Among the standout innovations were safety-enhancing dock equipment, advanced suspension offerings, online parts ordering system, high-tech alignment tools, fuel-efficient tires, zero emission reefer trailer, fixed chock for trailer landing gear, and more. Here’s a closer look at some of the products that TruckNews.com saw during the show.
ITD introduces Canada-made truck boxes
ITD Industries unveiled its new line of made-in-Canada truck boxes, designed to address long lead times in the industry. The company has been working on the design for the better part of the year, said Philip Turi, chief operating officer at ITD Industries.
The flat pack box model features ITD’s rail system that allows the walls, roof, and rear door frame to be easily assembled. ITD claims that its design integrates more robust van trailer elements than some other models on the market. The flat-pack concept simplifies shipping and installation for customers. “What we’re doing is we’re taking the robustness, really, of a van trailer design [and bringing it] to our truck box design,” Turi said.
There are three style options for customization, ITD said. A sheet-and-post design was exhibited at ExpoCam, showcasing a traditional construction method. A composite plate design is a popular choice in the van segment, according to Turi, and it features composite panels for added durability. Another option is a rivet-free panel system, offering a smooth, clean appearance preferred by fleets seeking a modern aesthetic.
By manufacturing these truck boxes in Canada, Turi says ITD aims to provide local fleets with a high-quality alternative to imported products without long wait times. “If tariffs come on, obviously it’s going to hit truck prices, but it’s also going to hit boxes. And boxes right now are kind of the bottleneck,” Turi said, adding that the research began two years ago as it was prompted by the customer demand. “We learned that everyone was complaining about difficulties getting boxes in, and long lead times, anywhere from four to six, eight months to get a box, and those boxes were either coming from China, or they were coming from the U.S.”
ITD is already accepting and fulfilling the orders from customers.
Hevea enhances dock, operator safety
Hevea showcased two products designed to improve safety and efficiency for truck operators: a fixed chock for trailer landing gear and a snow and ice management offering.
The truck dock safety system attaches directly to the truck’s dolly, eliminating the need for a worker to manually place wheel chocks, and reducing risks of oversight, said Hevea’s consultant Mary-Ann McCarron. Developed and manufactured out of steel and rubber in Quebec — with the rubber being a proprietary blend developed by Hevea — the colors are customizable for fleets.
The company claims the chock won’t slip on ice and high-performance rubber absorbs vibrations and impacts. It features a 10”x10” surface, and the thickness of the part gradually increases from 1.5” at the back to 2” at the front, creating an angle.
Hevea also introduced a snow and ice removal device, which is designed to break up ice and push snow away from the truck as it moves, which, McCarron said, prevents accumulation near the truck and improves overall safety. The snow removal system has already been tested on 9,000 trucks without any reported failures, she added.
Paccar expands online parts counter, aftermarket offerings
Paccar Parts highlighted the growth of its online parts counter, which enables customers to check pricing and availability across multiple dealer locations. Originally launched in 2022, the platform rolled out its next-gen version in February, expanding its capabilities for Peterbilt and Kenworth customers.
The platform now includes more than 540,000 default parts, with dealers able to add up to 1.3 million additional parts, said Mike McVeigh, e-commerce account manager at Paccar. A U.S.-based customer recorded that 39% of their parts sales are now processed through the system, he added.
“We have dedicated stock checks, all kinds of product information sheets, catalogs, brochures, all available. It’s browser-based, works on any type of mobile device,” McVeigh said, adding that customers also enjoy the 360-degree part views, which help ensure they receive the correct items without waiting days to discover errors. The system’s ability to track order history, search by purchase order numbers and invoice date ranges, and create saved orders has been beneficial for accounts receivable and payable teams.
In addition to this update, James Whipkey, TRP parts sales manager, told TruckNews.com about the expanded aftermarket product lineup, including LED headlights with both heated and unheated options, which are expected to hit the market this year.
The latest offerings also include Eaton-branded clutches, currently available through dealer coupons, and a newly revamped lineup of starters and alternators, backed by a one-year warranty. Whipkey believes these products are competitively priced and says the products are designed to meet the demands of both Kenworth and Peterbilt vehicles, as well as all-makes applications, including Volvo, Mack, International, and Freightliner.
Dexter debuts new LSS suspension system
Dexter Group introduced its LSS (loose suspension system) series, designed to offer greater flexibility for trailer builders. Unlike fully integrated suspensions, the LSS series allows trailer builders to install the suspension separately from the axle, providing more customization options for their specific needs, said Neil Haslam, product manager at Dexter.
Highlights at the company’s booth were the underslung and top-mounted suspension models.
The underslung suspension is designed for low-deck or drop-deck trailers, positioning the trailing arm under the axle to lower the ride height and improve clearance. It offers a ride height range of 6.5- to 10 inches from the axle center to the top of the frame. Meanwhile, the top-mount suspension is intended for taller trailers with high frames, mounting over the axle for a different suspension and ride height.
Haslam said the LSS series — available in 23,000-, 25,000-, and 30,000-lb. capacities — is part of its push to become a one-stop shop for trailer builders, offering axles, suspensions, and complete integrated systems while providing customization options to fit customer requirements.
Aeolus launches Neo tire line
Aeolus introduced its Neo line of tires, emphasizing fuel efficiency and durability. While the line is not new for Aeolus, it is new to the Canadian market and is now available for order through Aeolus dealers, said John Overing, general manager of Aeolus Canada.
The company highlighted improvements over its previous ADL series, pointing out the Neo Fuel D3 tire as one of the examples. A SmartWay-certified drive tire designed for long-distance operations, it has a wide tread pattern that enhances durability, while longitudinal grooves combined with a block design improve traction on wet and dry roads. A multi-layer structure reinforces the casing, and two tread layers optimize lifespan and fuel consumption. The tread compound also includes an anti-wear layer to further extend mileage and efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Neo Allroads D is optimized for regional distribution traffic, featuring extra deep grooves with an inter-connected block pattern to improve traction and extend tread life. The tire’s asymmetrical block design enhances comfort by reducing noise, while a reinforced shoulder design ensures uniform wear. An added belt layer strengthens the casing for improved re-profiling, and an anti-wear layer in the tread compound boosts economy, noise reduction, and kilometrage.
Hunter presents advanced alignment, inspection technology
New products showcased at Hunter Engineering Company booth were the Quick Check Commercial system and new alignment equipment.
The Quick Check Commercial system is an automated inspection tool that measures tread depth and vehicle alignment in just 15 seconds, a process that traditionally takes 20 minutes manually, said Dan Martin, division manager at Hunter. He says the system uses laser data points and cameras to scan and measure tire wear and alignment angles with precision.
If a truck or trailer is out of alignment, it can lead to uneven tire wear, increased fuel consumption, and additional strain on the driver, added Ross Iacobellis, Hunter’s technical sales and trailing manager.
Regular checks can help prevent excessive tire wear and improve fuel efficiency by up to 6%, translating to significant cost savings for fleets. “Because it only takes 15 seconds to drive over and get your numbers, you can check it every time the truck is in the shop, or the trailer’s in the shop. It does truck and trailers,” Martin said.
The system also provides real-time diagnostic reports, identifying alignment issues and predicting how they will affect tire wear, steering, and overall vehicle performance, he added. Based on the tire tread depth measurements, fleets can also easily plan out optimal tire rotations to maximize tire life.
The new alignment machine, launched within the past year, builds on this technology, offering a fast precise way to align both trucks and trailers. Unlike traditional alignment systems, which require manual adjustments and can take hours, this machine allows technicians to mount alignment targets on multiple axles at once and complete an alignment check in just two minutes.
It uses cameras and laser targets to precisely measure vehicle alignment. These targets are fixed together, and as the vehicle rolls forward, the system calculates the axis of rotation to determine the exact center of the axle. This allows the machine to align the axle’s center with the centers of other axles, ensuring optimal alignment.
The measurement process is extremely precise, with the system capturing data in thousandths of a degree and reporting results in hundredths of a degree.
“It is not unheard of for our customers to be able to do 10 alignments in a day with this machine,” Martin said. “I’ve even had trailer manufacturers, that when they build trailers, they turn them upside down, so they’re easy for welding. And we’ve installed this equipment on an upside-down trailer so that you could align the axles while it’s being manufactured.”
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