See GM's futuristic delivery vehicle: Brightdrop!

At CES 2021, GM partners with UPS on a new vehicle designed to deliver packages more efficiently. It's called Brightdrop. Watch here for all the details.

GMC Tests HUMMER EV in Sub-Zero Conditions, Announces HUMMER EV SUV Reveal Date

The quiet revolution continues. The GMC HUMMER EV team put this supertruck through its paces in sub-zero temperatures on various slippery surfaces, including snow, ice, steep and split-mu grades. Stay tuned for the next chapter of its story on 4.3.21.

Highway Products | Truckslide™ XT-2000 It's How We Build It

Truckslide™ XT-2000
Built for rugged work conditions
• 2,000 pound capacity
• 1/8” fully formed aluminum tray – no welds or weak points
• Two 10 Gauge galvanized Steel Tracks
• ¼” Steel pull handle and safety locking plungers
• Eight 2” Chrome Steel Sealed Bearings

It’s How We Build it
1. 1/8” 5052 Fully Formed Aluminum Tray
2. Two 10 ga. Galvanized Steel Tracks
3. ¼” Thick Pull Handle & Safety Plungers
4. Polished Chrome Steel Bearings

1/8” 5052 Fully Formed Aluminum Tray
1. No welds, no weak points, built to take a beating
2. Will never rust or deteriorate due to weather
3. 49” tray width for pallets & 4x8 sheets
4. 5” tall side rails with tie-down points

Two 10 ga. Galvanized Steel Tracks
1. Over-built & over-engineered for maximum weight capacity
2. Galvanized steel will never rust or deteriorate in the weather
3. Safety locking points built-in tracks
4. Tray rails glide down tracks that are secured by oversized mounting brackets

¼” Thick Pull Handle & Safety Plungers
1. Pull handle actuates rocker mechanism
2. Rocker made from 10 ga. galvanized steel that is cased in 5052 control box
3. ½” 302 stainless springs slam shut plungers into track safety locking points
4. Plungers are made from ¼” steel flat bar

Eight Chrome Steel Bearings
1. Each track contains four 2” sealed, vertically positioned, radial bearings
2. Each track also contains two .875 inch sealed, laterally positioned, radial bearings
3. Each 2” bearing has a dynamic load capacity of 3,600 lbs
4. Bearings are self-lubricated and sealed to protect from dust and contamination

Tongue Weight Safety Demonstration

Proper trailer tongue weight improves the vehicle and trailer towing experience by improving performance. Not enough tongue weight or force on the hitch/tow ball causes an increase in trailer sway from side to side, making it difficult to control. Conversely, too much tongue weight or force on the hitch/tow ball could overload the rear tires of the towing vehicle, pushing the rear end of the vehicle around. This could also negatively affect the vehicle handling. Performance is impaired as you might not be able to go around corners and curves properly, and your vehicle may not stop quickly enough when you press the brake pedal.

The Weigh Safe Drop Hitch effectively measures the tongue weight of your towing load, improving the vehicle tow load balance and performance.

2021 GMC Sierra Offers More Innovative Trailering Tech as Americans Continue to Hit the Road for Outdoor Adventures

Jack-Knife Alert, Trailer Length Indicator and enhanced Rear Trailer View join existing available camera technology on GMC Sierra 1500 and Sierra Heavy Duty to help drivers tow like a pro

                                                        

DETROIT – At a time when towing is on the rise, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and Sierra Heavy Duty will offer several new available features that build on the trucks’ strong suite of customer-focused trailering technologies.

“Trailering is essential for pickup truck customers. More than half of our Sierra customers use their trucks to primarily tow equipment for outdoor adventures,” said GMC Marketing Director Rich Latek. “We continually listen to customer feedback, which tells us they want class-leading safety, technology and comfort to tow what they need, whether it’s a boat, an RV or a trailer hauling off-road toys.”

These updates arrive as an ever-growing number of Americans are turning to outdoor activities that require a trailer. In a recent study, the RV Industry Association found that more than 46 million Americans are planning to take an RV trip in the next year. As a result, shipments of RVs have been increasing this summer and towable RVs make up about 90 percent of those sales.1

New or enhanced trailering tech available on both 2021 GMC Sierra light-duty and heavy-duty models includes:

Trailer Length Indicator: New for 2021, when enabled and driving forward with the turn signal activated, the center console screen displays a red overlay twice the length of the compatible trailer and shows when other vehicles are present and may interfere with a lane-change maneuver.

Jack-Knife Alert: New for 2021, Jack-Knife Alert tracks the position of the compatible trailer in relation to the vehicle. If the front of the trailer approaches the rear of the vehicle, an alert is displayed when there may be a potential jack-knife situation.

Rear Trailer View now features guidelines and Trailer-Angle Indicator: Rear Trailer View has been enhanced to include guidelines that assist when backing a trailer into place and a Trailer-Angle Indicator to show the relationship between the truck and compatible trailer. Rear Trailer View requires the customer-installed available GM auxiliary accessory camera.

Rear Side View enhancement: When driving forward on the 2020 GMC Sierra, Rear Side View provides a split view of the left and right sides of the truck and compatible trailer that is automatically biased based on the trailer’s angle. In the 2021 GMC Sierra, drivers will have access to this view while driving in reverse, making it easier to see surrounding vehicles and objects while positioning a trailer.

Cargo Bed View enhancement: New Cargo Bed Zoom View and Bed Hitch Guidance are now available, which can be helpful for aligning and hooking up a gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailer.

Select trailering features require a conventional-hitched box or camping trailer and additional setup may be required. Customers can see their dealers for full details.

Additional updates for 2021 GMC Sierra 1500

• Other additions to the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 include increased availability of the MultiPro Tailgate on SLE and Elevation trims, as well as a new selection of colors. New available features on the GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 include 20-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory tires and an off-road high-clearance step.
• The available 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel, which provides an ideal balance of performance and efficiency with 460 lb-ft of torque and best-in-class horsepower while offering up to an EPA-estimated 30 mpg on the highway, is a popular choice for GMC Sierra customers. For 2021, the MSRP of the popular engine will be reduced by $1,500, placing it at $995 MSRP above the Sierra 1500’s 5.3L V-8 with Dynamic Fuel Management.
• Additional updates for 2021 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty
• New additions to the 2021 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty include enhancements to the trucks’ popular premium trims. HD Surround Vision and Bed View camera technology are now standard on Denali. The new Sierra HD Denali Black Diamond Edition will have several unique features, including exclusive 20-inch high-gloss black wheels and new power-retractable assist steps.
• Similar to the Sierra 1500, the Sierra Heavy Duty AT4 will now have available 18-inch Mud Terrain tires and an available off-road high clearance step accessory.
• Other additions to Sierra HD include the MultiPro Tailgate standard on SLE and three new colors.

1 Source: RV Industry Association, https://www.rvia.org/reports-trends

About GMC

With a strong foundation of manufacturing trucks since 1902 and now selling in a dozen countries across the world, GMC offers purpose-built vehicles designed and engineered to the highest standard. From the all-new compact SUV Terrain to the Sierra HD, our trucks and crossovers deliver GMC’s signature combination of intuitive technologies and premium execution, with the popular Denali sub-brand representing the pinnacle of GMC design, performance and amenities. Details on all GMC models are available at www.gmc.com, on Twitter at @GMC or at www.facebook.com/gmc.

Knapheide Customer Story: Gorilla Truck Box

 “It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.”

For James Longley, dirty jobs have kept him in business for the past two decades.

Longley owns and operates Professional Cleaning Supply, Inc. (PCS) and its subsidiary, Gorilla Truck Box, in Oklahoma. PCS, founded in 2000, specializes in providing supplies for professional carpet cleaning companies, auto detailers, and those who work in restorative services focusing on fire and water restoration and mold remediation.

Though the lineup of cleaning products and accessories offered to PCS customers was meeting their needs, a practical transportation solution for these professionals was an entirely different story altogether.

“We had the supplies, tools, and equipment for these businesses, but there were no good service vehicles that were customized for our industry,” recalls Longley.

Options did exist, but none were specifically tailored to meet the needs of these particular industries. Dissatisfied with that fact, Gorilla Truck Box was born.

“We saw utility vehicles for plumbers, electricians, HVAC, etc., but nothing designed for the professional carpet cleaners and restoration companies,” says Longley. “Our industry was always trying to take a standard box truck or van and make it conform to our industry needs, which created a very disorganized vehicle at best.”

Not only was lack of organization a catalyst for creating an industry-specific body, practicality and efficiency also played significant key roles.

“In the carpet cleaning and restoration industry, doors on vans and trucks must stay open when a gas engine is needed to power equipment and tools, which gives easy access for thieves to steal tools not bolted down,” says Longley. “With Gorilla Truck Box, we built compartments that are lockable with the push of a button, securing all the tools.”

Utilizing his extensive experience and knowledge of the industry, Longley began drawing up concepts for a custom truck body that would provide ample storage for supplies and adequate space for common equipment used by these professionals. The overarching theme for the design was “to have a place for everything and everything in its place.”

As is with most inventive endeavors, the process of bringing this creation to life was trial and error.

“We began building Gorilla Truck Box in 2013 with another builder,” says Longley. “After a couple years, we became dissatisfied with a number of quality issues that continued to happen with that builder. So, we started researching other manufacturers.”

Requiring a manufacturing company that understood his vision and mission for the highest standard of quality, Longley says he was thrilled to finally discover Knapheide, the company that would work with him to bring his idea to life.

Like all customers seeking custom creations, Knapheide collaborated with Longley to build a unique body according to his specifications that would better serve those in the industries he serves.

“We were very impressed from the start with Knapheide,” he recalls. “They flew us to their headquarters in Quincy and gave us a tour of the manufacturing plant. We were truly impressed with their ability to laser cut steel, and were especially pleased with the anti-corrosion E-Coat process. Even Bo Knapheide came by and spoke with us.”

That visit to Knapheide easily solidified Longley’s decision to collaborate with Knapheide for the creation of Gorilla Truck Box, and the partnership began soon thereafter in 2015.

Knapheide was confident in the ability to bring Longley’s vision to fruition and provide the quality product he had previously lacked. To do so, Longley had extensive meetings with Knapheide personnel, particularly the engineering staff.

“I must say, I was very impressed with our first meeting with the engineers,” says Longley. “They were incredibly knowledgeable and informative. I have been especially impressed with Rick Terford, Supervisor Application Engineering. He has been there to help us with any changes and small issues along the way.”

The first Gorilla Truck Boxes, an order of four units, were rolled off the assembly line in 2016. Since then, customers across the country have come to rely on Gorilla upfits to get the job done. Longley has even seen his upfits expand beyond the typical vocations he serves.

“Our trucks are mainly sold to the professional carpet cleaning and restoration companies,” Longley explains. “We have also sold our trucks to plumbers who install motorized “jetters” (an apparatus used to remove and clean out buildup in drain lines) and pressure washing companies.”

Knapheide manufactures three different Gorilla Truck boxes to serve this particular market, each offering configurations, features, and options that provide users the most efficient and effective upfit for operations of any size.

“The highest cost of any service company is labor. The faster the employee can complete a task, the higher the profit,” says Longley. “We believe good organization is the key to productivity. Knowing where your tools are and being able to access them quickly speeds up the job process. And time is money.”

With that in mind, the company’s partnership with Knapheide continues to be one of great success.

“We named it Gorilla Truck Box because we wanted to let customers know that our products are tough, durable, well-built truck boxes, built to last for many years,” Longley says. “With partners like Knapheide, we believe we have achieved that goal.”

Relationships like those with Gorilla Truck Box show that a custom solution for any need exists through working with Knapheide to bring visions to life. No matter your needs, Knapheide is here to help customers across the country by creating an ideal solution to serve practically any vocation.

If you’re interested in creating a custom body with us, get started today by visiting knapheide.com.

For more information on Gorilla Truck Box, visit gorillatruckbox.com.

SOURCE: https://www.knapheide.com/main-blog/customer-story-gorilla-truck-box/

Knapheide Aluminum Body Manufacturing Plant

The Knapheide Manufacturing Company in Quincy has been going strong for 170 years & is still looking towards the future. They have recently completed construction of a new aluminum truck bed manufacturing & assembly plant with an eye toward further global development. Come see the new plant & hear from the Knapheide family themselves about their history & their future in this episode

SOURCE: Illinois Stories Knapheide New Plant WQEC TV PBS Quincy