Category: Newbies

Categories
Newbies

How to spot flood-damaged trucks

Used truck experts say flood-damaged passenger vehicles are much more common on the market than flood-damaged trucks, but truck customers still should use caution.

Although shoppers should consider if the truck is for sale in an area that’s sustained flood damage, the truck could easily have been taken to another region to sell. Wherever you’re shopping, choosing a reputable used truck dealer is a good first step, say market experts.

One obvious thing to check is if the truck has a salvage title, says Dan Jeske, vice president of purchasing and wholesale for Kansas City-based Arrow Truck Sales. Still, truck owners do not always turn in a flood-damage claim to insurance, he added, in which case it would not have a salvage title. Also, not every state requires vehicle titles to indicate flood damage, says Brittany Senary, a spokeswoman for Progressive Casualty Insurance Co.

“At Progressive, we have very strict guidelines on flood vehicles,” Senary says. “If water reaches the dash, or engine, the vehicle is considered a total loss and we would not repair that vehicle.”

Some existing consumer services attempt to trace records of vehicles damaged in floods and accidents, or those reported as stolen, but focus primarily on passenger vehicles. “A new service being introduced at the Great American Trucking Show will concentrate on commercial trucks,” says James Vogel, general manager of RigDig. RigDig will be the only service for used vehicle customers that’s for over-the-road trucks only. More information will be available at RigDig.com during GATS, which opens Aug. 25.

As for on-site inspections, buyers should look for a waterline on the truck, much like what you would see in a house with flooded drywall. That might be “caked mud high on the vehicle where water may have been pooled for some time and a mildew smell from the interior,” says Frank Scafidi, a former OTR owner-operator who’s now public affairs director for the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Categories
Newbies

Right Lane Trucking Safety Zone

Welcome to Right Lane LLC

In today’s environment, safety is simply good business. And no company offers trucking safety programs and services with the quality, depth, and proven performance.

Running a trucking business in today’s world is neither for the faint of heart nor the unprepared. Fundamental to that preparation is securing the professional resources you need to operate legally, effectively and economically.

The three principals of Right Lane Consulting draw on more than 80 years of combined experience in trucking, law enforcement, and the legal field. Such concentrated expertise and experience across key areas of safety training and compliance is difficult to come by from one resource.

It provides trucking agency owners and executives with the support they need to do their own jobs, without the massive time requirements of mastering these knowledge areas, the added weight of concern, and the added costs of liability and non-compliance.

Enhancing the safety of trucks and their drivers is the key to maintaining a cost-effective, customer-satisfying trucking operation. Failure to maintain high quality safety standards can do far more than damage your bottom line—it can also be catastrophic to the reputation and very survival of your company.

The professionals at Right Lane Consulting can help keep your operation fully compliant with all federal and state regulations. Remember, ignorance of the law and regulatory requirements is not an excuse for noncompliance. Your best defense against a host of potential problems is the kind of thorough operations review, education and preparation provided by Right Lane Consulting.

Right Lane Consulting LLC
1400 N. Dutton Ave.
Suite 21
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Tel. 707-573-1111
Fax 707-566-0290
[email protected]

Categories
Newbies

How to Save the Earth by Using Public Transportation?

Using public transportation can save you money, relieve traffic congestion and give you a chance to decompress on your commute. Even more importantly, however, public transportation allows you to lighten your environmental footprint by reducing harmful emissions and the need for growing urban sprawl. So help save the planet by dumping your car keys for a bus, subway or light-rail pass.

Commit to using public transportation at least 1 to 2 days a week. According to the American Public Transportation Association, if Americans used mass transit for just 10 percent of their weekly transportation needs, the U.S. would reduce its foreign oil dependency by nearly 40 percent and lower carbon monoxide emissions by around 25 percent.

Visit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website for a list of public transportation resources in your area, along with contact information for each. Familiarize yourself with mass transit types and routes that will work for your commuting needs.

Support fare-free public transit. Write to your elected officials and the public transit system in your area to vocalize the need for a reduction or removal of fares. Public transportation systems could save a lot of money without hiring employees to run ticket windows and paying for the expensive maintenance of ticketing machines. According to Alternet.org, New York City spends about $200 million a year to collect transit fares. Check out Alternet’s full article to read more about the benefits of free fares.

Lobby the representative in your area if your city needs to be more proactive about public transportation. Encourage officials to allocate money to fund the installation and maintenance of light rail and rapid transit bus systems and expand current systems to outlying areas. To find your representative and his contact information, visit Project Vote Smart.

Take the light rail or subway instead of the bus. If your area offers rail or underground service, you’ll reduce your environmental footprint even more than by using the bus. To compare the impact of various transit forms on the Earth.

Ride your bike to subway or rail stations rather than driving. Most stations have bike racks where you can secure your wheels for the day, while some mass transit systems even allow you to take your bike with you when you board.

Categories
Lifestyle Newbies Trucker News

Is Truck Driving suited for You?

Truck driving is not for the faint of heart. You must be able to manage your stress, time, and energy well to succeed. I have seen many, many times the simple mistakes that can be made when a driver gets cocky or is stressed or distracted. Accidents happen, people get hurt, and drivers lose their jobs. Depending on the severity of the accident, some even lose their license. It’s not something to take lightly. The following advice will help to keep you on the road and on track.

Stress management is very crucial. Whether it’s something as simple as changing the radio station or pulling off the road for 30 minutes, you must remember to take time for yourself, no matter how hot the load is. Many companies will tell you safety comes first, but then once you sit down in the driver’s seat, they tell you otherwise. “The load has to be there. Why are you not moving?” Don’t be afraid to tell them you’re tired. Talk to your dispatcher.

If something is going on at home that you need to address, tell them. Most will work with you or refer you to someone you can talk to about what is bothering you. The main thing is to get it off your chest. Take a moment to breathe. Take a nap if you need to. Take a walk around the rest area or go inside the truckstop for a cup of coffee. It’s amazing what a little fresh air can do for your stress levels.

Categories
Lifestyle Newbies Trucker News

FMCSA plans driver onboard monitoring study

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plans to assess commercial motor vehicle drivers’ responses about onboard monitoring systems via a questionnaire as part of a field test study.

FMCSA plans for 500 CMV drivers to participate in a questionnaire.

The goal of the questionnaire and study is to determine whether onboard monitoring and feedback will reduce at-risk behavior among CMV drivers and improve driver safety performance. The purpose of the questionnaire portion is to assess CMV drivers’ acceptance of onboard monitoring systems being evaluated in the study.

A series of four questionnaires will be conducted in the baseline (no feedback), intervention (receiving feedback) and withdrawal (no feedback) periods. These questionnaires will address the CMV drivers’ expectations, experiences and attitudes toward onboard monitoring systems and assess changes in their perception over the 18-month study period.

All study questionnaires will be available in both paper and electronic form. The results will be summarized and integrated into the rest of the larger study report that evaluates the effectiveness of onboard monitoring systems in improving safety and driver performance.

Categories
Lifestyle Newbies Trucker News

Trucking Routing Software

Truck routing software enables trucking companies to run operations that make the best use of equipment, personnel and resources. The result is a saving of time, reduction of the cost of fuel and better customer servicing.
With routing software, employee time is utilized effectively, from regulation considerations to routing administration. In addition, the environment is helped through reduced emissions due to routes that are efficient. Local road condition information can be current and observance of routing regulations in multiple areas preempts fines.

Factors
Routing for trucks involves more than just finding the best roads. It also means making sure that the truck will fit on the road. It also includes knowledge of regulations of such things as permits and taxes. The efficient use of the truck includes limiting the number of trips with no loads to carry. Routing can be regional, national or international.

Benefits
Customers are better served due to an enhanced ability to accommodate and coordinate customers’ wishes. Greater delivery-time efficiency and accuracy is possible. Input allows for increased quality of company decisions.

Considerations
The software company provides installation, training and maintenance. An inventory of the trucking company resources is made. These include the trucks and personnel. The internet can be used for current planning. The software program should adapt to the the company’s way of operating, not vice versa.

Prevention/Solution
Use of GPS as an integrated part of the routing software provides real time tracking. If the directions turn out to be wrong, then correcting the information and providing new information can be quick and efficient.

Categories
Newbies Trucker News

Trick your Truck @ 45 Chrome Shop

We are proud to sell the finest, highest quality parts and accessories money can buy in the trucking, automobile and motorcycle industry. We also offer some of the more economical lines.

You can find thousands of car accessories that you want to keep your car looks like a great style here. We sell many accessories that are designed specifically for trucking Industry. We can supply the best trick suited for your truck. If you don’t see the accessory you want on our list feel free to ask if we can get it for you. For more details please visit http://stores.45chromeshop.com .

No matter what make of pickup truck you own, chances are you want to change it from the way the factory supplied it. Whether you use your vehicle for work, off-road play or some of both, you can find performance parts, accessories and customization products to make your pickup truck unique. When you want your pickup truck to look and perform better, accessories will help you customize it.

DataBase

Many people who need accessories for trucks, not only as an accessory, but also many features. Speaking of truck accessories, if you need to find the best boards truck on the road, advising 45chromeshop.com. We are conveniently located on Hwy 45 in Macon, Mississippi, behind the Truck Stop and Tire Shop on the bypass. We love selling chrome, so if you are coming through, stop in to see us. It doesn’t matter if you’re in your car or custom semi trucks, we have plenty of parking and chrome for your big rig, and we would love to have you.

Email us your feedback at [email protected], or you can give us a call at 662 726 4440.

Categories
Lifestyle Newbies

GLOBALIZATION ON TRUCKING COMPANIES

Globalization shapes our identity to the extent that we are influenced by people around us, new and old ideas and beliefs, and even the consciously held notion that we are and will continue to be influenced by globalization.

Media is a powerful tool that affects and shapes everything from our buying habits to our self concept. When global patterns of trade and transportation are portrayed through the media, the effect is to solidify and intensify those patterns.

First, trade ties into the shaping of globalization. This is done by international trade. There are many companies in Canada that are owned by the United States, but the products that sold by the company are made in various locations around the world. The fact that the labor is distributed worldwide means that jobs are being provided for people who otherwise would not have been able to have a job without the factory located where they live. For example, Nike products are sold in many stores and countries but are manufactured in China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This influences the way people in different countries dress–an aspect of globalization at work. National trade also shapes globalization.
Truckgif Pictures, Images and Photos

Second, transportation helps with the connection of how globalization shapes identities. International transportation also shapes the globalizing world. Products can be shipped overseas on boats and planes to other countries. Trucks also play an important part in transportation on land. Bananas are one example of how this process works. They are shipped to places around the world in containers on planes, boats, and vehicles. This influences how the items are transported while also tying into the food part of globalization. National transportation affects how globalization shapes identities. An example would be the fruits and vegetables from British Columbia that are shipped throughout Canada by trucks. This is done because some places can`t hold the proper climate to grow them.

This influences what people in certain areas eat and how often they get that certain type of food. Local transportation also affects globalization. Many people can just take their regular vehicles and sometimes big trucks to local grocery stores or markets and sell their products there. This Influences how and what people eat in their town, meaning that they can get fresh home-grown produce rather than having something that is from a large market. Thus transportation plays a role in the shaping of globalization.

Globalization in the world can be defined by three aspects; media, transportation and trade. They link together and help the world become closer connected

Categories
Newbies Trucker News

Trucking Software ? Efficiency in Transportation

Transportation of freight has been the most tough job since the time of industrial revolution. Company logistics system has transformed and evolved a lot since the onset of modern industrial era. This evolution was actually possible simply because of the induction of technology in this system. Out of the quite a few technological changes adopted by the logistics system, the modern trucking software technologies has turn out to be the most effective instrument of transformation. Trucking software has brought out a significant improvement in the functioning of the overall transportation system. With the help of this advanced software technology, the trucking industry has been providing a substantial contribution in the development and evolution of the company logistics system.

Trucking software has significantly contributed in the improvement of the functioning of freight transportation system. This software is created in a extremely organized manner, in-order to allow the trucking firms to efficiently manage their business operations. Trucking software contains a variety of vital features to manage practically all the critical processes involved in handling the trucking company. There are specially designed features to maintain invoice, pay reports and accounts related to the trucking organization. Moreover, all the trading and documentation records can also be maintained via this software. This newly found efficiency in the trucking organization is not only enhancing the revenues of the numerous trucking organizations, but has also led to an overall growth and development of the whole transportation system.

Trucking software has induced a systematic arrangement in the operations of the transportation system for the growth and development of industries, within the economic framework of a nation. All the organization operations of the trucking business could now be effectively carried out with the help of this new technology. Increased efficiency in the system of transportation would not only lead to the growth and development of numerous economies across the globe, but will also incorporate new innovations in the functioning of overall trucking industry.

Categories
Newbies

FMCSA issues CDL amendments

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on May 5 issued its final rule amending the commercial driver’s license knowledge and skills testing standards and establishing new minimum federal standards for states to issue a commercial learner’s permit. The final rule requires a permit holder meet virtually the same requirements as those for a license holder, including driver disqualification penalties. The rule also specifically prohibits a motor carrier from using a driver who does not hold a current and appropriate permit or CDL to operate a commercial motor vehicle. The final rule implements relevant sections of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006. Many of the program areas and issues dealt with in this rule are also addressed in the Department of Homeland Security’s final rule implementing the REAL ID Act. FMCSA says it has coordinated efforts with DHS to write regulations that neither overlap nor conflict.

Successful completion of a knowledge test, currently a prerequisite for the CDL, now will be required for a permit. The rule requires states to use driver and examiner reference materials, state testing questions and exercises, and state testing methodologies that FMCSA has preapproved. It includes prohibiting use of foreign language interpreters in the administration of the knowledge and skills tests to reduce the potential for fraud. The final rule also strengthens the legal presence requirements and increases the documentation required for permit and CDL applicants to demonstrate their legal presence in the United States. The rule also addresses applicants who wish to attend a driver training school in a state other than the applicant’s state of domicile; states are required to recognize permits issued by other states for training purposes.