Commercial Van Solutions

International Truck announced that the new Eaton Cummins Endurant™ 12-speed automated transmission, a light and efficient 1,850 lb.-ft. capable heavy-duty transmission, is now available on International® LT® Series and LoneStar® trucks. "Offering the Endurant transmission with the Cummins X15™ engine on our LT Series and LoneStar trucks reflects our DriverFirst™ philosophy, which is at the core of our product design process,” said Jeff Sass, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing. “Integrated advanced transmission solutions benefit our long haul and regional haul customers through reliable vehicle performance, greater fuel efficiency and improved driver comfort.” Endurant enhances the driving experience with smooth and intuitive shift strategies and predictive shifting that uses look-ahead technology to execute shift decisions that improve fuel efficiency and provide additional driver comfort. Along with 750,000-mile lube change intervals for...

Running your car’s air conditioning, like any other feature on your car that draws power, will affect your gas mileage. The question is, how much will it affect the mileage, is it enough to warrant not using the air conditioning, and are the alternatives any better? The answers vary between car models, as well as between individual people because driving habits change from person to person. Good, master-certified automotive technicians should know what to consider if a customer asks whether running the air conditioner will be bad for mileage on that customer’s particular car. Your Choices are Limited The primary choices to consider are running the air conditioner with the windows up, or turning off the air conditioner and either using the fan-only setting, or no setting. In other words, there aren’t many. With the air conditioning, you’re actually siphoning power away from the engine and using more fuel to keep the air conditioning going. With the windows down, you’...

After first being commissioned by the German state of Hesse in August 2017 to build a stretch of electrified highway along the Autobahn, Siemens has now added the finishing touches to the system and fired it up for the first time. Intended as a greener solution for road freight transport, the eHighway follows similar installations in other countries and is hoped to demonstrate how cleaner trucking can bring significant savings in fuel costs and pollution. Siemens' first shared its idea for the eHighway back in 2012, where hybrid diesel/electric trucks fitted with purpose-built pantographs could tap into power lines running overhead to hum along the highway at up to 90 km/h (56 mph) using electricity only. It has since installed versions of this eHighway in the US and Sweden, and has now inaugurated another along Germany's Autobahn. The 10-km (6.2-mi) eHighway runs between Zeppelinheim/Cargo City Süd interchange at the Frankfurt Airport and the Darmst...

Earlier this year, Mercedes introduced the Marco Polo Horizon camper van at the CMT show, one of Germany's major annual camper expos. Now it's launching a few limited edition variants at the biggest of all those expos, the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon. The highlight is the gorgeous metallic red edition shown above, bringing some much-needed style and color to the camper van market. While there are the occasional Flow Campers and Knaus Sinner & Saints, it seems there are far too many whites, grays and blacks in the camper van market. The brown that Mercedes showed the Marco Polo Horizon in earlier this year was actually a welcome change, but the dazzling red of the new Marco Polo Horizon Limited Edition is on another level. That red is a specific shade from Mercedes' Designo palette called hyacinth red metallic, a color that's known for hugging the curves of Mercedes passenger cars like the C-Class and E-Class. Not only is it a gorgeous color ...

You’ve calculated your solar. Planned your build. Bought some components and made sure it’ll all fit. Now, how does it all go together? A tip before you begin: If you are new to electricity, then there’s a good chance you’ll make mistakes. It’s much safer and cheaper if those mistakes are on paper (or screen). We find it helpful to draw out what you plan on doing and asking experts on an electrical forum if your plan is correct. Even if you’re experienced it’s not a bad idea to have some more eyes on things. Solarpaneltalk.com and Northern Arizona Wind and Sun forums are full of helpful folks. And now, the warning: Start With Wire Size Electricity has to be able to fit in the metal wires you install. Trying to pull too much current through them can reduce their efficiency and even make them burn up. Wire thickness is determined by Wire length The amount of Amps passing through it Wire diameter is commonly measured in AWG, or American Wire Gauge, increments. The s...

Maxwell transplants the guts of a Volt into a Ram ProMaster   The Maxwell RHEV looks just like any small business' panel van, sporting large vinyl graphics and unassuming steel wheels. You'd have no idea that the co-founders of the startup based out of Seattle had grafted a salvaged Voltec powertrain from a junkyard Chevy Volt into this Ram ProMaster. Somewhere, a battery pack lurks. Maxwell's co-founders, CEO Max Pfeiffer and engineer Trey Camp, open the cargo area to reveal a completely unaltered space. Both are ex-Tesla employees with a long fascination for the #vanlife movement – that their interests intersected in a hybrid cargo van isn't surprising once you start talking to them. This is their first vehicle, a salvaged ProMaster sidelined with a blown 3.6-liter Pentastar, and it's both their prototype and the only Maxwell in existence right now. That said, the company is building a low-roof version for a customer, which will be lighter, have...

If you have an unattended trailer or caravan, you wouldn't be very happy if someone would steal it. Your damage would be even worse, when your trailer is loaded with your valuable stuff. When you let your trailer completely unattended on a parking place it is a breeze for a thief to steal it. He just needs to come with his own car and put your trailer on his towing hitch and he can pull it of. Or maybe he has to put the trailer off of your own car first, and then put it on his own car instead. As easy it is for him to steal it, so easy is it for you to put some spokes in his wheels. The easiest way to protect your hanger is a hitch lock. This is most often just a small pin which you put through the hitch receiver hole of your trailer, which can be locked up with a key. So no one can put your trailer on his own cars hitch to pull off your property. If a thief has not the right tools, he will not be able to destroy this lock in short time, so your trailer is safe for the first...

When your family is growing and your four-door sedan is becoming too small with the rest of the family (and the dog) inside, it only means one thing: you should replace your sedan with a minivan. Moreover, if you were someone who simply wants to do some good with the environment, make that car a hybrid minivan. The Need for a Hybrid Minivan A hybrid minivan's roomy interior is the reason why a lot of people, mostly with children, have been wanting for such a car instead of a regular sedan. Also, it has been known that a minivan, hybrid or not, is fuel-efficient as compared to big trucks, SUV's and sedans with 6 cylinders. Although a growing family needs a roomier or bigger car, it doesn't need something that will add up to the family budget (especially for fuel consumption). Aside from these, a hybrid minivan although is spacious, is light to carry because of its light exterior and aerodynamics. "Muscled" Hybrids, Not Minivans Today, there hasn'...

There are essentially two opinions when it comes to how we want our cars to look. Some people love the shine and sparkle of a freshly washed car. Others like having a dirty truck to show off all the fun you’ve had and work you’ve done. For those of us that prefer a clean car, it would be nice if stayed clean for longer than a day. Sometimes it feels like your car or truck is covered in dust the moment you leave the car wash. It can be hard to keep your vehicle always looking nice and pristine, but there are some proactive steps you can take. How To Keep Your Car or Truck Clean It’s almost impossible to keep your vehicle completely clean all of the time. You can do small things, like waxing your car after washing it, to keep it looking as clean as possible. Taking the time to wax your car also helps it stay clean, and your vehicle will be easier to clean next time as well. If you can park your car in a garage or covered space, that will protect it fro...

More and more people are discovering that a van gives them everything they get from a car – and a whole lot more.   Here are the top ten reasons people give for switching to a van. 1. It’s up to you how you use the van When you buy a car, you have very limited configuration options – you can generally fold down one or more seats, and that’s it. With a van, it’s entirely up to you how you configure the internal space. You can add extra seating, a storage area, leisure fittings, even a mini office. With a car, the manufacturer dictates how you can use the vehicle. With a van, you’re in charge.  2. Ideal for family trips Because of the extra space in a van, you can have a double row of seats and use it for the school run but still have enough space and flexibility to put in some camping equipment, fix the bikes to the back and head off for a day in the woods or a weekend at a campsite. On Monday, the van’s back to being a workhorse.  3. Safer drivi...

When it comes to making a caravan purchase, many people are faced with the dilemma of choosing between new and used. Whilst there are many similarities with these purchases, there are also a number of differences that it is important you are aware of when deciding which route is the best option for you. So, what are the differences between buying a new and a used caravan? Buying a new caravan? For many people, buying brand new is the most preferable option because it means that they are the very first people to use the caravan and they can often have it customised to their preferences. This is, however, a highly expensive route to take - and one that not every family will be able to afford. People who are interested in purchasing a brand new caravan do not have to worry about certain problems (such as rust, damp and appliances not working) because these are problems that really only affect older vans. Dealers are often much more willing to compromise (and much frie...

  One common question we get from our clients in both these situations: What is the right kind of oil to use for my custom Sprinter van? In fact, some people aren’t even aware there are distinctly different oil types. Generally, the types are split into two categories: Standard oil and synthetic oil. Let’s look at why your oil is important to begin with, plus whether you should consider standard or synthetic for your Sprinter. Why Oil is Important The primary purpose of motor oil in any vehicle is to lubricate the engine, which contains several components that create friction and may wear down as a result. Oil also helps to cool various parts of the engine, which can become quite hot during standard operation. Through this lubrication and cooling, oil keeps parts interacting smoothly while preventing the engine from overheating. Bad oil, though, can leave parts creating too much friction during their normal operation, which can both wear them down and cause overheat...

Unlike a new van that is fresh from the factory and backed by an extensive warranty, a used van will have typically traveled thousands of miles over several years. Its usage and service history may be a mystery, and there is always the concern that your chosen van may not be as good as it first seems. Whether you are looking to buy Ford vans, Mercedes vans, Volkswagen vans, Vauxhall vans or Citroen vans, you can boost your chances of getting great value for money by carrying out ten basic checks. 1. Bodywork The most important thing to check on a van’s bodywork is rust. Rust is most obvious on wings, sills and below bumpers, but it can also be found under the wheel arches, around the door frame and at the corners of the windscreen. If you find rust, press on it gently. If you hear cracking sounds, there may be corrosion below. 2. Suspension Pushing down on each corner of the van should give you some indication of the state of its shock absorbers. If the ...

It is not normally easy to find a used van in good condition. However, that does not mean there are no reliable used vans in the British market: it only explains why you need to look a little longer to find a good van in your price range. Take a quick look at the top 10 most reliable used vans available in the market and see what they have to offer, including a few tips specific to each particular model. 1. Ford Transit This full-size family used van has entered the modern age by adopting the global van platform for classical transit. It is available in three body lengths, three roof heights and two wheelbases. The Ford Transit is used as cargo hauler or a people mover with up to 15 seats. The features include: LED interior lighting, 270-degree rear-door opening, a 3.2-litre turbo diesel inline-five, a 3.5 litre twin-turbo V-6 and 3.7 litre V-6. Each model has a six-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. 2. Ford Transit Connect Ford Transit Connect is mai...