Baking & Snack - September 2014 - 123

acquisition costs but, more importantly, fuel economy.
Fuel consumption figures large for this group of
delivery vehicles. "When you load a full-size truck, it
will cost you in fuel economy," Mr. Langhauser noted.
GM's City Express delivers 24 miles per gallon (mpg)
in the city, compared with a step van's 10 mpg.
The choice of engine also impacts the cost of ownership. Here, Mr. Tabel had some advice. "For example,
if a route van drives 12,000 to 25,000 miles a year, the
baker could select a gas engine, and Isuzu uses the
GM Vortec V8 engine. If the vehicle must go longer
distances, then we recommend one of the two diesel
options."
As you might expect, the turning radius of these
vehicles is very tight. "The distance varies because of
the different wheelbase lengths in the N-series line, but
they have a turning angle of more than 49° ," Mr. Tabel
said. "Most cars don't turn as tightly as this truck does."
Ram's ProMaster City offers a 36-ft turning radius,
and its 159-in. wheelbase can accommodate a 14-in.
extension. "We designed this vehicle with a large cubic
capacity," Mr. Benson noted.

Go to the head of the class
If you manage your company's
fleet, you already know this: The US
Department of Transportation's Federal
Highway Administration regulates
trucks according to eight different
classes based on gross vehicle weight
rating (GVWR). The amount of regulatory oversight increases with each higher
number. The Environmental Protection
Agency has a separate system of emissions classifications for trucks.
Heavy duty trucks - Classes 7 and
8 - include the largest vehicles, the
18-wheeler tractor-trailer rigs with
GVWRs of 26,001 to 33,000 lb and
above. These handle long-distance
hauling, and their drivers are required
to carry Class B operator licenses.
Medium duty trucks - Classes 4, 5 and
6 - are rated from 14,001 to 26,000 lb.
Route delivery fits into the light duty
group. Class 1 covers vehicles with
GVWR up to 6,000 lb. Class 2 goes up
to 10,000 lb GVWR. with two subclasses: Class 2a for up to 8,500 lb and Class
2b for up to 10,000 lb. Class 3 tops out
at 14,000 lb GVWR.

Vertical sidewalls enhance the space within the cargo area of a van to be
introduced this fall.
Ram Truck

Driver dynamics
There's also the human factor. As Alpha Baking's Mr.
McGuire observed, that's a much bigger problem than
fuel economy or cargo size facing DSD operators in getting their goods to market.
"The baking industry, similar to the trucking industry, is dealing with a major driver shortage that limits
the ability to look towards placing more vehicles on the
road," Mr. McGuire said. "I am repeatedly hearing that
companies are turning away business because of their
inability to recruit drivers. Demanding work schedules, aging corporate fleets, the deteriorating highway
infrastructure and the added stress from federal regulation is making it harder for companies to entice more
employees."
Configuring the fleet to suit the available pool of drivers may seem like the industry is going backwards, but
it's a reality. "You will find drivers who like operating the
large step vans, but an off-the-street driver will be more
comfortable with something that handles like a car," Mr.
Langhauser observed. "These new urban delivery vehicles are more like driving a mini-van."
Step heights are similar to passenger vans, so they
help reduce driver fatigue. Mr. Benson noted that step
vans typically have a drop of more than 20 in. to the
ground. "That difference can save the driver the equivalent of walking up 10 flights a day," he said.
While it may make sense for bakers to consider smaller
trucks and vans for urban deliveries, it may not be cost
efficient for all companies, according to Mr. McGuire.
Bakers will need to evaluate the full range of operating
costs, including insurance. Some products may be better handled by smaller vehicles, as are some customers.
What's important is the availability of choice.

Find resources for delivery vechicles by visiting
www.esourcebaking.com. Browse by category under
Equipment, and click on Ship/Deliver/Transport for listings.

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