The Fleet Business Authority
Issue link: http://heavydutytrucking.epubxp.com/i/236631
FuelSmarts Dual-Fuel Gliders Technicians at Penn Commercial Vehicle, a WheelTime member based in Glenmore, Pa., assembled this Coronado daycab demo tractor from a Freightliner glider kit. It has an APG dual-fuel diesel-natural gas system and a Webasto coolant heater. A way to get into natural gas for less money d Dual-fuel glider kits are a relatively new alternative for fleets looking to tap into the benefits of natural gas but at less cost than buying a new, dedicated NG vehicle. A glider is a new truck without some powertrain components. Shops in the field add rebuilt or remanufactured engines, transmissions and rear axles. Freightliner, which makes most glider kits, also can add reman'd engines at the factory, and sometimes reman'd or new axles. Engines are usually straight diesels, but can be fitted with dual-fuel systems. A dual-fuel setup costs $30,000 to $35,000, about half what most new dedicated natural gas systems cost on a new truck. Dual-fuel systems let customers use cheap natural gas along with diesel, and makes the exhaust about 30% cleaner than "pre-emission" diesels. Because the engines can switch back to all-diesel at any time, the still-spotty natural gas fueling infrastructure is less of a problem. Last year two companies announced dual-fuel glider kits. EcoDual is partnering with Hunter Truck Sales, a Peterbilt dealer with 15 locations throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia. Hunter will provide custom-configured Peterbilt gliders with EcoDual's platform, the Max/ SR Dual Fuel System. American Power Group teamed up with the WheelTime network of dealers and repair shops to add APG's V5000 Turbocharged Natural Gas Dual-Fuel System to gliders from Freightliner. One WheelTime member is Ervin Equipment in Shreveport, La., where Ken Eggen is director of business development. He says the APG system allows carrying natural gas on the truck in compressed or liquefied form. Dual-fuel equipment, including special gas tanks, pumps and engine parts, are installed as part of the glider assembly process. "We are slated to build nearly 1,000 glider trucks this year," Eggen says, "and fully 20% will be dual-fuel." Nevertheless, many truck operators still know little about gliders and are suspicious of the idea. Those who have heard about them think of gliders in the traditional sense – a means to rebuild a wrecked truck that has a good powertrain. That's how gliders originated, but some fleets now substitute gliders for normal new or used trucks. To help educate fleets about dualfuel gliders, another WheelTime member, Penn Commercial Vehicle Solutions of Glenmore, Pa., has assembled a demonstrator tractor featuring APG dual-fuel equipment and a Webasto diesel-fueled heater. It will show the advantages of the glider kits that run Tom Berg • Senior Editor 26 HDT • JANUARY 2014 www.truckinginfo.com