Pickup Trucks 101: Gas Vs. Diesel

If you are in the market for a new pickup truck, you may be wondering if you should get a gas engine or a diesel engine since there are significant differences between the two. Those differences vary for mid-size, light-duty full-size and heavy-duty full-size pickups.

Which is best for you? Let's look at the differences of the two engine types, focusing not only on the engines themselves, but also on the components that are different between them.

Read the whole story at: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2017/08/pickup-trucks-101-gas-vs-diesel.html

HALL RACING COMPLETES AMERICA’S LONGEST OFF-ROAD RACE IN A COLORADO ZR2

Colorado ZR2 raises the bar for stock vehicles in Vegas to Reno race

RENO — The Colorado ZR2 was the only stock truck to both compete in and finish Best in the Desert’s General Tire “Vegas to Reno” race presented by FOX. Recognized by the Best in the Desert organization as 1^st in Class 7300, the truck, piloted by Chad Hall and Frank DeAngelo of Hall Racing, crossed the finish line in Carson City, Nevada around 7:00 a.m. PT on Saturday, August 19, taking 18 hours, 50 minutes and 16 seconds to complete the course with an average speed of 28.6 miles per hour.

Despite cutting a few tires along the course and the expected rock damage, the ZR2 held up well under the punishing conditions of this 539-mile race. Only 204 of the 336 vehicles entered in the race completed the challenging course.

 “This truck is a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be,” said Chad Hall. “I clobbered some things on the course that would’ve broken the many of the vehicles we competed with in the past.”

ZR2 had onboard co-riders and navigators Austin Hall of Reno, Nevada and Chris Woo of Truckee, California.

The pit crew included Chevy performance and chassis engineers, Chevy Racing project manager, General Motors’ technicians and Hall Racing team members.

The truck was modified prior to the race with racing body-mandated safety items such as a roll cage, a 44-gallon racing fuel tank and racing seats with safety harnesses. KC HiLites racing lights, two-way radios and a GPS system were also added.

In addition to these features, the truck was equipped the Chevrolet Performance Exhaust system currently available for all Colorado models and performance parts currently under development by Chevrolet Performance engineering. More information on these parts will be announced in the near future.

“First and foremost, this was a development trip for our engineering team,” said Mark Dickens, Executive Director of Global Accessories, Performance Variants, Parts & Motorsports, General Motors, who was part of the chase and support team following the race from start to finish at all fourteen pit stops.

“ZR2’s performance went beyond our most optimistic expectations, completing ‘Vegas to Reno’ in its first outing. We learned a lot of things about the truck and could not be happier with the result, as well as the efforts of the Hall Racing team.”

“The fact that the Colorado ZR2 was the only stock midsize truck to compete in ‘Vegas to Reno’ reinforces our claim to be in a segment of one with this vehicle. Our success in this race is a testament to all that we’ve accomplished since the relaunch of our midsize truck program three years ago,” said Dickens. “We cannot wait to pass along the benefits of what we’ve learned here under extreme use and at future races to our customers.”

The Hall Racing Colorado ZR2 will challenge the next in the Best in the Desert VT Construction “Tonopah 250” race presented by Polaris on October 19-22. 

The 2018 Colorado ZR2 is effectively a segment of one, combining the nimbleness and maneuverability of a midsize pickup with a host of new off-road features and the most off-road technology of any vehicle in its segment.

Compared to a standard Colorado, the ZR2 features front and rear tracks that have been widened by 3.5 inches and a suspension lifted by two inches. Functional rockers have been added for better performance over rocks and obstacles, and the front and rear bumpers have been modified for better off-road clearance.

Class-exclusive features include standard front and rear electronic locking differentials, available diesel engine and the first off-road application of Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV^TM) damper technology.

As with all Chevrolet trucks, the Colorado ZR2 is built with durability in mind, including a fully boxed frame, roll-formed high-strength steel bed and Duralife brake rotors.

ABOUT CHEVROLET

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Highway Products | Warehouse Walkthrough

Products, Inc. was founded in 1980 and we have been fabricating aluminum ever since. We back all of our products with a Lifetime Warranty.

IMPROVE YOUR AIR COMPRESSOR’S PERFORMANCE THIS WINTER

Though it may feel like summer just started, the reality is that fall is just around the corner, and with it comes the rain, frost, ice, and in most cases, snow. Now is the time to start planning and ensuring that this winter your equipment is ready to work as hard as you do in the freezing temperatures.

Think back to last year’s winter season, did your air compressor let you down in any of the following ways?

• Refused to start

• Broke down frequently

• Caused a cumbersome safety hazard while parked on the side of the road

• Required maintenance to be done standing in the truck bed or on a ladder next to your truck

• Required snow and slush to be dug out from around the deck-mounted unit so it could warm up enough to run

If any of these challenges sounded familiar, then it’s time to consider upgrading to a VMAC UNDERHOOD rotary screw air compressor. Here’s how a VMAC UNDERHOOD air compressor solves each of these issues:

RELIABILITY

VMAC UNDERHOOD70 Installed on Truck
The last thing you need when working outside in the elements is difficulty starting your equipment, or an unexpected breakdown on the jobsite. The VMAC UNDERHOOD air compressor is very reliable, and proven to operate in extreme cold conditions. Manufactured in North America in an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility, VMAC air compressors and multipower systems meet high quality standards, and are backed by an industry-leading Lifetime Warranty (Limited).

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance costs are greatly reduced by investing in the UNDERHOOD air compressor as high quality aluminum parts, and few moving pieces means VMAC air compressors require less maintenance and servicing than a reciprocating air compressor. A VMAC UNDERHOOD air compressor also requires less maintenance than a hydraulic deck-mounted or engine driven air compressor because there is no hydraulic or engine-related components to maintain. To ensure the best performance, regular compressor maintenance is recommended by VMAC.

SAFETY

Above-deck air compressors can cause a major safety hazard in snowy and icy conditions. Operators have to climb into the back of a snow and ice-filled truck bed to dig out the air compressor to allow it to warm up enough to function. In addition, parking a tow-behind on the side of the road to conduct maintenance is challenging and dangerous, especially in bad weather. By having the UNDERHOOD air compressor stored safely under the hood, boots are kept on the ground, ensuring the safety of operators, and limiting OSHA and WCB concerns and claims.

COLD WEATHER STARTING

The VMAC UNDERHOOD air compressor is mounted directly on your truck’s engine, which warms up the compressor on the way to the jobsite, and keeps it warm and protected from the elements, even when temperatures drop well below freezing.

Working outside in harsh winter conditions can be challenging enough, especially when temperatures drop below freezing. The VMAC UNDERHOOD air compressor relieves common pain points that many operators suffer from each winter, from decreased productivity to unsafe working conditions. Waiting for an air compressor to warm up, climbing in the back of a slippery truck to dig out equipment, and conducting maintenance on the side of the road in dangerous driving conditions are just some of the challenges that you can take out of the equation with a VMAC UNDERHOOD air compressor. So when planning your investments for this winter, include an upgrade to a VMAC UNDERHOOD rotary screw air compressor, contact sales@vmacair.com.

Learn more about VMAC’s line of UNDERHOOD air compressors, ranging from 30 CFM up to 150 CFM outputs.

TRANSFER FLOW - INCREASE YOUR CAPACITY FOR FUEL AND PROFITS!

A Transfer Flow fuel tank installed on your work truck allows you to spend less time at the fuel pump and more time on the job. Increased capacity gives you the option to shop for the best fuel prices, and save money by purchasing more fuel at one time.

With almost 35 years of engineering and manufacturing fuel tank systems, some of the biggest and best companies trust Transfer Flow for their fuel system needs. To increase the driving range on one vehicle or a fleet of vehicles, we have the manufacturing capabilities and product diversity to help you grow your business.

Increase your capacity for fuel and profits by contacting us at 800-826-5776 or visit our website at transferflow.com.

Transfer Flow – we fuel YOUR success!

COLORADO ZR2 MAKES COMPETITION DEBUT IN AMERICA’S LONGEST OFF-ROAD RACE

Hall Racing to compete in stock-class 

with ZR2 in Best in the Desert Racing series

LAS VEGAS — Chad Hall of Hall Racing will debut a modified 2017 production Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 during Best in the Desert’s General Tire “Vegas to Reno” race presented by FOX.

 “Vegas to Reno,” known as “the longest off-road race in the United States,” begins at 9:30 a.m. on Friday in Las Vegas and ends at various times on Saturday morning, August 19, in Reno, Nevada. More than 350 contestants are expected to participate this year’s 550-mile race.

The course encompasses a wide array of grueling terrain, from silty desert wallows, to dry lake beds and mountain passes as high as 8,000 ft. above sea level.

Entered in class 7300, which comprises stock production mid-sized pick-ups and SUVs, Hall Racing’s modifications to their ZR2 include sanctioning body-mandated safety items such as a roll cage, a 44-gallon racing fuel tank and racing seats with safety harnesses. KC HiLites racing lights, two-way radios and a GPS system have also been added.

The truck retains the stock ZR2’s 3.6L V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, along with a modified version of ZR2’s Multimatic DSSVTM damper technology.

In addition to Hall Racing’s alterations, this crew cab ZR2 acts a testbed for Chevy Performance and hints at a range of potential parts to be offered for ZR2 as well as the standard Colorado.

“The components being tested on this truck are ultimately intended to take the already-exceptional off-road capability of the Colorado to the next level,” said Russ O’Blenes, director, Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsports for General Motors.

“Racing them allows us to quickly understand their performance attributes and reliability in the extreme environment of off-road racing, ensuring the highest performing components for Colorado customers.”

Hall Racing, the winningest family of off-road racers in the legendary Baja 1000, has a long history of racing with General Motors production-based vehicles in both Best in the Desert and SCORE desert series.

“The Colorado ZR2 is one of the most capable production platforms we’ve used as a foundation for our racing program,” said Chad Hall. “The base Colorado is strong and robust with the expected advantages of a midsize package. ZR2 adds great technology, like the Multimatic DSSVTM dampers and the front and rear locking differentials that are vital to stock class desert racing.”

The 2018 Colorado ZR2 is effectively a segment of one, combining the nimbleness and maneuverability of a midsize pickup with a host of new off-road features and the most off-road technology of any vehicle in its segment.

Compared to a standard Colorado, the ZR2 features front and rear tracks that have been widened by 3.5 inches and a suspension lifted by two inches. Functional rockers have been added for better performance over rocks and obstacles, and the front and rear bumpers have been modified for better off-road clearance.

Class-exclusive features include standard front and rear electronic locking differentials, available diesel engine and the first off-road application of Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSVTM) damper technology.

As with all Chevrolet trucks, the Colorado ZR2 is built with durability in mind, including a fully boxed frame, roll-formed high-strength steel bed and Duralife brake rotors.

ABOUT CHEVROLET

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Boss TGS Spreaders disperse deicing materials quickly and efficiently

The TGS Spreader series from BOSS is the easiest way to arm yourself against all things snow and ice. BOSS tailgate-mounted spreaders attach easily and disperse deicing materials quickly and efficiently to make your job as smooth and steady as possible. All TGS Spreaders are built heavy-duty to handle harsh conditions quickly and efficiently, because BOSS knows the faster you can RESTORE ORDER to your community, the better.

• Low Profile Design Poly Hopper is designed so that your vision is not obstructed.
• Solid Poly Hopper Cover is designed to last longer and prevent moisture from entering the hopper.
• Top Screen with Bag Splitter easily opens bags and filters deicing material.
• Enclosed 12-Volt Electric High-Torque Motor completely sealed and enclosed.