Month: May 2013

Categories
Owner Operators

How to Change OTR Tires

Off-the-road (OTR) tires are a specific classification of tires that are used with tractors and other forms of heavy machinery. These tires are large and feature different treads than regular tires to allow the vehicle’s operator to use them where normal tires would fail. Because these tires and the vehicles they are used on are so much larger than a standard vehicle, the changing process requires a bit of extra work.

STEP 1: Park the machine on a flat, level surface. Place tire blocks in front of and behind the machine’s wheels to prevent it from rolling.

STEP 2: Jack up the machine with a hydraulic jack. Place an appropriately sized jack stand underneath the machine to support it during the tire-changing process.

STEP 3: Remove the tire’s valve stem core and deflate the tire.

STEP 4: Drive a tire iron between the outward-facing tire bead and the lip of the tire’s rim. Slide the tire iron back and forth along the rim to loosen about six inches of the bead.

STEP 5: Insert the bead buster between the tire bead and rim. Lock the bead buster to the rim and use the drive ratchet and socket to turn the head on the tool and separate the bead from the rim seat.

STEP 6: Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for the tire’s inside-facing tire bead.

Apply the tire-mounting lubricant to the tire’s inside and outside bead and bead seat area.

STEP 7: Lock the machine’s tire with the valve hole on top and insert two long tire irons between the tire bead and the rim. Pry the bead over the lip of the rim. Work your way around the tire until the entire outside bead is pried over the rim lip.

STEP 8: Remove the tube from the tire.

STEP 9: Insert two tire irons between the inside bead the outside rim of the tire and pry the tire completely off the rim.

STEP 10: Lubricate the inside bead of the new tire and place the tire on the rim so that the inside bead is partially over the rim flange. Insert a tire iron and pry the inside bead over the rim flange.

STEP 11: Insert the tube into the tire and place the valve stem into the valve hole. Slide the tube completely over the rim and put a small amount of air in the tire (about 1 PSI).

STEP 12: Lubricate the tire’s outside bead. Insert two tire irons between the tire’s outside bead and the rim flange. Pry the tire’s outside bead over the rim flange. Work your way around the tire until the entire tire is on the rim. Pull the valve stem completely through the valve hole and secure it with the rim nut.

STEP 13: Lower the machine so that the tire is centered on the rim. Slowly inflate the tire to seat the beads into the rim. Do not inflate the tire to more than 35 PSI. Once the beads are seated, deflate the tire completely and refill it to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Categories
Trucker News

How to Drive a Big Truck

Automobiles range in size from compact cars like the Honda Civic to full-ton pickup trucks like the Ford F250 or tractor trailers like the 18-wheel semi-truck. Generally, it is harder to drive and control a vehicle the larger it gets. You must use an extra level of care to ensure the safety of the driver as well as the other vehicles on the road. Adjust all of your rear view mirrors to eliminate any blind spots. The likelihood that the truck will contain a blind spot goes up as the truck size goes up. In addition, the size of the driver himself can cause more blind spots than normal. While driving, always remember that it you cannot see the other driver, she cannot see you.

Make wide turns, specifically when turning to the right. Big trucks are longer than cars, and for this reason, you will not be able to cut corners as closely as before. Drive up slightly past the corner, and make a more squared-off, almost 90-degree turn to prevent hitting the curb. This may cause you to go partially into the other lane when turning, so make sure to go slowly and watch out for other drivers who may impede your turning radius.

Know the height of the big truck you are driving. Depending on the size of your truck, particularly if you are driving a semi, the truck may be too tall to go under all overhangs. Knowing the height of your truck before you reach one of these barriers can prevent you from damaging the top of your truck, delaying traffic or getting stuck. Watch for signs that will clearly state the height of the upcoming overhang before you reach it.

Avoid unnecessary distractions by getting a truck with an automatic transmission if possible. Continually having to shift with one hand and steer the truck with the other can limit the amount of control you have over your vehicle. If your truck does have a manual transmission, try accelerating slowly so that you can remain in a lower gear longer without having to repeatedly shift up.

Apply the brake earlier in a big truck. A larger vehicle will weigh more than the average car and will thus take longer to come to a complete stop. Begin applying the brake 100 yards before your intended stop; this number will also increase with extra weight, either passengers or cargo. If you are in a stop-and-go situation, drive under the recommended speed limit to make it easier. This will not only help you stop better, but will also extend the life of your truck’s brakes.

Categories
Trucker News

How to Clean a Driving Record

Is your driving record less than stellar? Well, you’re not alone. In the United States, approximately 30 billion tickets for moving violations are issued each year. It can be tough to clean up your driving record particularly if it contains serious violations such as driving under the influence (DUI) or a hit-and-run accident. In many instances though, there are steps you can take that may make your driving record a lot more palatable.

Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) periodically to see what convictions or citations it contains and to make sure the driving record is accurate and current. In most instances, you can get the driving record from the DMV office, in person or in writing. In some states you can do this on the Internet.

Know that all states offer driver improvement programs, defensive driver programs or traffic schools that you can attend in person or on the Internet. If you complete the coursework and pass required tests, points will be taken off your driving record or, if applicable, you may be able to avoid having your license suspended. Before enrolling in one of these programs, make sure it is court-approved and will be recognized in your case.

Consider that if you believe you have just grounds for fighting a ticket, you can plead “not guilty” and either hire an attorney to represent you or defend yourself. If you choose the latter, check the details of the law you’ve been charged with breaking. Take notes about the incident. And be thoroughly prepared before the court date. If an obstructed view had a role in your citation, take photos and a diagram of the road to court. If you’ve swerved to avoid a pedestrian, bicyclist or out-of-control vehicle, you may beat the ticket. Again, provide the court with a diagram and witnesses, if possible. Check the police report. If it’s inaccurate or false, you may have grounds for dismissal of the case. If you’re very lucky, and the officer who issued the ticket doesn’t appear, the case may be dismissed.

Be aware that the following are not acceptable excuses for violating the rules of the road: “But I didn’t know the law.” “Other drivers were going even faster.” “I’m late to work.” “But everyone does it.”

Be aware that if you are able to clean up your driving record with the DMV, it’s likely that the information is still available on a plethora of databases. An attorney or companies (see Resources) will contact these data services and see that they’re updated to reflect your new and improved driving record.

Slow down, drive safely and keep your record clean. Many states reduce points from your record for good driving behavior over time. A bad driving record makes you more than a member of a large club. It’s likely you’ll pay significantly higher auto insurance rates. Fines for infractions and annual surcharges for drivers who have accumulated excessive penalty points can take a deep gouge out of your bank account. Prospective employers and other transportation licensing bodies can access your driving record. And having your license suspended can negatively impact your job and lifestyle. If you have reasonable grounds to fight a ticket, you may come out ahead by taking your case to the court.

Categories
Freight Loads Owner Operators

Step-by-Step Instructions for Using Load Boards for Freight

Truckers use online load boards to plan their trips according to the best profit potential. The boards allow load bearers to post their payloads on various sites for free with the required delivery dates and price then truckers scan the site for cargo, their delivery prices, deadlines and contact information. Truckers can also fill in gaps in their trips while on the road, at Wi-Fi hotspots or even via 3G smart phones, by logging in to their load boards and monitoring available jobs along their routes.

Sign up for load boards with a good reputation among your fellow truckers . Log on to the sites regularly. Some of these services cost about $40 a month or more; others are free but may not offer as broad a range of jobs where you need them.

Plan the major legs of your trips as far in advance as possible. You may need to be in, say, Houston on Friday morning for a half trailer of bananas bound for Cleveland. In this example, scan the sites for northbound cargo in Houston or on your way to Houston to fill up you trailer to capacity.

Click “Find Loads” or “Loads” on your load board site(s). Fill out as many fields as possible on the resulting search page. Select your origin and destination cities and states, as well as the desired radius from those locations. Many sites also allow you to arrange your results in a variety of ways, such as by pickup date or weight. Fill in these fields.

Type pickup and delivery dates into the subsequent search fields, as well as minimum and maximum weights, to fine-tune your search. the sites will often require other information, such as trailer type and payload size. Click “Search” once you’ve finished filling out your search template.

Broaden your search before you abandon your quest and hop to another load board. Select other origin cities along your route to other payloads you’ve already arranged, leave either your origin or destination fields blank, or choose to browse by region if your particular site allows it.

Scroll down the results page, looking for jobs that align with your trailer size, weight limits, origins and destinations.

Scroll across in the entries for jobs that look promising to access the company’s phone number. Call them to arrange the details of the job.

Categories
Freight Brokers

Freight Broker License

A freight broker, also called a broker authority or freight broker agent, is a domestic transportation expert who is knowledgeable about the logistics of cargo shipment of manufactured and distributed products. A freight broker company arranges for transportation of trade cargo by contracting with for-hire transportation motor carriers. They generally do not take possession of the cargo, nor assume responsibility for the cargo arranged with motor carriers. They deal with much of the technical shipping documentation, including terms and fees. In the United States, a freight broker license is required for operating freight broker business.

Obtain the required freight broker training and knowledge. While a degree program is not required, freight broker training programs exist to educate prospective freight brokers about the relevant transportation logistical knowledge, using an assortment of training manuals and books. You can also apprentice with a licensed freight broker.

Apply for the license. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the government agency that issues freight broker licenses. Complete the FMCSA’s Form OP-1 Application for Motor Property Carrier and Broker Authority and pay a fee of $300. The FMCSA will then assign a Motor Carrier Number you must have to continue the application process.

Obtain a surety bond to file with the FMCSA. The required insurance bond amount for a freight broker license is established by the FMCSA and must be obtained prior to OP-1 Application approval. The current bond requirement is $10,000. You must file proof of bond with the FMCSA while the application is pending.

File an FMCSA Designation of Process Agent form for each state you plan to conduct business in. A process agent must be designated for each state the prospective freight broker seeks to operate in case a legal action is filed against the freight broker. This filing must also be completed prior to an application approval by the FMCSA.

Submit all completed materials to the FMCSA. Refer to the FMCSA’s website for the mailing and payment options for submitting the Form OP-1 application, other filings and proper fees. The wait time on an FMCSA application is generally one to two months.

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Categories
Owner Operators

Start A Career As A Truck Driver

Truck driving is becoming a more and more popular career for people seeking job security. The truck driving industry is always looking for truck drivers, the pay is good, and there is security in this career. Becoming a truck driver is also a great career for people who do not want to sit behind a desk all day. This article will outline how to start a career as a truck driver.

The first step to starting a career as a truck driver is to go to truck driving school. You can find truck driving schools by performing an internet search for “truck driving schools” followed by your city and state. Truck driving school will last between 6-7 weeks Truck driving school costs several thousand dollars to attend(many truck driving schools offer financial aid however).

The second step to starting a career as a truck driver is to apply to the truck driving schools job placement program once you graduate. Typically these job placement programs at truck driving schools have a high success rate in placing graduates, as there is a demand for truck drivers to fill positions.

The third step to starting a career as a truck driver is to put your resume on online employment web sites. These web sites can be good places for truck drivers to find careers, and having more than one job offer on the table will give you power in bargaining with a potential employer.

Categories
Carriers Owner Operators

How Much Do Car Insurance Rates Drop After Age 25?

Several factors contribute to the car insurance rates you pay. Insurance companies generally consider your age, gender, driving history, occupation, the make and model of the vehicle you drive and where you live when determining the cost of the premium it will charge you. Drivers under the age of 25 typically pay higher insurance rates. Although the lowest auto insurance rates kick in at about age 40, once you reach age 25, the cost of insurance begins to decrease.

Average Rate Decrease

Male drivers can expect an average decrease in car insurance rates of 20 percent after they reach the age of 25. That is if you have a safe driving record and haven’t been involved in any automobile accidents. Rates for female drivers drop about 15 percent. Rates don’t decrease as much for female drivers who, in most cases, already pay less car insurance. Before age 25, insurance companies consider younger drivers inexperienced and more careless, which makes them a higher accident risk. After that age, individuals have graduated from college and are working a regular job. By that time, some individuals have married and started their families. These things make them more responsible adults in the eyes of insurance companies.

Risk Factor

Although teen drivers account for only about 7 percent of the licensed drivers in the U.S., young drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 are involved in almost 15 percent of all fatal motor vehicle accidents, according to the American Safety Council. Driving at unsafe speeds is a common cause of accidents involving teens. Statistics show that more than one in five teenage drivers is involved in an accident during the first year of being a licensed driver. Inexperience driving in combination with indulging in reckless driving behaviors like speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and having other teens as passengers in the vehicle place this age group at higher risk for auto accidents.

Driver Behaviors

Insurance companies generally classify males under the age of 25 as high-risk drivers pushing up the price of their auto insurance. Young men in this age category receive the highest number of tickets for speeding and reckless driving. They are less likely to wear seatbelts increasing their risk of suffering serious injury if involved in an auto accident. This group of drivers also accounts for the highest percentage of DUIs, reports the CDC. Male drivers younger than age 25 cost insurance companies money by filing more insurance claims than other categories of drivers.

Premiums Decrease Over Time

Car insurance premiums typically go down at ages 21, 25, 30 and 35. Unless you have an accident or get a traffic ticket, rates usually remain stable for a time. Check your policy soon after you reach each of these age categories, as you should be able to save money on your premium. If it has been five years since you were last involved in a motor vehicle accident, or if you’ve had no accidents, you may qualify for a good driver discount. Auto insurance companies often offer discounts to policyholders with credit scores of 720 and above. While younger consumers tend to have lower credit scores, maintaining a good payment history over time will continue to boost your score.