Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023:
Inconsistent U-bolt length prompts recall of Peterbilt trucks
Paccar is recalling approximately 1,315 model year 2021-2024 Peterbilt 579 and 567 trucks.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, the U-bolts that attach the air tank to the chassis may contact the fuel tank and, over time, wear a hole in the tank. A punctured fuel tank can leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Dealers will inspect and trim the U-bolts, and replace the fuel tank as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 24. Owners can contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 with recall number 23PBH. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-653.
[Related: Two Paccar recalls affect nearly 900 medium-duty trucks]
Weight exemption for Iowa ag haulers extended
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Oct. 11 signed an extension of a proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer and manure. The proclamation was first issued Sept. 11 and was set to expire Oct. 11. It is now effective through Nov. 11.
The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of the waiver.
This waiver applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those that don't exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight. Other stipulations that must be met to take advantage of the exemption:
- The load cannot exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (a) and (b) by more than 12.5%
- The load cannot exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds
- Drivers must comply with posted weight limits on roads and bridges
[Related: Certain Iowa ag haulers get temporary weight exemption]
Trucking Cares Foundation donates to Truckers Against Trafficking
The Trucking Cares Foundation (TCF), the American Trucking Associations’ charitable arm, last week donated $25,000 to Truckers Against Trafficking, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is a horrific crime that thrives in the shadows. Transportation professionals are uniquely positioned to shine a light in every corner of every state to expose these crimes, rescue victims, and bring perpetrators to justice,” said TCF Chairman Phil Byrd, President and CEO of Bulldog Hiway Express. “Truck drivers are naturally compassionate and vigilant, and Truckers Against Trafficking harnesses these skills to enable drivers to spot victims along their routes over the nation’s highways. There are countless success stories of heroic truckers who have used their TAT training to save individuals who were being exploited. With this donation, we are proud to support TAT’s lifesaving mission.”
Human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states, and the number of victims in the United States is estimated in the hundreds of thousands.
TAT is a nonprofit organization that educates, equips, empowers and mobilizes members of the transportation industry to combat human trafficking. TAT also partners with law enforcement and government agencies to facilitate the investigation of human trafficking in order to aid in the rescue of victims and arrest perpetrators.
“We are so grateful for the longstanding partnership between TAT and the Trucking Cares Foundation as they continue to demonstrate genuine investment in fighting human trafficking,” said Esther Goetsch, Executive Director of Truckers Against Trafficking. “By leveraging their resources towards advancing training throughout the American trucking industry, they are helping to equip drivers with the necessary tools to make a positive impact in one of the greatest human rights violations of our time. Just as truck drivers are essential in keeping America moving, they are also essential in this fight."
To date, 1,631,820 transportation and law enforcement professionals have been trained by TAT.
