6/18/15

1948 International Pickup - My First Drive by Steve Taylor!




By Steve Taylor - The Work Truck Blogger - see video source below

I just had to re-post this YouTube Video of an International Pickup walk-around. This is the pickup that I first learned to drive in. This truck is even the same color of my Dads' pick-up truck!  I can tell you that this was a hard riding, hard steering, hard shifting pickup truck for a 13 year old to learn to drive in!

I have always liked cars and especially trucks! Since then I have made a career in the design and manufacture of work trucks. I now enjoy sharing my knowledge and learn every day about the application and  use of trucks. I share a lot of that information on the Commercial Truck Success blog.  The CTS  blog posts news daily on light and medium duty trucks, as well as new applications and products. The blog has a very large following worldwide.

Find the CTS blog at: 
http://www.ctsblog.net/  and if so inclined and if you are particularly interested in commercial trucks, you can scroll down to the bottom of that page and subscribe to the blog.


by Steve Taylor: Steve specializes in lean six sigma process improvement. He focuses on consulting with landscape / snow removal contractors, truck fleets, equipment distributors and manufacturers in the work truck industry. He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com and his website is http://www.upstreamsource.com/

Video Source: https://www.youtube.com/redirect?q=http%3A%2F%2Fclassicoldcars.net%2F1948-international-truck%2Fphotos.htm&redir_token=iMCGUvhEIpfzlgKjjYHjSLCTRCF8MTQzNDcyOTQwNkAxNDM0NjQzMDA2

6/15/15

NHTSA Recall Notice 6.15.15

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



NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V265
Manufacturer : Thor Motor Coach
Make / Model Years : THOR / 2016
Subject : Seat Mounting Area may not be Reinforced


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V268
Manufacturer : Ducati North America
Make / Model Years : DUCATI / 2014
Subject : Shock Absorber Damping Rod Nut may Loosen/Detach


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V271
Manufacturer : PACCAR Incorporated
Make / Model Years : KENWORTH / 2011-2016
Subject : Water may Leak into Wiper Motor


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V272
Manufacturer : PACCAR Incorporated
Make / Model Years : KENWORTH / 2016
Subject : Rear Wheel Lug Nuts may be Loose


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V273
Manufacturer : Forest River, Inc.
Make / Model Years : FOREST RIVER / 2013-2015
Subject : Quad Entry Step Rivet Failure


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V274
Manufacturer : Volvo Trucks North America
Make / Model Years : VOLVO / 2012-2016
Subject : Vent Tube Detaching From the Breather


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V296
Manufacturer : NABI Bus, LLC
Make / Model Years : NABI / 2007-2015
Subject : Vent Tube May Detach from Engine Breather


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V301
Manufacturer : Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years : ACURA / 2014-2015
Subject : Activation of Collision Mitigation Braking System


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V311
Manufacturer : Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : VOLKSWAGEN / 2015
Subject : Incorrect Pressure Information/FMVSS 567


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V354
Manufacturer : Daimler Vans USA, LLC
Make / Model Years : DODGE / 2006-2008
FREIGHTLINER / 2007-2008
Subject : Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V361
Manufacturer : Daimler Trucks North America LLC
Make / Model Years : STERLING / 2008-2009
Subject : Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture




6/08/15

NHTSA Recall Notice 6.8.15

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



NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V259
Manufacturer : Jayco, Inc.
Make / Model Years : JAYCO / 2016
Subject : Wheel Attaching Studs may Break


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V260
Manufacturer : Eldorado National- California, Inc.
Make / Model Years : ELDORADO / 2012-2014
Subject : Wire that Connects Starter to Alternator May Chafe


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V261
Manufacturer : Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC - DBA Sprinter
Make / Model Years : MERCEDES BENZ / 2015
Subject : Oil may Leak from Chain Tensioner Gasket


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V262
Manufacturer : Gillig LLC
Make / Model Years : GILLIG / 2010-2015
Subject : Vent Tube May Detach from Engine Breather


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V263
Manufacturer : Starcraft Bus
Make / Model Years : STARCRAFT / 2015
Subject : School Bus Seats may be too Flammable/FMVSS 302


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V264
Manufacturer : Eldorado National- Kansas
Make / Model Years : ELDORADO NATIONAL / 2012-2015
Subject : Rear Shock Absorbers may Separate


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V266
Manufacturer : Jayco, Inc.
Make / Model Years : JAYCO / 2013-2015
Subject : Quad Entry Step Rivet Failure


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V269
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : CHEVROLET / 2011-2012
Subject : Steel Cable that Anchors Seat Belt may Fail


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V277
Manufacturer : Blue Bird Body Company
Make / Model Years : BLUE BIRD / 2016
Subject : School Bus Seats may be too Flammable/FMVSS 302


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V278
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : CHEVROLET / 2015
GMC / 2015
Subject : Brake Fluid Leak


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V320
Manufacturer : Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Make / Model Years : ACURA / 2002-2006
HONDA / 2001-2011
Subject : Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V345
Manufacturer : Mazda North American Operations
Make / Model Years : MAZDA / 2003-2008
Subject : Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V346
Manufacturer : Mazda North American Operations
Make / Model Years : MAZDA / 2004-2006
Subject : Passenger Front Air Bag Inflator May Rupture




6/04/15

Ford F-150 Steering Recall - May result in Loss of Steering


Find details about the DOT/NHTSA Recall of the Ford F-150 at SaferCar.gov:

 http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchResults?refurl=email&searchType=ID&targetCategory=R&searchCriteria.nhtsa_ids=15V279


Search for recalls for your vehicle by VIN Number here:

https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/






Landscapers Choose 1/2 Ton Pickups with Open Or Enclosed Trailers

By Steve Taylor

In my quest to better understand the truck market, I focused on Landscapers this week. I found a variety of ½ ton pickups and landscaper trailers right in my neighborhood in Tampa, FL. I was curious about the choice of trucks and trailers for the landscapers, so I asked questions and got a variety of answers. I have shared a few of the pictures here and will share what I learned.


Ford F150 Extended Cab Pulling an Enclosed Tandem Landscape Trailer


Ready to load the Tractors


Chev Silverado pulling a 
Single Axle Open Landscape Trailer - Citrus Park Lawn Care


Ford F150 Tandem Landscape Trailer - Westchase Lawn Care


2 Open Tandem Landscape Trailers - US Lawns

When it comes to trailers, it seems that the landscapers have a preference for either an open or an enclosed trailer to carry their equipment. The reasons vary, some prefer the enclosed trailers to keep their equipment out of the weather, and others prefer the open trailers to save fuel and easy access to their equipment.

The preference for the use of trailers for landscaping appears to me to be regional in the US. In the Northeast US, one does not find the heavy use of landscaper trailers that one finds in the Southeast states. The use of medium duty trucks with mounted landscaper body is more prevalent in the Northeast US.

The purchase of a pickup and trailer would likely be substantially less than buying a medium duty truck with a more expensive landscaper body. So the initial investment would likely be less, but there are several other considerations.  The operating expense would be greater for a medium duty truck and for those that will operate their business out of their homes, the use of a pickup may allow them to park it at in their garage or driveway.

That's my limited, local survey of landscapers, I'm always interested in hearing from others with experience in the industry.



Steve Taylor: Steve specializes in lean six sigma process improvement. He focuses on consulting with landscape / snow removal contractors, truck fleets, equipment distributors and manufacturers in the work truck industry. He may be contacted at steve@truckarchitect.com and his website is http://www.upstreamsource.com/



6/02/15

NHTSA Recall Notice 6.1.15

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



NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V157
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : CHEVROLET / 2015
GMC / 2015
Subject : Front Driver Air Bag Inflator May Be Misaligned


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V202
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : CHEVROLET / 2014
Subject : Electronic Parking Brake may Drag


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V258
Manufacturer : Starcraft RV
Make / Model Years : STARCRAFT / 2016
Subject : Incorrect Tire Size on Federal Label/Part 567


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V312
Manufacturer : Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Make / Model Years : DODGE / 2003
Subject : Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V313
Manufacturer : Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Make / Model Years : CHRYSLER / 2005-2010
DODGE / 2004-2011
MITSUBISHI / 2006-2010
STERLING / 2008-2009
Subject : Driver Side Frontal Air Bag May Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V318
Manufacturer : BMW of North America, LLC
Make / Model Years : BMW / 2002-2006
Subject : Driver Side Frontal Air Bag May Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V319
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years : FORD / 2005-2014
Subject : Driver Side Frontal Air Bag May Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V321
Manufacturer : Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : MITSUBISHI / 2004-2006
Subject : Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V322
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years : FORD / 2004-2006
Subject : Passenger Front Air Bag Inflator May Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V323
Manufacturer : Subaru of America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : SAAB / 2005
SUBARU / 2004-2005
Subject : Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V324
Manufacturer : General Motors LLC
Make / Model Years : CHEVROLET / 2007-2008
GMC / 2007-2008
Subject : Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture




5/25/15

NHTSA Recall Notice 5.25.15

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



NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V241
Manufacturer : Navistar, Inc.
Make / Model Years : IC BUS / 2013-2015
INTERNATIONAL / 2011-2015
Subject : Linear Power Module may Fail


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V242
Manufacturer : Navistar, Inc.
Make / Model Years : IC BUS / 2014-2015
Subject : Linear Power Module may Fail


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V243
Manufacturer : Capacity of Texas
Make / Model Years : CAPACITY / 2013-2015
Subject : Dimmer Switch for Dash Controls/FMVSS 101


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V244
Manufacturer : Jet Company, Inc.
Make / Model Years : JET CO / 2011-2012
Subject : Weak Top Rail may Allow Trailer to Buckle


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V247
Manufacturer : Spartan Motors, Inc.
Make / Model Years : UTILIMASTER / 2012-2015
Subject : Images From Rear Camera are Reversed


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V248
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years : LINCOLN / 2015
Subject : Park Lamps too Bright with Headlights on/FMVSS 108


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V249
Manufacturer : Spartan Motors, Inc.
Make / Model Years : UTILIMASTER / 2014
Subject : Driveshaft may Disconnect


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V254
Manufacturer : Navistar, Inc.
Make / Model Years : INTERNATIONAL / 2016
Subject : Rear Drive Axles may have Insufficient Lubricant


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V257
Manufacturer : Allied Recreation Group, Inc.
Make / Model Years : HOLIDAY RAMBLER / 2014-2015
Subject : Microwave May Start On Its Own And Cause A Fire


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V279
Manufacturer : Ford Motor Company
Make / Model Years : FORD / 2015
Subject : Steering Intermediate Shaft may Separate


NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 15V287
Manufacturer : Nissan North America, Inc.
Make / Model Years : NISSAN / 2004-2006
Subject : Passenger Air Bag Inflator may Rupture