Service Body Racks - Rack-it Builds em Tough!

Schedule 10 HD steel pipe and all welded design makes Rack-it Truck Racks strong enough for service and utility bodies, and strong enough to handle the capacity of the F550 and competitive trucks.


For more information, check out our website at http://www.rackitinc.com/, or call us at 800-445-7666.

Announcing - ASH - Auto Safety House - a NEW Rack-it Dealer, Phoenix, AZ

Now handling Rack-it Truck Racks

A wide variety of products to fully support your entire truck, trailer and fleet parts needs.

ASE factory trained technicians; Repairs done on all Medium and Heavy Duty Trucks; Buses and RV’s.

New and used buses inventory for immediate delivery. All are backed by OEM certified technicians, warranties, and quality parts.

Building the most customized service truck for your vehicle needs, from the simplest trailer hitch or van shelving to dump bodies, cranes and fabricated truck racks.

Auto Safety House

2630 W Buckeye Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85009

(602) 269-9721

 

American Truck Historical Society’s National Convention & Truck Show 2016

Hosted in Salem, Oregon from May 26 to May 28, 2016, the annual American Truck Historical Society National Convention & Truck Show in Salem this past week attracted hundreds of trucks and plenty of spectators.

Special thanks to Hard Working Trucks reader Gow Litzenburger for passing along photos of the event which we’ve packaged in a slide show below.

Other antique truck shows are scheduled this summer. Shows generally feature class 1 to 8 trucks that are at least 25 years old. Visit the ATHS website for more information. For those interested in vintage truck restoration, membership in ATHS and networking at truck shows can prove invaluable.

“There’s actually quite a lot of parts out there that are stashed away. It’s just a matter of knowing who has them,” said ATHS member Scott Smith, who brought a 1957 Peterbilt to the show.


- See more at: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/slideshow-antique-truck-show-attracts-hundreds-of-trucks/#sthash.Qw86ZjYN.dpuf

The annual American Truck Historical Society’s National Convention & Truck Show in Salem this past week attracted hundreds of trucks and plenty of spectators.

Special thanks to Hard Working Trucks reader Gow Litzenburger for passing along photos of the event which we’ve packaged in a slide show below.
Other antique truck shows are scheduled this summer. Shows generally feature class 1 to 8 trucks that are at least 25 years old. Visit the ATHS website for more information. For those interested in vintage truck restoration, membership in ATHS and networking at truck shows can prove invaluable.
“There’s actually quite a lot of parts out there that are stashed away. It’s just a matter of knowing who has them,” said ATHS member Scott Smith, who brought a 1957 Peterbilt to the show.
- See more at: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/slideshow-antique-truck-show-attracts-hundreds-of-trucks/#sthash.Qw86ZjYN.dpuf

The annual American Truck Historical Society’s National Convention & Truck Show in Salem this past week attracted hundreds of trucks and plenty of spectators.

Special thanks to Hard Working Trucks reader Gow Litzenburger for passing along photos of the event which we’ve packaged in a slide show below.
Other antique truck shows are scheduled this summer. Shows generally feature class 1 to 8 trucks that are at least 25 years old. Visit the ATHS website for more information. For those interested in vintage truck restoration, membership in ATHS and networking at truck shows can prove invaluable.
“There’s actually quite a lot of parts out there that are stashed away. It’s just a matter of knowing who has them,” said ATHS member Scott Smith, who brought a 1957 Peterbilt to the show.
- See more at: http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/slideshow-antique-truck-show-attracts-hundreds-of-trucks/#sthash.Qw86ZjYN.dpuf

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How F-150 Raptor Sticks to Trails: All-New BFGoodrich Tires Are More Capable, Comfortable Than Ever

The toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 Raptor ever gets a specially developed set of BFGoodrich tires that improve both on- and off-road performance while increasing comfort.

All-new Intake System Feeds Duramax Diesel on 2017 Silverado HD

Cool, dry air delivers 

lower engine temperatures, maximum performance

  

DETROIT – New for 2017, Chevrolet Silverado HD trucks feature a patented air intake system that drives cool, dry air into the engine for sustained performance and cooler engine temperatures during difficult driving conditions. The intake system underwent extensive testing based on the most challenging real-world driving conditions to ensure capable performance no matter the weather.

Marked by a dramatic hood scoop, the all-new air intake system provides 60 percent of the air to the Duramax diesel engine from an inlet at the front of the hood. The air provided to the engine is very close to the outside ambient temperature and much cooler than the air under the hood.

Cooler air helps the engine run better under load, especially in conditions where engine and transmission temperatures can rise quickly. Running cooler allows the Duramax diesel to maintain full power and vehicle speed for capable trailering in even the toughest conditions.

There’s also a ram-air effect from the incoming air at highway speed that helps pack more air into the engine. The air filter housing also draws 40 percent additional air from a dry location in one of the front fenders. It blends with the cooler air from the hood inlet before funneling into the Duramax’s combustion chambers. This assures the engine can breathe even if the hood is completely blocked.

“The 2017 Silverado HD was engineered to provide maximum utility for our customers in even the most extreme situations,” said Eric Stanczak, chief engineer, Silverado HD. “While developing this all-new induction system, we considered our customers towing a maximum-weight trailer through the Eisenhower Tunnel on a hot, rainy summer day.”

At more than 11,000 feet above sea level, the Eisenhower Tunnel, is the highest vehicle tunnel in the world and one of the highest elevations for any roadway in North America.

Maximized engine performance requires more than cool air; the air must also be clean and dry. Accordingly, the functional hood scoop includes a unique air/water separator to ensure only combustion-enhancing dry air is drawn into the engine. The air charge enters an expansion chamber containing a sharp, 180-degree turn on its way to the air filter housing. That creates a velocity change that causes humidity or mist to form larger, heavier droplets that are flung centrifugally against the outside wall of the housing. The collected water drains through a valve, while the air charge continues on to the filter housing and into the engine. 

Testing the effectiveness of the system was rooted in real-world driving conditions of every degree — from misty rains to monsoon-level downpours; from powdery snow to wind-driven ice pellets; from desert dust to arctic cold.

Surprisingly, torrential downpours do not necessarily pose the biggest challenge, according to Kevin Dunn, global vehicle performance for splash engineering:  “Big, heavy raindrops from a thunderstorm are relatively easy to eliminate from air. The more challenging issue comes from the mist-like spray generated by semitrucks on wet highways. Those very fine water droplets prove more challenging to separate from the air. The air intake is an elegant solution that works well with water droplets of all sizes. For customers, the results delivers maximum engine performance and even greater towing confidence.”

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

2017 GMC Sierra Denali 2500HD: Bold Hood Design Hints at What Lies Beneath

DETROIT – GMC today released the first photos of the 2017 Sierra Denali 2500HD featuring a functional hood scoop design hinting at what is beneath its bold new appearance.
In May 2016, Sierra Denali HDs accounted for 48 percent of HD retail sales.

Additional details and information on the new model will be released in the coming months.
GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup, is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest-possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

GMC Offers Trailering Enhancements for 2016 Sierra

Factory- and dealer-installed features 

add convenience, confidence to towing duties

DETROIT – New available features including a gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailering prep package and a trailering camera system complement built-in technologies to help make trailering with the 2016 GMC Sierra easier and more comfortable than ever. 

The gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailering prep package is offered on Sierra HD models and makes them ready to tow larger trailers right from the factory, while the trailering camera system is available for Sierra 1500 and HD models. It was developed with Echomaster to help reduce blind spots on the highway and when reversing with a trailer.

“GMC’s reputation was forged on the ability to perform heavy work with a premium touch, and these new options do more to make that work comfortable and confident,” said Sierra Marketing Manager Stuart Pierce. “With a 112-year legacy of professional-grade trucks behind them, the entire Sierra lineup handles the toughest tasks with the utmost ease.”

Gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailering prep package
The new gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailering prep package is a $350 option featuring a frame-mounted hitch platform and tray that accommodates a gooseneck ball hitch or fifth-wheel hitch mounting brackets.

The platform is concealed beneath the truck’s bed floor and when the hitch isn’t needed, it can be removed for full use of the bed’s cargo capacity. Caps for the openings in the floor are included and a bed-mounted seven-way trailer wiring connection comes with the prep package.

Additionally, a new gooseneck completion kit is available from GMC dealers that features a 2-5/16-inch ball hitch and two chain tie-downs. It carries a retail price of $315. GMC dealers also offer CURT Manufacturing fifth-wheel hitches compatible with the factory-installed hitch platform. They are available in 20,000-lb. and 25,000-lb. versions for $939 and $999, respectively (not including tax, installation and labor charges). 

The 2016 Sierra HDs’ fifth-wheel trailering ratings are aligned with SAE J2807 standards, with maximum capacities including:
•    2500HD trailering rating of 18,000 pounds (8,165 kg)
•    3500HD single-rear-wheel trailering rating of 17,500 pounds (7,938 kg)
•    3500HD dual-rear-wheel trailering rating of 23,200 pounds (10,523 kg)




Trailering camera system
Developed with safety feature manufacturer Echomaster, GMC’s new dealer-available blind-spot-assist towing package system is compatible with 2014-16 Sierra 1500 and HD truck equipped with the DPN- or DQS-code trailer mirrors.

It features three cameras: two side-view cameras and one for the rear of the trailer. The side cameras are integrated with the trailer mirror housings, offering improved vision on the sides of the truck and trailer, displayed on the IntelliLink screen in the cab.

The rear camera is designed to be mounted to the top, rearmost edge of the trailer, providing a view of what’s behind the trailer when reversing. It is hardwired to the trailer lights for electrical power and wirelessly transmits images to the interior display. It also features infrared lighting for enhanced images in low-light settings. 

The Sierra’s rear backup camera is activated when reverse is selected. Pressing and holding the radio Home button for five seconds brings up the camera menu screen to select the trailer camera image. The system also supports the use of an optional fourth camera, such as one inside the trailer, transmitting video to monitor horses, other livestock or additional content during transport.

Any of the camera views can be activated at any time on the IntelliLink display. Later this summer GMC will also offer a camera integrated in the center brake lamp housing that provides a view of the cargo bed contents or additional assistance when connecting a fifth-wheel/gooseneck trailer.

The trailering camera system is available from dealers and starts at $999 (not including tax, installation and labor charges). It is warranted by Echomaster, a division of AAMP Global.

Built-in trailering technologies
Sierra 1500 and HD models are engineered to deliver great trailering capability with refinement and control – attributes that provide driving confidence when using that capability to the fullest.

All models feature standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control with trailer sway control and hill start assist, as well as four-wheel disc brakes. An automatic locking rear axle is standard on HD models and included with the available NHT Max Trailering package on Sierra 1500.

Additional features include:
•    Integrated trailer brake controller is available on Sierra 1500 and 2500HD and standard on 3500HD
•    Available rear-vision camera system
•    Available integrated cruise control, auto grade braking and diesel exhaust braking offer greater driving control and reduced brake wear on grades

New Digital Steering Assist is offered on crew cab SLE, SLT, Denali and double cab diesel SLE and SLT Sierra HD models. It enhances driver control with a trailer by using technology similar to active rack-and-pinion systems to provide corrections that enhance stability on the highway.

FAST FACT: The GMC Sierra 1500 was named the 2016 Texas Truck Showdown Towing Champion in a head-to-head capability test conducted by editors from Cars.com, PickupTrucks.com and MrTruck.com.

GMC has manufactured trucks since 1902, with innovation and engineering excellence built into all GMC vehicles. The brand is evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and Acadia crossover. GMC’s highest-volume vehicle, the Sierra pickup, is the most powerful light-duty pickup on the market, and the first full-size pickup to receive the highest-possible five-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changed its New Car Assessment Program for the 2011 model year. Details on all GMC models are available at http://www.gmc.com/, on Twitter at @thisisgmc or at http://www.facebook.com/gmc.

2016 Nissan Titan XD Diesel takes on the Extreme Ike Gauntlet Towing Review

The 2016 Nissan Titan XD Diesel is finally here and ready to tackle the mighty Ike Gauntlet towing challenge.

Ram Trucks Commercial "Farmer" Long Version

GUTS. GLORY. RAM.

With legendary power, performance and dependability, we’re determined to work hard and play even harder, boldly forging ahead to get the job done.

If you have questions about our products or would like to contact Ram trucks directly, please use the "Contact Us" option from our website: www.ramtrucks.com

Subscribe to the Ram TrucksYouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ramtrucks

“Nissan Titan Truckumentary” Chapter 1: Our Truck History

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  – To mark the bold, ground-up redesign of its full-size pickup, Nissan is publishing a multi-chapter TITAN “Truckumentary” to highlight the design, planning and engineering of the next-generation Nissan TITAN pickup.

The series is being officially kicked off by Nissan’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Parts and Service, Fred Diaz. The first episode features a stroll through Nissan’s truck past hosted by Brent Hagan of Nissan product planning.

Rack-It Dealer in San Jose, CA - Mission Valley Ford Truck Sales

Mission Valley Ford Truck Sales is a Ford truck dealership selling and servicing Ford trucks since 1986 in San Jose.  We carry Ford’s great line of trucks, SUV’s and crossover vehicles, as well as Jerr-Dan tow trucks and car carrier trucks.  Mission Valley is also an authorized engine dealer for Detroit Diesel, Caterpillar, and Cummins diesel engines.   We are also an exclusive UD™ truck dealership for Silicon Valley and Northern California.  Our dealership resides on over five acres of property at the Brokaw Road exit of Highway 880 in San Jose, CA. We are dedicated to commercial trucks and the businesses and individuals that utilize them. Pickup trucks, cargo vans, flatbeds, van trucks, parcel delivery vans, dump trucks and yard tractors are our specialty. We sell, repair, and get the right parts for any truck size or configuration you can imagine. And we carry Rack-It Pickup truck racks.                                    We have the experience and best people to be competitive and efficient in a demanding and fast-paced business climate–making us a great partner for your company.

Mission Valley Truck Center - 780 East Brokaw Road - San Jose, CA 95112 (408) 933-2300

The Work Truck Show: Networking, learning opportunities for all industry professionals

Hear what industry professionals say about attending The Work Truck Show. http://www.worktruckshow.com

Are you willing to pay more for connected vehicle technologies?

We all know all sorts of technologies, everything from autopilot systems and remote diagnostics to stolen vehicle tracking, offer some potentially big benefits to the trucking industry.

But are truckers willing to pay extra for them? And if so, how much extra?

Global consulting firm Accenture recently conducted a survey posing those very questions to consumers in China, Germany and the U.S. regarding a range of automobile technologies and found – on average – drivers would opt to pay up to an additional 10% of a new car’s sticker price to obtain various in-car systems offering a variety of entertainment, information, remote and driver support services.

In the U.S., where average sticker prices for new light vehicles hit $34,428 in December last year, according to Kelly Blue Book, that “up to 10%” figure translates into some $3,400 or so for technology.

As a point of reference, Axel Schmidt, managing director in Accenture’s automotive practice, noted that the firm polled 5,111 drivers over the age of 18 who operate a vehicle on a regular basis in China, Germany and the U.S. and who also own a smartphone or plan to buy one in the next 6-12 months.

“Consumers are becoming more inclined to make separate purchases of the in-car functions they want most,” he added. “We believe that the demand for a range of features, from safety systems and remote services to parking assist technology, will increase in the coming years.”

Indeed, Accenture believes that by 2025, all new cars sold will be connectivity-enabled. But the question remains exactly what kinds of “connectivity” will appeal most to drivers. Some indications from the firm’s survey include:

•     The functionalities consumers would be most willing to spend more on include remote services such as when a vehicle automatically sends a distress message (63%) to the nearest emergency center when a life-threatening situation occurs or alerts when vehicle breaks down (41%).
•     There is also high interest in remote diagnostics (75%) and vehicle lifecycle management reports (71%), with nearly half of the respondents (43%) willing to spend extra on these features.
•     Over half (55%) want location functionalities like stolen vehicle tracking and recovery, navigation, and remote parked car locator systems, with a third (29%) willing pay more for those in-car services.
•     All told, seven in ten of all respondents (71%) would pay up to 10% of a car’s price to add such functionality to their light vehicles.

Accenture also emphasized that consumer interest in key in-car technologies is likely to grow, with 75% and 71% respectively expecting to use vehicle health and vehicle lifecycle management services in the future.

Appeal for location-based services is also anticipated to gain popularity, with 78% of respondents to Accenture’s poll saying they are interested in having a stolen vehicle recovery and tracking system in the future, with 71% desiring features like the remote parked car locator and just under two-thirds, or 59%, welcoming the use of in-car navigation systems down the road.

In addition, 35% of drivers surveyed by the firm desiring “concierge services” such as voice-activated responses to location-based questions, with 19% willing to pay an additional fee to get it.

A further 32% want “smart home” integration for their vehicles, which provides the ability to control automated devices within the home from a connected vehicle, and 20% would pay more for it.

Yet how much are folks willing to spend for such offerings? Here’s what Accenture’s poll found:

•     Drivers surveyed in China would be willing to spend an average of 16% of the new car’s price on “infotainment” features, while U.S. drivers stop at 15% and Germans at 11% of a new car’s sticker price.
•     For “convenience” services, drivers in the U.S. are willing to spend on average up to 16% of a car’s price, followed by China at 15% and Germany at 11%.
•     With regard to payments for in-car services, nearly half of respondents (47%) are willing to make an upfront payment when buying a new car, or pay for connected services over the lifetime of the services.
•     More than one-third of those polled (34%) want free basic services subject to in-car advertising with the option to upgrade to premium versions of services.
•     And 32% would consider paying a monthly fee for connected vehicle services using a credit card or PayPal.

Some things to think about as we continue diving deeper into the connected vehicle future, in both the car market and commercial trucking space.

Source: http://fleetowner.com/blog/are-you-willing-pay-more-connected-vehicle-technologies

360° Camera | F-150 Class-Exclusives

A Ford F-150. A tightly packed parking lot. And some very expensive-looking bikes. What could go wrong? See how our class-exclusive 360° camera* leads the way.

Learn more about the Ford F-150 and its class-exclusive features: http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/

Subscribe to Ford Tough: https://www.youtube.com/fordtrucks/

.2016 Ram 1500 Review

The current-generation Ram 1500 has been one of the most value-packed half-tons in the segment from the moment it was introduced in 2013. Now that the pickup market is moving at warp speed (growing last month by 10 percent), Ram announced it will move most of its next-generation 1500 production to a bigger plant with more capacity.

Meanwhile, take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the current-gen Ram 1500 in our comprehensive Cars.com review to see how the current Ram half-ton measures up against the competition. Click here.

Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/05/2016-ram-1500-review.html

Sacramento Auto Museum Spotlights Pickup Trucks

Anyone living in or traveling to the Central Valley of California in the next few months should plan to visit the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento. You'll want to see the dozen historically significant pickup trucks on display there.

Dressed up to do the things they're built to do, the pickups are part of a temporary exhibit called "The Pickup Truck: Where Utility Meets Everyday." The exhibit showcases some of the most important pickups built during the last century. It even includes an aluminum-body Ford F-150 to represent today's workhorse (some will argue whether this pickup will ever become a classic, but you never know).

"Where Utility Meets Everyday" includes period-correct displays of the activities for which these trucks may have been purchased, along with several interactive displays designed to get kids and adults contributing to the exhibit. Our favorites were the miniature toy truck display and the post-the-oddest-thing-you've-seen-in-a-pickup-bed board, where people can briefly tell their own stories about how creative pickup owners can be when it comes to cargo.

See more at: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/05/sacramento-auto-museum-spotlights-pickup-trucks.html

2017 Ford Super Duty Camper Handling and Roll Testing

Ford engineers put the all-new 2017 Super Duty – the toughest, smartest, most capable Super Duty ever – to the test at the Arizona Proving Grounds.

See how we push the Super Duty to the limit with a custom built slide-in camper simulator to demonstrate the roll stability control and other capabilities designed to ensure that every Super Duty customer is a happy camper.

Learn more about the all-new Super Duty: https://www.ford.com/trucks/superduty...

New report: Pickup and SUV production surging 49 percent

Though they may be the scourge of some government officials set on doubling the current fuel efficiency average, you may have noticed more pickups and SUVs on the road.

If you have, that would come as no surprise to a leading U.S. auto analyst said Wednesday that trucks and SUVs are poised to become the most popular vehicles on the road, according to Reuters.

See more at:

 http://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/new-report-pickup-and-suv-production-surging-49-percent/?utm_source=hwt&utm_medium=email&utm_content=05-13-2016&utm_campaign=Hard%20Working%20Trucks&ust_id=73ef45b752004fd7c5cf260e66e4ffd4

Ford Motor Company Fund and Country Singer Drake White Team Up for "Livin' the Dream" Community Service Tour

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 9, 2016 – Ford Motor Company Fund is teaming up with country music singer Drake White on a series of community service events in five key markets across the U.S.
Ford Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, will host the community projects with White, who’s new single “Livin’ the Dream” is currently in the top 40 of the Country Music charts. Ford dealers are assisting with vehicle transportation in the individual cities.

The dates and locations are:

• May 19, 2016 - Foodshare, Hartford, CT  
• June 4. 2016 - American Red Cross, Los Angeles, CA 
• July 2, 2016 - Habitat for Humanity, Detroit, MI  
• August 14, 2016 -  Ford Driving Skills for Life, Dallas, TX  
• August 20, 2016 -  Greater Boston Food Bank, Boston, MA

Ford Fund and White — a Ford truck owner — organized the tour after discovering a shared interest in community service.

“Ford, country music and community service have a long, rich history, dating back to Henry Ford, a big music fan and believer in making the world a better place,” said Yisel Cabrera, community relations manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “We are excited to join with Drake in fighting hunger, disaster relief, promoting safe driving and building stronger communities.”

White has previously worked with Outnumber Hunger and Feeding America through their partnership with Big Machine Label Group. “Even before I had a public voice, giving back to the community has always been very important to me,” said White. “I used to volunteer in my hometown in Alabama and now that I have this platform it is more important to me than ever.”

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services

Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community and global partners to advance driving safety, education and community life. Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 65 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. Ford Driving Skills for Life is free, interactive, hands-on safety training focused on skill development and driving techniques, while addressing inexperience, distractions and impaired driving.  Innovation in education is encouraged through Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford Driving Dreams, Ford Next Generation Learning and other innovative programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. The Ford Volunteer Corps enlists more than 30,000 Ford employees and retirees each year to work on local projects that strengthen their communities and improve people’s lives in more than 40 countries around the world. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com.

About Drake White

Named one of the Huffington Post’s Top Country Artists to Watch in 2016, DRAKE WHITE is an accomplished songwriter with a rock-infused, organic country sound and signature foot-stomp. He continues to stun crowds with his incredible live show and soulful voice. Backed by his band The Big Fire, Drake has previously toured with Superstars including Willie Nelson, Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town, Eric Church, Toby Keith and more. It is no wonder that the Alabama native was featured in Rolling Stone’s 10 Country Artists You Need To Know and Billboard’s Hot New Country Artists to Watch. Drake’s current single “Livin’ the Dream” is both heartfelt and humbling with a wholesome lyric video to match. The single is the follow up to his first EP, the four-track IT FEELS GOOD – LIVE EP, which is now available on iTunes. He is also featured on the new album OPRY 9.0, VOL 1: DISCOVERIES FROM THE CIRCLE from the Grand Ole Opry which spotlights the country music careers destined to propel the show toward the century mark. Drake is currently working on his debut album for Dot Records slated for release in 2016 and will hit the road again soon with Zac Brown Band. For the latest updates, visit DrakeWhite.com.

Rack-it Truck Racks Use Pipe - Not Tubing!

Just because our racks look pretty and look like metal tubing, they are and they are not. They are pretty, but they are not tubing, they are made of HD schedule 10 pipe. The difference is everything when it comes to strength (the one on the left, of course. . .). Yet with our unique design, they look so attractive on your truck, you hardly notice it has a rack at all. In fact, many people don't like the idea of a truck rack because they're thinking of those big, heavy duty, square things they see on a lot of work trucks. We offer the best of both in that they are strong like the square ones, but follow the lines of your truck to blend in with it's good looks and style.

Rack-it, since 1986. http://www.rackitinc.com/

Quality Modular Rack For Pickups by Rack-it

Gary gives us a tour of their modular truck rack system. These racks have the same high quality as Rack-it's famous fully welded versions. This is the standard version and all of their racks are made truck-specific so that it is designed for your truck. See more at http://www.rackitinc.com

All-New Ford F-150 Raptor – The Ultimate High-Performance Off-Road Pickup

It’s one thing to describe the capabilities and features of the all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor – the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 Raptor ever. But nothing compares to seeing F-150 Raptor do what it does best.

LEARN MORE: http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150raptor/

More Torque and Better Boost: 2017 Ford F-150 to Debut with All-New 3.5-Liter EcoBoost Engine and 10-Speed Transmission

• Continuously improving for customers, 2017 Ford F-150 doubles down on efficiency, capability and performance with debut of the second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine and all-new Ford-built 10-speed automatic transmission
•     New 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine provides 30 lb.-ft. more peak torque compared with the first-generation EcoBoost engine, up to a best-in-class 450 lb.-ft. for a V6, beating gasoline- and diesel-powered competitors
•     The first volume-production 10-speed automatic transmission available to consumers from any automaker will deliver improved acceleration and performance

3.5-Liter EcoBoost engine infographic

10-speed automatic transmission infographic

DEARBORN, Mich., May 3, 2016 – Ford, America’s truck leader, continues its relentless pace of innovation, delivering more torque and better acceleration to 2017 F-150 customers with the all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine and 10-speed transmission.

The new second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine will provide 30 lb.-ft. more peak torque compared with the first-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, up to a best-in-class 450 lb.-ft. for a V6. F-150 remains the only truck in its segment to offer a twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine.

The all-new Ford-built transmission – the first volume-production 10-speed automatic transmission available to consumers from any automaker – will deliver improved acceleration and performance compared with previous six-speed automatic transmissions.

“The Ford truck team lives to serve our hardworking truck customers,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, Product Development, and chief technical officer. “The powertrain is the heart of every F-150, and together our all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost and 10-speed transmission will give our customers better power, efficiency and confidence.”

More than 20 patents are approved or pending for the innovative powertrain combination.

Second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine
The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine builds on the success of the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine and first-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine available for the 2016 F-150. Nearly 1 million F-150 EcoBoost engines have been sold to date, with the 2.7-liter and first-generation 3.5-liter accounting for approximately 60 percent of F-150 sales.

Ford engineers designed the new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine to provide best-in-class torque for a V6 engine, beating gasoline- and diesel-powered competitors. The new engine provides better low-end and peak engine performance, ideal for hauling heavy payloads and towing heavy trailers.

The engine features an all-new, Ford-first dual-direct and port fuel-injection system. Two injectors per cylinder – one mounted in the intake port where air enters the cylinder and one positioned inside the cylinder – work together to improve power output, efficiency, and emissions.

All-new turbochargers deliver more boost thanks to improved twin turbos and a lighter turbine wheel. The new turbos work seamlessly with Ford-first electrically activated wastegates, enhancing operating efficiency. Light-weighting the turbine wheel – by making it out of high-temperature super alloy Mar-M-247 developed by the aerospace industry – improves responsiveness.

Ford’s commitment to continuous light-weighting to improve performance also is evident in the hollow camshafts in the all-new roller-finger follower valvetrain that help save up to 4 pounds of weight. The valvetrain also features more durable intake and exhaust valves, and hydraulic valve-lash adjusters that optimize engine durability over the life of the truck.

The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine provides Auto Start-Stop as a standard feature, helping customers save fuel, though actual fuel savings vary depending on driving patterns. The technology also contributes to a reduction in CO2 emissions due to decreased idle times. Auto Start-Stop is specially tuned for truck customers, shutting off the engine when the vehicle is at a stop – except when towing or in four-wheel-drive mode.

All-new 10-speed transmission
The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine will be paired with an all-new 10-speed transmission for the 2017 F-150.

The transmission delivers improved acceleration and performance compared with previous six-speed automatic transmissions, thanks to optimized wide-span gear spacing, coupled with drag-reduction actions. Three overdrive gears and a wider ratio span enable lower-numerical rear-axle ratios to help improve fuel efficiency at highway speeds, while maintaining best-in-class towing.

Weight savings play a key role in improved shifting performance. The 10-speed transmission uses advanced materials and alloys to save weight, and it is the first Ford gearbox that does not use cast-iron components.

An integrated torque converter/turbine clutch also helps shave more than 2 pounds of weight, while also reducing the packaging footprint.

Smarter shift logic helps 2017 F-150 customers tow with improved confidence using tow/haul mode. All-new real-time-adaptive shift-scheduling algorithms monitor more than a dozen powertrain- and driver-control signals to ensure the right gear at the right time for an engaging driving experience, including in sport mode.

An integrated electric pump works with the standard Auto Start-Stop system for seamless restarts and improved driving efficiency.

Manufacturing investment
Ford announced earlier this year that it will invest $145 million to upgrade its Cleveland Engine Plant – creating or retaining 150 jobs to support production of the all-new second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine for the 2017 Ford F-150 lineup.

An additional $1.4 billion is being invested at Ford’s Livonia Transmission Plant to create or retain 500 hourly jobs to build the 10-speed transmission.

Both investments are part of the company’s commitment to invest $9 billion and create or retain 8,500 hourly jobs in its U.S. facilities during the next four years. In the past five years, Ford has invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants and created nearly 28,000 total U.S. jobs.

The 2017 Ford F-150 goes on sale this fall.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles.  At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and data and analytics. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

2016 Toyota Tacoma: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know

( http://www.TFLtruck.com ) The 2016 Toyota Tacoma is all new and completely redone. In this TFLTruck video we talk with the new truck's Chief Engineer to find out Everything you Ever Wanted to know about the new 2016 Toyota Tacoma.

Ford Invests $1.6 Billion in U.S. Plants, Creates 650 Hourly Jobs in Michigan and Ohio

• Ford is investing a total of $1.6 billion in its Livonia Transmission and Ohio Assembly plants
• The investment is part of the company’s commitment to invest $9 billion and create or retain 8,500 hourly jobs in its U.S. facilities during the next four years
  
• In the past five years, Ford has invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants and created nearly 28,000 total U.S. jobs

DEARBORN, Mich., April 26, 2016 – Ford Motor Company is investing $1.6 billion to upgrade two of its manufacturing facilities in Michigan and Ohio, and creating or retaining 650 hourly jobs in the United States.

The $1.4 billion investment in Livonia Transmission Plant and $200 million investment in Ohio Assembly Plant are part of the $9 billion commitment the company made in the 2015 UAW-Ford collective bargaining agreement to continue investing in its U.S. plants.
Ford has invested $12 billion in its U.S. plants and created a total of nearly 28,000 U.S. jobs in the past five years.

“We are proud that Ford employs more hourly workers and builds more vehicles in the United States than any other automaker,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “We are committed to manufacturing in the United States, as we have been for more than 100 years.”

Ford’s latest investment creates or retains 500 hourly jobs in Michigan at Livonia Transmission Plant to build a new 10-speed transmission to be first introduced in the all-new F-150 Raptor and certain F-150 models. The investment and 150 hourly jobs at Ohio Assembly Plant, located in Avon Lake, will be used to build Super Duty chassis cab. Both F-Series trucks are part of Ford’s toughest, smartest, most capable truck lineup ever.

Ford has committed to 2,800 U.S. jobs in the past five months. The company has committed to a total of 8,500 hourly jobs in the U.S. during the next four years in communities across Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New York and Ohio.

“I am thrilled that through our collective bargaining with Ford we were able to secure a substantial investment for the communities of Southeast Michigan and Northeast Ohio,” said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president, National Ford Department. “The men and women of both Livonia Transmission and Ohio Assembly have shown a great commitment to manufacturing quality products, and we look forward to their continued success.”

Livonia Transmission Plant
Livonia Transmission Plant employs more than 1,550 people. It builds a six-speed transmission that is used in a number of products including Mustang, F-150, Transit and Expedition. Production begins in June for the new 10-speed transmission.

Ohio Assembly Plant
Ohio Assembly Plant employs more than 1,650 people. It began building F-350, F-450 and F-550 Super Duty chassis cab configurations earlier this year. The plant also produces Ford F-650 and F-750, which was insourced from Mexico last year, as well as Ford E-Series cutaway vans and stripped chassis. 

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Automatic Emergency Brake Technology to Be Standard by 2022

Who says automakers can't work together for the good of the consumer?

In a voluntary agreement including just about every automaker that sells vehicles in the U.S., almost all vehicles will have forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking as standard equipment by model-year 2022. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that is about two years faster than the time it would have taken for regulations to force them to add the technology.

According to Cars.com, the new technology could cut rear-end collisions up to 40 percent, saving thousands of lives. Collision avoidance systems with automatic emergency braking use cameras or radar to sense an impending collision, prepare vehicle safety systems — and hit the brakes if the driver does not react quickly enough, avoiding the crash or lessening the impact.

Each automaker will create their own timeline to incorporate the systems into their vehicles, but it looks like both cars and pickups will be included. The 2022 target applies to all vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings of 8500 pounds or less (which includes every half-ton and midsize pickup). Pickups with GVWR ratings from 8500 pounds and 10,000 pounds GVWRs get a little longer, with the technology to be standard by 2025.

We expect the technology to show up in the upper trim packages first, then trickle down to become a standard safety feature across the lineups by the target dates.


Source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/03/automatic-emergency-brake-technology-to-be-standard-by-2022.html#more

Ford F-150 Strobe Light Kit

The Ford F-150 now offers an available factory-installed strobe warning LED light kit for fleet customers.

Chevy Pickup History - Decades Of Trucks

Chevy pickup history began in 1918 when the first trucks went on sale. They were a far cry from the Chevrolet trucks of today, but they made a huge impact on the world. Man would now use motor power instead of animals for work and travel. A proud farmer or rancher standing beside his Chevy truck becomes a common sight.

William Durant and Louis Chevrolet 
The Chevy truck grew out of one man's idea to build a truck that the average citizen could afford to purchase. William Durant teamed up with Louis Chevrolet to accomplish this task. They became a forceful pair. Chevrolet was driven by his love for racecars and Durant had an issue with General Motors. He had been forced out as head of General Motors, which he had founded. His Chevrolet earnings would get him back in.

Chevy Pickup History 
The first trucks were crude compared to the streamlined versions of today. Their basic feature was a chassis cowl with a 4-cylinder motor and transmission. It was the buyer's responsibility to provide the cab. These were usually purchased from outside companies, but often the buyers would build the cab themselves. It would be several years later before the trucks were offered with, or without, a cab.

Chevy trucks revved up for a ride to the top of the market. No trucks were manufactured in the company's early years. Eventually Chevy engineers began to design the vehicles for everyday family use to meet ever-changing roles. From Saturday night dates, to family vacations with a camper on the back, the trucks became a family icon.

1980s Bring Economic Problems 
Chevy trucks had climbed upward at a steady pace from the beginning, edging out competitors. William Durant had certainly supplied the consumer with a dependable and affordable means of transportation. Then the energy crisis of the nineteen eighties hit the country. Chevrolet sales took a sharp decline. Chevrolet was faced with the challenge of making the truck more fuel-efficient. The engineers went to work and came up with a lighter version of their truck that once again drove their sales to the top.

Chevy pickup history has seen many changes from the first ones built in 1918. Today you can recline in leather seats, while enjoying air conditioning and music from your radio or DVD player. Do not be fooled by the frills. There has been a constant upgrade under the hood. Improved V8 truck engines, improved aerodynamics, along with features to keep up with the ever-important safety and environmental issues, has kept the Chevy truck at the top.

Once again, an energy crisis looms over the country. Look for Chevrolet to lead the way, as the car manufacturers endeavor to address the problem.

Old and Still Running 
The fan clubs of Chevy trucks tells a story. This vehicle has earned the unwavering loyalty of its owners. When you see these thirty and even forty year old models in the car shows and on the roads, it is a tribute to their durability.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1648023

Smarter Suspensions Are on the Way for Pickups

In the future, unique suspension systems used today likely will find wider acceptance and offer better control and more flexibility. We expect more air suspension options and magnetic ride technology to provide better fuel economy, load-carrying capability, comfort and handling. It wouldn't surprise us if the computer systems on new vehicles will be better able to predict what's likely to happen next on the road, possibly leaning into a turn at the first steering input to make a big truck feel more like midsize car.

Active anti-roll-bar systems already found in Range Rover SUVs, luxury sedans, and Toyota's and Lexus' active suspensions could improve highway and trail performance for small and large pickups. The Toyota 4Runner SUV's cross-linked shock system is an impressive active suspension system that works as well in four-wheel drive as it does when entering a 240-degree curving freeway on-ramp.

We also predict that as sales of luxury-model pickups increase, we'll be more likely to see more canyon-carving trucks with independent rear suspensions. The new 2017 Ridgeline will have coil rear springs and an IRS, and is anticipated to have a payload of 1,600 pounds; likewise, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Metris midsize commercial van (also with coil springs and IRS) has a minimum payload rating of 1,800 pounds, more than many half-ton pickups. 

Bushing technology also is likely to improve, perhaps adding a self-adjusting or computer-controlled aspect to them, allowing them to quiet engine vibration or wheel chatter while allowing precise steering. Less vibration means quieter and less-stressed parts and pieces.

And we expect broader application of magnet ride systems, perhaps even grouped with towing packages where damper behavior would be modified simply by engaging Tow/Haul mode or when sensing heavier loads.

Front suspensions may adopt a dual ball-joint lower coupling and have been used on everything from VW Passats to BMW SUVs and the new Lexus LS. This arrangement pays big dividends in bump absorption, handling and directional stability, and leaves more room for axle shafts and bigger brakes to move freely and stay cool.

Further down the road, we expect tuning of active suspension pieces like air springs, self-adjusting shocks or active anti-roll bars to link with cameras and navigation data to prime the suspension before it hits a bump or comes to a sharp bend, making the suspension more predictive than reactive. No matter what happens, we're confident we'll be getting more sophisticated and smarter suspensions to keep our pickups under control.

Read more at:  http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/04/smarter-suspensions-are-on-the-way-for-pickups.html

2016 Work Truck Show: RAM Commercial Press Conference

RAM Commercial Press Conference at the 2016 Work Truck Show

Introducing the all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty

See what makes the all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty the toughest, smartest and most capable Super Duty ever built.

We Own Work: Reinvestment of Weight Savings for the All-New 2017 Ford Super Duty

Follow our group of real-world truck customers as they go behind the scenes to meet with Ford Super Duty experts and engineers to learn how weight savings from the high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body were reinvested into other areas of the truck for improved performance and capability.

Upgrades include a fully boxed steel frame, stronger axles, beefed-up suspension, bigger brakes and a higher capacity trailer hitch. These are just some of the reasons the all-new 2017 Super Duty is the toughest, smartest and most capable Super Duty ever.

Discover the all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty: https://www.ford.com/trucks/superduty...

Safe Fleet inView 360 Fleet Monitoring System Demo

inView 360™ from Safe Fleet brand SEON is a revolutionary fleet monitoring and protection system that gives drivers a 360° view of their surroundings to avoid accidents, and provides fleet managers greater insight into fleet incidents.

Safest F-150 Ever: Ford F-150 SuperCrew and SuperCab Only Full-Size Pickups to Earn 2016 IIHS Top Safety Pick

•     Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the 2016 Ford F-150 pickup its Top Safety Pick for SuperCrew and SuperCab configurations – the only large pickup to earn this recognition
•     Superb crash test performance of new Ford F-150 – including highest possible rating in small overlap front crash test – is enabled by high-strength steel in the frame; high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body; and smart engineering
•     2016 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever – is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest rating, a five-star Overall Vehicle Score and five-star rating for driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab

DOWNLOAD THE 2016 F-150 TOP SAFETY PICK FACT SHEET

DEARBORN, Mich., April 12, 2016 – The 2016 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever – is the only large pickup to earn an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick for SuperCrew and SuperCab configurations.

Class-leading crash test performance of the new Ford F-150 is enabled by the use of high-strength steel in the frame; high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body; and smart engineering, which also help to save up to 700 pounds of weight to enable best-in-class ratings for towing, payload and EPA-estimated gasoline fuel economy.

“From the moment our team set out to design and build the new F-150, we knew it had to be best-in-class,” said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, Global Product Development, and chief technical officer. “This Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick is another example of Ford’s commitment to building the toughest, smartest, most capable and safest F-150 ever.”

A cross-functional group of Ford truck veterans worked thousands of hours to deliver improved durability, capability, fuel economy and safety. The team created 31 safety-related innovations – including new structures that manage crash forces, and joining methods that were tested virtually with supercomputer simulations, then retested in Ford’s advanced laboratories to engineer the safest F-150 ever.

These smart innovations include a patented extruded aluminum roof crossmember and additional frame crossmember to help improve crash resilience.

To manage crash forces in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety small overlap front crash test, Ford created a system of innovations that work together to help protect the driver. Nylon hinge pillar reinforcements save weight, and in conjunction with specially designed wheel blockers, work to control crash forces while also providing additional safety.

“The same innovative approach applied to every other attribute of the 2016 F-150 is exemplified in our commitment to safety,” said Nair. “We spent thousands of hours engineering, designing and developing multiple safety features that work together in the event of an accident.”

F-150 is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s highest rating, a five-star Overall Vehicle Score and a five-star rating for driver and passenger for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.
About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 199,000 employees and 67 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.