WTS2020: What to Know and Who to See If You’re Heading to the NTEA Work Truck Show

If you’re a member of the work truck industry then you already know that NTEA’s 2020 Work Truck Show is a must-attend event. Whether you’re seeking information on new product releases, looking for some viable solutions for a fleet-wide problem, or you simply need a bit of common-sense insight on the ever-changing technological landscape of the industry, WTS2020 has your back.

With more than 500 exhibitors covering 500,000 sq. ft. of floor space, the Work Truck Show, like SEMA or PRI, can be overwhelming if you don’t go in with a game plan. For this year alone, already 100+ companies have announced plans to introduce new commercial trucks, bodies, and truck equipment, and 26 have scheduled press conferences—including six OEMs. That’s not counting the many manufacturer sessions, educational seminars, and product demos that will be taking place, covering topics from cargo management solutions to company branding workshops.

And since 2020 also happens to be the 20th anniversary of WTS, you can be sure that show organizers will have some exciting special features planned to celebrate its tenure as North America’s largest work truck event.

Like its aforementioned trade-show siblings, the 20th Work Truck Show is an industry-only event, so you’ll need some credentials to attend. Here’s what you need to know:

What to Know About WTS2020

The NTEA Work Truck Show runs March 3-6, 2020 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. March 3 marks the start of educational sessions and the Green Truck Summit, which is the industry’s premier conference on clean energy innovation for commercial vehicles, as well as the Manufacturer and Distributor Innovation Conference, a forum that focuses on enhancing business-related processes and results. The exhibit hall officially opens on March 4, featuring new product debuts, innovative equipment and technology, Ride-and-Drives, and ample networking opportunities.

While the Work Truck Show draws a much smaller crowd than SEMA or PRI, last year saw record attendance with over 14,000 industry professionals. And trust us, that’s still enough people milling around to make navigating the show floor tricky. So, make a list of the suppliers you most want to talk to, as well as those you’d really like to meet. This way, you have a road map of sorts to stay on track.

Additionally, it’s easy to get distracted by shiny new things, but it’s best to stay focused on those products and technologies that make the most sense for your specific business goals and day-to-day ops. That’s not to say you should avoid the wild, next-gen debuts, though. It’s important to be aware of future technologies so you don’t get left behind.

With that in mind, here are some exciting new products you can expect to see at WTS2020. Some are featured in the New Product Spotlight while others will be found at their manufacturers’ respective booths. Some sport familiar tech, while others boast incredible new features. Either way, they represent some cool forward thinking within the aftermarket and present problem-solving solutions for industry professionals.

Who to See at the 20th NTEA Work Truck Show

These brands continue to impress us with their relentless innovation in the market space. Check out what they have cooking for next month’s Work Truck Show.

Ford

Whether or not you’re a “van” person, there’s no denying the nimble and spacious Transit has made a toaster-shaped impression on the work truck industry. The 2020 model offers up all-new intelligent AWD and adds certain driver assist safety bells and upgraded on-board tech to its standard equipment. Additionally, a new crew van is joining the lineup, with seating for five people across two rows.

If you are most definitely a truck person, spend some time with the latest Super Duty. Sporting a new transmission and updated gas/diesel engines, it also gains enough connective technology and safety equipment to make you forget that “work” and “luxury” are often on opposite ends of the design spectrum.

Legend Fleet Solutions

These guys are leaders in the cargo van space, producing safe and durable upfitting products like flooring systems and walls that transform van interiors from “cold metal box” to “place you wouldn’t mind working from for 8-12 hours.”

New for WTS2020 are the brand’s Wheel Well Covers, which not only produce the vehicle’s bare metal panels, but also cut down on road noise and cold air. Available for Transit, ProMaster, and Sprinter vehicles, these also add a more professional look to van interiors, making them a smart (and economical) fleet solution.

DECKED

In addition to their witty advertising, DECKED showed off two impressive new products at SEMA 2019 that it will also bring to WTS 2020. While the funny-named “D-bag” is noteworthy for its Kevlar-covered hard foam construction that allows it to be used as both a drawer organizer or backpack/tool bag, it’s DECKED’s new concept product that we think you should check out at the show.

Currently lacking a clever name (give them time), the DECKED concept toolbox is constructed of 1/3″ thick pressure molded HDPE and PP, making it dent, ding, and crumple-proof. The company claims that an independent locking mechanism will keep the unit theft-proof while the EPDM rubber seal will render it completely waterproof.

Perhaps most interesting, is that the DECKED toolbox will feature an integrated aluminum ladder that folds out when the toolbox lid opens. Forget about balancing one leg on the rear tire or ungracefully hoisting yourself into the truck bed. The ladder extends over the side of the bed, providing easier and safer access. You don’t need us to tell you the importance of ergonomics when your work truck doubles as a mobile office. This is a smart product that addresses all the awkward climbing, reaching, and twisting that does a real number on the human body.

You can expect the new DECKED toolbox to be compatible with the brand’s other great products, like the drawer systems, D-boxes, and Crossboxes.

Lincoln Electric Company

Near the DECKED booth you’ll find another cool new product at WTS2020: The Ranger 330MPX™ Welder/Generator.

Smaller, smarter, quieter, and more powerful than other machines in its class, this new unit from Lincoln Electric easily transports to the job site, freeing up room for other tools and equipment in the truck bed. It has an easy-to-use digital interface that not only offers users more features, but also boosts welding performance and productivity.

CURT

If new technology is what you’re craving, then check out CURT’s new BetterWeigh™ Mobile Towing Scale. Part of the WTS2020 New Product Spotlight, the BetterWeigh™ plugs into any standard OBD-II port, pairs wirelessly to your smartphone, and then gives you real-time readouts of needed tow weights.

Using the company’s trademarked TowSense technology, the BetterWeigh™ measures changes in the velocity and pitch of the vehicle, then calculates towing and hauling weights based on that data. Additionally, once the unit is calibrated, it can take these measurements in real time, regardless of whether you’re driving down the road or parked at a standstill. The app also takes the guesswork out of brake controller setup by calculating trailer brake gain through the TowSense™ technology and a simple 15-mph start-stop test.

Installation is extremely easy, requiring little more than plugging in the unit, syncing to your phone, and then calibrating it to your YMM using your VIN and the app’s step-by-step instructions. Once set, CURT states that the BetterWeigh™ Mobile Towing Scale is about 95% accurate, putting it in the range of other automotive gauges and trailer hitch scales.

Wireless, compact, and portable, this is some revolutionary towing technology that eliminates a lot of the guesswork involved in weight calculation. (And, let’s be honest here, some drivers are doing a lot more guessing than calculating.) The BetterWeigh™ definitely makes the whole process easier, ensuring a safer setup and therefore safer ride.

Allison

Those of you interested in renewable energy sources should check out Allison’s new AXE Series, a fully-integrated electric powertrain that fits inside a standard frame along the axle of commercial trucks. With almost a quarter of transportation emissions coming from medium and heavy-duty trucks—and consumers showing no willingness to give up their beloved next-day and two-day shipping windows—many companies find themselves seeking more eco-friendly forms of delivery. Amazon has already ordered 100,000 electric vans from start-up Rivian.

Featuring all power electronics for a complete powertrain solution, the Allison AXE Series is one of the most powerful e-axle systems available for medium to heavy-duty trucks. It has a 1-million-mile design life, can support 100% torque in regenerative braking, and has continuous power of 536 hp (400 kilowatts) and peak output power of 738 hp (550 kilowatts).

Another environmentally-friendly supplier who will be on-hand at WTS2020 to answer questions is Go Power!, who is bringing its new zero-emissions Dynamo Solar Generator to the show. And consider sparing a moment for the Propane Education & Research Council who will be educating attendees on the power that Propane autogas has to transform your fleet.

TigerTough

Providing durable seat covers, specially-designed for fleet drivers, law enforcement officers, and even the average weekend adventurer, TigerTough understands that work trucks often perform just as many jobs as their operators. While we encourage you to check out all of the brand’s top-quality, custom-fit covers at WTS2020, TigerTough has a couple new accessories worth your time as well.

First up are the Seat Organizer and the Seatback Pocket. The former addresses the pile of junk that mysteriously accumulates on your front seat while driving, while the latter fixes the useless factory seatback storage that can barely accommodate a paper map.

“If you spend a lot of time in your vehicle, you’re probably familiar with having everything you need ‘neatly’ piled in the passenger’s seat so you can ‘easily’ reach it,” writes TigerTough. “But you’re probably also familiar with fishing it off the floor after you’ve smashed the brakes and everything slid off the seat.” Luckily, the company’s new organizer keeps everything safe and sound in well-constructed pockets that ensure security but also easy access. Similarly, the seatback pocket significantly expands the storage space on the back of your seat, cleverly integrated right into the seat cover.

Another item TigerTough has on the docket for 2020 is the Stringlock—and if you’ve ever had to install one seat cover, let alone an entire fleet’s worth, you’re going to be really excited about this product. It’s a simple little system that eliminates the neat to tie knots underneath the seat, allowing for a lot less scraped knuckles. Just feed the strings into each side of the product, pull them tight, and clamp them down.

Register for WTS2020

Obviously, we’ve barely scratched the surface here. New class 4-6 trucks will be on display from Isuzu, International, Hino, and more. Next-gen dash-cam technology from VIA Technologies and GPS Insight will be available for you to explore. And let’s not forget wheels, tires, storage solutions, safety equipment, truck accessories—the list goes on.

If you’re itching to see all that the work truck industry has to offer, you can find a way to register for the NTEA 20th Work Truck Show here: http://www.worktruckshow.com/waystoregister