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Next
on our EZ Connector horse expo tour
Equine Affaire®
in
Pomona CA February 4-7 |
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NAVISTAR AND FORD
MOTOR COMPANY REACH NEW AGREEMENT.
Companies to Continue To Collaborate on Medium Duty Trucks and
Other Initiatives
Editor note: If you read between
the lines, this could mean Ford will be moving on with their own
diesel for Super Duty trucks and leaves open the question if
Ford will follow Navistar with a super EGR cooler to meet 2010
diesel emission regulation or follow the crowd and use Selective
Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, (urea.)
January 13, 2009—Ford Motor
Company and Navistar International Corporation have
reached an agreement to restructure their ongoing business
relationship and settle all existing litigation between the
companies. As a result of the agreement, the companies will end
their current diesel engine supply agreement effective,,,.
More...
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2008 Chevrolet
Silverado, GMC Sierra 1500 Series Trucks Only Full-Size Pickups With Top
Five-Star Side-Impact Safety Rating
DETROIT, Mich. - The 2008 Chevrolet
Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 Series pickup trucks have received the
federal government's highest side-impact crash rating - five stars -
making Silverado and Sierra the industry's only full-size pickups to
earn this top rating.
More... |
 
Trying to get down to 50,000 2008 F150's by November, Ford is
releasing the all new 2009 F150 the end of October. This summer the move to switch from pickup trucks to small cars, changed somewhat with higher priced cars and higher truck incentives.
As part of the new selling environment, Ford introduced the new SFE fuel package (superior fuel economy) rated
at 15/21 mpg with the 4.6L engine and 6 speed auto, SuperCrew with low rolling resistance tires More...
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Coming to the US. You want a truck that doesn't need fuel and
can carry
4,400 lb. payload. It has a turning radius
of just 36 feet, and a range in excess of 100 miles on a
single charge. Well of course it's electric. And it's kind of
cute. On it's way from the UK,
read more... |
Cat And
Navistar To Focus On Global Truck Business And Cooperate
On Engine Technologies.
Cat is dropping out of the truck
market giving Navistar and Cummins the advantage. GM
sold their medium duty truck business to Navistar.
Navistar bought Workhorse RV chassis a few years back.
As fast as
Navistar is growing, we know they won't need Ford
anymore. We also know Ford won't be using Cat in the
future or Navistar, so they have to build their own
diesel engine for Super Duty. Here is their joint press
release:
Caterpillar Inc. and Navistar
International Corporation have signed a (MOU) to pursue
global on-highway truck business opportunities and cooperate
on a variety of engine platforms.
Caterpillar has determined independently that it will not
supply EPA 2010 compliant engines to truck and other
on-highway original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
More.. |
Circle
the wagons, pickup trucks from India are headed this way. They
already sell tractors here,
Mahindra brand.
All of the vehicles will be
four-wheel drive, turbo-charged with "clean diesel" technology
and get up to 39 miles per gallon. Coming late 2008, the
rest
of the report... |
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USRider Shares Tip with Horse Owners to Avoid
Lockout. With
advancing technology, life continues to become a bit easier.
USRider would like to warn its members about is the potential of
being locked out of a vehicle. This can happen when two very
common technological conveniences get too close – your cell
phone may scramble the electronics in your key fob. Instances of
this scrambling have already been reported with the....read
more...
USRider Reminds Drivers, Dangers of Using Cell
Phones While Driving.
..read more... |
| GM announces 2007 Duramax details, at
least for the C4500. And plans for 2009 plus V-8 Diesel in 1/2
tons. The new Duramax LMM to replace the LBZ and LLY, so we will
see the 4th generation after the first of the year.
Click... |
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Quadrasteer
Tour Part 4 Reviewing Outfitter's Caribou popup
camper, showing how far into the mountain forest I can get with this
truly versatile combination. We tow boats & horse trailers, because
we can. There is enough payload capacity left for the tongue weight
of a boat or 2-horse trailer. Also Torklift's camper tie down
review.
Read. |
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 Hummer
H2 proved to be a great trailer tower. Equalizer wdh made it
a easy pulling a 34' travel trailer from Nevada to Colorado in
December threw mountain passes and snow storms. Read the story from
Ultimate Hummers Magazine.
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Guy
Nègre of the United Kingdom has invented a zero-pollution
vehicle. It involves no combustion, and it costs roughly $2 to
run for 124 miles. It can reach a top speed of 68 mph and can be
recharged in two minutes. And most surprisingly, it runs on
compressed air.
More.... |
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GM
CELEBRATES ONE-MILLIONTH DURAMAX DIESEL.
DMAX Ltd., a
joint venture between GM & Isuzu Motors Limited, was established
as a diesel engine company in 1998. GM first introduced the
Duramax diesel in the U.S. in 2001 model year. GM’s heavy duty
diesel pickup market share has jumped nearly tenfold in the six
years Duramax engines have been offered.
More... |
 Featherlite
unveils ultimate SURV for outdoor enthusiasts. The amenities in
Featherlite’s newest Sport Utility Recreational Vehicle (SURV) Model 7941
make it the ultimate hauling vehicle for outdoor enthusiasts and their
motorized equipment. The durable aluminum SURV’s enhanced style and
functionality is highlighted by a spacious garage, two slideouts and a
‘stand-up bedroom’.
The 40-foot fifth wheel with 12-foot garage features two space expanding
slideouts, including a 12-foot slideout with sofa sleeper and dinette and a
slideout in the bedroom area.
More.... |
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Cimarron Trailers to Hold a Drawing for Private
Roping Clinic with Legendary Instructor Rickey Green. A lifetime opportunity for two lucky
team ropers. They will be giving away a two-day private roping clinic
with renowned team roping clinician Rickey Green for two winners of a
drawing held on Oct. 27th, 2007 at the USTRC National Finals
in Oklahoma City. Entry forms for the drawing will be available at
participating Cimarron Trailer Dealerships April 1 - Oct. 24, 2007. The private clinic will be held Dec. 1-2, 2007 at Rickey Green’s ranch
in Stephenville, TX. Cimarron Trailers will provide both of the
winner’s with hotel accommodations and meals during the clinic.
For more visit
click...
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Reviewing a patriotic display from
SEMA 2004. There was a different feeling about the war in Iraq.
Patriotism was running high, folks across the country were
expressing what an attack on the US meant to them. Here is a truck
that expressed it right. By: David Sundling,
read.. |
GM Sells Allison Transmission for $5.6B
By Sven Gustafson, Associated Press
Writer. The sale to Onex Corp.
and The Carlyle Group includes seven manufacturing plants in
Indianapolis and its global distribution network and sales
offices. A production facility in Baltimore, which makes
conventional and hybrid transmissions for pickup trucks and
sport utility vehicles, will remain with GM.
More... |
I
don't use my knees to climb up into my pickup bed anymore,
putting my weight on my knee on metal isn't as fun as it use to
be. Access Steps allows easy access to your truck bed.
Many of the newer trucks have
tall bed sides so you can't just reach over the bed rail
anymore. This means you have to climb into the bed to reach
anything. And then there's the long way down. Access Steps are
simple to install and stay out of the way. Access Steps will
work with or without a receiver hitch. The
rest of the review... |
With
$3 gas prices, Hybrid's became a mainstream option. As a
bright spot in declining SUV sales, Hybrid's may make a splash
in the truck world. Toyota seems to be leaning more toward
Hybrids than diesels, as Mercedes, VW and even Honda make plans
for the American diesel car craving.
More on Hybrid's....
by Doug Cooley |
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Dumb and Dumber In Detroit
Decide our Truck Choices by
Kent Scott
I was anxiously awaiting
the introduction of the new mid-size Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon
trucks as they were expected to use the fantastic new 4.2 inline six
used the the Blazer and Envoy. I was both disappointed and amazed
that some product managers decided to only offer a five cylinder
version as the largest offering. The result for Chevy and GMC
excluding the six has been poor sales, poor performance and a poor
image for the entire line of vehicles.
More... |
 2005
SEMA was full of the big trucks. Saw new hitches, hoods and
hookers, I mean lookers. It's quite a show with 3 axle Hummers, 6
door crew cabs and every kind of accessory you can imagine. Will
have more product reviews coming from this years SEMA,
see for yourself |
Diesel
Particulate Filters, a Hot Subject.
In January 2007, the new
emission law went into effect for diesels. Of
course the new diesel engines designed for lower
emissions cost more, have EGR coolers,
throttles, use more expensive engine oil and
have a Diesel Particulate Filter where
pollutants are trapped and burned..
More.... |
Finally
Dodge gives the OK for an exhaust brake with their automatic
transmissions behind the Cummins diesel. Cummins OK'd it a
couple of years ago, but Dodge would only allow warranty with
the manual transmission using the Jacobs Exhaust Brake. Here at
MrTruck.com, we highly recommend using an exhaust brake towing
trailers. We'll have a review here shortly with a C4500 which
comes as standard equipment with an exhaust brake. Read more on
the Dodge/Jacobs story
More... |
Did You
Ever See A Trailer Hitch Protect A Family?
Mohr
MFG. of Burnsville, Minnesota has just introduced a patented,
receiver mounted bumper and trailer hitch called the “SUPERBUMPER”.
This new bumper and hitch combination not only pulls and
cushions your trailer towing, it protects your family and your
vehicle. The SUPERBUMPER combines a ball mount with an energy
absorbing bumper that will protect your vehicle from rear-end
collisions, reduce whiplash injuries, shield your gas tank from
under-ride, eliminate parking lot and parallel parking dents and
dings while lowering insurance claims. It is the only bumper
(original or aftermarket) to EVER pass the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety's 5 mph “Rear Into Pole” crash
test without damage to the vehicle or the bumper.
Email:
superbumper@qwest.net
or log on to the web site
http://www.superbumper.com.
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World
Strongman Competition, is coming to Colorado, July 2, 2005.
ATS Diesel Performance HQ Arvada CO. World Strongman Cup is an
all day event highlighting athletes performing disciplines that
challenge their strength, endurance, and skills will be covered
and aired by ESPN.
more.... |
New
Featherlite living quarters, Featherlite®,
America’s oldest aluminum specialty trailer manufacturer, continues
to transform the traveling experience of horse owners. Among their
bold, new 2005 product enhancements, Featherlite announced a living
quarters trailer series that now encompasses 15 sizes & 23 different
models. More |
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USA: Delphi does DaimlerChrysler diesel deal 02 Jun
2005 Source: just-auto.com editorial team;
Delphi has been awarded a contract by
DaimlerChrysler to develop and supply a complete diesel common
rail and engine management system for a current and future
Mercedes engine range. The first phase of the project covers the
applications engineering and supply of Delphi's diesel common
rail (DCR) 1600 system for passenger cars. Further phases are
planned to extend the application to an additional vehicle.
The new system provides high injection pressure, improved nozzle
design, superior hydraulic stability and enhanced software
strategies. Delphi's DCR 1600 delivers more complete combustion
and provides more accurate control of very small volumes of
fuel, introducing the option of up to five injection events. One
of the many benefits is a reduction in NOx of up to 30% through
the introduction of a late-pilot injection event. I'm thinking
this means more diesels are on the way in trucks and SUV's. |
| We're waiting on an update
on the FET laws below. Waiting to confirm, but it sounds like
the new FET tax laws will be in effect on higher than 19,500
GVWR and 33,000 CGWR. |
 First
look at the 2007 Silverado and Sierra.
The new GMT900 platform from which the 2007 GM SUV's where born,
was designed for the trucks first. We were at the GM media
launch to see the all new trucks. Details just
Click.... |
Great News about Towing from the IRS;
Excise tax on trucks
has been confusing. Dealers whom don't
collect the 12% tax on new trucks for
commercial use, such a towing a trailer over
10,000#'s or trucks designed for the purpose
of towing trailers, have been liable for the
tax themselves. All this is such a gray area
as is driving license requirements between
states when towing trailers. As reported
today in the current issue of Trailer Life
Magazine (June 05), the IRS has issued
guidance on March 15th to go into effect on
sales April 4, 2005 and after, that sounds
like Class 6 trucks and below are excluded
from Federal Excise Tax. This would mean
trucks with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less.
For example a Ford F650, GM 6500, Sport Chassis Freightliner etc. and smaller.
So the scare that 1 tons would be subject to
excise tax or trucks with factory trailer
brake options would be subject, has been
cleared up. The link to the IRS Guidance is
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=136811,00.html
This is great news for towing!
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TURBODIESEL OPTION FOR CHEVY FULLSIZE VANS.
General Motors announced the
availability of the Duramax 6600 turbodiesel engine in the 2006
Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana G2500 and G3500 series
commercial models. This sophisticated diesel engine offers more
horsepower and torque than the primary competitor, as well as a
quieter driving experience and better projected fuel economy.
More. |
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GM Delivers
First Fuel Cell Truck to U.S. Army
Military sees day when all its
vehicles would be fuel cell-powered. The modified Chevrolet
Silverado is equipped with two 94 kW fuel cell stacks, capable
of generating 188 kW and 317 foot-pounds of torque, or roughly
the motor torque generated by GM's 5.3 liter V-8 engine. The
U.S. Army has the largest fleet of vehicles in the world.
Improving fuel economy and reducing the logistics of the fuel
supply chain could save millions of dollars. For example, it
cost the U.S. Army up to $400 a gallon of gas to ship fuel to
Iraq and Afghanistan.
More... |
No
2006 Quadrasteer.
It's a sad day in
the towing world today. Quadrasteer introduced in the first year of the
GMC Denali in 2002, has been canceled by GM. 4-wheel-steering is the
best advance this reporter has ever seen in bumper tow trailer control,
safety and handling as well as all that for the vehicle and parking was
amazing. We towed a horse trailer up Pikes Peak, towed two trailers at
a time and barrel raced it.
The
whole story.. |

DaimlerChrysler has begun production of the
Dodge Ram Diesel (2500/3500)HEV. The Ram HEV has start-stop
capability, which shuts the engine off at full stop and restarts when
the accelerator is pressed. A regenerative braking system helps recharge
the batteries. The savings on fuel is up to 15 percent over comparable
engines. More... |
SEMA
2004, it's like looking at the Grand Canyon, hard to describe how big it
is. Trucks, SUV's, Cars, Motorcycles, Boats, & accessories galore. I try to
sort through the good stuff. Over 1000 pictures in 4 days, took some aspirin
& gallons of Starbucks as my youngest son & I race from building to building
to cover it all.
See more |
I covered the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in
June. We had a snow storm at noon, that snowed most of the press in on
top. Monster Garage will have the show with their truck and Jesse's
James exhibition run Monday July 26 on the Discovery Channel.
More... |

Bridgestone
Winter Driving School at Steamboat Springs CO. The skiers aren't the
only ones having fun! Surrounded by ski slopes, this international
school teaches you to drive well when the weather's bad. I attended
the trailer class and trailer driving course. 04 Dodge Durango with
a Hemi. Read more... |
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GM's oil system challenges
standard 3,000-mile service recommendation
GM claims it can double or even triple the time between oil changes in
vehicles when compared to the common 3,000-mile recommendation simply by
being able to evaluate driving conditions using its patented Oil Life
System.
Read more |
New,
ATS Diesel Performance TripleLok
torque converter for
Hemi Trucks with the 545 RFE 5-speed
automatic
transmission. These torque converters are hand built machined billet parts, not
stamped. You won't find the
welds that warp
in this cover. I was impressed at the workmanship involved at ATS
Diesel Performance in building a torque converter designed for
high performance and hauling the heavy loads we buy trucks for.
Read more....
| ATS
Diesel Performance, Arvada Colorado, acquired Advanced
Turbo Systems, Salt Lake City Utah. Both companies specializing
in diesel performance, now combine for a complete line of
performance aftermarket accessories for pickup trucks and SUV's.
Headquartered in Colorado......More.... |
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Truck,
SUV &
Trailer
Resource Magazine. |
USRider
Distributes 500 Copies of Large Animal Rescue Video
USRider has
produced and widely distributed a video for the purpose of
increasing awareness of the need for correct rescue training among
emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officials, horse
associations and other related groups.
This awareness
campaign is succeeding. Since creating the video in the first
quarter of 2003, USRider has distributed more than 500 free copies
of the large-animal rescue video to numerous organizations and
individuals across the nation. Videos have also been sent to
Canada, Germany and Argentina.
“Initially, we thought we might send out 50 or
maybe 100 copies," said Mark Cole,
managing member for USRider, a member-based organization
providing trailering assistance throughout North America with its
Equestrian Motor Plan. "We offer our
sincere appreciation to the numerous newsletters and publications
that have assisted us in getting the word out about this
worthwhile initiative."
Many animals end
up being dragged, strangled, drowned or dropped during attempted
rescues because many emergency responders do not have the proper
training for rescuing large animals safely.
“Most emergency
responders have extensive knowledge about rescuing humans but, due
to no fault of their own, lack training in how to rescue large
animals properly. When emergency responders are made aware of the
need of large-animal rescue skills, most are very receptive. We
just need to create awareness,” explained Cole.
The Large-Animal
Rescue video covers theory and demonstrations on how to respond to
overturned trailers; animals in holes, pools or open sewers; barn
fires; trailer wrecks; and animals loose on the highway, trapped
in various places or hurt on the trail. The video uses simulated
situations to demonstrate how to tie up, pull, strap and lift
large animals.
“We are extremely
pleased by the quality of organizations that have requested the
video thus far,” said Cole.
Those requesting
the video include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
the American Horse Protection Association, horse councils,
veterinarians, state departments of agriculture, animal welfare
departments, humane societies, fire departments and EMTs,
libraries, colleges, and riding clubs and associations.
“Several groups
have gone above the call of duty by hosting viewings for emergency
responders or by making copies and personally handing them out to
emergency responders,” said Cole. “Others have taken the
initiative to reach a wide audience by playing the video on local
cable television.”
Many of those who have received the video have
written back to tell us of the positive responses they have heard
from local responders and to express their gratitude for being
made aware of the issue of large-animal rescue preparation.
"While it is wonderful to get the word out to
horse owners and enthusiasts, we must continue to mobilize those
who view the video to bring this issue to the attention of local
responders and ultimately get them trained and certified in large
animal rescue," said Cole.
"A number of viewers have taken this extra step.
Some have written to us about how they plan to broaden awareness
of this issue,” explained Cole. “One simple idea was to take a
horse to the local fire station to let responders simply become
more acquainted with horses and to demonstrate proper handling
techniques."
The video features Drs. Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez from
Clemson University, nationally recognized experts in large-animal
rescue training. They have been offering emergency rescue training
courses around the country for over five years. Several hundred
firefighters, police officers, sheriff’s deputies and animal
control technicians along with organized volunteers have attended
their two- and three-day workshops. Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez can
be contacted via e-mail at
tgmnz@clemson.edu or by
telephone at (864) 656-5158.
The video was
produced by Caren L. Hunter of Sylvan Inc., a television
productions and commercial advertising firm. Hunter has served as
a producer for television commercials, sales and marketing videos,
industrial videos, half hour format national television programs
and live broadcast sports television. Hunter’s equine-related
productions include Kilkenny Internationale Cup Grand Prix, Zada
Enterprises Masters Cup Grand Prix, Cosequin U.S. Open Jumper
Championship, USET Festival of Champions and USET Show Jumping
Championship. Caren Hunter can be contacted via e-mail at
chunter10@aol.com or by
telephone at Sylvan Productions at (561) 758-6888.
“At USRider, we
are truly pleased and fortunate to have had the opportunity to
work with such a high level of professionals in this endeavor,”
said Cole. “We are hopeful this video will benefit the welfare and
safety of horses and other large animals everywhere. It has been
widely distributed, but we want to get this into the hands of as
many emergency responders as possible. It is still available and
we encourage interested organizations to request a copy,” said
Cole.
To receive a free
copy of the video, send a written request on letterhead to Attn:
Large Animal Rescue Video, USRider Equestrian Motor Plan, P.O. Box
54711, Lexington, KY 40555. The request should indicate when the
video will be viewed and the approximate number of people who will
view it.
Funding for
the creation and distribution of this video has been provided by
the USRider Leg-Up Annual Giving Fund. This fund was created to
enhance awareness of emergency equine response issues and to offer
financial assistance to qualified, worthy organizations that
provide emergency equine response. USRider donates a portion of
its profits to create the Leg-Up Fund. For information about the
USRider Leg-Up Annual Giving Fund or the USRider Equestrian Motor
Plan’s nationwide trailering assistance program, please call
1-800-844-1409 or visit
www.usrider.org
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