Work Truck Blogger: October 2013

10/29/13

NHTSA Recall Notice 10.29.13

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.


NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V475
Manufacturer :	Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years :	FORD / 2012-2013
Subject :	No audible chime with open driver door/ FMVSS 114

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V450
Manufacturer :	Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	AUDI / 2013-2014
Subject :	Fuel Line Leak

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V449
Manufacturer :	Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	SUZUKI / 2004-2013
Subject :	Soft Front Brake/Increased Stopping Distance

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V448
Manufacturer :	Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	AUDI / 2013-2014
Subject :	Sunroof may Shatter

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V446
Manufacturer :	Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	MITSUBISHI / 2008-2013
Subject :	Clutch Master Cylinder Failure

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V445
Manufacturer :	Nissan North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	INFINITI / 2013-2014 NISSAN / 2013-2014
Subject :	Increased Stopping Distance when using ABS

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V444
Manufacturer :	Bloomer Trailers
Make / Model Years :	BLOOMER / 2006-2013
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V443
Manufacturer :	Craftsmen Industries, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	CRAFTSMEN / 2006-2013
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V441
Manufacturer :	Spartan Motors, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	SPARTAN MOTORS / 2011-2013
Subject :	Lower Control Arms May Fracture

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V440
Manufacturer :	Lion Bus Inc.
Make / Model Years :	LION / 2013
Subject :	Seat Impact Resistance/FMVSS 222

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V439
Manufacturer :	Navistar, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	INTERNATIONAL / 2008-2013
Subject :	Trailer May Release from Fifth Wheel

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V438
Manufacturer :	Newmar Corporation
Make / Model Years :	NEWMAR / 2012
Subject :	Air Pressure Gauge Accuracy/FMVSS 121

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V437
Manufacturer :	Augusta RV, LLC
Make / Model Years :	AUGUSTA / 2013-2014
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V436
Manufacturer :	Chalet RV
Make / Model Years :	CHALET / 2006-2013 TAKENA / 2006-2013
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V435
Manufacturer :	Pierce Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :	PIERCE / 2012-2013
Subject :	Parking Brake May Not Activate

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V434
Manufacturer :	Vactor Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :	VACTOR / 2012-2013
Subject :	Vehicle may Inadvertently Move/Trans Software

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V433
Manufacturer :	Hart Trailer LLC
Make / Model Years :	HART / 2006-2013
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V432
Manufacturer :	Cowtown Sleepers & Pick-up Tops
Make / Model Years :	COWTOWN SLEEPERS / 2008-2013
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V431
Manufacturer :	PROLine Products LLC
Make / Model Years :	PROLINE / 2006-2013
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V428
Manufacturer :	Horton Vans, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	HORTON / 2006-2013
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V427
Manufacturer :	Adventurer LP
Make / Model Years :	ADVENTURER / 2009-2012
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V426
Manufacturer :	Pleasant Valley Teardrop Trailers LLC
Make / Model Years :	PLEASANT VALLEY / 2006-2013
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V424
Manufacturer :	Coose Trailer Manufacturing, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	COOSE TRAILER / 2006-2013
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V423
Manufacturer :	Arising Industries, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	ARISING / 2008-2013
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V414
Manufacturer :	Circle D Corporation, Inc.
Make / Model Years :	CIRCLE D / 2006-2013
Subject :	Interior Side Door Lock May Become Inoperable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V114
Manufacturer :	Kia Motors Corporation
Make / Model Years :	KIA / 2007-2011
Subject :	Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	13V113
Manufacturer :	Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center Inc
Make / Model Years :	HYUNDAI / 2006-2011
Subject :	Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently

10/07/13

Game Changer: 100th Anniversary of the Moving Assembly Line

When Henry Ford began making cars in the early 1900s, “state-of-the-art” manufacturing meant car bodies delivered by horse-drawn carriage, with teams of workers assembling automobiles atop sawhorses. The teams would rotate from one station to another, doing their part to bring the vehicle together. Parts deliveries were timed, but often ran late causing pile-ups of workers vying for space and delays in production. Fortunately for the future of industry, these archaic practices came to an end Oct. 7, 1913.

Observers of the time were already suggesting that someone needed to invent a way to mass produce cars, and by doing so bring down the price to enable more people to afford the luxury. J.J. Seaton wrote in Harper’s Weekly in January 1910 that “the man who can successfully solve this knotty question and produce a car that will be entirely sufficient mechanically, and whose price will be within the reach of millions who cannot yet afford automobiles, will not only grow rich but will be considered a public benefactor.”

Ford already had developed in 1908 the Model T, a “car for the masses.” Now it was time to find a way to make many of these cars at a rapid pace and with high quality. Ford surrounded himself with experts from various fields, such as brewing, canning and steel making, and each contributed his expertise to a solution for mass auto manufacturing. Ford’s vision and leadership enabled him to create a climate where his team could collaborate, bring new ideas and bring forward several factory innovations that ultimately led to the development of the moving assembly line.

On Oct. 7, 1913, Ford’s team rigged a rudimentary final assembly line at the Highland Park Assembly plant. Engineers constructed a crude system along an open space at the plant, complete with a winch and a rope stretched across the floor. On this day, 140 assemblers were stationed along a 150-foot line and they installed parts on the chassis as it was dragged across the floor by the winch. Man hours of final assembly dropped from more than 12 hours under the stationary assembly system to fewer than three. In January 1914, the rope was replaced by an endless chain.

By bringing the work to the men, Ford engineers managed to smooth out differences in work pace. They slowed down the faster employees and forced slower ones to quicken their pace. The results of mass production were immediate and significant. In 1912, Ford Motor Company produced 82,388 Model Ts, and the touring car sold for $600. By 1916, Model T production had risen to 585,388, and the price had dropped to $360.

“Fordism” – large-scale production combined with high wages – was born and spread to other industries around the world. Soon, even small automobile companies producing only a few hundred cars per year were attempting to install moving assembly lines.

10/04/13

Preparing Your Fleet for Winter

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WEBINAR REGISTRATION — RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!

Preparing Your Fleet for the Winter!

Winter is fast approaching, poised to bring a flurry of snow, rain, wind and cold temperatures this upcoming season. Unprepared fleets may face high maintenance and repair rates and put drivers at risk of injury if not properly coached on how to deal with the harsh conditions that will be on our roadways.

In this webinar we define a proactive winterization strategy to stay ahead of the weather curve. Learn tricks of the trade to keep your vehicles and drivers operating safely and efficiently through what will likely be a long winter season.
Register now for this informative webinar and gain valuable insights on how to best prepare your drivers and fleet for the winter.

10/01/13

NHTSA Recall Notice 9.30.13