Volvo to develop lighter sleepers
24 Commercial Carrier Journal August 2008 Volvo to develop lighter sleepers Project part of Army weight-reduction program V olvo Trucks North America announced that it will develop lightweight prototype sleepers made with advanced composite material technology as part of a U.S. Army program to reduce the weight and improve the fuel economy of trucks. The proj-ect, part of the Army's Military and Commercial Truck Weight Reduction Program, calls for Volvo and program partner TPI Composites Inc., based in Scottsdale, Ariz., to design, build and test prototype truck sleepers. Because of their generally lighter weight, the use of com-posite components can improve truck fuel economy. TPI says its processes yield components that are even lighter and stronger than composite com-ponents formed using traditional methods. Composite materials also resist corrosion, insulate better and may provide a quieter sleeping environment for resting drivers, TPI says. This project allows Volvo to explore the benefits of advanced materials and manufacturing techniques for military vehicles and commercial freight opera-tions, says Scott Kress, Volvo senior vice president of sales and marketing. Three sleeper cabs will be produced as part of the project, with the first to be delivered in late 2009. The project is slated to run for 21 months, with Volvo and TPI sharing the $2.5 million funding. Volvo Technology Corp., an advanced research and development unit of the Volvo Group, will coor-dinate the research for Volvo. The sleeper cabs will consist of three pieces: a one-piece composite sleeper, a composite roof and Volvo's steel cab, modified to attach to the composite sleeper. Testing will include the cab shaker, in which a full-size cab and sleeper, complete with all interior fittings, is attached to a large hydraulic device; the cab shaker subjects the cab and sleeper to prolonged violent shaking to test their durability and integrity. Volvo says the shaker is a standard part of its product development and testing. One of the three cabs also will be subjected to the Swedish Impact Test, which tests the abil-ity of the cab and sleeper to protect occupants in the event of a rollover and other severe accidents. Volvo says every one of its trucks around the world must pass this test. n Navistar announced that its new International LoneStar tractor has been certified as fuel-efficient under the Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay progam. For a limited time, Navistar is offering a program called Maxximum MPG to help custom-ers specify trucks to maximize fuel economy. This program is available on ProStar and LoneStar trucks and includes a $1,000 customer incentive. n Strick Trailers will offer PSI's Meritor Tire Inflation System with ThermAlert as its preferred tire man-agement system on Strick, Cheetah and Evans product lines. ThermAlert is designed to alert drivers of elevated wheel-end temperatures. n PSI chose Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. which has furnished more than 400 fleets with ThermAlert since going standard with it in June 2007 to receive its inaugural ThermAlert Athena Award. n Kenworth has launched a section of its website www. kenworth.com/environmental.asp devoted to its green products, including its Kenworth Clean Power no-idle system and its alternative fuel and hybrid trucks. n Daimler Trucks North America recognized Phillips Industries with the Masters of Quality Award as one of its best suppliers for 2007. Phillips, based in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., sup-plies DTNA with cab harnesses, trailer cables and related products. in brief equipment Volvo's lightweight sleeper cabs will con-sist of three pieces: a one-piece composite sleeper, a composite roof and Volvo's highly engineered steel cab, modified to attach to the composite sleeper. (Continued on page 30)