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Step Van Direct is now Work Truck Direct

April 3, 2015 by Eric Wanberg Leave a Comment

WTDLogo_Stacked_Large

Allegiant Partners announced today the expansion of Step Van Direct into Work Truck Direct.  Step Van Direct has long been the premier source for financing and sourcing Step Vans for the FedEx Industry but due to the changing automotive climate, Step Vans aren’t the only choice for the parcel delivery sector.  Step Van Direct’s parent company, Allegiant Partners, wants to reflect the change in truck preferences by evolving into Work Truck Direct.

Work Truck Direct is now the Premier source for financing and sourcing all types of commercial work vehicles from Step Vans to Cutaways and Straight Trucks.  Work Truck Direct has a knowledgeable staff who are experts in many industries including Arbor, Parcel Delivery, Cleaning and Restoration, and much more.

“Allegiant Partners is excited for this change,” Says Mike Helder, VP of Sales & Business Development. “We are looking forward to helping businesses in other industries get the equipment they need to be successful.”  Work Truck Direct’s partnerships with the body manufacturers and vendors allow them to source specific vehicles and upfits for many industries.

Work Truck Direct looks forward to continuing to source and finance commercial vehicles across 50 states.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Better MPG with the Kinetics Hybrid

March 27, 2015 by Eric Wanberg Leave a Comment

KineticsHybrid-schematic-w-labels

I bet you’ve never wished for your truck to be more fuel efficient. Oh you have?  Well you’re in luck because Step Van Direct has a fleet solution for you.

Crosspoint Kinetics, a Cummins Crosspoint company, offers an electric hybrid system that boosts fuel economy (up to 30% improvement) in class 3-7 delivery vans and work trucks.  The system uses regenerative braking to store electricity in durable ultra-capacitors. That energy is used to help spin the drive shaft during acceleration, reducing fuel consumption.  The Kinetics Hybrid system is a post transmission, bolt-on piece of equipment that doesn’t void the manufacturer’s warranty.  Current government incentives can help reduce the cost of the system by up to 80% in some areas.  Enjoy paying less for fuel while saving the environment!

Step Van Direct can help finance the purchase of the Kinetic Hybrid systems for installation on new or recently new trucks, buses, and delivery vans.  Contact us, your national account manager, or Crosspoint Kinetics for more information.

Filed Under: Articles, Trucks

Expedited Pick-Up and Delivery with the Utilimaster Velocity

March 20, 2015 by Eric Wanberg 2 Comments

Velocity Front Exterior

This year at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, IN, Utilimaster unveiled their latest truck, The Velocity.  Similar in size to the Isuzu Reach, and based off of the Ford Transit cutaway chassis, the Velocity promises great fuel economy combined with a segment low total cost of ownership. This vehicle has the same engine options as the the Ford Transit cargo van. The standard 3.7L V6 gas engine (putting out 274 hp and 260 lbs-ft. of torque) can also run on E85 or be modified to run on CNG or propane.  The optional Ford 3.2L I-5 diesel engine puts out 185 hp and 350 lbs.-ft of torque.

The Velocity is a low entry and exit step van made ergonomically for parcel delivery.  With 3 different size options (12 ft., 14 ft., and 16 ft. length), the new step van can handle 574 cu. ft. to 784 cu. ft. of cargo capacity and a payload capacity of 3200 lbs. to 3700 lbs.

The Utilimaster Velocity is expected to be in full production during the third quarter and Step Van Direct will be able to source and finance any variation of the vehicle.  We will keep you updated as more information and pricing becomes available.  If you would like to see currently available Transit vehicles Click Here. Contact us or your national account manager for further information.

Our Very own Mike Helder and Scott Enbom with Utilimaster at the Work Truck Show In Indianapolis

Our very own Mike Helder and Scott Enbom with Utilimaster at the Velocity unveiling at the Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, IN

 

Filed Under: Articles, Trucks

Amped about the new Workhorse

March 13, 2015 by Eric Wanberg Leave a Comment

Photo7

“The times they are a-changin,” Bob Dylan once said.  That can be said about many things, but today we’re talking about the growing prevalence of alternatively fueled vehicles.  This process is already well on it’s way in the passenger vehicle sector.  All the top producing car manufacturers offer a number of hybrid and electric vehicles.

It was only a matter of time before public transit jumped on the band-wagon.  Local transportation companies have used and tested electric, hybrid, CNG, and even hydrogen vehicles. Now we are starting to see more and more alternative fuel companies diving into the commercial vehicle sector.  UPS has used natural gas vehicles in areas of the country for years and in a previous blog article we talked about the electric Zenith Cargo Van joining the sector.  This week we wanted to highlight a company called Amp Electric who has re-birthed the Workhorse name.

Amp Electric has taken the Workhorse chassis and updated the vehicle with a brand new electric drive system .  The E-Gen E-100 is powered by a 268 hp electric engine with a range of approximately 60 miles.  That might sound low but the E-gen also has a range extender built in.  Any time the vehicle is put in park, a small 25 hp gas/propane engine fires up to recharge the battery pack.

If you live in California, Chicago, or New York you can take advantage of many hybrid vehicle incentives.

Give us a call or contact your account manager for more information on the electric delivery vehicles available.

 

 

Filed Under: Articles

Tire-d of the icy roads?

March 5, 2015 by Eric Wanberg Leave a Comment

Pop Quiz:  My van came from the factory with all -season tires.  All-season means they will work well in the snow, right?

In short, no.  “All-season” is fancy talk for, “I can drive through some light rain and not hydroplane”.  All-season is an all encompassing term for tires that can handle a variety of conditions including wet roads and slight winter conditions.  You have to pay attention to the ratings and specifications on the tire.  Snow tires have a mountain and snow flake insignia on the tire sidewall (as seen on the right).  Snow Tire Symbol

The fact of the matter is that if you’re not using temperature and rain/snow appropriate tires in the winter, you’re not going to be able to keep traction under emergency braking and you might crash.  Here’s a video that shows the difference between all-season and winter tires on identical cars:  https://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=23

Here are some tips to stay safe on the road with winter/snow tires:

  • Keep the tires properly inflated to the manufacturers recommended air pressure.  (remember to check the pressure when the tires are cold)
  • Be mindful of the tread wear markers on the tires.  Often winter and all terrain tires will appear to have plenty of tread left even when they have worn down past the tread wear marker.
  • Make sure you use the same brand and model tires on all four wheels.  Do not put them only on the drive wheels or mix and match tread patterns.

That being said, if you are looking at buying a new van in the near future and are experiencing extreme snow, take a look a the Ram ProMaster, the only delivery vehicle equipped with front wheel drive.  In snowy conditions, even with snow tires, front wheel drive will edge out the competition and get you where you need to go.  Click Here to see the difference between front wheel drive and rear wheel drive on a snowy road.

Stay safe out there!

Filed Under: Articles

Bolt into the 21st century!

February 27, 2015 by Eric Wanberg Leave a Comment

_GSK0048bHey FedEx contractors, what if the only vehicle maintenance you had to worry about was filling your windshield wiper fluid and replacing your tires?  That can now be your reality!  Zenith Motors offers a panel van that has substituted the fossil fuel powered drive train for a lithium ion battery powered one.  This beast can drive up to 120 miles on a single charge and only takes 6.5 hours to fully recharge (although you can upgrade to a 4 hour charger).

The Zenith 350 uses a ProMaster chassis so you will still have 530 cubes of cargo space with a 3,000 lb payload capacity.  You might be thinking that this new vehicle will cost you an arm and a leg, but oil changes and other regular services will be a thing of the past.  Additionally, there are a number of state and federal incentives available:

Here’s the good news:  If you live in the United States, the Federal government will give you a $7,500 tax incentive.

Here’s the really good news: If your business is in California, Chicago, or New York, you’ll get an additional voucher for $45,000 – $50,000 per vehicle at the time of purchase.

Give us a call or contact your account manager for more info on the electric delivery vehicles available.

 

 

Filed Under: Articles

Hands-free Bluetooth Headset: Legal Mandate or Safety Accessory?

February 20, 2015 by Eric Wanberg Leave a Comment

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As most FedEx contractors know, it can be a challenge to run a business and deliver packages at the same time.  A lot of the time this means talking on the phone while out on the route. Safety is of the utmost importance so a hands-free Bluetooth headset for your phone is essential.  In fact, it is actually illegal to talk on the phone while driving without a hands-free device in many states.  But with all the options out there, how do you pick the best Bluetooth device?  Here’s a list of items we think are important to consider when choosing a hands-free headset:

  1. Noise: The truck can be loud, so you’re going to want something that either has a really good noise canceling function or a device with an in-ear piece for both ears
  2. Mobility: When making deliveries, you’re moving around a lot, so you want something that isn’t going to fall off your head.
  3. Comfort: If you’re wearing this device all day, you’re going to want something that isn’t a nuisance to wear all day

Many of the contractors we’ve worked with love the LG Tone (as seen in the above picture) because it scores well in all of the above criteria.  You can buy it HERE.

Let us know which devices work well for you in the comment section below.

 

Filed Under: Articles

Lerma Transport Inc. named FedEx Entrepreneur of the Year

February 13, 2015 by Eric Wanberg Leave a Comment

Saul Lerma of Lerma Transport Inc, Winner of Entrepreneur of The Year 2014

FedEx recently announced Saul Lerma, President and Owner of Lerma Transport Inc., as the 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year!  Saul began his FedEx Ground business in 2000 and has grown to operate 7 daily routes and vehicles while managing 9 employees.  Lerma Transport Inc. previously won the western regional award in 2011.

FedEx recognized Saul and his business for his impeccable safety record and implementation of safety programs for the entire terminal. Saul is also a community leader, providing safety seminars for the entire transportation community in Yuma, Arizona.

Saul came to us in early 2013 when he was looking for a new work truck.  Through the years he has been one of our loyal customers.  Here’s what he had to say about his experience with us:

The last four vehicles I added to our fleet were purchased through Allegiant Partners Inc. I can assuredly say that without strategic and insightful business relationships like the one you have spearheaded with Lerma Transport Inc. that reaching the level of success I have seen would not be possible… I recall when you helped me consolidate several loans I had open with other finance companies to help me increase the bottom line for my company and saved Lerma Transport Inc. money by reducing our monthly payment and freeing up cash-flow.

Check out the biopic FedEx made about Lerma Transport Inc.  Congratulations to Saul Lerma and his team!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCs6j36mWpg&feature=youtu.be

 

Filed Under: Articles, Testimonial

FedEx Contractors: Money Saving Safety Tips

February 3, 2015 by svdadmin Leave a Comment

Hey FedEx Contractors,

Believe it or not, independent insurance specialists are there to save you money.  The number one bit of advise they have to save you money is to have a better safety record.  An experience modification rate determines how much you pay for compensation premiums.  Having fewer accidents and claims lowers your experience modification rate and lowers the amount you’re shelling out for insurance!

Here are some safety tips on how to save you money:

1.  Consistent communication: Simple injuries left untreated can turn into enormous claims that hurt your insurance credibility.  Communication about these little injuries to your independent insurance agent can save you money!

2.  Rear view cameras are helpful, but you could do more.  Back up sensors on trucks are a cheap way to prevent one of the most common causes of accidents and loss of bonuses.

3.  Have frequent group safety meetings.  Get your employees engaged in the conversation.  Face-to-face, daily safety tips to your drivers can improve your relationship with employees and prevent many accidents.

Work Truck Direct is a fleet management solutions company, we do not provide insurance.  But did you know that you can get insurance from outside carriers that meet the requirements set by FedEx Ground?  Did you know that insurance requirements for an independent contractor differ from that of an independent service provider?  Your business is unique, so you should have an agent who has experience in writing insurance for FedEx contractors, preventing accidents and handling compensation claims.  Insurance is a service, and using an independent insurance specialist is your best bet to get the best service.  Please consult an insurance specialist such as Brian O’Connor of Paradiso Insurance to see how you could save.

 

Filed Under: Articles

FedEx Contractors: Find a Great Pair of Shades for Driving!

October 7, 2014 by svdadmin Leave a Comment

sunglasses

Attention FedEx Contractors! Whether you’re driving a ProMaster 3500 or a new Isuzu Reach, one thing’s for sure– you need a good pair of sunglasses to safely get you through your daily routes.

A comfortable, quality pair of shades protects your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and shields them from the sun, giving you maximum visibility on the road.

With that in mind, we rounded up the most important qualities to consider when shopping for sunglasses, as well as a few of our favorite picks.

Lens Color (Tint)

Brown/gray/green – These neutral colors cuts down on brightness without distorting colors. They’re great for reducing glare and eyestrain, especially in moderate-to-bright conditions. For daily usage on the road, neutrals are the most ideal. Ray Ban’s Fast & Furious Sunglasses are a perfect example of neutral lenses and a great fit.

Yellow/gold/amber – These colors provide less brightness protection, but are great in moderate-to-low level light. Pick up a pair when it’s snowing outside!

Rose – Rose-colored glasses make the world seem brighter, by enhancing contrast and performing well in low-light visibility. If you often find yourself driving against blue or green backgrounds (think forested areas), rose-colored glasses are ideal.

Mirrored – These reduce glare by reflecting light that hits the lens’ surface. They can make objects look darker than they actually are, so if you like the look of this style, be sure to go for a lighter tint.

Polarization

If your eyes are super sensitive to glare, polarized sunglasses are definitely the right choice for you. They work well on the road by blocking off strong glares from other vehicles, signs, or even large bodies of water.

Check out the Flying Fisherman Maverick Polarized Sunglasses – a steal for $18!

UV Protection

There are 3 types of UV Rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVB Rays are the main area of concern for eyes. UVA Rays are of less concern, but doctors still recommend you block them as a preventative measure. And UVC rays? Most of UVC rays are blocked by the ozone layer, so this shouldn’t be too high of a concern.

The main takeaway? Grab a pair of sunglasses that blocks 100% of all UV Rays! Limited UV protection can actually harm your eyes. Look for UV protection information on the hangtag or sticker.

Fit

When trying on a pair of sunglasses, make sure that the frames fit snugly on your nose and ears, but don’t pinch or rub. The weight of the glasses should be evenly distributed between your ears and nose. Make sure they’re comfortable for every day use!

Check out the iconic Oakley Men’s GasCan Sunglasses. These lightweight shades block 100% of UV light, and are optimized for clarity from all angles of vision, including the lens periphery.

What are your favorite pair of sunglasses? Let us know in the comments below!

­Source: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/sunglasses.html

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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