Daimler unveils options, apps

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Today’s Trucking  /  September 25, 2017

ATLANTA, GA – Daimler Trucks North America unveiled an array of truck options, apps and upgrades during the inaugural North American Commercial Vehicle Show (NACV) in Atlanta, Georgia.

Service apps

Completing a work order or tracking repairs? Daimler Trucks North America has some apps for that in the form of the new Express WriteUp and updates to Uptime Pro. The Express WriteUp app gives service advisors a tool to wirelessly complete repair orders. Once a truck arrives, vehicle data is collected by scanning the VIN or QR code found on the door pillar. That taps into warranty coverage, repair history, and Virtual Technician details.

“A scanned vehicle number eliminates human entry errors and further speeds the overall repair process,” said Marty Kubiak, manager - central service systems, Daimler Trucks North America. “An incorrect VIN can create many problems downstream of the repair process. The intake process for a truck repair is the first and most critical step.”

Once the vehicle is received, Uptime Pro connects dealers and customers throughout the repair process, connecting to the dealer management system, and enabling email and text messages. Email responses from customers are also automatically logged to the repair order.

Western Star options

Michelin X Multi D tires are now available for Western Star 4700, 4800, 4900 and 5700XE trucks as a factory-installed option. They’re best suited for dry van LTL, food and beverage, pickup and delivery, tankers, energy, and construction applications, the company says.

New options for Western Stars don’t end there, though. Western Star 4700 models can now be spec’d with factory-direct H4 halogen headlight bulbs, said to offer a brighter light than regular incandescent bulbs. And the 4800 and 4900 models include factory-installed LED headlights.

In-cab battery boxes for the 5700XE day cabs, meanwhile, have also expanded to hold up to four batteries under the passenger seat, rather than requiring them to be mounted on the chassis. That can help to protect batteries from weather conditions and road spray, as well as limiting chassis-related vibrations.                                                   

Hendrickson forward tandem

Freightliner and Hendrickson are partnering together to offer the Hendrickson Optimaax 6x2 liftable forward tandem axle exclusively on the New Cascadia.

The liftable axle comes into play when carriers like bulk haulers or delivery vehicles have diminishing loads. The load capacity is sensed automatically, lifting or lowering the axle as required.

Benefits are not limited to better fuel economy. There’s improved traction when backing under trailers in soft soil or other low-traction conditions. And maneuverability is improved when the axle is raised.

The design is compatible with drum and air disc brakes, while the axle itself is fully welded rather than bolted on.

It’s about 300 to 400 pounds lighter when compared to a 6x4, the companies add.

It’s available in the second quarter of 2018.

Severe-duty enhancements

Freightliner has unveiled six new product options for its severe-duty trucks.

Now available on the Freightliner 114SD, the Allison 4700 RDS provides heavy vocational operators with improved startability, two reverse gears, enhanced PTO options and the durability required for severe applications. It’s also available with the Freightliner 122SD.

Optional LifeGuard RollTek seats can offer added protection in the event of a rollover. They have side-impact airbags that deploy as the seatbelt tightens and the seats compress to the lowest possible position.

Routing and clipping have improved throughout Freightliner’s vocational truck lineup as well, thanks in part to new standoff brackets and simplified body and equipment mounting. And the Bendix Tire Pressure Monitoring System is also an available option.

On Freightliner M2 106 and 112 trucks, modular LED headlights have been introduced.

And for auto haulers, the new 122SD Auto Hauler Package is offered in a collaboration with Fontaine Modification. It lowers the laden roof height to 100 inches, supporting those who require a sleeper berth.

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New options and features available for Freightliner, Western Star trucks

Jason Cannon, Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ)  /  September 25, 2017

Freightliner is adding a mid-roof cab configuration for its Cascadia the company announced Monday at the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta, including 48-, 60- and 72-inch mid-roof XT sleeper cabs in both 116- and 126-inch BBC platforms.

All three configurations offer a choice of Aero or AeroX aerodynamic packages.

Customers can place orders now for delivery in January. Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) Richard Howard notes to-date, the company has received 25,000 orders for the new Cascadia.

“It took us 3 years [to reach 25,000 orders] when we launched the classic Cascadia,” he adds.

Allan Haggai, DTNA marketing communications manager, says new features on the 116- and 126-inch platforms include a service-friendly electronic vault (eVault) that offers convenience and weather protection that increase uptime.

“It’s housing all the electrical modules and making them easier to access,” says Howard.

An all LED-lit interior and exterior lights is also available, as is an ergonomic dashboard and display screen. Detroit Connect and Detroit Assurance 4.0 have been integrated and the new truck design improves fuel economy compared to previous models.

A Driver Loft option is available in the 72-inch mid-roof XT configuration with a two-seat dinette/work table and opposing seating. The seats fold flat to allow a full Murphy-style bed to swing down.

Freightliner Trucks has also partnered with Hendrickson to offer the OPTIMAAX 6×2 liftable forward tandem axle on the Cascadia.

Offering a weight reduction of up to 400 pounds versus a comparable 6×4, the OPTIMAAX features automated controls that sense load capacity, either lifting or lowering the axle as-needed without driver input. A raised axle enhances traction and helps fleets that focus on weight reduction and want to optimize fuel efficiency. The OPTIMAAX 6×2 axle design is compatible with drum and air disc brakes, and the axle is fully welded, not bolted, offering additional strength and durability.

Detroit Connect Remote Updates will be available to Cascadia owners with Detroit engines next month. Kary Schaefer, DTNA general manager of marketing and strategy, says the over-the-air functionality, which includes parameter programming capability, gives fleets the flexibility to build their own profiles using the Detroit Connect portal, which they can use to update one truck, a set of trucks or their entire fleet.

Utilizing the Detroit Connect platform’s cellular connection, fleet managers can change maximum road speed, maximum cruise speed, idle shutdown time, and idle shutdown minimum/maximum ambient air temperature parameters. Remote Updates is included with the base Detroit Connect package, which is available standard for five years with the new Cascadia, and will be retroactively available on all Detroit-powered new Cascadias.

Freightliner’s severe duty lineup is also getting updated with six new product options: the Allison 4700 Rugged Duty Series (RDS) automatic transmission for the 114SD and 122SD; LifeGuard RollTek seats; improved routing and clipping; LED headlights for the M2 106 and M2 112; Bendix Tire Pressure Monitoring; and a low-profile 122SD auto hauler package that lowers the laden roof height to approximately 100-inches.

Also Monday, DTNA announced new options for its Western Star trucks.

Available for 4700, 4800, 4900 and 5700XE models, Michelin’s X Multi D tire is a factory-installed option targeting regional applications like dry van LTL, food and beverage, pick up and delivery, tankers, energy and construction.

Western Star 4700 Models can now be spec’d with factory-direct H4 halogen headlight bulbs, which provide a brighter light than regular incandescent bulbs for better visibility.  Alternatively, 4800 and 4900 Models can get LED headlights factory-installed.

Western Star has also expanded the capacity of its in-cab battery box to hold up to four batteries. Available for 5700XE day cabs, the batteries are under the passenger seat instead of the side of the chassis. This option can help extend the life of the batteries by protecting them from extreme weather conditions, road spray and harsh chassis vibrations. The new options also allows customers to spec a tractor with a shorter wheelbase.

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Western Star trucks get new options

Truck News  /  September 25, 2017

ATLANTA, Ga. – The Western Star brand turns 50 this year, and for its birthday, it’s receiving several new options.

“We’re continually adding new options that contribute to the truck’s performance and our customers’ bottom lines,” said Samantha Parlier, vice-president, marketing and product strategy, Western Star Trucks. “Western Star trucks are tough enough to take on any job whether it’s a long haul on the road or tackling a construction site. Our new offerings reinforce our commitment to helping our customers find the best solution for their specific need.”

At the North American Commercial Vehicle show, Western Star announced new options including: Michelin X Multi D tires, available on the Western Star 4700, 4800, 4900 and 5700XE; new forward lighting options for the 4700, featuring H4 halogen headlight bulbs; an in-cab battery box available on 5700XE day cabs; and new LED forward lighting options for the 4800 and 4900 models.

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