11/06/23

WINTERIZING YOUR WORK TRUCK


Winter weather can wreak havoc on work trucks if they are not properly prepared to handle the conditions. Sub-zero temperatures, substantial snowfall, and icy roads are normal operating environments for many throughout the winter months. Regardless of the weather, the work must go on. 

Use this checklist to help you prepare your work truck for the winter season.


ANTIFREEZE

A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is typically fine for three months out of the year (spring, summer, fall) for most. Come winter, many need to consider a higher concentrated mix of antifreeze to water. The lower the temperate, the more concentrated it should be. Always check temperature ratings on the container of the antifreeze and never exceed a 70/30 antifreeze to water concentration.

BATTERY

Batteries are put through the greatest operating strain during consistent cold temperatures. Due to this, batteries tend to fail more often in winter months potentially leaving you stranded. Regularly check battery cables to ensure they are securely connected and clean any corrosion from the terminals. To prevent battery failure during winter, perform a voltage test during the fall. If the battery reads at the lower end of acceptable voltage, be preventative and replace it.

TIRES

Snowy and icy roads can be difficult to safely navigate. Tires that are worn or improperly inflated can compound this safety issue and increase the risk of an accident. Ensure your tires have ample tread, 4/32″ or more. Cold temperatures can also lower tire pressure, so regularly read your tire pressure to avoid under-inflation. If your area receives heavy snowfall and ice, consider investing in tire chains to increase traction.

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID

Windshield washer fluid is often overlooked during the winterizing process. Since you utilize your windshield washer fluid much more often in winter, you need to ensure the fluid is rated to withstand the temperatures in your area. Many times, the fluid freezes and the issue is not discovered until your windshield needs cleaned while you are driving down the road with drastically reduced visibility, an accident waiting to happen.

ENGINE OIL

Much like antifreeze, most common engine oils perform great during the spring, summer and fall. As cold temperature descend during winter, your standard 15W or 10W oil struggles to properly flow. As fall arrives, plan on switching out your normal engine oil with 5W (or even 0W oil for extremely cold conditions) to ensure your engine receives the proper lubrication throughout the winter.

ENGINE/OIL HEATERS

When you park your work truck overnight and the temperatures drop, your engine and oil temperature do too. Many work trucks operating in Northern climates have block or oil pan heaters installed, either as a factory option or add-on accessory. Be sure to plug in these components overnight during cold temperatures to ensure your engine has an easier time starting in the morning.

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE

Four wheel drive is a necessity in regions that receive heavy snowfall. Getting stuck on a jobsite can present a safety concern and decreases productivity. Before your next snow, test your four wheel drive system to ensure the differentials, hubs, bearings and other components are in top working condition.

PAINT & FINISH

Today’s work trucks receive top-notch corrosion protection with the paint and undercoating. During winter, harmful salt and chemicals are deployed to the roads in attempt to melt snow and ice. These road treatments eventually find their way to your work truck, expediting the corrosion and rust process if not addressed. Regularly wash your work truck during winter months, including the undercarriage to prevent build-up of salt and chemicals.

COLD WEATHER KIT

A cold weather kit can be a lifesaver in the event that you get your work truck stuck and help cannot come immediately. In your cold weather kit you should pack a thermal blanket, flashlight with additional batteries, matches, bottled water, jumper cables or a jump box, windshield scraper and brush, tow straps or chains, and roadside flares.

Source: https://www.knapheide.com/blog/winterizing-your-work-truck

11/04/23

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Tires

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist

You probably know tires are made of rubber — but how much more do you know? Here’s a run-through of some important tire-related terminology:

1) Aspect ratio

This technical-sounding term refers to the relationship between the width of a tire and the height of the tire’s sidewall. High-performance “low profile” tires have “low aspect ratios” — meaning their sidewalls are short relative to their width. This provides extra stiffness and thus better high-speed handling and grip — but also tends to result in a firmer (and sometimes, harsh) ride. “Taller” tires tend to provide a smoother ride and better traction in snow.

2) Contact Patch

As your tires rotate, only a portion of the total tread is actually in contact with the ground at any given moment.  This is known as the contact patch.  Think of it as your tire’s “footprint.” Sport/performance-type tires are characterized by their wider footprint — more tread is in contact with the ground — which provides extra grip, especially during hard acceleration on dry pavement and during high-speed cornering.

3) Treadwear indicators

These are narrow bands built into the tread during manufacturing that begin to show when only 1/16 of the tire’s tread remains. Also called wear bars, treadwear indicators are there to provide an obvious visual warning that it’s time to shop for new tires.

4) Speed ratings

An alpha-numeric symbol you’ll find on your tire’s sidewall that tells you the maximum sustained speed the tire is capable of safely handling. An H-rated tire, for example, is built to be safe for continuous operation at speeds up to 130 mph. Most current model year family-type cars have S (112 mph) or T (118 mph) speed ratings. High performance cars often have tires with a V (149 mph) or  ZR (in excess of 149 mph) speed rating. A few ultra-performance cars have W (168 mph) and even Y (186 mph) speed-rated tires.

5) Maximum cold inflation load limit

This refers to the maximum load that can be carried in a given vehicle with a given type of tires — and the maximum air pressure needed to support that load. In your vehicle’s owner’s manual, you should be able to find the recommended cold inflation load limit. It’s important not to exceed the load limit (or over or under-inflate the tires) as this can lead to stability/handling problems and even tire failure. Always check tire pressure “cold.” Driving creates friction which creates heat; as the tires warm up, the air inside expands, increasing the pressure. Measuring air pressure after driving can give a false reading; you may actually be driving around on under-inflated tires.

6) Load index

This number corresponds to the load carrying capacity of the tire. The higher the number, the higher the load it can safely handle. As an example, a tire with a load index of 89 can safely handle 1,279 pounds — while a tire with a load rating of 100 can safely handle as much as 1,764 pounds. It’s important to stick with tires that have at least the same load rating as the tires that came originally with the vehicle — especially if it’s a truck used to haul heavy loads or pull a trailer. It’s ok to go with a tire that has a higher load rating than the original tires; just be careful to avoid tires with a lower load rating than specified for your vehicle, even if they are less expensive. Saving a few bucks on tires is not worth risking an accident caused by tire failure.

7) Radial vs. bias-ply tire

Bias-ply tires have their underlying plies laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread; radials have their plies laid at 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread. That’s the technical difference. The reason radial tires are dominant today is that they help improve fuel efficiency and handling; they also tend to dissipate heat better than bias-ply tires. No modern passenger cars come with bias-ply tires these days and their use is generally not recommended. (Exceptions might include older/antique vehicles that originally came equipped with bias-ply tires. Some RVs also used bias-ply tires, etc.) It is very important never to mix radial and bias-ply tires; dangerously erratic handling may result.

8) LT and MS tires

These designations indicate “Light Truck” and “Mud/Snow” — and are commonly found on tires fitted to SUVs and pick-ups. LT-rated tires are more general purpose, built primarily for on-road use — while MS-rated tires typically have more aggressive “knobby” tread patterns designed for better off-road traction.

9) Temporary Use Only

Many modern cars come with so-called “space-saver” tires which are smaller and lighter than a standard or full-size spare tire. They are designed to leave more room in the trunk and be easier for the average person to handle when a roadside tire change becomes necessary. However, they are not designed to be used for extended (or high-speed) driving. Your car will probably not handle (or stop) as well while the Space Saver tire is on – and you should keep your speed under 55 mph and avoid driving on the tire beyond what’s absolutely necessary to find a tire repair shop where you can have your damaged tire repaired or replaced.

10) Treadwear, Traction and Temperature ratings

Each tire has three separate ratings for Treadwear, Traction and Temperature.

Traction ratings run from AA to A to B and C — with C being the lowest on the scale. The ratings represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement under controlled testing conducted by the government. C-rated tires are marginal and should be avoided. Never buy a tire with a Traction rating that isn’t at least equal to the minimum rating specified by the manufacturer of your vehicle.

Temperature ratings from A to B to C — with C being the minimum allowable for any passenger car tire. The ratings correspond to a given tire’s ability to dissipate heat under load; tires with lower ratings are more prone to heat-induced failure, especially if driven at high speeds (or when overloaded). As with Traction ratings, never buy a tire with a Temperature rating that’s less than specified for your vehicle.

Treadwear ratings differ from Traction and Temperature ratings in that they aren’t a measure of a tire’s built-in safety margin. Instead, these ratings — represented by a three digit number — give you an idea of the expected useful life of the tire according to government testing. A tire with a Treadwear rating of 150, for example, can be expected to last about 1.5 times as long as a tire with a Treadwear rating of 100. These are just guides, however. Your tires may last longer (or not) depending on such factors as how you drive, whether you maintain proper inflation pressure and rotate the tires per recommendations — and so on.

Comments?

www.ericpetersautos.com


11/02/23

Reading Truck Body // Aluminum Classic Service Van Body Walkaround


Walkaround video for Reading Truck Body's Aluminum Classic Service Van Body. Watch the recording of Reading Truck's Driving What's Next webinar which featured the Aluminum Classic Service Van Body to learn more. Watch here: http://webinar.readingbody.com/Alumin...

10/31/23

THE GMC SIERRA | “THE MultiPro™ Tailgate” | GMC


This is THE GMC Sierra. Available with THE World’s First Six-Function MultiPro™ Tailgate and THE dent and scratch-resistant CarbonPro™ bed.​ Learn more at
https://www.gmc.com/sierra

10/29/23

Curt ShockDrop™ Technology | Comfortable, Controlled, Confident Towing


ShockDrop™ technology is a cushion hitch system designed to enhance your comfort, control and confidence when towing a trailer. It is comprised of an innovative, flexible polyurethane isolator that dynamically adapts to bumps, potholes and uneven surfaces on the road. It suppresses rattling, vibrations, jerking and jarring at the coupling point to provide you with a superior towing experience.

ShockDrop™ technology is engineered to be the next generation of towing products, offering valuable benefits for professionals and enthusiasts alike. ShockDrop™ is integrated into a growing line of CURT products, enabling a variety of lifestyles for a more enjoyable towing experience.

ShockDrop™ provides enhanced control in your driving by counteracting the effects of uneven roads. It also helps increase the driver’s control over the vehicle in events of sudden braking and combats the tendency for undesirable trailer sway. ShockDrop™ technology is also a benefit to the life of your vehicle and towing equipment. The cushion isolator reduces the strain of towing on your vehicle’s brakes and suspension system to promote longevity. Compared to other cushion hitch solutions, ShockDrop™ is lighter-weight, putting less stress on your receiver hitch.

For maximum confidence, ShockDrop™ technology is engineered for simplicity. Each product is designed to be virtually maintenance-free. The cushion isolator is thoroughly tested for thousands of cycles, and it won’t wear out like competitive solutions that use an airbag or bearings.

10/27/23

Harbor Service Body - Keeping It Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind!



This is an example of a Service Body with a raised cargo bed enclosure fitted with barn-style rear doors, and a 3-piece cargo bed enclosure that opens up two thirds of the bed area when needed. This is a great way to keep things carried in the back area out of sight and out of mind.

This Harbor 8' single rear wheel Service Body also sports some great built-in drawers in the streetside front compartment, HD material rack with Rack-Straps on both sides, class IV receiver, and more.

Take the tour courtesy of Mike Olin of the Paradise Fleet team by watching the video.

See more great trucks at http://www.ParadiseWorkTrucks.com

10/25/23

Ranger Design Lockers & Workbenches for Commercial Vans


The Ranger Design locker for secure cargo van storage has the space needed to store your tools and your valuables. The lockers can be mounted inside the rear of the van to provide easy access to your most valuable supplies. The lockable storage units have a hook inside that gives a tidy place to hang work clothes while providing a private compartement to store personnal belongings. It comes with a 10 year limited warranty. The Ranger Design heavy duty van workbench with a high quality wood surface is great for tradesmen who work in their van. It is perfect for filling out paperwork, counting parts or doing any other task that requires a flat surface. Options include built-in shelves and drawer cabinets, and lockable storage. Comes with a 10 year warranty. https://rangerdesign.com/