In an era when untried dot.com concepts are increasingly visible, it was refreshing to find that hardware still took center stage at the 39th International Trucking Show in Las Vegas in late June.

The show kicked off with a traffic-stopping parade by about 60 rigs down Las Vegas Boulevard on June 27. Show organizers were told that the city had never before shut down The Strip for anything less than the president and vice-president. Most of the trucks in the parade later competed in the Show 'N Shine beauty contest.

At the show itself, one of the more interesting solutions to real-world operating problems was a lifting trailer roof. Made by ShuttleMaster, the curtain-side trailers are designed for high-cube loads where the ability to load to full legal height is critical. While most van trailers have height limits of 110 inches or less, and platform trailers leave loads exposed to the elements, the ShuttleMaster quickly converts a flatbed to enclosed curtain-side trailer.

The ShuttleMaster's roof elevates by applying air pressure from the truck. High loads can then be moved or stacked. Once secured, the roof lowers in place over the load. The unit attaches to the trailer with only 12 bolts, increasing its versatility. A gantry system is available to help attach and remove the mechanism. Contact ShuttleMaster at (209) 932-5050 or see www.shuttlemaster.com.

WABA (714-458-2660), has a simple yet ingenious way of warning when brakes are out of adjustment. A wire is secured to each slack adjuster. A plug that fits into a socket is attached to the other end. The wire tether can be adjusted from 11/2 to 21/2 inches. When the brakes are applied, the adjuster pulls the wire. If brakes are out of adjustment, the wire pulls the plug out of its socket and lights a warning lamp. WABA kits are available with two units per axle.

Utility Trailer (626-965-1541, www.utilitytrailer.com) introduced the 3000R, successor to its popular 2000R refrigerated trailer. The 3000R claims the lowest tare weight of any comparable reefer by 500 to 800 pounds. Inside walls are stronger than the 2000R, and thermal properties were improved 4% by using two-inch thick insulated walls and packing floor and roof with three inches of insulation. There are no through fasteners, which helps prevent thermal conductivity. With a Carrier Transicold reefer unit, the 3000R trailer can sustain minus 20F with 46% excess capacity. The trailer is available with Hendrickson's Vantraax suspension and HKA slider giving 96 inches of travel. A 53-by-102 3000R has 3,673 cubic feet of usable volume. Alcoa aluminum wheels, stainless door hardware and a pre-assembled wheel-end system with a three-year warranty promise longer life, lightweight and less maintenance result. Ready to load, the 3000R weighs 13,820 pounds.

Fleet Engineers Inc. (800-333-7890, www.fleetengineers.com) brought three innovative products to the show. The Hellcat is a spring-loaded bracket for mudflaps with several unusual features. Its vibration-resistant mounting uses studs that can be installed for either 11/8 inch or 21/2-inch centers (standard hole spacing). The bracket can pivot 180 degrees to prevent hang-ups. Prismatic conspicuity reflectors mount inside a recessed channel to prevent damage. The units are available in both stainless and e-coated black paint. Each Hellcat flap hanger comes with an attractive end cap complete with reflector, for a finished appearance and added safety.

X-Flex, also from Fleet Engineers, is a fender-mounting bracket designed specifically to reduce spider-web cracking where the fender attaches to the mounts. Rubber blocks attach between the fender and mounting bracket, allowing the fenders to free-float. The X-Flex system is available in four mounting heights, with straight or offset brackets. They are finished in black e-coat paint, with matching end caps.

The third Fleet Engineers product is a new roll-up door for trailers, the RoaDoor. It's made of a PVC composite, resulting in improved appearance with only half the weight of typical wood doors. The RoaDoor insulates better, resists dents, will not burn, rot or decay, cannot absorb moisture, and is ideal for mounting graphics. It weighs about 100 pounds for a 90-by-90 inch door, compared to 230 pounds for a wood one. Installation time is around 35 minutes, a saving of more than three hours.

Mack Trucks presented a new Ultra-Light Vision day cab that weighs in at only 12,246 pounds. It uses a new MaxAir 40A suspension, developed by Mack and Hendrickson, and is 112 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Power is from a 355/380-hp E-Tech 12-liter Maxicruise engine and a 6-speed transmission. One unique feature is its 6-by-2 configuration (one steer, one drive and one tag axle). When traction is poor, the driver can use the air suspension to put more weight on the drive axle. Aluminum is used extensively — for wheels, the battery box cover, flywheel housing and suspension. The truck also uses super single tires.

Mack announced liquid natural gas (LNG) fueled CH day cabs, to be put in service by UPS. The 12-liter engines develop 350 hp and 1,250 lbs.ft. of torque at 1,250 rpm. The Mack Eco-Tech E7G-350 is both CARB and EPA certified. Designed for heavy hauling and construction, Mack's CL Series daycab is now available with Cummins ISX or Signature 600 engines, with up to 600 hp and 2,050 lbs.ft. of torque. The truck features high-strength frame rails, a high-capacity front axle with wide taper-leaf springs and rear axles rated to 65,000 pounds. The cab is made with two-side-galvanized sheet steel, suspended with dual air bags and dual shock absorbers. Though built for rugged use, this CL has all the comforts of on-highway CL and CH trucks.

The Vision Millennium Gold package has gold accents on logos, head lamps, nut covers, door logos, wheel hub covers, the grill, cab steps, CB antennas and even the classic Mack Bulldog hood ornament. Inside, it is all Mack, with the features and options available in all new Visions.

Every driver fears breaking down in a remote area where service vendors are, at best, unknown and at worst, unscrupulous. Mack's new One Call System is designed to minimize downtime and reduce hassles.

One phone call to the customer support hotline (800-866-1177) gets you a trained technician who will help identify your problem and arrange for roadside repairs or a tow to the nearest authorized Mack dealer.

The tech will be able to communicate with both you and the truck's computer simultaneously. Service will be on its way within an hour, Mack promises. A technician will stay with the job until the truck owner is satisfied. Mack customers can also use One Call to schedule service in advance. Essentially, One Call functions like a breakdown service without the middleman. For the driver, it's more than just a voice on the other end. It's a link to 500 Mack locations and 5,000 independent shops and other service providers.

Vegas Floor Show

Trans Former Trailers (877-783-2222): This unique trailer can change from a flatbed with a 40-inch deck height to an automobile transporter that can carry eight full-size cars or most SUVs. The upper level raises and lowers while remaining flat, due to a specially designed hydraulic system. All chaining is done at a comfortable 40-inch height, and then the upper level is raised to provide 73 inches of clearance for the lower deck. Fully lowered, it operates as a platform trailer. Empty, but with all hydraulics, it weighs 18,000 lbs.

Lookout Safety System Safety Enterprises (888-689-9222, www.safetyenterprises.com): The system uses ultrasonic waves to search for objects hidden in a truck's blind spots. Sonar transducers can be set along the sides to detect vehicles running beside the truck, and at the rear to prevent incidents when backing. A dashboard indicator shows distances from 9.9 feet to 1 foot in tenths of a foot while backing.

LyTec Electroluminescent Lighting, ELAM U.S.A. Inc. (www.elamusainc.com, 516-626-7755): Resembling quarter-inch neon tubes when lit, and almost invisible when not, these light strips use electroluminescent technology to glow when current is applied. In blue, orange, coral, aqua, yellow and white, they can bend to conform to most any object. Tube lights are available in 5- and 10-foot kits, and 100-foot spools. The technology is also available as sequentially or alternately flashing warning devices called "scanners."

PowerLeg Landing Gear Winch Quest, Transportation Products (888-454-3848, www.questproducts.net): As a follow-up to the Quest PowerCrank, the company introduced an automated landing gear system to quickly and easily raise and lower landing gear with a push of a button. A powerful electric motor is attached to the inside of the leg. It has its own power source for use when the trailer has been dropped. The PowerLeg installs on existing landing gear in less than an hour. It can be ordered on most new trailers.

Super Dolly Pad (www.superdpad.com, 888-212-PADS [7237]): Spot your trailer on soft ground or on blacktop on a scorching day, and the landing gear could sink. The 15-by-17-by-1-inch thick polypropylene Super Dolly Pad spreads the trailer's load over 21/2 times the area of a typical landing gear pad. The pad has a honeycomb structure on one side for lighter weight, but two pads can support a loaded trailer. Easy to clean, carry and store, it's available in fleet colors or bright hues to make it highly visible.

"The American Trucker" video (Flamingo Productions 636-940-7528): See the world of trucking as experienced by team drivers Stan and Brenda Pierce and solo driver Phil Moseid. Glimpse the magnificent scenery they see, and sympathize at the obstacles that hamper drivers' effectiveness.

Super Plug (877-MAG-PLUG [624-7584], www.superplug.com): For years, hot rodders and car enthusiasts have been using magnetic oil drain plugs to draw iron shavings and particles from the oil. The iron stays attached to the magnet instead of circulating through the engine to compound the wear. Super Plug brings that time-tested technology to heavy-duty diesels that don't already have it. The plug body is made from a specially designed non-magnetic bolt body, to concentrate the magnetic field inside the oil pan.

Sit 'n Stretch Exercise Tape and the Air Pillo inflatable cushion; (877) 475-9022, www.sitnstretch.com: Therapist Dell Felix developed an exercise program, Sit 'n Stretch, that helps drivers relieve stress and strain of back, shoulder and neck muscles, and enhance blood flow and flexibility. The result is increased comfort, alertness and safety. The exercises can be done while stopped or driving. The Sit ‘n Stretch program is available on audiocassette. An inflatable cushion, the Air Pillo (sold separately) helps drivers sit more comfortably and also do the exercises described on the audiotape.

Powering Up Truckstops

The U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency both want to stop excessive idling. Why? Idling burns 900 million gallons of diesel fuel and creates 300,000 pounds of pollutants each year, the government estimates. At a special meeting held in conjunction with ITS, the DOE unveiled several ideas to reduce idling significantly.

The leading idea appears to be wiring truckstops for electric power. As more drivers (and fleets) install inverters to convert DC to AC power, truck builders are equipping vehicles to handle the juice. Many late models include "shore power" plugs and wiring harnesses. What they lack are places on the road to plug in.

Drivers idle to heat or cool their cabs or provide power to run convenience items like TVs and refrigerators. By providing alternatives, DOE hope to cut idling dramatically. Besides using fuel-fired heaters and engine-independent cooling systems. DOE says 110-volt AC "shore" power is the most practical, efficient solution today.

DOE is working with several utilities to provide plug-in electric power to truckstops. Standards need to be developed, and then an infrastructure needs to be built. DOE hopes to be able to start a pilot project soon, with the cooperation of the truckstop industry. Initial investment for a 200-space lot would be an estimated $750,000, plus the cost of electricity itself, maintenance and insurance.

Each parking space would have to generate $8 to $10 per day to achieve a reasonable return. As the volume of power-buying truckers increases, the price could come down.

Obviously, many details still need to be worked out, but wired truckstops could someday become an attractive alternative to idling. Imagine a quiet truckstop with clean, fresh, exhaust-free air, and just the hum of an occasional reefer in the background.