November 2013 Volume 33, Issue 11 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
A natural progression Bison, Robert give honest accounts of experiences with natural gas
the right to lead the convoy. Just as impressive as the funds raised, was the spirit of the event itself. Drivers not only decked their rigs out in pink, many wore pink themselves, including some brave men who even styled pink tutus. Joanne Ritchie, executive director of the Owner-Operators’
By James Menzies TORONTO, Ont. – Representatives from two of Canada’s most experienced liquefied natural gas (LNG) truck fleets opened up about their experiences with the technology during a candid conversation at the first annual Natural Gas Vehicle Infrastructure Canada conference. Both Trevor Fridfinnson, senior vice-president with Bison Transport, and Yves Maurais, engineering manager with Robert Transport, were refreshingly honest when discussing how well, or not, LNG trucks have worked for them. Robert currently runs 115 LNG Peterbilts and is two years into its project, while Bison deployed 15 LNG Petes early this year and is approaching its first million miles. Bison is running its LNG trucks in its long combination vehicle (LCV) fleet between Calgary and Edmonton. When the project was launched, the company envisioned a two-year payback. Fridfinnson now acknowledges that won’t happen. “It’s not going to be possible to hit that timeline,” Fridfinnson said. “Where it ends up, I think that remains to be seen because we think there are further efficiencies that
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head-turner: This Kenworth was one of more than 80 trucks that took part in this year’s Trucking for a Cure convoy, which raised more than $50,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Photo by James Menzies
Trucks don pink for Ontario convoy By James Menzies WOODSTOCK, Ont. – On Oct. 5, more than 80 pinked-out trucks gathered at the TA Travel Centre in Woodstock, where they formed a convoy that would travel along Hwy. 401 in a headturning display of solidarity against breast cancer. When all the loonies were counted, more than $50,000 had been
collected for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The Trucking for a Cure convoy invites drivers of any gender to participate. They just have to bring a minimum pledge of $75 to the table, but most go well beyond that. The top fundraisers, representing Superior Propane, raked in $4,360 between the two trucks that subsequently earned
Keeping his cool
Inside This Issue...
• He’s the champ: It’s been an eventful year for the National This ice cream hauler travelled Truck Driving Champion. First he lost his job, then he got a the world to find a cooler solution new one and now he’s Canada’s best. Page 32 • Bright ideas:
Tips on maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing lighting systems. Page 38
• A smaller diesel: In one of its biggest new product investments,
Cummins has announced it is introducing a 5.0L V8 diesel engine for light and medium truck applications. Page 58
• The Truxpo Gambit:
Mark Dalton looks forward to a truck show, till he realizes he’s the one being sought. Page 68
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