Truck Sites We Like
Monthly picks of the best on the web
DEBORAH LOCKRIDGE
SENIOR EDITOR
Each month, HDT presents overviews of some trucking web sites we like. They are gauged primarily on what casual visitors to the sites experience. For the most part, that means what computer types refer to as “look and feel.” But these impressions are no small matter. They are critical to a company’s image and, as we all know, image itself is critical. We’re also looking for user friendliness and that little something extra.
It is impossible to visit all the web sites serving such a vast industry, so we know we will miss some worthy sites in the coming months. Please let us know about any you feel are especially good by emailing Senior Editor Deborah Lockridge at dlockridge@truckinginfo.com.
www.westernstartrucks.com
Western Star Trucks, Willoughby, Ohio
The new Western Star web site strikes an admirable balance between snazzy and efficient. The home page greets you with a slide show of sharp-looking Western Star trucks in a variety of vocational settings, including a flame-decorated logging truck, then settles on a grille and logo shot.
Even more important, the site is logically organized and easy to navigate. There are four menu selections: Trucks, Company, Dealers, and Support. Within each of these you’ll find subdivisions.
For instance, the Trucks section is divided into Owner-Operator, Premium Vocational, and Specialty/Extreme, making it easy to narrow down which models might be right for your operation. The Vocational and Specialty sections are further divided by application, such as dump, logging, severe mixer and military, with each model link offering basic specs and a photo.
www.greatdanetrailers.com
Great Dane Trailers, Savannah, Georgia
Of all the trailer sites we looked at, Great Dane’s stood out.
One of the most interesting parts of the site, whether you’re in the market for a trailer or not, is the Great Dane History section. The company recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, and there are pages and pages devoted to the company’s beginnings and growth throughout the century, with plenty of historic photos. There’s even a Great Dane history video you can watch online.
The product information is pretty nifty, too. A parade of thumbnail photos slowly parades across the bottom of the page, just begging to be clicked on for a closer look at the various features and parts of the trailer. Click on “features,” and you’ll get a menu offering to click on for descriptions and photos of what makes this particular trailer tick.
You can also look for used trailers, find a dealer, shop online for Great Dane collectibles and logo items, and read the online version of Great Dane’s “Evolving Trailer Technology” newsletter.
