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Presents news briefs concerning the steel industry as of February 2006. Plan of AK Steel to invest a certain amount at its wholly owned subsidiary AK Tube LLC; Use of the Alcoa cast aluminum wheels from Alcoa Wheel Products on the 2006 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck; Increase in the demand for aluminum in the U.S. and Canada.

The article reports on the development of wheel washers by various companies in the U.S. to ensure that truck tires are clean before they hit the pavement. The Stanton Systems and Frutiger & Co.'s MobyDick have been the major players in the development of such tire cleaning products. These products are designed in response to stringent regulations set by administrative bodies in the country which hold contractors responsible for making sure that tires are clean before hitting the road.

Focuses on trucking products and services introduced during the annual meeting of the Technology and Maintenance Council and the Mid-America Trucking Show in the United States. Pattern recognition technology of ACTIA Corp.; Extension of the limited warranty of Alcoa Wheel and Forged Products' Dura-Bright aluminum wheels; Changes in ArvinMeritor's RideStar RHP trailer air suspension system; Caterpillar Inc.'s 625 horsepower "King of the Hill" C15 engine; Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC's brake pads.

This article reports on the launch of three lines of aluminum wheels by Alcoa Inc. in the U.S. in August 2008. According to Alcoa, the Discover, Revolver and Xtreme series wheels boost wheel strength and durability, reduce weight and improve fuel economy. The wheels were designed, engineered and tested for full-sized trucks from General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC.

The author reflects on the trends in pickup truck customization in the U.S. He mentions the evolution of wheels, citing that in the 1950s truck owners were content with painted steelies or chrome reverse spools of their trucks. He notes that the most important factors in the customization of the exterior of the vehicle are wheels, tires and stance. He cites the adoption of airbag suspension in custom-trucks.

The article offers news briefs related to the trucking industry in the U.S. Daimler Trucks North America has announced the availability of the Holland FW aluminum fifth wheel, which improves fuel economy and reduces emissions. Continental Tire North America has added the HDL2 DL, long haul drive tire to its lineup. GITI Tire USA has issued the GT876 radial intended for heavy front axles.

The article focuses on trends and developments in truck hauling and transporting in the United States in 2005. Some changes include the use of automatically controlled transmissions for easy gear shifting and traction-controlled differentials for efficiency all-wheel drive. Independent front and rear chassis are designed to keep all the wheels on the ground with equal pressure. Stronger lighter truck bodies with greater load capacity were also introduced in the market.

The article reports that the U.S. trucking industry is focusing towards lightweighting to lower total vehicle weight to meet approaching emissions and fuel-efficiency requirements for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. It further discussed the features of Dura-Bright Evo wheel and Maxion wheels.

The article presents information on products for the truck industry, available in the U.S. market in November 2012, including wide base aluminum wheels from Alcoa and the AutoCone 500 truck-mounted traffic cone machine from Centreville Manufacturing.

The article discusses the move of some truck manufacturers in using the same hub for steel and aluminum hub-piloted wheel fitments in the U.S. It notes that while the approach is relevant in keeping the prices down and in generating profits, it also creates few problems that may alter the life and performance of the wheel end assembly. It further suggests to use the proper length components instead of resorting to longer studs and pilot-pads on steel wheel applications.

The article reports on the changes made by wheel manufacturers in the materials and manufacturing of wheels to ensure that their products deliver greater value to truck operators and fleet owners in the U.S. It notes that Alcoa Wheel & Transportation Products boasts new materials, new design and new manufacturing process for its aluminum wheel. Accuride Corp. increases the availability of the finishing process for its wheels and the standard for its wheel pricing.

The article presents information on a formula for calculating the allowable weight for any group of two or more axles and offers some definitions that help to explain the weight limits for trucks. Gross weight is the weight of a vehicle in combination with its total load. In the U.S., gross weight limit on the Interstate Highway System is 80,000 pounds.

Reports on the availability of wall chart identifying the proper torque specifications for hubs and spoke wheels and for drum and rotor assemblies in the U.S. Importance of wall chart to any heavy truck and trailer maintenance facility; Contact information.

Focuses on Blair Enterprises' Big Truck Tire Step, a folding stairway that mounts over the top of the tire of trucks in the United States. Plastic bumper of the stairway to prevent damage to tire and rim; Adapter included in Big Truck Tire Step which is used for rear duals or spoke wheels; Caddy option for the Big Truck Tire Step.

Explores the features of Dana Corp.'s Dana Spicer S170 series of single-reduction, single-drive, heavy-duty truck axles in the United States. Ratio coverage; High-capacity gearing and bearing systems; Use of the axles in engines with rugged and demanding applications.

Focuses on the development of hub motor technology to increase the power and performance of light truck in the U.S. Improvement of wheel-drive systems; Significance of engines to create rotating power or torque; Benefit of wheel hub motors.