Truck Topics
Fyda Rolls Out New Trucks
The 2006 Mid-America Trucking Show is just around the corner! This means that the truck manufacturers and dealers are putting the final coat of spit 'n polish on their latest designs and the attendees at this year's "Expediter Experience" will be among the first to see the newest and the best.
John LaLonde, the Expedited Truck Specialist from Fyda Freightliner of Columbus says that his dealership has two brand new trucks to present at the "Expediter Experience."
One of the new Fyda products to be unveiled at the show is the 2006 Freightliner Columbia C112, Class 8 expediter. LaLonde says, "There is a huge demand for new, Class 8 expediters like the Columbia. A lot of fleets want these trucks because they offer the longevity, the fuel mileage and the better ride of a Class 8, but the typical Class 8 has the standard 70" sleeper."
"This is the first one that we've done with the AA sleeper with all the amenities. It's a full condo sleeper with stand-up height from the cab on back."
The sleeper LaLonde is referring to is the 96" AA Truck Sleeper Corp. "King Leisure" unit that has developed an audience with the expedited market. It features double bunk beds with upper bunk that folds away, a fresh water sink along with a 7.2 Cu. Ft. Norcold 2-door refrigerator (w/separate freezer).
"This sleeper comes with the largest applicances that can be mounted and that includes 2 TV's as well as an extra-large microwave/convection oven," says LaLonde. "It can cook a steak or chicken. It's not just for popcorn anymore!"
The King Leisure also offers a separate captain's chair, lots of cabinets and plenty of additional storage with under bunk compartments. Upfront, the stock seats have been replaced with upgraded Elite seats and powering the unit's appliances is a 4,000-watt Proheat generator.
"This is the first Columbia that we've built with this sleeper," LaLonde tells us. One has already been delivered and we have an order for another. It's a great truck to put a team in."
The mechanicals 
The Columbia is powered by a CAT C-11 with 370HP, a wet-sleeve engine that LaLonde says "should see a million miles before overhaul" running through an Eaton Fuller 10-speed Ultrashift (fully automatic) transmission. The engine has a 700,000 mile warranty available while the trans and rear end are covered for 750,000 miles.
This truck is set-up for FedEx Custom Critical White Glove temperature control application and is equipped with a 22' Supreme Reefer body. A Leyman 3,300 lb. lift gate is part of the package and the truck, cab and sleeper all sit on air ride. Polished aluminum wheels and dual, polished 100-gallon tanks are included for looks.
The Columbia will be displayed in FedEx Custom Critical booth
(Booth 6035-1)
John LaLonde says that Fyda will be exhibiting a new Business Class model with the 96" King Leisure sleeper in the Panther II Transportation booth (Booth 6768). This Freightliner M2-106 is equipped with a CAT C-9, 335HP engine with Allison Automatic Transmission.
LaLonde reflects on the expedited freight business: "We're seeing a lot of husband/wife teams who are new to the business. They are coming out of retirement after careers as a nurse, doctor, teacher, factory worker and what have you."
"They're jumping into expediting and getting paid to go tour the country. I find that many of these new people are very knowledgeable about the equipment. With the Internet and web sites like Expediters Online, it allows them to research the business before they leave the house. That makes my job a lot easier, because they have so much information already.
He adds, "Expediting continues to grow and I see more companies that have used LTL and are now turning to expediting their shipments. In addition, we see companies who have been tractor trailer-based that are buying expediter trucks."
"They're not carrying expedited freight, but if they can fit the freight in the back of a single-axle truck instead of a 53-footer, it's going to save them money."
LaLonde touches on expedited truck trends:
"Because there are so many husband/wife teams coming to expediting, the automatic transmission has replaced the manual shift. We're not selling expediters any longer with standard transmissions as 'standard' equipment."
"The Cat C9 has been very popular because of the extended warranty available and the fact that it can be rebuilt in-frame."
"We've been very busy lately Freightliner has boosted their build schedule and we are receiving the trucks quickly. I can order a truck today and have it in the customer's hands in as little as 75 days."
LaLonde tells of another new Class 7 expediter in the Fyda lineup - a truck designed for the entry-level market: "We have a 2006 Freightliner M2-106 with a Mercedes-Benz 260HP engine with a Mercedes Benz automatic transmission. This is one of the first trucks of it's type with an automatic, most entry-level trucks are equipped with a standard transmission."
"The cab is loaded with power and comfort features. It's fitted with an 84" Bentz sleeper with top and bottom bunk, TV, fridge, microwave, inverter and lots of other amenities ."
"It comes with a 22' cargo box but with that size sleeper, we could mount a 24' box on it if the customer chooses."
Finding a dealer to do business with.
"I recommend using a nameplate dealer. Not a Joe's truck lot or a car dealer that took a truck in on trade. There are a lot of people who have purchased a truck from a non-expedited truck dealer and when they show up at orientation, they discover that it's the wrong truck, too short, too long, etc. I began building and selling expedited trucks here at Fyda in 1997 and I can assure that this is a unique business with a unique piece of equipment."
"That's the benefit of dealing with a nameplate dealer in the business. I feel that if you go to a dealer and he doesn't have 15 or 20 expediters on the lot, you're in the wrong place. If they don't have that commitment to expedited trucks, they won't be there in the long-term when you need them."