Trucks and Truckers

May 1st, 2008

Return to Glory

A classic fire engine is restored to serve as a final ride for fallen firefighters

By Paul Abelson

When a firefighter dies in the line of duty, tradition in most departments is for an engine to serve as the hearse, with six or eight uniformed pallbearers accompanying the casket. That ritual presented problems for the Detroit Fire Department. Its engines stay busy with an average of 10 calls per day. Vehicles have gotten larger, so maneuvering from funerals…

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May 1st, 2008

Easy Does It

International's MaxxForce engine makes driving a breeze

By Paul Abelson

I must admit that I am not the world’s greatest truck driver, nor even second best behind you, my current reader. I will agree that my driving skills are commensurate with my experience. After all, I drive big rigs as much every year as many of my friends do in a week, especially a week with a holiday in it.…

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May 1st, 2008

Hello Ladies

It's time to welcome women into the industry

By David A. Kolman

There is a fairly prevalent attitude throughout the male-dominated trucking industry that women and trucking are not a good mix. It’s common to hear: “Women have no place in trucking,” or “Women just aren’t made for trucking,” or “I’m not sharing a bathroom with one of them.” The attitude goes beyond words. Many men in trucking seem to derive pleasure…

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May 1st, 2008

Stopping Points

Understanding your truck: the brakes

By Paul Abelson

Did you know that the brakes that stop your 80,000 pound rig are directly descended from wood blocks? That’s what was used to stop or slow down horse-drawn wagons in the earliest days of commercial transportation. Wood wheels had iron bands as tires to protect the wheels from rocks and ruts. The metal presented a perfect surface to apply a…

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May 1st, 2008

Cab Comforts

Add-ons to make your truck more like home

By Bryan Martin

Folks, before you get all “geeked out” that I am gonna present you with all the latest facts and data on some new Bluetooth gizmo or a high tech, infra-red, heat-seeking camera set up, let me tell you up front that I am taking a slightly different approach! See, I am not really all that up-to-date with the current technology…

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