Take these steps to jumpstart a vehicle and tag a friend who could use some helpful tips.
3/28/21
Tommy Gate G2 Series Liftgates for Service Body and Pickup Operation
Tommy Gate - G2 Series - Pickup and Service Body Operation
3/26/21
3/24/21
The importance of fuel economy
Getting good fuel economy is important regardless of the price of fuel, but some fleets take their eyes off the prize when fuel prices dip. Here are 10 ways to improve a fleet’s fuel economy.
According to the American Transportation Research Institute’s An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking: 2020 Update, fuel represents 24% of a fleets average marginal operating cost. To put it another way, that $0.50 per gallon increase equates to an additional $7,000 per truck per year. You can do the math from here to figure out what that number is fleet wide. It’s going to be a big number.
Learn more at: https://www.fleetowner.com/industry-perspectives/ideaxchange/article/21158063/the-importance-of-fuel-economy
3/22/21
2022 Ford Super Duty gets bigger touchscreen and more package options
Whether it comes to your home or truck, it’s hard to beat a big screen.
The 2022 F-250 has become Ford’s latest pickup to get the automaker’s 12-inch touch screen with SYNC 4 which will come standard on Lariat and above models.
Physical controls will accompany the screen to allow for quick access to commonly used functions. And that’s a smart idea since flipping through screens can be a pain not to mention the haze of fingerprints that often builds up on the screen from constant touching.
Learn more at: https://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/pickup-trucks/article/15064243/2022-ford-super-duty-gets-bigger-touchscreen-and-more-package-options
3/20/21
GETTING INTO YOUR TRUCK SHOULDN’T FEEL LIKE CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST
That’s why AMP Research invented the Powerstep™, the automatic, electric-powered running board that instantly extends when you open your door, and retracts out of sight when the doors close for improved ground clearance, aerodynamics and appearance. Its sleek design, all-weather performance and legendary reliability set the industry standard.
3/16/21
TELEMATICS FOR ALL: FORD EXPANDS DIGITAL OFFERING TO ALL MAKES AND MODELS MAR 8, 2021 | DEARBORN, MICH.
- Ford TelematicsTM expands product offering, unlocking fleet monitoring services for all makes and models regardless of automaker
- Additional new features allow ”at-a-glance” management of compliance, with a fleet-wide driver behavior dashboard and fleet-level notifications to help reduce human error and manage total cost of ownership
- Ford Telematics Essentials - a complimentary version of the service for Ford vehicles – provides vehicle health insights, trackable maintenance, remote viewing of malfunction and warning light information, recall information and more
DEARBORN, Mich., March 8, 2021 – Every trip a driver makes can reveal important digital clues to fleet operators about how their vehicles are being used, unlocking insights to improve employee performance and vehicle health. Now, Ford is ensuring no vehicle gets left behind by expanding Ford Telematics to support all makes and models – regardless of automaker.
This new capability alongside new tools offered by Ford Telematics1 gives businesses the flexibility they need to manage their fleets, while helping to better manage driver behavior, performance and compliance goals.
“At Ford, our commitment to fleet customers goes beyond the mix of their fleet,” said Alex Purdy, Director of Business Operations, Enterprise Connectivity, Ford Motor Company . “By supporting all makes and models, expanding the capabilities of Ford Telematics and providing complimentary management tools, we’re arming fleet managers with the knowledge they need to maintain uptime and increase productivity across their fleet.”
With Ford Telematics, fleet operators can now gather, view and monitor data from all their vehicles, regardless of manufacturer. With this expanded functionality, fleet managers will be able to analyze all of their fleet vehicles in one easy to use dashboard– including the ability to improve uptime, monitor performance and plan maintenance services.
Customers can leverage this capability on most non-Ford vehicles by using a plug-in device that connects to each vehicle with a wiring harness that leaves the OBD II port available for use. Additionally, this expanded functionality is provided as part of the regular subscription cost for Ford Telematics.
The ability to support all makes and models is just the latest step Ford has taken to expand the breadth of Ford Telematics. Fleet customers who deploy electric vehicles also have access to an electric vehicle telematics dashboard, which provides features such as electric-vehicle data, charging reports, and web-based pre-conditioning that can help optimize battery efficiency.
Managing behavior and compliance
Ford Telematics is designed to help customers improve the management and performance of their fleets. The service is constantly introducing new features to do just that, including a fleet-wide driver behavior dashboard and individual driver scores that help improve performance.
The driver behavior dashboard gives managers a survey of how their vehicles are performing, providing information about trends that involve harsh braking or acceleration, speeds driven over posted limits and/or fleet-set thresholds, seatbelt use and idling time. A personal driver score also lets fleet managers quickly see how specific drivers are doing, giving them opportunities to further coach them on best practices and areas of improvement.
“Because there’s so much data at our fingertips, it’s critical to give fleet managers a clear and simple way to gain insight into their business,” said Purdy. “Ford Telematics gives managers an easy way to break down performance trip by trip, driver by driver, so they can focus on running a safe, productive fleet.”
Severe incident notifications, meanwhile, let fleet operators know when their drivers and vehicles have been involved in a severe incident where the airbag has been triggered. E-mail and in-app alerts can relay the driver involved, the location of the crash and the time. Vehicle misuse notifications enable managers to set operating hours and receive notifications if their vehicles are being used inappropriately during off-hours.
Improving uptime
Information is the lifeblood of any organization, and commercial fleets are no exception. That’s why Ford is moving to make its services even more accessible with the launch of Ford Telematics Essentials2 for Ford vehicles, a complimentary level of service for commercial customers that will be available beginning in the second quarter of 2021.
Ford Telematics Essentials gives customers access to vehicle health insights such as odometer readings, diagnostic trouble code and information around oil life, engine hours and recalls. Later this year, this complimentary service will also allow fleets to digitally track and plan maintenance or repair services with local dealers.
Meanwhile, Ford Telematics continues to expand its feature offerings and the amount of data it can share with fleets about their vehicles, with support for more than 3,800 diagnostic trouble codes. These codes help identify potential issues with vehicles, and are coupled with alerts that tell customers whether they should take action immediately or soon in order to remedy a situation.
Further bolstering Ford’s mission to improve uptime for commercial fleets is the widespread adoption of over-the-air update capability, beginning with the 2021 F-150. Vehicles equipped with this technology can receive updates and repairs wirelessly, reducing the need to visit a dealer for maintenance. These updates can be delivered in the background or scheduled by the driver at their convenience, creating another way to keep fleets up-to-date and on the road.
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1 Available on vehicles with embedded modem or equipped with plug-in device (PID). Requires modem activation. Ford Telematics and Ford Data Services are subscription services subject to agreement to FSM terms and conditions. Subscription subject to monthly charge. Subject to OFAC and credit check for subscription eligibility. Connected service and features, and access to vehicle data depend on subscription and compatible AT&T network availability. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features.
2 Available on Ford vehicles with embedded modem. Requires modem activation and agreement to digital terms and conditions. Complimentary access will exist for the life of the vehicle or the life of the product. Connected service and features, and access to vehicle data depend on subscription and compatible AT&T network availability. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford trucks, utility vehicles, and cars – increasingly including electrified versions – and Lincoln luxury vehicles; provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company; and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected vehicle services. Ford employs approximately 186,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.
3/14/21
NEW TECH, NEW STYLES: UPGRADED FORD SUPER DUTY GETS SYNC 4, 12-INCH SCREEN, LARIAT SPORT AND BLACK APPEARANCE PACKAGES
- The 2022 Ford Super Duty increases customer convenience, connectivity and personalization with an available 12-inch touch screen plus cloud-connected SYNC® 4 featuring wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ as well as connected navigation
- Available new Lariat Sport Appearance Package adds style with body-color grille, bumpers and mirrors for customers who prefer less chrome. The popular Black Appearance Package expands availability to XLT trims
- New colors are available inside and out, including a Baja interior for Lariat and Navy Pier and Light Slate interior for Limited, plus a new Atlas Blue exterior color
DEARBORN, Mich., March 8, 2021 – Ford, America’s truck leader for 44 consecutive years, is rolling out smart and stylish upgrades for the 2022 F-Series Super Duty as it continues to offer the highest available payload, and max conventional and fifth-wheel towing.
“Super Duty customers aren’t just working harder these days, they are also working smarter,” said Todd Eckert, Ford Truck Group Marketing manager. “We’re further helping our customers raise their game and get the job done with purposeful technology through the introduction of SYNC 4 with a larger 12-inch screen and 24x7 cloud connectivity for both their truck and mobile devices.”
The all-new, landscape-oriented 12-inch center touch screen with SYNC® 4 is standard on Lariat and above models, with physical controls below for quick access to commonly used functions. Occupants can easily multitask functions by splitting the screen to see navigation, music, truck features and the new digital owner’s manual.
With twice the computing power of the previous-generation system, all-new SYNC 4 can wirelessly connect smartphones without the USB cord for seamless integration of Apple CarPlay™ or Android Auto™ compatibility, as well as SYNC AppLink® apps. Customers can interact with the truck using more conversational natural voice control to ask for points of interest or delays along a route. SYNC voice control and a 4.2-inch center screen remains standard on the XL series trucks with SYNC 3 available while an 8-inch center touch screen and SYNC 3 are standard on XLT.
“These additions build on the major updates we made for 2020 and we keep working hard to bring the best in capability and productivity to assist our hardworking Super Duty customers everyday,” said Eckert.
Tough never looked so good
For 2022, Super Duty offers a new stylish Lariat Sport Appearance Package that includes body-color bumpers, exterior mirrors and grille, as well as a chrome exhaust tip and black platform running boards.
The wildly popular Black Appearance Package is now being made available for XLT models for 2022. This includes 20-inch Ebony Black painted premium wheels, body-color front and rear bumpers, grille bars, and six-inch Ebony Black running boards – even the front and rear Blue Ovals have been painted black. The Black Appearance Package will be available fall 2021.
New colors available inside and out include a Baja interior for Lariat, a Navy Pier and Light Slate interior for Limited, and an Atlas Blue exterior color.
The current-generation Super Duty is the toughest, most powerful, most capable Super Duty, with an available 7.3-liter V8 with the most gas horsepower and torque in its class* – 430 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft. of torque. The available third-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel V8 delivers 1,050 lb.-ft. of torque and best-in-class* 475 horsepower. Super Duty’s capabilities speak for themselves, with maximum gooseneck towing of up to 37,000 pounds, best-in-class* maximum fifth-wheel towing of 32,500 pounds, best-in-class* maximum conventional towing of 24,200 pounds and best-in-class* maximum payload capacity of 7,850 pounds.
Super Duty is available with a variety of standard and optional Co-Pilot360™ features to help assist in keeping work as safe as possible. Hill start assist is standard on all Super Duty trim levels. To help you stay in your lane, Lane-Keeping Alert is available on XL and XLT and standard on above models. Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking comes standard on XLT and above trims and alerts you of potential collisions with vehicles in your path. Available Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Coverage monitors for vehicles in blind spots – even with one next to your trailer. Pro-Trailer Backup Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Adaptive Steering and 360-Degree camera are all available features to help on every job.
2022 Ford Super Duty is proudly built at Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, and Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Ohio and will be available this summer.
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*Class is full-size pickups over 8,500 pounds GVWR
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford trucks, utility vehicles, and cars – increasingly including electrified versions – and Lincoln luxury vehicles; provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company; and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected vehicle services. Ford employs approximately 186,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.
3/12/21
Highway Products | Truckslide™ XT-2000 It's How We Build It
Truckslide™ XT-2000
Built for rugged work conditions
• 2,000 pound capacity
• 1/8” fully formed aluminum tray – no welds or weak points
• Two 10 Gauge galvanized Steel Tracks
• ¼” Steel pull handle and safety locking plungers
• Eight 2” Chrome Steel Sealed Bearings
It’s How We Build it
1. 1/8” 5052 Fully Formed Aluminum Tray
2. Two 10 ga. Galvanized Steel Tracks
3. ¼” Thick Pull Handle & Safety Plungers
4. Polished Chrome Steel Bearings
1/8” 5052 Fully Formed Aluminum Tray
1. No welds, no weak points, built to take a beating
2. Will never rust or deteriorate due to weather
3. 49” tray width for pallets & 4x8 sheets
4. 5” tall side rails with tie-down points
Two 10 ga. Galvanized Steel Tracks
1. Over-built & over-engineered for maximum weight capacity
2. Galvanized steel will never rust or deteriorate in the weather
3. Safety locking points built-in tracks
4. Tray rails glide down tracks that are secured by oversized mounting brackets
¼” Thick Pull Handle & Safety Plungers
1. Pull handle actuates rocker mechanism
2. Rocker made from 10 ga. galvanized steel that is cased in 5052 control box
3. ½” 302 stainless springs slam shut plungers into track safety locking points
4. Plungers are made from ¼” steel flat bar
Eight Chrome Steel Bearings
1. Each track contains four 2” sealed, vertically positioned, radial bearings
2. Each track also contains two .875 inch sealed, laterally positioned, radial bearings
3. Each 2” bearing has a dynamic load capacity of 3,600 lbs
4. Bearings are self-lubricated and sealed to protect from dust and contamination
3/10/21
2021 Ford F-600 offers medium-duty benefits in smaller frame
According to Ford Motor Co., fleet and commercial customers can now manage larger upfits, carry more equipment and tow heavier loads with the Model Year 2021 Ford F-600 than they can with any other Super Duty chassis cab its size. Customers will also get the added capability of standard power takeoff provision on both the class-exclusive gasoline and available diesel powertrains.
Slotted between F-550 Super Duty and F-650 Pro Loader Medium Duty truck, F-600 has the familiar size, interior and controls of an F-550, with a step-up height that’s only 3 millimeters higher. F-600 uses higher-capacity wheels and tires, upgraded driveshaft mounts, an upgraded rear axle, more robust brake rotor materials and strategically placed frame reinforcements behind the cab to deliver Class 6 capability in a compact Class 5 package.
With the available 6.7-liter V8 Power Stroke diesel engine, F-600 delivers gooseneck towing capacity of 34,500 pounds and a maximum GCWR of 43,000 pounds. The third-generation diesel features enormous low-rpm output to get truly heavy loads underway, with 330 hp and 825 lb.-ft. of maximum torque at 2,000 rpm. As a result, customers can equip their F-600 with heavier bodies and equipment like telescopic cranes, and can tow larger loads so nothing has to get left behind.
“For years, many of our utility, towing and oil/gas service fleet customers have specced all the possible upgrades on their F-550 chassis cabs to avoid having to step up to a traditional Class 6 truck, but they’ve still pushed the limits of what a Class 5 truck can do,” said Nathan Oscarson, Ford commercial truck brand manager. “Now those fleets are moving into F-600 to get the increased payload and GCWR they’ve needed all along in a truck that fits.”
As F-600 enters its second year of production, the Ford TorqShift 10-speed automatic transmission comes with a 10-bolt design live drive power takeoff (PTO) provision standard on both the 7.3-liter V8 gasoline and 6.7-liter V8 diesel powertrains. The power takeoff provision works with aftermarket power takeoff units to drive auxiliary equipment anytime the engine is running, either in stationary or mobile mode at any vehicle speed. In stationary mode, it is rated to handle up to 300 lb.-ft. of torque. F-600 equipped with the diesel engine offers split-shaft PTO capability that makes it possible to run two pieces of auxiliary equipment at the same time when the vehicle is stopped.
3/08/21
Tongue Weight Safety Demonstration
Proper trailer tongue weight improves the vehicle and trailer towing experience by improving performance. Not enough tongue weight or force on the hitch/tow ball causes an increase in trailer sway from side to side, making it difficult to control. Conversely, too much tongue weight or force on the hitch/tow ball could overload the rear tires of the towing vehicle, pushing the rear end of the vehicle around. This could also negatively affect the vehicle handling. Performance is impaired as you might not be able to go around corners and curves properly, and your vehicle may not stop quickly enough when you press the brake pedal.
The Weigh Safe Drop Hitch effectively measures the tongue weight of your towing load, improving the vehicle tow load balance and performance.
3/06/21
Knapheide Customer Story: Gorilla Truck Box
“It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.”
For James Longley, dirty jobs have kept him in business for the past two decades.
Longley owns and operates Professional Cleaning Supply, Inc. (PCS) and its subsidiary, Gorilla Truck Box, in Oklahoma. PCS, founded in 2000, specializes in providing supplies for professional carpet cleaning companies, auto detailers, and those who work in restorative services focusing on fire and water restoration and mold remediation.
Though the lineup of cleaning products and accessories offered to PCS customers was meeting their needs, a practical transportation solution for these professionals was an entirely different story altogether.
“We had the supplies, tools, and equipment for these businesses, but there were no good service vehicles that were customized for our industry,” recalls Longley.
Options did exist, but none were specifically tailored to meet the needs of these particular industries. Dissatisfied with that fact, Gorilla Truck Box was born.
“We saw utility vehicles for plumbers, electricians, HVAC, etc., but nothing designed for the professional carpet cleaners and restoration companies,” says Longley. “Our industry was always trying to take a standard box truck or van and make it conform to our industry needs, which created a very disorganized vehicle at best.”
Not only was lack of organization a catalyst for creating an industry-specific body, practicality and efficiency also played significant key roles.
“In the carpet cleaning and restoration industry, doors on vans and trucks must stay open when a gas engine is needed to power equipment and tools, which gives easy access for thieves to steal tools not bolted down,” says Longley. “With Gorilla Truck Box, we built compartments that are lockable with the push of a button, securing all the tools.”
Utilizing his extensive experience and knowledge of the industry, Longley began drawing up concepts for a custom truck body that would provide ample storage for supplies and adequate space for common equipment used by these professionals. The overarching theme for the design was “to have a place for everything and everything in its place.”
As is with most inventive endeavors, the process of bringing this creation to life was trial and error.
“We began building Gorilla Truck Box in 2013 with another builder,” says Longley. “After a couple years, we became dissatisfied with a number of quality issues that continued to happen with that builder. So, we started researching other manufacturers.”
Requiring a manufacturing company that understood his vision and mission for the highest standard of quality, Longley says he was thrilled to finally discover Knapheide, the company that would work with him to bring his idea to life.
Like all customers seeking custom creations, Knapheide collaborated with Longley to build a unique body according to his specifications that would better serve those in the industries he serves.
“We were very impressed from the start with Knapheide,” he recalls. “They flew us to their headquarters in Quincy and gave us a tour of the manufacturing plant. We were truly impressed with their ability to laser cut steel, and were especially pleased with the anti-corrosion E-Coat process. Even Bo Knapheide came by and spoke with us.”
That visit to Knapheide easily solidified Longley’s decision to collaborate with Knapheide for the creation of Gorilla Truck Box, and the partnership began soon thereafter in 2015.
Knapheide was confident in the ability to bring Longley’s vision to fruition and provide the quality product he had previously lacked. To do so, Longley had extensive meetings with Knapheide personnel, particularly the engineering staff.
“I must say, I was very impressed with our first meeting with the engineers,” says Longley. “They were incredibly knowledgeable and informative. I have been especially impressed with Rick Terford, Supervisor Application Engineering. He has been there to help us with any changes and small issues along the way.”
The first Gorilla Truck Boxes, an order of four units, were rolled off the assembly line in 2016. Since then, customers across the country have come to rely on Gorilla upfits to get the job done. Longley has even seen his upfits expand beyond the typical vocations he serves.
“Our trucks are mainly sold to the professional carpet cleaning and restoration companies,” Longley explains. “We have also sold our trucks to plumbers who install motorized “jetters” (an apparatus used to remove and clean out buildup in drain lines) and pressure washing companies.”
Knapheide manufactures three different Gorilla Truck boxes to serve this particular market, each offering configurations, features, and options that provide users the most efficient and effective upfit for operations of any size.
“The highest cost of any service company is labor. The faster the employee can complete a task, the higher the profit,” says Longley. “We believe good organization is the key to productivity. Knowing where your tools are and being able to access them quickly speeds up the job process. And time is money.”
With that in mind, the company’s partnership with Knapheide continues to be one of great success.
“We named it Gorilla Truck Box because we wanted to let customers know that our products are tough, durable, well-built truck boxes, built to last for many years,” Longley says. “With partners like Knapheide, we believe we have achieved that goal.”
Relationships like those with Gorilla Truck Box show that a custom solution for any need exists through working with Knapheide to bring visions to life. No matter your needs, Knapheide is here to help customers across the country by creating an ideal solution to serve practically any vocation.
If you’re interested in creating a custom body with us, get started today by visiting knapheide.com.
For more information on Gorilla Truck Box, visit gorillatruckbox.com.
SOURCE: https://www.knapheide.com/main-blog/customer-story-gorilla-truck-box/
3/04/21
Finish Strong: Extended Version | Super Bowl LV Commercial | Ford
#FinishStrong is the latest effort by Ford to support those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ford has been a leader in COVID mitigation efforts since April 2020 and one of the first manufacturers to pivot toward making personal protective equipment (PPE). Ford has committed to donating 120 million masks to communities and organizations with limited access to personal protective equipment. As of February 1, 2021, Ford, in partnership with the UAW, has produced and distributed over 60 million masks to nonprofit organizations, state and local officials, first responders, schools, community groups and Ford dealerships in all 50 states.
Learn more here: http://ford.to/39DmamF
3/02/21
Knapheide New Aluminum Body Manufacturing Plant
The Knapheide Manufacturing Company in Quincy has been going strong for 170 years & is still looking towards the future. They have recently completed construction of a new aluminum truck bed manufacturing & assembly plant with an eye toward further global development. Come see the new plant & hear from the Knapheide family themselves about their history & their future in this episode
SOURCE: Illinois Stories Knapheide New Plant WQEC TV PBS Quincy
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