Offering a toll free number to potential customers has long been the province of the “Big” companies, but Kall8 provides an extremely low-cost service from just $2 per month!  Here at Used Semi Trailers, we’re always on the look out for a good deal for the trucking community and this is a highly recommended service you should check out for your own business – we use it.

Kall8 offers a range of toll free and dedicated number services at very low rates.

The following is a summary of the Kall8 service range:

Standard Toll Free Numbers                         866 or 877 or 888                            $2 setup $2 monthly

800 Toll Free Numbers                                  800                                                     $5 setup and $5 monthly

Repeater Numbers                                         e.g. 123-4567                                   $5 setup and $5 monthly

Local Numbers                                                Use a local code                              $5 setup and $5 monthly

Vanity                                                                e.g. 1-800-TRU-CKER                     $15 setup and $15 monthly

Premium                                                           e.g. 1-800-222-3333                       $25 setup and $25 monthly

Using a toll free number will increase your sales enquiries and also provide you with the tools to manage any marketing and advertising campaign you run. Kall8 has a unique management tool which allows you to see where you are getting calls from and in response to what particular marketing campaign.

Kall8 service features include:

Voice Mail – receive messages when you are aware with all the normal voice mail features you have come to expect from any leading telephone provider;

Fax number – use your Kall8 telephone line as a fax line too, either as a dedicated fax number or shared with voice calls;

Web Call Button – place a clickable button on your webpages to allow a customer to call you direct from the website without having to lift up a phone – makes it simple and easy for potential business customers to reach you;

Caller ID – use the KAll8 virtual calling card to show your Kall8 number as your caller id when you make calls – make calls at discounted rates too;

Conference Calling – use your Kall8 system as a conference calling systems with up to 25 people calling in to the same call; and

Call Blocking – use Kall8’s call blocking feature to stop calls being made from parts of the country you are not interested in taking business from – provides for more focused and targeted marketing, bring you business you want.

Simply click on any of the banners to take you to Kall8′s sign up site and start generating business today with a toll free number.

Jackknifing is the situation where a semi-tractor trailer folds upon itself.  Anti-jackknifing technology has been developed, however only recent year used trailers are likely to be equipped with it.  The tractor unit and trailer resemble an almost closed pocket knife, forming an acute angle with one another.  Once a unit has jackknifed, it is almost impossible to recover the rig without outside assistance.  Preventing a jackknife event from happening is the best way to deal with the situation, not least because a jackknife is probably the most dangerous truck driving situation you can encounter.

What Causes a Jackknife?

To handle a jackknife you need to know what causes one.

The principal reason is loss of traction.  There are other situations which can lead to a jackknife, but loss of traction is the primary concern.  Traction is derived from static friction; static friction is the force between two touching objects, in this case the tire area in contact with the road.  It makes no matter that the tire is rotating on the wheel; for all intents and purposes the part of the tire in contact with the road is “static”.  The greater the level of static friction then the greater the degree of traction, which in turn provides for greater vehicle control and braking ability.

Where the road surface is slick, the tire has lost tread or the bad braking has been applied, then a loss of traction can result.  A loss of traction is the cause of a skid.  Once a skid has started the only friction in operation is known as “sliding friction” which is far weaker than static friction.  Hitting the brakes is ineffectual in such situations and the unit will not respond to steering inputs at the wheel; this is because of the loss of traction.

A jackknife occurs because the trailer loses traction and slides into the front tractor unit.  This pushes the tractor unit which typically loses tire traction too, forcing the tractor back on itself, or the trailer to swing sideways, into the familiar L- or V-shaped configuration of a jackknife.

How to Avoid a Jackknife

The key to avoiding a jackknife is to understand how conditions affect your unit’s traction.  Even in very dangerous conditions it is not a certainty that you will experience a jackknife provided you drive carefully and know what to do in the event of loss of traction.

Develop a regular driving habit of checking the mirrors for trailer swing.  Whenever you brake hard, you should perform a check on the trailer to see if it is swinging.  If the trailer is swinging out, get off the brake and allow the tires to recover traction from sliding to static friction. If excessive braking is not the cause of the traction loss, try speeding up to bring the trailer back into line with the tractor unit (a trailer jackknife).  If excessive acceleration is the cause of loss of traction (a tractor jackknife) then come off the gas until the tractor tires regain traction once more.  Once you have recovered traction you can steer out of the situation provided you have not reached the “angle of no return”.

You are most at risk of jackknifing when you are carrying an empty load as the greater the weight then the greater the friction with the road surface due to the load bearing down on the tires, forcing better contact between the two surfaces.

Avoid braking when you are turning and instead, shed speed before you make the turn. If you brake on the turn the trailer will be more prone to swing outwards on the turn and start a jackknifing situation.  Excessive braking will also cause tires to lock and sliding friction to take over from the much stronger static friction which we rely on for proper control. This is one reason why minimum safe distances are recommended between the tractor trailer and the vehicle in front.

Rookie drivers are also more prone to encountering a jackknife when backing up.  This is one of the situations where loss of traction is not a cause of jackknifing, but rather poor vehicle control in handling a reversing rig.

The biggest rule to understand about winter driving is that most drivers on the road will not know how to drive in snow and ice conditions.  This is just one reason why the rates of accidents, injuries and fatalities increases in the winter months – it’s not how well you can handle your rig, it’s watching out for the unexpected idiotic driver who comes out of nowhere leaving you with nowhere to go…..SMASH!

Being winter, its cold so keeping warm becomes important – being continuously cold will affect your driving comfort and your ability to maintain concentration.  In case of breakdown, staying warm is essential especially if you are without the ability to generate heat within the cab.  Make sure you have several; essentials on hand, including a good quality, insulated winter coat, most of the heat escaping from your body is from your head, so a good hat is needed plus extra sets of boots/shoes, woolly socks (go for wool mix in winter for the warmth) plus gloves.  You need two sets in case one gets wet – if you get wet, you get cold fast so having dry clothing is essential to maintain warmth.

Don’t forget extra food and water plus you should include a couple of sterno cans for heat.  If you get stuck, kitty litter is a great way to get some traction under the tires. You also need a couple of heavy duty flashlights and plenty of batteries for them.  If you have winter tire chains, use them especially if the state you are in makes them mandatory.

Get your semi tractor trailer serviced for winter – ensure you have a good set of quality windshield wipers fitted and are topped up with de-icer.  For your inside windshield, you need a good, clear air flow from the defroster so keep the dash vents free of paper and obstruction so they blow good.

When driving in winter, you need to increase your stopping distances across the board and typically, this means reducing speed.  Don’t let tail-gating truckers intimidate you and go at the speed you feel is safe for the road conditions you are encountering.  This requires you to have a good, cool head and to exercise self-discipline, including knowing when to pull over and get off the road completely if conditions are not safe.  In fact, a sign of a good trucker is one who knows when it is the right thing to pull off the road and park up!

Remember the rule, “Ice, No Dice” – if the road is untreated and temperatures have fallen below zero, it’s time to get off the road.  Driving on ice is a surefire way to ending up in the median.  Always remember that bridges will tend to freeze before the rest of the road does, and whenever you encounter icy conditions, drop your revs by around 100 to avoid wheel spin.

We found a good blog post with specialist tips and practical situational advice at Life As A Trucker – check it out and tell them TruckertoTrucker sent you.

We all love paperwork and keeping the accounts straight…NOT!  Eddie Gichuhi is a former trucker who earned a college degree in computer software engineering while rolling on the road over 7 years.  Eddie has combined his trucking experience with his new found computer skills and developed a book-keeping and admin package designed just for truckers.

If you are a fleet operator, owner-operator or a company driver, you already understand that keeping the paperwork in order is essential if you are to get paid what you are due and paid on time.

Eddie came up with Trip Sheet Central – an easy to use package which is available online so it is ready to use whenever you are, 24-7.

Trip Sheet Central will organize your trip sheets, keep track of income and expenses, handle shippers and receivers while producing accounting statements and more importantly, fully compliant IFTA tax advices and information.  Specifically, Trip Sheet Central is what is known as a “web-based business management suite” – in plain English, it works on the web where you access the software and can store your information either to the web or on your own computer.  The software is a complete business tool-kit to keep up to the minute track of what is happening with your business financials and trip logistics.  You save a great deal of time because you never have to worry about where you put that paperwork, and as you maintain it as you go, it automatically updates itself so you know how much money you are owed and are making, as well as helping you to control your expenses and maintain your profitability.

The software is easy to use and there is also a virtual assistant service which you can use as much or as little as you want; a virtual assistant is simply someone on the other end of the email or internet connection who can organize your books or simply provide technical support when you need it.  There is never any need to ask the question, how much did I make last month? Now you can find out how much you are making on every trip, for each day, each week, each month and each year.

Another advantage with Trip Sheet Central is that it uses Edie’s trucking experience. Rookie truckers are frequently left in the dark as to how to control their business, but Trip Sheet Central will show you all the tricks of the trade.  The software package provides the framework to run a trucking business effectively and efficiently so you spend more time doing what makes you money and less time doing stuff you hate…paperwork.

The used trailer market is estimated to be worth around $3 billion a year in sales, with approximately 400,000 units changing hands. The bulk of the used trailer market comprises platform trailers, refrigerated vans, tanker trailers and dry freight vans. With trailers having a useful working life of twenty years, but large national outfits swapping out used trailers for new due to image issues, there is usually a healthy supply of secondhand trailers available.

The typical life of a trailer follows a predictable, 5-year resale pattern: purchased new by a national carrier, sold to a regional carrier, then on to a local hauler and finally sold for storage use as permanent retirement. Different trailer units, especially specialized units will follow slightly different paths, largely depending on the specialization and the industry within which they are used.

Used Trailer Suppliers

For buyers of used trailer units, there are several major sources, however dealerships, whether tied or not dominate the market.

Trailer Manufacturers

While the hundred or so major manufacturers sell around 250,000 new trailer units each year, they have been forced by market conditions to start cutting back elsewhere. Trailer manufacturers have outsourced used equipment sales to dealers or less frequently, to franchise partners, so they are not such a source as they once were.

Public & Private Carriers

Typically, only the largest trucking companies sell their own used equipment; most public carriers will outsource the sale of used trailers to dealers and auction houses. The reason for this is because fleet manager’s performance is based upon the ability of the trucking fleet to move freight, not on resale values or ability to recoup initial investment.

Private carriers are also likely to involve dealers in the disposal of used trailers and equipment. Private carriers are typically the in-house logistics division to allow their parent to control freight and trucking services, and again freight performance is more important than generating profit or revenues from used trailer sales.

Banks and Finance Companies

Many trailers are leased, however there will be times when repossession occurs which leaves the bank holding the trailer. In the event of repossession due to a default on the lease, the trailer unit will usually be sold on to dealers or through auction houses.

Truck Dealers

Dealers may be part of a tied franchise, untied franchise or independent. They are the major suppliers to the trucker for used trailer equipment and there are well over 1,500 in the country.

Ever since Kris Kristofferson and Ali McGraw did Convoy, the public have been attracted to the trucking lifestyle and enigmatic free-range trucker. The continuing popularity of Ice Road Truckers just makes the case, and CB radio would never had made it into the consciousness of mainstream America without the glamor of trucking slang being added.
Trucking lifestyle, (and should we say “culture”?) permeated every aspect of entertainment life back in the Seventies and Eighties. Simply switch the radio on and chances were you’d be bombarded with more trucking orientated radio stations which have somehow given way to the rap c$%p which dominates today.
But all is not lost!
Enter Doug Jones and Nashville-based SPEC Records, who together have been working on Truckers Tracks. Doug talks about his music and puts it like this, “It’s about stories of the highway!”
Don’t expect a superstar to be lining up to perform either, the music is about the experience of life on the highway and there is nothing more authentic than the voice of someone who lives the life. Truckers Tracks is probably unique in that the musical performances feature the talent of many who drive for a living, both men and women.
Jan McCarter is one half of J.B. Hunt, where her and her husband,Jim Hunt, are owner-operators, but for the music they go by the name Keystruckers (click the link to check out their trucking blog).
Jan is a singer-songwriter known for powerful vocals on tracks including Draggin’ My Wagon, Lot Lizard Boogies and one of our favorites, Pretty Girls Drive Big Rigs Too.
Here’s a video of the Jan singing at a concert to support HR 2156 for better parking for truckers:

While you’re in the mood, check out this track by The Levees who also feature on Truckers Tracks:

Alex Debogorski is also featured (you’ll know him as the original Ice Road Trucker), and there is some professional talent in the mix too with Johnny Neel who played keyboards with the Allman Brothers Band. You’ll also find music from Greg Crowe, Joe Durham, Bob Rea, Mike Cullison, Roger Mason and The Levees.

If you’re looking for something to put in the stocking of your favorite trucker this Christmas, knock yourself out with Truckers Tracks volumes 1,2 & 3.

Insuring Commercial Trucks

Today, there are many different commercial trucks on the road carrying a wide variety of items. Driving a big and heavy truck can cause a lot of damage if involved in an accident. Because this type of truck can be dangerous, it is important to have insurance specially designed for this type of vehicle. If you drive a commercial truck, you need to have commercial truck insurance. For more information on commercial truck insurance, please visit insurancespecialists.com.

Commercial vehicle insurance for trucks is designed to provide coverage for a wide variety of businesses that utilize commercial trucks such as delivery trucks, tow trucks, and more. Before you contact an insurance provider, it is important to know what type of coverage you will require. For instance, you have to determine whether you need insurance for a number of different drivers, any passengers, the amount of liability required, collision coverage, comprehensive, and coverage for other situations such as theft, fire, and robbery.

Basic auto insurance coverage for a commercial truck includes liability insurance in the event another party receives property damage or physical injury. Comprehensive commercial vehicle insurance provides coverage for damage received from anything other than another vehicle such as vandalism, theft, fire, and more. Collision coverage provides coverage to the truck in the event of an accident. Uninsured Motorist provides coverage in case another party involved in an accident does not have enough insurance. As well, commercial truck insurance will include medical coverage. It is important to note that insurance coverage will vary from one insurance company to another and according to state requirements. A business can also get specialty insurance for their commercial vehicles. This can include: Trailer Interchange, Motor Truck Cargo Insurance, and Non-Trucking Liability Insurance.

There are a number of factors that are considered when insurance companies determine the price of a commercial insurance policy. This includes: number of years the driver has driven a commercial vehicle, driver’s accident record, condition of the vehicle, annual mileage, the value of the vehicle, and cargo. Discounts on commercial truck insurance company will vary, however one of the best ways to acquire a good deal on insurance is to compare insurance quotes from several different insurance providers. Because driving commercial trucks comes with its share of risks, it is essential that a business has the correct and proper amount of insurance coverage.

When it comes to your business the kind of trailer you have is just as important as the truck you drive. Wabash National is a manufacturer that produces some of the most durable and innovative platform, dry, and refrigerated trailers. Let’s take a look at how you can buy a Wabash trailer for a discount, so that your company can benefit from both cost savings and premium equipment.

Research Online

The easiest way to make sure that your business remains profitable is to purchase quality products at the best price you can. The Internet has revolutionized how easy it is to find Wabash trailers and trailer parts at discount. In addition, research on prices and features is easier than ever when you look online. To get the best price when you buy your next trailer you need to find websites that are specifically designed to connect buyers and sellers of trucks, trailers, and the parts that go with them.

Talk to Sellers and Start Negotiating

After you’ve had a chance to look around the different websites where people are selling trailers you will have a good idea of the going market rate for the type of equipment that you need for your business. At this point it’s important to contact the sellers directly. This can be by a phone call or e-mail. By speaking with the different owners you will have a chance to ask more detailed questions about the trailer you are interested in buying. This way you can make sure you have only information you need, and you may even get a sense from the seller as to how much they will reduce their price. This can help you to negotiate a better discount when you buy a Wabash dry van or reefer.

Test the Trailer Yourself

Now that you have been able to narrow down the different options that are available to you, you need to go out and look at the equipment in person. The Internet opens up the amount of area that you can research when it comes to purchasing a trailer by Wabash, but you want to make sure that you can still actively go out and see the trailer for yourself. This way you can confirm everything was accurately described in the advertisement, while speaking again with the seller and potentially negotiating a lower price from what you find.

Be Ready to Buy

It is very important that you are ready to jump on a deal when it comes along. After doing a little research you will have a pretty good idea of the prices on the trailers available in your market. Every now and then you will find a discount Wabash trailer for sale, but it will not last very long. This is why you need to make sure your financing and insurance are in place. This will allow you to quickly make a move and purchase the equipment before somebody else comes along.

Any independent operator or small trucking business will be making a good investment if they choose to go with a trailer manufactured by Wabash National. By using the Internet, contacting sellers directly, and being ready to make a deal, you will give yourself the opportunity to buy a Wabash trailer at a discount.

Tuning a CB Radio

Did you know that failing to tune your CB radio is associated not only with fuzzy audio, but also with fried CBs?  That’s right, refrain from tuning and risk watching your CB go up in smoke.  Although this sounds a little crazy at first, it’s no different than a ruined video or cassette tape ruining your VCR or boom box.  What makes your CB radio transmit sound is power, power that is captured from radio wavelengths that travel the air.  CB radios that are not tuned properly do not pick up those signals properly.  As such, they do not convert them properly, meaning that the power could potentially destroy the base unit, similar to the way lightening can cause electrical failure or “fried appliances.”

Because of this, and because driving with a CB antenna that has yet to be tuned is just not that appealing, tuning your antenna is important, and it’s relatively easy.  There are many online resources devoted to just this subject.  With a quick Google search, you’ll turn up hundreds, many that will give you step-by-step instructions.

But before you get to tuning, first you have to understand what tuning is.  Similar to tuning a radio, tuning a CB antenna means finding the place to put that antenna where it does the most good, gets you the greatest number of clear signals.  You may think that this is ridiculous because CB antennas will shift as you drive, but it is actually very important to have your antenna in the correct location on your car.

When you first buy an antenna, you need to be sure that it is tuned.  After that, you only really need to tune when you notice bad service.  When it’s time to tune, do so in an open area away from buildings, and with the doors and windows of the truck closed.  If you try to tune in a garage or too near to other buildings, you will get inaccurate readings on your SWR meter, and the attempt will have been futile. 

You use the SWR meter, or standing wave radiometer, which measures the degree to which the radio is transmitting the signals that have been broadcast into the air.  Low ratios means the antenna is broadcasting well and no tuning is needed.  High ratios mean poor broadcasting, and tuning is required.  Tuning the antenna requires moving the screw at the top or making it lower or shorter.  Though partly trial and error, tuning is the result of copious amounts of adjustments, attempting to get the SWR meter to read a lower ratio.

Although you may be able to commission professional tuning from a CB radio shop owner or other experienced person, this is generally not necessary, as tuning is a relatively easy process and can often be done by most anyone.  However, if you find the process frustrating, hiring someone can be a good option.  Regardless, make sure to keep your antenna tuned to have the best performing gear possible.

Winterizing a Trailer

No matter what type of trailer you have, it’s important to keep it updated for the winter. Trailers that are not properly winterized are liable to receive damage and be unable to work properly. In addition, it may have a much shorter lifespan if you do not winterize.

Preparing your trailer for winter takes know-how and forethought. You’ll need to be sure to winterize before winter is already in full swing, or your efforts may do little good. First, you need to be sure that you’re using the proper type of fuel for winter, that you have tires that can stand up to the snow, and that you’ve taken your trailer for a routine check up to be sure that it does not have any problems that the cold weather may exacerbate.

After this, your process of winterization depends on the type of trailer that you have. For instance, if you have a horse van, you’ll need to take care to make sure liquids, such as the water reservoirs, are empty or insulated to prevent freezing. In RVs and other trailers with living quarters, you’ll need to take actions to make sure that the plumbing is cleared of water before winter sets in.

Other than liquids, you’ll need to make sure that the trailer stays warm enough during the winter. If you have a trailer with living quarters, this might mean running a heater. In many trailers, though, you need to be careful about running a heater, as certain types of heat can cause asphyxiation if you are running it while in the trailer.

Other steps to winterizing a trailer include covering the tires, taking steps to keep the battery in best condition, being sure to seal the vehicle from rodents, theft, and weather conditions if it will not be in use.