What Boydstun is up to these days.

A new model - Oregon Business
PORTLAND When Rob Boydstun’s autocarrier manufacturing company near the Port of Portland was going the way of the rest of the auto industry, he decided to ditch it and re-create his business.

He chose an industry you wouldn’t expect in this recession — the housing industry.

Just in case you were wondering what Rob is up to these days.

Manheim Orlando Truck Theft Problem

Just spoke to a customer who said their Peterbilt was stolen at 8:00 in the morning last week at the Orlando Manheim auction. She said the police said that theirs was the 18th stolen truck this year. I don't know what you can do to guard against something like this... maybe put a denver boot on your truck or something.

Check your wheel bearings!

Terre Haute News, Terre Haute, Indiana- TribStar.com - Two vehicles destroyed when semitrailer burns

Boydstun screw truck maintenance tip

Are the screw actuators on your Boydstun screw truck squealing like pigs? Try getting the SL-3195 Stayplex red grease... made by Staylube. You can get it at most NAPA stores. It is water repellent and should last you a couple weeks between applications. IF you want to save money, you can get a 120 lb keg of it for around $400.

This is the stuff they're using on the Toyota car haulers.

11/09/09 Addendum: More Boydstun parts available again here.

Sales UP

Light & Medium Truck | U.S. Auto Sales Increase in August
U.S auto sales increased 1% in August, the first time since 2007 that monthly sales figures increased versus year-ago levels, Bloomberg News reported.

Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. all posted gains for the month, as the federal government’s “cash for clunkers” program brought shoppers to showrooms. While these gains were offset by sales declines for General Motors Co., Chrysler Group LLC and Nissan Motor Co., the boon created by “clunkers” pushed total industry sales to 1.26 million, a 1% increase over August, 2007 levels, Bloomberg said.

Just last week, a full boat of Toyotas hit the west coast-- 5000 Scions, Lexus, and FJ cruisers were moved out of the port in the space of four days!

Border ban

BBC NEWS | Americas | Border ban angers Mexico truckers

OK, but if you read the article, it talks about the Mexican driver being on the road without significant breaks for 18 hours!  If it comes down to a choice between providing opportunity for Mexican trucking companies and public safety, public safety must always win. 

Another Case of Maag & Wendler

Cottrell, URS Midwest named in another injury suit | Madison/St. Clair Record
Cottrell, URS Midwest named in another injury suit

7/24/2009 10:44 AM
By Kelly Holleran

A man and his wife have filed suit against two trucking companies after they say the man fell from the top of a rig.

Dale and Lori Presnell claim Dale Presnell worked as a car hauler for URS Midwest and was using a Cottrell trailer on Dec. 18 when the incident occurred.

"Plaintiff, while attempting to maneuver on the upper deck of the rig in the course of his duties as a truck driver, sustained severe and permanent injuries when he fell from the top of the rig," the suit states.

Tennessee couple sues Cottrell, Nissan in St. Clair County | Madison/St. Clair Record

Tennessee couple sues Cottrell, Nissan in St. Clair County

7/22/2009 2:49 PM
By Kelly Holleran

A Tennessee man and woman say the man was permanently disabled while performing his normal work duties as a car hauler.

Jeffrey T. and Angela Ellis filed a lawsuit July 17 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Hansen and Adkins Auto Transport, Nissan North America and Cottrell.

The plaintiffs claim Jeffrey Ellis was originally hired by Premium of Tennessee but was leased to Hansen to perform car hauling duties.

While operating a ratchet and tie down system as part of his duties on July 21, 2008, Jeffrey Ellis received disfiguring and permanent injuries because of the force he was required to exert on the system, according to the complaint.

Pac-Lease

Rumor has it that PacLease is getting into auto transport equipment directly, as well as service. They are reportedly in the process of opening up a shop in the Dallas, TX area. Car Transport and Northside just closed their shops. What does Paccar see in their crystal ball that the rest of us have missed?

Too much weed in that microbus?

Independent - June 29, 2009: Car-hauler caught with 460 pounds of marijuana
Car-hauler caught with 460 pounds of marijuana

I'm telling you, it's just not worth whatever they're saying they'll pay you to haul certain loads.

Cash for clunkers law could jumpstart auto sales

AutoNation Says ‘Clunker Law’ May Boost Sales by 10% (Update1) - Bloomberg.com
June 25 (Bloomberg) -- AutoNation Inc. said the “cash-for- clunkers” law President Barack Obama signed may increase new- vehicle sales at the largest publicly traded U.S. auto retailer by 10 percent through year end.

Another Maag & Wendler lawsuit.

Car hauler sues workers' comp administrator over discovery of private med info | Madison/St. Clair Record

Car hauler sues workers' comp administrator over discovery of private med info

6/18/2009 2:22 PM
By Kelly Holleran

A car hauler says he has been damaged by more than $100,000 after his workers' compensation administrator discovered some of his confidential medical information.

Chester Belleville says he began receiving workers' compensation from Zurich Services Corporation on March 18, 2008, after he was injured while working as a car hauler.

Jack Cooper Lawsuit

Injured car haulers target Jack Cooper Transport | Madison/St. Clair Record
Injured car haulers target Jack Cooper Transport

6/19/2009 12:33 PM
By Kelly Holleran

Two car haulers and their wives are suing an employee of Jack Cooper Transport, alleging the haulers fell while walking on the rigs of trailers.

Gary and Diana Smith and John and Jackie Street filed two separate lawsuits June 11 in Madison County Circuit Court against Roger Owens.

The Smiths say Gary Smith was performing his normal duties as a car hauler on Oct. 30, 2007, when he was injured while maneuvering on the upper deck of the rig.

The Streets say John Street fell while using a Cotrell rig on Oct. 26, 2007.

The rigs were supposed to have a non-skid paint surface, but the Smiths allege many Jack Cooper Transport employees have been injured while walking on the upper deck of rigs in attempt to accomplish their trucking duties.

"Jack Cooper Transport and its officers, directors and supervisors have been aware for many years that its employees claim to have been injured in the above described manner and may bring product liability lawsuits," the complaints say. "Jack Cooper Transport has participated in such lawsuits both formally and informally over the years."

So after Gary Smith's and John Street's falls, Roger Owens, the Jack Cooper Transport employee named as a defendant, ordered the trailers on which the men fell to be refurbished after their accidents, according to the complaints.

Owens failed to preserve the trailer on which Gary Smith fell, according to the complaint.

Now, the trailer as it existed on the date of Gary Smith's accident is unavailable for forensic analysis and Gary Smith and John Street say they could potentially lose their rights to compensation.
The Smiths and the Streets are each seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Peter J. Maag of Wendler Law in Edwardsville will be representing them.

Nowhere to go but up?

Car buyers may be cautiously coming back - Autos- msnbc.com
May sales data appeared to confirm a bottoming in the U.S. car market, however. On Tuesday, Ford Motor Co. reported a 24 percent drop in U.S. sales for May, but sales were up 20 percent from April. GM's sales in May fell 30 percent versus a year ago, but were up 11 percent from April.