Categories
Carriers Trucker News

How to Make Money With a Dump Truck

If you’re looking to make money with a dump truck, building contractors, landscaping companies and homeowners are your target clients. Get a commercial driver’s license (CDL), set up your business and spread the word.
1

Prepare for business. Get your CDL, which will enable you to legally operate a dump truck. Check your local ordinances for any additional training or licensing requirements for operating an independent dump truck business before you can begin to solicit jobs.
Contact the IRS to obtain a tax ID number for your business and open a business bank account. Have business cards and letterhead printed for your company that you can mail or leave with building contractors, landscape supply managers and homeowners. You will make a more professional impression if you leave your contacts with relevant pricing and contact information, along with a copy of your credentials. Better business impressions translate into more money for your business.
2

Contact landscape suppliers in your area, advising them that you are available to move dirt, mulch and other landscaping materials on a contract basis. Talk to the store managers in person, leaving them a packet with your business card, rate information and certification documents for owning and operating the dump truck.

3

Run an ad in several local papers and in the yellow pages describing the types of work you are available to do with your dump truck. Homeowners who enjoy do-it-yourself landscaping or renovation projects need your services to haul in or remove materials as they excavate or remodel. Advertise on Craigslist and other online sources for free exposure.
4

Make money with your dump truck by working with local builders as an independent contractor. New construction projects always need the services of a dump truck to move debris to the landfill as well as moving dirt and other landscaping materials. Contact the builders personally by phone or at a job site. Follow up with the same printed materials you left with the landscape supplier.
5

Contact your local city transportation services to inquire about winter snow removal jobs or other contract positions it may have available. You can also contact other snow removal companies to let them know you’re available for their overflow.

Categories
Lifestyle Trucker News

Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Training

Transportation of dangerous goods training in Canada falls under Transport Canada, a department of the federal government, which regulates the transportation of dangerous goods by road, rail, water or air and sets out training criteria for companies transporting dangerous goods. Transport Canada does not accredit specific courses or training centers, but enables companies to use whatever methods are best suited to their operation and the needs of their employees.

Scope

Transport Canada’s definition of adequate training includes having sound knowledge of all topics related directly to the required tasks and specific kinds of dangerous goods a worker moves, offers to transport or handles during the course of their work. Topics that training may cover include dangerous goods safety marks requirements, safe handling and transportation practices for dangerous goods, and how to operate equipment used to handle or transport dangerous goods. Other important topics include reasonable emergency procedures to reduce or eliminate danger to public safety that results or could result from an accidental release of dangerous goods.

Trainees

Transport Canada requires workers who handle, offer for transport or transport dangerous goods to be trained and possess a training certificate in handling or transporting dangerous goods or only perform tasks involving dangerous goods while under the direct supervision of an employee who does possess a training certificate in transporting dangerous goods. Handling encompasses loading and unloading, packing or unpacking and storing materials and covers jobs such as cargo handler, lift truck operator, dock worker, shipper/receiver, freight handler and warehouse operator. Examples of workers whose jobs include offering for transport include dispatchers, office workers who prepare documents, shippers, freight forwarders and billers.

Training Delivery

Training in the handling and transportation of dangerous goods can be delivered through formal classroom training, on-the-job training or experience gained under the supervision of an adequately trained employee.

Training Certificates

Employers who are reasonably satisfied that their employees are sufficiently trained to perform duties related to that training are required to issue those employees training certificates that include the name and address of the employer’s place of business, the employee’s name, the expiry date of the training certificate and the aspects of handling or transporting dangerous goods that the employee is trained for, including specific topics.

Those who employ a person who is a member of a ship’s crew may have a reasonable expectation that the employee’s certificate of competency, issued under Marine Certification Regulations, is acceptable evidence of adequate training. In this case, the employer does not have to issue a training certificate. Training certificates are valid for three years, except in the case of transport by aircraft, when they expire after two years. Training certificates or copies of them must be provided to inspectors immediately upon request.

Categories
Lifestyle Trucker News

How to Repair a Truck Tarp

You can repair a worn and torn truck tarp to secure and protect your load while in transit. Truck tarps are available in a wide variety of sizes and designs to fit the beds of large and small trucks. The majority of truck tarps are made of a woven canvas or plastic polymer blend that is lightweight and durable. Extensive exposure to high speed winds may cause damage to the connection system or the truck tarp itself.

Instructions

1

Trim the frayed edges of any torn sections of the truck tarp so they are clean and flat.
2

Hold torn edges together and apply a strip of tarp tape that is four inches longer than the tear to both sides of the truck tarp damage. Press the tarp tape to the truck tarp surface so it completely adheres.
3

Punch new holes in the edges of the tarp with the grommet tool in an undamaged location near where other grommets have failed. Crimp a new grommet onto the newly created hole using the grommet tool.
4

Secure the repaired tarp by hooking a few bungee cords into the newly placed grommets and attaching them to the truck bed.
5

Look in the rear view mirror to see the way the truck tarp is moving at high speeds. Add more bungee cords to secure the tarp down onto the load so snugly that it barely moves to avoid further damage.

Categories
Lifestyle Trucker News

How to Start a Transportation Company

Transportation companies transport goods or people via taxis, shuttles, ferries, limousines, buses or freight companies. If you’re interested in starting a transportation company, you will first need to define a structure for your business. Start with a business plan to help you identify a need and any competition.

Define your business. Freight companies move vehicles across the nation and overseas for commercial and individual clients, such as car dealers who may need to move a handful of cars to another locale or individuals whose jobs have moved them across the country. A freight company will have significantly higher start-up costs, insurance needs and manpower. Local transport companies may service hotels, restaurants, schools, and tourists. A school bus service may charter kids to school. Another option is to start a moving company for residents moving within the local area.

Get licensed, insured and registered. Select a relevant name for your business that includes the type of service you provide and then register your business and purchase liability insurance. Obtain the required license for your company. For example, if your company will include buses, trucks or vehicles designed to carry more than 16 people, you will need a commercial driving license. If operating a school bus company, contact your local motor vehicle department to learn the requirements for procuring a school bus driver’s license. Additionally, companies that move passengers or cargo across state lines may be required to obtain a USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) number.

Find a location for your business. A taxi or shuttle service should be situated near hotels, airports or downtown. If operating a school bus service or freight company, look to move into an old warehouse to eliminate construction costs and zoning concerns.

Procure your commercial vehicles. Find reliable mechanics who are skilled on your particular makes and models. When first starting, you may have a small fleet, which means that anytime a vehicle breaks down, you are literally losing money. Quick repairs are imperative. Purchase commercial auto insurance for your vehicles. Hire trained and licensed drivers with clean records. Purchase workers’ compensation for your employees.

Procure a website for your transport business. Then invest in reservation software that can help you organize and track your reservations. Look for software that can integrate with your site and will provide your customers with accurate quotes, assign staff and vehicles, and display trip routes, cancellations, baggage options, freight handling and accommodations. On your site, detail policies for pets, cancellations and reservations. Hire a dispatcher or receptionist to take calls.

Categories
Lifestyle Trucker News

Truck Driver Safety Topics

Safety is one of the top concerns in the transportation industry. From adherence to road safety regulations to following best practices guidelines, safety on the road is essential to ensure problem-free transportation of goods and passengers. Reviewing truck driver safety topics on a routine basis can help decrease accidents and ensure drivers are familiar with the latest safety rules and recommendations.

Weight Limits

Semi-trucks are authorized to carry limited loads based on the type of materials, the size of the trailer and the state regulations where the truck will transport goods. These weight regulations ensure transportation safety and the long-term usability of highways and roads. Truck drivers should know how to properly measure the weight of their loads, how to balance loads for safety and the procedures used to monitor weight limits by law enforcement personnel.

Bad Weather Conditions

Wind, heavy rains and stormy conditions pose extra safety threats for truck drivers. Poor weather increases the time required for trucks to stop on slick roads, can impede visibility and can cause the truck to sway erratically due to wind gusts. Truck drivers should know how to drive in rainy conditions, emergency procedures, when to stop driving due to danger and how to limit the impact of poor conditions on their driving.

Equipment Failure

Faulty breaks, light failure and air brake problems can all pose serious safety concerns for truck drivers. In-depth knowledge of emergency handling procedures for all types of equipment failure situations can help avoid accidents and potential injury. Truck drivers should be able to perform alternative stopping methods and evasive maneuvers, use emergency equipment such as a Jake brake and know how to call for assistance when their equipment fails.

Visibility

Truck drivers have limited visibility and often encounter situations where blind spots can cause safety concerns. The effect of blind spots can be minimized through proper mirror placement, strategic lane change procedures and advanced turning options. Truck drivers can avoid accidents with smaller vehicles traveling beside their truck by using their signals, by slowing down or speeding up to obtain a clear line of sight, and by planning for directional changes in advance.

Truck-Specific Limitations

Semi-trucks and trailers have special rules and limitation beyond the standard automobile. These limitations include state laws that limit where trucks can travel, the lanes they are able to use on interstates, truck-specific speed limits and in-city restrictions. New and seasoned truck drivers must understand the driving restrictions for every city and region in which they drive a truck.

Categories
Lifestyle Trucker News

Obama to unveil truck fuel economy

EPA is responsible for providing the fuel economy data that is used on the fuel economy label (or window sticker) on all new cars and light trucks. In addition, the data is used by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to publish the annual Fuel Economy Guide, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to administer the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to collect Gas Guzzler taxes. The test data is derived from vehicle testing done at EPA’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and by vehicle manufacturers who submit their own test data to EPA.

President Obama will announce new fuel economy standards for heavy-duty trucks at Virginia-based Interstate Moving Services Aug. 9. The standards will affect work trucks, buses and other heavy-duty vehicles. No other details were made available.

Last fall, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation proposed a 20 percent reduction in emissions and improvement in fuel economy for heavy-duty trucks. The proposal called for standards to begin in the 2014 model year.

Interstate Worldwide Relocation Services is headquartered just outside the Washington, D.C. beltway in Springfield. One of its five companies is IMS, which provides moving and storage for individuals, as well as for companies and government agencies.

On Aug. 11, Obama will visit Johnson Controls Inc. in Holland, Mich. During his tour of the advanced battery facility, he will discuss how innovative technologies help automakers achieve fuel economy standards.

Categories
Lifestyle Trucker News

Unemployment Rate Dips to 9.1% for Trucking Adds Jobs

Unemployment, as defined by the International Labour Organization, occurs when people are without jobs and they have actively looked for work within the past four weeks. The unemployment rate is a measure of the prevalence of unemployment and it is calculated as a percentage by dividing the number of unemployed individuals by all individuals currently in the labour force.

The U.S. unemployment rate declined a tenth of a point in July to 9.1%, while the economy added 117,000 jobs to payrolls, the Labor Department said Friday.Trucking added 1,300 workers, while the total transportation and warehousing sector grew by 1,100 jobs, Labor figures showed.

“I was very pleasantly surprised by the top-line figure of 117,000, said Bob Costello, chief economist for American Trucking Associations. “Based on other economic data, I thought the number would be closer to 75,000.”

Costello noted that for-hire trucking had its smallest job gain since January but said that number is often subject to significant revision later when the government reviews its initial reports.

Trucking has been creating a decent amount of jobs this year, at a faster pace than the overall economy, so, if it does slow down a bit, that wouldn’t be surprising or alarming,” he said.

Economists had forecast the unemployment rate would hold steady at June’s level of 9.2%, Bloomberg reported.

The payrolls gain followed a revised 46,000 increase in June that was more than originally reported.

The payroll and unemployment figures are obtained by separate surveys, with payrolls from a survey of employers and the unemployment rate from a survey of households.

Categories
Lifestyle Trucker News

How Does a Catering Truck Driver Spend a Workday?

Starting the Day

The catering truck driver starts his day by filling up with fuel and cleaning the outside of the truck, especially if the truck has the shiny aluminum-type body. He will then check his inventory of food and drinks to be sure he has everything he needs. If he is low on his inventory, he will go purchase any food and non-food items he needs to stock the truck for the day. If he sells pre-made sandwiches, he will have them made or purchase them already pre-made at this time.

Working

Most catering truck drivers have a route they follow. They will drive to the first stop on their route and set up for business. They will prepare any food that is not prepared already, set out condiments if they sell hot dogs and hamburgers and make sure there is plenty of each type of drink in the coolers. They will spend a set amount of time at this stop, then move on to the next stop on their route. They will continue these steps until they reach the end of their route.

Ending the Day

At the end of the route, the catering truck driver checks the inventory and makes a list of items that will need to be purchased in the morning. He cleans the inside of the truck, including the grill and other cooking equipment, if the truck is so equipped. If he did not get gas in the morning, he may get gas at this time. He will wipe down the outside of the truck again, making sure that nothing is stuck to the aluminum finish, making it easier to shine in the morning.

Conclusion

Some catering truck drivers stay in one location all day, but most will go from office to office throughout the lunch hours. Because there is only so much space in these trucks, they must do inventory daily. They generally do not have employees, so all administrative tasks are done at the end of the day and usually include only income and expense reports.

Categories
Lifestyle Trucker News

Save Money on Transportation

The price of gasoline is higher than ever, but there are several things you can do to trim your transportation budget. This article shows you how.

One of the most effective steps that you can take to reduce the cost of getting from one place to another is purchasing a used car that is less than 5 years old. This allows you to get a relatively new car that is still in good shape, but still escape the steep depreciation that new cars suffer after they are bought. Be sure to choose a car that has good gas mileage as well, because with today’s prices, this can save you hundreds of dollars a year on fuel.

Shop around carefully for car insurance. There are several websites available that you can use to compare rates such as esurance.com. You also need to evaluate whether you should have collision and comprehensive coverage on your older car. Keeping minimal liability coverage can drastically lower your premiums. Also, if your cash reserves are sufficient, raising your deductible will reduce the cost of your coverage as well. Finally, having more than one type of policy with the same carrier can net you a package discount. Shopping around for gas can make a bigger difference than you think as well. Gas is cheaper in some states than in others; those who live near the state line may be wise to run for the border when they head for the pumps. Using a gas rebate credit card can also take some of the bite out of the cost of fuel. There are several cards available that will pay you cash back on your gas purchases. Public transportation and carpooling at least some of the time will also reduce the cost of gas, parking and maintenance on your vehicle. Even a few trips per month will add up to a noticable savings over time.

Categories
Lifestyle Trucker News

How Does Commercial Truck Insurance Work?

Commercial truck insurance covers a variety of commercial truck types, including tractor-trailers, dump trucks, straight trucks and pickup trucks. This type of insurance can be purchased by owner-operators for a single truck or for companies that need to insure an entire fleet of trucks.

Basic Coverages
Commercial truck insurance, like personal automobile coverage, provides standard protections such as comprehensive and collision, general liability, uninsured/under insured motorist protection and medical payments.

Specialized Coverages for Commercial Trucks
Commercial truck insurance also includes specialized business-related coverages that add further protection to the standard policy. Motor truck cargo coverage affords protection against lost, stolen or damaged cargo in transit. Trailer Interchange coverage protects the insured against losses to non-owned trailers being pulled by their insured trucks. Non-trucking (bobtail) liability offers protection to owner-operators who are permanently leased to an ICC-regulated carrier. This provides coverage for trucks when not being used directly for business purposes, such as when a truck is bobtailing and goes to a truck wash or to a shop for repairs.