Used Semi Trailers is the premier resource for information, equipment and services throughout North America for the trucking industry. Today, we’re looking at arranging insurance for your rig and trailer:

With more and more commercial trucks for sale, you might be considering buying a commercial vehicle to start a new career.  After you find the right rig for your purposes, you will want to look into financing, and (equally important) truck insurance.  You don’t have to go into the search for insurance with blinders on.  There are a few simple things you can consider when shopping for insurance.

First, you need to know just how much coverage you will need on your truck.  You’ll want to make sure you have the state requirements, but there are other things you need to consider as well.

You need to be covered against more than just accidents.  You’ll need an insurance policy that covers the type of cargo you’ll be hauling, as well as theft.  Also, you will want to buy insurance that protects you against underinsured or uninsured drivers.  These decisions you need to make before pursuing an insurance policy.

Shop around to find the best rate.  You’ll have more luck finding a good rate if you get quotes from a number of different insurance providers.  If you find a quote you like, make sure the company is legitimate by doing a little research through the Better Business Bureau and different rating services and regulatory organizations.  An insurance policy from an illegitimate company can mean no coverage, and lots of trouble for you.

Stay safe and make sure you maintain your vehicle to keep your rate as low as possible.  Keeping your vehicle safe is important for more reasons than just insurance – you want to keep yourself and others safe when you’re on the road.  Another good measure to take is the installation of some sort of anti theft measure.  You’ll be more likely to get a good insurance rate and be covered for theft if you have taken measure to prevent theft.  An alarm or a cutoff device can significantly lower your rate.

Once you purchase an insurance policy,  make sure you revisit its terms once per year.  Things can change, like the actual rates, your driving record, and more, so make sure you consistently choose the right insurance for your commercial vehicle.

The right insurance policy can make the difference between a safe and comfortable career in commercial trucking and a tense and unpleasant job that is full of worry and strife.  Make sure your insurance protects not only your vehicle, but your peace of mind as well.

Car drivers do behave badly around trucks, that is undeniable, but at the same time there are things truckers do which cause issues with other road users too.  To avoid incidents, it is best to be forewarned and take action well before circumstances accumulate to create a scare or a real-life drama.

The top 3 things truckers do which upset other road users are:

Tailgating

We’re not talking about BBQ, beers and football, but driving your rig from the back seat of the car in front.  The average family car weighs around 5,000 pounds – a fully-laden tractor semi-trailer is 80,000 – the physics are simple, BIG object, small object and no prizes for guessing who comes last in a collision.

Tailgating is intimidating, no matter who is doing it, and trucks have longer stopping distances than cars which are prone to brake without thinking about the size of your load and how much braking force is needed to stop 80,000 pounds at 60mph.

Gators

Underinflation of truck tires leads to pieces of rubber breaking off and creating an “exploding” tire. This happens for regular car tires too, but with a truck given the size, weight and forces involved big rig gators are a real issue. Whilst car drivers can usually maneuver around the debris, you can help ensure your rig is not shedding rubber and risking something more serious by checking your tire pressure regularly.

Water Spray

Driving by or behind a truck in the rain is the same as sitting inside your car in the carwash.  Wiper blades work overtime to little effect and visibility is seriously impaired.  As a trucker you can invest in an anti-spray device, but how effective these devices are in practice is up for debate.  A European study found that a modern rig hauling a semi-trailer with an anti-spray system is not generating less than a regular rig and trailer.

This is a car drivers problem to get out of the spray, and is also why many cars will overtake you only to pull in front of you as soon as they are past. Some states, such as California, are bringing in “skirts” which are supposed to improve fuel performance, but they also are designed to reduce spray. One skirt manufacturer is Transtex Composites, which claims that the reduction of drag on the trailer improves fuel economy but at the same time, the skirts act as a physical barrier to prevent the spray from radiating out from the tires. The skirts are designed for use on used semi trailers as well as for use in new trailer assembly and manufacture.  Barry Andersen, a trucker turned inventor, designed one solution – EcoFlaps.  Andersen’s flap design uses a mesh to absorb the mist/spray produced by the wheel; finally, the water forms large droplets which fall back onto the road instead of creating the aerosol spray which hampers visibility.

Scrublade

Have you ever been driving and wished that you could just reach out your window and scrub off your windshield as you cruise down the road? With or without an insect deflector, the windshield of a commercial trucker’s vehicle can get pretty dirty. Not only is this incredibly annoying to deal with as you drive, but it can also be dangerous should you face diminished sight driving conditions such as rain, fog, or bright light.

Now, there’s a way to end your frustration by simply letting your windshield wiper do all the scrubbing. The newest in windshield wiper technology, the Scrublade not only brushes water away, but it also scrubs, removing the debris associated with the road—dirt, bugs, and oil. Taking a look at Scrublade and you can see the difference between a 1500 mile journey with Scrubblade and without it. Scrublade keeps the windshield clean, while a traditional wiper blade struggles just to keep it dry.

So how does Scrubblade work so well? Hundreds of tiny, triangular sponges are fitted on the outer two blades of the windshield wipers, and dirt is no match for them. When they sweep across the windshield, they actually scrub away the debris that has been left by all of the road traveling. When the second, smooth blade catches up, it works like a squeegee to remove any water or dirt that is left behind.

According to Scrublade’s manufacturers, the product increases safety and economical operations of a commercial vehicle in two key ways. First, it eliminates the glare caused by road debris on the windshield, making it easier to focus on the road without distraction. Second, it makes truckers less likely to have to stop at gas stations and truck stops to clean off their windshields, meaning more money in the pockets of over-the-road truckers.

At under $25, and sometimes under $12, per blade, the Scrublade is an invention that doesn’t require much of an investment, but it can make the comfort of driving on the road increase, as well as keep you safer. For those who are considering a bug deflector, the Scrublade gets the same results at a fraction of the cost.

Contest For Truckers To Win…

TruckertoTrucker.com is hosting a product giveaway for the rest of November. All you have to do is post a comment on the apocalypse, and you’re entered to win!

The prize is the world’s first AudioMovie™ (it’s like an audio book, but with the sound effects and production quality of a film), and it’s called “Resonance.” It’s a thrilled set in 2012, just when the Mayan calendar is predicting the end of the world.

The prize can be sent to you either as CDs or as a flash drive. For more information, go to TruckertoTrucker.com.

 Try the Black Steel Strap Winder

Are you looking for a way to quickly and easily secure your straps so you can get back out on the road? If you’re tired of taking the time and effort to do it by hand, you might want to consider the Black Steel Strap Winder, a device that not only allows you to secure your straps with ease, but that easily attaches to the outside of your trailer, making it simple to move from trailer to trailer.

Although similar devices can be found wherever truck accessories are sole, the Black Steel Strap Winder, offered by J&S Distributors, is a cost effective way to make your life as a trucker easier. Because it sells for under $20, you won’t miss the money, but you’ll be glad you made the investment.

Truckers everywhere know that having a properly secured load is important. Without it, you run the risk of loosing your cargo and loosing your pay. But spending the time to adequately secure your straps by hand can also get expensive. With the Black Steel Strap Winder, you can simply wind 2” to 4” straps, saving you time, frustration, and ultimately money.

Although purchasing a strap winder like the one available from J&S Distributors might seem like something you don’t really need to buy, it can end up being of immense help as you load and secure your trailer. Most truckers love their jobs, but find that there are just a few parts of their jobs, such as securing straps, that they don’t like. When you find a tool that can help you love every apart of your job, you’ve found something that is worth more than the savings it will provide.

So if you’re looking for a way that you can love trucking again, you might want to consider how products like the Black Steel Strap Winder can help you do just that.

 This seat looks like it needs to be part of a high-tech virtual amusement park ride, but now you can have it right in the front seat of your cab. And if you think it looks impressive, you should try riding in the National truck seat. Yes, it’s just as comfortable as it is stylish.

After 10 years of research funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation, the National Premium Truck Seat has come to be—a chair that is more than a chair, a seat that allows you to drive comfortably without the risk of injury to your back or other areas. Now, you can drive in comfort, knowing that you are not putting yourself at long or short-term risk.

Scientists have determined that back pain occurs in those who must sit for most of the day because the body puts all of its weight on the spine while sitting in one position, putting continued pressure on that spine and causing strain in muscles and ligaments, as well as spinal disc pressure on nerves. A loss of circulation in spinal disks also occurs. All of these occurrences can leave you feeling harsh back pain.

But with the Premium Truck Seat, that pain is gone! The seat reduces the pressure on the discs and nerves, improves circulation, and allows muscles to more naturally strain and rest. A more natural feel is a better feel, and you will have much less pressure to your back as you ride in this comfortable and stylish seat.  Shoulder cushions protect you from chafing, while lumbar support with air cushions cradles your back like no other product, perhaps making your seat more comfortable than the armchair you relax in at home.

And the National Premium Truck Seat is perfect for anyone, whether you’re tall, short, or in between.  The high back contoured cushions increase comfort for all body types, while the ability to recline the seat allows you to pick the driving angle that you feel most comfortable with, in addition to position your chair for a quick siesta. 

Crafted in sleek gray leather, the seat features an eye-catching design of lighter gray in the interior and darker gray on the exterior, making the seat look futuristic and handsome in the cab of any truck.  Built especially for truckers, this seat features controls that allow the driver to change position without taking his or her focus from the road.

With a five-year warranty, you can be sure that your chair is as well made as it is comfortable. By trusting the National Seating name, as well as the research that has gone into the crating of this seat, you’ll be making an investment that can both improve the personal quality of your life and improve your health.  Check out this seat on the Internet today to peruse photos, check out other seats by National Seating, view more details, or request a quote.

Orthopedic Seat Cushion

These days, most people know that sitting all day can be just as taxing and just as tiring as standing all day. Of course, sitting all day can also harm your back. For this reason, there are many chairs and seat covers on the market designed for truckers who not only sit all day, but who sit in an uncomfortable drivers’ seat, strapped in, for many hours each day. One of the most unique examples of these products is the Super Seat Orthopedic Seat Cushion.

This patented product was manufactured in order to relieve the pain associated with sitting for long periods of time. Just a few of the conditions that the seat can relieve are arthritis, rheumatism, prostate issues, leg cramps, and hemorrhoids. Because the seat is designed to suspend the spine in mid air, pressure on these areas is relieved. This way, truckers don’t have to be concerned with so many of the ill effects of trucking. In the long run, this simple seat can spare truckers hundreds of dollars in medical bills and the pain associated with driving a truck. In fact, many doctors and chiropractors actually recommend that patients who are forced to sit all day purchase this Super Seat model.

In addition to relieving the pain associated with driving a truck, the Super Seat can also improve the look of your vehicle. Crafted out of beautiful manmade sheepskin, the cushion adds class and style to the interior of your cab. Available in tan or brown, you can choose the style that best augments the décor of your cab. Further, the seat is soft, so it feels wonderful against the back and legs, whether it’s hot or cold.

Super Seat Orthopedic Seat cushion is only $42.95 plus shipping and handling, a small price to pay considering the amount of pain you will alleviate because you purchased a Super Seat. In addition, Super Seat is easy to install and maintain. In fact, you only need to clean the seat periodically by brushing it down and washing the cover.

Whether you’ve begun to feel the pain of sitting in one place all day or you’re avoiding its onset, there’s one way to prevent or get rid of that pain completely—Super Seat!

12-Volt Bunk Warmers

In most of the United States right now, it’s too hot to think about needing some extra warmth at night, but winter will be here before you know it, and then you’ll be looking for something to keep you toasty in the evening. Of course, where staying really warm counts is when you are sleeping. During the day, you’re living a busy trucker’s life, driving and maintaining your truck. You don’t have time to get cold! But when you’re lying in your sleeping quarters at night, it gets chilly pretty fast.

While you can solve this problem by using electric blankets, these are often uncomfortable. If you put the blanket on top of you, you may experience being hot in some areas while cold in others, and it’s easy to toss and turn and let the blanket slip off. Under you, the blanket can easily be pushed off the bed. If you’d rather have real heat from below, spread out evenly, then you need an ElectroWarmth 12-volt bunk warmer.

Not an electric blanket, this is an electric mattress pad that offers soothing, relaxing warmth in three sizes. Because it heats from below and is specifically designed for the size of your mattress, this is the way to get that warmth that really counts when it’s time to hit the sack.

Of course, if your mattress is feeling a little lumpy, you can also opt for the easy, portable luxury mattress offered alongside the warmers in Berubes’ catalog. This mattress, designed by InnerSpace Mobile, is the perfect addition to the trucker’s on-the-go kit. It rolls into a convenient-to-carry load, but expands into a 6.5-inch thick sleeping mattress when you let it out of the sack. This mattress uses no air pump, so you don’t have to wait for it to inflate on those ultra-tired nights. In addition, you never have to worry about this mattress getting punctured on the road. Instead, you can be ready to sleep in comfort every night with this thick, comfortable luxury mattress.

And if you purchase both together, you can rest assured that you’ll rest easy on the road. In fact, your sleeping quarters might be so comfortable that you don’t want to go back to the bed in your apartment or house. Truckers who like to camp can also use both of these products on the campsite, or buy them for the camping enthusiast that you know.

So if you’re looking for comfort, check out Berube’s catalog online or in print to find these two items that are bound to make your life on the road just a little easier on the back.

Truck Backup Sensor

You remember from truck driving school how hard backing up can be in your semi-truck. Even if you own a medium-duty commercial vehicle, backing—especially when you are trying to emerge from unloading docks, parking spots, fuel bays, and other tight spots, can be a challenge.

Dedicated to safety, company Mobile Awareness has a solution to this dangerous aspect of driving a commercial vehicle—the wireless object detection system. With just ten screws, two wires connected to the backing lights, and a 12-volt and ground connection, you can install a state-of-the-art wireless truck backup sensor ready to keep you safe as you drive.

The display unit uses bright LED lights to display the distance of objects in four field zones, making sure that you don’t encounter any objects while backing. Designed to consider safety first, this unit is reliable. It uses waterproof sensors to be sure that signal strength is not compromised by inclement weather. And because it is so easy to install, there is little fear of having the truck backup sensors incorrectly installed. In addition, the unit clearly indicates the distance of the objects, so you won’t have to waste time checking and rechecking objects that you are already maneuvering around. Specifically designed for truckers that often have to change trailers, the system is easily transferable from trailer to trailer, leaving you no excuse to put safety first.

Although you can’t put a price on safety, you can put a price on wireless object detection systems. The price on this system, manufactured by SenseStat is only $279, a price that is much less than the cost of installing a camera backing system, but is just as safe. With this truck backup sensor system, you’ll have the quality of SenseStat and the power of a two-year warranty, making sure that your purchase is protected. If you’re not satisfied with the product’s performance you can simply use the warranty to replace the unit.

No matter what kind of truck you’re driving, it’s important to remain safe, and backing can be one of the most dangerous maneuvers you are forced to make. With this system, you’ll be sure to have reliable technology on your side.

Truck PC

 It might make our lives easier by making things that we would normally do by hand, faster, but technology can create a whole new set of problems. But with easy-to-use technology and the programs that truckers needs most, the new DT4000 TruckPC from DriverTech is a must have for truckers who are on top of the technology scene.

 Enabled with Window’s XP, the TruckPC is more than just a computer that truckers can take with them on the go. Instead, it allows truckers and fleet owners to stay in better communication, helping truckers comply with Hours of Service requirements and making logbooks easier than ever to complete.

 Already a top-of-the line piece of technological machinery, the Truck PC has made significant improvements to its design, making life even easier for truckers. The newest additions include the ability to print and e-mail or fax their logs from in their cab, seriously cutting down on the amount of time that truckers have to spend off the road. In addition, the new software will also make life quite a bit easier for fleet owners, who will be able to better track their trucks with the new software.

 But what’s best about this software is that  it actually makes keeping in line with government regulations easy to do. With a simple touch-screen model and audio and visual alerts that allow truckers to know if they are in violation of government regulation—even when driving—the PC can spare the unpleasantness associated with violations.

 So whether you’re a trucker who wants to cut down on the paperwork in your cab or a fleet owner who wants to make the most of his or her business, the TruckPC is the perfect piece of technology to get you on your way to doing what you signed up to do—driving (or managing) a truck. After all, truck driving is all about being free, out on the open road, tied down to nothing. A great reminder that you are tied down to SOMETHING is paperwork. But with the TruckPC, you’ll be free  on the road once again. So no matter how you feel about technology, the TruckPC is a great way to get rid of the paperwork and get back to driving or keeping track of your drivers and your business.