It rained, it snowed, the sun shone, and
the people came. Nothing could deter thousands of people, representing every
segment of the trucking industry, from the annual pilgrimage to Louisville,
KY for the 31st Annual Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), held March 21-23, 2002.
This year, 980 exhibitors and more than 68,000 attendees came to sell, buy,
see and show off.
In spite of record losses and layoffs industry-wide, the tone was cautiously optimistic as manufacturers looked for the beginnings of improvement in a year which saw new truck sales fall by up to 34%. And with more than 4,200 trucking companies closing their doors in 2001, spirits were certainly more subdued than usual. There were indications that sales are beginning to pick up, manufacturing orders are starting to move into the plus columns, and the light at the end of the tunnel may not just be an oncoming train!
Of tremendous concern to all was the new EPA emissions requirements, which go into effect for all engines manufactured after Oct. 1, 2002. Cummins has achieved certification for its ISX production engines, and has begun shipping them for installation in new trucks. “Being able to meet the commitment was very important to us,” Cummins vice president for environmental policy Christine Vujovich said. “We are the first to achieve that milestone.”
Caterpillar, however, due to a change in design strategy, says that although it will have some engines that will be certified to operate in every state, their new technology to achieve lower emissions results won’t be fully ready until 2003. Caterpillar faces fines proposed by the EPA of as much as $9,000 per engine. Detroit Diesel expects 95 percent of all current ratings for the Series 60 to be available on time. Volvo, Mack and International (for medium-duty applications) also expect to meet the October 1st deadline.
Changes in engines will result in increased costs to new truck buyers. Estimates range from $3,000-$6,000. In addition, trucks can expect to have a shorter lifespan between engine tear-downs, as well as decreased fuel economy. All these factors are contributing to a surge in new truck sales for buyers wanting to beat the October 1st deadline. And, although the used truck glut may be lessening, good-quality, low-mileage used trucks may actually increase in value as the deadline approaches. At this point, with all OEMs having gone through a number of layoffs, it would be almost impossible for them to gear up for huge increases in production now.
For potential new truck buyers, or current truck owners looking to enhance existing equipment, there are deals to be made and new possibilities to explore. In addition to satellite radio (see “Trucker Talk” on page 29), the buzz was about Bendix’ new XVision, now available either from your OEM or as a retrofit system.
XVision is the first infrared night vision system developed specifically for trucks, buses and commercial vehicles. XVision uses an exterior-mounted, heat-sensing, infrared camera to detect and transmit images to an in-cab display unit. The images help drivers see people, animals and objects in front of the vehicle up to 1,500 feet away or more – 3 to 5 times farther than a driver can see at night with only headlights. It’s all based on temperature differences – the camera can sense differences as slight as 0.4°F. Because the camera is not affected by light, the display image is not susceptible to glare from oncoming headlights.
Wheels took the opportunity to test-drive a new Pete 378 outfitted with XVision and was amazed at the expanded depth of visibility. According to him, “it takes a little getting used to – I was tempted to watch it while driving instead of just letting my eyes scan over it the way I do my gauges and mirrors. But I can see how it would make a huge difference, being able to see deer or vehicles or people along the side of the road (or even debris in the road) and be able to make corrections before there’s a problem.” Increased field of view should result in fewer collisions – and missing one deer in the road could save you more than the cost of the system (which is approximately $4,000 installed).
If a new truck is what you’re looking for, you may want to consider including ArvinMeritor’s clutch-free transmission. Available now in KW, Pete and International models (and coming soon to the other OEMs), this two-pedal system can be used in either fully automatic or driver-control modes without clutching and shifting. The electronically controlled shifter automatically senses loads and knows when to skip shifts, potentially increasing fuel economy by 4% or more.
As always, the latest improvements in LED lighting systems were introduced by Truck-Lite, Grote and Petersen. Diodes are getting brighter, and the number required to light up your world is getting smaller. “White” lenses that illuminate in amber or red are the latest rage. As always, if there was a product or service or idea about trucking – it was all at MATS. Trucks, trailers, gadgets, gizmos, jobs, wants and wishes and pork chop sandwiches – if you could imagine it, you could find it – along with things you may not have even dreamed of before. And you could have stomped your feet and sung along with Alabama one night or Kid Rock the next.
But for the latest, the hottest, the best in what people wanted to see in trucks, the action was in the parking lot. The 2nd Annual Paul K. Young Truck Beauty Championships, presented by Newport Communications as part of the Stars & Stripes series, featured 125 trucks – from brand spanking new off the dealer’s lot to incredible antiques – and everything in between. Some trucks featured amenities nicer than many homes – like a granite floor in AJ Leonhard’s 2000 Pete 379 or the custom cabinetry in Donnie & Diana Harper’s 2002 Pete – which also featured spectacular murals commemorating the events of Sept. 11th. These trucks really reflect the pride and passions of their owners - like the golf clubs carried on the deck plate of Buzz & Carol Sweeden’s 2001 KW “Simple Pleasures.” Or the Miami Dolphin’s motif carried out on Dan & Katie Kimball’s white & orange KW/Utility combo “Twice Upon a Dream.”
Chrome, stainless, lights and other shiny stuff was everywhere – the engine of Tim Thornhill’s 1986 Pete 359 required heavy-duty sunglasses to view – the glare was blinding! And you could have eaten off any part of the immaculately clean combo of David Geer’s “Marooned.” In addition to winning three classes, Geer also received a special award for Most Improved Truck of 2001.
All these competitors braved torrential downpours, snow showers and wind to clean and polish their trucks to compete for trophies, plaques and prizes – but more importantly to share friendship and dreams along with cleaning rags and ladders. And the 1st Place finishers were:
NEW COMBO (UNDER 50K MI)
- Keith Bell of Muirhead Trucking, 2002 Pete 379 with 2002 Great Dane Reefer
(Texas Nights).
COMBO (2000 & NEWER) - Dan & Katie Kimball, 2000 KW
W900 with 2000 Utility Spread Axle (Twice Upon a Dream).
COMBO (1998–1999) - David Geer of Tropic Breeze Transport,
1998 Pete 379 with 1998 Utility Spread Axle (Marooned).
COMBO (1990-1997) - David & Diane Marcotte, 1992 Pete 379
with 1978 Heil Tanker (Liquid Chicken).
COMBO (1978–1989) - Leonard & Charlene Testerman, 1983
Pete 359 with 1997 Reitnour Step Deck (Rolling Thunder).
COMBO (CO. TRUCK) - Cris Cribb of Clark Freightlines, 1996
KW T600 with 1996 Stoughton (Stylin’ and Profilin’).
BOBTAIL (UNDER 50K MI) - Donny & Diana Harper, 2002 Pete
379 (Wildcat).
BOBTAIL (2000 & NEWER) - Buzz & Carol Sweeden, 2001
KW W900 (Simple Pleasures).
BOBTAIL (1996–1999) - Chuck Prigge of Sandvik Trucking, 1996
Pete 379 (Kaotic).
BOBTAIL (1978–1989) - Justin Thornhill of Trees Forever, 1986
Pete 359.
BOBTAIL (1977 & Older) - Marty Orr of Orr Trucking, 1967
Pete 351-A (No Tilt).
BOBTAIL (CO. TRUCK) - Jeffrey Wheeler of RK Transport Inc,
2000 Pete 379 (Midnight Dream).
SPECIALIZED (COMBO) - John Vandeville of L. Blondeau &
Sons Trucking, 1998 KW W900 with 2002 Dump Train.
SPECIALIZED (BOBTAIL) - Ernie Vole of Ernie’s Wrecker, 1999
Pete 378 Wrecker (ShowTime).
PRO. SHOW TRUCK (COMBO) - Clarence Falk of CBF Trucking, 1999
Pete 379 with 1999 Great Dane Van (Flagship).
PRO. SHOW TRUCK (BOBTAIL) - Dan Feeley of NMMC Inc, 2000 Pete
379.
ANTIQUE (NON-WORKING) - Jerry & Gail Jeffries of Double
JJ Enterprises, 1929 Fageol.
EXPEDITE TRUCK - Loren Kelsey of LMK Expediting, 2001 Western
Star.
FIRST SHOW (COMBO) - Kelvin Locklear of K & L Chrome, 1999
KW W900L with 1996 Competition Trailer (The Unknown).
FIRST SHOW (BOBTAIL) - Larry Davis of ICE Fast Freight, 2001
FL Classic (Just Chillin’).
INTERIOR (CAB ONLY) - Justin Thornhill of Trees Forever, 1986
Pete 359.
INTERIOR (OEM SLPR) - Rod & Kim Grimm, 1999 KW W900L (Illusion).
INTERIOR (CUSTOM SLPR) - Donny & Diana Harper, 2002 Pete
379 (Wildcat).
INTERIOR (EXPEDITE) - John Wininger of TST Expedite, 2002 FL
FL106.
PAINT/GRAPHICS (COMBO) - Dan & Katie Kimball, 2000 KW W900
with 2000 Utility Spread Axle Reefer (Twice Upon A Dream).
PAINT/GRAPHICS (BOBTAIL) - Chuck Prigge of Sandvik Trucking,
1996 Pete 379 (Kaotic).
PAINT/MURAL (COMBO) - David Geer of Tropic Breeze Transport,
1998 Pete 379 with 1998 Utility Spread Axle (Marooned).
PAINT/MURAL (BOBTAIL) - Donny & Diana Harper, 2002 Pete
379 (Wildcat).
ENGINE - Justin Thornhill of Trees Forever, 1986 Pete 359.
LIGHTS (COMBO) - David Geer of Tropic Breeze Transport, 1998
Pete 379 with 1998 Utility Spread Axle (Marooned).
LIGHTS (BOBTAIL) - Buzz & Carol Sweeden, 2001 KW W900 (Simple
Pleasures).
DIESEL DAVE’S PICK OF THE LITTER AWARD - Kim Grimm
BEST OF SHOW (COMBO) - Bill Sandvik of Sandvik Trucking, 1992
Pete 379 with 1993 Ravens Flatbed (Delirious Dezire).
BEST OF SHOW (BOBTAIL) - Justin Thornhill of Trees Forever,
1986 Pete 359.