2019 Ford Ranger: Tough Tested for Adventure | Ranger | Ford

Before making its U.S. comeback, the 2019 Ranger is being thoroughly tested in true Built Ford Tough fashion. Battling through extreme heat, frigid cold, and brutal terrain, the Ranger is always ready for an adventure.

2019 Ford F-150 Limited

Thanks to the addition of a high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6 engine, the 2019 Ford F-150 Limited is the most powerful light-duty pickup in America

Just a Taste | F-150 | Ford

Consider the Ford F-150 with dynamic hitch assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist.™* Become part of America’s best-selling brand** with a Ford vehicle.

*Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle.
**Based on 2017 CY sales.

2019 F-150 Limited Gains High-Output EcoBoost V6 Making It the Most Powerful, Advanced and Luxurious F-150 Ever

• Powerful: Thanks to the addition of a high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost^® V6 engine, the 2019 Ford F-150 Limited is the most powerful light-duty pickup in America
  

• Advanced: New F-150 Limited offers a showcase of Ford technologies ranging from optional Pro Trailer Backup Assist^™ to standard 360-degree camera system; FordPass^™ Connect 4G LTE modem provides Wi-Fi access for up to 10 devices
  

• Luxurious: Updated interior incorporating new Camel Back two-tone color also includes heated, ventilated and massaging leather front seats, genuine ash swirl wood trim, premium aluminum-wrapped bezels and tasteful detailing to create a luxurious cabin
  

DEARBORN, Mich., July 26, 2018 – For Ford pickup fans who love Raptor power but want a more upscale package, America’s truck leader is delivering with the new 2019 F-150 Limited.

“F-150 Limited customers create their own success. The truck is their reward,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “They wanted more power, so we combined Raptor’s engine with Limited’s business-class features to deliver Baja fierceness, boardroom style and the grit to tackle tough jobs.”

Rated at 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, the new Ford F-150 Limited leads the competition, offering more power than any light-duty pickup on the road. F-150 Limited sports a new dual exhaust system with exhaust tips smoothly integrated into new rear bumper cutouts.

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Only the best
In addition to improved performance, F-150 Limited’s refined cabin delivers an elegant, purposeful interior that is also Built Ford Tough. Customers are treated to a luxurious cabin that features the best of the best in terms of Ford craftsmanship, material quality and head-turning design.

“It was important for us to get this interior just right as we continue to raise the bar for premium pickup trucks,” said Aileen Barraza, Ford color and materials manager. “The materials we chose to incorporate are authentic, distinctive and durable.”

Luxurious materials used throughout include a Miko® suede headliner and leather-topped instrument panel and door panels. “The gradated ash swirl trim is like something you see in a fine instrument,” said Barraza. “Each piece is hand-finished, and a halo around the edges with a heavily polished center really brings out the natural beauty of this wood.”

New Camel Back two-tone leather is soft to the touch and multicontour front seats feature Active Motion® for lumbar support and a soothing massage to help reduce lower back and leg fatigue. A heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated captain’s chairs provide additional comfort in the front. Each new F-150 Limited includes a laser-etched plaque on the center console armrest bearing its serial number.

Every aspect of the truck’s interior has been scrutinized down to the smallest detail – even the holes in the microperforated leather are enlarged to improve cooling performance.

Signature design elements include raised Limited lettering on the hood, polished aluminum 22-inch wheels, unique satin-finish grille and tailgate applique, and satin-finish window trim and door handles. Standard power-deployable running boards, remote start, tailgate release and a twin-panel moonroof helps make the new F-150 Limited a premium choice.

Technology to enhance
F-150 Limited customers expect purposeful technology in a premium pickup truck. An integrated trailer brake controller is standard, as is a 360-degree camera with split-view display with dynamic hitch assist to simplify the hitching process. Class-exclusive Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ is optional to make maneuvering easier by letting drivers rotate a knob to control its direction, with the truck automatically steering to follow the course selected.

F-150 Limited’s driver-assist technology works to reduce daily stress. Standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality allows drivers to set a cruising speed, and then uses radar and camera technology to monitor traffic ahead to maintain a set distance between vehicles – even following one down to a complete stop. Standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking helps drivers avoid or mitigate collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians. Active park assist to aid in parallel parking, plus a Lane-Keeping System that provides alerts and assistance with lane drift are standard as well.

F-150 Limited features SYNC® 3 with AppLink™, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility, and a FordPass™ Connect 4G LTE modem that provides Wi-Fi access for up to 10 devices. Audiophiles will appreciate the standard B&O PLAY™ audio system by HARMAN.
Ford offers a light-duty pickup for every truck customer – from the work-ready Ford F-150 XL to the top-of-the-line Ford F-150 Limited. Look for the 2019 F-150 Limited, the most powerful, advanced and luxurious F-150 ever in dealer showrooms later this year.

 

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford employs approximately 201,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Quick Guide To Industry Acronyms

 

Understanding the many industry acronyms and terms can be overwhelming. This quick guide can get you up to speed on some of the most important terms and meanings.

GVW – Gross Vehicle Weight
This is the total weight of the truck, including all passengers, drivers, cargo, accessories, fuel, and fluid in the engine at any point in time. It is important that this measurement does not go over the GVWR, or it can be a safety hazard.

GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
This is the maximum total vehicle weight that is safe for the truck, established by the chassis manufacturer. The weight of the truck, any cargo, and passengers including the driver, as well as any fuel and fluid in the engine is included in the rating. Chassis manufacturers will most often set the GVWR lower than the combined axle ratings (the total amount of weight an individual axle can carry). This is due to the chassis manufacturer’s internal safety standards for durability, stability, and handling, as well as SAE International test protocols.

GCWR – Gross Combined Weight Rating
Everything that moves with the vehicle is included in the GCWR. The weight of the truck, any cargo, passengers including the driver, any fluid or fuel in the truck, as well as the weight of the trailer and the trailer’s cargo is included. Exceeding the GCWR can cause a safety hazard.

Payload
The cargo carrying capacity of a vehicle is the payload. It is calculated by subtracting the vehicles’ weight including passengers and the driver from the GVWR. Exceeding the Payload capacity can cause damage to your suspension, chassis, frame, tires, and many other parts of the truck.

CA – Cab to Axle
The cab-to-axle measurement is the distance from the back of the truck cab to the center of the rear axle. Clear CA or effective CA is the distance from the rear surface of any obstruction behind the cab to the center of the rear axle. If you have a tandem axle truck, then it is measured to the midpoint between the two rear axles. This measurement can help you determine the length of the body that can be mounted on the chassis.

Wheelbase
The wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear axles. When the truck has more than two axels, it is the distance between the steering axle and the center point of the driving axle group. This can affect body installation, weight distribution, and truck performance.

SRW – Single Rear Wheel
A single rear wheel refers to a chassis that has one wheel on each side of the rear axle. Single Rear wheels make for smoother driving without cargo, as well as easier driving in cities, suburbs, and highways. These trucks are more affordable to purchase outright, and have better fuel economy. A single rear wheel has less towing capability than a dual rear wheel, and less stability when towing in windy conditions.

DRW – Dual Rear Wheel
A dual rear wheel refers to a chassis that has two wheels on each side of the rear axle. This feature is a must if you are towing large payloads, or driving through rough terrain. It adds stability to your truck which increases safety for your divers and cargo. Having a dual rear wheel will allow the driver to safely get off the road in the case of a tire blowing out. Trucks with a dual rear wheel can be difficult to maneuver in cities, where parking and tight streets can be challenging. This feature can also reduce the truck’s mpg, especially in cities, and increase maintenance costs, because there are at least two extra tires to replace or rotate.

CDL – Commercial Driver’s License
The vehicle’s GVWR is one of the factors that will effect whether the diver needs a CDL. If the truck has a GVWR, and GVW of 26,000 lbs. or lower, the driver does not need a CDL.

Class A
A Class A license is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 lbs. or more. This includes towing a trailer weighing over 10,000 lbs. which makes the vehicle and trailer rating over 26,001 lbs.

Class B
A Class B license is required to operate a single vehicle with a GVWR or 26,001 lbs. or more, and/or a vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or heavier that is towing another vehicle weighting up to 10,000 lbs.

Class C
A Class C license is required if the vehicle you intend to drive does not meet the criteria for either Class A or B and it is meant to transport either: 16 or more passengers including the driver or hazardous material.

Original Source: NTEA Truck Equipment Glossary


Blog Source: https://www.knapheide.com/news/blog/2018/08/quick-guide-to-industry-acronyms

About the 2018 SEMA Show

 

The SEMA Show takes place October 30 - November 2, 2018 at the Las Vegas Convention Center located at 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.

The 2017 SEMA Show drew more than 70,000 domestic and international buyers. The displays are segmented into 12 sections, and a New Products Showcase featured nearly 3,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more…

Note: The SEMA Show is a trade-only event and not open to the general public. 

Learn more at:  https://www.semashow.com/the-sema-show

GoLight Product Information Video

This is a product video of GoLight, Inc. GoLight creates industry leading lighting solutions for recreation, military, automotive, and more.

5 Tire Tips For A Safer Work Truck

 

Tires withstand severe environments throughout their life on a work truck. Holding up to heavy loads and traveling on a multitude of surfaces are common for work truck tires. Most of us give the tires on our work truck little thought until they are in need of replacement. While this strategy may have worked for you in the past, neglecting to regularly check the condition of your tires will eventually catch up to you and leave you stranded on the side of the road. If your truck is down, your work is down. Utilize these tips to keep your work truck off the shoulder.

1. Tread Depth

Check tread depth often utilizing the penny test (a minimum of 2/32” of tread left on the tire). Most make the mistake of checking one spot on each tire, to ensure even wear check at least three spots on each tire.
2. Tire Pressure

Keep a tire pressure gauge in each work truck and check the pressure regularly. Keep the tire pressure within the vehicle’s recommended PSI range.
3. Cracks, Checks & More

Check for cracks, punctures, tears, bulges, bumps or tread separation. If you come across any exposed strands of metal or fabric, take the truck out of the field and have the tire(s) replaced as soon as possible.
4. Alignment

Keep proper alignment of your work truck tires. If they are improperly aligned it will result in premature wear and tear on the tires.
5. Overloading

Don’t overload! Your work truck (and tires) are only rated to handle so much weight. Overloading can create a recipe for disaster on not just your tires but your entire vehicle.


Source: https://www.knapheide.com/news/blog/2018/05/5-tire-tips-for-a-safer-work-truck

TRANSFER FLOW - INCREASE YOUR CAPACITY FOR FUEL AND PROFITS!

A Transfer Flow fuel tank installed on your work truck allows you to spend less time at the fuel pump and more time on the job. Increased capacity gives you the option to shop for the best fuel prices, and save money by purchasing more fuel at one time.

With almost 35 years of engineering and manufacturing fuel tank systems, some of the biggest and best companies trust Transfer Flow for their fuel system needs. To increase the driving range on one vehicle or a fleet of vehicles, we have the manufacturing capabilities and product diversity to help you grow your business.

Increase your capacity for fuel and profits by contacting us at 800-826-5776 or visit our website at transferflow.com.

Transfer Flow – we fuel YOUR success!

All-New 2019 Ford Ranger: BLIS With Trailer Coverage Makes Towing Easier

BLIS With Trailer Coverage uses radar housed in Ranger’s taillights to monitor blind spots all the way to the back of the trailer. Ranger can store up to three trailer profiles, including a trailer’s length, to let the radar system know how far back to provide warnings when another vehicle is traveling next to the trailer. The 2019 Ford Ranger is the only midsize pickup that comes with this technology.

Highway Products | Warehouse Walkthrough

Highway Products, Inc. was founded in 1980 and we have been fabricating aluminum ever since. We back all of our products with a Lifetime Warranty.

INVOLVE YOUR TECHS WITH SPEC'ING WORK TRUCKS

 

Many business owners or fleet and equipment managers cringe when the time comes to purchase new work trucks. When you don’t work out of the vehicle that is being purchased, it can be a challenge to understand the daily application and requirements. Incorrectly “spec’ing” the vehicle translates into lost ROI, safety issues and unhappy techs.

Many companies choose one extreme or the other when it comes to input from the techs that actually use the vehicle. Either the techs get little to no input on the new work trucks or the company leaves it up to the techs entirely. The best approach, for both the company and techs, is to establish a collaborative process. One that values the perspective of the technicians while taking into account the position and direction of the company. Read on to discover how.
On the side of technicians...

The work truck is the mobile office of the technician. It can also serve as the shop, break area and more. Regardless if they are HVAC techs, plumbers, or electricians, they all depend on their work truck on a daily basis. With the next work truck purchase approaching, be sure to gather this information from the techs to ensure it is set up to be efficient and safe.

•     Thoroughly understand what is stored on the vehicle. Are there a lot of hand tools that can be found quicker if a set of mechanics drawers are provided? Do they carry a lot of hardware or small parts that warrant parts bins. Does any larger equipment (think ladders) or materials (think pipes) eat up too much space in the bed? If the tech spends 15 minutes on every jobsite just trying to locate and retrieve what they need on the vehicle, it is time to increase organization which will lead to better efficiency.
•     Are there repetitive motions being performed that put the tech at risk of injury while on the job? For instance, are they stepping up and down on a tall bumper or lifting heavy components or equipment in and out of the bed? Items like cable steps mounted to the bumper or collapsable cargo area cranes can alleviate these dangerous repetitive motions. Without asking, you may never uncover these issues.
•     While creature comforts in the cab may seem like just convenience to you, for the tech they may make the difference between happy on the job and feeling appreciated or hating to go to work every day. These can be as small as power windows or as big as remote start.
•     Last, but certainly not least, are safety and security. Is the tech having rear visibility issues when reversing on a jobsite or attempting to hook up to a trailer? Are their tools and equipment commonly stolen when working in high-theft areas? Investing in rear vision cameras and enhanced security options can make a huge difference in the safety and security of the work truck.

On the side of business owners and fleet/equipment managers…

While work trucks can be a major expense, business owners and fleet managers also realize work trucks are a major contributor to revenue. However, with all businesses there are budgets to maintain. No one understands the position of the company better than a business owner or fleet manager. Be sure to take the following items into account prior to the next work truck purchases.

•     The jobs that are being done today may change dramatically a few years down the road, depending on the growth and direction of the company and the industry. Many companies will keep work trucks in service for a long period, some for 10 years or more. Keep this in mind as the work trucks may need to transition along with the business.
•     Cost will always be a major limiting factor with work truck purchases. While the techs may want the Cadillac, that can’t always be the outcome. Maximize the value by creating the best work truck possible with the money that has been allocated.
•     Maintenance costs can drain the ROI directly out of a work truck. Spec a work truck that has a solid reputation of reliability and performance. Sometimes, the best place to obtain this info is from other business owners or fleet managers.

Remember, take into account both sides of the coin in order to produce the best possible work truck.

Source:  https://www.knapheide.com/news/blog/2018/05/involve-your-techs-with-specing-work-trucks

A Better Way To Store Long Ladders

We’ve all been there, you pull up to a jobsite and need to retrieve something from your vehicle. Unfortunately that something is obstructed by your ladder that is stored in the bed space of your work truck. So instead of getting what you need right away, you are stuck with removing your ladder to get to it. Your ladder is a vital piece of equipment so it has to stay on your vehicle but it constantly is in the way forcing you to waste time. You begin to wonder, isn’t there a better way to store my ladder?
Of course there is. Regardless if you work out of a pickup, service body, utility body or flatbed there are options to efficiently store ladders.

Read on to discover how: https://www.knapheide.com/news/blog/2018/05/a-better-way-to-store-long-ladders

Detroit Auto Show Trades Winter for Summer

The North American International Auto Show is moving, although not from its physical location in downtown Detroit. Rather, it's moving down the calendar by five months.

While the 2019 NAIAS — also known as the Detroit auto show — will happen in January, the 2020 show will forgo winter and set up shop in and around the Cobo Center in June.

The move will allow one of the country's premiere auto shows to highlight Detroit's downtown assets and present an auto show that resembles an indoor/outdoor festival and dream car cruise. The Detroit Auto Dealers Association, the show organizer, said opportunities for consumer engagement will be endless. Exhibitors will be able to give media members and showgoers the opportunity to actually drive new cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers in newly designed interactive vehicle displays. Ride and drives, autonomous/automated driving, off-road challenges and more are all on the table.

The 2019 show and schedule will be similar to years past, with Jan. 14-15 being press preview days and the public show running Jan 19-27. The show will then take 17 months off to prepare for the all-new 2020 show. The Detroit auto show has seen a declining number of automakers participating due to timing, cost and audience turnout. Time will tell whether this reinvention will attract the big auto debuts that once were a hallmark of the show before it had to compete with the November Los Angeles Auto Show and the January Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Read more from the source: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2018/07/detroit-auto-show-trades-winter-for-summer.html#more

Ford Service Advice: Do I Need an Oil Change? | Service Advice | Ford

This helpful video will explain why it’s important to keep up with regular oil changes to help ensure your vehicle lasts a long time.