Poor Cash Test Ratings For Small Trucks
Recent crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed poor crashworthiness among small 2008 pickup trucks.
The Institute reports that crashes of small trucks result in the highest driver death rates of any vehicles on the road, even minicars, in part because small trucks are involved in more single vehicle crashes and rollovers than other vehicles.
The Need for Electronic Stability Control :
The Institute encouraged truck manufacturers to make Electronic Stability Control a standard feature.
Pickup trucks light weight and typical stiff suspension makes it more likely to bounce than a car or SUV. If you hit the brakes hard, the weight of the truck is transferred towards the front wheels, making the rear even lighter. And when you swerve to avoid an object, the lighter rear end can make the truck turn sideways, causing a loss of traction at the rear wheels.
Electronic stability control steps in to automatically adjust a truck’s brake pressure and steering response during an emergency, helping keep it upright and on the road. Unfortunately, stability control is standard on only 12-percent of 2008 trucks, and available on only about a third of current models.
ESC is standard on three small 2009 trucks: Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado and GMC Sierra. It’s available on the 2009 Nissan Frontier.
Best and Worst Performers - Small Truck Crash Tests :
* Toyota Tacoma earned the only good rating in side crashes and frontal crashes; its seat/head restraints earned a marginal rating for protection from whiplash in rear-end crashes.
* The Dodge Dakota truck earned a marginal rating in side crash tests and a good rating for frontal crashes.
* The Nissan Frontier earned a marginal rating in side crash tests; no word on frontal tests.
* The Ford Ranger truck earned a marginal rating in side crash tests and a good rating for frontal crashes. The Institute declared the Ranger’s back jump seats unsafe for children. One study shows that kids riding in jump seats are 4 times more likely to be injured in a crash than children riding in the back seats of other vehicles.
* Chevy Colorado truck and GMC Canyon truck were the only trucks to earn the lowest rating, poor, in the Institute’s side impact crash tests. The dummy driver’s head was hit by the moving barrier and the side of the truck allowed more intrusion into the cab than other trucks. The Colorado and Canyon are rated acceptable for protection in frontal crashes.
Standard Side Airbags :
Toyota asked the Institute to test the 2008 Tacoma with its optional side airbags because they’ll be a standard feature in 2009. Airbags are optional on the Dakota, Frontier, Colorado and Canyon, and not available at all on the Ranger.
Information About GMC Sierra Hybrid Truck
The 2005 GMC Sierra Hybrid is really just a regular old GMC Sierra 1500 truck, but with integrated starter and generator (ISG) and regenerative braking. With the ISG, the engine shuts off at stoplights and instantly starts when you step on the gas. The regenerative braking means you never have to plug it in. This vehicle was a valuable learning tool for GM; it learned it must go deep into hybrid technology or go home.
The GMC Sierra truck for sale looks like a conventional extended cab Sierra 2WD pick up truck with big stick-on graphics on both the side and the rear tailgate. These proclaim the vehicle’s hybrid-ness. But this one is not really a hybrid. At least, it’s not what the world thinks of as a hybrid. It has really only two pieces of what can be labelled true hybrid technology: the integrated starter and generator (ISG) and regenerative braking. Oh, and you can also plug large electric power tools into two sockets near the back of the box and run them off the battery pack. But that feature hasn’t got all that much – if anything - to do with this being or not being a hybrid.
This Sierra won’t attract the high school set with its regular size wheels, a 4-speed automatic, conventional 5.3L V-8 engine (5300 Vortec) and unfashionably long box. Which would probably make it just about ideal for a tradesman or a farmer – especially if that person has to work on job sites that aren’t serviced with electricity. With the exception of the heavy sticker price, this one would seem to have almost everything you’d need or want in a working pick up truck.
It’s not really a hybrid. At least it’s not in the sense that the Lexus RX 400h and the Honda Accord Hybrid are hybrids. Like the Japanese (or real) hybrids, the GMC hybrid has regenerative braking and ISG. However, unlike them, it only has a small (42W) battery pack. The sole purpose of the battery pack seems to be to re-start the engine at stoplights and, of course, to power the APO, which will be of use to many tradesmen and farmers.
It’s very comfortable for two adults. But more can actually fit in. With back-hinged (suicide) doors providing easy access to the small but practical-sized rear bench, two full-size adults could sit back there in relative comfort for short trips.
The GMC Sierra Hybrid truck drives like a regular 2WD GM Sierra pickup most of the time, which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise since that’s what it is. The major difference between driving the regular Sierra and the Hybrid can be felt when you’re stopped for more than a few seconds – like at a traffic light – the engine shuts off and what you’ve got is complete silence. This can be eerie at first, especially if you’ve never driven any other hybrid vehicle. Then the instant you step on the gas pedal, the engine fires back to life and you’re off.
The second big difference is regenerative braking. When you take your foot off the gas – for example, when you’re descending a hill or even a modest grade - you feel a slight drag. That’s the system collecting the energy from the slowing vehicle and storing it in the battery pack for future use. This too can be off-putting at first. Finally, you have to be wary when you’re stopped on a grade because with this system, the auto transmission won’t hold the vehicle from rolling backwards. You have to keep your foot on the brake to prevent smacking into the car behind.
But even this modest or hybrid-light system should return 10% - 12% better fuel economy than the regular Sierra V-8.The GMC Sierra Hybrid truck is an important transition vehicle for GM. When the current fuel consumption regulations were enacted back in the mid-1970s, light trucks accounted for perhaps 20% of new vehicle sales and farmers and other business owners mostly used them. However for the past few years well over 50% of the vehicles GM has been selling in North America have been light duty trucks, a category which includes pick up trucks, minivans and SUVs. The majority of these have been purchased by families.
The Dodge Truck History
The American branch of Chrysler’s corporation, specializes on automobile production, and also off-highway vehicles production. The headquarters is in Highland-park (suburb of Detroit).
Americans John and Horace Dodge formed their own company in 1914 and they were one of the first who have begun the production of vehicles with all-metal body. The company of Dodge brothers has started the production of own cars in 1914. The small firm which is engaged earlier by package production for the Ford and Olds Motor factories, has absorbed all technological novelties of that time, including the Ford’s technology of standardization and flow production assembling (Henry Ford even presented judicial claims to brothers, however, without success).
The first vehicle Dodge Brothers which have playfully nicknamed The Old woman Betsy later, has left the factory on November, 14th, 1914 - and after it to the end of year Dodges have made 249 the same vehicles. Each of them has the firm emblem of the company on the radiator top tank - the globe placed in the center of the David’s star: the brothers remembered their roots.
By 1920 the company took the second place on automobile production after Ford, but in the same 1920 both of the brothers have died, and the new head of the company became Fred G. Hanes. The fortune of brothers Dodge was very solid – more than 20 millions dollars for everyone. Besides the brothers’ successors (nobody remains except the widows), have received 50 % of the authorized capital for everyone. But both widows had no enterprise talents, so business has gone down.
In 1928 concern Dodge became a part of Chrysler’s corporation. Nowadays, alongside with cars, also off-road vehicles, Dodge trucks and pickup trucks are marked Dodge. Trade mark Dodge changed constantly, but more often (as in nowadays) it is an emblem of the sheep’s head. Some experts consider that it’s the fault of one of Dodge’s models, which bent exhaust manifold reminded screw horns of the wild sheep.
Information On Kenworth Truck Clearance Sale
In today’s economy, start up and seasoned businesses have an unique opportunity to acquire an attractive deal for any type of Kenworth truck. The first option, for the buyer, is to visit their local truck dealer and find his truck there. This is great place to start and obtain pertinent information that will be used later in the data gathering process. From there, it is recommended searching the internet and its mass volume of data that is available. He is able to sort and sift through this vast data and should be able to find a truck, in any city and/or state across the U.S, that meets his acquistion requirements. Once he has located a source of trucks available to him, he is able to contact these sellers and negotiate a deal that might be able to meet his needs. Once he is agreed to a price and its particulars, his next hurdle is to find adequate financing in today’s complex lending world of this commodity.
News Update, As this economy is wavering in all different directions. things will need to know are the following: Investigate your banks and their lending requirements, finding out their key interest rates and see if they are competive with other lending institutions. Understand their lending rules and their down payment requirements, key lending rates and what they specialize in. A lot of lenders today are staying away from over the road truck lending. This is a special niche market and they don’t understand or care to know its particulars. Be careful, if possible and see if their is current information on your lenders so your can protect yourself. As we will disuss below, lenders, today, have a tremendous amount of repossessions in all different types of industries. This may be a great buying opportunity if you have the revenue support in your contract and the time frame to cover the obligation.
In the last twelve months, lenders have taken back repos at unheard of levels. This is an opportunity for either the startup owner operator or the seasoned business operator to acquire a deal…..The buyer should still proceed with caution and ascertain understanding of all the factets of the deal including the residual buyout clauses…
The type of Kenworth trucks we are identifying for this article is the following:
Kenworth dump trucks, Kenworth semi trucks, Kenworth garbage and refuse trucks, Kenworth Tow trucks, Kenworth Cement Trucks, Kenworth Concrete Trucks, Kenworth Flatbed Trucks, Kenworth dump Trucks, Kenworth Water Trucks, Kenworth Vacuum Trucks, etc.
Today, the financing arena for Kenworth trucks has become much smaller, especially for over the road trucks.. Lenders, in the past, that use to finance this niche market have either pulled their portfolio funds out of this area or have modified its lending requirements. It is not unheard of today that a start up business must commit to a down payment of between 10% - 30% of the acquistion cost of the Kenworth truck to enter this market. The seasoned business with good credit might be able to get in as little as one payment down plus documents fees but must have either A or B Credit. Other seasoned businesses that don’t meet these credit requirements, may be required to put up 10-20% down or either put up additional collateral as their credit scores fall below 600. Most buyers don’t enjoy these tightening financial requirements, are locked out of this market, and will start looking for alternatives that are available due to market conditions. In addition to the market requirements of substantial monies due upfront, the conventional lender has modified his risk/reward factor for the failure and possible repossession of these trucks. Therefore, the rate and/or interest factor that the lender charges has gone up making it a bigger challenge to complete the financing end once the want to be buyer locates his acquisition….
As the economy has weakened due to market conditions, including diesel gas reaching $5.00 or more per gallon in certain states in the past few months, the route of conventional financing has changed as we know it. The lender has acquired another problem that makes their equation a little more complicated. In the past year as the price of food has gone up, the real estate markets have taken a toll for the worse and other world factors have caused the banks to be more unstable, the trucking industry has become more volatile. As the increase of defaults on the payments of Freightliner and all other trucks have risen to all time highs, the lenders have been taking back these trucks by the droves that are earmarked as repossessions. This has caused a problem with normal lending practices and trying to balance it with a non producing income portfolio. If these lenders don’t act swiftly and prudently, the combination of these two type of portfolios can be devasating to the lenders’ bottom line.
A third factor to consider is the off lease truck. These trucks are being returned to the lender and they must act accordingly with this third factor. By definition, a Kenworth off lease Truck has been returned to the lender as the lease has expired. The lessee has made a decision to return the item in lieu of exercising the buyout option. A repossession is different than an off lease because it has arisen due to a default of the lessee for non payment terms or a violation of the terms of the lease. Either way, the lender has taken these trucks back and/and now must recondition these trucks and either sell these trucks or re-lease them.
Today, some of the lenders in the financial market have advertised personal credit qualifications as low as 600, prior bankruptcy rules amended or ignored, and start up businesses welcome. Additionally, the front money to commence a lease can start as low as first payment only to whatever you might able to negotiate. Some of the lenders have application only programs up to $250,000. There are no financial statements, income tax returns or bank statements required. Additionally, some lenders may defer some of payments to get the semi trucks financed.
In conclusion, this is a buyer’s market for Kenworth trucks. One should evaluate all the factors relating to this acquisition including gas costs, air emissions,environmental type requirements., buyout clauses acquisition costs and its related financing.
Additionally, there are two distinct financing markets out there, one for the normal acquisition from the dealership and the possibility of acquiring a repo and off lease from a lender at favorable market and financing terms. As always it is advisable, if possible, to locate financing prior to truck shopping, it could save a lot of time and stress.
Ford Launches New Incentives For Pickup Trucks
With its recent announcement that it’ll scale back full-size truck production, Ford seems intent to manage supplies of its F-series pickups in a waning market. But what happens to the trucks that already lie on dealer lots? Through June 30th, Ford will sell virtually any 2008 F-150, F-250, or Ford F-350 trucks at an employee’s discount price.
Truck dealers will soon be affixing additional window stickers that reflect the new pricing scheme. Although Ford hasn’t released details of how much a discount this amounts to, expect to see something close to Ford A- or Z-plan pricing, moving the sticker price to below the dealer’s invoice price.
Models not included in the incentives are any commercial chassis-cab models, the new F-150 Harley Davidson edition, and the massive new Ford F-450 Super Duty.
Although the incentives are a way to move excess ‘08 inventory before the all-new 2009 F-150 reaches showrooms, they’re also Ford’s hope to get the F-series to sell - period.
After a 17-year run of being the best-selling vehicle in the United States, the F-150 slid to fifth place in May of 2008, with only 42,973 units moving off dealers’ lots. Honda’s Civic stole the first-place position, with 53,299 sales.
Looking at the year-to-date sales data, the Ford F-150 truck is still in first place. However, if fuel costs continue to rise and consumers keep shifting to smaller vehicles, the record may not last through the end of the year.
Choose the Best Equipment Trailers
Equipment trailer is one of the most important utility vehicles for all those who deal in heavy industry, building supplies, automobiles and numerous other goods and services where there is a constant use of equipment trailer and utility trailer for sale.
Well, in case you plan to buy a new car hauler or gooseneck trailer one should go for the right kind of trailer or hauler so as to benefit the most from perfect trailer that makes the loading and unloading work easy. First of all, while buying a utility trailer, one has to know exactly what kind of trailer one is looking forward. It means regarding its use, one can classify the trailers such as car carriers, tandem axle, custom built trailers, motorcycle and ATV, equipment trailers, dump trailers, take 3 trailers, titan trailer and single axle to name a few. Application and user end purpose is one of the most significant factors while choosing the equipment trailers. The decision of open and enclosed trailers purely depends upon the utility that is going to be served by the equipment trailer. For products that are no weather friendly or fragile, one should go for enclosed equipment trailer so as to enhance the safety and security of cargo. In comparison to open trailers, enclosed trailers are of much help as they are free from spoil sport weather that can damage the cargo while ferrying from one place to another. It may be that open trailers are relatively cheaper than enclosed trailers, yet, one may have to pay heavy price if the goods are damaged. Same rule applies for choosing a single or double axle trailer. With single axle equipment trailer, one gets just a single load carrying axle. Usually, the single axle trailer comes with the option of breaks. Well, if you are plan to felly heavy cargo, it is essential to have trailers that support break. In case of heavy stuff, it is essential to go for double axle trailers that have two axles for load bearing. These are some of the important features that one should definitely check before buying a good equipment trailer for ferrying heavy goods from one place to another.
While buying equipment trailer one should never ever compromise on quality. One should research more about the equipment trailer manufacturer or provider so as to avail the best quality trailer. Always remember that a good trailer manufacturer will definitely provide guaranteed products that come with heavy load bearing capacity.
So, for all those who are looking forward to buy equipment trailer or car hauler, it is essential to have a clear idea about one’s preference and utility. This will definitely give you an added advantage while choosing a perfect trailer that ensures quality good ferrying service from one place to other. In case of specific requirements, one can go forward for custom made trailers such as custom smokers, custom utility trailer, golf cart trailers, air force trailers and numerous other to name a few.
Different Trailers Available For Business Or Personal Use
There are great number of resource online providing good services but coming at a specific price tag, either these services are not worthwhile or you don’t get proper response from the companies but by joining us we assure you a different class of services with no price tags as joining us is absolutely FREE of cost, there are no hidden charges or transaction costs over the site as our only aim is to unite the dealers, wholesalers, retailers, manufacturers, buyers and sellers and do great business by just paying for the vehicle, there is no service charge levied on our site. You just name it and we have it, our huge massive database helps you get the dream vehicle you were always wanting for your business or a personal use.
We have vehicles ranging from copco trailers for sale, trailers for sale, latest trailers for sale, used trailers for sale, used comet trailers for sale, heavy duty trucks, and many other varieties of trucks and trailers. Some of the big famous brands listed on the site includes Freightliner trucks for sale, International trucks for sale, Peterbilt trucks for sale, Kenworth trucks for sale, Mack trucks for sale, Volvo trucks for sale and many other famous brands are available on the site. Amongst the trailers, some of the most sought after companies are utility trailers for sale, fontaine trailers for sale, Wabash trailers for sale, trailmobile trailers for sale, great dane trailers for sale, Fruehauf trailers for sale, transcraft trailers for sale and many best famous trailers are being added each day of the month.
There are all types of vehicles listed on this site whether it may be for commercial or personal use, you just name it and we have it. Various comet commercial truck trailers for sale on the site are 1984 comet flat bed trailer, 1992 comet 30ft refer van trailer, 1987 commet 2900T, 1990 comet walking floor, 1991 comet trailer, 1992 comet trailer and many more. The latest trailers to be sold out from the site recently are 1991 comet refer trailer, 1995 comet curtain trailer, 1981 comet 31×96, 1992 comet 30ft with damage LH side, 1988 comet 45×96 curtain side, 1993 comet T/A curtain trailer, 1981 comet 31×6, 1981 comet tandem axel dolly converter, 1988 comet 3-available, 1991 comet refer trailers and many other trailers.
The various Copco trailers for sale on the site are 1978 copco ES150 the model has a spring suspension, 20 tires, sliding tandem axle, swing door, wood floor, it also has an aluminum composition, 1979 copco trailer it is 44×96 and has a FRP composition. Thousands of trucks and trailers are being added and sold out from the site with thousands of dealers joining in the group from different parts of the continent, once you join us you get listed amongst the top searches by other dealers that will in turn increase your chances of being exposed to potential buyers and also for the people who are looking for new business partners or starting an altogether a new business venture with you.
Buying A 2006 Ford Ranger Truck
Ford Ranger has been America’s best-selling compact pickup truck for 17 years. It offers serious truck capability at affordable prices.
The Ranger models include Ranger XL trucks, Ranger STX, Ranger XLT, Ranger Sport etc. Styleside and Flareside versions are available. A 7-foot box option is available on XLT Regular Cab Styleside models. Five-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions are available. Three engines are available: The 2.3-liter four-cylinder is a modern dual overhead-cam design with four valves per cylinder rated at 143 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. The optional 3.0-liter V6 rated 148 horsepower and the 207 hp 4.0-liter V-6.
For 2006, the Ford Ranger changes are minimal in exterior and trim levels. Purchasing an older vehicle, such as the 2006 Ford Ranger, makes good financial sense. You’re able to avoid the steep depreciation rates that occur with brand new vehicles. This essentially gives you the advantage of getting a 2006 Ford Ranger for less money than when it was new. If the 2006 Ford Ranger was properly maintained, you also have a good chance of steering clear of problems that would have developed when the car was new.
The amount you pay for an older car depends on various factors. One important element is where you buy the vehicle. You’re likely to get a better deal if you buy it from a private party, as opposed to a dealer. On the other hand, a reputable dealer will normally have some kind of limited warranty, so you can drive away knowing that if the car breaks down right away, you’ll be covered. Another factor that may affect price on a 2006 Ford Ranger is whether it’s “certified” by the manufacturer. A certified truck will cost more because warranty service is provided that normally doesn’t come with a used truck.
Another dynamic that will play into the purchase price is the resale value. A used vehicle with a high resale value will obviously cost you more. It is expected that the 2006 Ford Ranger truck for sale will have a good resale value. This assumes that the 2006 Ford Ranger is in good condition and has a reasonable number of miles.
The Persistence of SUVs and Large Trucks
Around the roadways of our country, it seems that “bigger is better” is a common theme. Despite rising gas prices and fears across the nation of emissions causing environmental issues, it seems that just as many, if not more people are buying and driving SUVs and large Pick Up trucks.
It’s also interesting to note that this affinity for large vehicles is occurring not only in urban areas, but also in areas that are laden with conservationists and environmentalists who would normally see them as disadvantageous because of their potential harm on the environment.
One reason for this is that in areas - such as New Mexico, for instance - with large populations of people who oppose emissions for environmental purposes are the same areas where outdoor recreation is prevalent.
Higher elevation areas are particularly flooded with larger trucks for sale and SUVs for sale, because of the power that they provide in steep, snowy and icy areas. Also, many people find them convenient for their towing capacity, attaching trailer hitches and a trailer lock and using them to haul boats, ATVs, and recreational vehicles.
Another major consumer of large SUVs, are the soccer types — those who don’t use them for their power or towing are likely have no idea what a rapid hitch is — who find them convenient for hauling their children around town. Many family-oriented people are proponents of SUVs because of the extreme versatility and spaciousness. Their convenience in size is a trade-off, obviously, for their tendency to guzzle gas, and their higher levels of emissions.
Additionally, they tend to offer more safety — due to their size — than their smaller, more fragile counter parts. Safety ratings, however, are usually based on vehicle class, so it is difficult to compare a compact to an SUV or a mid-size to a sports coupe. But the general consensus is that larger vehicles can better withstand accidents and therefore are more likely to protect the occupants within.
Many people would also argue that larger vehicles present more versatility than smaller ones. How often do sedan owners have to rent or borrow a truck to make a move across town? A larger vehicle allows for day-to-day transportation as well as the versatility to act as an emergency vehicle of sorts when more labor intensive tasks become necessary, the idea being that large vehicles can do anything that smaller ones can do, but smaller ones can’t necessarily do everything that large ones can.
Whether or not you endorse or despise the “bigger is better” notion, it is becoming obvious that large vehicles are not going anywhere and that, despite absurd prices in gasoline and potential detriment to our environment, SUVs and Trucks are going to continue their influence as a major part of our roadway traffic.
Information About Good Old Trucks
Gottlieb Daimler built the first ever-motorized truck back in 1896. He was a German automotive pioneer who also invented the very first motorcycle, as well as the world’s first taxi. Daimler’s truck consisted of a four horsepower engine, a belt drive, one reverse speed and two speeds for going forward.
In early times, the intended use and purpose of a truck was for industrial reasons. But as preferences change and new wants increase, so did new types of trucks. In early times of war, trucks were used to move ammunition and troops from one place to another, as well as to transport the injured and causalities among the soldiers.
Trucks were also invented that could be used for commercial purposes such as logging, farming, and later to mix and pour materials such as concrete. Later on, heavy duty trucks were invented for the sole purpose of hauling other trucks and vehicles from their place of manufacture to sales centers all over the world.
Today, new or used trucks for sale are used for a myriad of reasons, and many different types of people own and drive them. Farmers everywhere use farm trucks to haul hay and small farm equipment, to move cattle as well as supplies. Those in the landscape and lawn maintenance industries also use trucks; wherein trailers are attached to the trucks in order to get lawn equipment from job to job.
Trucks are not only used for job related tasks, boating enthusiasts also utilize them. There are not many reliable cars that are going to be able to pull a large, recreational type boat, and where would you put the skis, ice chests and other necessities if the trucks’ spacious bed were not available?
Trucks are made by a number of truck manufacturers. There are the regular size passenger trucks for only two people, and the large extended cab trucks for five people to sit comfortably. There are the plain trucks that come with just the basics, and trucks that come fully loaded with every available option.
Some people enjoy the sport of four wheeling, and so they purchase trucks that allow them to drive over rough terrain and through bogs of mud! These trucks are equipped with 4-wheel drive, while other trucks not intended for this purpose would come standard with 2-wheel drive.
While seatching for trucks , be sure about your needs and also determine exactly what the truck will be used for. Truck would not be a good choice if yours is a large family. However, if you need a solid piece of transportation that can be utilized to haul things around, and that you can attach a trailer to, a truck might just be a worthwhile investment.
