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Hauling the heavy loads: Truck makers keep the new vehicles coming
Howard Elmer
A steadily growing economy has been a boon for makers of heavy trucks over the past few months. The manufacturers of these workhorses are taking advantage of the hot market by launching new products as quickly as they can.
Dodge
Dodge, for instance, has not been a force in the medium-duty truck arena in many years, but that's changed this year with the advent of its Mega Cab. Dodge is pushing its 3500-series pickup to the vocational market, with a new engine--a Cummins turbo diesel available in a new 6.7-litre displacement. The base engine otherwise will be the HEMI V-8 gasoline unit with 330 horsepower.
The truck will be offered in single-rear-wheel and dual-rear-wheel models, with two cab-axle lengths (60 and 84 inches). Also available is a six-speed automatic transmission (diesel only) with power take-off.
For its part, Ford has introduced a new medium duty truck called the LCF. Designed for the tilting cab-over market, it has a new V-6 diesel that makes 200 horsepower and 440 foot-pounds of torque--called the Power Stroke 4.5-litre.
It's available with a five-speed TorqShift automatic transmission, which also features Ford's tow-haul mode. This gearbox will automatically downshift with a light brake tap and help slow the vehicle. The LCF was developed through a joint Blue Diamond venture and is assembled in Escobedo, Mexico.
General Motors
General Motors has also unveiled a new offering for the tilt cab market. For 2006, the GMC medium duty T-series tilt cab adds a new Allison transmission to its inventory. A limited-slip rear differential is available on T6500 models.
In the GMC TopKick lineup, a new engine choice will be available this year, called the Duramax 6600 V8 turbo-diesel. It can be tuned to two torque ratings: 520 lb.-ft. or 605 lb.-ft.--both at 1,600 rpm.
All 4x4 C4500 and C5500 models get a new 8,000 lb. front axle rating as standard equipment for 2006. That's an additional 1,000 lbs. versus the base axle of the previous year. This should be of particular interest to crew cab owners and snowplow users, where front axle loading is highest.
Freightliner
One of the long-time players in the heavy-duty market, Freightliner Trucks, has broken new ground with its rack and pinion steering. It's an option on the Freightliner Century class, Coronado, Columbia, Classic and Classic XL class 8 models this year. This is a first for any heavy-duty truck manufacturer.
Rack and pinion steering is said to increase control and responsiveness. It's also lighter (by 45 lbs.) and has fewer moving parts than the integral gear steering systems used on most other heavy-duty trucks.
Hino
A sure sign truck makers are optimistic about the market, despite higher gas costs, is Hino Motor's announcement of plans to open a new assembly plant in Ontario.
Located near Woodstock, the facility will be Hino's second base in North America; the other is in California. The 129,000 square-foot plant will start production this April and the company expects to assemble around 2,000 trucks a year for the North American market.
The other news at Hino is the introduction of a new truck. The 258 low profile model (GVW 25, 500 lb.) is expected to be popular in businesses such as landscaping, construction and materiel delivery.
Hino says its engine is positioned several inches lower than competitors' trucks, enabling the low-profile design. Other improvements this year have found their way into class 6 and 7 models (with standard transmission) which will now be equipped with a self-adjusting solo clutch, oil lubricated wheel bearings, and a three-piece bumper. A Pacbrake exhaust brake is also available as a dealer installed option, according to Hino.
International
International is coming to market with a truck that's been under development for the past five years. The ProStar is a class 8 highway tractor. Focusing on fuel consumption, International claims its new design is 9.4 per cent more aerodynamic than its nearest competition.
According to the company, the truck offers an annual four per cent savings in fuel. Other features include an on-centre steering system, a four-point cab suspension system to counter sway, and automotive style wheel controls.
International says it put the truck through six million miles of road-testing before bringing it to market. The ProStar also features over 60 new repair and maintenance functions, many of which require little or no tooling. Engine access is made easier with a new tilt-away bumper.
This, and a new system of synchronized service intervals, all add up to an extra 59 days on the road over the life of the vehicle, according to International.
Mack
Another company focused on offering new bells and whistles is Mack. The company this year is offering a first-of-its-kind stability system, called the Mack Road Stability Advantage, for concrete customers.
Designed to reduce potential accidents, this fully electronic stability system is available for mixer applications on the Mack Granite model. The system uses the existing ABS wheel speed sensors, along with steering, yaw and lateral acceleration inputs, to deactivate the throttle and selectively apply the brakes in sharp curves, during sudden lane changes, or obstacle avoidance maneuvers. It apparently reduces the potential of a rollover. Developed in conjunction with Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Mack began offering full electronic stability technology on its highway vehicles late last year.
It's since been extended to the vocational truck market. Mack targeted the mixer business first in response to demand, says the company. It expects to soon make the technology available across the board.
Peterbilt
Also drawing notice for 2006 is Peterbilt Motors, which is pushing a serious expansion effort. It's showcasing an all-new product lineup with vehicles specifically designed for the aero, traditional, vocational and medium-duty markets. This release marks the largest product development investment in the nearly 70-year history of the company.
Improvements have been made in aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, styling, maneuverability and forward lighting, according to Peterbilt. The trucks include:
• The aerodynamically styled model 384 and 387 day cab, which join models 387 and 386 to complete the company’s aero truck lineup;
• Traditionally styled models 389 and 388;
• The vocational models 367 and 365;
• Models 340 and 330, complementing the 335 in the company's medium duty truck lineup.
Sterling
Back on the city scene, there's the Sterling 360, which is a low cab-over design intended for the urban service and delivery market. The 360 was designed for ease of operation and getting in and out of tight spots, according to Sterling.
That's why a high visibility contemporary cab design and tight turning radius are key features. Three pre-engineered models are available in the most popular weights and sizes. Five wheelbases are available to accommodate a wide range of 12- to 20-foot bodies.
Important routine maintenance may be performed with the cab in the operating position, but when engine access is required, tilting the cab forward is quick and simple, Sterling reports.
The 360 is powered by a 4.9-litre, 175 horsepower turbo diesel, with Aisin electronic six-speed automatic transmission.
Volvo
Finally, Volvo Trucks has introduced two new vehicles for the premium owner-operator market: the Volvo VT 830 and the Volvo VN 730 mid-roof tractors.
Typical applications involve low trailer heights such as flatbeds, lowboys, heavy haul and containers, or other dense load applications, such as grains or liquids.
The units offer alternatives for buyers who still require large sleeper accommodation, but with a lower roof height. They still offer a 6'4" clear roof between the seats.
The new Volvo models are expected to be very popular with driver teams, especially husband and wife teams. Volvo has developed three different bunk configurations available for either model; a single 53-inch by 79-inch bunk, which is the same width as a traditional full-sized mattress; dual bunks with a 42-inch-wide lower bunk and a 32-inch upper bunk; or a single 42-inch lower bunk.
Volvo's distinctive and popular workstation is an available option with both 42-inch lower bunk configurations.
Without doubt, 2006 is shaping up to be a banner year for heavy truck innovations. We've seen improvements in safety and rollover prevention, fuel economy, and flexibility in cab configurations. All these recent design changes only increase curiosity and anticipation over the plans truck makers have in store for the 2007 model year.
Howard Elmer is an automotive test driver and writer based in Brampton, Ont.
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