INSIDE INSIDE SPEC Speed-governing Technology ........................ 8 MY TRUCK Telematics and trucks ................................18 Check out Eric Anthony’s rig. Page 12. Volume 2 Issue 4 JULY/AUGUST 2015 $8.00 NEW WAVE EQUIPMENT Euro-style What you need to know about lube skids vans gain Commonly used in construction, lube skids are also popular in equipment rental, traction oil/gas, and agriculture industries Long a mainstay on the other LEAH GROUT GARRIS side of the Atlantic, these tall ringing equipment back to the shop when it’s time for an sleek vans are winning oil change or a simple maintenance task isn’t the most effi- B cient use of a service truck mechanic’s time. It’s also costly admirers in North America Adoption of Euro-style vans, like the Ram ProMaster, — if one factors in the revenue lost from taking a service truck off is reaching “critical mass.” the road. As an alternative to dedicated lube trucks or lube trailers, lube ERIN GOLDEN While service truck operators aren’t rushing skids allow fluid to be safely provided on a jobsite to keep service out in overwhelming numbers to make the switch, trucks out in the field — without having to leave for routine ser- he vehicle cruising past you on the road some in the industry say there are signs of change vice. These units are self-contained, reducing the need for oil stor- T on the way to a service call might not look — or at least interest in using vans as a comple- age lockers and like the kind of truck you’d expect. ment to trucks. With three increasingly popular containers. In fact, it might not be a truck at all. models now on the market, vans are quickly They also Euro-style vans, like the Mercedes Sprinter becoming more than an oddity for North Ameri- include collection and its new competitors, the Ford Transit and the can consumers. tanks for storing used Ram ProMaster, are drawing more attention from Doyle Sumrall, managing director of the fluids. a number of industries, including those rely on National Truck Equipment Association, said All of these benefits traditional, heavy duty service vehicles. continued on page 17 add up to reduced down- time, the ability to keep equipment moving and WELCOME DISTRACTIONS employees working, and transportation cost savings. Not only that, but adding a lube skid to a truck increases the A lube skid provides flexibility. Model service trucks tackle technician’s capability for service and Photo courtesy of Curry Supply repair, says Jeff Shaw, sales manager with Curry Supply in Martinsburg, Pa. small jobs Collectors seek authenticity in their intricate models continued on page 10 MATT JONES Publications Mail Agreement #40050172 Customer #4956370 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO 4623 William Head Rd. Victoria BC V9C 3Y7 email: [email protected] “Everybody needs a hobby,” says Mike Foote. “Everybody needs something to do with their spare time.” For Ohio native Foote, that something is the col- lection of model trucks. Growing up with a father in the construction industry, Foote long held a fas- cination with construction equipment. Twelve years ago, he chanced upon the website of a diecast model company in his area and discovered it was holding a model fair. A screen shot from Mike Foote’s Youtube channel shows him Foote immediately fell in love with models the handling a 1:50 scale model DuraStar service truck. moment he walked into the fair. “I was like a kid in a continued on page 14 candy store,” he says with a laugh. CLASS LEADING SERVICE AND LUBE BODIES SERVICE BODIES . LUBE BODIES . HAULERS . DRAWER PACKS . CRANES “A.S.E.” Advanced Safety Electronics • Programmed To Encourage Outrigger Deployment • Fully Displays Simple ( LMI ) Load Management Indication Partnering With Customers • Programmed To Limit Crane Functionality In To Reach Peak Performance Unsafe Operating Conditions • Fully Displays Warning Indicators Reducing Risk - Improving Safety (Oil Temp., Leveling Condition, Etc.) • Military Grade Switches - Made In The USA (D.A.R.T.) - Increasing ROI • Fully Proportional Joysticks • Bright / Easy To Use Control Panel Navigation • Reduces Wiring & Provides Multiple Auxiliary Ports • Self Diagnostic Check During Boot-Up & Operation • Start / Stop Truck, Engage PTO, Hour Meter Display OVER 60+ Units in Stock! MODELS - 6620 . 6629 . 10620 . 10629 . 12629 . 14629 Summit Cranes are rated to lift 3,000 lbs - 14,000 lbs providing both versatility and stability. 990 Vernon Rd. Wathena, KS 66090 . 888-780-9076 . www.summitbodies.com BUILT STRONGER TO LAST LONGER The Granite Drawer System Promise The perfect solution for storing, organizing and protecting your tools, small parts and accessories. 990 Vernon Rd. Wathena, KS 66090 . 888-780-9076 . www.granitedrawersystems.com SERVICE TRUCK MAGAZINE JULY/AUGUST 2015>> 3 NEWS Gas taxes hardly affect pump prices, www. servicetruckmagazine.com according to transportation economist Editor - Keith Norbury • [email protected] Advertising Sales - Nick Moss, Marketing Manager • Office: 250-478-1981 asoline tax increases don’t result and chief operating officer, joined Cell: 250-588-2195 • [email protected] G in an equivalent price increase Democratic Congressman Earl Art Direction/Production - James S. Lewis • [email protected] at the gas pump, according to a Blumenauer of Oregon and other recent analysis by the American Road transportation leaders to propose an Publisher - Tom Henry • [email protected] & Transportation Builders Associa- Federal gas tax increase in the federal fuel tax, which Regular Contributors - Dan Anderson, Saul Chernos, Nelson Dewey, tion. would likely be was last adjusted in 1993. Leah Grout Garris, Erin Golden, Matt Jones Dr. Alison Black, the association’s “lost” in regular pump Toohey called for a long-term chief economist, found that average price fluctuations, funding solution. Subscriptions [email protected] economist says. Toll free 1-866-260-7985 • Fax +1.250.478.3979 prices the day after new state gas taxes “And by long-term, we don’t mean www. servicetruckmagazine.com were levied only reflected about 22 a four- to six-year patch,” he said in a percent of the tax, the association said significant retail price factor.” statement. “Because that would leave Service Truck Magazine is published six times a year by Southern Tip Publishing Inc. in a June 16 news release. As a result, Dr. Black predicted us at the end of the next authoriza- Subscription rate for six issues: $36.00. Single copy price: $8.00. Contents copyrighted Dr. Black based her analysis on that a modest hike in the federal tion exactly where we are now, facing by Southern Tip Publishing Inc. and may be reprinted only with permission. five state gas taxes enacted since 2013. gasoline tax would likely disappear in a $16 billion per year-plus funding PRINTED IN CANADA A month after the gas taxes were the regular fluctuations of gas pump cliff. We want a solution that puts this Postage paid at Vancouver, BC imposed, the pump price reflected prices, the news release said. critical national program back on solid ISSN 2368-4615 about a third of the tax, she deter- The next day, Bill Toohey, the financial footing for at least the next mined. After that, a gas tax was “not a association’s executive vice-president decade.” US mailing address: Service Truck Magazine 815 1st Avenue, #301, Seattle, WA, 98104 Canadian mailing address: Service Truck Magazine, 4623 William Head Road, Victoria, BC V9C 3Y7 Yes indeed, salaries average $50,000 Your privacy is important to us. Occasionally we make our subscriber list available to reputable companies whose products or services might be of interest to our readers. for heavy mobile equipment mechanics If you would prefer to have your name removed from this list, please call 1-866-260- 7985, fax: 250-478-3979 or write us at Service Truck Magazine, 4623 William Head Road, Victoria, BC V9C 3Y7 or email us at info@Service Truck Magazine.com The average annual salary for a heavy mobile equipment mechanic in the U.S. was $50,000 on June 24, according to salary search on the Indeed. com job search website. Next Advertising Deadline: Aug. 12, 2015 The average salary for that same job in Boston Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this exciting new industry and Atlanta on that date was $63,000, about 25 publication. For more information, or to reserve space in the next issue, percent above the national average. In Anchorage, call Nick at our Advertising Department - +1-250-478-1981 Alaska, meanwhile, the average pay was $38,000, [email protected] or 24 percent below the national average. Seattle at $54,000, New York and Chicago both at $61,000, Philadelphia at $53,000, and Houston at $57,000 Next Editorial Deadline: Aug. 12, 2015 were above the national average. For writers’ guidelines and submission requirements get in touch Miami at $48,000, Des Moines at $47,000, with the Editor, Keith Norbury, at +1-250.383-5038. Louisville at $40,000, Phoenix at $43,000, and [email protected] Indianapolis at $44,000 were all below the national average. A mobile equipment master mechanic, Heavy mobile equipment mechanic earn on average $50,000 a year, accord- meanwhile, earned $46,000 on average PUBLISHED BY SOUTHERN TIP PUBLISHING INC. ing to job website search. 4623 William Head Road, Victoria, BC V9C3Y7 across the country. ADVERTISERS INDEX Chassis makers Al Asher & Sons ............................................................. 3 Association of Equipment Manufacturers