Alcoa’s Wheel and Transportation Products business launched CalcuLighter, an online tool that allows truck fleet and owner-operators to compare steel vs. aluminim duals or steel vs. aluminum wide base wheels.
By entering a few specifics regarding their own operational needs, the site – www.alcoa.com/calculighter – provides users with exact financial data comparisons.
“Especially during tight economic times, fleets and owner-operators need actionable, dollars-and-cents answers now, and seat-of-the-pants guesstimates won’t do,” said Tim Myers, president of Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products. “Using the online CalcuLighter, they can see real-world data in real time, based on their own truck and trailer profile. This tool effectively translates basic product differences into a relevant, return on investment summary.”
Using Alcoa’s LvL ONE wheel as an example, Myers explained that an over-the-road rig running on this aluminum option is carrying nearly 630 pounds less weight than with standard steel wheels, and more than 1,200 pounds less if they go with 14-inch wide base aluminum wheels.
“What do facts like this really mean in terms of fuel savings? More payload? Extended tire life?” Myers said. “CalcuLighter spells out these figures instantly as specific fleet input is entered. Owners can compare a variety of different options in only a few minutes.”
In addition to fuel, payload and tire life data, CalcuLighter also reveals Truck Blue Book trade-in value, scrap value, relative wheel maintenance info and even the “carbon footprint” differences between wheel alternatives. (Tire Review/Akron)
