Protecting Your Health On The Road

One of the biggest concerns facing fleets or truckers are health issues..

Please click here or the picture to read our Driver Health Segment Newsletter

==============================================================

Related articles

• The Biggest Health Risk To Truckers, Car Haulers, Tranpsortation Professionals..bar None
• Men's Health Issues Website Launched for Men Over 30 at MensHealthIssues.org
• The Great Trucker Smokeout
• Mandatory health-care worker flu vaccinations worth considering, says Alberta minister
• All Your Medical Data In The Cloud? Not So Fast, Says HHS Privacy Official

==============================================================

The Trucker Autobahn

Tractor Trailers Going 85 MPH On The Highway: 

What Could Possibly Go Wrong..

This news story has creeped up on us in the Transportation field. It is not one of those regular themes that keeps getting circulated in our industry news sources. Upon second glance though, maybe it should be. I mean the idea of the Texas Superhighway really should capture our attention. Heck, we are Americans. We love big cars. We love to go fast right?

Maybe the biggest problem here is the timing. Lets take a look at why:

• We have spent 4 years in a transportation "police" state with billions of dollars of regulation levied on the transportation industry

• The price of fuel continues to go up and one of the fastest ways to burn more fuel is to ....go faster

• There has been an explosion in new safety rules and regulations for commercial vehicles from The Department of Transportation

 I mean it bucks the trend. The image of the highway system is one of highways backed up for miles. Inspection stations that electronically talk so that the public is safe from the "big bad trucker" blazing down the road in their fuel guzzlers while the rest of us putt along in their wake.

But here is an open road where you can legally roar by at high speed. Forget that higher speed means more fatalities, your getting somewhere faster. Maybe this could be a tourist attraction. Just like visiting a water park you could visit the Lone Star Autobahn and go really really fast.

Think about it: no one ever drives the speed limit. So if the limit is 85 you can go at least 90 without getting a ticket, probably even a 100. There will be some that speed no matter what. I bet you could get up to 105 or 110 before you get pulled. 

What could possibly go wrong with cars and multi ton trucks going over 100 miles per hour on road?

 

http://rumors.automobilemag.com/new-texas-toll-road-has-85-mph-speed-limit-good-idea-169147.html

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/10/4806353/new-lone-star-state-speed-limit.html

========================================================

Volvo Truck : Used 2001

 Volvo truck for sale

for more information click HERE

==========================================================

Truck lettering & Truck Logos

Truck Lettering and Logo Service 

Need lettering or logos for your truck. Nothing looks more professional on a Peterbilt, Western Star, Kenworth, Sterling, International, or Freightliner than professional logos or lettering at a competitive price

Be Careful Trucking With A GPS....

The topic has reared it's head again. Truckers using GPS devices that are not designed for truckers are hitting bridges. According to a Buffalo, NY article, the percentage of cases where trucks hit bridges due to bad GPS information in New York states is

80%

Make sure your GPS has been calibrated for proper bridge height. If you are not sure, use a height stick and always keep your eye out for warning signs.


http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/leader-wants-investigation-on-bridges

Trucking and Social Media

Social Media And The Internet Are Trucking Along...

Who would have thought that there would be enough interest in social media in the truck industry to merit a convention?

A few years ago I would have laughed that the impact of all the social media, mobile devices, and the internet would ever get to this point..but it did

Peterbilt truck with trailer

According to Truckinginfo.com there will a social media convention for Truckers in late October. I think this is an enormous amount of progress in a really short time.

The impact of the internet and social media on the trucking industry, and the rest of the economy, is not just its impact but the SPEED at which that impact is taking effect

As the internet grows, huge changes can come about very very quickly because of it.

It will be interesting!

 http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=78152

===================================================================

Make your rig stand out!

Custom logo and lettering can make you stand out in front of
thousands each day!

email msaks@ectts.com for more information










====================================================================

Distracted Driving: A threat to truckers AND anyone on the road

 Distracted Driving is not just a threat to truckers and the trucking industry, but to everyone. According to Truckinginfo.com the statistics on the destructive impact of distracted driving are staggering. 

• 10% of all accidents are because of distracted driving
• 18% of all accidents where an injury occurred when distracted driving was involved

The statistics in the article go on from there. The message is clear. Driving while texting or using a cell phone increases your chance of getting in an accident exponentially. The penalties for driving distracted will probably get worse and worse as these numbers intensify. My guess is that if it does not abate, there will be penalties rivaling drunk driving. That may seem outlandish but the impact of distracted driving has become significant.

 For more information here is the link to the original article
http://truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=78110&news_category_id=12

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good truck logos and truck lettering can help your trucking company be remembered AND can get you business!

 

East Coast Truck and Trailer can help you 

• design your truck logo
• design your truck lettering
• install your truck logo
• install your truck lettering

 

And make a huge impact on your trucking revenue. We do all types of trucks, carhaulers, and heavy duty vehicles

 

go to www.ectts.com or

 

email msaks@ectts.comwww.ectts.com

Update: Mexican Trucking Stalling

Volvo Truck for Sale: Click Here

A CNN report says the Mexican trucking program is failing. I am not surprised. My guess is their trucking companies cannot afford the same regulations American companies are choking on right now. I mean how can trucking companies in Mexico, paying $10 to $15 an hour wages (if that), are going to stomach 5 billion dollars of regulation?

There is no way that trucks that require tens of thousands of dollars of repair are going to go through hundreds of inspection stations in the 48 states and pass. Consider that records are electronic and they travel with you. It would become a joke among American truckers about what is the fastest time a Mexican trucking company gets put off the road, if they can even meet basic DOT inspection.

The only way this program has ANY hope of working is

• if the trucking companies spend a fortune to upgrade their trucks
• Guarantee the safety of unarmed DOT officers, who, last I checked, have tovisit at least 50% of these trucking companies in Mexico for inspection
• Must guarantee their is no organized crime or cartel involvement, tampering,or utilization of these trucks for illegal purposes or drug trafficking

My advice to these companies: Buena Suerte  (Good Luck)


http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/04/us/mexico-trucks/index.html

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looking for custom signs, lettering , or logos for your truck Nationwide

Call 757-465-2200

Ask for Crystal

Trucker Health

 Whats at Stake with Driver Health

Incredible article about the health risks truckers face just by being truckers. The hazards that

are threatening the national pool of truck drivers are riskier than you might think. According to 

a USA today article:

• Approximately 1 in 3 of all drivers are Obese
• Over 80% are overweight
• The insurance costs of healthier truckers are almost 50% less expensive than obese truckers
• Obesity is linked to sleep apnea

I can tell you that it will not be long before most trucking companies mysteriously screen out heavier drivers for insurance costs alone

 
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/story/2012-08-09/truckers-health/57194472/1

Trucking and the Fear of Gas Increases

A phrase that strikes fear into the hearts of anybody who depends on a vehicle for a living...fuel prices. The price of fuel has dipped a little bit offering only a slight bit of relief for the trucker community. The trend still favors an upward climb

Trucking And The Economy: Big Payloads Often Mean Economic Growth...

Trucking is the lifeblood of any economy. It moves the goods back and forth. Whatever product your using or holding was..brought on a truck.

trucks for sale click here

 

On a bigger scale large truck payloads are often signs of economic stimulation and prosperity. I am placing a link to a story about a construction equipment haul by a specialized hauling truck. While not all that glamorous, it means someone, somewhere is building something for some reason..which isnt a bad thing

Click Here to go to the story

Truckers get ready..

Hey Truckers....


Remember there will be roadchecks nationwide on June 5th for trucks

Be ready..According to a Trucker.com report:

4 car for sale (high capacity rollback)

• 10,000 inspectors will be monitoring the nations highways
• Over 50% of all violations last year.where logbook reports
• This years number of inspectors is 2,000 more than last year
• 1500 inspection stations will be setup

To get more information click HERE

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Huge Selection of 4 car and 5 car carhaulers and autocarriers CLICK HERE

Trucking Commentary: The Impact of The CSA

I doubt there is a trucker in America that has not heard of the CSA regulations. It represents one of the biggest changes in trucking in decades. The question I have is how is it working out for today's trucker and trucking company. We'll I do not know how to answer that:

Western Star for sale

So far it has increased costs for everyone and a few firms have been shut down BUT no one can argue that the roads are not safer. I have also seen the violations of the shut down trucking companies and to be honest, I am surprised they lasted as long as they did.

So far so good..

As long as the shut down process is reserved ONLY for major violators, we will be ok.


Here is a link to the original story

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your Editor Chimes In About Trucks..

I saw an excellent balanced article about trucking and truck traffic on the internet. I like it so much that I responded to the author about how to reduce traffic on the road. I have put the link at the bottom but I have also put my response in this post about how creating telecommuters would get people off the road.

Western Star Lomax

Jim,
      I work in the marketing department of a trucking company and appreciate your open viewpoint.I had this thought though. With all the technology can't millions of people telecommute? I mean the trucks need to be on the road, but the commuters do not...

Michael Saks
editor of Haulin

Here is the link to the original article

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

tie down bar

Tie Down Bar Values: Click here for pricing 

 

Used 2007 Western Star 4900FA Truck

Western Star 4900FA Truck

• Color: Red
• Detroit 14 Liter 470/515 HP Engine
• 13 Speed Transmission Transmission
• Dual 150 Gallon Aluminum Fuel Tanks w/ RH 80/70 Split
• Air Ride Suspension
• Dual Chrome Vertical Exhaust Exhaust
• Silicone Hoses
• 5 KW Generator
• Aluminum Wheels
• 68" High Roof Stratosphere Sleeper Sleeper

For more information click HERE

Related articles

• Daimler's second-quarter profits rise 30 percent; Portland truck division sees jump in sales, orders (oregonlive.com)
• Buy or Lease Your New Business Vehicle? (turbotax.intuit.com)

The Fake Trucker Confidence Scam..Making It Harder On The Rest Of Us

Confidence Scam Artists Posing as TruckersAs you know thieves are becoming more and more sophisticated and the internet is not helping. One confidence scam to beware of is the dummy shipping company. Basically a conman sets up a dummy online shipping company and bids for freight to steal. Whats really sneaky though is that the thieves will often wait a few loads to lull their victims into trusting them. Some of these scam artists actually have real DOT permits and insurance to further appear legitimate. This is only going to make it harder on the independent owner operator who will come under scrutiny since they may not be as well known as a larger company. 

http://fleetowner.com/management/news/cargo-thieves-high-tech-tactics-0830/

 

Related articles

• JCP&L receives reports of scam artists posing as contractors (nj.com)

2004 Peterbilt Truck
2004 Peterbilt Truck
1996 Freightliner Truck
2005 Western Star

The Truck Driver Shortage is Intensifying..

From TruckingInfo.Com
2011
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Truckload Driver Turnover Rises to 3-Year High in 2nd Quarter

The turnover rate for over-the-road truck drivers rose to 79% in the second quarter, according to American Trucking Associations' latest Trucking Activity Report. It is the third quarter in a row of increased churn in the driver market.

The turnover rate for drivers at large truckload fleets rose four basis points from the first quarter's rate of

75%, pushing the rate to its highest point since the second quarter of 2008.

"Even though the increase was small, we still believe the market for quality drivers is getting extremely tight and fleets are aggressively recruiting to fill their openings," said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello.

To read the full article CLICK HERE


Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• Trucking industry faces serious driver shortage, higher pay (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• ATA Announces Third Annual National Truck Driver Appreciation Week Video Contest (prnewswire.com)
• Texas Trucking Accident Attorney Says Roadcheck 2011 Reveals Truck Driver Fatigue Problem (prweb.com)
• Meridian Resident is State Truck Driving Champion (prnewswire.com)
• Professional Truck Drivers Uniting in Tunica, MS on October 15th, 2011 (prweb.com)
• Billings Resident is State Truck Driving Champion (prnewswire.com)
• DATAMARK to Introduce Freight Billing Services at American Trucking Association's Management Conference & Exhibition October 16-19 (prweb.com)
• Milton Resident is State Truck Driving Champion (prnewswire.com)
• Florence Resident is State Truck Driving Champion (prnewswire.com)
• How much money do truckload make (wiki.answers.com)
• Til Death Do Us Part (Or Some Lesser Crime) Part 2 (ridinwithpride.wordpress.com)
• Clopton Capital Executes Largest Semi Truck Financing Marketing Campaign in their History (prweb.com)
• Where The Rubber Meets The Road (ridinwithpride.wordpress.com)
• Next AmeriQuest Transportation Industry Symposium Scheduled for April 11-13, 2012 in Orlando (prweb.com)
• Port's short-haul truckers struggle to make living (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

Used 2007 Western Star 4900FA

http://www.ectts.com/view_truck_details.php?UNITNUM=513
• Color: Black
• Detroit 14 Liter 470/515 HP Engine
• 13 Speed Transmission Transmission
• Dual 150 Gallon Aluminum Fuel Tanks w/ RH 80/70 Split
• Air Ride Suspension
• Dual Chrome Vertical Exhaust Exhaust
• Silicone Hoses
• 5 KW Generator
• Aluminum Wheels
• 68" High Roof Stratosphere Sleeper Sleeper 

 For more information click HERE

Trucker tips: Dealing with Steep Inclines Part 2

Great Trucking Tips for dealing with Steep Inclines

These tips were pulled from class drivers.com and are an excellent source of information.

TIPS FOR TACKLING THOSE TOUGH HILLS FOR ANY COTTRELL TRAILER OWNER

* Do a thorough pre-trip inspection, and complete safety-related repairs before rolling. Are the trailer brakes frozen? Will the moisture in the brake lines freeze at higher altitudes? Do the brakes or steering pull? Do the cooling fan thermostat and the windshield defroster work? Are the wipers good?
* Know your route in detail, down to the road surface.
* Know the weather where you are and where you’re going at the time you’ll be there.
* Know your load’s weight and stability.
* Know your truck’s capabilities in relation to your load and the hill. At what rpm does your engine produce peak torque?
* Know how to chain up. How-to manuals make it seem easy, but practice if you’ve never done it.



CLIMBING

* Downshift as needed to keep engine speed at peak torque output.
* Communicate with CB and lights. Use four-way flashers under 40 mph unless otherwise posted.
* Be courteous to other drivers climbing faster with lighter loads.
* Frequently note coolant, oil and transmission temperatures. Ease up, if necessary, to avoid overheating.
* Keep moving. Starting from a dead stop on an upgrade is dangerous and strains equipment.



DESCENDING

* Plan your descent according to your truck’s limitations and capabilities.
* Communicate with CB and lights. Use four-way flashers under 40 mph unless otherwise posted.
* Adjust brakes before starting down. Don’t trust auto-adjusters.
* Never come down a steep grade in high gear. Downshift before starting down.
* Use the transmission and engine brake as much as possible to maintain a safe speed.
* Stop at the first sign of smoking brakes and be ready to grab your fire extinguisher. Very hot brakes could burst into flames upon stopping.
* Notice the weather, traffic and terrain. Have an emergency plan.
* Maintain extremely long stopping distances in traffic.
* Long slopes are deceptive. Make sure you really are at the bottom before grabbing higher gears.

Source of tips:

http://www.classadrivers.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-31594.html

Truck tips: Dealing with Steep Grades

truck driver safety starts with pre planning!Its unfortunate that it takes an accident to remind us of how dangerous driving can be. I recently read of a truck driver whose brakes failed on a steep incline. Because of this he lost control of the truck and two people were killed. I have listed a few articles with great trucker tips to help prevent accidents.

2 Good Articles with Steep grade tips

http://www.classadrivers.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-31594.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?Tips-for-Driving-Truck-in-the-Mountains&id=5747340

Mexican Truck Program is Underway

From Fleet Owner

July 2011

=ALERT: U.S., Mexico sign cross-border trucking program

The U.S. and Mexico formalized a cross-border trucking program that will end more than $2 billion of tariffs on exported U.S. goods and open up U.S. roadways to approved Mexican trucks.

According to the Dept. of Transportation, the agreement calls for Mexican trucks to comply with all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and they must utilize electronic monitoring systems to track hours-of-service compliance. DOT will also review driving records and require drug testing of all drivers, to be analyzed by the Dept. of Health and Human Services at approved U.S. labs.

Mexican drivers will also have to prove “their ability to understand the English language and U.S. traffic signs.”

U.S. carriers will receive reciprocal authority to operate in Mexico.
To read the full article click HERE

Related articles

• Fast and Furious: Mexico says extradite U.S. officials to face trial as gunrunners (tancredoradio.wordpress.com)
• Mexican troops invade america??? (smacktalkradio.wordpress.com)
• GRISWOLD: Mexican trucks spat costly to economy (washingtontimes.com)
• Mexican Military Planting Drugs on Americans ??? (2012patriot.wordpress.com)
• The Ruthie Report/Norita Taylor of OOIDA on the pilot program to allow Mexican trucks into the US (ppjg.wordpress.com)
• Mexican Invasion! United States Objects To Mexican Troops Briefly Entering U.S. (jonathanturley.org)
• Why an American Union is needed (americanunion.wordpress.com)
• Mexican Authorities Return 400 Migrants Found on U.S.-Bound Trucks to Guatemala (foxnews.com)
• Top Zetas boss arrested in killing of U.S. agent (tancredoradio.wordpress.com)
• Hoffa: Plan to Open Border to Unsafe Mexican Trucks Is Reckless (prnewswire.com)
• Mexico finds 213 migrants crammed in truck (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Mexico finds 210 migrants crammed in truck (sfgate.com)
• Obama's EPA Paying To Upgrade Mexican Trucks For US Roads (sayanythingblog.com)

Fuel price challenges for carhaulers and truckers...

More money to fill your carhauler…more money to fill your rig.

I am waiting and watching as fuel continues upward against the backdrop of 9.1% inflation. The price of goods is increasing everyday and no one is viewing the fuel situation for what it really is, a crisis and an opportunity. The crisis is that the price of fuel will get so expensive that the average American will struggle to purchase even the most basic of commodities from the grocery store. The opportunity is that it will galvanize the entire American public to pursue a mission of alternate energy programs everywhere to get us out of this boom-bust oil nightmare forever

To read the full article clickthis link

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• Truckers want limits on biodiesel (thestar.com)
• Illegal fuel discovered at truck stop (staveleyhead.co.uk)
• Filling Your Tank With... Coal? (huffingtonpost.com)
• Obama's Energy Policy vs. Reality (theroot.com)
• Defense energy bill will save lives (thehill.com)
• `Super-fuels` waste money says test (autonetinsurance.co.uk)
• Oil prices soar, but alternative-energy stocks sink (usatoday.com)
• Golden age? Natural gas? (theglobeandmail.com)
• Hydrofracking not a wise choice (timesunion.com)
• Plentiful Natural Gas Is a Solution To Our Oil Crisis (rantsandrage.com)

---------------------------------------
 Trucks for Sale

2004 Peterbilt Truck
2004 Peterbilt Truck
1996 Freightliner Truck
2005 Western Star
 ----------------------------------------- 
Trucks and Carhaulers for Sale

Free Trucker Stuff

FREEBIE WEBSITE for Truckers

this side actually made the news section of Google which in not an easy thing to do for self promotion but who cares. FREE=FREE

FREE trucker stuff website

Trucks for Sale

2004 Peterbilt Truck
2004 Peterbilt Truck
1996 Freightliner Truck
2005 Western Star