Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, June 19, 2024:
New Peterbilt Model 589 hits 5,000th order, other milestone
Mike Lowrie, owner of Dixon, California-based Mike Lowrie Trucking, recently took delivery of the 1,000th Peterbilt 589.Peterbilt
Peterbilt announced Tuesday it has received more than 5,000 orders for its Model 589, highlighting enthusiasm for the new model from both operators and fleets.
Peterbilt also recently celebrated the delivery of the 1,000th Model 589 to customer Mike Lowrie Trucking, based in Dixon, California.
“As the proud recipient of Peterbilt's 1,000th Model 589, I am reminded of the legacy that my family has shared with Peterbilt,” said Mike Lowrie, president of the trucking company. “From humble beginnings in 1947 with my dad’s first used Peterbilt, to us purchasing our new Peterbilts together in 1978, to now operating nearly 250 Peterbilt trucks, they have been more than a truck manufacturer; they've been a partner in our success. We are committed to customer satisfaction, and we’ve ordered the most reliable and most striking trucks on the road. The Model 589 embodies everything we appreciate about Peterbilt, and we're honored to add them into our fleet.”
[Related: Early Peterbilt 589 custom builds: Twin 2024 models from custom shop Semi Casual]
Exterior features of the 589 include 15-inch air cleaners, 7-inch stacks and exhaust shield, and Peterbilt’s exterior lighting package, including LED daytime running lights, Peterbilt said. Inside, creature comforts such as high-performance automatic climate control, abundant storage space and larger dual cup holders create an inviting driver environment, the company added.
The 589’s styling also is supported by innovative technologies, including an air-assisted hydraulic clutch on manual transmissions, which Peterbilt said reduces driver fatigue and maintenance, and the latest collision mitigation and advanced driver technologies.
The 589 is available as a day cab and with multiple sleeper options, including the 44-inch low roof, 58-inch UltraLow, low and high roof, 72-inch low and high roof, and 80-inch high roof configurations.
Also available is the Legendary Package featuring Peterbilt’s 1939 vintage script logo and spears that adorn the hood, coupled with exclusive bright work on the polished fenders and bright rockers. Leather-grain seats with the vintage logo in the headrest and unique stitching enhance the look and feel inside the cab.
[Related: New Peterbilt 589's 72-inch low-roof sleeper]
Trucker Path launches roadside assistance offering
Truck drivers utilizing the Trucker Path mobile app will now have a new emergency roadside assistance option with the addition of RoadsideMASTERS.com (RSM) programs to the Trucker Path Marketplace.
All of the benefits of RSM commercial vehicle emergency roadside assistance programs are available to Trucker Path app users through the Trucker Path Marketplace for a discounted rate of $39.99 per month per truck. Users can subscribe and manage their membership directly within the Trucker Path app.
Roadside assistance is provided through a proprietary vendor network comprising over 40,000 service providers across North America.
“Roadside assistance powered by RoadsideMASTERS.com is one of the latest ways we’re helping users of the Trucker Path app,” said Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path. “Through the Trucker Path Marketplace, they can now access cost-effective, on-demand emergency roadside coverage for vehicles within the U.S. and Canada. For owner-operators, drivers and fleets, these programs help ensure vehicles get moving as quickly as possible after a breakdown occurs.”
[Related: Trucking's best defense against predatory towing: A step-by-step guide]
Drivewyze expands to Manitoba
The Drivewyze weigh station bypass network is now offering the PreClear weigh station bypass service throughout Manitoba, Canada.
A new partnership with the Manitoba Department of Transportation and Infrastructure brought about the expansion of the service, which will be bundled with bypass services offered in Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador,
Drivewyze also offers bypass services for the Province of Alberta and across the U.S. Drivewyze PreClear is currently available in 48 states and provinces at more than 900 locations.
The Manitoba service will be operated by the Transportation Operations Division of Motor Carrier Enforcement. It allows subscribed trucks with Canadian or U.S. plates to have bypass opportunities at eight locations throughout the province, including:
- West Hawk Lake Hwy-1, Eastbound and Westbound
- Emerson Hwy-75, Northbound and Southbouond
- Carroll Hwy-2, EB and WB
- Headingley Hwy-1, EB and WB
“We’re partnering with Canadian provinces to expand bypass programs across Canada with Manitoba representing a key geography for the trucking community,” said Brian Mofford, Drivewyze’s VP of Government Experience. “As an added value, we’ve bundled the service for those who have subscriptions for bypass in Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador. We hope to bring more provinces on board soon to fulfill our goal of having complete coverage in Canada.”
According to Mofford, with four bypass locations along the Trans-Canada Highway -- which covers 490 kilometers through Manitoba -- truck drivers have more road time and less downtime. “Freight efficiency is a key measure for all trucking companies and weigh station bypass can shave off valuable minutes or even hours in some cases.”
Mofford said the bypass sites represent the busiest areas for truck traffic, especially the Headingley Highway 1 east and westbound “This is just west of Winnipeg and it’s by far the busiest of the four scale locations,” he said. “The Emerson Highway 75 location is important, too, as it’s the port of entry from the U.S. heading north in Manitoba, with southbound travel going into North Dakota and Minnesota.”
[Related: New weigh station bypass opportunities in 13 states]
