Quote:
Originally Posted by elhigh
Hey, Shepherd,
I remember reading in the trades a couple of years ago, Walmart was working on developing their own fleet of aero rigs to reduce shipping expenses. Are they working with you on this truck, or have they been in contact with you?
If you'd rather not broach the subject regarding corporate partners, just say the word and I won't speculate any further on this.
I don't remember who they were working with at the time and I'm still trying to enjoy my lunch rather than jump on the net and research it.
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Hi elhigh -
Sorry for the belated reply. I've been busy building the truck.
Walmart worked with Peterbilt on a concept truck a couple of years ago in 2014 and they called it the Walmart Advance Vehicle Experience, or WAVE, truck.
I really, really, don't know what the point of this truck was. It is super impracticable. Unlike our new truck which will be roadworthy throughout the USA, the Walmart truck will never be on a public road. I call it the derogatory car-guy name of a vehicle that never hits the road: a "Trailer Queen."
It's not really aerodynamic. The tires are all exposed without skirts and there is no rear of trailer boat-tail device. And as anyone here at EcoModder knows, the rear of any vehicle is most important, regarding its aerodynamics.
It has a carbon fiber trailer, but the trailer that Strick Trailers built for us is over 1000 pounds lighter.
We had nothing to do with this truck and Walmart has not been in contact with me or my company.
I have three words that describe the Walmart WAVE truck to me: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!