Commercial Truck Success

IdeaLetter
 
Visit the Ever-Growing Commercial Truck Information Source:
CommercialTruckSuccess.com  or comtrk.com June 9, 2009  -  Number 46
  
"Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline.
When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power."
- Clint Eastwood
 
"Do not confuse motion and progress.
A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress."
- Alfred A Montapert
 
"Logic will take you from A to B.
Imagination will take you everywhere." 
- Albert Einstein
 
"None are sol old as those who have outlived enthusiasm."
- Henry David Thoreau
 
"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find
out if they've got a second. Give your dreams all you've got.
You'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you."
 - William James
 
"Do what you love, love what you do, and deliver more than you promise."
- Harvey Mackay
 
"A leader is someone who creates infectious enthusiasm."
- Ted Turner
 
In This Issue
Newton Electric Truck
Hobbs Hour Meter
Highway Products Contractor Body
New Tommy Gate G2
All Electric Van from Electrorides
Air Suspension Briefs
Load Grief
Here's Something Fun!
Need Some Ideas?
New Commercial Truck Dealer Success Website
4x4 Van
More Favorite Links
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Knowledge Cafe
 
 
 
"We do it every day, but talking to people--especially people we don't know--can sometimes be a daunting challenge. Now Larry King, who has talked with everybody from Mikhail Gorbachev to Michael Jordan, shares his secrets of how to communicate confidently and effectively in any situation. Whether you're at a cocktail party, in a job interview, or giving a speech, there are simple techniques for getting your listeners on your side and getting your message across--and Larry King knows them all.
 
Larry provides dozens of tips that will help you master the art of conversation in both social and professional settings. He shows you how to break the ice with strangers, what to say at a wedding or a funeral, and how to sell yourself to a prospective employer--or interview a prospective employee. Finally, as one of the most sought after and highly paid speakers in America, Larry shares his keys to successful public speaking.
 
With How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere, you, too, can learn to communicate with the assurance and ease that has made Larry King famous around the world as a master of good talk."
 
I have really enjoyed this book. I have read the book and really enjoy listening to the audio which is spoken by Larry King himself. The audio is available in book, CD or MP3 format at Barnes & Noble.com. The book is under $10 and the MP3 is under $6. I highly recommend you add this great piece to your personal development library. You'll enjoy it again and again.
 
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Welcome! 

CartoonMe
Welcome to the Commercial Truck Success Idealetter!
 
Published every other week, the Idealetter is be a brief one-page thought starter and news source for busy commercial sales professionals and managers with numerous links to the Commercial Truck Success website and many other links to useful information, tools and inspiration!
 
Please feel free to offer comments and suggestions for future topics that are of interest to you. Also, please forward this to others you wish to share it with. There is a forward email link at the bottom of this page. I wish you success! Keep up the good work! And, never stop learning! - Terry Minion, Editor
Newton Electric Truck
 
 
The Newton
 
Huge Payloads with Zero Emissions
 
From Smith Electric Vehicles
 
Build a better world and a better business with this nimble workhorse
 
Now doing what's right for the planet also is what's right for your business. The SEV Newton is the world's largest electric delivery with a top speed of 50 mph and a range in excess of 100 miles on a single charge. All while hauling up to 16,060 lbs. of cargo in a quicker, easier to drive package than its diesel equivalent. The Newton is the perfect solution for a wide range of urban delivery applications. Your drivers will feel good about driving a truly environmentally-friendly truck, but they'll feel great about its quicker 0-30 speed and easy, no-shift driving.
 
Applications include:
 
  • Food distribution
  • Parcel delivery
  • Chilled food distribution
  • Short haul
  • Utilities
  • Airport operations
  • Public sector

The Smith Newton is available in the following GVW's:

  • 16,535 lbs
  • 23,148 lbs
  • 26,455 lbs

See some great videos on this product at www.sev-us.com along with much more information on this very exciting product!

Hobbs Hour Meter
 

 
 
The Hobbs Hour Meter 
 
 
Hobbs Corporation
The Hobbs name is well known world-wide for the development of quality electro-mechanical products. The invention of the first electrically wound automobile clock in 1938 created what is now known as Hobbs Corporation. John Weston Hobbs was the inventor that cultivated this electrically-wound vehicle clock into a company that has over the years expanded to include hour meters, pressure and vacuum switches, halogen lamps, transmission shifters, and other custom electro-mechanical products. Hobbs' broad customer and market base includes industries such as automotive, agricultural, material handling, construction, marine, medical, heavy truck, lawn and garden, recreational, generators, compressors and aviation. Hobbs' commitment to continuous improvement and total quality management will allow for further expansion of its product lines and customer base while maintaining the highest standards of excellence.
 
Check out the entire line of Hobbs Hour Meters at the Honeywell site: Hour Meter
Kelderman Air Suspension System
 
  
 
"Adding a Kelderman Air Ride conversion kit to your existing suspension will provide a level of comfort you thought was impossible. This is particularly true when the truck is not loaded. By loosening the rear spring shackle from the frame and attaching it to the air ride you've effectively provided yourself with a two-stage suspension system that smoothes the road. The Kelderman Air Ride is not to be confused with just adding an air bag between the axle and the frame. This type of system is merely a helper for the springs to allow additional weight carrying capacity. It does nothing for the riding qualities of the vehicle and in many situations degrades the ride. You do not get additional load carrying capacity with the Kelderman Air Ride, nor do you sacrifice capacity. The only thing you gain is ride comfort. And isn't that exactly what you're after?

An upper framework is bolted to the truck frame. A lower swing arm is attached to the upper framework at the rear pivot point. The spring shackles are attached to the lower swing arm and the air bags are mounted between the upper framework and lower swing arm units. It's really that simple to convert your truck to air ride comfort. All components are constructed of high quality materials for reliability and a long service life."
  • Numerous height control options available click here
  • Easy to install (bolts onto existing holes on truck frame)
  • Maintenance free
  • Dramatically improves the truck's ride
  • Reduces shock and fatigue
  • Does not effect load carrying capacity
  • Converts your system into a 2-stage suspension
  • 2.5" receiver hitch included 

For more information on their wide range of products, see www.keldermanairride.com.
Highway Products Aluminum Contractor Body
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here's a great twist on the typical Contractor Body by Highway Products: Make it out of aluminum and make some interesting box designs as well. It works for me!
 
Check out the standard features of their truck flatbeds:

Marine grade aluminum - all welded construction (no rivets that rattle and squeak after time); structural T6 extruded "C" channel side rails, 1/8" diamond plate decking); 4" long sills and cross members on 12" centers, 4" aluminum channel head board and rear tail apron with all required lighting placed in rear apron; Plus rope hooks about every 24 inches.
 
See a huge selection of flatbeds, options, service bodies and so much more at Highway Products great website: www.highwayproducts.com
The Next Generation of Tommy Gate: G2
 

 
 
The Next Generation Tommy Lift
 
The G2 is a heavy-duty dual cylinder design liftgate which fits most full-size pickup truck applications. It features dual hydraulic cylinders - one on each side of the platform to ensure a stable, even and smooth lift for your cargo. For the pickup, lifting capacities are 1300 and 1500 lbs. and the gate is available in Treadplate steel, Extruded aluminim (as shown), Steel bar grating and Tommy traction.
 
and. . .
 
Announcing the new popular G2 is available for the Flatbed, Stakebed and Van bodies with 50" inches of travel so it will fit most trucks. The new G2 includes maintenance-free busings, recessed control box, and improved wiring system. Not just for pickups anymore!
 
For more information and videos of the operation of all Tommy Gate's liftgates, visit www.tommygate.com.

Electrorides Announces All Electric Walk-In Van

 
 
 
ELECTRORIDES ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT
OF AN ALL-ELECTRIC WALK-IN VAN

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 27, 2009 ...ELECTRORIDES, INC., a developer and producer of commercial electric vehicles for public and private fleet operators, announced today that it is developing an all-electric walk-in van based on a Freightliner Custom Chassis Company MT45. The vehicle will be equipped with a Morgan-Olson lightweight aluminum composite body and will be powered by a PowerPhase® 150 electric propulsion system from UQM Technologies, Inc. (NYSE Amex: UQM). Common uses for walk-in vans include parcel post delivery, aircraft maintenance, utility service, and delivery of dry freight, bakery, linen and other products. The vehicle under development will be used for evaluation and for demonstrations to state and local governments who are expected to continue to issue mandates on emissions that will require companies to increasingly "go green" in future vehicle purchases.

The all-electric walk-in van will complement Electroride's ZeroTruck™, an all-electric zero emission medium duty truck also powered by a UQM® PowerPhase® electric propulsion system. The ZeroTruck™, was the first electric truck in its class to be offered for sale in the United States in 2008. The ZeroTruck™ offers a low cab forward design, a fully automated transmission, up to 100-mile range with full highway capability, lithium polymer batteries, an onboard battery charger and regenerative braking.

Electrorides is a Southern California based company producing commercial electric vehicles for public and private fleets. Its first vehicle, the ZeroTruck is a zero-emissions medium duty electric truck introduced at the Alternative Fuels and Vehicles National Conference in Las Vegas in May 2008. Now available at select Isuzu dealerships nationwide. Electrorides electric drive integration system converts class (3-5) trucks to run on electric power with a highway speed of 55 mph, and up to 100 miles per battery charge using lithium polymer battery technology. This range is ideal for the medium-duty market, as most usage for delivery, maintenance, and construction vehicles is less than 100 miles/day. Electrorides has brought together partnerships and created a unique product and efficient manufacturing and distribution plan to be a leader in commercial electric drive trucks built in the US by American workers.

For more information on Electrorides - ZeroTruck
Please contact: Ariel Shafir: Ariel@electrorides.com
Director Public Relations/Media
(714) 675-7117 www.zerotruck.com
Air Suspension Briefs
 
 
(Originator of the Air Spring)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Load Grief
 
 
 
Overloading trucks began pretty much with the advent of the truck. After all, who wants to make two trips when you can make one? All in a days work.

Here's Something Fun!

The Dance Is On! 

Diversity Wins!

 
 
Crowd pleaser duo:
 

Saving the Best For Last:
 
 

Redesigned and Improved


Check out the redesigned and improved Commercial Truck Success reference website at www.comtrk.com. New larger size, center line main menu, easier navigation. Growing daily with currently over 120 pages, over 1,000 photographs and hundreds of links to suppliers and product websites all across the country for common and not so common bodies and other applications.
 
 
Keep telling us your thoughts on making it better and we'll keep changing it for the better. It will be expanding dramatically in the next 30-90 days, so keep looking! 

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