International Truck and Engine, an Illinois-based leading producer of medium duty trucks and heavy duty trucks for various markets has recently worked in conjunction with Conquest Motorhomes, a division of Gulf Stream Coach and one of the leading manufacturers in the RV industry. The collaboration of the two companies will make International Truck and Engine the sole supplier of cab and other chassis parts for the Class C diesel motorhomes manufactured by Conquest Motorhomes.
This partnership is a tremendous growth opportunity. The Class C motorhome market represents a substantial portion of a growing industry – approximately 33 percent of the total motorized RV market. Once again, International is challenging convention as this is a great opportunity to leverage the scale of our core business and generate growth outside of the truck sector.
When a leader in the commercial truck industry collaborates with a leader in the RV industry to build a great product, RV customers are going to be the big winners. Moreover, our industry is coming into its sweet spot for growth as population and demographic trends favor long-term RV market growth.
Gulf Stream Coach has chosen International Truck and Engine because of the Class 6 International chassis, which features the company’s superior engineering and quality service. In addition, Class 6 International chassis is also equipped with some innovative electronic features including the International Diamond Logic Electrical System and AWARE Vehicle Intelligence.According to International Truck and Engine, customers choose Gulf Stream Coach’s Super Nova and Gladiator (Enduramax) models with their International chassis because of its numerous advantages such as superior gross vehicle weight (GVW) capacity; best-in-class towing capability of up to 13,000 pounds; roomiest cab in the category, including an ergonomic interior design; proven, durable diesel engine offering, which is the 300-horsepower International VT 365; exterior mirrors that are 42 percent larger than traditional mirrors for enhanced rear visibility; and smooth ride, handling and maneuverability for drivers and passengers, just like Jeep suspension bushing provides smooth and comfortable ride for Jeep vehicles.
Tags: Heavy DUty Trucks, International Truck, medium duty trucks, truck
When the word “pickup” is mentioned, the Ford is expected to cross one’s mind. The legendary F-150 has been the best-selling pickup. But F-150 is now facing a serious competition from Dodge Ram.
The new Ram boasts of a higher fuel efficiency and more horsepower. Additionally, the new pickup is equipped with loads of features that other rivals failed to offer. The features include storage bins, dubbed the Ram Box, built into the sides of its bed area.
Other auto features include heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, memory seats with power lumbar, dual-zone climate control, steering wheel, and a 10-speaker surround sound audio system.IT is Boldly styled, Tough as nails.
Aside from the enhanced Dodge truck parts, the Ram will also be offering three engine choices. Engine options include a 3.7-liter V6, a 4.7-liter V8 and a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 for the high-end model. The HEMI engine generates 35 more horsepower than the previous model with 380. What’s more, fuel efficiency of the new pickup was increased to produce a more captivating version.
This is an all-new truck. It’s all-new design. New features. All kinds of new storage.It has significantly upgraded interior. One of the other new features is the coil spring rear suspension, which is a first in the pickup truck segment.
you can get everything from a AM/FM radio with CD player to Sirius backseat satellite TV. There’s DVD available. MyGIG entertainment system is available. You can have almost anything you want in it. Compared to previous trucks, it’s a little more aggressive this time around. A lot of features built into the design have helped the aerodynamics.
Tags: Dodge, dodge ram, Ford Trucks, pickup truck, truck
There are many brands of pickup truck bedliners available. They offer many different features, but they all fall into two basic categories: drop-in bedliners and sprayed-on bedliners. Which is the best for your pickup truck and your needs? Taking a look at the pros and cons for each type of truck bedliner might help you choose the best accessory for your needs.
The pros of drop-in bedliners: Drop-in bedliners are easy to install and can be easily removed. Most have thick, rigid bodies that provide pretty good protection against dents in the bed of your truck. Drop-in bedliners are long lasting and easy to clean. They can mount under the bedrail or can be placed over it to add more protection.
Some drop-in bedliners, like the Bedrug, are made from flexible materials. They are gentler than the rigid models, and even people find them comfortable to sit on. The price can range anywhere from $300-$450. Look closely at each type to determine how much protection it offers.
Cons of drop-in bedliners: Some drop-in bedliners can shift around and rigid versions can scuff the paint underneath. Dirt and sand can get behind a drop-in liner, making scratches even more likely if you don’t keep the area clean. Drop-in bedliners can be gouged or broken, but they can take a lot of abuse before the truck bed is affected.
Pros of sprayed-on bedliners: Sprayed-on bedliners stick to your truck’s body panels, so they can not shift around. There are no gaps between the liner and the bed of the truck, so sand and water can not get between and rust or erode your truck bed. They are not as thick as drop-ins, but they do minimize minor denting. The sprays can be applied to any body panel, including interior or floor panels. Sprayed-on liners are easy to clean and available in many colors. You might prefer their sleeker look. Cost can range between $90 for do-it-yourself kits to $450 for professional installation. This also depends on the size truck you have.
Cons of sprayed-on bedliners: Sprayed-on bedliners can’t be removed. They aren’t as thick as drop-ins, so it’s more likely that dropping something sharp or heavy will dent or gouge the liner and the truck bed underneath. Hard-to-remove stains, such as spilled paints, may become a permanent part of your truck bed. A sprayed-on liner should be applied by a professional if you want a truly professional appearance.
Bottom Line is that there are more aftermarket bedliner choices now than there have ever been. You must ask yourself several questions to decide which type is the right one for you. How do you use your truck? Do you expect the bedliner to protect your truck from constant hauling of heavy objects? Do you need only minimal protection for occasional use? Is the bedliner strictly for looks? Study as many online resources as you can find, then visit local bedliner distributors. Ask questions about each bedliner as it pertains to your needs to sort out which is the best for you.
Tags: pickup truck, truck
An exclusive Quiet Steel dash panel combines with an expanded absorber on the engine side of the dash panel to limit the amount of unwanted noise coming from the engine compartment. A single-piece substrate under the instrument panel replaces the former multi-piece unit, reducing the risk of squeaks and rattles and boosting perceived quality. The Regular Cab utilizes a soft-trim back panel to improve interior quietness. All models receive a new acoustic headliner.
The F-150 Platinum adds a laminated windshield and ultra-light, more absorptive carpeting and additional insulation in the dash panel, doors and back panel to deliver the kind of quiet ride that’s expected of today’s luxury SUVs.
“The F-150 Platinum is quieter inside than the Lexus LX 450, according to tests that combined scores for wind noise, road noise and harshness measured at highway speeds,” O’Leary said. “We set the bar high with this truck, because we know
customers equate quietness with quality.”
All new F-150s have been tuned from top to bottom to reduce NVH, including all the exterior body panels. Computer models were made to determine where to add curvature and grooves to the metal panels to reduce vibration. New powertrain mounts, in addition to being more durable, also deliver vibration-free performance at idle and while cruising on smooth roads.
The powertrain was tuned to optimize vehicle dynamics, shift quality and durability while reducing unwanted noise and vibration. For example, the standard 6-speed transmission on the 5.4-liter and 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8s reduces gear whine by 10 to 15 dB versus the outgoing 4-speed unit.
The new Ford F-150’s segment-leading quiet ride stems in part from an ingenious technology called the Multi Activation 
Regression Simulation (MARS) model. Sound technicians use the MARS computer model to balance different sound inputs coming into the vehicle – from the powertrain, wind and the road – and make all the sounds blend harmoniously.
“There are some vehicles out there that sound unbalanced. They are good for two of the three attributes, say wind and road noise, but are pretty bad for powertrain noise,” said Mark McCarthy, Ford Truck NVH Engineering manager. “What we’ve done with the new F-150 is focus less on getting each attribute as quiet as possible and work on getting all the levels in balance so the vehicle sounds and feels a little bit more harmonious.”
The sound balancing exercise and having such precise control over all the sound attributes allowed engineers to focus on the engine note, introducing certain frequencies back into the truck to give the engine a pleasing, powerful sound.
Tags: Ford F-150, Ford Trucks, truck
Freightliner Trucks has announced availability of a regular production hybrid-drive drop-frame beverage truck. Using a Business Class M2-106 chassis and Eaton Corp.’s electric hybrid system, the Class 6 truck promises substantial fuel savings compared to straight diesel trucks on city stop-and-go routes.
The Freightliner hybrid uses a Mercedes-Benz diesel engine coupled with an electric motor-generator and batteries. The truck usually launches on electric power from energy stored during braking; the diesel picks up the load afterwards, but can also assist the electric motor or can run separately, such as at higher freeway speeds.
“The M2-106 can boast up to a 30 percent savings in fuel consumption and up to an 87 percent reduction in idling time,” said Mark Lloyd, market development manager for Eaton. Reduced engine idling contributes to fuel savings while lowering exhaust emissions. The truck also produces less noise, allowing for quieter loading and unloading in urban settings.
Freightliner engineers maximized the amount of space for the beverage body by mounting most of the integrated hybrid components underneath and behind the cab. The frame behind the cab drops downward to accommodate a high-volume 12-bay body. “We designed the M2 106 Hybrid to maximize capacity so that our beverage customers could haul larger quantities,” said Melissa Kellogg, Freightliner’s director of product marketing.
Ideal for easy access to cargo and featuring simplified loading and unloading, the drop frame truck maximizes load capacity while maintaining superior maneuverability, visibility and driver comfort claimed by the Business Class M2 series. The aerodynamic aluminum cab offers a 55-degree wheel cut, sloped hood and a 2,500-square-inch windshield for good visibility and increased safety.
Tags: freightliner truck, hybrid, Mercedes-Benz, truck
Ford’s truck team have redesigned America’s favorite truck inside and out to give customers unrivaled capability, unprecedented choice and a host of smart, game-changing features.
The result is the new 2009 Ford F-150, the new benchmark in the full-size pickup segment from the industry’s truck leader – which has built more than 33 million F-Series pickups since 1948.
The Ford truck team revamping goes from its segment-first features to the tough new exterior highlighted by a dramatic three-bar grille and more spacious, flexible and refined interior, to the unparalleled choice of cab styles and trim levels – including a new Platinum series that redefines truck luxury
- A new high-strength, lighter-weight chassis is the backbone that allows this tough truck to deliver more horsepower, better fuel economy and safety, and additional towing and payload capacity
- In all, more than 1,000 Ford engineers, designers, researchers and others worked together to develop the new 2009 F-150. The team drew inspiration by listening to Ford’s large customer base
- The results will be clear to customers when the new 2009 F-150 rolls off assembly lines at Ford’s Dearborn (Mich.) Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Mo. – and as the new F-150 goes on sale in dealer showrooms this fall.
Most Choice
- Ford’s truck team designed a truck that offers more choice than any full-size truck on the market. With three cab styles, four box options and seven unique trim levels, the F-150 comes in 35 different configurations to meet the widest range of customer needs and wants – all delivered with quality.
- Customers can choose from the no-fuss XL workhorse, to the sporty STX and off-road capable FX4, to the mid-range XLT. For those looking for tough luxury, Ford offers the high-end Lariat and King Ranch F-150 models.
- New for the 2009 F-150 is the Platinum series, the most luxurious F-150 ever and the answer to a perennial question: Just how high-end do truck customers want to go?
- The striking F-150 Platinum features a satin chrome grille with fine mesh inserts, 10-way captain’s chairs upholstered with top-quality leather, tuxedo stitching and embroidered logos on the seatbacks. Satin gloss Lacrosse Ash wood grain accents and real brushed aluminum panels give the dash, center console and doors an upscale look and feel. Standard 20-inch, 16-spoke polished aluminum wheels give the truck a commanding presence on the road.
- With more customers interested in personalizing their trucks, Ford is offering the largest selection of wheels in the segment with 13 offerings across the F-150 lineup.
- Under the hood, the new F-150 will be powered by three modern V-8 engines, mated to either a 4-speed or a new fuel-efficient 6-speed automatic transmission. The engines include:
- 5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton V-8, which has been optimized for better performance with improved horsepower and torque, and is capable of running on E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), regular unleaded gasoline or any blend in between. 4.6-liter, 3-valve V-8, which is new for F-150. Both the 5.4-liter and 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8’s utilize open valve injection. This unique feature improves the flow of fuel into the combustion chamber, which results in an increase in horsepower during towing and reduced emissions. 4.6-liter, 2-valve V-8, a third V-8 choice in the line-up that delivers more horsepower with the same fuel economy performance as the outgoing truck’s V-6.
- This all-V-8 engine lineup delivers a fleet-average 1 mpg improvement in fuel economy versus the outgoing F-150.
Most ‘Smart’ Features
- Ford’s researchers spent thousands of hours listening to truck buyers to gain inspiration for a host of smart new features for the new 2009 Ford F-150.
- It starts with the clever interior, which features a flow-through console that has been lengthened by approximately 2 inches and is large enough to stow two or more laptop computers. Special ridges are molded into the edges of the bin to accommodate file folders. The console also has a multi-tiered, removable tray and locks to protect valuables.
- More than 30 storage areas are built into the interior, ranging from a bin on the top of the instrument panel to a number of small spaces designed to accommodate tools like cell phones, MP3 players, PDAs and gate access cards.
- A redesigned, more ergonomic shifter remains on the console. New, larger buttons and switches are ergonomically designed and within easy reach and view of the driver. A USB port and auxiliary MP3 player input are conveniently mounted on the dash. Two 12-volt outlets are located on the dash and center console.
- Even the pickup box on the new F-150 breaks the mold with clever and capable features the competition cannot match. The class-leading cargo capacity of 65.5 cubic feet is only the beginning of the story.
- The F-150’s pickup box is made easier to use, more flexible and accessible with such new features as Ford’s industry-exclusive Tailgate and Box Side Steps, Stowable Bed Extender and Cargo Management System.
- Other clever features on the truck, including Ford’s Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System. When fueling is completed and the nozzle is removed, the system automatically seals shut, reducing emissions.
- The new 2009 Ford-150 also will allow truck customers to be connected to the world like never before. Ford has been working with Microsoft, Sony and SIRIUS to offer customers leading technologies to help them stay connected with their lives while on the road including:
- Industry-exclusive Ford SYNC™, a voice-activated, hands-free, in-vehicle communications and entertainment system offers even more functionality for the 2009 model year, with 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report. SIRIUS Travel Link™ that when combined with voice activated navigation will provide users with a suite of data services including real-time traffic, coast-to-coast weather conditions and fuel price information for over 120,000 gas stations. Voice-activated navigation that integrates several functions, including voice recognition destination entry, climate control and SIRIUS satellite radio into one easy-to-use system, displaying them on an 8-inch touch screen display. Sony audio system that features 700 watts of power, 5.1 surround sound and 10 Sony speakers and amps and is certified by Sony to deliver a unique, rich listening experience.
Ford says “We know how important the F-150 is to our customers,” said O’Leary. “With the new 2009 F-150, we are delivering a top-quality truck lineup that is second-to-none in capability, features and a range of choices that will continue to make Ford America’s favorite truck.”
Tags: 2009 FORD F-150, Ford F-150, Ford Trucks, truck, Trucks
