It’s a great commercial van. Ample power. Low cabin noise. Great maneuverability. Top notch all the way around. But part of what makes Transit such a great worksite workhorse is its versatility. Available in three roof heights, three lengths, two wheelbases, with three engines options and in cargo van or passenger wagon configurations, there is a seemingly endless list of upfit possibilities.
Case in point, Knapheide’s Value-Master-X (PVMX) platform bed, which was fitted to a 2015 Transit 250 chassis cab I was recently able to drive. Featuring solid steel construction and available in widths of 80 inch for single wheeled vehicles or 96 inch and 102 inch for dual rear wheels, the platform and can be ordered in lengths ranging from 8 feet to 26 feet.
The PVMX comes with different flooring options – wood, steel, diamond plate or Polyboard – and numerous bulkhead styles.
My Transit test unit was equipped with 12 foot platform, 80 inches wide for the single rear wheel unit.
IMG_3415The Polyboard flooring – not susceptible to weathering and cracking – provided a more rugged surface than wood decking, and was lighter than steel flooring. As an added bonus, it looked pretty cool.
The platform featured an LED light kit, an ICC rear bumper and BHG Bulkhead – a drop in rectangular style bulkhead with a punched window for visibility that also featured reinforcing gussets on each side to increase structural integrity
Two 36 inch Roughneck underbody toolboxes were mounted one for each side, as well as an underbody tie down rail. This was more than ample room for my tools of the day: a suitcase and laptop case.
The PVMX is surely to be an attractive option for vocations who need to haul large items on the bed while needing to keep tools and other small accessories handy.
All-new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty gets a 48-gallon fuel tank on long-box Crew Cab configuration for both gasoline and diesel applications – allowing most productive Super Duty ever to spend more time on the road and less time at the pump
New 48-gallon tank is the largest available in the heavy-duty pickup truck segment – 22 percent larger than 37.5-gallon tank in diesel-equipped 2016 Super Duty and 37 percent larger than 2016 gas-equipped truck’s 35-gallon tank
Improved water separator filter and fuel filter design enables longer change intervals, minimizing time and money spent performing routine maintenance
DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 26, 2016 – The all-new 2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty is the toughest, smartest, most capable and most productive Super Duty ever – an essential tool for work. Just one way in which it can accomplish this is through the addition of a massive 48-gallon fuel tank – the largest in its class – which aims to maximize time between fill-ups to allow for more time getting the job done.
Thanks to the all-new long-box Crew Cab’s longer wheelbase and wider track, the new tank fits between frame and driveshaft. It is 22 percent larger than the 2016 diesel-equipped Super Duty’s 37.5-gallon tank and 37 percent larger than the 2016 gas engine’s 35-gallon tank. Along with improved fuel economy enabled by light-weighting through the use of high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy, the all-new Super Duty’s range increases significantly.
Adding to that range is a larger-capacity diesel exhaust fluid tank for Power Stroke®-equipped Super Duty – up 2.5 gallons from the 2016 truck to 7.5 gallons for 2017. An improved fuel filter and water separator filter allow for longer change intervals to minimize time and money spent on maintenance, allowing Super Duty more time on the road getting the job done.
“We want to give our customers a more productive tool for getting the most out of their trucks,” said Brian Rathsburg, Super Duty marketing manager. “This means less downtime at the fuel pump and performing routine maintenance, and more time on the job.”
The all-new Super Duty is available fall 2016.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 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 aggressively is 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, its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.
XL Hybrids’s XL3 hybrid electric drive provides a 26% improvement in miles per gallon on the Ford Transit van, according to independent testing on the U.S. EPA UDDS/Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule drive cycle, XL says.
Modified van chassis schematic courtesy XL Hybrids
Modified van chassis schematic courtesy XL Hybrids
The fuel efficiency results include a better than 50% reduction in NOx emissions, states a release.
“The test results mirror earlier EPA UDDS chassis dyno performance for Chevrolet and GMC 2500 Express and Savana vans equipped with XL Hybrids’ technology,” the company says.
Stop-and-Go Is Good
“This test result further validates that the XL3 hybrid electric drive system platform product delivers significant fuel savings to our fleet customers across multiple OEM models now including Ford Transit vans,” XL Hybrids CTO Ed Lovelace says in the UDDS announcement.
“Our XL3 Hybrid System is especially effective for fleets to reduce fuel consumption in metropolitan driving environments and vehicles in stop-and-go traffic,” he said.
The UDDS testing was conducted on a Ford Transit cargo van with a 3.7-liter engine. The XL3 drive is available on a wide range new and existing Class 2 to 6 commercial fleet vehicles. It can be installed in less than six hours.
VMAC announces the launch of its latest Underhood150 rotary screw air compressor system designed for Ford F-650 and F-750 6.8-liter Triton V10 gas engine work trucks.
The announcement marks VMAC’s fourth product launch this year after the VMAC Raptair-G30 gas drive, the DTM70 PTO drive air compressor and the VMAC Underhood-Lite air compressor system, all rotary screw air compressors.
“Continually developing and expanding our product lines to meet our customers growing needs is what positions VMAC as the global leader in advanced mobile compressed air systems,” says Gordon Duval, VMAC vice president of marketing and sales.
“The addition of the Ford F-650 and F-750 expands our Underhood product range to now include the top range of Ford’s medium duty F-Series truck.”
VMAC’s Underhood system provides 100 percent duty cycle and up to 150 CFM and 175 psi and is designed to work in extreme climate conditions. The mounting kit, designed for easy installation, is engineered to fit the Ford F-650 and F-750 engine and chassis taking only a few hours to install.
“VMAC’s Underhood line of air compressors offer significant advantages in that they are much more compact and lightweight than typical mobile air compressors,” Duval states. “There is no installed deck footprint compared to up to 76 cubic feet of typical deck mounted compressors, which provides our customers with more free deck space.
“The system weighs in at a mere 200 pounds, substantially lighter than a typical utility mount system of 1,900 pounds (861 kg), and according to the Environmental Protection Agency fuel savings of up to 2 percent per 100 pounds can be achieved by reducing the GVWR.
“We’re very proud of this product announcement. It underscores our commitment to exceeding our customers’ expectations by continually evolving our advanced air solutions to help them reduce expenses, improve productivity and grow their bottom line.”
We took our group of truck customers on the road to see firsthand, how
Ford is helping to lead the way in driver-assist technology making it
easy to own work with the smartest Super Duty ever.
From a
360-degree bird’s-eye-view camera system to Lane Keeping alert*, see how
the 2017 Super Duty helps drivers navigate more effectively on the road
and on the worksite.
*Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle.
Since 1981, Venco has been providing scissors hoists for commercial and industrial uses. Our rugged hoists are highly regarded in the industry and represent an excellent value. Hoists are offered for pickup truck, conversion/dump body, and trailer hoist applications.
*Venco hoists are designed for and intended to be used on stationary trucks dumping on firm and level ground. Spreading applications and/or shock unloading are strictly prohibited and will void any warranty.
As a forester, Tim Pope from Terry Tree Service knows a thing or two
about toughness. Hear what he had to say about getting up close and
personal with the all-new 2017 Ford Super Duty.
Ford adds special interior and exterior upgrades to offer stylish, value-oriented trucks with the STX Appearance Package for 2017 F-Series Trucks
Positioned between XL work and XLT mid-level models, STX available for 2017 F-150 and Super Duty
Customers can order the STX package on F-150 in either SuperCab or SuperCrew and on Super Duty in any cab configuration from Ford dealers today
DEARBORN, MI – Ford, America’s truck leader, is giving entry-level truck customers a new option to find the truck of their dreams with great infotainment features and stylish design at an affordable price.
The STX Appearance Package will be available for 2017 F-150 and Super Duty trucks, building on the success of the previous generation F-150 STX. This will be the first time F-Series Super Duty is offered with the STX package.
“STX is for customers who want the utility of an F-Series truck in a stylish, well-optioned package at a competitive price,” said Doug Scott, Ford truck group marketing manager.
Positioned between the XL and XLT models, STX adds a stylish exterior and many interior features that aren’t normally available on the entry level F-150:
20-inch machined-aluminum wheels with dark gray painted pockets
Black billet-style grille with body-color surround and black mesh insert
Body-color front fascia and front and rear bumpers
SYNC® 3 with 8-inch center stack touch screen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™
Privacy glass
Unique black sport cloth seats with Flow-through Console and steering column-mounted shifter
STX Sport Box decal
Fog lamps
Manual driver and passenger lumbar support
The F-150 with the STX package is available with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost, 5.0-liter V8 and 3.5-liter EcoBoost.
The Super Duty STX Appearance package brightens up the exterior with chrome features and unique badging. The package is available with either the 6.2-liter V8 gas engine, or the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel, and adds the following to the XL trim:
Bright chrome grille
Chrome front and rear step bumpers
STX fender vent badge
Unique aluminum wheels
Steering wheel-mounted cruise control
Bright hub covers (SRW only)
AM/FM stereo with single CD/MP3 player
Available in either SuperCab or SuperCrew configurations on F-150, and in all cab configurations in Super Duty, the STX package bundles numerous features together to give customers a great value truck.
The STX package is available to order through dealers on both models now.
The F-150 STX starts at: $35,615.
F-250 STX starts at $34,910, and F-350 STX starts at $36,080.
Noted truck cap and tonneau manufacturer Snugtop has taken capsule-style commercial toppers to the next level with the introduction of the lightweight SnugPro Capsule. It features an industry-first “drop in” design that snugly fits over the OEM wheel well and provides maximum interior room—as well as unparalleled mounting security.
Thanks to its one-piece Advanced Structural Composite construction the SnugPro Capsule weighs only 475 pounds—the lightest capsule in the industry. Moreover, it’s sleek, aerodynamic style enhances factory lines and contributes to optimum fuel economy.
The SnugPro Capsule is specifically designed for each make and model truck and painted to match the color and gloss of the vehicle using the Axalta ChromaPremier process, preventing surface oxidation commonly occurring with a gelcoat finish. A built-in LED brake light and optional rear-view camera add to its style and functionality.
Built for long-term durability, the SnugPro Capsule is reinforced to provide a hefty 500 lb. roof carrying capacity and compliment a wide assortment of ladder and other racks. Features like full-length heavy-duty door hinges, stainless steel T-handles, and 3-point locking add to its rugged construction.
Multiple door and shelving options enable businesses to tailor the SnugPro Capsule to their specific needs. The use of J-hooks allow the unit to be installed without any drilling, and also facilitates easy transfers in the years to come.
When it comes to choosing high quality, professional grade commercial vehicle equipment, Masterack is an industry leader with over 40 years of experience in product design, manufacturing, and installation. Our large selection of steel and composite van interiors, pickup equipment, ladder racks, and accessories are available as pre-designed trade packages or can easily be mix-and-matched to customize your vehicle.
All 2017 model-year Ford cars, SUVs, light trucks and electrified
vehicles to offer available SYNC® 3 voice-activated communications and
entertainment system with popular smartphone integrations
CarPlay™ allows iPhone users to get directions optimized for
traffic, make calls, send and receive messages, and listen to music, all
in a way that allows you to stay focused on the road with Siri® or a
touch screen
Android Auto™ enables Google voice search, maps, music and more through steering wheel and touch screen controls
Ford’s platform-focused approach to SYNC 3 means a fast rollout
across all vehicles – with rapid deployment of new innovations via Wi-Fi
over-the-air updates
DEARBORN, Mich., July 25, 2016
– Ford is expanding its SYNC 3 connectivity platform – allowing
compatibility of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – throughout its entire
2017 U.S. vehicle lineup of cars, SUVs, light trucks and electrified
vehicles.
Ford, using its platform-centric approach – creating a technology for
its lineup versus going vehicle by vehicle – has been able to swiftly
roll out SYNC 3 plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And future,
over-the-air updates via Wi-Fi will help ensure it keeps up with the
latest technology.
“We developed one platform – SYNC 3 – and have been able to quickly
offer the technology across our lineup,” said Chuck Gray, Ford Global
Director, Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering.
“Customers
considering a new vehicle can now choose any 2017 model year Ford car,
SUV, light truck, or electrified vehicle with SYNC 3 and be able to
access their favorite apps.”
Popular nameplates like the Escape, Fusion, Mustang and Explorer are
already available as 2017 model-year vehicles at dealerships and others
like the F-150, Focus, Edge and all-new 2017 Super Duty will arrive
later this year.
“SYNC 3 is already a major leap forward in terms of functionality,
simplicity, and user experience – Ford’s promise that every new model
now ships ‘Smartphone-ready’ is huge,” said Jeffrey Hannah, Director of
North America for global automotive technology research firm SBD. “Ford
is not taking the traditional approach of introducing Apple CarPlay and
Google Android Auto on a few piecemeal models or as an expensive option
on luxury vehicles only. The guesswork for consumers is over – if you
buy any 2017 Ford vehicle with SYNC 3, you drive off the lot with both
of these innovative technologies ready to go.”
As part of Ford’s effort to present convenient, easy-to-use mobility
solutions, SYNC 3 features all-new hardware and software for faster and
more intuitive performance and more conversational voice recognition to
help people easily connect to their smartphone and access a variety of
features, including hands-free phone calls and available navigation.
Apps such as Spotify, Pandora, Ford PASS, AccuWeather and AAA member services have been added through SYNC AppLink®.
Compatible with iPhone 5 and later models, CarPlay provides a
simplified way to use your iPhone interface on a car’s touch screen,
giving users access to Siri voice controls, as well as Apple Maps, Apple
Music, Phone, Messages, and a variety of third party apps.
Android Auto is available on devices with Android 5.0 and higher and
similarly delivers Google Maps and music to a car’s screen while
enabling voice controls for phone calls and messaging.
Apple, Apple CarPlay, iPhone, Apple Maps, and Siri are trademarks of
Apple Inc. Android Auto, Google, Google Play and other marks are
trademarks of Google Inc.
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 aggressively is 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.
VMAC
is a world-leader in the development of truck mounted mobile air
compressor solutions used for service trucks, public works, utilities
and highway/heavy construction.
VMAC engineers and manufactures
70cfm and 150cfm UNDERHOOD Air Compressor Systems, 40cfm and 60cfm
PREDATAIR hydraulic driven Air Compressor Systems and THROTTLE COMMANDER
3-speed engine throttle controls. UNDERHOOD and PREDATAIR Air
Compressors feature high-powered rotary screw air-on-demand technology.
Both systems are ideal for use on work trucks in applications such as
mining, construction, tire-service, fire-apparatus and municipal
operations. THROTTLE COMMANDER throttle controls are easy to install
idle up speed controllers activated with a 12-volt signal. Designed for
electronic engines, these load sensing throttle controls will follow a
preset programmed rpm setting.
VMACs success comes from working
with customers to determine what their air compressor needs are and then
surpassing those needs with unparalleled product quality, innovation
and customer service. By regularly introducing new and innovative
products to the market, VMAC ensures it remains the leader in truck
mounted mobile air compressor technology.
