The COVER STORY
lightweig
How vehicle and component weight reductions will
impact maintenance and the future of trucking.
By T
David Brierley, Managing Editor
here are many factors that infl uence the profi tability of a fl eet. Of these, two stand out as especially
important elements: how much fuel is used and how much freight can be carried.
Fuel effi ciency is more important than ever due to increased government
regulation and the inevitable rise of fuel prices; and fl eets that haul bulk
items, such as beverages or paper, are typically limited by weight
rather than by space. Fortunately, lightweighting, or reducing
the weight of a vehicle or trailer for increased effi ciency,
can help alleviate both of these limitations.
For light and medium duty vehicles, the
eff ects of lightweighting are generally
more noticeable in increased fuel
effi ciency, whereas heavy
duty gains are largely seen in
additional weight that
can be hauled.
Continued Page 12
» Reducing weight in heavy duty trucks is
a good way to increase efficiency, but that
efficiency can be increased even further
by reducing the weight of the trailer.
Photo courtesy of Wabash
10 Fleet Maintenance | June 2018