands, Emergency Roadside Assistance, Certified Technicians, and up to date equipment means we have everything you’ll need to keep rolling. There are OK Tire locations from coast to coast visit oktire.com to find one near you.

pg 26-27 tn nov v3.indd 26

13-10-10 11:49 AM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 27

Should government do more to encourage the uptake of nat-gas in the Canadian trucking industry? By James Menzies TORONTO, Ont. – Government has an important role to play in establishing natural gas as a viable transportation fuel, including resisting the urge to slap a road tax on the clean-burning fuel. Jamie Milner, vice-president, market development and customer care with Enbridge, said during the first annual Natural Gas Vehicle Infrastructure Conference here that: “Attracting tax can really shut down things quickly.” He acknowledged a road tax will eventually be inevitable, but would like to see it deferred as long as possible. “What we’re really trying to do, is make sure we create a period of investment certainty,” Milner said. He also called on government to be flexible with weights and dimensions regulations, for instance, by allowing natural gaspowered vehicles to carry extra payload to compensate for the added weight of the fuel and hardware a natural gas fuelling system incurs. He also called on governments to draw a correlation between the environmental benefits of running natural gas, and each province’s own GHG reduction targets. He pointed out 27% of the GHG emissions produced in Ontario are attributed to onroad transportation, and natural gas can reduce those emissions by 20-30%. “Ontario is looking for ways to reduce their GHG, but they haven’t really looked at transportation, except for mass-market electric vehicles,” Milner said. “Governments have lots of instruments at their fingertips that they can use to help. We need a broader clean transportation policy, one that includes commercial vehicles.” He argued Ontario must embrace and encourage the use of natural gas as a substitute for diesel if the province wishes to remain competitive with other jurisdictions. He applauded the provinces of B.C. and Quebec for providing incentives for fleets that purchase natural gas trucks. Trucking companies, Milner said, can reduce their fuel costs by about 40% when switching from diesel to natural gas. Enbridge itself runs more than 600 natural gas vehicles (many are bi-fuel), and saves $1 million per year in fuel costs. Milner said there are currently more than 50 large natural gasfuelled vehicle models available direct from the OEMs. “It’s not for lack of vehicle availability,” he said of the slow uptake. Like others who spoke at the conference, Milner said there is plenty of evidence that natural gas will remain significantly cheaper than diesel for years to come. He predicted a “stable pricing envi-

ronment” for natural gas right through till 2030. Even if natural gas doubles in price, he said, it will remain cheaper than diesel. At current prices, carriers can reduce their fuel spend by 40%. Milner worries about what will happen if LNG takes hold in the US – where 200 refuelling stations are in the process of being built – and not here in Ontario. “Part of this is, does Ontario want to be non-competitive with the US? No. Competitiveness is very important,” he said. “It’s like economic stimulus when you free up that kind of money in an economy.” n

PUT MILEAGE ON YOUR RIG. NOT YOUR BACK.

Presenting the Bose Ride system for heavy-duty trucking. Proprietary Bose technologies are engineered to ®

detect and counteract road vibrations before you feel them. Learn how this system can help drivers shake less, feel better and drive longer at Bose.com/BoseRide or call 1-800-757-2073.

Shake less. Feel better. Drive longer.

CC012712_ASD_BRS_TruckNews_Print_Ad_7-875x10-75.indd 1

pg 26-27 tn nov v3.indd 27

now available: Professional driver Alfy Meyer has published a book. Abajam Chronicles: Two Families Lost in Time, tells the story of a trucker who, along with his property, family and friends, has been transported to a peculiar new world. The book is available for order online at Amazon and from other book retailers. Look for a full review in an upcoming issue. n

5/7/13 12:02 PM

13-10-10 11:50 AM

Page 28 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

CITT looking to help members thrive at annual conference By Daniela Piteo TORONTO, Ont. – Why merely survive when you can thrive? That’s the thinking behind the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation’s (CITT) focus on “thrive-ability” at its upcoming national conference on supply chain and logistics in November. The national conference, to be held in Toronto Nov. 3-5, will explore strategies for more profitable and sustainable supply chains. Held at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, it is quickly nearing capacity. CITT, an organization that emerged in 1958, is calling all interested participants to pre-register before the Oct. 18 deadline. “Conference attendees are going to return to work engaged, refreshed and full of new ideas,” said Catherine Viglas, president of CITT.

The event is a great networking excursion that marries knowledge and ideas and brings together colleagues, competitors and partners, organizers said. “Every year we look for cutting edge topics within the industry and blend technical aspects with business management in our sessions,” Viglas said. “The power of leadership skills helps you even if you are a coordinator. You can never be too smart in terms of leadership skills.” This year, the Second City comedy group will present a session that instructs people on how to use improvisational skills. “Improvisation is a method of using your brain power. Everything we do is improvised,” said Viglas. The session, led by veteran Second City actors, aims to coach people through panic attacks, being

caught off-guard or away from difficult questions. “It is how you calm, compose and centre so the right words come out of your mouth. You want action, not just a reaction,” Viglas said. The sessions aren’t just about testing your skills as a thespian; they also deal with topics that are relevant to the member-based organization. The three-day conference will explore topics such as global trade compliance, fuel surcharges and ethical business practices, plus more. “When we bring together these sessions, we make sure we have really top-notch presenters and we get thorough research,” Viglas emphasized. “Nobody leaves our sessions. Everyone is enthralled. That’s our conference,” she said. For details, visit www.citt.ca. n

Membership has it’s benefit$! SAVE 50% off your LifeLine Trucker Membership and start saving today! Pay only $75 plus HST for a LifeLine Trucker Membership. Use code LLTHRB. LifeLine Trucker members save Save 12-15¢ per litre on diesel or coloured fuel.

Members may increase their savings of 12 – 15¢ per litre, above by using Orion 5000-EL lubricants. With over 80 million miles usage in US fleets, Orion additive users have experienced up to a 9% increase * in fuel economy. By combining these two offers members may save up to 20¢ per litre. * See Orion’s website for detailed test results.

Visit www.LifeLinetruckers.com to find out more.

SAVE 10% on your taxes! * Limited Time offer! LifeLine Trucker Members – bring your 2012 taxes to H&R Block and save 10% off your small business tax return. Visit hrblock.ca to find the location nearest you or call 1-800-HRBLOCK (472-5625)

*Some conditions apply. Offer valid for a T1 Self-Employed tax return (expires March 31, 2014) or a T2 Corporate return (expires December 31, 2014). Available at participating offices across Canada. May not be combined with any other offer.

pg 28 tn nov v3.indd 28

Canadian spot market down slightly in August TORONTO, Ont. – Canadian spot market freight availability took a small step back in August, according to the latest data from TransCore Link Logistics. The company noted monthover-month and year-over-year load volumes were down about 2%. Load volumes for August were on par with April of this year, with cross-border loads accounting for 68% of the total posted volumes. Loads originating in the US destined for Canada were down 11% year-over-year in August. Cross-border loads starting in Canada, destined for the US were up 6% y-o-y. The top five states for loads destined to Canada were from: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. The five top states where loads originating in Canada were headed, included: New York, California, Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida. Intra-Canada load volumes were down 1% year-over-year and represented 26% of total volumes in August. Equipment postings were also calm in August, after hitting a 10-year high last month, TransCore reported. Equipment postings were down 3% month-over-month but were 7% above posting levels for the same time last year. n

The Guarantee launches transport insurance service TORONTO, Ont. – The Guarantee Company of North America has launched its new transportation insurance division, Guarantee Transportation Solution (GTS). “GTS is a one-stop insurance solution for transportation companies. We’ve got the right people and the right partners in place to offer customers a fresh approach, rather than an annual negotiation exercise,” said Angelique Magi, national v.p., strategic initiatives for The Guarantee. “I am so proud of what we are offering the market place as an alternative to traditional transportation policies. The reaction from our broker partners on this initiative has been extremely positive.” The company says it has aligned itself with strategic partners to prevent gaps in coverage. It has also developed a microsite and mobile app for brokers and customers called Guarantee’s Go-To Solution. Magi said The Guarantee has assembled a team of transportation experts who understand the needs of the transportation industry. “Our new product, GTS, offers customers more than just a rate and wordings,” said Guarantee CEO Alister Campbell. “We are providing them with real, distinct value.” For more i n fo, v i sit www.TheGuarantee.com. n

13-10-10 11:56 AM

Snowmobiles also known as snow machines or sleds invite riders to explore the great outdoors and the thrills of snow covered trails. Snowmobiles were originally intended as winter utility vehicles to be used where motor vehicles could not go, appealing to hunters and workers transporting personnel and material. Now used recreationally, snowmobilers enjoy the sights of the season at their own pace.

When you choose to take the road less traveled, rely on Husky Energy to give you more time to do the things that matter. High quality products like Chevron DeloÂŽ Extended Life Coolant/Antifreeze, with 1.2 million kms of extended life protection, help give drivers a breather when needed most.

Chevron Lubricants are available from Husky Energy at all Bulk Plants, Cardlocks, Husky Travel Centres and Retail Locations in Western Canada and Ontario. For a location nearest you, call 1-800-592-8838. Husky Energy also features two Full Service Truck Lubrication Bays conveniently located at Shawson Drive & Dixie Road and Courtneypark Drive & Kennedy Road, Mississauga, Ontario.

Husky.indd 1

13-10-04 10:18 AM

Page 30 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

For Total Lube Solutions,

GO WITH THE FLO! √ Autogreasers for Your Mobile Equipment √ Fluid Handling Equipment for Your Garage √ Our Mobile Workshops Come to You

canada

What a year! Driver loses job, gets new one, goes on to win National Driving Championships.

Tel 1.800.668.5458

sales@flocomponents.com www.flocomponents.com

Par king Heater

BEST VALUE Guaranteed 2KW Air Heater

Dealer Inquiries Welcome

www.snuggercanada.com

1-877-386-7320 2 Year Limited War r anty

$795.00 * price does not include installation

Snugger Heater Systems-Canada Unit B-1465 Kebet Way Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6L3 Fax: 1-877-366-5013

pg 30-32 tn nov v3.indd 30

By Jim Bray ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – A new Home Hardware driver beat all other comers at the 2013 National Professional Truck Driving Championships. Ontario’s Rob Marshall was a dual winner at the event, which was held on British Columbia’s Lower Mainland on the weekend of Sept. 20-21. Marshall not only copped the Grand Champion trophy, he also scored the Rookie of the Year award. Yet he isn’t really a rookie, as rookies are identified traditionally. According to Shaun Garvey, chairman of the event’s organizing committee, “as far as Rob is concerned, he had in fact won the right to come to the nationals in 2009, but (the event) was cancelled. And unfortunately that soured him a little bit and so he didn’t compete for a couple years.” So since he hadn’t actually competed in the Nationals before, he got to be a rookie again this year. “With the event being in British Columbia again,” Garvey said, “he was looking forward to coming back and doing what he didn’t have an opportunity to do in 2009, which was to compete.” And so he did. The rest, as they say, is history. Garvey said the competition couldn’t have come at a better time for Marshall. “Just as he was about to compete in the event in Ontario,” he said, “the company he was working for went out of business. So he ultimately entered the competition as a driver without a company and without representation.” As it turned out, his performance in the Ontario championships was not only a winning one, it was a heckuva resume enhancer as well. “As soon as he won, at the awards banquet in Ontario, a couple of potential employers were there seeking his services,” Garvey said. “Home Hardware won out and as a result they sponsored him coming to the national event.” Which of course was great publicity for both driver and company. Marshall’s achievement even earned some high praise from the company’s CEO. “Home Hardware has always been a leader in the trucking industry, including the development of road safety policies for the hiring and training of drivers,” said Paul Straus, president and CEO, Home Hardware Stores. “On behalf of dealerowners of close to 1,100 stores across Continued on page 32

13-10-11 12:19 PM

ASSET MONITORING

One Platform for Total Fleet Management ibright® Refrigerated Trailer Monitoring ibright® Dry Trailer Monitoring ibright® In-cab Monitoring

Manage your fleet smarter and save money with technology that works. Set yourself apart from your competition! • Eliminate claims through active monitoring of the reefer (temperatures, operating performance, etc) •R educe driver errors with the ability to remotely control the reefer •M inimize downtime by receiving real-time alerts of any reefer issues • I ncrease customer satisfaction knowing exactly when shipments will arrive •D ecrease reefer fuel consumption •D ecrease insurance rates • I ncrease utilization • I mprove driver behaviour lowering maintenance costs •S ervice maintenance scheduling to ensure preventative maintenance is performed at the appropriate scheduled intervals •A nd… much more!

Ask about our 100% financing option with one fixed monthly payment. In today’s business environment Maple Lodge recognizes the need to “utilize best of breed technologies for advanced food safety and security. Ultimately this means a raised standard in terms of protection for our customers. We are now able to monitor temperatures at the dispatching level, get alerted on any issues as it related to the reefer, and track our drivers end to end. This insight into our refrigerated fleet is now a mainstay to our day to day operations. We are happy that we chose International Telematics systems from Reefer Sales and Service, and are now rolling out the systems to our tractors. Working with one vendor for our refrigerated trailers, straight trucks, and tractors is a great benefit which is very difficult to find in this industry. With our research, other telematics vendors provided a solution for some but not all of our asset tracking needs.

”

Richard Zancai Director, Logistics

Reefer Sales & Service is proud to be the exclusive dealer for ibright® systems from International Telematics in Ontario and the Maritimes. A must-have technology in the ever growing, competitive transportation market. For refrigerated transport, safety is a major priority requiring carriers to implement more proactive measures than ever before.

www.reefersales.com Reefer Sales and Service 425 Gibraltar Drive Mississauga, ON L5T 2S9 (905) 795-0234 Fax (905) 795-0018

Reefer Sales_Service.indd 1

For sales contact Brad Otsuka 905-467-9674 brad@reefersales.com

Atlantic Carrier Transicold 295 MacNaughton Ave. Moncton, NB E1H 2S7 (506) 388-6000 Fax (506) 388-6001

Reefer Sales and Service 624 Arvin Ave. Stoney Creek, ON L8E 5P1 (905) 643-0199 Fax (905) 643-0089

13-10-11 10:19 AM

Page 32 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

canada

Ontario driver named grand champ Continued from page 30

Canada, I would like to congratulate Rob on his incredible achievement. We are proud to have him driving for Home Hardware.” Marshall wasn’t the only top driver who showed up in Abbotsford, of course. Garvey reported that a total of 33 contestants threw their hats into the ring, a tally that included full, fivedriver teams from all regions except Atlantic Canada and Saskatchewan, whose teams consisted of four drivers. An enthusiastic audience – consisting mostly of drivers, spouses, friends, family and assorted hangerson – basked in what was described as ideal end-of-summer weather at Abbotsford’s Tradex Centre. “It was absolutely perfect for our needs,” Garvey said of the venue, which also hosts the biennial Truxpo exposition. “To have that kind of real estate out there as well as all of

the amenities, the classrooms inside, and being able to perform the vehicle inspection inside on Friday, it was just ideal for us.” After the last lap was run, attendees kicked back with a banquet at the Ramada Plaza Abbotsford Hotel and Convention Centre. The awards were presented by Garvey, Gary Ryder (chief judge, Chevron Canada) and Tammy Clifford of Zurich Canada. The banquet bash capped an event Garvey said took a little over a year to plan. “A ton of work was done on behalf of the organizing committee and a couple of staff from the trucking association and lots of volunteers from all across the industry,” he said. As mentioned above, the last time the Nationals were scheduled for B.C., they succumbed to a kind of perfect storm made up of unfortunate conditions spurred by a sagging economy.

taking home the hardware: Rob Marshall, a Home Hardware driver out of Ontario, was named the Grand Champion at this year’s driving championships.

Garvey noted that a couple of provinces weren’t able to field teams back then and the slowdown also meant the event’s organizers had a tough time getting sponsorships. In the end, he said, “We sat down and looked at (the situation) and said ‘How can we really legitimately call it a national event if all of our jurisdictions aren’t repre-

Fifth wheels made right.

55,000 lbs. Capacity Models

150,000 lbs. Max. Drawbar Pull

6 YEAR/ 600,000 miles

Performance Guarantee

The durable cast steel Holland FW35 fifth wheel will always have your back. Known by fleets as the most proven and versatile fifth wheel in the industry, the durable cast steel FW35 sets the benchmark for reliability. The series includes the FW31 NoLube™, the world’s only completely grease-free fifth wheel. And, with the industry’s only Performance Guarantee of 6 Years/600,000 miles – why would you spec anything else?

FW35-HalfPgIsl-TN.indd 1

pg 30-32 tn nov v3.indd 32

sented?’ And as a result, it kind of culminated in it having to be cancelled, which was unfortunate.” B.C.’s organizing committee relished their shot at redemption this year and the event went off splendidly. To qualify for the competition, drivers must have no preventable accidents in the 12 months prior to the championships. The contest consists of a written test challenging drivers’ general knowledge of the industry and its equipment, a pre-trip inspection approximating a driver’s regular vehicle inspection, and of course the driving competition, which tests drivers’ skills at maneuvering, cornering and judging distances. The trophies this year were sponsored by Zurich Canada; the Grand Champion also received a cash award from FedEx Freight. A Safety Award was given out as well, an honour Garvey said is “not typically passed out at the national event.” Sponsored by the Canadian Association of Fleet Supervisors, the Safety Award also consisted of a trophy and some lucre. With the event now in the history books, Garvey looked back on the National Professional Truck Driving Championship with satisfaction, calling it “An opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of some of the best out there on the roads. And it really is an honour for us to do so, because of the work they do on a dayto-day basis.” Garvey also thanked the sponsors who he said “enabled us to put on this event and to celebrate the drivers that we certainly want to recognize for everything they’ve done for us.” So it’s on to next year – and if you plan to be there, better brush up on your français: the 2014 Nationals will be hosted by Quebec. Here’s a complete list of the winners: Grand Champion & Rookie of the Year: Rob Marshall, Ontario, Home Hardware; Safety Award: Jason Novak, Manitoba, Canadian Freightways; Team Trophy: Manitoba: Brian Hrabarchuk (Con-way Freight), Ken Wiebe (EDB Enterprises), Ronald Poirier (TST Overland Express), Jason Novak (Canadian Freightways) and Howard McAfee (H & T Trucking); Straight Truck: Rob Marshall, Ontario, Home Hardware; Single-Single: Clary Ward, Ontario, Con-Way Freight; Single-Tandem: Ronald Poirier, Manitoba, TST Overland Express; Tandem-Tandem: John Broker, B.C., Martin Brower; Super B-Train: Ken Wiebe, Manitoba, EBD Enterprises. n

2/19/13 2:50 PM

13-10-11 12:20 PM

Shell Canada Products Ltd.indd 1

13-10-09 4:11 PM

Page 34 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

health

Watch out for signs of astigmatisms INSURING THE INDUSTRY FOR OVER 20 YEARS

PUT NATIONAL TRUCK LEAGUE TO WORK FOR WSIB Alternative

Truck Insurance

Travel Medical

Downtime

Health and Dental

Deductible Buy Down

GTA OFFICE Mississauga, ON 905.678.1900

HEAD OFFICE London, ON 800.265.6509

www.nationaltruckleague.com

YOU!

Professional truck drivers rely heavily on their eyes to perform their daily work tasks. Even the slightest problem in vision can greatly inhibit a driver from performing his or her job effectively and safely. This month I am going to discuss the topic of astigmatisms. An astigmatism is a very common eye condition that affects many people. Essentially, an astigmatism is defined as an imperfection in the curvature of your eye. It occurs when there is an irregular curve in the cornea or lens of the eye. Astigmatisms will cause vision disturbances at all distances. In most cases, astigmatisms are present at birth. However, often they are not significant enough to require treatment.

bensontire.com

We strive to give you the greatest quality of service and products, through our commitment to our customers and never settling for good enough. Barrie Belleville Bowmanville Brockville Cambridge Concord Cornwall Guelph Hamilton Kingston Mississauga Ottawa West Ottawa East Peterborough Windsor

(705) 737-1345 (613) 966-7798 (905) 697-1470 (613) 345-1419 (519) 650-0788 (905) 669-9460 (613) 932-5800 (519) 763-7630 (905) 544-9631 (613) 548-8488 (905) 673-0248 (613) 224-0224 (613) 745-1991 (705) 876-4646 (519) 969-9880

MOBILE

SERVICE

1-866-6BENSON WE STOCK TIRES FOR ALL VEHICLES trucks, cars, pickups, fork lift, mining, graders, quarries, lawn & garden, ATV and off-road

Back behind the wheel Dr. Chris Singh

The symptoms associated with astigmatisms include blurred or distorted vision, headaches, eye strain and/or fatigue. There is also speculation that there is a correlation between astigmatisms and migraine headaches. It is important to see an eye doctor if there are any changes in your vision. He or she will be able to identify the cause of your changes and if they determine that you have an astigmatism, they will also be able to recommend different treatment options. It is recommended that most healthy adults older than 40 years of age have their eyes examind every two to four years until the age of 55. After the age of 55, it is recommended to have them checked every one to three years. If you have an increased risk of eye diseases such as glaucoma, you may be required to have your eyes examined more often. The cornea and the lens are two main parts of the eye that are important in focusing the images that we see. If these two components are perfectly shaped, it forms a perfect image on the back of the eye. However, if there are any imperfections or irregularities on the surfaces, it will cause a distortion in the image. Astigmatisms may develop after an eye injury, disease or surgery. However, most are present at birth. Contrary to popular belief, astigmatisms are not caused by sitting too close to the television or reading in poor light. If your eye doctor suspects that you have an astigmatism, he or she will perform specific tests designed to measure the way light passes through the eye as well as the curvature of your cornea. The good news is that astigmatisms are easily treated. The goal of treatment is to address the uneven curvatures of the eye. The first form of treatment is to wear corrective lenses. Eyeglasses can be made with special lens that compensate for the irregular shape of the eye. Contact lenses can also be used to treat astigmatisms. There are many different types of contact lenses. Another treatment option is surgery to reshape the surface of the eye. This type of surgery is usually completed using specialized lasers. It is important to discuss with your eye doctor which is best for you. Until next month, drive safely! n â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Dr. Christopher H. Singh runs Trans Canada Chiropractic at the 230 Truck Stop in Woodstock, Ont. He can be reached at 519-421-2024.

pg 34-35 tn nov v1.indd 34

13-10-15 10:47 AM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 35

Keeping your liver fit and trim We often link liver disease to excessive drinking. However, the most common chronic liver disease in North America, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), is experienced by people who drink little or no alcohol. With this condition, because individuals’ livers are unable to efficiently break down fat, fat accumulates in their liver tissues. Some fat is always stored in the liver, but when over 10% of your liver’s weight is fat, you may have NAFLD. In its mildest form, NAFLD is no concern. However if the condition progresses, the accumulated fat can cause inflammation and scarring, leading to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The scarring in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, a more serious condition, can become so severe that it prevents the liver from functioning adequately, leading to liver failure. Fortunately, if recognized and treated early, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be reversible. The actual cause of NAFLD is currently unknown, since the condition is linked to such a broad range of diseases, conditions, and triggers. Yet, the following are all known to increase the risk: genetic predisposition; viralhepatitis; malnutrition; Type 2 diabetes; obesity; rapid weight loss; medications, especially those with liver warning labels; toxins and chemicals; high cholesterol; and high levels of triglycerides in the blood.

Preventive Maintenance Karen Bowen

As well, Wilson’s disease, an inherited disorder, causes too much copper to accumulate in the liver. Metabolic syndrome, a combination of conditions that occur together, including increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels, can also accompany NAFLD. If you have any of these risk factors, take note if you have any of the common NAFLD symptoms below. You may feel inexplicably weak or confused, since your circulatory system may be affected. When your liver is stressed, your body redirects blood from your muscles and brain to your liver to help your liver heal. This change in blood flow may cause impaired judgment and concentration, and low energy levels. You may see changes in your skin. Because bile cannot be properly excreted by the liver, it may back up into your system, causing jaundice. If so, your skin and the whites of your eyes will take on a yellowish hue. As well, your skin may also form tiny yellow bumps, particularly around your eyelids. Also, the skin on your neck or underarms may become discolored,

dark and patchy. You may see changes in your digestive system. Your urine may become dark and strong smelling, while your feces may become pale (whitish or clay-coloured) and very foul smelling. Your abdomen may become painfully distended. Excess fluid may be retained in the abdominal cavity and liver. This condition, Ascites, is a sign of serious liver disease. Two signs that liver disease has progressed to this stage are: the person’s naval becomes visibly pushed out and the person has trouble breathing because the lungs and other internal organs are being compressed by the excess liquid. People with advanced liver disease can also develop muscle wasting, and/ or Dupuytren’s Contracture, which affects a layer of tissue that lies under the skin of the palm. Knots of tissue form under the skin that eventually create a thick cord that can pull one or more fingers into a permanently bent position Taking these next steps will help reduce your risk of developing NAFLD. Choose a healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. Maintain a healthy weight, combined with moderate exercise. Handle chemicals with caution; follow directions for medications, as well as industrial and household chemicals. If you exhibit ongoing signs of NAFLD, consult your doctor. If NAFLD is diagnosed, collaborate

on a plan for controlling or reversing the disease. You could even get started now on the following usual recommendations. Attain a healthy weight: Reduce calories and increase physical activity, as needed. Being overweight increases a person’s chance of developing people NAFLD by 75%. Adjust your diet: Include plenty of fruits and vegetables. Increase your intake of foods with healthy saturated fats, like: fish, olive oil and nuts, while reducing unsaturated fats. Switch to whole grain products and brown rice. Maintain an even blood sugar level: Eat smaller, balanced meals more often. Avoid high sugar snacks and refined white sugar and flour. Instead, choose foods that take longer to metabolize. Keep your bad cholesterol low by eating plenty of fiber, particularly oat fiber, and avoiding unsaturated fats. Become more active: walk more by parking further away from the entrance to the truck stop. Thirty minutes per day, five days a week can really make a difference. Reduce your liver’s stress. Drink plenty of water to allow the liver to easily flush out toxins. Avoid unnecessary medications and alcohol. Fifteen million people in North America overuse alcohol; over 90% develop fatty livers. Keep your liver fit and trim. Avoid NAFLD. n – Karen Bowen is a professional health and nutrition consultant , and she can be reached at karen_ bowen @ yahoo.com .

Superior dependability. Superior performance. Superior ergonomics. Vastly superior support.

Autocar shunt tractors. • • • • • • •

Off-Road, DOT, Tandem drive axle and HD models are in stock and loaded with spec Assortment of used and refurbished 2003 to 2009 models available The most complete offering of rental and leasing options to fit your needs Full and preventative maintenance packages Parts and service support for all shunt tractor brands Dedicated shunt truck shop Factory-direct tech support line

CNG and LNG equipped models available and in current production

1.888.GLASVAN (1.888.452.7826) glasvangreatdane.com/autocar info@glasvangreatdane.com Five southern Ontario locations.

pg 34-35 tn nov v1.indd 35

13-10-15 10:48 AM

Page 36 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

over the road

The importance of a proper pre-trip inspection And why we shouldn’t be doing them just ‘because it’s the law.’ Here are a couple of questions for you drivers: How thorough is your pretrip inspection? Do you feel it is a necessary and important part of your daily routine? Why or why not? Fifteen years ago when I was going through the process to get my commercial licence, the general attitude towards pre-trip inspections was: ‘There is the Ministry way and then there is the industry way.’ In other words new drivers were led to believe they were learning skills to pass a test but those skills would not be practical for use on the job. I took the Ministry way/industry way advice with a grain of salt. It turned out, at least in my case, that after obtaining my licence, any training I was to receive regarding the ‘industry way’ was non-existent. Over the years, the school of hard knocks has taught me that a thorough pre-trip saves me time, aggravation, and provides me with peace of mind by improving my workplace safety and reducing my exposure to risk. Oh my, that sounds like a safety manager talking, doesn’t it? The one thing that drives me a little bit crazy when we start discussing pre-trip inspections is that compliance with the law is so often cited as the reason they must be done.

Over the Road Al Goodhall

All drivers have sat through the multitude of safety meetings listening to the safety lecture. The daily vehicle inspection report must be completed once in every 24-hour period, you can be cited if it is not filled out properly, you must log a 15-minute pre-trip, non-compliance affects our CVOR, blah, blah, blah. So it goes. Before you know it, everyone’s eyes glaze over in the meeting and an opportunity to have a group of drivers with various levels of experience share some knowledge and learn something practical has passed. The best place to bring drivers together to talk about how daily pretrip inspections benefit them is in the yard. The central focus of the meeting should be a tractor and trailer that requires some attention. The meeting should not only be about identifying obvious air leaks, worn tires, loose hoses, and insecure freight. It should also be about identifying potential problems and preventing downtime

out on the road. It’s amazing what you can learn to watch for when you get a group of drivers together discussing their experience with a piece of equipment specific to the company they work for. It is easy to fall into the trap of simply going through the motions when performing a pre-trip. This is especially true if you drive for a company that does a top-notch job of caring for its equipment. When tractors and trailers are inspected every time they return to the yard and kept in likenew condition, it can lull you into a false sense of security. This can lead to the ‘hook-andrun’ approach when you set off from your home terminal. Why not? The truck and trailer have just been in the shop. Everything is good to go, right? Why spend your time doing another inspection after a licensed technician has just inspected the equipment? You need to verify that for yourself. Sometimes a fault can arise when you hook a specific tractor to a specific trailer. This happened to me on my most recent trip. All of the running lights and signal lamps were functioning on the trailer but I didn’t have any brake lights. It was simply a poor connection where the electrical cord plugs into the trailer and was corrected in less than two minutes. A quick walk-around probably would not have caught that fault. Hook up, throw on your lights and four-ways, everything looks good, hit the road.

In this instance that wasn’t the case. Heading into Toronto traffic without brake lights may have resulted in a rear-end collision that could have cost me far more time and aggravation than a thorough pre-trip did. Let’s face it. It’s not easy to get drivers excited about performing routine inspections. This is the challenge that all the good people in our safety departments face. As a driver, my advice to you as a safety professional is this: Stop talking about how important pre-trip inspections are to your company’s CVOR rating, your company’s bottom line, and the fact that drivers must perform them because the law requires it. Instead, have your shop manager lead a discussion around one of your pieces of equipment highlighting common problems drivers have experienced on the road and potential problems to watch for. This will lead to some great discussions and a true learning experience that drivers will benefit from. Drivers want to know ‘What’s in it for me?’ Answer that question and you’ll be pleased with the effect it will have on your company’s CVOR rating and bottom line. n – Al Goodhall has been a professional long-haul driver since 1998. He shares his experiences via his 'Over the Road' blog at http://truckingacrosscanada.blogspot.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/Al_Goodhall.

c Mobil Delvac 1™ synthetic heavy-duty diesel engine oil presents:

S Mobil Delvac 1™ is built for diesel engines that work hard like you. And now we’re giving you the chance to play hard too. Win a chance to test drive six of the world’s most exotic cars in LA or Miami with Mobil Delvac 1™. Enter today and you could win: • A Grand Prize six-day getaway to LA or Miami to take six of the world’s most exotic cars for a three-hour spin along the perfect stretch of road. • One of 120 daily instant win prizes that give a taste of the good life consisting of Visa gift cards, Esso gift cards and more!

ne qu

Enter today at winwithmobil.ca No purchase necessary. Contest begins on October 1, 2013 at 9:00 AM Mountain Time (“MT”) and closes on November 29, 2013 at 11:59 PM MT. To enter, you must be a resident of Canada and 21 years of age or older. There is 1 grand prize available to be won consisting of a trip for two to either Los Angeles, California, or Miami, Florida, USA to participate in a Dream Car Tour (with an approximate retail value of $7,000 Cdn); and 120 Instant Win Prizes consisting of gift cards each valued at $125 Cdn (2 prizes to be awarded each day of the Contest Period) with a total retail value of $15,000 Cdn. Skill-testing question required. For complete contest rules, prize descriptions and entry details, visit winwithmobil.ca © 2013 Imperial Oil. Mobil, Mobil 1, Delvac 1 and Esso are trademarks or registered trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation, Imperial Oil Limited or one of their affiliates. Other trademarks and product names used herein are the property of their respective owners.

Un ce (lig Client: IMPERIAL OIL

Docket: IMP-3148

File Description: ENG CVL CONSUMER AD

Date: AUGUST 20, 2013

Size: 10.875” X 8.125”

Colour: CMYK

Publication: TRUCK NEWS

pg 36-37 tn nov v3.indd 36

This file was prepared by

T 403.539.2000 F 403.264.2705

13-10-15 11:09 AM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 37

opinion

A bright idea from Europe My feelings on the emissions control systems on heavy trucks are no secret: I’m not a fan. Now don’t get me wrong, the theory behind them is good. We all want to breathe cleaner air, especially those of us who spend all day sitting behind a diesel engine, as we have the most to gain from taming the emissions. It is the execution that I have the problem with. The reliability of a truck has suffered as a result; for the most part it isn’t the mechanics of the systems that cause the problems, but the electronics. Almost every time that little yellow light flashes up on the dash, it isn’t a hardware issue. The nuts and bolts don’t break; it’s almost always a glitch in a sensor or relay. I have read some research by a well-respected engine shop that suggests a lot of the issues come about as a result of a drop in voltage; even 11.99 volts can trip out a sensor. So even the tiniest drop in supply can trigger a check engine light that will stay lit until you visit the dealership to get the fault cleared. The visit to the dealership will be inconvenient in itself, but sometimes the truck will de-rate and you may need a service call to a truck stop, or more likely, the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. A statement I hear quite often, and one I’m guilty of using myself, is that technicians nowadays are little more than parts-changers that

You say tomato, I say tomahto mark lee

would be lost without their laptop. This is true to a degree, but it is more an indication of the problems that they are trying to fix, rather than their lack of ability. Today’s trucks don’t need metal parts replacing or fixing, they don’t wear out like they used to and a big reason for that is electronics, so although the check engine light has become a thing we see far too often, the fact that our truck has one likely means we don’t have catastrophic failures of major components anymore. So although that little yellow light is a pain in the you-know-where, it also means that your engine is protected against major failure. Obviously the downside is that the little things in the electrical system are, to put it kindly, temperamental at times. This doesn’t seem to be so much of a problem in Europe. Sure, they have issues of their own over there, but the frequency of failure is far less than we experience over here. So why is that? The DD range of engines from Daimler, in Freightliner and Western Star, the MX series of engines from Paccar in Kenworth

and Peterbilt and lastly the Volvo engines in Volvos and their Mack derivatives in Mack trucks are all ‘world’ engines. Only a few emissions-related differences separate them from their European cousins. The only difference I can see is that the electrical systems on European trucks are 24-volt. Is this the thing that makes their electrical systems so much more reliable? Are the fluctuations in voltage minimized by increasing it? Not only that, but why do the manufacturers go to all the trouble of designing different systems for a world engine? Surely a commonality of parts would not only bring down production costs, it would also put more of the same product out there and make ironing out the bugs a far quicker process. I know that emissions regulations are different around the world, but we are reaching a point where everyone is targeting the same things; most of the nasty stuff that exits a tailpipe has been eradicated on both sides of the Atlantic. Both continents are using the same alphabet soup of EGR, DPF and SCR to control emissions, so why are the manufacturers struggling with the EPA regulations more than their engines struggle with the respective Euro emissions controls? Could it really be something as simple as a lack of voltage? Surely the vehicle light bulb industry doesn’t have enough power to prevent the adoption of 24-volt electronics throughout the world. After all, that’s the only thing that would

need to be changed to switch over to 24 volts on North American trucks. The short answer to all of that is no, if a sensor is so susceptible to a micro-drop in voltage, it will trip out no matter what voltage it runs at, but I see a simple solution to that problem and you won’t need to swap out all your light bulbs to make it work. If all these sensors need a constant amount of current passing through them to ensure their reliability, how about making them six or 10, or even 11 volts, put a rheostat or something clever inline to ensure that the 12 volts – or sometimes less – fed into the engine’s electrical system can always supply a constant voltage to the parts that rely on it so much? Maybe then that little yellow light will only appear in emergencies. Technicians can get back to fixing stuff using the contents of their hard-earned toolboxes, dispatchers and fleet owners can take breakdown assist off their speed dials and drivers can fire up their truck at the start of their shift, confident that they will spend the day putting miles under the bumper and not sitting on the shoulder with their head in their hands. n – A fourth generation trucker and trucking journalist, Mark Lee uses his 25 years of transcontinental trucking in Europe, Asia, North Africa and now North America to provide an alternative view of life on the road. You can read his blog at www.brandttruck.com/blog.

canada’s largest tank trailer dealer SALES - SERVICE - PARTS for REMTEC, TREMCAR, J&L TANK inc. IN STOCK

OAKVILLE BRANCH

Call Kevin Brown, Tony Jelicic 1-800-268-1456 • (905) 465-1355 Fax: 905-465-3780

NEw

MONTREAL BRANCH

Call Ron Laberge, Bob Kavanagh, Camille Pettinato, Sylvain Lavoie 1-800-363-2262 • (514) 323-5510

Unit 9515-1999 Kenworth t-300 single axle propane truck c/w 3500 USG MC-331 tank, in test. hurry!

new remteC 61,000L 6 comp’t TC-406 petroleum R-TAC B train, extremely well optioned. Call

Unit 9235 – 2013 heiL 1200 cu. ft. tridem pneumatic, A/R, alum. wheels, Michelin tires, excellent sand tank, ready to work. In Oakville. Call

Unit 9593 – 2005 Lazer stainless sanitary, 6500 USG, 1 compt, insulated, c/w wash ball system, large rear cabinet, air ride, Safetied.

2008 Kenworth t300 tanK trUCK 260 hp Cummins, 6 spd., 14 & 23 axles, A/R, alum. wheels, only 115,000 km from new. c/w Hutchinson 11,600L 1 comp’t. tank, B/L, Lectrocount meter, immaculate ,scarce. Call

Unit 8953 – heiL 2600 cu. ft alum. pneumatic, 8x8 spread, A/R, top & bottom air, was in flour service, very good overall condition, new safety. Call

new 2014 remteC 57,000L 6 comp’t TC-406 petroleum quad, Available. Call

Unit 9099 – 1999 advanCe 57000 Lts, petro quad, 5-compt's w/manifold, Vapor recovery, all in test, Safetied.

Unit 9488 – 1998 FreUhaUF 7200 USG stainless DOT-407, 1 compt, Air ride on steel discs, all tested, Safetied.

Unit 9207 – 2002 advanCe 48,000L, alum. insulated TC-306 convertible quad, has new safety, ready for the winter. Call

Unit 9326 – 2000 tremCar 1600 cu. ft. pneumatic quad, in cement service, overhauled in our shop, A/R, new safety & paint (light grey), ready to work ( 3 units avail). Call

Unit 6276 – 2002 FrUehaUF 7000 usg DOT-407 insulated s/s tandem, near mint jacket, very good overall condition, new safety & B-620. Call

Unit 9421 – 2001 LBt 8500 I.G. DOT-407 insulated s/s quad, A/R, alum. wheels, good overall condition. Call

Unit K496 – 1998 Bedard 2200 cu.ft. aluminum pneumatic A/R quad, five hopper 4'' discharge, Safetied.

Rental Units and Service at both Branches

www.tankmart.com

Tankmart International

OVER 200 NEw & USEd TANK TRAILERS fOR

SALE • LEASE • RENT Feature Unit of the Month

IN STOCK

pg 36-37 tn nov v3.indd 37

13-10-15 11:10 AM

Page 38 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

lighting

Why lighting systems fail

And what you can do to prevent it

By James Menzies A scalpel in the hands of a surgeon can be a vital tool, yet the same device can be used by a madman to inflict harm on others. The same can be said of test probes, when used to troubleshoot lighting systems. “A test probe is a murder weapon (for lighting systems),” Bill Sumner, Canadian OEM manager for Grote said during a seminar at

this year’s Transportation Maintenance and Technology Conference. “It’s the worst tool ever invented. If use properly, it’s a good tool to have in your toolbox, but when you start poking through wire to see if there’s power there, you’re asking for all sorts of trouble.” The seemingly harmless tiny holes left by a test probe are enough to allow corrosion to set in, agreed

Errico Paolucci, Ontario regional connection. A fifth wheel ground manager with Truck-Lite. strap can be used for added protec“A mechanic should never use tion on the chassis ground system. test probes to puncture insulation Incandescent bulbs can have while troubleshooting lighting comtheir lives cut short by excessive plaints,” he said. “Salt molecules heat. This is less of a concern with will penetrate the smallest hole and LEDs, which draw less power. Dirt start causing corrosion.” on the lens of an incandescent bulb If that advice comes too late, excan cause heat to build up, eventuisting holes should be immediateally leading to failure, Paolucci said. ly sealed using heat shrink tubing, “All lamps will live longer if they Paolucci added. run cool and can dissipate heat,” he said. “If not, wicking action can cause moisture to travel considerable disWhen cleaning lights, be sure to tances inside the wire, resulting in use a compatible cleaning product, corrosion at critical locations, dePaolucci suggested. Many commonstroying the circuit,” he said. ly used cleaning chemicals can penCorrosion is one of the most cometrate the plastic and cause cracking. mon causes of lighting system failTroubleshooting ure. Water, dirt, salt and other conlighting failures taminants can penetrate the tiniest holes and wreak havoc on a lightOne way to prevent lighting issues ing system. Lighting experts sugis to incorporate a complete inspecgest using a non-conductive grease tion of the wiring harness into your to encapsulate connectors and keep preventive maintenance program, corrosion at bay. Another cause of Grote’s Sumner suggested. light failure is the constant shock “Harness systems are installed and vibration of travelling over the on a piece of equipment and then road. There are lights on the marforgotten about until there’s a probket that have lem, and by that time it’s too late,” been designed he said. “If addw i t h s h o c king the complete mounted mechharness system to anisms, which your PM schedcradle the bulb Bill Sumner, Grote ule is not practiand absorb the cal, then consideffects of road er, at least, instructing technicians inputs. LEDs are less susceptible to harm from vibration, according to inspect the harness system on a to Paolucci. regular basis as much as possible.” Another issue that crops up is imWhile a preventive maintenance proper voltage. Paolucci estimates program can reduce the likelihood as much as 60% of bulb failures are of problems, any shop will encounnot as they first appear. Often, they ter some lighting-related issues over result from voltage spikes as a retime. The first step in troubleshootsult of things like starting the engine ing a problem, according to Paolucwith the lights turned on. Paolucci ci, is to use a multi-meter tool to suggested avoiding starting the vemeasure the voltage at the J560 hicle while the lights or other heavy connector, which is the entry point draw accessories are turned on. He for the system’s power. If approprialso suggested regularly checking ate power is reaching the lamp, the the voltage, noting that just one volt next step is to check the lamp itself beyond the designed voltage will refor failure. The lamp should be reduce the life expectancy of a bulb moved from its mounting and unby more than 50%. plugged from the harness, PaolucIncorrect voltage should be invesci explained. Also check the lamp’s tigated, not ignored. plug connection. “To correct voltage problems, disIf the lamp itself appears to be cover the real cause,” Paolucci said. okay, inspect the harness pigtail to “Undervoltage is often caused by ensure it’s working. Look for evipoor electrical connections.” dence of corrosion and clean all Don’t just ramp up the voltage contacts. Check to ensure the lamp to compensate for the problem, he is properly grounded and test the added, noting: “Overvoltage is a exposed terminals on the harness killer of lamps and batteries.” pigtail using a multi-meter, Paolucci Each failed lamp has a story to continued. tell, and Paolucci advised against If the lamp and pigtail are not throwing bulbs away without first to blame, move to the nearest investigating the cause of the failwire connection and inspect for ure. A bulb with stretched or broproblems. ken filaments most likely failed due “Follow the wiring harness to the to vibration. A yellowish, whitish or next plugged connection or junction bluish glaze on the bulb indicates a box,” Paolucci explained. “Begin rupture in the bulb’s glass envelope. by unplugging the harness, and A dark, metallic finish indicates old test for proper voltage on exposed age. And a black, sooty bulb inditerminals.” cates a poor seal in the bulb, PaolucIf the problem is still elusive, he ci explained. Truck-Lite has found said to inspect the J-box, but avoid that 20% of the lamps that are disusing test probe wires. carded are still in working condiIf everything inspected so far has tion. The lamps should be removed checked out, move on to the J-560 and bench tested to see if they can nose box connection and examine the main cable. be resurrected. “The best way to identify the Another common cause of lighting system failures is a poor ground problem within the harness system connection, especially when the is to evaluate the system’s continuity trailer is used for a ground. When and resistance,” Paolucci said. “To lamps are grounded through the do so, a break in the system must be lamp housing, Paolucci said to enfound, by looking for highs and lows sure there’s a clean metal-to-metal in the system. Highs and lows in the

‘A test probe is a murder weapon.’

Truck News - Anti-Idling ad_0913.indd 1

pg 38-39 tn nov v3.indd 38

9/16/2013 11:36:54 AM

13-10-15 11:52 AM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 39

For Companies on the move

six points: Having a lamp out is six points against a carrier’s CSA score.

current could be caused by inconsistencies in wire, and can be found in broken wires and even instances of cross-talk within the wire.” He suggested using a multi-meter to conduct these tests – but only when the system is powered off. The test lead should be connected to either end of the wire and then attached to a multi-meter. A beep should indicate there is no continuity problem. If the harness is found to be the source of the problem, it’s then time to track down where in the harness the wire is broken. Paolucci suggested starting at the connector, looking for abnormal signs that could indicate a failure, such as water wicking – the travel of water along the inside of a wire. Water wicking is bad news. The water can travel alongside the copper wire, eventually causing corrosion within an entire wiring harness. If the failure is caused by a damaged connector, Paolucci said to replace the connector, after checking it with a continuity meter to ensure that all wires are making contact with their connector pins. When cutting off the connector, be sure to leave enough wire for working on both sides of the cut, he added. Harness damage can often be traced back to the inappropriate use of a piercing probe, which leaves a hole that can then be penetrated by water. But road debris can also provide contaminants with a convenient entranceway. Paolucci said to look for swelling in the wire, which could indicate the presence of corrosion. Occasionally, wires inside the liner can be damaged or broken without any damage appearing on the insulator that contains the damaged wire. This too, can be bad news, as it’s difficult to locate the failure and in some instances, the entire length of wire must be replaced. Wires that are connected too tightly could experience problems when temperature fluctuations cause them to expand and contract. “Repeated flexing will stress the wire and can sometimes cause it to break,” Paolucci said. “To avoid this, connectors and splices should be restrained to prevent damage from excessive motion during vehicle movement…Look for sharp bends in the wires of the appearance of a wire kink. Look for these at the secured ends of a tight wire or at the secured ends of an excessively loose wire, that can move a

pg 38-39 tn nov v3.indd 39

lot during vehicle motion.” Repair methods When a damaged section of wire is located and removed, check it for signs of corrosion, Paolucci advised. Any corroded sections of wire should be removed. Dull or dirty wires can be cleaned using steel wool or fine sandpaper, he added. For best results, solder the wires together and use heat shrink tubing to seal the connection. Crimp the connection to ensure it stays in tact. Lighting system problems can be among the most challenging to diagnose and repair, but avoiding the use of test probes and monitoring the condition of the wiring harness on a regular basis can go a long way towards eliminating these types of problems in the first place, Paolucci reiterated. n

Gas or Diesel the Davis Fuels Card Lock Card provides 24/7 access to all of our locations. As a member of the IPN (Independent Petroleum Network) your Davis Fuels Card Lock Card also provides 24/7 access to numerous other locations throughout Ontario. We can customize your Card Lock program with various Card Options and Fleet Management including: • Locations Restrictions • Pin Numbers • Detailed semi-monthly reports To obtain a Davis Fuels Card Lock Card or for more information please visit our website or call us today.

Card Lock Locations Burford Brant County Hwy 53 22 King St, RR #2 Brantford Located at Carrier Truck Centre Wayne Gretzky Parkway, North of Hwy 403 6 Edmondson St Woodstock Located at Carrier Truck Centre Hwy 59, North of Hwy 401 645 Athlone Place East London Located at Carrier Truck Centre Highbury Ave, South of Hwy 401 90 Enterprise Drive West London Flying M Truck Stop Hwy 4, South of Hwy 401 7340 Colonel Talbot Rd

22 King Street, Burford, ON 519.449.2417 • 1.800.369.0480 Our family serving yours for over 55 years!

DF_truckNewsAd_4.875x7.5.indd 1

www.davisfuels.ca 2013-04-01 2:38 PM

13-10-15 11:53 AM

Page 40 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

refrigeration

Rosedale Transport Limited is a family run business operating since 1969. With 14 terminals across North America, we are dedicated to providing a higher standard of Quality Transportation Services.

Hiring

Owner OperatOrs FOr all terminals A professional & approachable management team Consistent weekly miles A bonus structured mileage rate combined with an attractive fuel subsidy program No forced dispatch No New York City

Be sure to check out our new recruiting video on our website.

Rosedale understands what Owners want ... ...We can make it happen.

For more information contact Recruiting: 1-905-670-0057 • 1-877-588-0057 recruiting@rosedale.ca • www.rosedalegroup.ca

Head Office: 6845 Invader Cres., Mississauga, ON L5T 2B7

cool solution: John Manousaridis, an O/O who hauls ice cream for Nestle, has discovered an Italian cold plate truck body that he says holds temperatures at -40 C even when it’s 30 C outside. Photo by James Menzies

Keeping his cool By James Menzies BRAMPTON, Ont. – Nothing makes a kid – or ice cream delivery man – sadder, than a puddle of melted Neapolitan-flavoured ice cream on the ground. But in the ice cream business, spoilage can happen quickly if temperatures aren’t sustained while in transit. Just ask John Manousaridis, an owner/operator with eight trucks that primarily deliver Nestle ice cream products to retail outlets in southern Ontario. Manousaridis

has lost his share of loads due to refrigeration unit failures and has searched the world for a better solution. He has long been a believer in electroplate technology, but the first such units he deployed about 15 years ago were too heavy. More recently, however, the technology has improved to become viable. Unlike a conventional diesel-powered refrigeration unit, electroplate technology features cold plates along the roof of the truck body, which are charged up overnight. They can

Here We GrOW AGAin! SnowbirdS auto connection ltd. iS a growing vehicle relocation Service provider acroSS north america

ALL Teams Welcome!!

LOnG HAUL DriVerS Company supplies Smart Phone, Float & Fuel Card

Single Drivers earn up to $0.53/mile • 2500 to 3500 per week mileage • Paid loading & unloading • Paid Border Crossing • Paid orientation • Every Mile Paid • Benefits & company contributed Pension Plan (RRSPs) • Direct Deposit • Maintained Fleet

• AZ License Required • Experience with loading and unloading a car carrier is necessary • We are willing to train the right candidates

Please email your resume to: ashley@snowbirdsautoconnection.com or contact Ron or Ashley at 416-638-0001 • Fax: 416-638-9986 ON based Canada - U.S. long haul open board WPG - MN - WPG Schedule WPG - AB LCV

pg 40-41 tn nov v3.indd 40

https://twitter.com/SnowbirdsAC https://www.facebook.com/SnowbirdsAutoConnection

13-10-15 11:54 AM

November 2013

then sustain temperatures of -40 C for about 14 hours, consuming no fuel in the process. And because there are no moving parts, they’re more reliable than traditional reefers, Manousaridis claimed. “We’ve always had problems with conventional reefers,” Manousaridis said, before rhyming off some of those problems. “In the middle of the night a reefer breaks down or it doesn’t start. A belt breaks on the road. It’s unpredictable. Now you have to call in for maintenance and in the summertime, when the reefer maintenance guys are busy, by the time they get to you it could be two to three hours, depending on your location. You could jeopardize your product in the middle of the summer. Or a gasket breaks and you have oil all over your trucks, so you have to power wash it. That’s another cost. And they’re noisy.” The first cold plate bodies Manousaridis tried were so heavy, they required a tandem truck and any fuel savings were negated by the extra weight. Manousaridis uses primarily Classes 5 and 6 Kenworth straight trucks for his deliveries. Seven years ago, he began running newer-generation cold plate bodies, which thanks to the improved design were now viable in his application. Most recently, however, he discovered an Italian design that he says takes the technology to another level. He first learned of Cofi bodies from Nestle, whose European delivery contractors speak highly of the product. Manousaridis became the first to import Cofi bodies to Canada – and maybe even North America. Even with the delivery charges, he said it cost about $8,900 less than other cold plate bodies. And now he says he’s saving about $7,000 a year in fuel compared to conventional refrigeration units. “Our cost savings is probably about 25% on fuel,” he said. He also likes the design of the body, which includes side doors for easy access to product without having to open the large doors and introduce heat into the main compartment. One of the side compartments is used

TRUCK NEWS Page 41

to house frozen top-up orders and a non-refrigerated section is used to store confectionaries. He also likes that the body employs European-style side guards to reduce the risk of pedestrians or cyclists being struck by the wheels. The 18-ft. Cofi body also weighs about 400 kgs less than his other designs, thanks to aluminum crossmembers and other weight-saving design features. Each night, the bodies are plugged into a 240-volt power outlet for charging. It’s takes five to six hours to charge them and then they can be used for a 14-hour delivery cycle while holding temperatures as low as -40 C. This summer during a heat wave with ambient temperatures of 30 C, Manousaridis said he was impressed the Cofi maintained -40 C while his other cold plate bodies running the same routes lost about 12-15 C throughout the day. “When you have 12-15 C difference at the end of the day, it’s a lot.

now that’s cold!: The ceiling-mounted cold plates need to be periodically cleaned of snow and ice.

Especially in the ice cream business,” Manousaridis said. The cold plate system has no moving parts and no maintenance is required, except for routine cleaning. “Once a week, you’ll brush the cold plates because it builds ice and snow, and you clean out the truck,” Manousaridis explained. “Then, once a month, you air out the truck over the weekend, let everything melt and clean it out, then you’re good to go. There’s no other maintenance.” And because the units are soundless, Manousaridis said it’s easier to

make early morning deliveries without waking up the neighbourhood. He also enjoys that they’re tamperproof. Drivers can’t adjust the temperatures – they’re set by the owner and can only be changed by someone with access to, and knowledge of, the control panel. Manousaridis is hoping to get 10-12 years out of the bodies and he trades in his trucks every five to six years, so he is planning to use the bodies over two lease-terms. Manousaridis said Cofi is looking to set up a distribution network in Canada. n

ALL POINTS FREIGHT Bradford, Ontario

Requires

AZ DRIVERS

with Experience in hauling Flatbed/Stepdeck Freight

Southern Ontario to USA Runs ■

45 cents a mile loaded or empty

■

$25.00 extra pick up & drops

■

$40.00 tarping

■

$100.00 legitimate layovers

■

Safety bonus at Christmas

■

Drug & Dental Shared Plan Call For Details:

1-800-461-4844 Fax: 416 775-4257 Email: peterb@on.aibn.com

pg 40-41 tn nov v3.indd 41

13-10-15 11:55 AM

Page 42 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

industry

Longer term vision for truck weights and dimensions standards needed A way back in February 1988, in a galaxy far, far away, the Canadian Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation & Highway Safety of the day, jointly endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve uniformity in regulations covering the weights and dimensions standards for heavy trucks in Canada. (When was the last time that happened on anything? I digress). The standards were, and still are, commonly known as the RTAC standards referencing the now defunct Roads and Transportation Association of Canada, whose research formed the basis for the MOU which established minimum and/or maximum thresholds acceptable to all jurisdictions for four types of commercial vehicles operating between provinces and territories on a nationwide high-

Industry Issues David Bradley

way system. The original MOU included the following configurations: Category 1: Tractor Semitrailer; Category 2: A Train Double; Category 3: B Train Double; and Category 4: C Train Double. Since the signing of the initial MOU, there have been a handful of amendments to the agreement, which have been endorsed by the Council of Ministers. Today there are eight categories of vehicles contained in the MOU. Additions include straight truck, truck-pony trailer, truckfull trailer and intercity bus/recreational vehicle. The most no-

table of the changes to the MOU that have been introduced since 1988 included the 1994 adoption of the 53-ft. (16.2 metres) maximum trailer length which was accompanied by the 25-metre overall tractor-double-semitrailer combination length and the amendments that were approved in 2008 to accommodate the use of wide-base single tires and the exclusion of rear aerodynamic devices (aka boat-tails) from the measurement of overall length. It is to be noted however that changes to the MOU that have transpired since 1988 have been made on an ad hoc basis and not as part of an overall vision such as that which led to the development of the original MOU. It must be said, the RTAC standards have served the trucking industry, its customers, the motoring

Don’t miss this opportunity. Apply today.

drive@thegtigroup.com T: 1.800-544.4188 F:514.639.9488 Attn: Danny or Michael www.gtispecialized.com

pg 42 tn nov v3.indd 42

public and the country well by creating at the very least a set of minimum allowable configurations that can be used across Canada. However, the agreement is now 25 years old. A lot has changed since the mid-1980s. The technological and design developments that are exhibited in the current fleet of tractors and trailers, that contribute to their safe and infrastructurefriendly operation is nothing short of amazing. The same can be said for the technology and devices now commonly available to reduce emissions, particularly carbon emissions. There was virtually no consideration of the environment when the RTAC standards were developed in the 1980s, whereas today fuel economy and emissions reduction is a major focus of technological development, vehicle design, regulation and corporate responsibility. Globalization of supply chains, economic competitiveness, increased traffic congestion and the shortage of truck drivers all combine to provide further impetus to maximize productivity. At one time “simplicity” in terms of the array of vehicles available to the industry was a more prominent consideration amongst many carriers and regulators when determining vehicle design and specifications. However, the need to maximize productivity for the reasons outlined above, along with the ceaseless demands of the customers we serve, are driving carriers to be more innovative and sophisticated; to seek more flexibility, more productive alternatives and options in terms of vehicle configurations. Notwithstanding the MOU, provinces retain authority to permit vehicles with more flexible weights and dimensions, or different configurations, for operations within their jurisdictions. There are now numerous productive configurations currently operating in the various provinces and/ or regions. An ad hoc approach to the MOU is not necessarily the most effective way to establish the optimal truck fleet for today and for the future. Consequently, at its meeting on Oct. 3, the CTA Board of Directors endorsed the pursuit of a longer-term vision/plan, based on the best available research, to ensure that Canada has the most adaptable, safest, most environmentally sustainable and productive heavy truck weights and dimensions standards for the next 25 years – an “RTAC 2040” if you will. We are now calling upon the provincial and territorial governments to join us in this pursuit. This will be a major effort, just as the development of the original RTAC standards was in the 1980s. But, it will be well worth the effort. n – David Bradley is president of the Ontario Trucking Association and chief executive officer of the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

13-10-10 11:57 AM

Turn Over a New Leaf ... Join the Challenger Team!

Connect with us today and put your career on the path of your choice! T 800 334 5142 | F 888 876 0870 | E recruiting@challenger.com

.com Follow us on :

Challenger Motor Freight.indd 5

13-10-15 10:40 AM

Page 44 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

tax talk

Bad apple season Within the first 10 days of October we had two clients call to say how they were almost scammed by someone falsely claiming to be from Canada Revenue Agency. One client received a phone call from someone who said he was from the CRA collections department. This “agent” told her she needed to pay her debt immediately or face jail time. Our client explained that if she owed any money, this was the first she’d heard of it. But the caller was relentless and she eventually gave in. She was told that she had 30 minutes to get to a Petro-Canada station, buy 10 pre-paid cards worth $250 each, and then provide the “agent” with the barcode numbers from the back of the cards. Thank goodness the craziness of this call

day with technology at their disposal? Fortunately, our client realized something was wrong and closed up his browser before he pressed “send.” Perfect foils

Tax Talk Scott Taylor

gave her the confidence to hang up the phone. Another client got an e-mail telling him that CRA needed more information in order to process a refund. He clicked on a link in the e-mail which opened a legitimatelooking Web site with a form asking for his name, address, SIN, etc. It was a classic “phishing” scam, where a site looks official but has coding designed to steal your personal or financial information. Isn’t it amazing what thieves can do to-

In a more low-tech scam making the rounds, thieves are mailing letters on CRA letterhead saying there is “insufficient information” on your tax return and an update is required before you can receive any “claims.” The letter includes a form specifically requesting details like your bank account and passport numbers. Tax agencies like CRA are perfect foils for scammers. Innocent people will give them whatever they ask for because no one wants the taxman on his back. CRA knows this. The agency says it never uses e-mail or voice mail to ask for personal information and will not divulge information about you to another person unless you

Ryder is currently looking for quality . . . .

SINGLE and TEAM Owner Operators (AZ) We offer:

• Advance schedule provided • No open board dispatch • Dedicated routes • No touch automotive freight • Fuel surcharge program • Paid plates • Paid tolls and border crossings • Paid Heavy Vehicle Use Tax • Paid loaded/empty miles • Weekly settlements paid by direct deposit • Company fuel accounts

You provide:

• Late model tractor • 2 years operating experience • Clean CVOR and Abstract • F.A.S.T. card • Culture towards Safety & Customer Service

Please submit your resumes/abstracts to: Ryder Logistics and Transportation Solutions Worldwide Attention: Human Resources Email: recruit32@ryder.com Ph: 1-800-339-2834 ext. 2 Fax: 519-681-9040

Ryder is an equal opportunity employer.

pg 44 tn nov v3.indd 44

provide formal authorization. If you receive something suspicious and want to make sure it’s from CRA, call the agency yourself at 800-959-8281 for personal services or 800-959-5525 for business services. Agents will be able to confirm whether any CRA department is looking to contact you. When in doubt, ask yourself whether the request is for information that you wouldn’t otherwise include with your tax return, or that you know CRA already has on file. If the caller or e-mail needs to “verify” your social insurance, credit card, bank account, or passport numbers, it’s not CRA. Scammers everywhere There are bad apples among taxreturn preparers, too. One ploy involves inflated receipts for charitable donations. The amount is increased by the gifting of supplies purchased with the actual donation to another organization. Typically, these involve computer or medical supplies. These schemes may seem legitimate because a CRA Tax Shelter Identification Number is on the paperwork. But a tax shelter ID is no guarantee that you’re entitled to the proposed tax benefits. If your tax preparer is promoting a charity donation with a greater-than-normal refund potential, he’s on the take and getting a sales commission. Some tax preparers will bend or break the rules even when calculating business expenses or losses to make themselves look like heroes. Others simply have no clue what they’re doing (anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves a tax return preparation service). I met a very nice couple last month that will be having us do their accounting and tax filings from now on because their former guy has “written everything off,” as the saying goes. Anything business or personal through the business account was expensed somewhere. Their personal tax returns were actually filed with zero income from the corporation. And now that they’re having some bad times, no bank will loan them money. This couple said their tax guy never consulted with them about how he was getting their taxes to zero. He just went ahead and did it. Still, as harsh as this may sound, they signed their return. They’re responsible for making sure the information is correct. While there is always a cost for doing things the right way, doing things the wrong way almost always costs more. The cost of getting duped by someone you thought you could trust, however, can be devastating both personally and financially. The best way to protect yourself from fraud is to understand what you’re signing and who you’re dealing with. If you have questions, ask. If your gut tells you to seek a second opinion, trust it. n –Scott Taylor is vice-president of TFS Group, providing accounting, bookkeeping, tax return preparation, and other business services for owner/operators. Learn more at www.tfsgroup.com or call 800461-5970.

13-10-11 12:32 PM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 45

safety

Safe and secure practices can protect fleets from cargo crime The estimated cost of cargo crime is staggering. Across Canada, losses amount to as much as $5 billion a year, most of which disappears along the corridor between Windsor and Montreal. Thefts in the Greater Toronto Area alone are valued as high as $500,000 a day. Victimized fleets have seen how much the targets can vary. While some thieves seek out pricey consumer goods like home electronics, others pilfer consumable products that can be quickly sold and tough to trace. Pallets of stolen baby formula are unloaded at flea markets; metal products are shredded and sold as scrap; stolen vegetables are added to recipes in disreputable kitchens. They are the types of losses that have led the Canadian Trucking Alliance and several partners to create Project Momentum, an awareness program which recently included a workshop led by Ontario Trucking Association chairman Jeff Bryan. Every fleet has a vested interest in finding ways to thwart criminals before any cargo or equipment disappears. Insurance policies help to offset some losses, but this still leaves the price of deductibles, rising insurance premiums, and even income losses traced to customers who shift freight to competing fleets. Targeted security plans can make a difference. Cargo thefts at Schneider National, for example, have dropped from 25 in 2006 to the eight reported last year. “It’s all about knowing the ins and outs of the freight we’re moving, keeping our customers updated, and arming our drivers with exceptional training and information,” said Walter Fountain, director of safety and enterprise security. “We recently started work on designing a custom lock to keep loads even safer; we champion the idea of creating tailored security solutions that help keep customer freight safe and secure.” Of course, safe and secure business practices are not limited to the industry’s largest fleets. They can be applied to every fleet yard, or embraced by anyone who works behind the wheel. One way to minimize exposure to cargo thefts is to limit exposure to the cargo itself, scheduling pickups closer to the time when freight has to move, rather than parking loaded trailers for days on end. When freight does need to be stored, it can be held in a well-secured yard featuring a tall fence, gates with controlled access, and security teams who patrol the area at seemingly random intervals. Proper lighting will certainly scare away crooks who prefer to work in the shadows. Barriers such as a few well-positioned rocks or other landscaping features will further discourage those who think they can simply cut through a fence and drive onto an otherwise-secluded area of the property. Trucks and trailers can benefit from some extra support, too. Bolt seals and padlocks for a trailer’s barn doors are a good place to start, and these can be augmented with coneshaped pin locks which make it difficult for a thief to simply hook up

pg 45 tn nov v3.indd 45

Ask the Expert david goruk

to a trailer and drive away. Parking equipment with barn doors facing one another will make it even tougher for thieves to unload freight onto a waiting trailer of their own. Still other aftermarket locks are available for air brake gladhands and the brake control valves on a truck’s dash. If a crime does occur, the most valuable support tends to come in the form of information. Well-aimed security cameras pointed at a yard’s gate offer a clear view of licence plates and drivers alike, especially when they are supported with some extra lighting. Fleets that store these

recorded videos for about 30 days at a time also have the chance to look for unusual activity in the days before the theft, possibly identifying accomplices in the crime or spotting gaps in security techniques that were supposed to protect the freight in the first place. Affordable GPS tracking devices attached to the trailers themselves can even help direct police to stolen equipment before any cargo is ever unloaded. Every employee also plays a role in guarding information that can be used to target a particular shipment. Locked file cabinets, shredded documents, and drivers who keep details about their loads a closely guarded secret will all rob thieves of the vital details they can use. Recruiting teams, meanwhile, have the opportunity to identify internal threats by reviewing crimi-

nal background checks for every employee and calling any references to see exactly why someone left their previous employer. It all helps to build a protective barrier that will protect your customers’ cargo and stop thieves in their tracks. n – This month’s expert is David Goruk. David is a risk services specialist and has served the trucking industry for more than 25 years providing loss control and risk management services to the trucking industry. Northbridge Insurance is a leading Canadian commercial insurer built on the strength of four companies with a longstanding history in the marketplace and has been serving the trucking industry for more than 60 years. You can visit them at www.nbins.com.

our people and our equipment

set us apart

Laidlaw Carriers is Looking for Quality

OWNER OPERATORS To fill positions in our growing company

PNEUMATIC TANKER POSITIONS AvAILAbLE Sudbury Ontario

We Run Northern Ontario and Northern Quebec Also seeking interline CArriers with their own Authorities

Big Company with small Company values great lanes Competitive pay

PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE AND TRUCKING IS NO EXCEPTION Great mix of short and long • Company owned unloading equipment

Call Recruiting or Email

1-800-465-8265 tankrecruiting@laidlaw.ca

Woodstock Ontario Cardinal Ontario Sudbury Ontario Valleyfield QC

13-10-15 9:56 AM

FOR ME IT’S... ABOUT LESS STRESS OVER THE ROAD • Driver Friendly Freight • Electronic Logs

• New Equipment • Supportive Driver Manager

FIND YOUR DRIVE Celadon Canada has a fleet to fit you — Dedicated lanes for solos and teams; Lifestyle Fleet with weekends off; Intra-Canada lanes; International lanes, Owner Operator and lease opportunities available. Join our success and take advantage of all the benefits a leading international truckload carrier can offer you! CALL NOW OR APPLY ONLINE!

20 12 20 13

Fleets Watch to

1-800-499-4997 I driveceladoncanada.com I 13Celadon-TruckNews-Nov-2.indd 1 Celadon.indd 1

13-10-15 11:20 AM 13-10-15 11:35 AM

November 2013 Final Compass Rose Artwork.pdf

10/2/06

TRUCK NEWS Page 47

6:38:53 PM

COMPASS ROSE

Requires FAST Certified

CMY

OWNER OPERATORS For Our Flat Bed Division

We Provide H 100%

Paid Fleet Insurance H Paid License & Permits H Paid Loaded & Empty Miles H Paid P.C. Miler; Most Practical H Paid Bridge & Highway Tolls H Paid Fuel Surcharge (All Miles) H Paid 90 day inspection

No Paint Policy H Direct Deposit (Every Two Weeks) H Fuel Cards Supplied H Dedicated Trailer (Sliding Tarp System) H Benefits Package Available H Excellent Home Time H

Competitive Pay Package (currently Averaging $1.61 on all miles)

Please call

Recruiting & Safety at:

1-877-819-7673

1663 Venture DriVe, Suite 2A, KingSton, ontArio

Now HiriNg owNer operators aNd compaNy drivers • Teams for California, Texas, Washington, Oregon • Singles for Florida and Mid-West • 3 Drivers for Toronto-Montreal • 3 O/Os for Toronto-Chicago

• Bi-weekly direct deposit • Fuel cards supplied • Insurance paid • Fuel Surcharge • Steady year round work

Apply on-line: www.bluelined.com Call Clint (ext. 230) or Kim (ext.244)

1-800-267-6144

Owner OperatOrs FLATBED Positions Available Quebec to Michigan – B-train (2 positions) $1.62/loaded mile • Quebec to Ohio – 2 axles (2 positions) $1.43/loaded mile Plus pick ups and drops plus fuel surcharge paid by the mile •

GENERAL CONDITIONS: • FAST card or passport

• • • • • • • •

pg 47 tn nov.indd 47

Fuel cards provided Licenses paid Benefits available Year round steady work Seniority bonus of $0.02 per mile Paid every 15 days by direct deposit Competitive insurance premium We pay all tolls and border crossings

To contact us: 3135 Bernard-Pilon, Beloeil, QC Ph: (800) 644-4049 (450) 536-3001 Fax: (450) 536-3013 Email: job@laidlaw.ca Call: Christian Talbot

240, Universal Road Woodstock, ON Ph: (888) 209-3867 (519) 539-0471 Fax: (519) 539-4792 job@laidlaw.ca

Vern Tipping

13-10-11 8:43 AM

KRISKA TRUCK NEWS comp3.4_Layout 1 13-10-11 4:27 PM Page 1

Kriska Recognizes That Experience Goes a Long Way We are currently seeking:

COMPANY DRIVERS • • • • •

All pick-ups and drops paid Paid waiting and delay time Safety bonuses paid quarterly Benefits from date of hire Pay by direct deposit

OWNER / OPERATORS • Fuel cap $.47 per litre • Paid: plates, decals, satellite, tolls and bridges • Insurance paid through Safety and Performance Program • Earn up to $1.25/mile plus fuel

E-mail: recruiting@kriska.com or call toll free at 1.800.461.8000 ex 5252 • kriska.com

KRISKA: ON THE ROAD AND ONLINE! Say Hello to us on Facebook, we would enjoy sharing ideas with you.

Kriska.indd 5

Transportation / Logistics / Warehousing

13-10-15 10:37 AM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 49

Thinking about your future?

new products

Carrier introduces lower-weight reefer ATHENS, Ga. – Carrier Transicold says its new Vector 8500 trailer refrigeration unit is lighter, and better performing than previous units. The company says its Vector 8500 offers the first fully hermetic electric scroll compressor used in the North American industry. The technology was adapted from the container segment, and has 70% fewer moving parts then conventional systems, while weighing 200 lbs less. “The expression ‘work smarter not harder,’ truly applies to our systems with ecoForward technologies,” said Bertrand Gueguen, president, global truck/trailer, Carrier Transicold. “Innovative improvements in efficiency allow individual components, such as the engine, to use less energy while producing greater results – all in a system configuration that remains familiar to owners of prior Vector equipment.” David Kiefer, director of marketing and product management, added “While Carrier Transicold’s legacy Vector units are highly efficient, the new ultra-efficient Vector 8500 achieves 5-30% more BTUs of cooling per gallon of fuel at AHRI rating conditions.” The Vector has all-electric capability, using an on-board generator driven by the tractor’s diesel engine to heat and cool the trailer while in motion. An electric standby function allows operators to plug in while at their terminal, or shipper and receiving locations. This can reduce operating costs by 70% compared to diesel operations, the company says. “Vector systems provide the dual benefits of reduced maintenance requirements and higher system reli-

Like to buy a house or drive a nice car? Join our team and you will get the miles to make the money to have the life you want. We are a family run business with a great client base, which means job security for you as well as excellent wages and benefits. Like higher rates, employee rider program lower insurance and even having your dog with you.

ability because overall they are less complex than conventional mechanical systems or competitive partiallyelectric systems,” Kiefer said. Compared to the unit it replaces, the Vector 8500: reduces weight by 210 lbs (10%); provides 4% higher cooling capacity; consumes up to 26% less fuel; and reduces engine run-time by up to 14%. n

We have openings for owner-operators on transborder runs, singles and teams, domestic LCV’s. AZ licence required, with 1 year experience. $3500 sign on bonus for U.S. Owner Operators!

Call Harsimran at 905-212-9898 English or Punjabi Call Monty at 800-267-1888 or 613-961-5144 x123 recruiting@itsinc.on.ca www.itstruck.ca Belleville Cornwall Mississauga We are committed to employment equity and diversity... ITS TN Dog 07 13.indd 1

A great place to work

We Offer: New pay package $3500 Sign on bonus for U.S. owner operators Paid lay overs Safety bonus paid every 6 months All tolls/bridges/scale/fax paid EZ pass Fuel cards supplied 24 Hour emergency road side assistance Weekly pay direct deposit Fuel surcharge program Quality home time No forced dispatch 24/7 Satellite and personal dispatch Extra picks/drops paid Consistent weekly mileage Steady work year round Paid practical miles by PC Miler All miles paid: empty/loaded/bob tail No paint code Border crossing premium to select states Lower insurance 13-06-07 7:51 AM

CarriersEdge adds drug and alcohol courses to library MARKHAM, Ont. – CarriersEdge has announced the addition of two new modules to its library of online training courses: Drug and Alcohol Testing Overview; and Drug and Alcohol: Reasonable Suspicion Testing. The Drug and Alcohol Testing Overview takes a comprehensive look at the effects of drugs and alcohol, the testing process and the consequences of a positive test. The full-length course is designed for drivers and supervisors, CarriersEdge announced. Drug and Alcohol: Reasonable Suspicion Testing, focuses specifically on supervisor responsibilities. It outlines the supervisor’s role in the testing process, the importance of appropriate documentation, and signs of alcohol and controlled substance abuse. “Drug and alcohol awareness is a hot topic on both sides of the border,” said Jane Jazrawy, vice-president, product development at CarriersEdge. “The publicly available information is often complex and confusing, so it’s a real challenge for fleets to understand what’s required of them and communicate it to staff. These courses provide a clear, concise picture of the process, helping to ensure that both drivers and their supervisors understand how to stay compliant.” n

pg 49 tn nov v3.indd 49

13-10-15 10:58 AM

Call to book an appointment to meet us at our Oakville Office

Scotlynn.indd 1

13-09-06 9:50 AM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 51

OLDER TRUCK? CAN’T GET HIRED?

WE NEED

YOU!

HIGHWAY WORK $1.24/mile – all miles paid Fuel Cap at $0.70/litre All Picks & Drops paid at $25.00 Benefit Plan Direct Deposit No Touch Freight Steady Year Round Work Fuel Cards Supplied Quality Home Time

G. Zavitz Ltd. Niagara Falls, On

Has immediate positions at our Niagara Falls terminal for

Company Drivers & owner operators

Company Drivers Highway and Local $.44 per mile off the Hub

All Equipment must pass Company Inspection Must have Current Abstracts in Good Condition

Call 905-677-0111

• All picks and drops paid • Dedicated tractor serviced by our in-house garage • Easier HOS compliance with our terminal only 5 miles from the border • Highway drivers spend less nights in the truck by having our local fleet pick up and deliver in Southern Ontario. No more wasting your HOS delivering in Toronto when you’d rather be on the highway!

owner operators

$1.25 loaded mile $1.10 empty mile

• Fuel surcharge paid on all miles • All picks and drops paid • Benefit programs available • Fuel cards / Paid tolls / Paid plates • Easier HOS compliance with our terminal only 5 miles from the border • Spend less nights in the truck by having our local fleet pick up and deliver in Southern Ontario. No more wasting your HOS delivering in Toronto when you’d rather be on the highway!

to apply Contact rick Brown at

1-800-263-7168 Ext. 230 rickb@gzavitz.com

INTERLINE CARRIERS WANTED WITH OR WITHOUT OWN TRAILERS ROLL FLOOR TRAILERS AVAILABLE

Hauling HigHway Salt witHin nortHern and SoutHern ontario ContaCt: Brian Kellington @ 888-209-3867 ext 229 or Cell # 519-357-5180 • bkellington@laidlaw.ca

pg 51 tn nov.indd 51

13-10-11 8:44 AM

Page 52 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

industry

Young leaders chart their own course

LOOKING FOR Owner Operators

100% owner operator based company No company trucks

GET PAID PER MILE: $1.43 (VANS & REEFERS)

GET PAID PER MILE: $1.57 (FLATBEDS & STEP DECKS)

• We pay Empty or Loaded (practical miles) • Guaranteed 11,500 Miles for Singles • No Pickups and Deliveries in Ontario • Loaded trailers ready for you in the yard • Insurance is paid 100% • Plates are paid 100% • Tolls and bridges are paid 100% • Trailer and repairs are paid 100% • Weekly pay available • Group benefits, Dental, Drug and much more • All late model trailers owned by company 2012-2014 Are you a company driver and want to become an owner operator? Need help financing your truck? Are you being quoted more than 9% for finance? We can finance your truck, Bad credit, No credit Call me.

pg 52-53 tn nov v3.indd 52

• We pay Empty or Loaded (practical miles) • Guaranteed 11,500 Miles for Singles • Insurance is paid 100% • Plates are paid 100% • Tolls and bridges are paid 100% • Flatbed and repairs are paid 100% • Weekly pay available • Equipment is provided by company (Tarps, Straps, Chains, Coil bunks • Group benefits, Dental, Drug and much more CONTACT:

Recruiting: 647.293.0101 or 416.568.8061 recruiting@ettransport.net

www.ettransport.net

An important part of our future has been forecasted. It has to do with aging and because it hasn’t been addressed in any significant manner, this part of our future remains bleak. The sky is not falling, yet, but absent some serious efforts to address the issue of an aging population in trucking, I suspect it will come crashing down sooner than we expect or want it to. In 2012, the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council published a report entitled Beyond the Wheel. It identified that by 2021, the industry will need somewhere between 153,000 and 289,000 additional workers to handle current and projected demand as well as retirements. That estimate was arrived at by computing attrition rates for existing drivers and of course it assumed ‘normal’ levels of growth in the industry. The former number was fairly easy to estimate from information on the age demographic at the time. In arriving at the forecasted need as driven by industry growth, one has to incorporate the vagaries of the economy. But whether the number is 150,000 or 300,000, in broad terms it puts an order of magnitude to the concern that those additional workers are either not there, or are not interested in trucking. According to the report, the most difficult positions to fill will be those of truck driver, but the reality is that this industry also struggles to attract young, entry-level people for all of our needs. These include dispatchers, dock workers, salespeople, accountants, mechanics, and managers. It’s not only trucking that faces this dilemma of course, but at the risk of seeming myopic, that’s where our attention belongs. I don’t want to resurrect all the conversation and opinions on why industries like ours have difficulty attracting young people – we’ve all read them or listened to informed panelists on the subject. We’ve also read and heard about our industry’s need to adapt in order to put us in the running for young people when they are choosing a career path. But there is another side to this coin to be considered. While attracting new entrants to the trucking industry’s many career opportunities is obviously critical to its future, it seems to us at the PMTC that there is equally a need to focus on how we retain and develop the young people we already have. Ironically, if we work on better retention and development programs for our existing people, we might make the industry more attractive to new ones. However, without such retention and development strategies, companies are destined to be forever chasing new recruits to replace departing ones. Kind of like a dog chasing its tail in terms of productivity. I think we can agree that employers (broadly speaking) need to address and improve their employee hiring and retention practices,

13-10-15 9:48 AM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 53

Private Links Bruce Richards

while at the same time addressing the types of working conditions that may be dissuading new entrants. However in our view the onus to correct these issues does not rest entirely with employers. As individuals we are all, to some degree at least, responsible for creating the work environment and developing the type of career path that we want. In a perfect world we would each have a career that is sustainable in both remuneration and job satisfaction, but it’s unlikely to be handed to any one of us just because we want it. This type of thinking had been the subject of discussion within the PMTC (and elsewhere, I’m sure) for quite a while, so back in 2011, the PMTC Board of Directors was excited to hear a proposal from some of our younger members who wanted to bring some focus to the needs of this younger demographic. All they asked of the Board was its support for the project, which they received without reservation. They were not asking to have their needs fixed, but rather for help in creating an opportunity to do the fixing. The group became known as the PMTC Young Leaders, and since its launch has developed into an enthusiastic and creative assembly with a variety of backgrounds and positions in the industry. They have collectively demonstrated an ability to identify what they want and to plan activities that will help them achieve those goals. They have fast become a unique group within the broader PMTC membership that sets its own agenda, schedules its own meetings and plans its own activities. Periodically they reach out to a more experienced generation of PMTC members for opinions on their ideas – we like to think of it as mentoring – but they are setting their own course and helping each other as they carve out a career in trucking. The YLG has arranged for a portion of PMTC’s annual conference to be set aside for face-to-face discussions with industry executives whose brains they can pick on any subject of their choosing. The PMTC Young Leaders group won’t resolve all the issues to do with attracting a new generation to trucking but the very fact that participants have been able to come together to learn, to share their experiences, and discuss their development is a step in the right direction. Suddenly the future looks just a little bit brighter. If you want to know more about the PMTC’s Young Leaders Group and how you can participate, just call the office (905-827-0587) or visit www.pmtc.ca and take a look at the video this group has produced. It explains the purpose and plans, and they are always open to new members. n – The Private Motor Truck Council is the only national association dedicated to the private trucking community. Direct comments and questions to trucks@pmtc.ca.

pg 52-53 tn nov v3.indd 53

13-10-15 9:49 AM

Page 54 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

TransporT LimiTed

Company & owner-operator

We Are Owner Operator Driven. Come and Grow with Us!

opportunities

US tandeM / MicHigan Heavy / local ontario

driverS

earn up to .73 cents per mile Heavy, up to .65 cents per mile tandem

Now hiring Flatbed Owner Operators for Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada! We Offer:

owner operatorS

percentage contract/ average tandem up to $2.10 per mile Michigan Heavy $2.40 per mile 100% Fuel Surcharge paid to the Owner-Operator

We Require:

• Excellent pay package • Attractive benefits • Great mileage • Direct deposit • Subsidized fuel • Fuel cards • Paid pick-up & delivery

• Canada & USA teams • USA singles • LCV teams and singles • Dedicated switches • Qualified Owner Operators with a professional attitude • Minimum two years of verifiable experience • Clean abstract/CVOR • Clean criminal search

Steel experience preferred / training available

contact dave at: 1-888-257-3136 ext 226 Visit our web site: www.whiteoaktransport.com e-mail: careers@whiteoaktransport.com 365 Lewis Rd. N., Stoney Creek ON L8E 5N4

1-855-872-7602• recruiting@dayandrossinc.ca • www.dayross.ca

Full Service. Full Coverage throughout North America.

Day & Ross is an equal opportunity employer.

The Sky Is Not The Limit

We Take The Driving Experience To A Whole New Level

Be A Part Of The Team!

NOW HIRING AZ Cross Border Company Drivers We Require • Clean Abstract & CVOR • Clean Criminal Record • Participation In Drug Program We Offer • Currently All New 2012 Volvo Tractors • 100 % Company Drivers • Excellent Pay Package • Loading And Unloading Paid

• Minimum 2 Years Cross Border/Mountain Experience • Professional Attitude And Appearance With Excellent People Skills • FAST Card An Asset • Hub Miles Paid • No Slip Seating - Assigned Tractors • Bi-Weekly Direct Deposit • Family Benefits - Fully Covered By TFX

TFX International Specialized Vehicle Transport & Storage

Toll Free

888.415.3158

If you love cars, you’ll love this job. TFXAdTruckNews2013.indd 1 pg 54 tn nov.indd 54

2013-01-30 9:14 PM 13-10-11 8:45 AM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 55

opinion

Lessons learned as owner of a small fleet I sometimes receive e-mails asking for advice on how to start a trucking company. That was covered in the first three Truck News columns I wrote, so we can’t rehash it again. Since this industry is a continuous learning experience, I felt a little out of place offering opinions as advice in the first place. I don’t have enough grey hair to qualify as an expert on anything. Please check out the online archives though, at Trucknews.com. No matter how much experience you have, sometimes the best research you can do is to see what was ‘breaking news’ two years ago. There are, however, a few pointers I can share on what to do after you have started the wheels turning in your business. By now, it should be obvious that I’ve never taken a business course. Everything I write in this column is based on opinion or personal experience. Ask advice from any other small carriers you become acquainted with. You’ll end up with a lot of well- rounded advice. No one person has experienced every business circumstance, so you need to ask around and compile your own ‘best of’ list. If you want to get in the refrigerated, livestock, or tank business, for instance, I’m the last guy you should ask for advice. Of course, you must not believe everything you hear. If what you hear sounds a little outlandish, maybe set that aside. “Penny wise and pound foolish” is an old phrase that often described me. Buy equipment that is properly spec’d, and doesn’t require changes. On paper, it looks easy to mess around with tire sizes to change improper gearing. Sure. On paper, a bumblebee can’t fly, either. We started our business with no loans or credit, so starting off with a 20-yearold truck seemed wise. My previous profession was turning wrenches, so old equipment didn’t scare me. The truck worked fine, but when it was replaced with a five-year-old the following year, I realized my initial mistake. The new truck’s better fuel mileage almost covered the payments. Driving old equipment had gained me little. Some of my other mistakes included buying flatbeds with softwood floors. They were almost as light as aluminum, but you couldn’t drive machinery on the deck. Once, I added rub rails to a 96-inch wide trailer to make it a 102-inch. Dumb, and likely illegal. The best advice I was given was from a former employer who said ‘When buying used equipment, buy it at a price as if it had bald tires, dead batteries, and empty tanks. In the lifecycle of that equipment, those factors become insignificant. It’s foolish to pay extra just for good rubber.’ He also had specific spec’s in mind for trucks and trailers, and refused to stray from them. Poverty and paranoia have been my best friends in this business. Wishing to grow the company, I was horrified if a day went by where I had nothing to do. Not much scares me, except the thought of financial insecurity. Every time I had a day with no load, I would fill my pockets with business cards and start beating on doors. It’s ridiculous to think someone would give you a load that day, but most of these one-day sales trips netted at least an

pg 55 tn nov v3.indd 55

Small Fleet, Big Attitude bill cameron

occasional future load. On that note, don’t grab at a temporary ‘get rich quick’ job. Any financial gain will turn into a loss if you lose good, consistent customers because you went AWOL for a month. If you’re a really good salesman, be careful your sales trips don’t have you biting off more than you can handle. At some point, you will need to accept freight from other carriers. If you don’t know them, Google their names. If you have a bad feel for the carrier, don’t deal with them. We refused to deal with a reputedly slippery operator, until they hired a

well-known, well-respected dispatcher. He wouldn’t work for an unethical carrier would he? Apparently, yes. No pay, no return calls, and that will never change. In this case, you will be disappointed in how expensive and terribly ineffective your legal choices are; usually not even worth pursuing for a small amount. In such cases, use your constitutional right of free speech. Tell your story to whoever wishes to listen. By the time word of mouth travels (and this industry is smaller than you may think), the deadbeat carrier will lose reputation and revenue that will dwarf what they owed you. They may find it difficult to load their own trucks with brokered freight. If you don’t have sufficient financial experience in the business, be wary of what you read. In most standard media, statistics, and industry quotes regarding revenue and profit margins ap-

Hiring

Owner Operators • Operating mainly within a 1200 mile radius of the Toronto area • Home weekly

TaNdem axle

$1.22 $1.20 $.454

$1.20

LOADED EMPTY

PER LOADED MILE U.S. EASTERN SEABOARD

PER MILE SEPT FUEL SURCHARGE

$1.16

• Stable environment

• Trailer disc brakes

– Bill Cameron and his wife Nancy currently own and operate Parks Transportation, a four-truck flatdeck trucking company. The company was founded in 1999 with a 20-yearold truck, rented flatbed trailer and a big dream. Bill can be reached at williamcameron.bc@gmail.com.

Quad axle

• Consistent year round work • Side skirted trailers for fuel efficiency

ply to large carriers, not you. If your per-truck-revenue, and associated profit margin is the same as a megafleet, you won’t make it through the first year. Surviving on volume with a minimal profit margin is what I call ‘The numbers game.’ If your grasp of the financials is that slim, you aren’t ready to start your own business yet, and our current business atmosphere is not friendly to learning by trial. Last but not least, if you share your wife’s office computer, be sure to let her know in advance if you’re researching to bid an overdimensional move. It saves a lot of explaining later as to why you were doing a Google search for ‘Escorts’. n

Recognized as one of North america’s

PER LOADED MILE ALL OTHER AREAS

$1.14 PER EMPTY MILE ALL AREAS

$.384

• In-cab scanning • Comprehensive benefit and vehicle protection plan

PER MILE SEPT FUEL SURCHARGE

POsitiOns AvAilAble fOr exPerienced AZ drivers

cOMPAnY drivers Tandem 43¢/mile Quad axle 45¢/mile

MARITIME OWNER OPERATORS AND COMPANY DRIVERS Please call: BETH TAYLOR at 1-800-561-9040 for details or fax your resume to: 506-633-4731 or email resume to: mtaylor@laidlawvan.ca

If you have a professional attitude and desire to succeed CALL KEN ELLACOTT

1.800.263.8267

www.laidlawvan.ca

Fax: 519-766-0437

E-mail: kellacott@laidlawvan.ca

13-10-10 2:33 PM

Page 56 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

oem/dealer News

Daimler expands telematics offerings with launch of Detroit Connect, integrated tablet Tablet comes pre-loaded with apps for HoS logging, navigation and inspections. By James Menzies DETROIT, Mich. – Detroit Diesel Corp. has taken a huge leap forward with its telematics capabilities, launching Detroit Connect, bundling its existing telematics programs and bringing to market a fully-integrated tablet. Detroit Connect combines the company’s Virtual Technician remote diagnostics program, Visibility Fleet Software and a new rugged tablet with seven-inch display. The tablet is manufactured by Zonar and sits in a custom-made cradle on the dash. It will be offered beginning in January in the Freightliner Cascadia, with other Daimler truck

models to follow. Detroit Connect’s Joe Saccio said the on-board tablet will come loaded with apps that provide: two-way messaging; truck-specific navigation; electronic hours-of-service logging; and inspection reports. With the exception of the navigation app and incoming text-to-vice messaging, all other functions are disabled while the truck is in motion, to reduce the potential for distraction. Because it’s integrated into the truck, voice messages and GPS directions can be played through the truck’s audio system. There are other benefits to being fully integrated as well, Saccio said.

making pre-trips cool: Craig La Pinta shows how the Detroit Connect tablet can be used to ensure proper pre-trip inspections are performed.

“Our engineers have worked on the installation side of this,” he said. “You’re not cutting up wiring har-

We are hiring

Owner Operators Our mileage rate is

$1.26 to $1.39 PLUS fuel surcharge. Sign-On Bonus

Applicants must live within a 100 km. radius of our yard and must have flatbed experience

We Hire tHe Best to Be tHe Best!

225 Huron Road, Sebringville, ON N0K 1X0

1-800-565-5557 or 519-393-6194 ext. 242 Fax: 519-393-5147 E mail: dianneb@woodcockbrothers.com

www.woodcockbrothers.com

pg 56-57 tn nov v3.indd 56

nesses, there’s no splicing involved. This thing is plug-and-play.” The tablet is an Android-based device, and eventually Detroit Connect will offer third-party apps that will be available from an app store powered by Zonar. The touch screen can be navigated when wearing gloves or while wet. It features a five-megapixel camera, a built-in flashlight and RFID readers. An inspection app allows the fleet owner or maintenance manager to ensure proper pre-trip inspections are being done, by placing RFID tags at strategic locations on the vehicle. The driver must then scan each of the tags with the tablet to reveal a checklist of items to inspect on that area of the truck. This allows fleet managers to determine how long the pre-trip inspection took to complete. If a defect is found, the driver can snap a photo and send it to dispatch or to the shop. Saccio said it’s the hours-of-service app that will “really drive this into the market.” It’s currently configured for the US rules, but the Canadian hours-of-service regs will be added before the tablet goes to market in January, Saccio said. Drivers can easily remove the tablet from its cradle to show inspection officers their logs. If a printout is required, they can be uploaded to a memory stick using the USB drive and then exported to an Excel spreadsheet or other format. The GPS app allows a driver to input his load and equipment type and receive the best directions to his destination. Detroit Connect will be bundling Virtual Technician, Visibility Fleet Software and the tablet and offering the service for a yet-to-be-determined subscription fee. David Hames, general manager, marketing and strategy with Daimler Trucks North America, said pricing will be competitive with existing offerings that provide similar services. “This is going to be the platform that enables us to move into a new space,” said Hames. Detroit has an exclusive deal with Zonar, and will be the only OEM offering the tablet via factory installation. However, Zonar’s expected to sell the tablet as an all-makes retrofit at some point in the future. n

13-10-10 3:21 PM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 57

Meritor embraces “fast food-type” model for parts pilot project By Jim Bray EDMONTON, Alta., – It’s just like Domino’s Pizza: service within a certain window, or you get compensation. Except that it isn’t pizza being delivered, it’s remanufactured components such as differentials and drive shafts to get your trucks back on the road where they’re making money, rather than stuck on the roadside where they’re costing money. The concept comes from Meritor, whose pilot Drivetrain Express outlet was launched officially in Edmonton last month before a group of invited media and guests. The Drivetrain Express name is kind of an umbrella brand for the company, which is working with affiliates to make the concept happen. Meritor thinks the Edmonton pilot makes an ideal proof of concept, thanks not only to Alberta’s booming economy but also to the wide variety of related sectors it services, from oil and gas, to agriculture, general and long-haul trucking and more. And if the new outlet does, indeed, prove the concept, Meritor plans to put more Drivetrain Expresses across Canada – probably from Ontario westward – and then head south to the US, tailoring each outlet to its individual market’s needs. According to Brad Begley, director, corporate accounts, for Meritor Aftermarket, “a truck operator who needs a component replacement simply cannot wait days for parts to be shipped – it’s a ‘today’ business where every minute counts, and (Meritor’s) in-depth market knowledge – from new parts, to all-makes, to remanufactured units, enables us to expand our support and service to customers who need the right parts now.” To that end, the Drivetrain Express branch keeps on hand a wide selection of inventory that includes Meritor’s own branded aftermarket components, though Terry Livingston, general manager, global product management and shared services, promised that it won’t just be an “all-Meritor” solution. “What you see here, and I like it a lot, is not just our product in here,” he said while showing off the company’s new and well-packed Nissan NV3500 delivery truck. “This is an all-makes (solution) so you’re going to see even our competitors because we’re here to fix all units that break down.” Not all components are on hand in the outlet, of course, but there’s plenty from which to choose, including an all-makes suite of made-to-order Mascot driveshafts and driveline components such as U-joints, center bearings, shaft tubing and yokes. They also stock Euclid clutches as well as Meritor genuine and AllFit drive axle and transmission components. The Edmonton outlet, which opened initially in 1999 as a Mascot remanufacturing distribution centre, boasts thousands of square feet of stuff that can be used to remanufacture components on short notice. As for the “Domino’s effect,” the new Drivetrain Express outlet claims to offer a four-hour delivery or pickup from the time an order is placed, to locations within 100 kilometres of the outlet. Or what? Meritor folks said they’d offer gift cards if they are unable to

pg 56-57 tn nov v3.indd 57

faster service: Meritor is testing a program that promises four-hour delivery windows for certain components.

meet their commitments. “The renovated Edmonton outlet is another extension of our customerfocused solutions,” said Pedro Ferro, senior vice-president and president,

aftermarket and trailer for Meritor. “We will continue to be innovative in the way we serve our customers and will consider adding more parts outlets in North America as market

C A R R I E R S BULK

PRESENTLY HAS THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS AVAILABLE • 4 Owner Operators for Michigan B-Trains at $1.53 per mile minimum + F.S.C.

•

4 Owner Operators for Ont / PQ / NY on aluminum 4 axles

INDEPENDENT OPERATORS • With their own trailers and insurance welcome. • We offer Ontario year round work.

Loads pay on per ton basis. PLUS Fuel Surcharge with a minimum per mile guarantee.

demand dictates.” In other words, the Edmonton facility is a way for the Drivetrain Express concept to walk before it runs. That said, however, the company reps on hand for the official kickoff were pumped about the idea and think it’s going to go very well. The hope is that there’ll be more of them in operation by the time 2014 is rung out. Drivetrain Express is actually kind of an outgrowth of a concept introduced this past January as Drivetrain Direct, a comprehensive, all-makes aftermarket drivetrain program Meritor says provides customers on both sides of the 49th parallel with drivetrain component expertise through the company’s Customer Care Centres. Drivetrain Direct offers allmakes drive axle and transmission parts, clutches, drivelines, and manual and automatic transmissions. n

INC.

WE PROVIDE • All Base Plates • All Border Crossings • Heavy Users Tax (HUT) • U.S. Border Crossing Decal • All U.S. Tolls • All U.S. Licensing • Wetline installation • Safety & Seniority Bonus

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS • Competitive Truck Insurance rates • Driver Care Insurance – includes buy down, down time, towing and medical insurance plus optional truck payment insurance • Excellent fuel prices with company fuel and credit cards • Clean and well maintained equipment • Steady year round volumes • Dedicated Trailers • Pre-dispatched Daily • Optional Weekend Work

Call Vern at 1-888-209-3867 or 519-536-1192

Dump Trailer Division Based in Woodstock, Ont. and Beloeil, PQ.

13-10-11 12:05 PM

Page 58 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

oem/dealer News

Cummins to launch 5.0L V8 diesel engine By James Menzies COLUMBUS, Ind. – Cummins has announced it is launching a 5.0-litre V8 diesel engine, designed for pickup-and-delivery applications and other light- and medium-duty trucks. The ISV5.0 will be assembled at Cummins’ Columbus Engine Plant, which has received a makeover to accommodate production beginning in the fourth quarter of next year. The engine is already being tested, and a selection of vehicles with the new ISV5.0 were available for test drives at a recent press event here. Vehicles equipped with the engine at the event included a walk-in van, school bus, RV and Freightliner medium-duty sport truck. However, Jeff Jones, Cummins

Reason #37

home tIme

versatility: A walk-in van and Freightliner sport truck were just two of the vehicles Cummins made available for test drives with the ISV5.0.

vice-president, North American Engine Business, said the engine is not limited to those few vehicle

types that were on display. “There are hundreds of different types of applications we be-

Schneider Regional drivers get home weekly! more football games more dinners around the table more time with the kids more free time to spend however you want

Apply todAy And get home now! SChneIdeRJoBS.Com/ReASon 866-928-2125

pg 58-59 tn nov v3.indd 58

lieve this product will eventually find its way into,” he said. Cummins has long been a believer that there was room in the market for a smaller diesel engine. Work on the 5.0L actually began about 13 years ago in partnership with Chrysler. But when Chrysler faced its financial difficulties during the recession, it abandoned the project and Cummins was left to forge ahead without an OEM partner. “The dream was always, why doesn’t Cummins build a smaller diesel?” Jones said. “When you look at the price of fuel, emissions, all those things that mattered in these more commercial markets, they matter to some degree down at the lower end of the market. I think things are coming together – with our environmental needs, our economic needs and our energy independence needs – to where this market here is ready to go diesel. It’s got to be the right diesel and it’s got to be a cost-effective diesel…We think these markets are ready for the right diesel products.” And with a market primed to embrace a 5.0L diesel engine, Jones reasoned Cummins was the ideal company to give it to them. “We believe we are ready with the right product,” he said. “We’ve worked hard to try to understand what the market needs and what the market wants, and we’re trying to do it in a way that only Cummins should be able to do it, with all our capabilities around turbochargers, fuel systems, aftertreatment, combustion technologies. The recipes we use in all the markets where we compete around the world, we applied here. So it’s not just another diesel engine, it’s a Cummins diesel.” Cummins has done its homework, and found that many customers of heavy-duty pickups and other light- and medium-duty commercial vehicles are willing to make the switch from gasoline to diesel, should a viable option be available. “Cummins ISV5.0 creates new opportunities for our OEM customers as a compact and lightweight engine that delivers bestin-class fuel efficiency and total cost of ownership,” said Dave Crompton, Cummins vice-president and general manager, engine business. “Many of our customers have asked for a Cummins alternative for gasoline or other small displacement automotive diesel engines. The ISV5.0 represents the next dimension in fuel economy and performance as Cummins continues to broaden our on-highway product line.” The ISV5.0 represents the first Cummins engine to use a compacted graphite iron block, which reduces weight and engine noise. Aluminum components contribute further weight savings and improve efficiency. Cummins officials said the new engine has been designed to easily fit where a comparable V8 or V10 gasoline engine was previously installed. It’s not yet clear which vehicle manufacturers will be offering the engine, though Nissan earlier announced it would offer a 5.0L Cummins turbo-diesel en-

13-10-11 12:02 PM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 59

hometown production: Cummins is particularly proud that the new 5.0L engine will be built in its hometown of Columbus, Ind.

gine in its next-generation Titan pickup. The launch date for that engine has not yet been disclosed. The ISV5.0 features a Bosch high-pressure common rail fuel system and piezo fuel injectors for precise fuel control and optimum in-cylinder combustion, the company said. There will be four horsepower ratings (200, 220, 250 and 275 hp) available with torque up to 560 lb.-ft. The engine uses ceramic glow plugs to reduce start time and limit electrical current draw in cold weather. The glow plugs are designed to last the life of the engine. The fuel filter uses NanoNet media from Cummins filtration, which can trap more than 99% of all particles as small as four microns. The ISV5.0 also has a

high-efficiency coalescing filter to eliminate crankcase hydrocarbon emissions and oil mist. And the engine will be matched with Cummins’ aftertreatment system, including a diesel particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction system. “Cummins has integrated the latest technologies in the ISV5.0 to deliver performance, fuel efficiency and durability in a highly sociable package. Every day, drivers will appreciate the smooth, quiet operation of the ISV5.0,” said Jim Katzenmeyer, executive engineer, V8 program. “In addition, the fuel savings offered by the ISV5.0 result in fewer greenhouse gas emissions – a great environmental benefit.” While Cummins has yet to re-

ceive commitments from OEMs looking to offer the engine, Nissan aside, the company is confident opportunities will materialize. Customers today in the applications best suited for the ISV5.0 are often using the larger ISB engine and underutilizing its capabilities. Or, they’re running gasoline engines in which case there’s an opportunity to gain some significant efficiencies. Bringing the engine to market after so many years has proved not just challenging, but also rewarding for the company. “The ball is not across the goal line but it’s first and goal on the

six-inch line. We know we’re going to get it across,” Jones said, noting the investment made into the engine makes it one of its three largest engine programs over the past 20 years. It’s not only a big deal for Cummins, but also for the region the company calls home. The engine will be built right there in Columbus. “To have the opportunity to bring a high-volume, high-technology global product to a plant right here in Columbus, Ind., that was building Cummins diesels in the 1920s is a really big deal to this community and a really big deal to us,” Jones said. n

COME JOIN US! DRIvERS NEEDED ImmEDIATElY FoR U.S.A. • 41¢ per mile •$25 for P/D • $100 second trip bonus • Annual increases • Benefits

FAST CARD & 2 YEARS EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

HIRINg owNER oPERAToRS FoR U.S.A. • $1.467 per mile • All tolls paid • HvT paid • Paid P/D • $100 second trip bonus

Call 1-800-388-8947 x 270

HEAD OFFICE: Brampton, ON

ImmedIate OpenIngs! Gormley • AZ Truck Drivers Heavy Haul • Heavy Haul Owner Operators • Licensed 310T Mechanic

Cornwall

Brockville

• AZ Dump Truck Drivers • Licensed 310T Mechanic

• AZ Truck Drivers • Licensed 310T Mechanic

Resumes employment@andersonhaulage.com P.O. Box 130, 36 Gordon Collins Drive Gormley, Ontario L0H 1G0

tel: (416) 798-7737 Fax: (905) 927-2701 www.andersonhaulage.com

Hiring Owner Operators We RequiRe FAST CARD Minimum 3 years experience Clean Abstracts

We OffeR

$1.18-1.22

Hiring AZ/DZ Drivers and AZ/DZ Owner Operators Running MI, IN and Ohio We Require: 2 years verifiable experience, 1 year border cross Clean abstract FAST eligible Good Remuneration Benefits Available Home Weekends – 36 hour reset done at home Office location New Dundee

$1000

Sign On BOnuS fOR u.S. O/Os

per loaded mile Paid Bi-Weekly Benefits available Must live in the Windsor-Toronto 401 corridor Paid plates Paid tolls hiRing One CROSS BORDeR Paid PC Practical Miles COmPany DRiveR at $.47/ mile $1000 deductible with Buy Down Package Fuel presently capped under $.60 per litre

Please Contact Steve Dixon mailto: sdixon@rideway.com fax 519/741-1883

800/387-1478

pg 58-59 tn nov v3.indd 59

x23

www.rideway.com

Send resume to Stephanie@xwestcarriers.com Fax 519-696-3865 Phone 866-752-3156 Bart www.xwestcarriers.com

13-10-11 12:03 PM

Page 60 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

oem/dealer news

Mack introduces GuardDog Connect telematics program By James Menzies ALLENTOWN, Penn. – Mack Trucks has announced the launch of GuardDog Connect, a new telematics program the company says will reduce downtime and streamline the repair process. The system remotely monitors fault codes generated by the engine and emissions systems, then advises the fleet manager on the best course of action. In some cases, the truck will be able to continue on its route and have the issue re-

paired at its next scheduled service interval. When immediate repairs are necessary, GuardDog Connect advises the driver of the nearest service location that has the required parts on-hand. Fleets will also benefit from not having to undergo a diagnostics inspection at the dealer, since OnGuard Connect will have already notified the dealer of what needs to be done. “We at Mack are committed to having our customers’ backs,” said

SpecialiStS in truck & induStrial radiatorS Your Complete Cooling System Service • Rad • Air Charge Cooler • AC Condenser • We Ship Across Canada • FREE Inspection & Estimate

• Certified Technicians • All Work Warrantied

astic O.E.M. Replacement for Pl Open Monday to All Model Metal Tank ks)

ost Truc

4 Hour Drive-Thru Service (M

(905) 670-3696 • 1-800-716-3081

Hwy 401

➤

5900

Shawson

Dixie Road

5900 Dixie Rd., Unit 11, Mississauga, Ont. L4W 1E9 Fax: (905) 670-2283

Saturday

Britannia Rd.

John Walsh, Mack vice-president of marketing. “Our new telematicsbased solution, GuardDog Connect, clearly demonstrates our determination to ensure that our customers keep their trucks on the road where they should be.” Messages are sent to the driver via the Mack Co-Pilot display on the dash. Fleet managers can be notified of the most appropriate course of action by e-mail or phone. The GuardDog Connect system is built upon the Mack Asist service platform, so all communications and the vehicle’s service history are consolidated in a single online file. Fault codes are monitored by a team at Mack’s 24/7 OneCall customer support centre. Mack chose to monitor about 30 fault codes, but has the ability to add further fault codes as necessary. “Customers have enough on their minds today without having to worry about the time it takes to diagnose a problem with their vehi-

Mack primed to grow when construction truck market returns, Walsh says By James Menzies ALLENTOWN, Penn. – Mack Trucks may not equal its Class 8 market share from a year ago, but the company’s vice-president of

SAVE 70%

WITH OUR ON FUEL COSTSUCK OPTION. CNG SHUNT TR R A C N G C O N TA C T U S FOA LY S IS . PAY B A C K A N

PROVEN TRUCKS. PROVEN SERVICE.

PROVEN TO HAVE THE BEST WARRANTY IN THE BUSINESS.

YOUR ONLY AUTHORIZED CAPACITY PARTS DEALER. EIGHT LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU IN ONTARIO, MANITOBA, AND ATLANTIC CANADA

1-888-709-7757 / INFO@CAPACITYTRUCK.COM / CAPACITYTRUCK.COM

pg 60-61 tn nov v3.indd 60

cle, and get the situation addressed,” Walsh said. “GuardDog Connect simplifies the repair process for drivers and fleet managers, combining purposeful telematics technology with the know-how of the Mack support network to keep customers rolling.” David Pardue, vice-president, aftermarket business development with Mack, said GuardDog Connect brings a more proactive approach to truck repairs. “It’s about being proactive, enhancing the decision process and it’s about driver peace of mind,” Pardue said. “In the past, the driver sees the code and doesn’t know what it represents, so they take the vehicle out of service and that may not have been necessary.” GuardDog Connect will be offered standard on 2015 model year Mack trucks with Mack power (available beginning in January). It will be free of charge for the first two years and then offered as a subscription afterwards. n

marketing vowed during a press event here that it will once again become a double-digit player. Mack has suffered from an ongoing slowdown in the construction truck market it once dominated, with sales volumes yet to pick up since the recession. “We all know that market basically just disappeared during the Great Recession,” Walsh said. “It’s starting to recover now, it’s recovering slowly. If that could get back to a normal level, we at Mack would almost automatically become a double-digit player in overall market share. We haven’t lost customers in that segment, they’re just not buying.” Mack has seen its share of the Class 8 market shrink with the near evaporation of the construction truck segment. Last year, it ended the year at 8.9% of total US Class 8 truck sales and will likely finish 2013 just shy of that, Walsh admitted. However, the truck maker remains strong in the refuse segment and is doing well in the regional haul market. With construction truck buyers sitting on the sidelines, Mack has been able to refocus on its other segments. “When the construction market disappeared, we were able to focus our organization and dealers on selling trucks again,” Walsh said. “Shame on us, we took our eye off the ball a bit. We were selling construction trucks almost faster than we could make them. We feel good about where we’re positioned in that segment as well as the products we have to offer.” Walsh vowed the company will regain its status as a double-digit market share player when the construction market recovers. “Mack will be back, and we’ll be standing proud again,” Walsh said emphatically. n

13-10-11 12:47 PM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 61

Detroit’s Virtual Technician eliminates downtime in 80% of incidents DETROIT, Mich. – Since introducing its Virtual Technician remote diagnostics program in 2011, Detroit has deployed 60,000 vehicles with the technology and logged more than two million incidents. Eighty per cent of those incidents didn’t pose an immediate risk and the drivers were able to keep rolling, deferring any necessary repairs to the next scheduled service interval. Virtual Technician sends fault codes to a Redford, Mich. call center for analysis. Technicians there investigate the problem remotely while the truck is still in service, and then advise the driver or fleet owner on the most appropriate course of action. “Just one time you can prevent that truck from going out of service pays the incremental cost of Virtual Technician, so it’s pretty easy math,” said David Hames, general manager, marketing and strategy for Daimler Trucks North America. Unlike other remote diagnostics programs, which create a “freeze frame” snapshot when an event occurs, Virtual Technician creates a data log that records all the operating parameters from 60 seconds prior to, and 15 seconds after, the moment the light appeared on the dash. This log file is the “secret sauce,” in Virtual Technician, said Marty Kubiak, manager, customer support center. He pointed out a condition usually occurs for about 30 seconds prior to the light appearing on the dash, so it’s important to see what took place in the moments before the light came on. The Virtual Technician call center employs 45 people, who work out of Detroit’s Redford, Mich. plant, where they have access to engineers and product experts. The program analyzes about 200-250 events per day, Kubiak said. n

DT12 now available with DD13 engine DETROIT, Mich. – The DT12 automated manual transmission (AMT) is now available for the Freightliner Cascadia equipped with the Detroit DD13 engine, Detroit Diesel has announced. The DT12 AMT merges the ease of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual transmission, the company says. The combination transmission is best suited for regional haul, pick-up and delivery applications, according to Detroit. Brad Williamson, Detroit’s manager of engine and component marketing for Daimler Trucks North America, explains why this transmission is effective. “Our regional haul customers are seeking ways to extend fuel economy, because of the type of routes

that they run, which often involve a lot of stop and go operations,” said Williamson. “Together, the DT12 and the DD13 provide a smart, productive solution that boosts efficiency.” n

THE TRUCK EXHAUST PLACE

Coolant PiPes For Most Makes

Driver Medical Exams

ONTARIO DRIVERS WALK-IN MEDICAL CLINIC 21 Queensway West Mississauga, Ontario (Directly Across From mississAugA HospitAl)

9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. 7 Days a Week No appointment necessary

(905) 897-9228

pg 60-61 tn nov v3.indd 61

LISLE, Ill. – Navistar International got a much-needed boost last month, securing orders for 5,900 Classes 6-8 trucks in September. That marked the company’s best month since December 2011. The order intake included 2,100 medium-duty trucks with the recently added Cummins ISB 6.7-litre engine. Navistar will begin delivering DuraStar trucks with the ISB in December. “September orders marked Navistar’s highest monthly order intake for Class 6/7 vehicles in almost two years, which strengthens our belief that the ISB will be the catalyst for improving our medium-duty business,” said Bill Kozek, Navistar president, North America Truck and Parts. “Many of our customers asked us to add the ISB to our lineup, and

we listened. With more than 2,100 orders in the first 30 days, we’re optimistic this will be a winning combination in the marketplace.” Navistar’s Class 6/7 share was estimated to be 31.7% in September, up from 18.8% in August. “We are also pleased with our Class 8 order performance in September,” Kozek added. “For the last five months, we have seen a positive trend in orders, driven by our new product launches and quality improvements.” Navistar said its Class 8 order share was estimated to be 17.4% in September, up from 16.6% in August. It has received more than 6,000 orders for the MaxxForce 13 engine with SCR since March 1 and more than 11,500 orders for the Cummins ISX since Dec. 1, 2012. n

Kenworth’s T680 reaches 10,000 orders KIRKLAND, Wash. – Kenworth has announced its popular T680 has reached the 10,000-order mark since entering production 15 months ago. “This has been one of the fastest Kenworth models to achieve the 10,000 truck order milestone in Kenworth’s 90-year history,” said Gary Moore, Kenworth general manager and Paccar vice-president. “It’s a testament to the growing adoption of the Kenworth T680 by a wide range of customers operating in a variety of applications.” Kenworth says the orders have come from major fleets and individual owner/operators. The truck is designed for linehaul, pickup and delivery and regional haul applications. The T680 was initially offered in a day cab or 76-inch sleeper configuration, with a 52-inch mid-roof sleeper recently added to the line. The T680 comes standard with the Paccar MX-13 engine rated at up to 500 hp and 1,850 lb.-ft. of torque. n

Canada’s # Truck Exhaust Shop FreightLiner PiPes Y-Pipe

turbo

inlet

intermediate

Navistar orders spike in September

Exhaust systEm InstallatIons for DPF Cleaning Available

truCk Mufflers Built to Last

all makEs and modEls

• Y-Pipes • turbo Pipes

ing t a r b Cele s!

ar e Y 1

• intermediate Pipes

Providing Heavy Duty Exhaust Solutions Since 1982 THE TRUCK EXHAUST PLACE 1365 BONHILL RD., MISSISSAUGA L5T 1M1

(905) 670-0100 1-800-385-8801 www.totalexhaust.com

13-10-11 12:50 PM

Page 62 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

oem/dealer News

Natural gas, suspensions and powertrain receive attention from Mack By James Menzies ALLENTOWN, Penn. – The construction truck market remains mired in a slump, but Mack Trucks hasn’t been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for it to recover. The company outlined several new product developments at a recent press event, which have kept Mack engineers busy. One of them is the company’s strength in the natural gas truck market. Curtis Dorwart, vocational product marketing manager, noted Mack has been offering natural gas trucks since the early 90s. Over that time, it has built several hundred natural gas trucks and many of them remain in service today, Dorwart said. UPS has been a notable customer of natural gas-powered Mack Pinnacles. The company ran a CH model

since 2001 and that truck was recently retired to the Mack Museum in Allentown. “That truck worked out so well, it postured us for additional orders from UPS,” Dorwart said. Mack is offering the Cummins Westport 12L spark-ignited natural gas engine, which produces up to 400 hp and 1,450 lb.-ft. of torque. It works well for regional haul applications and can run off either liquefied or compressed natural gas. On the refuse side, the Mack TerraPro can also be ordered with a natural gas engine. Dorwart said this offering has allowed Mack to strengthen its West Coast presence. Also new to Mack, and currently in production, is the Twin Y air suspension, which highway product marketing manager Jerry Warmkessel

ON-SITE KINGPIN REMANUFACTURING

• Superior Equipment • Exceeds SAE and DOT specifications/regulations • Only Company to test SAE J133 & J400

• Patented in U.S.A. & Canada • Guaranteed Workmanship • Fully Insured

CWB CERTIFIED COMPANY • CWB CERTIFIED WELDERS

KINGPIN GAUGES

Top Quality aluminum Kingpin gauges. Won’t stretch.

Re-manufacturing a kingpin gives the fifth wheel the proper bearing surface, extending the life of the fifth wheel and decreasing the abuse to the bolster plate and kingpin.

MOBILE SERVICE

Visit our Website at: www.kingpinspecialists.com E-mail: rkingpin69@aol.com Call us Toll Free @

1-888-221-7774 For the Dealer Nearest You

Toll Free Numbers For Your NearesT Dealer Quebec and the Maritimes 1-888-939-1011 Ontario 1-888-221-7774 Western (Alberta & Saskatchewan) 1-877-912-1209 British Columbia 1-800-427-5865 In the U.S. 1-888-221-7774

www.kingpinspecialists.com • rkingpin69@aol.com

pg 62-63 tn nov v3.indd 62

purebreed: This Mack Pinnacle with Twin Y suspension, mDrive transmission and Econodyne+ engine was recently demonstrated by Mack.

vowed will “revolutionize” the Class 8 truck suspension industry. The Twin Y provides a smoother ride and has proven in real-world applications to extend drive tire life by 25%, Warmkessel said. Unlike traditional air suspensions, the Twin Y is designed to position the axle entirely on the air bag. It also saves significant weight. At 630 lbs, it weighs 70-500 lbs less than other suspensions currently in the market, including 110 lbs less than Mack’s previous lightest-weight option, the MaxLite 40 EX. The Twin Y is lube- and maintenance-free and the axle seats don’t have to be re-torqued, Warmkessel said. It also produces little torque reactivity when the driver is on the throttle or brakes, resulting in a smoother ride. The simple design includes a Y blade assembly, spring hanger bracket and upper and lower axle seats. Elastomeric bushings are designed to last a million miles. “We’ve had 13 customers put on three million miles with this and they all came back and said the same thing, that the suspension got 25% better tire wear on the rear axles,” Warmkessel said. On the construction side, Stu Russoli, construction product marketing manager, spoke of the new mRide spring suspension. It’s a six-rod suspension designed for extreme articulation and greater ground clearance. The mRide is available in 40,000-, 46,000- and 52,000-lb weight ratings on the axle-forward Pinnacle, Granite, Titan and TerraPro. Stiffness can be controlled by choosing from between two and 11 springs, and shock absorbers on all four corners of the suspension provide a smooth ride, Russoli said. The rubber center bushings don’t require lubrication and the mRide weighs about 300 lbs less than a conventional camelback suspension. Russoli acknowledged that some applications are still better served by a camelback, but “we see this taking a big chunk of that business.” Speaking to improvements in powertrain design, David McKenna, director of powertrain sales with Mack, talked about the Econodyne+ and SuperEconodyne packages. The Econodyne+ allows customers to get 15-litre-type power out of a smaller, more efficient 13L engine, McKenna said.

“Up till now, power and fuel efficiency have been two mutually exclusive items,” he said. “If you wanted to boost power, it generally cost us fuel economy. The idea was to take some modern technologies and apply them and optimize our powertrains.” In the past, engineers were generally able to get 20-25 hp for every litre of displacement. “Now we can get engines that are more like 39 hp per litre,” McKenna said. The Mack MP8 Econodyne+ engine can produce 505 hp and now offers 1,860 lb.-ft. of torque when it’s needed. Normally, the engine would offer 1,660 lb.-ft. at cruise, but when the driver needs some extra power, the engine will increase torque by 200 lb.-ft., allowing the driver to remain in top gear. “The greater amount of time you spend in top gear is directly proportionate to how good your fuel economy is going to be,” McKenna said. The Super Econodyne is an allMack powertrain, including the engine, transmission and axles. It incorporates downspeeding to reduce rpms and improve fuel economy. The package features the mDrive automated manual transmission in overdrive configuration and drive axles with 2.54, 2.66 or 2.83:1 ratios, allowing the engine to cruise at 1,150 rpm. The efficiencies derived from the Super Econodyne are possible as a result of vertical integration, McKenna said. “Our engine, transmission and vehicle ECUs are in constant communication with one another,” McKenna said. “They speak the same language and they share 100% of their information, 100% of the time.” In some cases, the mDrive transmission takes control of the engine. For example if a driver is trying to accelerate while going downhill and exceeding the maximum road speed, the transmission will intervene, perform a downshift and maybe even generate some engine braking. McKenna said sales of the Super Econodyne are slowly picking up. The key is getting fleet owners to give it a try. “We can give you 450 or 500 hp in a 13-litre package,” McKenna said, noting the 13L is 500-700 lbs lighter than a 15L, providing some fuel savings. n

13-10-15 11:56 AM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 63

Kenworth road show introduces new T880 vocational truck By Jim Bray CALGARY, Alta. – Kenworth’s T880/T680 Road Show stopped at Greatwest Kenworth in Calgary recently, providing local drivers and fleet owners with their first glimpse at the company’s latest offerings. The road show, which includes a trailerful of info and a couple of real-life samples, is a way for the company and its dealers to give potential customers (and truck nuts in general) an up close and early look at the T880 before its wide availability next year. Truck News caught up with Greatwest Kenworth’s Corey Prediger when the caravan rolled through Calgary, an event that gave Greatwest an excuse to fire up the barbecues, while some 300 guests got to see the latest in Kenworth’s vocational line. “Last year we did the T680 road show which was the introduction of our on-highway model,” Prediger said, “so this is just a natural progression, moving from our highway equipment into our vocational side.” Accompanying the display trailer were a pair of T880’s (which in Calgary consisted of a dump truck and a flatbed truck) and some corporate folk who were available to answer questions from a guest list Prediger said the dealership culled mostly from its oil and gas and construction sector customers. Guests could take a walk-around of the units as well as climb into the cab to get a feel for the new design.

USED

show and tell: Corey Prediger of Greatwest Kenworth shows off the T880.

The T880 is a major upgrade to Kenworth’s popular T800, a truck that served customers well for decades. Prediger said the new truck isn’t just an upgrade, however; it’s also a way to help companies fill empty drivers’ seats – by introducing a variety of new features designed to improve on-road comfort and safety as well as upgrading the overall driving experience itself. “The industry has really been pushing towards having more room, more space, more creature comforts for drivers,” he said, “and being it’s so difficult to find drivers in the industry now, (Kenworth) really wanted to push towards that.” One step Kenworth took with the T880 was to shorten the bumper to back of cab (BBC) specification.

The T880 also offers a larger windshield, and the outside mirrors have been moved off of the doors. “Kenworth wanted to increase the visibility from our cab, so our windshield is actually 45% larger than the current model,” Prediger said. As for the mirrors, they’re now cowl-mounted, moving the mirror package forward so the driver doesn’t have to turn their head as far to each side to see them. Inside the cab, the doors sport new handles and a two-piece hinge design. Prediger said the new door configuration also helps offer better sealing and a quieter drive. “We’ve got door rubbers actually on the door itself,” he said, “and the system offers substantially more sound attenuation, which really

decreases the exterior noise inside the cab.” Kenworth has also gone to a fivepiece hood design with the T880. Reflector-style headlights replace the old seal beam style headlamps, too. There’s no xenon option yet, but Prediger said it’ll probably be available “in the next year or so.” The new truck also takes advantage of some state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies to create efficiencies and flexibility. But just because it’s put together in great part by robots, that doesn’t necessarily mean customers will be confronted with cookie cutter cabs. “Kenworth has always been known as a custom truck builder,” Prediger said. “We build to suit. We don’t just take a specific highwaystyle tractor or vocational-style tractor and try to wedge it into a slot that it shouldn’t be.” Prediger said the T880 will go into full production this December, and should be available for delivery in January. That said, “We’re ready to take orders now.” The Calgary road show appearance followed one in Langley, B.C., and from Calgary it headed to Edmonton, followed by Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg. After that, the caravan will take a quick trip below the 49th parallel before heading back to Ontario and Quebec and then swing south again to wrap up in Greensboro, N.C. in mid-December. n

EASTWAY TANK

NEW 2014 KENWORTH T300 c/w 300 hp, Automatic Transmission c/w 3499 Propane Bobtail, stainless steel rear enclosure.

1998 INTERNATIONAL 11,500L four comp’t aluminum tank, dual pumping/metering equipment. Stock #8403

2012 INTERNATIONAL PAYSTAR 5000 c/w 475 hp, 18 speed transmission, 20,000 litre four compartment aluminum tank, dual pumping, set up to pull a pup trailer c/w pup pump line, Midcom, bottom loading.

NEW 2014 KENWORTH T400 c/w 380 hp, Automatic Transmission, 20 front, 40 rear, c/w NEW 20,000 litre four comp’t POLISHED aluminum tank, dual pumping and metering FINISHED TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS.

2006 WESTERN STAR c/w 6250 USWG Propane Bobtail, Midcom.

2001 STERLING c/w 20,000L four comp’t aluminum tank, dual pumping/metering equipment. Stock #7085

NEW

2008 STERLING Cat 300 hp, 10 speed, 13,000 litre tank, dual pumping and metering. Midcom.

2006 WESTERN STAR 4900 Cat C11, 10 spd., c/w 20,000L four comp’t alum. tank, dual pumping/metering, bottom loading, V/R. Stock #6045

WATER TANKS FOR SPRING FLUSHERS

2012 STAINLESS STEEL 2000 gallon Tank w/manhole cover, sump sills w/plastic isolator. Stock #T0014

2004 FREIGHTLINER c/w 20,000L four comp’t aluminum tank, dual pumping, vapour recovery, bottom loading.

1994 20,000L tank, aluminum, convert to water, ADD Flusher Nozzles.

We Manufacture and Sell Various Types of Tank Trucks

◆

3000 GALLON single comp’t aluminum tank, ready for your chassis.

Oil ◆ Propane ◆ Water ◆ Fire ◆ Refuelers

WE ARE LOOKING FOR TRADES • WE RENT FUEL TANKS

1-888-729-7817

Trusted Since 1968

pg 62-63 tn nov v3.indd 63

1995 Merivale Road, Ottawa ON K2G 1G1 Mike Trotter: mtrotter@eastwaytank.com • www.eastwaytank.com

Trusted Since 1968

13-10-15 11:57 AM

Page 64 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

oem/dealer news

Great Dane celebrates trailer milestone SAVANNAH, Ga. – Great Dane recently produced the 100,000th trailer built out of its Wayne, Nebraska plant. The milestone was celebrated Oct. 3 during a special hand-off to customer Decker Truck Line, with other dignitaries in attendance. The Wayne facility builds Great Dane’s Everest SS refrigerated trailers. The plant is 257,000 sq.-ft. and has been in operation since 1986. It employs more than 500 people and builds more than 5,000 trailers per year, Great Dane says. The 100,000th trailer was built es-

pecially for Decker Truck Line of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, which has been a Great Dane customer since 1975. “We’re extremely proud to reach this historic production milestone here in Wayne,” said Terry Hanson, manager of the Wayne plant. “It’s a clear testament to the quality of product that we produce, and to the spirit of the hundreds of hard-working individuals who carefully craft these outstanding trailers for our customers on a daily basis. Their deep sense of pride and attention to detail is what makes our trailers the very best the market has to offer.” n

Volvo says ’14 engines will sip less fuel GREENSBORO, N.C. – Volvo Trucks is claiming customers will see 0.5-2% better fuel mileage when using its 2014 engines. Trucks equipped with a Volvo D11, D13 or D16 engine will perform better, as a result of optimized and enhanced engine componentry, the company announced. “Volvo Trucks is committed to designing and engineering fuel-efficient technology that offers our customers solutions to reduce their fuel consumption and positively affect their bottom lines,” said Goran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North American sales and marketing. “Volvo trucks equipped with 2014 engine technology will deliver substantial fuel efficiency benefits, while also providing the power and performance customers expect from a Volvo powertrain.” The fuel consumption improvements will result from multiple optimized or new components, the company claims. Among them are low-friction cylinder improvements, including a redesigned piston and liner developed with smoother surfaces, and a clutched air compressor, which completely disengages the clutch from the engine. As well, a new seven-hold injector offers better fuel atomization for a more even distribution of fuel within the cylinder, Volvo says. Also new is a crankcase ventilation system that filters more oil from blowby gases before they leave the engine, while at the same time improving engine backpressure for better performance. Volvo also has been in design changes to improve serviceability, including a new two-piece valve cover, which reduces repair time and is easier to handle than previous covers. n

Truck orders get boost in September We have been supplying Parts, Service and Technical Support to Truck Shops, Dealers and Fleets since the early '80’s. GENUINE

now Offering Battery Boxes

in-Frame

Side Frame combined

powder coated Steel

Stainless Steel

dieSel particulate Filter Cleaning Service and Repairs ASH lOADeD

CleAN

s d e fi i s s a Cl

classifieds CLASSIFIEDS classifieds classifieds classifieds classifieds CLASSIFIEDS classifieds classifieds classifieds CLASSIFIEDS classifieds CLASSIFIEDS classifi

lters lean fi

$$ save $

DPf a rePlac fter-Marke t e now aMvent filters aila

CA$H FOR INVOICE$

Same Day Funding • Immediate load approval for Load Link users • Same Day Funding • Flexible Funding Options • 24/7/365 Service

ble

1850 gage crt. miSSiSSauga

RAD COOLANT PIPES

COLUMBUS, Ind. – Preliminary figures from ACT Research indicate September net orders for Classes 5-8 vehicles met expectations. Classes 5-7 vehicle orders are expected to come in at 16,500 units while Class 8 orders were up to 20,100 units, an improvement from both August 2013 and September 2012 results. “Based on ACT’s analysis, September is typically the second weakest order month of the year for Class 8, so modest activity was expected,” said Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst. “September’s order volume was the best since May and represents gains of 27% compared to last September and to Q312. Seasonal adjustment boosts September’s Class 8 orders to 23,200 units/278,000 SAAR. In seasonally adjusted terms, September’s Class 8 order intake was the second best since January 2012.”

Bad Debt Collection Service Equipment Financing Solutions

Brokers • Ask How Our Quick Pay Program Can Help Your Business!

1-877-653-9426

teXiS

Available in Aluminized or Stainless Steel

Built to Outlast OEM Pipes Pipes also available for Freightliner, Peterbilt and Western Star

$99.00 $129.00 Open SaturdayS & WeeknightS 8 AM - 8 PM FRI 8:30 AM - 3 PM SAT

8 AM - MIDNIGHT MON - THURS

905-795-2838 1-800-267-4740 Fax (905) 678-3030

www.liquidcapitalmidwest.com riacobelli@liquidcapitalcorp.com

Canada & U.S. Hotline

www.texisexhaust.com

Copy only

w/Picture

Ad runs one month E-mail:

kpenner@trucknews.com Also On-Line at:

www.trucknews.com

pg 64 tn nov v3.indd 64

Over the past eight months, Classes 5-7 orders have averaged 16,600 units per month, ACT reports. Compared to a year ago, orders were up 16% in September and 20% for all of Q3. n

Idealease names Eaton top supplier GALESBURG, Mich. – Eaton’s Vehicle Group has been named Supplier of the Year by Idealease, marking the first time a supplier has received the award in consecutive years in the program’s 31-year history. Eaton earned the award for scoring well in: new product development; product quality; customer satisfaction; field and warranty support; and its ability to meet those criteria on an ongoing basis. Eaton was selected as the overall winner from a field of 10 finalists. “It is truly an honour to receive the Idealease Supplier of the Year award back to back years,” said John Coll, vice-president, global marketing organization, Eaton’s Vehicle Group. “This award is recognition of the dedication of our team throughout Eaton who are committed to making our customers and their satisfaction our top priority every day. Making our customers the focus of everything we do is a core value at Eaton, and I congratulate everyone on the team for a job well done and thank Idealease for this prestigious award.” “Eaton is a supplier that we all can learn from and that we all can emulate,” added Dan Murphy, president and CEO, Idealease. “They develop innovative products and work side by side with us to improve our business.” n

13-10-15 11:58 AM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 65

advertisers’ product/service index

AlphaBETICAL LIST OF ADVERTISERS Accutrac Capital Solutions........ 25 Action Trailer Sales.................. 7 All Points Freight.. .................. 41 Anderson Haulage.................. 59 Arnold Bros. Transport.. ........... 40 Arrow Truck Sales.................. 66 Atlantis Radiator Truck Auto Service............................ 60 Benson Truck & Trailer............ 34 Bison Transport..................... 41 Blue Line............................. 47 Bose Corporation................... 27 Burrowes Insurance Brokers.. .... 20 Canadian Industrial & Truck Radiators.. ..................... 9,65 Capacity Of Ontario................ 60 Career Opportunities.......... 40-59 Celadon Canada.................... 46 C.H. Robinson....................... 21 Challenger Motor Freight.......... 43 Chevron Global Lubricants...... 4,19 Child Find-Missing Kids......... 69 Classified........................... 64 Compass Rose...................... 47 Cross Docks Available For Lease.. .. 66 Crossword Puzzle & Solution... 9,65 C.U.T.C................................. 9 David Benjatschek – Authorenticity.................... 67 Davis Fuels.. ......................... 39 Day & Ross.......................... 54 Dependable Tank................... 10 Diesel Spec.......................... 39 Drive Products...................... 38 Eastway Tank....................... 63 Espar.. ................................ 70 E.T. Transport.. ...................... 52 Flo Components.. ................... 30 Freightliner.. ........................ 2,3 G. Zavitz.. ............................ 51 Glasvan Great Dane............. 5,35 Goodyear.............................. 8 Great Dane Trailers................. 72 GTI Roll Transportation Services.. .. 42 H & R Block Canada................ 28 Holmes Freight Lines.. ............. 59 Husky Oil Marketing.. .............. 29 Imperial Oil.. ......................... 36 Interline Carriers.................... 51 International Truckload Services.... 49 Kindersley Transport............... 54 King Pin Specialists................ 62

TIRES & TIRE SERVICE LIGHTING AIR CONDITIONING XTCC A/C Experts.................... 67 Peterson Mfg.......................... 24 Benson Tire.. .......................... 34 Goodyear.. ...............................8 ANTI-IDLING Michelin................................ 68 Drive Products........................ 38 LUBRICANTS XTCC Heating & A/C Experts....... 67 Chevron Global Lubricants........ 4,19 Ok Tire.. ................................ 26 Flo Components...................... 30 BUSINESS CONSULTANTS Husky Oil Marketing.. ................ 29 TRAILER LEASING & RENTAL C.H. Robinson......................... 21 Imperial Oil.. ........................... 36 Action Trailer Sales.. ...................7 C.U.T.C. ..................................9 Shell Canada Products Ltd..... 22,23,33 Glasvan Great Dane................5,35 David Benjatschek – Authorenticity...................... 67 MEDICAL SERVICES Stateside Transportation TRAILER PARTS & SERVICE Consultants.. ....................... 65 Ontario Drivers Medical............. 61 Action Trailer Sales.. ...................7 Transport Financial Services.. ...... 66 Glasvan Great Dane................5,35 RADIATORS Kingpin Specialists................... 62 CARD LOCK Atlantis Radiator Truck Auto Trison Tarps........................... 68 Davis Fuels............................ 39 Service.............................. 60 Canadian Industrial & Truck CAREERS TRAILER SALES (NEW) Truck News/Careers.......... 40-59 Radiators.. ........................9,65 Action Trailer Sales.. ...................7 Truck News-DriverLink.. .......... 69 King Radiator.......................... 67 Glasvan Great Dane................5,35 69 XL Radiators........................... CHILD FIND/MISSING KIDS.. ...... 69 Great Dane Trailers.. ................. 72 Utility Trailer........................... 16 CLASSIFIED.. ......................... 64 REAL ESTATE Cross Docks Available TRAILER SALES (USED) CLIMATE CONTROL For Lease........................... 66 Action Trailer Sales.. ...................7 Drive Products........................ 38 Glasvan Great Dane................5,35 Reefer Sales & Service.............. 31 REFRIGERATION XTCC Heating & A/C Experts....... 67 XTCC A/C Experts.................... 67 TRUCK PARTS & ACCESSORIES CROSSWORD Bose Corporation..................... 27 Nov Crossword Puzzle.. .............9 SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE Drive Products........................ 38 Nov Crossword Solution.......... 65 Stateside Transportation Morgan’s Diesel Truck Parts.. ...... 12 Consultants.. ....................... 65 XL Radiators........................... 69 EXHAUST Texis Truck Exhaust.................. 64 SEATS The Truck Exhaust Place............ 61 TRUCK RENTALS/LEASING Bose/BoseRide.. ...................... 27 Ryder Systems Inc... ................. 18 FINANCING Accutrac Capital Solutions.......... 25 SOFTWARE McLeod Software.. ................... 71 TRUCK SALES (NEW) Freightliner Trucks.. ................. 2,3 FREIGHT SERVICES Mack Canada.. ........................ 13 C.H. Robinson......................... 21 SEMINARS Volvo.................................... 17 David Benjatschek – FUEL & REFUELLING SERVICES Authorenticity...................... 67 Davis Fuels............................ 39 TRUCK SALES (SHUNTS, YARD TRACTORS) HEATERS SPECIALTY TRUCK EQUIPMENT Espar.. .................................. 70 Drive Products . ...................... 38 Capacity of Ontario.. ................. 60 Snugger Heater Systems-Canada.... 30 Glasvan Great Dane Autocar.. ...... 35 XTCC Heating Experts............... 67 SUSPENSIONS 32 TRUCK SALES (USED) SAF-Holland........................... INCOME TAXES Arrow Truck Sales.................... 66 H & R Block............................ 28 Morgan’s Diesel Truck Parts.. ...... 12 TANKER SALES (NEW & USED) INSURANCE Burrowes Insurance Brokers....... 20 NAL Insurance........................ 25 National Truck League............... 34 Northbridge.........................14,15 Saskatchewan Government Insurance........................... 11

Dependable Tank..................... 10 Eastway Tank......................... 63 TRUCK SERVICE & REPAIR Tankmart International.. ............. 37 Benson Truck Service.. .............. 34 Diesel Spec............................ 39 Drive Products........................ 38 TARP SYSTEMS Trison Tarps........................... 68 XL Radiators........................... 69

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

Start your own

trucking company

King Radiator........................ 67 Kriska Transportation.............. 48 Laidlaw Carriers (Bulk/Dumps/Flatbeds)..... 47,57 Laidlaw Carriers (Pneumatic/Tanks).............. 45 Laidlaw Carriers (Vans)............ 55 Liquid Capital Midwest............ 64 Mack Canada.. ...................... 13 McLeod Software.. ................. 71 Michelin.............................. 68 Morgan’s Diesel Truck Parts...... 12 NAL Insurance...................... 25 National Truck League............. 34 Northbridge...................... 14,15 O.K. Tire.. ............................ 26 Ontario Drivers Medical.. .......... 61 Peterson Mfg........................ 24 Q-Line Trucking..................... 53 Reefer Sales & Service............ 31 Rideway Transport.. ................ 59 Ryder Logistics & Transportation.. .. 44 Ryder Systems...................... 18 SAF-Holland......................... 32 Saskatchewan Government Insurance......................... 11 Scotlynn Commodities............. 50 Schneider National................. 58 Shell Canada................ 22,23,33 Snowbirds Auto Connection.. ..... 40 Snugger Heater Systems-Canada... 30 Stateside Transportation Consultants.. ..................... 65 Tankmart International.. ........... 37 Texis Truck Exhaust................ 64 TFX International.. .................. 54 The Erb Group Of Companies.... 53 The Rosedale Group.. .............. 40 The Truck Exhaust Place.......... 61 Transport Financial Services.. .... 66 TransX Group Of Companies.... 49,52 Trison Tarps.. ........................ 68 Truck News/DriverLink.......... 69 Trison Tarps.. ........................ 68 Utility Trailer......................... 16 Volvo Trucks......................... 17 White Oak Transport............... 54 Woodcock Brothers................ 56 X West Carriers.................... 59 XL Radiators......................... 69 XTCC Limited.. ...................... 67 Young Transportation.............. 51

We can put you in the driver’s seat in as little as

business Days!

we guarantee it!

ra Call fo

Call Travis

1-866-817-0053 416-679-0053

TRY IT ONLINE AT

pg 65 tn nov 4col.indd 65

www.trucknews.com

EE FcoR on nsultati With over 40 years experience in the Transportation & Insurance Industry!

Wayne Noftle • 1-800-401-9138 • Fax: 1-888-795-2258 6705 Tomken Rd., Suite 219 Mississauga, ON L5T 2J6

www.statesideconsultants.com

13-10-15 3:54 PM

Page 66 TRUCK NEWS

November 2013

CROSS DOCKS – AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 30 acre site – PRIME HWY 407 & EAST OF HWY 400 VICINITY

• 205 & 101 Doney Crescent in Concord, Ontario • Facility #1: Up to 86,000 sf cross dock with 128 TL doors • Facility #2: Up to 31,000 sf cross dock with 75 TL doors • Separate office space in each • Separate maintenance garage in each • 30 acres provides additional trailer parking for lease • Opportunity is for 2014 occupancy; can be subdivided For leasing enquiries please contact: Jay Camacho • jcamacho@99years.ca • 905-761-8251 ext. 8582

TRUST THE BEST 63 YEARS EXPERIENCE 17 LOCATIONS OVER 2,000 POWER UNITS

TRUCK SALES

Free DPF WarraNty 3 months/25k miles

Dix

ARROW TRUCK SALES

e riv

SELECtED MODELS

low mIleage

I-shIft

t rit

tsu

fleet news

Industry analysts see value in TransForce’s proposed takeover of Vitran Corp. TORONTO, Ont. – Industry analysts seem to agree that an offer from TransForce to buy Vitran’s Canadian operations for US$4.50 per share would be a good deal for Canada’s largest LTL carrier. TransForce made the offer Sept. 25, contingent on Vitran concluding its deal to divest its US operations. TransForce already owned 9.51% of Vitran shares, at the time of the offer. Walter Spracklin, analyst with RBC Capital Markets, said the deal could boost TransForce’s LTL revenue by about $200 million, or 30%. It would also “increase TFI’s density within the Canadian LTL market and we see this as positive for LTL pricing going forward.” Since TransForce indicated in its announcement that it would continue to run Vitran as a standalone company under its existing management team, Spracklin said “we would not expect TFI to extract meaningful synergies from this transaction. However, it is likely that TFI would be able to enhance the efficiency of these operations.” He concluded “Overall, we view this transaction favourably from a strategic perspective as it supports improved pricing power within a market that is plagued by excess capacity and is aligned with management’s stated acquisi-

tion strategy of consolidating the Canadian LTL space.” David Newman, director, equity research, transportation and industrial products with Cormark Securities, agreed the deal makes sense for TransForce. Newman calculated the deal to be worth about US$73.9 million. He said TransForce would be likely to consolidate some of Vitran’s 23 Canadian terminals to rationalize its network. “We believe a TFI-Vitran merger could result in strong synergies, given a strong coast-to-coast overlap between their LTL operations in Canada,” Newman said. “The initial synergies could be in the realm of several million dollars (delisting of Vitran, SG&A) and perhaps rise from there as the geographic overlap of their combined operations are rationalized and consolidated, thereby increasing utilization. A more rationalized Canadian LTL market could lead to improved pricing and margins.” TransForce wasn’t the only company taking a close look at Vitran. Clarke Inc. announced on Sept. 30 that it was buying 1,000 shares of Vitran at $ 4.91 per share. The transaction represents just 0.01% of the total outstanding shares, but brings Clarke’s share of Vitran to about 10%. n

TARPS! TARP SYSTEMS! FLATBED EQUIPMENT! CANADIAN MADE TARPS RIGHT HERE IN BRANTFORD!

d. 401

I-shIft

ROLLING SYSTEMS free dPf WarranTy

2009 VolVo VNl670

435 H.P. Volvo VED13 engine, 12 spd. Volvo I-Shift trans., 13.2/40 axles, 208 W.B. Call for price.

def/SCr

2009 INterNatIoNal Prostar

Cummins ISX 485 H.P. engine. Fuller 18 spd. trans. Ratio 3.73. with 221 W.B. Free DPF Warranty! Price $53,900.

2011 VolVo VNl780

Volvo VED13 425 H.P. engine. Fuller 13 spd. trans., 229 W.B. with 12.5/40 axles. Low kms. $77,900.

def/SCr

2 UnIts

2012 VolVo VNl780

free dPf WarranTy

def/SCr 2012 VolVo VNl780

Volvo VED 16 550 H.P. engine, Volvo 12 spd. trans. 229 W.B. Power locks, windows, mirrors. $79,900.

ConfidenCe + 90 days / 25,000 Mile Warranty / no deductible!* Get a certified truck with Safety and emissions included! Take advantage of our Quick, Hassle-free, in-House finance! Count on Professional experts who really care about you! *Conditions Apply Depending on Kilometers and Year of Vehicle

Systems and Parts IN STOCK!

Volvo VED16 500 H.P., Fuller 13 spd. trans., 14.6/40 axles, 214 W.B. $58,900.

Cummins ISX 450 H.P. engine, Fuller 10 spd. trans. 173 W.B. Low kms. $49,900.

You Can Rely On Arrow to Start Off Right

MANUAL or ELECTRIC CABLE SYSTEM

2009 VolVo VNl670

I-shIft

Volvo VED13 475 H.P. engine, Fuller 13-spd. trans., 223 W.B., 12.5/40 axles $79,900.

pg 66-67 tn nov v3.indd 66

2 UnIts

2009 INterNatIoNal Prostar

3 UnIts

500 H.P. VED16 engine. 12 spd. trans., 235 W.B. Air-ride susp., Work Station, Power locks, mirrors, windows. Call for Special Price. Heavy SPeC

free dPf WarranTy

4 UnIts

Distributor of

2008 VolVo VNl780

5 UnIts

2009 INterNatIoNal Prostar

Cummins ISX 435 H.P. engine, Fuller 13 spd. trans., 230 W.B., 12,350 lb. front axle, 40,000 lb. rear axle. from $49,900.

Hiring Heavy Truck SaleS conSulTanTS

1-800-875-9017 1285 Shawson Drive, Mississauga Ontario L4W 1C4 Fax: 905-564-3419

www.arrowtruck.com

MANUAL or ELECTRIC SIDE-LOK SYSTEM

LARGE SELECTION OF TARPS AND EQUIPMENT IN STOCK!

1-866-948-2777 130 COPERNICUS BLVD. BRANTFORD, ON N3P 1L9

519-720-9464

Fax: 519-720-9468 www.trisontarps.ca E-mail: trison@trisontarps.ca

➝

2 UnIts

WOODSTOCK

HWY. 403

HAMILTON

➝

13-10-15 12:02 PM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 67

1-800-741-9365 905-795-9009

PICK-UP & DELIVERY ANYWHERE! 407

Columbus Rd.

Mid-Way Blvd.

Dixie Rd.

Derry Rd.

Shipping Across Ontario & Canada (Most 4 Hour Drive-in Service Models)

401

6771 Columbus Rd. Unit #7

Challenger takes payroll, trip reporting online to reduce paper waste the company. “The reason for the switch to epost was part of a green initiative,” she said. “Our current process every two weeks was to print copies of all pay statements and trip statements (two copies, one for filing). We would then have to sort, stuff, seal and file or mail pay stubs to drivers and file the second copy in each of the drivers’ folders. This process actually took us two days in total.” Challenger now receives the copy to be filed as an electronic PDF. “The second (step) was to find a viable source to send pay statements and trip statements to drivers to reduce the paper we were printing every two weeks, and to find costing savings in doing so,” Long added. The epost service was chosen, in part because it’s owned by Canada Post, which is a household name. “We wanted our drivers to be able to access their pay and trip statements 24/7 wherever they happened to be on the road,” said Long. “There are also apps for Blackberry, Apple and Android phones. The benefits of epost are the security, the access and the fact that the records can be stored for seven years on epost. The drivers will also receive their pay/trip statements earlier than the prior process. Most times they will be made available to them on epost the day before rather than waiting for payday.” Challenger set out to have epost adopted by 50% of its drivers within the first year. Within the first month of deployment, 6% had signed on. Challenger is looking to use the service to send T4 forms as well. n

Armour strengthens Newfoundland presence with RJS acquisition MONCTON, N.B. – Armour Transportation Systems announced it has completed the purchase of RJS Terminal, which will increase its coverage in Newfoundland. RJS, based in Mount Pearl, Nfld., will continue to operate under its existing name. It runs 70 pieces of equipment, specializing in general retail freight. It operates facilities in Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor and Mount Pearl. The company was founded in 1988 by Ray Saunders. The current leadership will continue to run the company, Armour announced, and its 30-person staff and existing terminals will be retained. “We are very pleased to welcome RJS Terminal Ltd. to our group of companies,” said Wesley Armour, president and CEO of Armour Transportation Systems. “RJS brings with them a highly respected and successful distribution and retail freight business. We look forward to the new opportunities this new business brings with them.” n

pg 66-67 tn nov v3.indd 67

Cooling the truCking and transit industry

improve fuel economy • reDuce engine maintenance • avoiD fineS

HEATERS R US! Sales • Parts • Service for all heaters and aPUs

1-877-889-8789

SoLUTIon: a 12 VoLT DIeSeL FIReD BUnK heaTeR & TheRMoSTaT (oPTIonaL TIMeR)

SoLUTIon: a 12 VoLT DIeSeL FIReD enGIne heaTeR

AIr CondItIonIng Parts • Service • Installation

indEpEndEnt 12/24/110 volt SyStEmS 3,000 to 10,000 BTUs Starting aS low aS $3,995.00 inStalled

EnvironmEntally FriEndly SolutionS 6198 Netherhart Rd., Unit 2, Mississauga ON www.xtcc.ca

reDuce engine maintenance • avoiD fineS • improve fuel economy • reDuce engine maintenance

CAMBRIDGE, Ont. – Challenger Motor Freight has taken a big step towards eliminating paper waste and reducing costs, by adopting Canada Post’s epost service. Canada Post media relations manager, Carley Smith, describes epost as “a free digital mailbox, which helps busy Canadians simplify their lives by offering one place, one login, one password to manage their household bills and essential documents.” It is fully integrated with the user’s bank, and fully secure, Smith said. The service can be accessed on any user’s own device. “Bank-grade security protects sensitive information while reminders help avoid late fees,” she said. “It also stores all bills and statements for up to seven years.” Smith said companies that use the service save on postage, and reduce time spent stuffing and mailing envelopes. Some 17,000 companies (and eight million individual Canadians) use epost for payroll and the dissemination of T4s, but Smith said it’s believed Challenger is the first trucking company to do so. “Challenger now has the ability to reach their employees whenever and wherever they may be located and gives employees full accessibility to their documents and automatically saves them for seven years,” Smith said. “For trucking companies with employees always on the go, this solution can’t be more perfect.” While savings will be achieved, the main motivation for Challenger was to reduce its paper waste as part of its green initiatives, according to Brenda Long, payroll manager with

Mississauga, ON L5T 2J9

reDuce engine maintenance • avoiD fineS • improve fuel economy • reDuce engine maintenance

waste not: Challenger is taking paperwork online to reduce waste.

• New & Rebuilt Radiators • Air Charge Coolers • A/C Condensers

Phone 905-362-2112 • Fax 905-362-2115

13-10-16 11:16 AM

FICTION

Part 1

Mark Dalton: Owner/Operator

The Truxpo Gambit By Edo van Belkom

He’d been looking forward to it for months, and now it was finally here – Truxpo Can. It was a biannual trade show for the trucking industry in which every manufacturer and service provider in and around the edges of the business came together to show off their new products, get people familiar with their name, and hopefully drum up business for their companies. Mark liked seeing what was new and – like every other owner/operator on the road – was interested in knowing about anything he could do or buy to improve his bottom line. He also liked the show because he attended it for two days and those two days were like a minivacation for him, taking a relaxing look at new ideas and innovations and every once in a while meeting up with an old friend or two. It wasn’t unusual for him to meet someone at the show who he’d worked with or for, then head off to the licensed area to swap stories over a few beers for the rest of the show. The fact that he was sleeping in Mother Load and she was parked in the lot outside the convention centre made it easy for him to enjoy himself without any worries about drinking and driving. But this show wasn’t proving to be a reunion of old friends. Mark had been walking the show floor for some two hours and hadn’t seen a single familiar face. But all that was about to change. And not in a good way. He ran into his first acquaintance, quite by accident. He was checking out the booth of a company that made and sold all manner of truck lighting, from headlights to turn signals, from interior lights to the kind of high-tech show lights that could cover your truck without the need of a second alternator and a bank of batteries. The flash and glare from all the blinking lights reminded Mark of some disco or dance hall. There was also a constant hum, click and clatter from the lights themselves as they shone brightly or blinked on and off. But despite the din, Mark could

still hear a man behind him telling a very animated story. “So I’m driving east on the 401 and this Peterbilt is matching me kilometre for kilometre. Maybe some car cut him off, but I don’t think so. The guy was probably asleep at the wheel – a real prick, you know what I mean?” “Sure do!” “Anyway, he cuts me off and I’m lucky to stay on the road and hang onto my load.” A pause. “So I start following him, cuz you know, I need to talk to him and set him straight.” “Set him straight, yeah.” “But you know what the guy does, he tells the MTO officer at the next weigh station that I’ve been waving a gun around.” “No kidding.” Mark’s eyes went wide. The man wasn’t just talking about some guy, he was talking about him. Mark remembered that episode as if it were yesterday. He’d cut off the truck by accident, tried to apologize and tell the guy what had happened, but he never got the chance. The driver ended up stalking him and the only way he could get away was to hold his rig up at the weigh station. Telling officers that he had a gun on him might have been a bit much but it was the best he could come up with under the stress of the situation. “If I ever meet up with that guy, man am I going to even the score.” Mark took a quick look around and saw there was no chance of getting away without walking right past the guy. He’d have to busy himself with some flashing lights for a while till the guy went away. “That sounds an awful lot like the guy I had a problem with one time,” said the other man. “Peterbilt, calls it Mother Load.” “Yeah, that’s it. I forgot his truck had a name. What’d he do to you?” “The damn guy put dyed diesel in my tanks, then sic’d the RCMP on me.” Mark remembered that incident too, but the man’s version of the story differed quite a bit from his own. Mark hadn’t put diesel in the man’s fuel tanks, but rather he’d put diesel into his own tanks and then videotaped the man he called “bandit” siphoning fuel out of Mother Load. Then he

Illustration by Glenn McEvoy

posted the footage on YouTube and notified the authorities that the bandit was travelling west across Canada. After that, it was only a matter of time before the law caught up with the guy. “Worst of it was,” the bandit continued, “the joker faked some video of me online stealing fuel from his tanks.” “That was you?” “Exactly. I had no choice but to plead guilty if I wanted to stay out of jail. Then I had to get a haircut, new rig and try and find a new company to drive for.” Mark could feel his clothes beginning to dampen and stick to his skin. He wiped a sleeve across his brow and did his best to keep his back toward the two men. Just then a salesman from the lighting company approached Mark and said, “Are you looking for anything in particular?” “No, not really,” Mark said under his breath, determined to be as inconspicuous as possible. “Okay, then…maybe if you told me what kind of truck you drive I can show you some of the possible upgrades we have available.” “Mack,” Mark said. “Mack Truck.” “Fantastic, we have a whole line of aftermarket Mack accessories.” The salesman moved Mark closer to where the two men were chatting. “Too bad we don’t know who he is,” said the first man, the one Mark had said had a gun.

“But I do know,” said the second. “How’s that?” “It wasn’t enough for the guy to get me in trouble with the cops... While the guy is passing by me as I’m being arrested, he rolls down his window and says, ‘That’s what you get when you steal from Mark Dalton!” “So his name’s Mark Dalton, eh?” said the first man. “That’s good to know. I’ll keep my eyes open. Who knows? Maybe the guy’s even at this show.” Mark turned to the salesman, feeling faint as the blood drained away from his face. “But I’m thinking of buying a Hino.” “Ah, we keep those on the other side of the booth.” Mark followed the salesman, awkwardly sidestepping his way across the carpet so he wouldn’t have to turn around and reveal his face. “This way sir.” Mark just nodded and kept walking sideways. n – Mark Dalton will return next month in Part 2 of The Truxpo Gambit. Did you know that there are two full-length novels featuring Mark Dalton?: Mark Dalton “SmartDriver” and Mark Dalton “Troubleload.” For your free copy, register with ecoENERGY for Fleets (Fleet Smart) at fleetsmart.gc.ca.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY MICHELIN® XDY-EX2TM TIRE MICHELIN’S MOST EXTREME OFF ROAD DRIVE TIRE

*Refer to the general terms and conditions of this offer at www.xworksguarantee.ca

pg 68 tn nov v3.indd 1

13-10-15 1:37 PM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 69

people Cummins Eastern Canada has expanded the role of industrial sales manager Michael Banitsiotis to include the automotive and military sales groups. His new title will be sales manager, industrial and automotive, the company announced. “Michael has spent the last year working with Cummins, our industrial engine sales team and their customers,” said Rick McWatt, branch manager, Cummins Eastern Canada. “He brings with him several years of automotive sales management experience in the automotive manufacturing industry.” • Tremcar has announced the hiring of Andy Mulvey as the company’s new vice-president, international. Mulvey joins the organization from Fleetstop Trailers in Calgary, Alta. His role will be to develop the US market for Tremcar. He’ll split his time between the company’s Canadian office in Quebec, and its US office in Strasburg, Ohio, the company

announced. Mulvey has more than 25 years’ experience in the tank trailer industry. • Mack Trucks has named Stephen Roy its new North American president, replacing Kevin Flaherty who’ll retire after more than 40 years with the company. The appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2014, Mack announced. Roy has led Mack’s aftermarket business since 2008. Roy has worked in the trucking industry for more than 25 years, including roles in truck sales, service, aftermarket parts, financing/leasing and telematics, Mack says. • Great Dane president and CEO Bill Crown has announced his succession plan, which will see him step aside from day-to-day activities as president, while retaining his role as CEO. On Oct. 1, Dean Engelage took over as president. Crown said the latest move is a continuation of the company’s succession plan, which has been underway for the past year. n

Service & repair

All Truck And IndusTrIAl rAdIATors, chArge AIr coolers & A/c condensers

4 Hr. Drive-in Service For MoSt truckS!

We Ship Across Ontario

Open 6 Days A Week! Monday-Friday: 8 aM-6 pM • Saturday: 9 aM-2 pM Hwy. 410 & Steeles #10 HalE road, BraMpton, on l6W 3M1 905-487-1209 • 1-877-950-0099 after hours: 905-487-1209

Hwy. 97 & 401 226 Boida aVE., ayr on n0B 1E0 519-621-1209 • 1-888-991-1209 after hours: 519-621-1209

AMBER POTTS-JAFFARY Missing Since: Nov 26, 1988 Date of Birth: Jul 27, 1972 Missing From: Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada Height: 5’8” Weight: 130lbs Eye Colour: Brown Hair Colour: Dark Brown

Age-enhanced 19 years (1991)

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MISSING PERSON,

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE

OR CALL US TOLL-FREE

missingkids.ca

1-866-KID-TIPS (1-866-543-8477)

OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL. missingkids.ca is a program of and trade-mark of

pg 69 tn nov v3.indd 69

Child Find (Ontario) Inc. is an affiliate of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection Inc. Together, they provide missing children services in the Province of Ontario.

13-10-10 11:59 AM

Page 70 TRUCK NEWS

TSQ WOODSTOCK, Ont. – Professional drivers are always eager to give back to their communities, as evidenced by the man convoys across Canada for a multitude of causes. Many of these convoys raise money for a worthy cause. In southwestern Ontario, the Trucking for a Cure Convoy turns heads each year, with dozens of trucks getting decked out in pink by their owners, then going on a short drive down the 401 before returning to the starting point, the TA Travel Centre in Woodstock, for an afternoon of festivities. This year’s Convoy, held Oct. 5 was a huge success. But while there covering the event, we also wanted to know what it is about professional drivers that makes them so quick to help out and contribute to a cause. • Chad Hayward, an owner/operator out of Clear Creek, Ont., an hour south of Woodstock, was on-hand

November 2013

Truck Stop Question

What makes drivers so eager to give back?

James menzies

Chad Hayward

to represent his family business J-L Hayward. “This is my second year participating,” he said, noting he raised a little more than $3,500, earning him

fourth spot among the top fundraisers. Asked why he takes part, Hayward said “I have family that have been affected by cancer, and friends.” As the fourth truck in the convoy, Hayward had a good view and was pleased to see a positive reception from other motorists. “Everybody was courteous,” he said. “The overpasses were lined. It was actually nice.” Hayward had a large contingent of family on-hand at the event. • Superior Propane raised more money than any other entrant, pulling in $4,360 between its two participat-

Nathan Elgie ing trucks. Nathan Elgie, a full-time driver with Superior piloted one of the trucks in the convoy. “It has been a lot of fun, the day has been great and the weather has been…fair,” he said, casting a glance skyward, where ominous clouds had thus far held off drenching the hordes below. “It has been a good time and a great way to show support.” Elgie was participating in the convoy for the first time. Already, just minutes after returning from the drive, he was planning a return. “I’m definitely going to try to come up with other ways of raising some cash,” the Guelph-based driver said. •

Gary Whelan

Gary Whelan, a driver with St. Mary’s Cement, drove a pink mixer in the convoy. St. Mary’s has three such-painted trucks, including one in Woostock, another in Toronto and one in Hull, Que. Raising money for cancer is a year-round effort for the company. Whelan said he’s enormously proud to be able to drive the pink truck in events, even if it does earn him some ribbing on the highway. “Some people think it’s funny,” he said. “Some people will give you a bit of a laugh at work, they’ll call me Mary, but I’m okay with it. I love doing it and it’s a great thing.” Whelan said the benefits of taking part in the convoy go beyond raising money. “I suppose anywhere you work, you want to make the image of what you do better, and this to me suits everything,” he said. “We’re standing behind women – we all love women, we have mothers, sisters, daughters – and it’s a great cause that makes you feel good. How do you lose? It changes the average person’s image of trucking. I could do this every weekend. It’s so rewarding. You sleep good at night.” • Joanne Millen-MacKenzie is not only a full-time driver, but also organizer of the Trucking for a Cure convoy. Asked what it is that keeps truckers coming back and contributing to the cause, MacKenzie said “They’re the greatest community. They have a passion and once they have that passion, they get involved. This is what the convoy is all about – the truckers.” n

pg 70 tn nov v3.indd 70

13-10-11 2:45 PM

November 2013

TRUCK NEWS Page 1

Attracting & Retaining the Best Drivers is Crucial to Your Success Is your dispatch operations system helping you or holding you back? With McLeod Software, you gain the visibility to proactively manage driver home time, loaded miles, and hours of service. Our customers have the tools to attack detention time, produce fast and accurate settlements, track and manage your company CSA score, measure and reward good driver performance. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why over 650 carrier, broker, and shipper companies throughout North America choose McLeod Software solutions.

877.362.5363 | www.McLeodSoftware.com

McLeod Software.indd 1

13-10-11 8:40 AM

e v e r e s t r

More Standard Features. More Productivity. More Long-Term Value. When everything depends on delivering on time, on temperature and on the money, you can rely on Great Dane’s Everest series of refrigerated trailers. Whether you’re hauling cross-country or locally, no one offers more standard features to support your bottom line.

• • • • • •

Satin-Finish Stainless Steel Rear Frame Corrosion-Fighting Stainless Steel Front Bottom Rail Moisture-Resistant Composite Sill Flooring System PunctureGuard Lining 100% LED Lamps and Long Life Lighting System Platinum Performance Plus Wheel End System (with exclusive six-year warranty)

Also available with our exclusive ThermoGuard and CorroGuard technologies for maximum lifespan:

CorroGuard P R O T E C T I O N

Find an approved Great Dane location near you by visiting www.greatdanetrailers.com, or download our new mobile app for free from the App Store or Google Play.

drive away with more

Explore our line of reefers online at greatdanetrailers.com/refrigerated

Great Dane and the oval are registered trademarks of Great Dane Limited Partnership.

Great Dane.indd 5

13-07-15 10:20 AM