“New law means drivers must watch out for tow trucks”
Truckers now have an alternative to sitting around a truck stop — a movement to encourage them to ride bikes as an antidote to their sedentary life is gaining speed.
Story from Living on Earth. Listen to audio for full report.
Scott Grenerth owns and operates an 18-wheeler, which he drives cross-country hauling thousands of pounds of cargo. His truck also carries something lightweight, which most truckers don’t carry: a bike.
For three years now, Grenerth has been putting on the spandex and riding his bike over the 34-hour breaks he gets during his long routes.
“I like to find the unique local places,” Grenerth says, “historical sites, great blues music, or some good, local microbrew if I’ve got enough time off and definitely, definitely food. It’s definitely different than just sitting around at the truck stop and complaining. Which, unfortunately, you do find a lot of drivers that do that, and they just don’t think about getting out of the cab of the truck and leaving the truck stop behind.”
Grenerth has become and evangelist for the trucker-biker, and has launched a website, rideandroll.me, as a resource for other truckers who want to give bikes a go. The site has a Google map, showing truckers legal places to park their rigs near good biking areas. There’s also a Facebook group where members share information about routes and equipment.
The community is active, says Grenerth, and reaction from other truckers has been positive. “They immediately go, ‘You know, that would be great — to get away from the truck stop, and that would be some exercise,’ because it’s low impact. And that’s what a lot of drivers need because they’re in poor shape to begin with — it’s not like they can just start, you know, running marathons.”
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Hosted by Steve Curwood, “Living on Earth” is an award-winning environmental news program that delves into the leading issues affecting the world we inhabit.
The ONLY event to Unite, Honor and give VOICE to the Professional CDL Driver.
The 1st Annual Truck Driver Social Media Convention will be an all day and evening event to be held on Saturday, October 15th, 2011, uniting professional CDL drivers and those who support them.
Open discussions and presentations for drivers addressing:
Those most concerned within the industry will meet with America’s Professional Truck Drivers, the real “Movers and Shakers” of trucking, to address the topics of most concern.
A day to unite, pay tribute, recognize, network and discuss ideas and solutions for the issues affecting professional drivers. This is a “First of its Kind” event where the driver will have center stage and will be heard as the force that keeps America moving.
Where: The Gold Strike Resort & Casino
Tunica, Mississippi
Time: 8:00 AM to 11:30 PM
Reservations will be taken until Thursday, September 1st, 2011.
Only 550 seats will be available.
This convention is for the professional truck driver and for all who wish to work together toward positive change for the industry.
BY TARYN FITSIK
ALBANY, N.Y.–They jeopardize their safety every time they pull off the road, and their situation worsens when they can’t find a safe place to do so.
Two years ago, a Schoharie man was murdered in South Carolina, after being robbed of a meager $7.00 at night at an abandoned gas station.
Wednesday, his widow and local Congressman Tonko introduced a bill to help alleviate parking shortages.
When truck drivers climb into their big rigs to start their workweek, they are about to embark on at least 2,100 mile road-trips.
Keith Smith has been driving for fourteen years, one of his most dangerous moments was when he was attacked by a man over a fuel pump.
“He came at me with a hammer,” says Smith. “Even in broad daylight when you’re in a safe zone it’s not necessarily safe. So at nighttime it just adds that much of a degree to the whole situation.”
Smith says darkness adds another whole element of danger to a truck driver’s job, and says his situation could have been a lot worse if it happened during the night.
“You’d be fighting for your life. There’s no one around.”
Smith calls what happened to Jason Rivenburg in South Carolina senseless, and Rivenburg’s family would agree.
Since his death in 2009, they have been pushing for a law to be passed in his name, calling attention to the nationwide shortage of safe, accessible rest areas for truck drivers.
“It’s a situation where you try to go to lighted areas and secure areas, but that’s not always possible,” says truck driver Leon Weyer.
“You really don’t get a good night’s sleep, because you’re dosing, you’re not aware of what’s around you,” adds Smith.
Smith says truck drivers are often left to fend for themselves, and if Jason’s Law is passed, drivers’ support system would become much stronger.
“It is senseless,” he says. “Drivers are just out there trying to make a living, that’s all they’re trying to do.”
If Jason’s Law is passed, Congressman Tonko says twenty million dollars a year will go towards constructing safe parking facilities.
by Melanie Broemsen
A truck tractor can operate for hundreds of thousands of miles without trouble, especially when you take proper care of it. Protect your investment and your livelihood, and avoid some of the common, and often expensive, pitfalls associated with commercial truck maintenance by performing a thorough pre-trip inspection before you hit the road.
Why pre-trip inspections are important
The largest overhead expense you will experience as a commercial truck owner will be the cost of repairs, including parts and labor. However, vehicle downtime can be a much larger problem. Every day that your truck isn’t on the road, you lose money. The losses associated with downtime due to repairs can make or break a business. And as any experienced truck driver will tell you, preventative maintenance is the key to ensuring your commercial truck stays operational and profitable.
Following a thorough pre-trip inspection regimen on a regular basis can help prevent expensive breakdowns from occurring. Any necessary repairs can be made more efficiently and less expensively than when you are on the road. In addition, you are less likely to experience an accident. According to the Oregon Trucking Association, most commercial vehicle accidents that are attributable to vehicle component failure could have been avoided by detecting the deficiency prior to departure. Plus, your delivery schedules will not be impacted by unexpected delays.
Of course, pre-trip inspections are also mandatory, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR, Part 396.13). Following this pre-trip inspection checklist not only can help extend the life of your investment, but also reduce the amount of time and money lost due to truck repairs and downtime – and keep you legal.
Commercial vehicle pre-trip inspection checklist
Check your tires – According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), tire-related costs are the single largest expense, accounting for as much as one-third of total maintenance costs, associated with commercial vehicles. Plan to spend about half an hour examining your tires, each and every time, before you hit the road.
First, check the air pressure in your tires. If you have a vehicle with dual tires, it is imperative that you check the inner tires, as well as the outer ones, even though they can be more difficult to reach. The outer tires can mask issues, such as under-inflation, which is the most common tire-related problem experienced by truck drivers. In fact, nearly 90 percent of tire breakdowns are the result of under-inflation, and a third of tire life is lost when under-inflated by 20 percent. Low tire pressure can cause heat build-up and reduce your fuel efficiency, too. Fortunately, even though tire under-inflation can create expensive problems, they can usually be avoided with proper attention.
In addition to checking the tire pressure, you should examine the tread. If you notice cracks or irregular wear, you may need to replace, rotate or adjust the inflation in your tire. If you aren’t sure, ask a professional commercial vehicle repair shop for an evaluation. Finally, replace your tires every three to five years, regardless of wear and mileage.
Check your fluids – First, look to see if there are signs of fluid leakage on the ground under your commercial vehicle. Then, take a look under the hood and check the coolant, antifreeze, oil and fuel. Look for leaks, and ensure you have the proper amounts of the fluids. Finally, turn on your truck and ensure the oil pressure, temperature and air pressure gauges are working properly.
Check your electrical system and wiring- All warning lights and buzzers should be working properly. In addition to checking your headlights (low and high beam), four-way flashers, clearance lights, turn signals, brake lights and other electrical components to be sure they are working properly, examine your truck for frayed or loose wiring. Common culprits include dangling fuel lines and worn battery cable that due to rubbing, can become exposed and cause a truck fire.
Check your brakes – First, test your parking brake. Also be sure your standard brakes have the proper amount of lining left. Review the manufacturer’s specifications for these guidelines, including any notations around these other brake-related items:
Invest in a good commercial truck insurance policy - Finally, be smart about your commercial truck insurance policy. Be sure you understand how much and what type of coverage you need to adequately protect your investment, and your livelihood.
Even with proper maintenance, commercial vehicles can break down, or accidents can occur. If downtime could pose a problem for you, choose a commercial auto insurance company that can respond to your needs quickly, like Progressive insurance, which offers roadside assistance and rental reimbursement, as well as a large network of expert technicians. Progressive is one of the fastest growing commercial auto insurance groups, and specializes in fulfilling the commercial vehicle insurance needs of small businesses like yours. For more information, visit ProgressiveCommercial.com.
Melanie Broemsen is a content specialist at Rosetta, one of the top 10 interactive agencies in the U.S. Broemsen has a degree in Public Relations from Kent State University and more than 10 years of experience in interactive marketing.
by Christopher M. Hunter
Truck breakdowns happen anytime and anywhere. No matter how carefully you work to prevent this type of occurrence, it does happen. You just don’t know when or where it will happen to you! This in turn creates a burden to get back on the road as quickly as possible. You have to make a rapid decision between calling a towing service to take you to a facility to have the repairs completed or fixing it by yourself. If you are planning to do it on your own, you must have sufficient technical and mechanical knowledge as well as proper training in order to diagnose and fix the problem.
Using a commercial vehicle mechanic is undoubtedly expensive. It could cost you approximately $80 to $150 an hour for these specific services. If you are going to call a towing service and ask them to repair your vehicle, you could spend nearly $1,000. This is a costly decision you need to make.
Common truck problems encountered while out on the road can easily be handled another way. These common difficulties can be prevented by setting effective preventive maintenance controls in place. You need to act ahead of time before trouble happens!
Common Truck Problems and Their Preventive Measures
There are several truck troubles that can be readily identified and repaired by the driver before a costly breakdown. Below are common items to look at and the precautionary measures to be taken to avoid costly breakdowns:
1. Battery (dead or weak) – The most common breakdown difficulty is a dead or weak battery. Common causes of this type of problem are the battery clamps, lack of charge, or insufficient battery fluid. Batteries should be checked on a regular basis, certainly before heading out on the road. Make sure that the batteries are fully charged before heading for an extended trip. You can check, clean and inspect the battery terminals and connections as well as their polarity. Bring battery jumper cables to have on hand in the vehicle and make sure that they are well insulated. Make sure that the terminals are kept clean. Check the amount of battery fluid and take it to a battery expert for more fluid to avoid battery overheating and explosion.
2. Tires (flat or blowouts) – The next common problem to cause truck breakdowns while on the road are flat or blown-out tires. Check your tire pressure immediately before you travel. It is important that they have the correct pressure appropriate to the different speeds and the load capacity of your vehicle. You can check the manufacturer’s manual for the tire pressure necessary for your vehicle. It is just about impossible for the driver of an 18-wheeler to change a flat tire and it is usually expressly forbidden by a trucking company due to the many hazards involved. Avoiding a flat or blow-out is the only feasible solution.
3. Fuel (empty) – This truck breakdown problem is so very predictable that it is the proverbial ‘no-brainer!’ Make sure that your vehicle has enough fuel before you leave. Monitor your fuel status as you are driving paying particular attention to the roadway signs that tell you it is 125 miles or so to the next gas station! Of course, make sure that you have the right kind of fuel for your vehicle and that it is available at the station where you stop. Not every gas station on the highways has diesel fuel available.
4. Motor Oil – Oil should always be maintained at a recommended level. Check your oil level frequently and certainly before heading out on the road to ensure that you are complying with the level advised by the manufacturer.
5. Alternators – A properly functioning alternator is essential in the performance of your truck’s engine. Make sure that you check your alternator for any potential problems. Be aware of what your vehicle is trying to tell you; batteries that are continually run-down and require jumping may be a signal of a faulty alternator. Complete stalling is also another sign of an alternator going bad. The alternator can be changed out in the shop before getting out on the road much more easily than in the middle of a deserted highway!
The wise thing to do to prevent breakdowns is to get your truck on a regular preventive maintenance schedule. Potential concerns can be detected while they can still be easily handled. The alternative is going to be much more costly both in terms of repairs on the road and lost productivity. Make an intelligent choice and stop problems before they happen!
Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. To find out more about National Crane Trucks, go to the main website at: http://www.centraltrucksales.net/home.
by Molly Wider
Owner-operators often have the best of both worlds. Not only do they own their own rigs, but they also work for themselves, which means that they don’t have to split wages with any larger company. For the most part, this kind of trucking operation is a good idea. However, repairing a large rig can easily cost any owner-operator a lot of money.
While it’s important for any small business to set aside emergency funds, this isn’t always plausible. Today’s sinking global economy means that even the transportation business is slowing down. This translates into fewer wages, and less money available to set aside for a “rainy day.” Still, making necessary repairs to a rig is vital to any professional driver’s livelihood. Without the machine that makes business possible, business would simply cease to exist. The problem is that repairing a large rig isn’t quite the same as repairing a regular vehicle.
Truck repairs can reach far into the thousands. Lack of necessary repair funds can often lead to bankruptcy. Alternately, many owner-operators dip into retirement plans and personal savings accounts in order to gain repair money. While this situation might seem bleak, there is a way to make truck repairs without declaring bankruptcy or emptying one’s bank account.
Specific truck repair loans exist solely for the purposes of repairing a large rig. These loans are given out by private lenders seeking to invest in a professional driver’s livelihood. Unlike traditional loans, credit history does not play a part in obtaining a private truck repair loan because these loans are secured by the borrower’s vehicle.
To apply for this kind of loan, an applicant must be able to prove that they have a steady source of income, and that they own their own truck, or another vehicle. As soon as an application is approved (often a matter of minutes), the requested loan money is deposited directly into the applicant’s bank account.
Since a truck repair applicant is involved in the repayment process, paying back that private repair loan is logical and simple. Both the applicant and the lender often enter into a repayment agreement that makes sense for both parties involved, so there are no surprise fees or extra costs.
When an entire business rests upon needed truck repairs, alternative private truck repair loans are the best possible option. There’s no denying the fact that traditional lenders see potential risk and money loss involved in approving truck repair loans. Contrastingly, private lenders don’t view approving loan applications as losing money. Instead, these lenders see helping owner-operators fix their rigs as a way to lend a simple helping hand.
For more information on whether a car title loan is right for you, please visit our website at http://www.carfco.com
Author: Owen Jones
The majority of people have trouble finding time to work out,
but if your job means sitting down to do your work, it can be
even more difficult to find the enthusiasm to exercise. Truck
drivers fall into this category. Sitting all day behind a wheel
can lead to several common issues linked with the job.
These include back problems, circulation problems, heart
problems and weight problems. After having driven all day, one
of the last things a driver wants to do is go looking for a gym.
However, there are a few things that truck drivers can do in
order to alleviate some of these potential problems.
When you park up to eat, stop away from the building and walk
the rest of the way. Also when you take your rests, do not just
sit in the cab and read the paper, go for a walk. Walk whenever
you get the opportunity. The short distances will add up, as any
doctor will tell you, any exercise is better than none.
Be sure to wear supportive footwear. You are climbing in and out
of the cab and the trailer or jumping down from the rig
throughout the day, so it is easy to stumble and twist an ankle
unless you are wearing boots that bolster your ankles.
You could get some exercise equipment such as a mini dumbbell
for arm exercises. You will find time to use the dumbbell while
you are waiting for some administrator to sign your paperwork.
One of the modern chest expanders can be used in confined spaces
as well. Even squeezing a tennis ball helps to keep the blood
going around.
It is essential to get the amount of sleep that your body
requires. This differs from person to person, but there are
legal requirements to rest. Make sure that you abide by these
breaks and that your mattress and pillow are comfortable enough
for you to sleep if you want to.
Having a small refrigerator or cool box is a good idea for
keeping fruit, bread and other items palatable; just do not fill
it up with pies, pastries and cakes. It is far better to graze,
if your body does not need a lot of energy to do a job. It is
far better to eat throughout the day than to eat a large meal at
night.
Make certain that you use your days off to do some bending and
stretching. Swimming is very good for most of the muscles and
internal organs in your body. So is walking. Gardening is a
fantastic way of staying in shape as well. It is not essential
to go to a gym, that is modern propaganda. Nobody went to gyms
before and there have always been driving jobs and office jobs.
The secret is that there was no TV back then and people were
more active. They walked and they worked in the garden or on the
allotment growing potatoes and other supplements for their
income. That is what people do not do now.
About the author:
Owen Jones, the author of the article writes on various topics,
but is presently involved with LED automotive lights. If you would like to know more, please go
to our website at Escort 8500.
Author: Robart Alex
Parking games are short but sweet flash games that are easy
enough that anyone of any age can play the first time they sit
down in front of them. They are so simple that they are
addicting, and they are a must try for anyone that likes a to
spend a little good time online. Online parking games come in a
variety of types, from driving four door sedans and sports cars
to steering big rigs and semi-trucks. For those who enjoy these
simplistic games that are looking for a challenge, truck parking
games may be the next step towards entertainment bliss.
Truck Parking Games are a bit different than any of the other
parking games online. They give you a different parameter to
deal with, that of the trailer. The trailer adds length, and
therefore a bit more difficulty to turning. Backing up is
another issue entirely, as the player has to figure out what
direction the trailer is going to go in as they attempt to steer
clear or out of an obstacle. Trailer trucks have a dimension of
physics that a regular car does not have to deal with, and one
has to take into account that when turning, the rig moves first,
then the trailer follows behind it. As simple as this sounds, it
can be quite challenging when it comes to playing a game where
you drive one.
The cute premise of owning a valet truck stop in Truck Stop
Parking is sure to put a smile on your face. The semi-truck
comes with a long trailer that follows the direction of the
truck like a fish swimming after a baited hook. It is a
simplistic game, with no pressures added to the game play except
getting to the designated area on time. If you hit an object,
the game is over. The game also ends when you run out of time.
In 18 Wheeler the miniature driver is animated and you can see
his hands moving on the wheel as you press the different
directional buttons. The wheel at the bottom left hand of the
screen moves in time with the arrow that you are pressing. The
brightly colored red rig moves smoothly over the terrain, the
exhaust stack puffing as the truck chugs forward gaining speed.
The truck takes corners with ease, and it doesn’t require a lot
of effort on the game player’s part to maneuver it towards the
goal. The backdrop of paint platters is a nice aesthetic touch
to the over all graphic design. The targeted area is boxed in
with yellow lines running up and down it so that you can’t miss
your destination. Shaded colors and textures give the cars on
the side of the road a nice realistic depth to them.
Truck <a href=”http://www.parkinggames.us/”>Parking Games</a>
are a type of parking game that allows the player to be a big
rig driver without having to get the expensive permit or
purchase their own truck in order to experience it.
About the author:
You can play 18 wheeler here at
parkinggames.us/parking-games/play-18-wheeler Truck stop <a
href=”http://www.parkinggames.us/parking-games/play-parking-game”
>Parking Game</a> is found at this site
parkinggames.us/parking-games/play-truck-stop-parking Give both
a try and see which one you like the best.
