7/31/20

How 4WD (4x4 - Four Wheel Drive) Works - 2H, 4H, 4L, LSD, Centre Diff, Diff Locks, Traction Control.


A complete and thorough video on how four wheel drive (4WD) 4x4 systems work. This video will look into depth on how part time and full time four wheel drive systems work, operate, what to expect and when to use it. It will cover in depth the following: - Drivetrain Fundamentals - Part Time 4x4 - Full Time 4x4 - Open Differentials - Locked Differentials - Torque Distribution - Torque Multiplication - High Range - Low Range - Transfer Case - Crawl Ratio - Limited Slip Differentials - Brake Traction Control - Wind-Up Phenomenon - Diagonal Wheels Phenomenon - Free Wheeling Hubs

7/29/20

Tested. Proven. Safe. | CURT MFG


CURT’s mission is to provide customers with safe, reliable products that empower them to enjoy more of what they love – whether it’s work, play or a combination of both.

TESTED QUALITY.
Our Wixom testing facility gives us the opportunity to test each and every product to the most stringent standards.

- Fatigue, weight carrying and weight distribution testing.
- Three-axis testing, similar to the European CARLOS.TC test.
- Every hitch passes SAE J684 or J2638 protocols.
- CURT has earned the ISO / TS 16949 certification for quality manufacturing.
- Each hitch is covered inside and out with a rust-resistant liquid Bonderite® coating to prevent rusting. - Our converters and T-connectors are potted, sealing each one off with an epoxy resin that protects the internal circuits from the elements. Each goes through an extensive salt-spray and environmental test to ensure long-lasting dependability.

PROVEN SAFE.
The result of these advancements and our commitment to safety and quality has had a positive impact on the lives of our consumers. We want to help tell their stories. These stories will be highlighted in our marketing collateral, advertisements, as well as user testimonials videos.

Whether they’re hauling equipment to the job site or taking the family up to the campground, CURT’s mission is to give them the confidence to enjoy every mile of the journey. We’re not just making towing products. We’re helping our customers make memories that will last a lifetime.

7/27/20

Choosing the Right Tow & Stow


How to measure to get the correct amount of adjustment we recommend from your Tow & Stow.

7/25/20

WeldMaster Truck Body - For the Jack of All Trades!


The urban welder is a jack of all trades. A little of this, and a little of that. And, of course, his or her work always includes some welding. Harbor created a jack of all trades truck just for her or him.  A service body with a welders edge!
  • 63-inch raised and vented front compartment with bottle brackets and rings inside to hold standard sized oxygen and acetylene tanks
  • Stainless Steel self-opening pop-top lids w/ body length compartment bins & 4" dividers
  • Push Button locking system with red band locking indicator
  • Modern gas shocks on each side opening door to keep them open during loading and unloading
  • 8" deep recessed bumper for sure footing when entering bed
  • Armless and self supporting tailgate work table
  • Adjustable, but lockable, shelving system
  • Weather shield system around locks, doors, and hingles, preventing leaks and securing the tools of your trade. Neoprene door seals, water-proof gaskets, self-sealing stainless steel rivets, and silky smooth three-point door latches with Teflon glides.

7/23/20

HARBOR WORKMASTER - Working for Your Protection...




The WorkMaster secures the tools of your trade unlike any other enclosed service body. Constructed with steel, built like a vault, the “walk-in” WorkMaster is designed for heavier-duty cutaway vans…and we have been known to mount them on a chassis or two. The WorkMaster is constructed in different lengths and heights to meet your every tool, material storage, and interior height (up to 6’3″) requirement. Need to carry more than your typical van? This is your truck!
  • Tightest security system in town, featuring double-bit keys and a Master Lock internal locking system
  • Modern gas shocks on each side opening door to keep them open during loading and unloading
  • Rear side access door for storage of conduit or other long (10-ft.) materials
  • 12" step bumper and side-wall grab handles for ease of entrance into the bed
  • Interior ladder storage on hooks mounted along inside shelf
  • Weights up to 300 lbs. lighter than competing brands using FRP
  • Weather shield system around locks, doors, and hingles, preventing leaks and securing the tools of your trade. Neoprene door seals, water-proof gaskets, self-sealing stainless steel rivets, and silky smooth three-point door latches with Teflon glides.
Learn more at:
http://htbi.net/

7/21/20

Reading Truck Body's Classic II Service Body





The Steel Classic II™ is Reading’s premier steel service body, with quality components, innovative features and Reading’s legendary durability. You enjoy Reading’s trademark quality construction plus premium features like weather-tight storage, Latch-Matic® locking, small parts storage, optional aerial and crane devices and much more. This is the pinnacle among steel service body options on the market. Reading’s Classic II™ aluminum service body combines the superior fuel economy and corrosion resistance of aluminum with Reading’s legendary quality and durability. Built with premium recycled aluminum alloy, the body is bathed in a zinc phosphate bath to prep it for improved adhesion of Reading’s durable powder coat finish, to resist corrosion better than any other service truck body on the market. It features all the standard and exclusive options that have made our flagship Classic II™ a leader in the truck body industry while offering environmental benefits that today’s consumers appreciate. Standard features include a pressed diamond plate floor and inner tailgate surface, heavy-duty compartment doors and a rugged undercoated understructure for superior durability and strength. The Classic II™ aluminum service truck body also features Reading’s exclusive adjustable hidden hinges, Dual-Pro® door seals, a slam-action tailgate and much more. Add our industry-leading 5-year limited warranty for steel and 10-year limited warranty for aluminum. It’s easy to see why there’s No Body Better than the Classic II™.

7/19/20

Ranger Design Van Accessories - Vehicle Security


For long term profitability, make sure your van is always well-protected and well-kept. Have your most expensive equipment locked away out of sight, and take other protective measures to help prevent theft. By keeping your vehicle burglar-free and in good condition, you can improve the resale value for the future.

7/17/20

Value of Effectively Maintaining Upfits

While mistakes may not often happen when maintaining upfits, they can occur. Having the right "tools" for the job is essential.  - Photo: GETTYIMAGES.COM/KARANDAEV

 - Photo: GETTYIMAGES.COM/KARANDAEV

While mistakes may not often happen when maintaining upfits, they can occur. Having the right "tools" for the job is essential.

Your upfit is spec’ed, purchased, and installed, and you are now utilizing it in your operations. The next step in the upfit process is ensuring proper maintenance.

Top Upfit Maintenance Challenges:


A huge challenge many fleet managers face in maintaining upfits is simply communicating the value and importance of proper upfit maintenance to field personnel and drivers.


“Most drivers understand the importance of oil changes, brake services, etc., and will typically make sure their vehicle is serviced in a timely manner. But prioritizing upfit maintenance in a similar fashion typically isn’t something that comes naturally. The fleet manager must educate their frontline personnel on the critical aspect of properly maintaining the vehicle’s equipment; not only to maximize its effective lifecycle and control costs but also to ensure the safety of their fleet personnel in the field,” said Jeff Klinghoffer, regional engineering manager for Holman Enterprises.


At the end of the day, it comes down to education and awareness.


“As a fleet manager, you’ll need to communicate the importance of proper upfit and equipment maintenance to your drivers. Beyond that, you can certainly implement processes and procedures to assess the condition of the vehicle and its upfit regularly. You can also explore potential gamification or incentive programs to help secure buy-in from your drivers,” Klinghoffer added.


Let’s face it; fleet managers have a lot on their plate.


“Fleet managers face daily challenges mixed in with bigger picture issues that include building a safe, reliable, and appropriate truck for the job while making executives and stakeholders happy. Finding the time to answer all of the challenges can be difficult,” said Mathew Marcussen, director of customer relations for BrandFX. “Taking the time to do research and learn more, in the beginning, will reap great savings, benefits, and efficiency in the end. Also, purchase a body that maintains its good condition over a long period will reduce the cost of repairs and service.”


When it comes to the different types of materials used in upfitting, you need to select the right material for the job.


“Ladder racks on top of cargo vans are impacted by either the snow and ice removal chemicals in the Midwest or the salty air near coastal regions. Using aluminum and stainless steel in those products is a must to provide the customer a quality product that gets them a good return on their investment,” said Katie Groves, national fleet sales manager for Adrian Steel.


Don’t forget to depend on those who know upfitting best.


“Partner with an upfitter that has a national presence and a team that can support these instances,” Groves recommended.


6 Mistakes Maintaining Upfits


While mistakes may not often happen when maintaining upfits, they can occur. Here are a few top ones to avoid:


Mistake 1: Lack of Inspection


Just as drivers need to inspect your vehicle for leaks, tire wear, etc., they should examine their upfits, too.


“Constantly check routing and clipping for rub points, just because a battery cable was tied up nicely last time you inspected it doesn’t mean a clip didn’t break loose since then,” said Brad Howard, director of Operations for Fontaine Modification.


Mistake 2: Ignoring Preventive Maintenance


When it comes to the vehicles themselves, preventive maintenance (PM) second nature, but that may not be true for upfits.


“Fleet managers realize that adhering to a recommended PM schedule is vital to optimizing the vehicle’s lifecycle and controlling the total cost of ownership. However, the same methodology also applies to a vehicle’s upfitting and equipment, but preventive maintenance for these items is often overlooked,” said Kelly Klemisch, regional engineering manager, Holman Enterprises.


To avoid this mistake, work upfits into your PM strategy for your vehicles.


“Regular service for equipment such as air compressors, material handling units, and aerial devices should be included in the unit’s PM schedule. Additionally, you can also include inspections in the schedule as well, so drivers receive reminders for those items as well. Or, at the very least, take measures to keep these PM items top-of-mind for drivers and operators. For example, you can track crane or compressors hours on an interior door decal,” Klemisch added.


Mistake 3: Not Adjusting Upfits Correctly 


Make sure that ladder racks are correctly adjusted to your ladders. 


“A properly adjusted ladder rack will keep the ladder secured on the van during transportation, reduce noise that could cause driver distraction, and extend the life of both the ladder and ladder rack,” said Katie Groves, national fleet sales manager for Adrian Steel.


Mistake 4: Misusing Upfit Equipment


You should also ensure your drivers and frontline workers fully understand how to use the vehicle’s equipment properly.


“Many vocational vehicles feature sophisticated and complex attachments, so training your employees on the best practices for using these units will help to minimize premature wear and tear and maximize the equipment’s effective lifecycle. This also applies to something as simple as a vehicle’s storage units. We often see fleet personnel overloading a service body or interior shelving with more than it is intended to hold, and this really impacts the longevity of these items,” said Klemisch of Holman Enterprises.


Mistake 5: Wrong Service Timing


When you service certain upfit items is also essential.


“When you service trucks, and related upfits is a big item. One example is a snowplow: make sure to service at the end of the snow season AND beginning of the season,” said Patrick Clark, director of fleet sales for Dejana Truck and Utility Equipment.


Mistake 6: Improper Equipment Storage

Where you store your equipment has a considerable impact on its useful service life.

“Also storing equipment inside helps preserve the life. Work with the local upfitters to make sure you are servicing cranes, liftgates, plows etc correctly,” said Clark of Dejana Truck and Utility Equipment.


Source: https://www.worktruckonline.com/10120069/value-of-effectively-maintaining-upfits

7/13/20

VMAC's UNDERHOOD70-G System Customer Testimonial


After using the amazing UNDERHOOD70-G air compressor on his high-demand roofing jobs, Dale Clozza of Aurora Roofing in Nanaimo, BC, had a lot to say about the efficiency, fuel savings and compact power of one of VMAC's newest, innovative air compressor system - including its ability to TURN HIS TRUCK ON AND OFF as his air tools need air. Learn More: http://vmacair.com/product/underhood-...

7/11/20

Tongue Weight Scale | BetterWeigh™ Mobile Towing Scale


This video shows how to use the tongue weight scale feature on the CURT BetterWeigh™ mobile towing scale. With this feature, you can get an active readout of the tongue weight of your trailer right on your smartphone. This enables safer towing and easier setup.

The CURT BetterWeigh™ #51701 is a Bluetooth-enabled OBD2 device that wirelessly syncs with your smartphone to provide a variety of vehicle and trailer weights. This includes GCW, cargo weight, tongue weight and pin weight, as well as weight distribution setup and trailer brake gain.

To measure tongue weight with BetterWeigh™, start by choosing the weight range that best suits your vehicle-trailer setup. To set the range, tap the gear icon and select Tongue Weight. Then, select a weight range.

Next, tap the Tongue Weight feature on the homescreen of the BetterWeigh™ app. Before pressing Ready, make sure your vehicle and trailer are aligned and ready to be coupled. Step back from the vehicle and tap Ready. BetterWeigh™ will take an initial reading of your vehicle’s pitch.

Once the vehicle pitch is analyzed, lower the trailer tongue until the coupler is resting on the ball. Then, load your trailer, and start getting active, real-time readouts of how your tongue weight changes as cargo is added. Remember, tongue weight should be between 10 and 15% of the gross trailer weight.

BetterWeigh™ is compatible with Apple and Android phones. Download the BetterWeigh™ app from Google Play or the App Store.

7/09/20

CTech: Online Cabinet Store + Configurator!




We're putting YOU in the driver's seat with our brand new online cabinet store and configurator! Select a base, overhead, wall, or closet to customize and purchase directly from the website! Go to shop.ctechmanufacturing.com/shop to try it for yourself. With 9.6 BILLION possible configurations, your dream garage, shop or trailer cabinet is waiting!


7/07/20

Easy Load Hoist by National Fleet Products


Steven with National Fleet Products demonstrates their Easy Load Hoist Heavy Duty Model that has a capacity of 1,100 lbs. This is a unique product that can be used in vans or other truck bodies. It also has the flexibility of being able to move from the center position when that space is needed. This video was taken at the Nor Cal Ford Truck Club annual vendor event. See more about this and other great products for work trucks and vans at https://www.nationalfleetproducts.com/

7/05/20

Partskeeper Parts Organizers by Ranger Design


The Ranger Design Partskeeper parts organizers help the mobile technician to take small parts anywhere on the job site and save return trips to the van. https://rangerdesign.com/products/?fi... These fit into our parts storage cabinets and come in a variety of sizes capable of storing many different kinds of parts in your cargo van or truck.

7/01/20

A.R.E. DoubleCover. The Only Hard Truck Bed Cover That Retracts And Lifts. Because Double Is Better.


Trying to decide between a retracting cover or a hinged cover? Don't. Our DoubleCover allows you to lift open for quick access and retract for full bed access, because double is better. Still looking for more? Add optional side rails and crossbars to carry additional cargo.