Preventative maintenance is a critical part of operating a semi truck. Keeping a close eye on any problems that may arise will help drivers stay on the road longer with less time down, and in turn, less money loss by not having a truck that is running to full capacity. Having a proactive, regularly scheduled maintenance plan that is extensive will ensure small problems do not become large problems.
Often the steps for maintenance plans vary from inspections before and after a trip, any major or minor repairs are dealt with right away and an investment to have the truck regularly inspected by a heavy-duty mechanic.
One of the first thing most drivers learn is how to conduct a full and proper pre/post trip inspection on the truck and trailer. A standard inspection is put in place to avoid damage to the truck or trailer and even could prevent life threating situations for the drivers. With experience most inspection usually only take about 15 minutes. Some requirements for an inspection include, but not limited to checking:
Brake connections
Steering mechanisms
Tires
Horns
Mirrors
Emergency equipment
For a full list of what should be included in a pre/post trip inspection, click here.
It is important not to wait if there is any sign of a repair that needs to be done. This could be as simple as a windshield wiper that is beginning to show signs of wear. It may seem minor but if a driver is caught in a rain or snow storm it may impact the driver’s ability to see. Therefore, they may need to pull over and that is unnecessary time down which is money lost. This is a perfect example of fixing minor issues right away and not putting them off is such a benefit.
As a driver it is vital to keep track of regular maintenance that needs to be done, monitoring the oil level in the vehicle and knowing when the 25,000 mile marker is coming so that an oil change can be completed on time can help to ensure smooth operation of the truck.
Not only does a driver need to complete the required preventative maintenance it also needs to be documented. A planned schedule of regular service for the truck for 12 months is often required to be submitted to the governing body to stay compliant with all regulations.
Drivers should also keep in mind seasonal maintenance. As the warmer months approach, making sure the air conditioner is in good working order. Along with that, it is a good time to drain, flush and pressure test the coolant system. When the cooler months approach it is always a good idea to thoroughly check the windshield for chips and cracks that the cool weather could make worse, as well as, your tire thread and braking system to ensure you can stop as quickly as possible if the roads are slick.
Preventative maintenance should be a key component in any trucking operation big or small. In the long run, it will save money and prevent downtime that can be expensive and stressful.
In the trucking industry, fuel consumption is one of the top expenses when it comes to being on the road. Carbon emissions, on the other hand, are costly to the environment. As the industry looks to reduce both cost and environmental impact, some companies are exploring the option of solar panels on trucks.
Solar panels for trucks were created to use solar energy from sunlight to generate electrical energy to power it with renewable power. The solar panels are installed on the roof of the truck and/or trailer. With such a large surface area a substantial number of solar panels can be used in this case. The energy that is produced can have various uses such as lift gates, power jacks, trucking equipment and even refrigeration in the trailer.
The average solar panel weighs about 40 pounds but sleeker lighter ones are being specifically designed for the top of trucks and trailers. They weigh in at about 11 pounds in comparison. With this technology it will not impact logistics or the weight of your truck.
The cost of solar panels obviously varies depending on how much surface you are going to cover and how many watts of power you would like to produce. When it comes to budgeting, you can expect to pay about $1.50-$2.00 per watt, depending on usage. Most suppliers do provide payments plans so that you do not need to have the money upfront to pay for the solar panel installation.
There are challenges that come along with solar panels, the battery life can be short, finding charging stations when needed, as well as, unreliable torque and power performances. This is something that is always being worked on and has come along way in the past decade and will continue to advance.
In conclusion, adding solar panels to your truck is a larger upfront cost but they will reduce your long-term cost when it comes to fuel. The money that you save in fuel is enough to make it worth it for you to consider adding solar panels to your truck. These days, there is a lot of talk about reducing carbon footprint in the world and this is one way the trucking industry can contribute to reducing carbon emissions while still delivering valuable goods efficiently.
Truck driving typically involves long days of sitting in one spot which can be hard on a person’s body but it is something that naturally comes with the job. Along with not moving too much, getting irregular sleep and meals can lead to poor physical and mental health. Although there is no way to avoid sitting in the driver’s seat for extended periods of time, there are steps that you can take to help alleviate the negative effects that driving can have on your body and mind while you are on the road.
It is a myth that you need a full gym to be able to make a difference in your physical health routine. Research shows that 15 minutes of intentional movement can help to decrease the risk of heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure and impact your mental health in a positive way. It does take a lot of commitment and dedication but it does not take a lot of time or equipment. In fact, there are many different types of exercises that can be done on the road with little to no equipment. It is important to note that you should check with your physician before starting any new exercise routine.
One of the simplest things you can do to move your body is go for a walk or jog. It takes no equipment and often can be done right where you park. Truck stops often have huge parking lots that would take at least 15 minutes to walk around. The added benefit would be that you would most likely be able to see your truck the whole time if there are any safety concerns.
Some other simple ideas for movement that can be done right outside your truck would be; jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, crunches, planks and lunges. All of these can be done with no equipment and if they are done as a part of consistent reps can have a large impact on your overall health.
The weather may not always allow for movement outside but even in your cab there are workouts that can be performed that will impact your physical and mental health. As an example, with a resistant band bicep curls and overhead stretches can be performed. Depending on the style of cab that you have, jumping jacks or jogging in place can also be performed in the cab. A small set of dumbbells can also come in handy to help you achieve your physical health goals.
It is always important to stretch before and after a workout. This can not only improve your physical health it can also help with sore muscles caused from sitting in one position for so long during the day. There are many resources online that you may find that work for you on the road, below we have linked a few to help you get started.
The concept and function of the trucking industry has not drastically changed but within the industry there has been a lot of changes. New technology, regulations and new ways to transport cargo had to be introduced because of the global pandemic. Some of those new methods will stay around and some of them will go to the wayside now that there are less restrictions.
Electronic Log Books
In the past decade one of the biggest changes in the trucking industry is the introduction of electronic log device (ELD) being mandatory according to federal law. In the United States, the law was passed in 2016 and in neighboring Canada the law was passed in 2021.
Prior to the ELD law being passed, drivers would log their driving hours in paper log books that could be reviewed. With the introduction of ELDs it creates a safer working environment and allows companies to accurately track, manage and share drivers records with more ease.
Owner Operators
Over the past three years or so there has been a significant increase in independent drivers out on the road. Reports show there has been an increase of over 75% of drivers with one truck who are for hire, that is over 130,000 trucks in the United States alone. It is believed that the motivation for truckers to do this is because of the increase of spot market rates, more money can be made plus the appeal of independence. Companies have recognized the pay increase and appeal and have recently significantly increased their ‘pay per mile’ rates.
Energy Efficient Trucks
It has been reported that the trucking industry contributes about one fifth of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. With the increase of the threat to global warming, the trucking industry, along with many industries, are finding ways to decrease their carbon footprint. One way the trucking industry is doing this is by slowly introducing electric trucks and using low-emission trucks that may replace diesel trucks one day.
Predictions for the Future
Of course, it is hard to know exactly what is going to happen in the future with the trucking industry. Experts see trends happening, some might be obvious and some less obvious. With advances in technology evolving everyday energy-efficient and automated trucks will continue to change the trucking industry. It is hard to predict exactly what regulations and economic changes will impact the industry but they will for sure. With there being such a shortage of professional truck drivers and fuel prices soaring, man power and costs will continue to be a challenge in the future.
If you are a truck driver currently, staying informed can help to navigate the future whatever challenges and changes come for the trucking industry.
There is no doubt that there is a lot of pressure when truck drivers are on the road. The pressure to meet tight deadlines, stay alert and stay safe on the road. From the outside, it may look like it is an easy job that allows a driver to have freedom on the road while making money but it is not always the case. Truck drivers need a break, it is good for their mental health.
Mental health is a major concern for trucker drivers that is not always talked about enough. Long hours alone on the road, without a lot of physical movement or conversation can take a toll on a driver’s mental health. Burnout, which is described as energy depletion or exhaustion with increased feelings of negativism or loneliness and reduced professional efficacy, has a higher chance of affecting drivers and often goes unnoticed or is ignored. There are a number of steps that can be taken to avoid burnout, including making sure drivers get home on a regular basis. Another important step, is for the driver to pay attention to their thoughts and feelings as well as the company checking in with drivers regularly to see if they are managing on the road.
Everyday drivers are dealing with issues beyond their control such as road construction, weather, the unpredictability of other drivers on the road and lack of sleep due to long days. There is a lot of stress on the road and with lack of sleep it is harder to deal with stress in a healthy way. When drivers are on the road they should consider taking actions that they can control to support their mental and physical well-being:
• Create a driving schedule that includes short breaks in order to get fresh air and physical movement • Plan ahead with snacks/meals that will fuel your body and mind and help to support your mental and physical health • Avoid using drugs and alcohol to deal with stress • Use technology to connect with family and/or mental health professionals
With all the stress truck driving brings, it is important to get a break. A real break, not just the hours that are required for a reset that are often spent in the truck. That is not a real break. Plan your vacation days far in advance so that you, your family and your company are prepared for it. It will give you something to look forward to while you are on the road. Studies show that at least a 5-day break is critical to supporting mental health, increasing productivity and avoiding burnout.
Some truck drivers prefer driving at night when the roads are quieter with less traffic. There are definitely pros and cons to driving at night. Sometimes it is a choice and sometimes you cannot avoid it. Whether you choose to drive at night or have no choice but to do it, we wanted to gather up a few tips that might help.
Be Seen
Make sure all the lights on your truck are in good working order and clean. This includes the identification, clearance, reflectors, marker and taillights. Not only should you make sure they are working when you start your journey you should double check periodically while you are on the road. As important as it is for your truck to be seen, if you need to get out of the truck make sure you can be seen. Wear a high visibly vest when you need to get out of the truck.
Be Heard
Not only is important to be seen, it is important to be heard. Make sure that your horn is in good working order so that if people cannot see you on the road, they can hear you. You could also carry a whistle incase of emergency. It is easy to alert anyone around you quickly if you are caught by surprise.
Fight Fatigue
Plan for a few stops throughout the night, a chance to stop and stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Use caution when you stop at rest areas, be aware of your surroundings.
A few other steps that can help to fight fatigue during the night is to eat light and as healthy as possible. Greasy, high-carb food will only make you more tired. Have a plan to get a good sleep during the day when you do have a break. Keep the temperature on the cooler side inside the cab.
Another tip that might help is to find something to entertain you without distracting you. Some of your favorite music or an interesting podcast would be a good example.
Watch Your Speed
It is always imperative to watch your speed on the road but it is even more critical at night. Often roads have lower speeds posted in the night. Make sure that you are respecting the posted speed limits and slow down if the conditions are not ideal. Be cautious of other drivers too, it is more likely for drunk and distracted drivers to be on the road at night.
Driving in the dark, can be done safely but extra strategies should be considered. Hopefully, some of the advice above will help you get to your destination on time and safely.
There is no doubt the technology of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) has changed the trucking industry. A GPS can be a great tool to identify best routes, traffic situations, speed and time. In the 1960’s GPS was developed to aid the military but there have been many advancements with the technology since. Many trucking companies use GPS for all the benefits that it has to offer. Most fleets have systems built into their trucks, if not, a system can be installed in the truck. They gather a lot of valuable information for both the company and the driver.
Dispatchers are updated in real time so they can efficiently help drivers find the best route, know who is out on the road and when they are arriving at their destinations. It can also assist in letting drivers know if there is heavy traffic, construction and alternative routes. This saves time for both the driver and the company which in the end saves money.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, GPS can assist by providing information that you may not have without the system in place. It provides the foresight of traffic jams, direct routes and speed. With this information, this is another way companies can save time, fuel and money.
GPS can help with safe driving and insurance rates. Fleet managers can monitor the driver’s activities on the road such as speed, braking or any other safe or dangerous driving habits. This can encourage drivers to be on their best behavior when out on the road representing the company. A lot of insurance organizations reward driving companies for having GPS installed by reducing their rates. The insurers feel more comfortable knowing that if, for example, the truck was stolen it would be easier to track and not have to replace the truck. Insurers also know that GPS encourages safer driving.
The biggest barrier to smaller companies or owner/operators is cost but there are payment plans that can be put in place, plus it can be argued that GPS can save money on the bottom line. Some drivers feel like a GPS is an invasion of privacy by knowing what the drivers are doing at all time on the road. If employers follow regulations and respect the privacy of their employees there should be no concerns there.
All in all, the pros of GPS far outweigh the cons and can really benefit companies by saving time, money and frustrations.
At Ali Arc we have had many requests for a quick release bumper. We worked with experienced engineers to create just that. Our new stainless steel Quick Release Bumper made its debut at the 2022 World Truck Show in Toronto, Ontario.
Benefits Our Quick Release bumpers take away the need to unscrew the eyebolts and will save you time by using your foot or hand to release the bumper from the hood to access your engine for maintenance and pre trip checks. While we were designing this new bumper, we made sure that it would easily latch when you put it back in place. When you are driving down the road you will notice there is no rattling noises and it needs no oil or grease, so very little maintenance. We worked hard to make the safest product possible and that is why you will soon discover our bumper is self-tightening so there is no risk of it rattling open while you are driving down the road. This also gives you piece of mind knowing you will not have to make any adjustments.
Technical Information Are you wondering what we used to create the latch of our Quick Release bumper? We have developed a one-piece machined aluminum latch housing with class 10.9 zinc plated locking fasteners. The oilite bearings that we have used require no grease or oil with stainless-steel, heat-treated latch pawls. The stainless-steel brackets have been laser cut for precision.
Truck Models So far, we have created Quick Release bumpers for the following trucks: • 2nd Gen Kenworth T680 • 2nd Gen Peterbilt 579 • Volvo VNL • Freightliner Cascadia
If you have any questions or would like to order our new Quick Release bumper, please reach out to our knowledgeable team by emailing sales@aliarc.com or calling 877-725-4272.
Often truckers who do not have personal experience with team driving have a lot of questions about it. From the outside, it seems like a great idea if you are getting paid by the mile and the truck is running 24/7. Team driving is exactly what it sounds like. There are two qualified drivers in the truck who share the responsibility of operating and maintaining the truck. There are pros and cons to team driving, depending on your situation it might be an idea to consider.
PROS
If you have a partner in the truck with you it can be a good thing, it gives you company and allow you to learn from another person if need be. It is important to build a strong partnership with someone you can trust in the truck. Items that need to be discussed before you even hit the road are scheduling, pay division, personal habits and control. If all of that can be decided before you hit the road it can make things easier and will hopefully cause less issues on the road.
When you are team driving you can often secure more lucrative jobs because you can get the job done the quickest on the road. With being able to drive almost 24 hours a day a team can get a load delivered the quickest.
Team driving often attracts husband and wife teams. This can be the ideal situation for them as they can be on the road together and already know each other’s habits and will have an easier time communicating with each other about any issues that may come up on the road. The other advantage is usually with the pay it will be going into one account so there will be no conflict about who is getting paid what.
CONS
There are times that team driving can be less profitable then driving on your own because of all of the profits are split equally, or should be.
Sleep can be an issue if the truck is moving all the time. It can be very difficult to be comfortable when the truck is moving and you are trying to rest especially if it is daylight outside as well. If you do not get quality rest it can make it very dangerous to drive for your shift.
Breaks can also be an issue for team driving. If one driver wants to stop for a break it may not be convenient for the other driver. There could be a scenario where you finally get to sleep in the back bunk and the other driver needs to stop for some reason. It could cause tension in the truck.
A few other issues that might come up as a team driver is that you might be away from home for longer stretches, what to do if one or both of the drivers are ill and just getting along with your co-driver day to day.
Overall, team driving can be a good choice in the right situation. The most important thing to take into consideration is that you feel like you can trust your driving partner and there is an open line of communication.
A live load simply means that the driver waits for the load to be loaded and unloaded and then continues his trip with the same trailer. The pros to live loads are that they can save time for shippers, shippers do not require space to store the containers and no shunting truck is required.
For many drivers, the cons to live loads is that they have to wait for their trailer to be loaded and unloaded. This can be considered a ‘waste of time’ for drivers as the wait time can be up to 2 hours. When this is happening, a driver is usually just sitting idle. For the shippers, if there is a delay in loading or unloading trailers, they can incur detention fees. If the process is not running smoothly, it can cause a que of trucks or a backlog which is a con for both the shipping company and the driver.
When the live load strategy is used drivers must book an appointment before they show up at the shipper’s location to be loaded or unloaded. Live loads are most commonly used when the shipper does not have enough space to hold loaded or unloaded trailers, the driver does not have a load to take out with them or a shortage of man power.
Drop and Hook Loads
Drop and hook loads are exactly what they sound like. A driver simply drops off their loaded trailer and picks up another trailer that is ready to go from the shipping location. This can save the driver a couple hours at each drop off/pickup location which can add up once the driver is done his shift. The other advantage to the drop and hook model is that it allows for more flexibility for the shipper. It gives them more time to load and unload trailers without the pressure of a driver waiting for them.
If the trailer they are picking up is ready and in position it can be a quick and easy transition but the reality is, that is not always the case.
Often times, a driver will have to wait for the trailer to come from a different location or be brought to a position where the driver can get access to be able to hook the trailer up. If it is a heavier load or the driver is not familiar with difficult dolly handles, this can also cause a delay. The drop and hook model becomes tricky for owner/operators as they are often personally own their trailer so it would not make sense for them to leave it there to take another one. Drop and hook works best for large enterprises with a large fleet.
No matter which way you look at it, there are advantages and disadvantages to both the live load and drop and hook model. As a driver, you may have experience with both and likely have a preference but cannot always control what model you use for the job.
