ATRI opens annual Top Industry Issues survey

Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023:

The American Transportation Research Institute on Monday launched the 2023 Top Industry Issues Survey, which each year asks trucking industry stakeholders to rank the top issues of concern for the industry, along with potential strategies for addressing each issue.

The survey can be completed here through Sept. 29.

Now in its 19th year, ATRI’s annual analysis not only ranks the issues overall but also provides insights into how critical topics are ranked differently by motor carriers and truck drivers. The report also allows stakeholders to monitor issues over time to better understand which issues are rising, or falling, in criticality.

“The annual Top Industry Issues Survey has long been a crucial part of understanding the challenges facing our country’s supply chain,” said ATA Chair Dan Van Alstine, Ruan Transportation Management Systems President and COO. “ATRI’s research provides an opportunity for thousands of trucking industry professionals, from drivers to executives, to weigh in on the most important topics that affect trucking and collectively decide on the best strategies for addressing each.”

The results of the 2023 survey will be released Oct. 14 as part of the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition to be held in Austin, Texas.

[Related: Driver shortage no longer trucking's top concern]

Navistar is recalling approximately 624 model year 2023 International HV and MV trucks in which the driveshafts can break under certain loading conditions.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, driveshaft supplier Dana Incorporated has recalled the driveshafts due to its use of nonconforming material in its production processes. As a result, the specified driveshafts do not meet specification and can break in certain high loading conditions.

International dealers will replace the driveshafts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 16. Owners can contact Navistar's customer service at 1-800-448-7825 with recall number 23520. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-587.

Trail King Industries is recalling certain Flip Axle (TKFA), Pin-on Axle (TKPA), Air Boosters (AB), and Air Booster Extension (AB EXT) trailer add-ons due to an issue that could potentially result in the pin-on axle or pivot extension detaching from the trailer.

The recall includes approximately 5,641 model year 1992-2023 TKFA, TKPA, AB, and AB EXT units in which the shims that transfer weight between the trailer and the pin-on axle may detach if the air line or air suspension lose compression.

Trail King said the affected trailers use additional pin-on axles or pivot extensions installed at the rear of the trailer to extend the trailer’s load-carrying capacity and more evenly distribute weight over the trailers’ axles. The additions are attached to the trailer by lower pins and use shims to compress against the trailer at the top. The shims are used to transfer weight between the trailer and the pin-on axle.

If an airline or the air ride suspension under the trailer or pin-on axle experiences a sudden failure (e.g., struck by road debris) and becomes disconnected, the pin-on axle or pivot extension could suddenly lose compression with the trailer allowing it to shift suddenly. In this event, while there is no loss of control of the trailer, the shims could become loose and ultimately dislodge from the connection point.

Dealers will install new shims, tether and hardware to tether the shims to the pin-on axle or pivot extension, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Sept. 8. Owners can contact Trail King customer service at 1-800-843-3324 with recall number TK202301. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-578.

Yokohama Tire Corporation is recalling approximately 6,992 504C severe-duty tires in size 11R22.5 16H. A defective belt cushion splice may allow air to leak into sidewall.

An air bubble in the sidewall may cause a rapid loss of air pressure and loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Yokohama said the recalled tires were manufactured between June 27, 2022, and Dec. 4, 2022.

Dealers will inspect and replace the affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 2. Owners can contact Yokohama's customer service at 1-800-423-4544. NHTSA’s recall number is 23T-005.

[Related: Nikola officially recalls 209 battery-electric trucks]