Over 10 years since deciding to focus on hauling jet fuel for commercial, corporate, military and general aviation customers, Ann Arbor, MI-based Pinnacle Express believes it has found the right equipment and technology to ensure its ongoing success. Since 2012, the carrier has nearly doubled the number of tank trailers it operates to 31 and has added eight tractors to bring its current fleet size to 23 power units.
Growth at Pinnacle Express reflects the rising number of customers it serves, and weekly deliveries now total about 30 large accounts with several smaller operations being served on an annual basis. Its business has also expanded geographically from its Great Lakes region base south to Tennessee and Texas, as far west as Nebraska and east into Maryland and Massachusetts.
“Delivering on time and efficiently is how we’ve grown our business,” says Jim Fox, vice president and general manager. “Choosing the right technologies is how we’ve done that safely and cost-effectively.”
Fuel-saving technology is a large part of Pinnacle’s cost-effectiveness, and at the top of that list for Fox are automated manual transmissions. “The decision to spec Eaton UltraShift Plus MXP transmissions is paying dividends,” he states. “With one of the 18-speed UltraShift transmissions that replaced a 13-speed manual, the same driver over the same route is getting about 7.2 mpg as opposed to 5.6 mpg beforehand. That’s significant.
“We’re also realizing as much as a 10% fuel economy gain with Michelin wide-base single tires on tractor drive and trailer axles in place of dual tire assemblies,” Fox continues. “Additionally, Stemco’s AirBAT tire pressure monitoring system continually alerts drivers to underinflation, which cuts fuel economy if left unchecked.”
Fox, meanwhile, says that the Eaton transmissions are providing flexibility and have solved a payload-related issue that required different transmission specs for different applications. “We have gross combination weight ratings from 80,000 lbs. for interstate deliveries to 130,000 lbs. on six-axle trailers within Michigan,” he explains. “The 18-speed solved the issue of operating in the two different disciplines with the same tractor and let us spec one transmission fleet wide.”
For added safety, all of the Pinnacle Express Freightliner Cascadia Evolution tractors and the fleet’s 9,400-gal. Polar Tank trailers have roll stability control systems. Spec’d as well are Bendix or SAF-Holland air disc brakes, which Fox notes are also less costly and less time-consuming to maintain.
The automated transmissions are also helping the company address safety concerns that are inherent when hauling aviation fuel. “We believe automated gearboxes reduce driver fatigue and improve awareness,” Fox states. “These transmissions are letting us get a few more years out of our more experienced drivers. Not having to work the clutch means they can actually walk at the end of the day.”
Fox is quick to call Pinnacle Express drivers “a special breed” and says that when the company has had a few seats to fill, it seeks out retired military, law enforcement, and fire department veterans because they have a good background and a solid work ethic.
Pinnacle’s cargo makes that essential, and along with choosing the right equipment and technology, the company is growing and making deliveries safely, on time and cost-effectively.
