HDT Names 2024 Top 20 Products

Heavy Duty Trucking’s editors announced the HDT 2024 Top 20 Products, honoring the best new or significantly improved products and components they covered in 2023.

Products are chosen based on how well they address the following criteria:

• Innovation
• Ability to address industry issues
• Potential to help fleets’ bottom lines

At the end of each year, Heavy Duty Trucking’s editors look back at all the product announcements we reported on and choose the ones we felt were most significant and innovative.

Then a panel of fleet executives from the HDT Truck Fleet Innovators, Emerging Leaders, and Editorial Advisory Boardweigh in and evaluate them in three areas to help in the final decisions.

Eligible products were reported on by HDT’s editors in our print or digital products during calendar year 2023. Not eligible for the Top 20 awards are full powered vehicles or concept/demonstration vehicles or products. Products must be commercially available or expected to become commercially available in 2023. Companies are limited to having one award in a year.

Awards will be presented at the American Trucking Association’s Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting in New Orleans in March.

The following Top 20 products are listed in alphabetical order by company name. Details on each one appeared in the Jan/Feb 2024 print issue and will be posted on our website soon.

HDT’s 2024 Top 20 Products

Aperia Technologies: Halo Tire Management

Building on its suite of Halo-branded tire management solutions, Aperia Technologies’ new Halo Tire Management platform can be a single source for fleets looking to more effectively manage their tractors, trailers, and tires.

Cargobull North America: Hybrid TRUs

Utility Trailer and European trailer maker Schmitz Cargobull are bringing a new transport refrigeration unit technology and brand to North America, Cargobull North America.

Carrier Logistics Inc.: A/R Risk Analyzer

Carrier Logistics Inc., which provides freight management software for less-than-truckload fleets, has a new feature in its FACTS solution providing automated accounts receivables risk scores.

ConMet EMobility: Nmotion Zero-Emission Refrigeration

ConMet eMobility’s Nmotion TR 160-45 makes possible a zero-emissions refrigerated trailer, cooled by an electric standby transport refrigeration unit powered by energy generated from in-wheel electric motors.

Dana: Spicer Electrified Zero-6 e-Transmission

Dana is expanding its Spicer Electrified e-Powertrain offerings to include a family of e-transmissions for medium-duty electric-vehicle applications.

Doleco USA: ConnectedDeck System

Doleco USA’s ConnectedDeck System is a pre-platformed double-decking unit that stores at ceiling height and never has to be disassembled and reassembled.

Dragonfly Energy: Battle Born Electric APU

Dragonfly Energy has entered the trucking industry with its new Battle Born all-electric auxiliary power unit, which uses a llithium-ion battery system for longer run time and lighter weight.

Flipturn: Flipturn Connect

Flipturn Connect provides real-time data on battery-electric truck and charging performance to help companies better manage their EV fleets.

Fontaine Fifth Wheel: SmartConnect

The SmartConnect Fifth Wheel uses sensors to monitor the fifth wheel lock position when a tractor is coupled or de-coupled from a trailer and anticipate maintenance needs.

Grote Industries: 4See by Grote With Rear-View Camera 

In partnership with Stoneridge, Grote added a back camera to its 4See smart trailer system for a reliable feed directly from the rear of the trailer to a video display in the cab.

Mack Trucks: ElectriFi Subscription

Mack Financial Services is offering a new usage-based leasing option for Mack MD Electric medium-duty trucks that allows customers to pay as they go for miles driven.

Motive: AI Omnicam

Motive said its AI Omnicam is the industry’s first artificial-intelligence-enabled camera designed for side-, rear-, passenger-, and cargo-monitoring.

Orbcomm: CT 1000 Solar-Powered Asset Tracker

Orbcomm said its CT 1000 asset tracker is an easy, effective way to keep track of trailers without having to worry about dead batteries.

Phillips Industries: EC47 Tractor-Trailer Connectivity Solution

Phillips said its new EC47 solves a lot of the challenges of using smart trailers with the traditional seven-pin J560 connector. This new connector is backwards-compatible while accommodating future connectivity requirements.

Range Energy: Range RA Electric Trailer

Range Energy’s RA-01 is a 53-foot electric trailer that can help fleets reduce fuel costs and their carbon footprint.

SMC³: Dynamic PriceBuilder

The Dynamic PriceBuilder system from SMC³ pairs a less-than-truckload carrier’s specific cost model with a flexible business rules engine to enable strategic, dynamic price generation.

Stemco: Auto-Torq Axle Fastener

Stemco says its new Auto-Torq axle fastener simplifies wheel-end installation — no torque wrench required.

Texa: IDC5 Axone Voice & TXT Multihub — Advanced Diagnostics + Multi Environment Vehicle Connection

Texa’s Axone Voice, a hand-free diagnostic device for heavy-duty technicians that features voice control and facial recognition, works with the TXT Multihub to provide a universal vehicle connection for all vehicle environment / industry types. 

Thermo King: TracKing Pro Telematics

Thermo King’s new TracKing Pro telematics uses predictive technology and machine learning to deliver actionable insights for refrigerated fleet operations.

U.S. Cargo Control: Ultra Lightweight Parachute Tarps

U.S. Cargo Control’s new parachute material tarps are a lightweight solution for truck drivers to protect their cargo, make drivers’ jobs easier and lower the risk of driver injury.