Overdrive

GEAR GUIDE 60 | Overdrive | December 2017 Stay connected over the holidays with the longest talk-time on the road. t h e E L I T E S E R I E S overdrive.bluetigerusa.com | 866.582.9957 Untitled-43 1 10/24/16 9:13 AM LEDs with shapes, patterns Optronics' latest family of four-inch round and oval LED stop, tail, turn and back-up lamps uses the com- pany's Light Guide technology to channel light and create shapes and patterns. The 12-diode lamps have a smoothly-lit horizontal X-shaped feature in the center that is sur- rounded by a more traditional LED pattern. The lights come in fl ange- and grommet-mount versions. Optronics International, optronicsinc.com, 800-364-5483 Solar-powered TRU ENow's Rayfrig- eration zero-emis- sions transport refrigeration unit is designed to support medium-tem- perature applications. The TRU employs two forms of energy storage: eutectic medium cold plates and a high-capacity auxiliary battery system. The plates and batteries initially are charged when the vehicle is plugged in overnight. When the truck is operated on a delivery route, power is provided by solar photovoltaic panels mounted on the truck's roof. The 1,800-watt solar system eliminates fuel and main- tenance costs, increases battery life and reduces battery replacement costs due to consistent charge maintenance. eNow, enowenergy.com, 401-732-7080 Multitasking axe Innovation Factory's Lil Trucker Off - Grid Survival Axe has an all-steel head and tang with lightweight glass-fi lled nylon handles for a better grip and bal- ance while holding or throwing. The multitasking tool is designed with a hatchet that can serve as a hammer, pry bar/wedge, sharpened hook, nail puller/wire twist, hex wrench, spanner for hose couplings, gas shutoff , fold- ing sawzall blade, can and bottle opener, glass breaker/punch and strap cutter. Innovation Factory, innovationfactory. com, 610-789-1137

• COVER
• Another ‘golden age of trucking’ at hand?
• Pulse: Counting the costs for new Tesla Semi.
• ATA piles on with pro-ELD advocacy.
• Wendy Parker: Start listening to truckers.
• HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD | A son pays tribute to his father, a West Virginia trucking fixture for decades.
• Cross-border trucking part of NAFTA talks.
• Semi-autonomous trucks tested on-highway.
• Court halts trailer emissions regulations.
• Tech company ranks 10 most dangerous highways.
• ELD exemption sought for safe small businesses.
• Business: Driver pay expected to surge as rates keep climbing With freight demand climbing and rates on the move, driver pay also should rise in the coming months, said Gordon Klemp, a driver pay analyst and president of the National Transportation Instit
• Redefined Tesla debuts its sleek, electric replacement for the traditional Class 8 tractor, promising jackrabbit acceleration, a 500-mile range and strong fuel savings.
• The mandate descends As ELD use becomes the law of the land and thousands of truckers still lack the devices, expect a somewhat soft start for enforcement, unavoidable violations, some poorly trained inspectors and spotty use of federal data transfer soft
• COVER STORY: CSA’s Data Trail Increasing inspections are back, but reduced violations, more clean inspections and a focus on crash-related behavior add measure of fairness to CSA.
• War on wear Tires are expensive. Know the six top causes of irregular wear to ensure they don’t meet a premature end.
• EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT Auxiliary power units.
• Accident sparks car hauler’s makeover.
• Proffitt holds on to claim Bandit Series title.
• Mississippi milk hauler rebuilds antique Mack.
• Reader Rigs: ’89 379EXHD gets new look; ’92 379 pulls Wilson trailer.
• Gear Guide Flaps, wiper blades, load bars, more.
• FLEET NEWS Schneider opens new Phoenix terminal.
• 5 APPS FOR THAT Productivity tools.
• Truck parking’s grassroots problem.