27.04.2020 Views

050120_layout_AllPages

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

iStock Photo<br />

The PACCAR recall affects more than 450,000 trucks including Kenworth T680s manufactured<br />

between 2011 and 2020.<br />

Drivewyze app expands offerings to keep<br />

drivers informed of rest-area openings<br />

THE TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES<br />

DALLAS — While the evolving impact of<br />

the COVID-19 crisis on state’s rest-area operations<br />

has created confusion over which sites remain<br />

open for truckers, the need for drivers to<br />

find safe parking hasn’t subsided.<br />

“Not knowing where drivers will find available<br />

parking at the end of each day continues to<br />

be a challenge and a stressor for truckers,” said<br />

Brian Heath, CEO of Drivewyze.<br />

In response to this need, Drivewyze has expanded<br />

its temporary rest-area parking notifications<br />

to include Arizona, Virginia and Ohio.<br />

“Drivers are busy driving and don’t have<br />

time to keep track of changing open/close<br />

Equipment<br />

statuses at traditional parking areas,” Heath<br />

said. “This problem is exacerbated when you<br />

add temporary parking sites to the equation.<br />

New temporary parking is welcome, but how<br />

do drivers know where those are on a timely<br />

basis?”<br />

Arizona recently opened two temporary sites,<br />

and Virginia is now allowing long-term parking<br />

at 10 weigh stations. The Ohio state DOT has<br />

asked Drivewyze to provide messaging to truckers<br />

as an extension of the state’s decision to keep<br />

all rest areas open, patrolled and safe. According<br />

to Heath, Drivewyze leveraged its GPS-based<br />

See Drivewyze on p24 m<br />

iStock Photo<br />

As fleets use caution with purchases amid the COVID-19 pandemic, trailer sales dipped 54%<br />

from February numbers.<br />

THE TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES<br />

BELLEVUE, Wash. — PACCAR Inc. has<br />

announced a recall of 455,458 Kenworth and<br />

Peterbilt trucks because of concerns that a<br />

blown fuse could prevent the illumination of<br />

dashboard warning lights in the case of a malfunction<br />

in the trucks’ antilock brakes or electronic<br />

stability control.<br />

The risk of an accident increases when a<br />

driver is unaware of a faulty indicator light, according<br />

to documentation submitted by PAC-<br />

CAR to the National Highway Safety Administration<br />

in early April.<br />

The noncompliance recall (NHSA recall<br />

20V-199) includes trucks equipped with<br />

NAMUX Software that included the 25%<br />

voltage threshold setting for the ABS/ESC<br />

THE TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES<br />

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — FTR reports<br />

preliminary trailer orders for March continue<br />

to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19<br />

pandemic, falling 54% from an already depressed<br />

February to 6,500 units for the month.<br />

Orders were down 55% from March 2019.<br />

Totals in March were particularly weak for<br />

dry vans, with some large fleets canceling orders<br />

that were spread out over the remainder<br />

of the year. Flatbed orders were also tepid,<br />

as the manufacturing sector of the economy<br />

was partially shut down in March. Refrigerated<br />

van orders fell, but not to the same degree<br />

as other segments. Trailer orders for<br />

May 1-14, 2020 • 23<br />

Over 450,000 Peterbilt, Kenworth trucks<br />

recalled for ABS warning-light defect<br />

malfunction indicator lamp and affects 23<br />

Peterbilt and Kenworth models manufactured<br />

between Jan. 10, 2007 and July 10, 2019 (model<br />

years 2008-2020).<br />

According to PACCAR’s submission,<br />

“The NAMUX software illuminates the<br />

Tractor ABS/ESC Lamps when the voltage<br />

from the ABS/ESC ECU at a specific input<br />

pin of the CECU cab controller drops below<br />

25% of the battery input voltage present at<br />

the CECU. In the instance where the ABS/<br />

ESC ECU loses power (i.e. the fuse blows)<br />

the voltage being measured may not drop<br />

below the 25% voltage threshold; thus, the<br />

ABS and/or ESC malfunction lamp will not<br />

illuminate.”<br />

See Recall on p24 m<br />

Courtesy: Drivewyze<br />

The Drivewyze app is now offering updates regarding rest areas since the COVID-19<br />

pandemic is causing confusion about which areas remain open.<br />

Trailer orders appear to mirror Class 8<br />

sales with 55% decline from March 2019<br />

the past 12 months now total 177,000 units.<br />

Don Ake, FTR vice president of commercial<br />

vehicles, commented, “The trailer market is mirroring<br />

the Class 8 side, as fleets are extremely<br />

cautious due to the anxiety about the virus. The<br />

orders placed in March are for units that are perceived<br />

to be absolutely necessary for relatively<br />

short-term needs. Fleets will also delay replacing<br />

older trailers until the economic situation<br />

stabilizes. Orders did exceed last June’s 5,600<br />

total when some large fleets canceled dry van<br />

orders as the freight market cooled.<br />

“It is expected there will be some overcapacity<br />

in the short-term due to the enormous<br />

See Trailers on p24 m

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!