| Contact Information |
Jenn Cole, Editor
Allen Lund Company
Grand Rapids Office
(800) 641-5863
jenn.cole@allenlund.comAtlanta
Kansas City
Joe Creedon, Mgr.
(800) 458-5863
Los Angeles Ty Tallakson, Asst. Mgr. (800) 777-5863 Louisville Doug Mesecher, Asst. Mgr. Jill Deaton, Trans. Bkr. (800) 825-5863 Memphis Toni Rooney, Mgr. (800) 432-5863 Minneapolis John Wittman, Mgr. (800) 889-5863 St. Louis Dawn Davenport, Mgr. (800) 370-5863 San Antonio Troy Magers, Mgr. (800) 456-5863
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Truck Efficiencies Driving Change
Anyone who drives our streets and highways, and is at least somewhat observant, has surely noticed the change in appearance of the trucks moving to and fro, delivering the goods keeping us fed and clothed.
Many readers will recall a time when most of the trucks on the road were COE's (cab over engine tractors). Those flat-nosed behemoths were the backbone of most fleet operations through the 70's and 80's. Known by many drivers as "widow-makers" because the driver had almost no protection in the event of a frontal accident, the driver basically sat over the front axle with the steering wheel and windshield being the only thing separating them from the pavement. Just climbing into a COE was an accident waiting to happen, and once inside, there was very little room because the engine was positioned between the driver and passenger seats, making the cab noisy and very hot.
Fuel costs were much lower during the time of the COE than they are today. Through the years, however, fuel prices began to edge up, as did most all costs associated with transportation. Because of this, carriers began to look for ways to make their equipment more cost-effective. Most fleets began trading in their COE in favor of the sleeker "anteater" conventional style tractor whose aerodynamics made a significant cost savings impact.
Today there is a wide array of after-market products designed to enhance fuel economy. In addition to the cab roof fairings, which are factory standards on most units, one can add gap fairings that fill the space between the tractor and trailer. Trailer side skirts reduce air turbulence beneath the trailer, rear "end cap" fairings surround the trailer doors, and just about any blunt surface or uneven area can be made more aerodynamic, thus saving as much as 25% in fuel usage. Even the tires and wheels can be made more efficient; for example, changing them from duals to super singles can cut surface friction by as much as 7%.
Taking steps to become more fuel efficient not only reduces a carrier's carbon footprint, but increases its competitiveness within the marketplace.
Mike Turner
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 Mike Turner is the manager of the Allen Lund Company Joplin, MO office and has been involved in the transportation industry for more than 25 years. His experience has led to developing closed loop transportation models in the brokerage business. Turner also has dedicated much of this time to charitable efforts through food bank transportation as well as disaster relief.
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| About Allen Lund Company: Specializing as a national third-party transportation broker with nationwide offices and 390 employees, the Allen Lund Company works with shippers and carriers across the nation to transport dry, refrigerated (specializing in produce), and flatbed freight; additionally, the Allen Lund Company has an international division, which is licensed by the FMC as an OTI-NVOCC #019872NF, and a logistics and software division, ALC Logistics.
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Newsletter TopicsYou are a Valued MIF reader. If you have an idea for a topic you would like explored in a future edition, please let us know. Your feedback is appreciated!
Sincerely, The Moving It Forward Team
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