Transcraft Increases Payload Capacity on Flatbed Models

Transcraft Corp., Anna, Ill., has increased the legal payload capacity of its standard-duty flatbed models by about 8,000 pounds (or 12 percent) to allow customers to haul more freight and help improve profitability per shipment.
The company's standard-duty flatbed trailers - which were formerly designated as "normal" duty with a 65,000 pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) - now carry a GVWR of 73,000 pounds. The added capacity, which was achieved through focused engineering efforts and the use of higher-strength materials, is effective on 2008 model year flatbeds.
Transcraft flatbed models, which include the Eagle, Eagle II and the TL-2000, are available in standard-duty, heavy-duty and extreme duty capacities.
Transcraft Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Wabash National Corp., is one of the leading manufacturers of platform trailers in North America. Established in 1962, Transcraft offers a wide range of flatbed and drop-deck trailer models to meet the needs of the commercial vehicle and construction industries. Transcraft operates manufacturing facilities in Anna, Ill., and Mt. Sterling, Ky.

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IL State Police: Over 700 pounds of suspected pot found in semi

MARION, Ill. Illinois State Police say a tractor-trailer at a southern Illinois weigh station was carrying far more than just its load of carrots.

Authorities say they found roughly 761 pounds of suspected marijuana in the Ohio-bound vehicle last week in Williamson County. Investigators searched the rig after they determined it was overweight. The truck's driver, a 28-year-old man from Hidalgo, Texas, was arrested and is being held in the Williamson County Jail in Marion. No word yet on any charges by state or federal prosecutors.

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Illinois Senate approves effort to end split speed limit

For the third time in recent years, legislation making its way through the Illinois statehouse would bring an end to split speed limits in the state.

The Senate voted 45-10 in late March in favor of the latest attempt to eliminate the provision in state law that set up slower speed limits on rural interstates for vehicles weighing more than 8,000 pounds. Currently, those vehicles are required to travel 10 mph below the 65 mph speed limit for other vehicles.

The bill – SB540 – would allow the Illinois Department of Transportation to increase large truck speeds to as much as 65 mph. It now heads to the House for further consideration.

Rep. Robert Flider, D-Decatur, the bill’s House sponsor, made it clear that even if the bill is signed into law it doesn’t guarantee elimination of the speed gap.

“The bill allows the state to consider authorizing uniform speeds. It wouldn’t mandate a change, but just to consider it,” Flider told Land Line.

Despite the support this year’s effort has enjoyed to this point, the forecast for the legislation is cloudy.

Attempts in 2003 and 2004 to get uniform speed legislation enacted were met with vetoes by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. In both instances the House and Senate initially approved the legislation by veto-proof margins.

In 2003, the House had first crack at an override attempt only to fall two votes shy of the margin needed to hand the bill off to the Senate for further consideration. A year later, enough Senators stayed together to pull off an override but several lawmakers in the House switched their votes in support of the governor’s position.

Blagojevich said at the time he fears that faster trucks would mean bloodier accidents because the force of impact is stronger the faster a vehicle is traveling.

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