ExpeditersOnline.com The Expedited Freight Information Center

With our little truck, we used to have great fun passing the slow-moving big-rigs as they chug up hills, like on I-5 northbound coming out of Los Angeles. On that road, trucks work their way up from near sea level to an elevation over 4,000 feet. With our truck's power and weight, we can set the cruise control at the 55 mph speed limit and enjoy the ride. With our new focus on fuel economy, we gave up some of that fun. Now we will set the cruise control at 45 mph and save some fuel instead.

The laws of the 1930's limited truck length to 42 ft. on highways, and by placing the cab over the engine, designers could eliminate cab space and use that area for cargo.

In 1932, industrial designer Viktor Schreckengost and engineer Ray Spiller designed a cabover truck for the White Motor Company. The design was patented by Schreckengost in 1934.

"The Commercial Department here at Freedom Dodge consists of Sales Representative Jeff Taylor and myself. The advantage of doing business with a dealer who specializes in expedited equipment is that we can sit down with the buyer and try to tailor a program to fit his needs."

"We'll look at his vehicle miles, length of time he will keep the van, his maintenance expenses and other factors. With this, we'll map out a financing plan that will be customized for him."

Every major carrier, dealer, and major player in the expedited trucking industry is in attendance and wants to meet you, the current or prospective expediter.

Everything you need to see about the fast freight business is here under one roof with over 100 exhibitors occupying the over 50,000 square feet of the climate-controlled Roberts Convention Centre.

Sitting in traffic for hours is enough to make even the most saintly driver cut loose with a stream of very imaginative epithets.

As we all know, there are serious reasons to keep your truck clean and shiny. Dirt and grime trap moisture, which can lead to corrosion and damage to the finish of painted surfaces and bright metals.

A good looking truck not only speaks of the owner's professionalism, but translates to real value at trade-in/resale time.

"On my inspections, I start at the front on the driver's side then go all the way down that side, around the back and up the passenger's side to the front. I try to use that system every time."

"Also, if I'm driving at night, towards dusk I stop and clean all my windows and mirrors. Then I'll turn all my lights on and do a walk around to check them. I've been able to catch burnt-out marker lights that way."

Presently, heavy duty truck parts make up only a small fraction of counterfeit products overall, but the manufacturers of phony brake pads, batteries, fan belts, valves and a range of other truck parts are broadening their product lines and areas of distribution, including the U.S.

Some parts, while they don't fit the strict definition of counterfeit, are designed to fool the purchaser into believing they are the genuine article. Called clones or knock-offs these parts are reverse-engineered to look like the originals, to the point of even carrying the same part numbers.

The first show in 1972 featured 80 exhibitors and 4000 visitors. MATS continued to grow through the ensuing decades and now boasts of over 1,100 exhibitors with more than 1,000,000 square feet of convention floor space and more than 200,000 square feet of outdoor exhibits and events. Organizers estimate over 75,000 show-goers will attend.

According to the Tire Retread Information Bureau (TRIB), retreads are used by small package delivery companies with guaranteed delivery times, including the U.S. Postal Service, on commercial and military jets, by most school bus operators, taxis, and many other types of vehicles.

TRIB also states that retreaded truck tires represent a savings of over $3 billion dollars annually for truckers and trucking companies in North America. Approximately 18.6 million retreaded tires were sold in North America in 2006, with sales in excess of $3 billion. The majority of these were medium truck tires.