Category: Trucker News

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.

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.

If your company transports passengers or goods, you may need a USDOT number. USDOT numbers uniquely identify your business and allow the USDOT to track safety records and ensure that you are adhering to all operating requirements. You can get your motor carrier number online for free from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Step 1
Navigate to the FMCSA website listed in Resources.

Step 2
Click on “Register Online” under “Registration & Licensing.”

Step 3
Click on “Start the Step-by-Step Registration Guide.”

Step 4
Fill in the interview style questionnaire. The questionnaire will help you decide if you need a USDOT number and if you do, it will ask your the questions needed to submit the application.

Step 5
Pay for your motor carrier number and then write it down when you have completed the application. It will be issued immediately.

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A freight trailer is a great platform for conversion into a travel trailer. Medium and large sized freight trailers are wide enough to accommodate a full-size bed and high enough to allow most people to stand upright. Many have preexisting personnel access doors at the front and full-width drop-down or roller doors at the back, which make them ideal toy haulers. Although such a conversion is time-consuming and likely to be costly, the finished article will be designed specifically to serve the builder’s purposes. A great deal of detailed planning should be carried out before starting such a complex project

Take accurate measurements of the freight trailer’s internal dimensions and transfer them to graph paper. Mark on the plan the exact location of all preexisting doors and roof vents. Visit a recreational vehicle show or go to some dealerships and learn what options are available, then design your own interior. Locate galley and bathroom areas beneath the preexisting roof vents, and design storage areas around the doors.

Determine how your motorcycles or four-wheelers will fit into the freight trailer if you are converting it into a toy hauler travel trailer. Consider whether you will wish to keep muddy areas separate from the residential space, and draw partition walls on your graph paper plans accordingly. You may need to make provision for the safe storage of fuel canisters, and if specialized protective clothing is required then dedicated closets should be considered.

Photocopy your plans of the fixtures and fittings, then plan 12 volt and 120 volt electrical systems to serve the lighting circuits, appliances and outlets. The 12 volt system should have a deep cycle battery connected to a fused hot wire from the tow vehicle which will recharge it when the engine is running. By fitting a shore power cord and circuit breaker board to a 120 volt system, household electrical equipment and air conditioners can be installed.

Draw a plumbing system onto a separate photocopy of the plan; consider whether you will need a toilet and a shower, or just a wash hand basin. Consider a freshwater storage tank for remote camping, with a 12 volt pump and waste storage tanks installed beneath the freight trailer. A city water hookup can supply the system when external supply is available.

Plan on insulating the walls, roof and floor against extremes of climate, and the use of interior paneling to make the interior attractive and easy to clean.

Ensure your freight trailer travel trailer conversion will be legal for road use. Learn about the legal change-of-use requirements in your state, and the minimum number of running lights necessary for the trailer’s length and width.

Logistics companies specialize in the organization, storage, transportation and delivery of their clients’ products. Lean manufacturing companies will outsource the logistics function to decrease costs and increase efficiency in their supply chains. As more companies realize the benefit of operating lean and outsourcing non-core competencies, the demand for logistics service providers will no doubt continue to increase. Knowing how to start a logistics company is the first step to entering this exciting industry.

Determine the specific logistics services that you will offer your clients. Logistics companies can provide a range of specialized services, including storage, trucking, shipping by sea, air transportation, shipping through the mail and integrated supply chain technology management. Choose services that you are experienced with personally, and those that will give you a competitive advantage over competitors in the marketplace.

Register your business in your state. The process for registering your business varies by state, and according to how you plan to organize your business. Contact the Secretary of State’s office in your state to determine the exact filing requirements and fees for your business. Ask the Secretary of State’s office whether the transportation and shipping industries require specialized licenses in your state, as well.

Obtain start-up funds. Logistics companies with a transportation focus generally cannot bootstrap their start-up; significant amounts of money or credit are needed upfront for vehicles, facilities, technology and other equipment. Create a business plan, and present your business model to lenders and investors to obtain the money you need to buy your initial equipment. Consider bringing a partner or two into the business to increase the debt-free resources brought to the table, as well.

Purchase the equipment your suite of services calls for. Purchase enough vehicles and storage space to handle the volume that you expect for the first few years; do not try to start out too small or you may have trouble gaining momentum in the logistics industry. Purchase enough equipment to be able to simultaneously serve several customers at once in the beginning.

Implement supply-chain-management technology. Logistics-management software can help you to track exactly which items from which clients are on which vehicles, as well as show you exactly where each shipment is via satellite tracking. Install long-range communication technology for your drivers, such as CB radios or cellphones, to stay in contact at all times. Implement Radio Frequency Identification tracking technology to gain further control over your shipments, storage and products in the pipeline.

The occupancy load is the number of people that can occupy a building, arena, auditorium or stadium at the same time. Generally, city fire departments establish occupancy loads in association with building and fire codes. However, all fire departments use general guidelines established by educational or research institutions such as the Georgia Institute of Technology (GIT). GIT’s report established guidelines for four basic types of buildings: assembly, business, laboratory and residential.

To calculate the occupancy load for an assembly building, first calculate the area of the building by determining the length and width and multiplying them together. This will give you the area in square footage. If the assembly area is without seating, divide the area by seven to get the occupancy load. If the assembly building has conference rooms, dining rooms, exhibit rooms or a gymnasium, divide by 15 to get the load. If the assembly area has seating arrangements, such as bleachers and pews, divide the square footage by 2.25. For libraries with book stacks, divide by 100. For reading rooms within libraries, divide by 50.

To determine the occupancy load for a business building, measure the width and length of the building and multiply them together to get the square footage. Divide the square footage by 100 to get the occupancy load.

To calculate the occupancy load for a laboratory, measure the width and length of the building and multiply them together to get the square footage. Divide the square footage by 100 to get the occupancy load.

To compute the occupancy load for a residential building, measure the width and length of the building and multiply them together to get the square footage. Divide the square footage by 200 to get the occupancy load.

A logistics worker handles a company’s distribution. That usually entails working in a warehouse, packaging, shipping and receiving items. Logistics workers load and unload merchandise from delivery vans, large trucks, airplanes and ships.

Function
Logistics workers may operate heavy machinery used to assist with the distribution process. Others load and unload materials by hand. Some workers are responsible for filling out invoices, and others have to make sure the warehouse is organized and maintained, on top of their regular duties.

Skills
Logistics workers must possess the endurance and strength needed to load and unload packages. They also must possess strong communication skills and work well alone or as members of a team.

Education
There are no set criteria to become a logistics worker. Those who handle strictly handle loading and unloading merchandise typically need no more than a high school diploma.

Prospects
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in the warehousing industry overall are expected to grow by 11 percent through 2018.

Earnings
Wages for logistics workers vary by responsibilities and title. According to the BLS, logistics workers earned a median hourly wage of anywhere from $11.94 to $24.33 in May 2008.

The class of freight of an item is determined by the classification system of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). Before an item is transported, it is assigned a National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) number according to its class. All items belong to one of 18 freight classes. The classes range from 500 to 50. Density, handling, stowability and liability are the four characteristics used to determine the freight class of your item.

Calculate the density of the item. The density is the space the item occupies in relation to its weight. The density is calculated by dividing the weight of the item in pounds by its volume in cubic feet. Your item’s volume in cubic feet is Length x Width x Height/1,728, where all dimensions are measured in inches. The density of your item = Weight/Volume, where Weight is measured in pounds and Volume is measured in cubic feet.

Contact a less-than-truckload (LTL) shipper. An LTL shipper or carrier is a trucking company that specializes in the transportation of commodities and various goods. They have employees who are familiar with the MNFC classification codes and can help to determine the code for your item.

Describe the item you intend to ship and provide its density. The carrier needs a detailed description of the item to determine its class. He needs to know the item’s stowability, which is how easy it is to load and store; it’s ease of handling, which is how difficult it is to move the item from one point to another; and its liability, which is how fragile or perishable it is.

Receive the classification from the LTL carrier. The carrier will look up the classification code for the item based on your description. In general, the denser your item, the less fragile or perishable it is and the easier it is to stow and handle, the lower the class and the less money it will cost to ship.