Once you have earned your commercial driver’s license (CDL) you might be wondering what to do next if you don’t already have a job lined up. You could consider team driving. Team driving is when two qualified drivers share a truck so that when one driver is behind the wheel the other driver could be resting in the sleeping berth or riding in the passenger seat. Drivers are required to have at least 10 hours of rest when they are not behind the steering wheel. Of course, there are pros and cons to team driving.
PROS
Since team driving is such an efficient way to move freight, many companies will offer incentives to drivers who are interested in team driving. Examples of incentives could be a sign-on bonus or more money per mile.
Another pro to consider is that if you have a family member, friend or spouse that has the skills to drive a truck it might be a good opportunity to work together to earn money and spend time together. For a married couple who want to travel together while earning money this could be a good option.
If you want to try team driving but do not have anyone in your life that could do it with you, most companies do offer team matching where they will match you with someone who they believe you would be compatible with considering such things as your personality, location and earning goals.
When you are team driving you don’t have to worry about the truck and your belongings ever being left alone. If one driver goes to take a shower or grab food the other driver can stay with the truck. Along with that, you will spend less hours at truck stops that can be dangerous. So, in a lot of ways, team driving is safer.
Often when there are priority loads, team drivers get the call first to look after them. Since the transportation time can be cut in half in most cases it makes sense to call a team of drivers before a single driver.
CONS
If you are team driving, you will not have a lot of alone time while you share a small space with another adult. So, if you like to hit the open road and have time alone, team driving would not be for you.
You won’t have full control of your own schedule. You will have to work with your driving partner to come up with a schedule that works for both of you. Team driving provides slightly less flexibility.
Conclusion
Whoever your driving partner is, you have to trust them. Every day that you are on the road with them you should feel secure and confident in their driving abilities. If you can find a driving partner who is a good fit for you and you find a system that works well for both drivers there is potential to earn more money, get priority loads or travel with a special person in your life.
There is no doubt that being a trucker can be lonely. Long hours on the road without seeing or talking to anyone else can take a toll on your mental health, not only that, being on the road can be stressful as well. It is scientifically proven that pets (of any kind) can relieve stress and improve mental health. Along with all of the advantages of having your pet on the road with you there are also disadvantages. We will take a look at all the pros and cons of taking your pet out on the road with you.
PROS
We all know it is important to take regular breaks when you are on the road. It is good for your mental and physical health. That being said, often truckers don’t take enough regular breaks so an advantage to having a pet on the road is that you are forced to take regular breaks to care for your pet. With more frequent breaks, you will be more aware on the road which will decrease the chances of getting into an accident.
The companionship of a pet is unmatched. The saying ‘dog is man’s best friend’ really is true. So, when you are on the road, a pet can be a listening ear and the best part is, they won’t complain if you are talking too much! This can give a lot of comfort through the long lonely hours on the road.
If you are bringing a dog on the road, it can be great security. They can often sense things before humans. When you exit the truck, they can add an extra layer of protection from thieves and solicitors.
Overall, pets can be great company on the road while supporting your mental and physical health on the road.
CONS
No matter what type of pet you have on the road with you, they can be a mess. Whether that’s hair, bathroom accidents or anything in between pets will be extra work on the road.
Having your pet on the road will not be the same experience as having your pet at home. You will need to prepare and plan in advance. Some questions you might want to ask yourself ahead of time is; what will I do with my pet when I need to leave the truck and can’t take them with me?, what do I need to pack in order for my pet to have everything they need?, is there anything in my truck that my pet could get into that could make them sick? If your pets were to get into something in the truck or get sick on the road for any reason, it might be tricky to find medical help for them so that is another factor to consider.
Before you make the important decision to take your pet out on the road with you make sure you check the company’s pet policy. Some companies have strict rules about whether a pet can be on the road with drivers. If your company allows pets, then you can weigh your options and make the best decision for you and your pet.
If you are looking at a career in the trucking industry as truck driver then we have a few tips for you to get started. First off, you will need to be trained so that you are qualified to start. Take your time when choosing your school, be sure to do your research that you are confident in your future. If you are having trouble deciding what school to attend, you could try contacting a local trucking company to find out which school they recommend or if they have a school that they work with to obtain new hires. Once you have settled on which training school to complete, be sure to take it seriously and study so that you can learn as much as you can while you are there. The harder you study and the more serious you take it, the easier it will be once you get on the road.
The next step is to find a company that is ready to hire you. If you did not attend a school that had a placement program then it will be up to you to find a company hiring. There are many ways to do this, you could start by searching online and see what opportunities are there as well talk to other truck drivers you may know.
Once you are on the road there is no doubt the first year will be the toughest. The more experience that you gain the more confidence you will gain as well. Along with that, your salary will reflect your experience so the more driving time you can get the more earning potential you will have. One main goal in your first year (and the years beyond) should be to make sure you have no accidents. It will be incredibly difficult to continue with your career if this happens.
It will take adjusting for you and your family once you are on the road. Your relationships may suffer in the beginning but it is important to stay in touch with them and work past the difficulties. You will need the support once you are on the road more often.
Be sure to give truck driving a good chance before you decide whether it is for you. It can be a respectable career that can give you a decent salary. Be sure not to expect to get rich quick in this career but know that it can present great opportunity.
An after-market bumper can change the look of your pick-up quickly. It is not just for looks though; it can be very functional. Most bumpers have a place for winches and will fit properly around headlights. A bumper will also protect your truck if you are in an accident (with another vehicle or an animal) or getting through mud, bushes or any other material that might cause damage to the front of your truck.
Pick-Up Bumpers
Pick-up bumpers come in many different shapes and sizes depending on what vehicle you are going to be on. The main function of these bumpers is to protect your truck, not only that, it can change the look of your vehicle for the better. The bumper is typically lightweight, usually less than 200 lbs. They are a full bumper replacement, providing full protection for the front of your truck and are made of aluminum or carbon steel.
Bull Bars
Bull bars are a full replacement for the factory bumper that is on your vehicle. It can be directly mounted to your vehicle. Bull bars typically provide more protection for the middle of your vehicle, so change the look of your vehicle less than a pick-up bumper. They are made of welded steel or aluminum tubing. The bull bars mount directly to the chassis and provide slightly less protection then a pick-up bumper.
When you are trying to decide between and pick-up bumper and a bull bar it really just depends on what you are looking for in both function and appearance. If you are looking for full protection with a more rugged look then you should go with a pick-up bumper. If you are looking to alter the appearance of your truck with less protection then a bull bar is the way for you to go.
Ali Arc provides both pick-up bumpers and bull bars. They are both made with high tensile aluminum that mount directly to your vehicle. Both the pick-up bumper and the bull bar is a full bumper replacement with the bull bar having slightly less coverage. They have a high polish finish but have custom options if that is something you are interested in.
You can visit our products page here to see our line of bumpers. Feel free to reach out to our knowledgeable team if you have any questions by emailing sales@aliarc.com or calling 1-877-725-4272.
You might be thinking of starting a career in the trucking industry but you are not sure where to start. You could be feeling especially lost if you have no experience. Starting your career in the trucking industry can be difficult but not impossible. The one advantage that you have is that there is always a shortage of truck drivers.
First step is to make sure you are properly licensed, a good place to start that journey is at an accredited driving school. By obtaining your license through a school, it could help to be placed in a job but it is no guarantee.
Once you are licensed be sure to apply to numerous carriers, big or small! This might seem like an obvious step but every carrier you apply to increases your chances of getting hired. If you are not having luck getting hired to drive a truck and trailer rig, apply to other trucking jobs to help strengthen your application. This could include dump trucks with construction companies, gravel trucks, service trucks or even delivery trucks. No matter what the truck looks like if you can gain experience behind the wheel with no accidents, you will be much more appealing to recruiters who are looking to hire professionals.
Another option would be to look into apprenticeship programs that larger carriers have. This may include doing additional schooling through their company. Usually, this additional education that the company would provide would be to show you how they do things within their company so you have a better understanding once you hit the road.
The trucking industry can be a tough industry to get started in but it is important to not get discouraged. Keep banging on doors, networking can be a critical step in finding opportunities. Your first offer might not be your dream job but it could be one step closer to that job you dream of.
When you are planning to hit the road as a truck driver it can be overwhelming trying to decide what to take with you. Knowing you will be on the road without all the comforts of home can make it challenging. It can be especially tricky if you are new to truck driving or don’t know how long you will be away from home. So here we have rounded up a list of essentials that you could bring with you to help when it is time to get on the road.
Tool Kit
It is important to have some key tools and supplies with you. They can come in handy if you have a breakdown or need to do a quick repair of something on the inside or outside of your truck. Here is a short list of tools and supplies that you consider bringing with you on the road: screwdriver, brake cleaner, zip ties, pliers, hammer, wrench set, tire pressure gauge, flashlight and batteries, pocket knife, shovel, chains for tires (if there is a chance you will run into poor weather), and wire cutters.
Clothing and Personal Items
It may seem unnecessary to think about what clothes and personal items you will bring on your trip but it can really contribute to the comfort of your trip. If you think ahead and consider factors like weather, location and duration of your trip it will help to plan what to bring. For example, even if it is a small possibility that you could run into bad weather bring extra sweaters and a warm jacket and pants so that you don’t have to worry about being cold. Some other things to consider bringing with you would be: a shower kit, a grooming kit, enough clean underwear for the duration of your trip incase you don’t have access to a washing machine, any pills that you take, raincoat, any necessary PPE, sunglasses, raincoat and wipes for any small spills that may occur.
Cleaning Supplies
Keeping a clean truck is important for your comfort and safety. It is important for your safety for a couple of reasons. Keeping your truck clean and free as possible of germs can help you stay healthy during and after your trip. Also, if you have a messy truck there is risk of something distracting you while you are driving and causing major damage. Keep key cleaning supplies in your truck such as; a handheld vacuum, paper towels, all-purpose cleaner, disinfectant wipes, laundry detergent and air freshener.
Electronics and Accessories
Electronics can be very helpful tools but it is important to bring a paper map or atlas in the off chance that all technology fails. Some things on this list might seem obvious but they are important and worth having on the list. Be sure your cell phone and two chargers, incase one fails and you are not in an area to get a new one. For entertainment during your downtime you could bring; a handheld gaming device, e-reader or tablet. Even if your truck has a built in GPS it would be good to have a handheld GPS that you could use if the one in your truck malfunctions.
Being prepared on the road is one of the best ways to help yourself get through long trips away from your home and family. Preparation starts long before you get on the road and is an important step in your overall trip.
There is no doubt the effects of COVID-19 are vast and will be felt for a long time to come in a variety of ways. Believe it or not, this virus is also affecting animals. You might be asking yourself how COVID-19 could do that.
With some cities in Canada reporting up to a 50% decrease in perimeter traffic, animals are feeling less restricted. They are feeling brave enough to roam into cities and cross roads with less risk. With less traffic and noise, animals have less fear. The combination of these two things are increasing the risk of animal collisions for the people that are still on the road, including trucker drivers.
Outside of major cities, the same thing is happening. People are traveling less which means there is less traffic resulting in animals quickly adapting to new migration patterns and seeing the road as their road and not a thing to fear.
Lytx has reported a 64% increase in animal strikes from the same time period in 2019. Which increases trucker driver’s possibility of hitting wildlife 2.5 times. The majority of animal strikes have always happened early morning hours, from about 3AM – 7AM.
In the United States, Lytx reports that in the past six weeks there has been a 19% increase in speed and a 10% decrease in travel time on frequently travelled routes. And ultimately, for the bottom line this is great for the trucking industry but with higher speeds and more frequent animal sightings and strikes it could result in injury, downtime and repair expenses.
Wildlife will never be completely avoided while on the road, so it is the responsibility of the driver to take precautions such as staying alert, maintaining a reasonable speed and slowing down during peak hours. Truck drivers should consider getting a bumper which will help to avoid downtime and damage to their truck if an animal is hit.
Ali Arc bumpers have proved, over the past 30 years, that they prevent downtime and damage to your truck.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at sales@aliarc.com or call 1-877-725-4272.
This time of the year there is a lot of wildlife traveling.
This means you are sharing the road with them. They don’t understand what a
crosswalk is or ‘waiting till it is clear’ to cross the road. That means more
caution needs to be used. Especially in ‘high traffic’ areas. Most highways do
a good job of marking the more common areas but animals can come out anytime
from anywhere. In Canada, an average of 20 people are killed each year because
of this type of collision. Almost 2000 humans are injured and over 30,000
animals are killed each year.
It is important to know that animals are the most active at
dawn and dusk or about 7pm to midnight. Although running into animals is not
completely unavoidable there are steps you can take to decrease your chances of
running into them and causing damage to yourself, others and your truck.
When possible, avoid driving at the highest risk times, when visibility is low such as dawn and dusk. If you must drive during these times pay special attention to the road and slow down.
When you do see animals on the side of road, slow down their behavior is always unpredictable. Many animals, such as deer, travel in herds. If there is one, there could be many more.
When you are on a wide road with little traffic, drive in the middle of the road when possible. Keep your high beams on and watch for forest areas and water sources where it might be more likely for animals to be.
If you are out on the road and an animal comes out without
you seeing it be sure you know what to do, being prepared mentally can go a
long way for your safety and the safety of the ones around you. First of all,
do your best not to panic. If you have time, flash your lights and hit the horn
this might scare the animal enough to get out of your way. If you cannot avoid
hitting the animal, do not swerve suddenly, hit the animal head on if you have
to hit it. Swerving suddenly while going a high speed could cause you to roll
your vehicle or hit another vehicle around you. Hit the brakes as hard as you
can and release them just before you make contact with the animal. This method
could help to be sure the animal does not roll up your hood and through your
windshield.
Although hitting on the animals is not completely unavoidable, there are steps you can take to help reduce the risk. Slow down and pay attention to the signs on the road.
Maintaining a clean truck is always important, it keeps you
productive and healthy, both mentally and physically, as you live your life in
a small space. Along with having a clean truck, keeping up with your personal
hygiene should always be a priority on the road. Now, more than ever, it is a
critical key to sustaining life on the road.
Interior of your truck
There are obvious steps you can take to keep the interior of
your truck clean but here we thought we would break down small steps you can
take so that it doesn’t become a time consuming and overwhelming job.
Clean out the garbage daily. Take any coffee cups, food wrappers or bottles out before you sleep every night. When you do this, you will avoid it piling up. After all, this is your workspace and home for the next number of weeks.
About once a week spend 15 minutes vacuuming out the dirtiest spots of your truck. You can use your vacuum for the dashboards and any curtains you have in the truck.
Depending on the weather, it is important to wash your windows at once a week. Most of the time the exterior of your front windshield will need to be cleaned at least once a day, if not more.
Once a week, take your mats out of your truck and give them a good wipe down. Also, when you are getting into your truck, take a few seconds and get rid of any visible dirt on your footwear.
With the current COVID-19 pandemic happening, it would be
wise to keep an alcohol spray (at least 70%) in the cab of your truck. Spraying
the surfaces of your truck frequently will help to protect you and anyone else
you may come in contact with on the road.
Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene while you are on the road can help you in
many ways. It will help with first impressions, mental health and overall
physical health. When you are packing to hit the road keep these tips in mind.
You don’t know when you will have access to a shower. Pack everything you might need to keep you clean and feeling fresh. This includes items such as: a towel, facecloth, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, razor and shaving cream
Don’t forget to wash your clothes! There is no sense spending time keeping your body clean if your clothes are dirty. If you know you will not have access to a washing machine you could pack enough clean clothes to get you through your entire tour.
If you will not have access to running water, alternatively, you could use baby wipes to replace a shower and hand sanitizer to ‘wash your hands.’ But it is important to remember that nothing will replace a warm shower with soap and clean running water and soap to wash your hands.
Making sure you and your truck clean on the road can help in
so many ways. Feeling your best will allow you to stay alert on the road and
sleep better at night. Keeping your truck clean will keep you healthy on the
road. Be sure to make cleanliness a priority when you are on the road!
What Does Distracted Driving Look Like?
Distracted driving can look so different depending on the situation. There are times that drivers may not even realize they are putting themselves and other people on the road in danger. Distracted driving can be as little as looking at the temperature control. Other driving distractions include someone or something happening outside the vehicle, passengers, eating, drinking, smoking or a mobile device.
It is a known fact that truck drivers can spend countless hours in their trucks. With long days and nights on the road, there is no doubt being stuck in the truck can get boring. When boredom sets in it is easy to get distracted. Distracted driving is extremely dangerous and, in most cases, avoidable.
What is the Risk of Distracted Driving?
There are obvious risks when it comes to distracted driving. You are putting yourself and everyone else on the road in danger. This is especially apparent when you are one of the largest machines, if not the largest machine, on the road. This paired with heavy loads and busy roads can be fatal. The worse-case scenario of distracted driving can be fatal. If not fatal, distracted driving can cause damage to your truck, other vehicles, bodily harm or downtime and loss of income.
In the United States, according to the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration, truck drivers who text and drive are 23 times more
likely to be involved in a serious incident while drivers who talk on a
handheld device are 6 times more likely to be involved in a serious incident.
How can Distracted Driving be Prevented?
Being prepared can go a long way in preventing distracted
driving while on the road. Before you hit the road think ahead. Get comfortable
in your seat, have something to eat and put your cell phone away. While you are
driving, keep your mind focused on the road so that if something comes up you
can react as quickly as possible. If you do need to make a call or send a
message, pull over in a safe area and use your mobile device.
Testing in a Safe Environment
If you had a chance to see how well you can handle
distracted driving would you? How well do you think you would do? Most truck
drivers believe they are able to handle being distracted while driving. Our
friends over at Bison Transport, put that to the test and ended up with an
interesting simulated video. The skilled truck drivers were surprised with the
results. Take a look at the video here.
Photo submissions from our fans
Here’s some inspiration for your machine. Our biggest delight is when a customer sends us a photograph showboating their kicking machine.
