Rugby Manufacturing Introduces HD Rancher

Rugby Manufacturing (Rugby, North Dakota) introduced an all-new Rugby HD Rancher Body, ideal for heavier duty construction and landscape applications, as well as oil field operations. Designed for maximum durability, the HD Rancher offers several enhanced features including an upgraded 3/16-inch tread plate floor, 7 gauge formed cross-members with 12-inch spacing, 12-gauge bulkhead sheet and a 3/8-inch tie down rail.

The HD Rancher is also available with a B&W Turnoverball™ Gooseneck Hitch that allows a flat surface with no cutouts in the floor.  Five models of the new HD Rancher are available ranging in length from 9 feet 3 inches to 12 feet.

For more information, visit www.rugbymfg.com.

General Motors Helps Honor Five U.S. Service Members

 Military Times Service Members of the Year awards recognize courage, pride

DETROIT – Five men and women representing each branch of the U.S. military were honored Tuesday night for their exemplary service during the 2015 Military Times Service Member of the Year Awards.

The 15th annual event was held in Washington, D.C., with members of Congress and senior Pentagon officials in attendance. General Motors has been a corporate sponsor of the event for more than 10 years.

“These five men and women represent the character, commitment and values of the U.S. military,” said GM Chief Diversity Officer Ken Barrett, a retired Navy captain.

The award winners are:
•    Staff Sgt. Joseph Fontenot, U.S. Army, Fort Campbell, Ky.
•    Staff Sgt. Zachary Rubart, U.S. Marines, Washington, D.C.
•    Hospital Corpsman Third Class Sara Freeman, U.S. Navy, Norfolk, Va.
•    Senior Airman Joseph Moreland, U.S. Air Force, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
•    Aviation Maintenance Technician Second Class Lee Biladeau, U.S. Coast Guard, Traverse City, Mich.

Since 2000, Military Times has singled out five "Everyday Heroes" – service members who demonstrate pride, dedication and courage beyond what is expected. All five branches of the military – Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard – are represented.

In addition to the awards gala, winners are recognized online, in the Military Times newspapers and at special events in and around Washington.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com 

About GM’s Military Support: For more than 100 years, GM has proudly provided ongoing support to members of the U.S. military and their families. Through the support of key hiring and training initiatives – including Hiring Our Heroes, Shifting Gears and more – GM remains a committed partner as many veterans return to the civilian workforce. To learn more, visit GMMilitaryDiscount.com.

GMC Easy-to-Use Trailering App

DETROIT – GMC owners can pull off their next trailering chore without a hitch – at least figuratively – thanks to a new trailering guide app available today at the iTunes store. The free app is designed to give GMC customers a better understanding of trailering techniques and capabilities. It, even helps identify the appropriate GMC model for specific trailering needs.

“Our customers believe in the right tool for the job, and this app helps them get the most out of their GMC trailering capability in a convenient and accessible way, whether they’re hauling a utility trailer across town or a fifth-wheel cross-country,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president, GMC Marketing.

The app packages trailering tips and information from the trailering section of gmc.com, including maximum trailer weight ratings by model. When consumers open the app, they can access information either by selecting a specific GMC model or by entering their trailering needs to identify the right GMC model for the job.

Also featured is a dedicated learning center that caters to both first-timers and veterans, with features that include:

• Trailering 101
• Hitches and equipment
• Pre-trailering checklist
• How GMC trailering technologies work
• Power and performance information
• Safe trailering techniques

A third section contains a glossary of commonly used terms, and a fourth category focuses on dinghy (flat) towing. Video content includes Trailering 101 videos developed earlier this year in conjunction with the launch of the all-new 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup. Additional “How To” video content will be added over time to enhance the app’s user experience. 

“Even for customers who’ve been trailering for years, our continuing enhancements in features, power and technology make the GMC Trailering Guide App a handy resource,” said Hugh Milne, GMC Training and Accessory manager.

The new Sierra 1500, equipped with a 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 offers segment-best standard V-6 torque with trailering capacity of up to 7,200 pounds (3,266 kg) and segment-best V-8 fuel economy.

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, and is one of the industry's healthiest brands. Innovation and engineering excellence is built into all GMC vehicles and the brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC is the only manufacturer to offer three full-size hybrid trucks with the Yukon, Yukon Denali SUVs and the Sierra pickup. The Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are the most capable and powerful trucks in the market. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

GMC Dually Rear Sway Bar Install

LEAN ON ME:  Adding Hellwig Big Wig rear stabilizer bar improves load control and reduces body lean on heavy-duty pickups

by Bruce W Smith

Heavily loaded pickups and service bodies tend to lean a lot in corners, especially if the load in the bed is a bit top-heavy. Body lean (sway) isn’t a particularly a good thing.
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The good news is it’s easy to get under control: add a heavy-duty rear stabilizer bar.

Our 2008 GMC Sierra 3500HD Dually, Big Red, has more than 130,000 miles under its tires. The suspension is stock (sans the 6″ Cognito lift) and it still retains the firm one-ton dually ride.

But we wanted to make sure when 1,800 pounds of service body and equipment are in the bed that our Dually stays stable thorugh corners, dips and over off-camber sections on- and off-road.

So we added both front and  rear Hellwig Big Wig stabilizer bars. The bars are designed specifically for heavy-duty and lifted applications and they are built out of 4140 chromolly steel.
Hellwig Big Wig rear stabilizer bar being installed on Project Big Red at Truck Supply & Outfitters.

Stabilizer bars are an excellent suspension upgrade for a heavy-duty pickup because performance improves in several ways:

•     Reduces body roll so you benefit from better vehicle control
•     Improves cornering traction for safer driving and cornering capabilities
•     Distributes weight evenly

Installing them is one of the easiest suspension upgrades. The average shop mechanic about 45 minutes to install both front and rear bars. It’s a straight-forward bolt-in upgrade.

Source: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/sway-control/

2016 GMC Sierra Unveiled

 With exterior styling as its top reason for purchase, the new truck adds key design elements: LED “C-shaped” signature daytime running lights and LED headlights; new front fascia and grilles for each trim level; new LED fog lamps; new bumpers; and new “C-shaped” LED taillights.

The new Sierra will be available in the fourth quarter of this year, with additional details and information on the new model released in the coming months.

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup, is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest-possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, onTwitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.


GMC’s best-selling truck has great momentum coming off its best June since 2006 and 12 consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains.

Knapheide Develops Service Bodies For Half-Ton & Compact Trucks

The Knapheide Manufacturing Company introduces 

an exclusive service body product offering to the industry.

The Knapheide Manufacturing Company, the nation's leading provider of commercial vehicle solutions, announces the release of EC Series Service Bodies.  EC Service Bodies feature an optimized understructure for superior strength to weight ratio and possess many of the same tried and true standard features customers have come to expect in Knapheide Service Bodies.  Knapheide received a high volumne of positive feedback when customers got a sneak peek of the EC Series Service Body at the 2015 Work Truck Show, held in Indianapolis, IN at the Indiana Convention Center.      

"Customers have become very payload sensitive but still want the durability of steel," said Tony Marshall, Product Manager at Knapheide. "The combination of a half-ton or compact pickup with an EC Series Service Body give the owner/operator more than enough applicable payload.  The OEM approved bed delete option on half-ton and compact trucks has opened up a whole new segment for truck body manufacturers and upfitters."

Traditionally confined to utilizing only cross or side mounted toolboxes or toppers, half-ton and compact truck owners now have the ability to transition into a dedicated service body which promotes forced organization to drive increased efficiency and productivity.  Loaded with innovative standard features like automotive-quality rotary latches, stainless steel continuous hinges, and E-Coat prime paint protection, the EC Series Service Bodies are built to provide years of dependable service for owner/operators.
EC Series Service Bodies are available through Knapheide's extensive North American distribution network.  Visit the EC Series Service Bodies product page for more information or fill out the form below.

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GM Invests $1.4 Billion for Arlington Plant Upgrades

Texas-sized investment reflects company commitment 

to full-size SUV customers

 

ARLINGTON, Texas – In its largest single plant investment in the U.S. this year, General Motors announced today $1.4 billion for a range of improvements to its Arlington Assembly Plant to more competitively produce high-quality full-size SUVs. 

The investment allows the plant to be reconfigured with a new paint shop, body shop and general assembly area upgrades. Construction is expected to begin this summer and take approximately three years to complete. Production schedules for Chevrolet Tahoes and Suburbans, GMC Yukons and Yukon XLs and Cadillac Escalades will be unaffected by the construction.

“This super-sized investment reflects GM’s commitment to our full-size SUV customers who expect nothing but the absolute best from us and their vehicles,” said Cathy Clegg, GM North America Manufacturing and Labor Relations vice president. “Today’s investment will contribute to Arlington Assembly’s winning tradition marked by strong customer focus, innovative thinking and teamwork.”

Since 2011, GM has invested nearly $2 billion in manufacturing improvements at Arlington Assembly including today’s announcement, the launch of the current full-size SUVs and a new stamping plant.

“I have seen first-hand the success that is possible for a city when GM supports the communities where they work and live,” said Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams. “The city of Arlington has benefited tremendously from the strong business and foundational support from GM. This new investment in Arlington solidifies its continued stewardship and commitment to our community.”

This has been a monumental year for the more than 60-year-old assembly plant. Arlington Assembly celebrated its 10 millionth vehicle build, hosted GM’s Board of Directors and provided $100,000 in GM Foundation grants to local community organizations. Meanwhile, the UAW-GM team continues to work regular overtime in the only GM plant to make award-winning full-size SUVs for Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac customers globally.

“By working together, the UAW and GM are making a difference in communities across the United States,” said UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, who leads the union’s GM Department. “These investments represent the power of our collaboration to create jobs and improve competitiveness, quality and our manufacturing base in this country.” 
   
Today’s announcement is a part of the $5.4 billion GM announced it would invest in U.S. manufacturing over the next three years. Approximately $4.5 billion of the $5.4 billion has been identified, leaving about $900 million to be announced by year end.

Since June 2009, GM has announced U.S. facility investment of approximately $17.8 billion. About $12.4 billion of that has come since the 2011 UAW-GM National Agreement. In total, these investments have created 6,250 new jobs and secured the positions of approximately 20,700 others.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com