Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
It might have been 130 degrees or more inside that trailer. How long can anyone stand that? It’s amazing anyone survived. READ MORE
Tags: Reefers, Human Trafficking
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Wednesday, July 26, 2017 3:15 AM | » Comments(1)
Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
Fleet Clean USA CEO Scott Marr, now 27, ran a part-time washing business and realized that he made more money washing trucks than working at a bank. Learn more in Tom Berg's Trailer Talk blog. READ MORE
Tags: Fleet Management, Maintenance Management, Truck Washing
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Thursday, July 20, 2017 3:13 AM | » Comments(0)
Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
A special Duraplate van has heavy plexiglass panels to reveal its sporty load. Guess the number of baseballs and win World Series tickets. Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor READ MORE
Tags: Equipment, Old Dominion Freight Line, Wabash National
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Tuesday, July 11, 2017 3:00 AM | » Comments(0)
Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
TransRoad: USA, Trucks and Trailers, puts players in the executive seat of a virtual trucking company, starting by choosing virtually appropriate equipment for a virtual haul. READ MORE
Tags: Games, Trucking
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Friday, July 7, 2017 7:49 AM | » Comments(0)
Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
Trucking is called "a great industry," and footage shows how many trailers were traveling by rail instead of on crowded highways. That's still a good idea. READ MORE
Tags: Piggybacking, Intermodal, Driver Shortage
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Friday, June 23, 2017 6:14 AM | » Comments(0)
Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
A Pro-Shuttle has a floor of stout steel beams with short, slanted sides that guide a container into place as the gantry crane lowers it. For the short trips within the port, containers are not tied down. Tom Berg has more in his Trailer Talk blog. READ MORE
Tags: Ports, Containers, Port Trucking, Container Chassis, TICO, Intermodal
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Friday, June 16, 2017 1:22 PM | » Comments(1)
Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
While pulling the Smithco tipper, a Western Star 6900XD acted as a tractor, but it’s really a straight truck fitted with a fifth-wheel kit. This is part of Carco Industries' MBT-40 Multi-Body Transformer system. Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor. READ MORE
Tags: Western Star, Palfinger, Extreme Duty Trucks, Smithco
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Friday, June 9, 2017 8:36 AM | » Comments(0)
Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
Docking was precise and gentle, but it took much more time than an operator would have patience for. However, as development continues, the system should get faster and more capable. READ MORE
Tags: Trailers, Autonomous Vehicles, Eaton
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Friday, May 26, 2017 8:46 AM | » Comments(0)
Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
The plane came in too low and its landing gear clipped the top of the South Shore van, tearing off and embedding itself in the roof and side panels. The plane continued on and its pilot put it down safely on its belly. READ MORE
Tags: Collision Repair, Trailers, Safety, Airports
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Thursday, May 11, 2017 9:00 PM | » Comments(0)
Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
Trailers were loaded with panels and hardware as they left the assembly line, then hauled to their destinations. At building sites, parts that were needed first had been loaded last, so they came off in the exact order required for erection. READ MORE
Tags: Private Fleets, Specialty Vehicles, Fruehauf, White Motor Co.
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Sunday, May 7, 2017 7:06 PM | » Comments(0)
Blog Commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
Checking the mirrors should be a normal part of driving, but maybe 'Mike' had other things to look at than the car caught up in his trailer. Tom Berg has more in the Trailer Talk blog. READ MORE
Tags: Driver Safety, Driver Behavior, Driver Training, Safety
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Wednesday, April 26, 2017 5:39 AM | » Comments(5)
Blog commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
Where did North Korea get its trucks and trailers to haul weapons? On the internet there are reports that the trucks and tractor-trailers were made in China, with – yikes! -- American and German components. Tom Berg explores the question in the Trailer Talk blog. READ MORE
Tags: Cummins, China, ZF, Military Vehicles, Military Trucks, North Korea
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Tuesday, April 18, 2017 8:20 AM | » Comments(1)
Blog Commentary by Tom Berg, Senior Contributing Editor
HDT's Tom Berg says his friend Mike, who died in a rear underride crash more than 44 years ago, would be happy about recent safety advancements. Read more in the Trailer Talk blog. READ MORE
Tags: IIHS, Rear-End Collisions, High-Strength Steel, Wabash National, Safety, Rear Impact Guards
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Wednesday, April 12, 2017 7:12 AM | » Comments(1)
Blog by Tom Berg, Contributing Senior Editor
I looked at the transition radius on a Mac aluminum drop deck and it occurred to me that the radius is an arc, a portion of an arch – that engineering marvel devised by Roman engineers more than 2,000 years ago. READ MORE
Tags: Aluminum, Dropdeck Trailers, Engineering, Trailers, Steel
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Friday, April 7, 2017 12:10 PM | » Comments(0)
The semitrailer, Hemmings.com says, “triggered the wide-scale distribution of modern consumer goods."
Fruehauf, as a blacksmith, noted that horses that pulled rather than carried loads were in better shape. He reasoned that trucks would likewise last longer if they towed rather than toted loads. READ MORE
Tags: Trailers, Trucking History, Fruehauf, Semitrailers
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Wednesday, March 29, 2017 11:09 PM | » Comments(0)
Stopping distances could be even shorter and stability better with more precise signaling between tractors and trailers, which an extra cord or LAN would allow.
Increasing need for electronic communications between tractors and trailers could require use of a second electrical line, say brake-performance specialists. READ MORE
Tags: Brakes, Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, Safety, Bendix, Air Brakes
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Wednesday, March 22, 2017 3:21 PM | » Comments(0)
This all occurred in just a second or two, though it took several seconds for the rig to stop, the trailer jammed against a corner of the tractor’s sleeper.
Anti-lock braking systems are supposed to keep brakes from locking, but this time didn’t. Why might that be? READ MORE
Tags: Trailers, ABS, Safety
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Monday, March 13, 2017 8:47 AM | » Comments(4)
Operators will realize solid fuel savings that will pay for the devices in under two years, unless the devices are damaged or need other repairs.
Starting Jan. 1 of next year – fewer than nine months from now – all new 53-foot box-type trailers will come with trailer skirts, like ‘em or not. Tom Berg has more in his Trailer Talk blog. READ MORE
Tags: Trailers, Fuel Economy, Aerodynamics, Emissions, EPA
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Sunday, March 5, 2017 10:30 PM | » Comments(1)
The Trailer AeroKit uses wheel covers plus fairings in front, between and behind the wheels, similar to a tractor AeroKit.
Wheel covers and fairings smooth the complex air flow around trailer wheels and suspension. They complement other trailer aerodynamic devices. Tom Berg highlights one of the newest entrants in his Trailer Talk blog. READ MORE
Tags: Fuel Economy, Aerodynamics, Trailers, FlowBelow
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Monday, February 27, 2017 12:20 AM | » Comments(0)
Whichever wheels are skidding on a tractor-trailer will want to get in front and take the rest of the rig with it.
When encountering a slick road, it’s a real good idea to test the brakes to see how the rig behaves. Then you'll know what to expect in a real application. READ MORE
Tags: Driver Safety, Safety, ABS
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Friday, February 24, 2017 9:03 AM | » Comments(4)
Slow way down in blinding conditions? Sure, but not so suddenly that you get rear-ended. Even better, park the truck in a safe place and wait out the storm.
Fog and whiteouts caused by blowing snow can often be anticipated by considering the time of the year and what regularly happens along certain stretches of roadway. READ MORE
Tags: Driver Safety, Weather, Safety, Weather Alerts
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Thursday, February 16, 2017 7:01 AM | » Comments(0)
Revival might be riding on enthusiasm over President Trump’s pro-business beliefs and his promise to improve America’s infrastructure.
A pair of longer pups would haul more than two 28-footers, so LTL carriers and shippers are in favor. But truckload carriers still want no part of them. READ MORE
Tags: Fleet Management, Productivity, Trailers, TCA, Double Trailers
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Wednesday, February 8, 2017 11:13 AM | » Comments(3)
"Tanker trucks hauling food, fuel and chemicals are part of the backbone of the economy. To some people, though, they are a growing danger." That's called even-handedness.
We we might never know why the rig hit the guardrail, because as the story said, the truck and any evidence, electronic or otherwise, were destroyed in the fire. READ MORE
Tags: Fatal Accidents, Hazardous Materials, Tankers, Liquid Tank Trailers, Safety
Author: Tom Berg | Posted @ Tuesday, January 31, 2017 5:04 PM | » Comments(1)