One of the best places to find accessories today is on the Internet.  Most manufacturers maintain current websites featuring the latest releases in new products.  Rockwood products, for example, recently released several new Peterbuilt accessories that might be the perfect match for you, depending on need.  It is always best when working with an independent supplier, however, to provide a quality picture they can use to ensure the right part is ordered the first time.  The best place to get this type of picture is off the web.

The trend in “trucking” today is the inclusion of chrome accessories.  These can best be found through suppliers that are knowledgeable about where to look and how much it will cost.  For older trucks, parts can even be customized since manufacturers already have the tooling in place to make just about anything you want.  A good supplier will know what’s available and how to get parts that may need to be customized.  The best advice is to use these experts instead of wasting personal time you could use to grow your business.

Tricking your truck has never been easier.  Most of the information is available on the web, but a good supplier can save lots of time and trouble as well as find the best price possible.  For those seeking to show off that freewheeling, independent spirit while adding value to their truck, semi-truck accessories are the best answer and can also make your life on the road more enjoyable.

When many people think of trucking they vision someone who is never home, endures constant accidents, has difficulty getting loads, and so forth.  The list goes on and on.  In reality there are many advantages to being a trucker however, like any other job, it has to be something that you like to do.

There are other requirements as well.  Just as some people are not suited for a job such as a nurse or carpenter, this is a job that requires personal commitment as well as skills.  There is more to trucking than just getting in a vehicle and driving it down the road.

Again, using a nurse as an example (a career a number of men are choosing), you must be mentally suited for the job.  If you are a person who frequently feels road rage when driving your car on the highway when there is some sort of an incident then this is not for you.  Of course, truckers become upset when someone cuts them off or causes a near accident.  The heart beats harder and they break out in a sweat because someone might become injured.  However, this is going to happen a lot with today’s traffic.

The hours are another factor.  You often hear that you have to be away from your family a lot.  This is true for long-haul truckers.  However, if this is a problem it is always possible to get trucking jobs that are local or only take one day and lets you come home every night.  There are many options regarding the length of trips and the loads to be carried.

Drivers who have had a successful career in the business for a long time handle their job as if they were the CEO of a business.  They have carefully reviewed their options and made a selection that is both profitable and rewarding.  They have checked out companies they want to work for and have made selections that pay well and who offer congenial working conditions.

Many current owner-operators worked as a company driver for several years and saved their money to purchase their own truck rather than go in debt with a huge overhead in the beginning of their career.  They treat their truck as their most valuable asset, being sure that it is carefully maintained to extend its life and avoid unnecessary breakdowns.

A lifetime career that is satisfying and profitable is possible if it is carefully thought out and the options weighed.  Talking to a successful driver is the first step to take before going through the required training.  They will be happy to explain how Internet sites,  such as freightfinder, truckloadbroker, rightnowloads, pickatruckload,  and numerous other such locations, work when looking for hauling jobs.

Some people work for one company their entire career and do not have to worry about finding different loads.  They work either as a company driver or as an owner-operator.  Many of these companies offer extra benefits such as life, health, and dental insurance, vacations, bonuses, and other benefits.  In addition, there are paid vacations with specific companies.

Unlike other jobs, there is no danger of being unemployed if you are an experienced driver.  This makes it a win-win situation.  If you are willing to learn the tricks of the trade and fill the personal requirements required for this kind of work it is a great career choice.

There are many excellent companies in the trucking industry.  Unfortunately, there are also some who apparently do not have the interests of their truckers to heart.  Some quotes from truckers:

Truckers report on a well-known company:

“Don’t work for ?.  Pay is among the lowest.  Miles are inadequate.  The safety department will automatically say any accident/incident is your fault, even if it wasn’t.”

” …They haven’t had a raise in pay in years!  ? is probably the worst company out there in getting repairs done quickly.  It can take hours and even days.”

” …have frequently, had to sit and wait for various reasons not getting paid.  Examples – sent to the wrong destination and the truck breaking down.”

“Their trailers are junk and never get reported for repair by other drivers.”

“Almost every trailer I’ve hooked on to has high point CSA violation potential. It takes up to SIX hours just to get a response via Qualcomm for repair and then it takes up to another SIX hours for the shop to get approval to do the repair. This will happen to you WEEKLY and sometimes several times if you intend to keep a clean slate with CSA.”

“The money sucks. I don’t get any miles I take home average $400 a week.”

Truckers report on another company:

“? does not pay drivers layover for sitting on weekends or holidays.  If their drivers sit all 48 hours on the weekend away from his/her family, they don’t get a dime.”

“… drivers say they have cheated them, ran shoddy equipment, blatantly told drivers to lie on logs, not reimbursed tolls, etc. Recently ? has turned their trucks up to 65 mph to try and plug the hemorrhage of drivers leaving the company.

” …in addition, you must be without a load for 24 hours before they will pay layover.”

Thankfully, these comments are only directed at a few companies.  There are still many companies that treat their drivers as they deserve, with understanding and a good working relationship.

This article is not to discourage people from taking on trucking as a career.  The intent is to put newcomers to the profession on the alert so that they do not become discouraged or wind up working for practically nothing.   Trucking is a good choice but requires people who are aware that there are companies that do not follow through on what they advertise when they are looking for drivers.

It cannot be emphasized enough that a company you are thinking of working for should be carefully checked out.  This can be done by looking at sites such as ‘Ask the Trucker.com” and “The Truckers Report.com“.  There will always be disagreements between an employee and employer however, when one person after another complains about the same company the red flag should go up.

Checking with drivers at truck stops and other locations will also help.  A company’s reputation travels very fast and, as a result, drivers will not work for companies with a bad reputation.  The best offence against being ripped off is to take a defensive approach and know what you are getting into.  These companies are quickly being blackballed by truckers who have become aware of their shoddy treatment of drivers.

How would you like to be driving a rig pulling 79 trailers?  This happened in Bourke, Australia and is in the Guinness world record books.   It was 3,340 ft. long, weighed a total of 2.364 million pounds, and was pulled 4.9 miles by a Kenworth C501 truck.  This kind of transport is called a Trailer Road-Train.

The average Australian Road-Train has three or more trailers and is 174 feet long.  This type of transport hauls an average of 253,532 pounds.  One that has 7 trailers hauls 418,880 pounds, and is common on the highway.

In the Outback of Australia, truck drivers face many problems that cannot even be imagined by truck drivers in the U.S.  There are no freeways, all traffic travels on a two-lane road.   In this hot, dry country, many of the roads are not paved.  Although there is air conditioning in the cabs, many drivers wear thongs or go barefoot and shorts rather than long pants.  Because of the heat, most homes are built underground.

In the outback locations, there is usually no fuel or truck stop for 500 miles.  This means, if you break down it is going to be some times before help arrives.  Because of the heat, it is not unusual for three tires to be blown in one trip.  In addition, it means a long drive without a break.

There is an Australian Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue Law with three sets of rest requirements.  They are Standard Hours, Basic Fatigue Management, and Advanced Fatigue Management.  They are as follows:

Standard Hours and Basic Fatigue Management

Time Period        Work                 Rest

6-1/4 hrs.       6 hrs.         16 minutes

9 hrs.    8-1/2 hrs   30 min. in blocks of 15 min.

12 hrs.    11 hrs   60 min. in blocks of 15 min.

24 hrs.    14 hrs   7 continuous hours

If more flexible hours are needed application may be made for Advanced Fatigue Management.

Each tractor has what is called a Bull bar on the front of the truck.  Very few ranches in the area have fences, so cattle, as well as kangaroos, often appear in the middle of the highway.   There is a huge amount of unoccupied land so the driver is really on his or her own.

These road-trains carry a variety of loads.  They may be building materials, computers, fertilizer, frozen foods, milk, perishable foodstuffs, or other items.  Flatbed trailers are often used as on the return trip the empty ones can be piled on top of each other, which saves the tires and wheel bearings.  Because of the scarcity of railroads, the trucks often carry railroad cars into populated area train hubs.

One driver of 30 years is enthusiastic about his Freightliner Century Class truck.  He states that this C-120 has a 140-pound GCM rating, powered by a 600 hp Caterpillar C-16.  It also has an 18 speed Eaton gearbox and Meritor drive axles with a Neway air-suspension, as well as an excellent air conditioning system.  His previous truck was a Kenworth T950 with Cat power, which he drove over 623,000 miles.

Truckers who are in the market for a dry van trailer to go with their semi-tractor can find terrific savings by looking in the Atlanta used van market.  These vehicles vary in price according to the model, year, and condition.  The vehicles available have been kept in excellent condition and are ready to go.

Although new vans come out every year, in reality there are very few changes made with the exception of the type of materials and construction design.  Current dry van trailer manufacturers are Dorsey, Great Dane, Walbash, Vanguard, Manac, Utility, Stoughton, Trailmobile and Strict.  Manufacturing is done in a variety of locations.  For example, Great Dane Trailers are manufactured in Terre Haute, Indiana.    Opened in April 1995 they build standard as well as custom trailers.

There are two varieties of side walls manufactured for these vans.  These are plate or sheet and post.  The most preferred by truckers is the sheet and post, which has walls available in stainless steel, standard .050 gauge aluminum, or composite sheet.  The posts are shallow, logistic, standard, or a combination.  These walls are extremely easy to repair and have pre-painted panels.

Another thing a buyer needs to be aware of is the nose.  There are differences and it is important to choose one that is has the correct dimensions for the semi-tractor being used.  These choices include the nose post depth as well as the nose liner.  Some of these have plywood in the lining and this should be replaced with .250 aluminum plate or 10-gauge plate steel.  Since stressors are placed on this piece, it is essential that the right nose be selected not only on the tractor but also on the type and weight of the load to be hauled.

There are two different types of roofs manufactured for these vans.  They may be made of aluminum or layers of fiberglass.  These roofs offer equal protection; however, the fiberglass will heat up the interior of the vehicle, which might affect the type of load being hauled.   Aluminum does not cause this problem but is more expensive.

The doors are a vital part of the vehicle.  They should open and close easily, be in convenient locations, and be made of a sturdy material.  This material may be aluminum, plywood, composite, or insulated.  In addition, the doors may be thick or thin.  Most doors are either swing or roll, although there are other types now on the market.

It is crucial that the underbody of the trailer be carefully examined prior to any purchase.  This is true whether it is a new or used trailer.  This will carry heavy loads so requires the best suspensions possible in addition to strong and secure cross-members, wheel assemblies, king sections, bumper assemblies, undercoating, galvanized, and aluminum.

Only a couple of manufacturers build dry vans with wooden floors.  In used vehicles, these will often be scarred or even have splinters, and need some repairing.     Fortunately, the majority of floors is now made of metal and can be obtained with lighting, posts, and other components, which will fit in with any hauling plans.

Regardless of whether you have a brand-new truck or an older one there is a pride of ownership. One way to display this pride is to attend one of the many truck shows held all over the United States, throughout the year. These shows are also great for people who want to connect with companies for hauling jobs as well as, in many shows, those who are looking for drivers. In addition, it is a chance to see the latest model vehicles as well as new innovations in the trucking industry.

These shows allow you to become a participant as well as a spectator. Events include things such as the Pride & Polish truck beauty contest by Custom Rigs, truck drag races, test-driving new rigs, and other types of entertainment depending on the particular show involved.

For example, the Great American Trucking show to be held August, 2012 in Dallas, Texas, will have a wide variety of truck competitions such as:

Working Truck Division – Best of Show

Trucks with annual mileage of 75K miles, 6,250 miles per month average, or 25K with an average of 2,085 miles if used locally. The classes are:

Model

Year

Specialization

Company owned (25+) classes

Other – Does not fit Best of Show requirements

First Show Class – First time for trucks or competitors – any year model New Truck under 50K miles

Antique – limited number of miles or no longer working, but 25 years or older

Limited Mileage

Any truck of any model year – judged on engine, interior, lights, and undercarriage.

Combo or Bobtail

Interior – Cab Only, OEM sleeper, Custom Aftermarket Sleeper or Extreme Sleeper Engine

Lights

Custom Paint, Murals, or Graphics

Wash and Show Contest

This particular show also has seminars to learn about Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, state laws, Hazardous Material Certification, and much more.

The June 9-11, 2012 Great West Truck Show in Las Vegas is part of the Midnight Trucking Radio Network’s Summertime Extravaganza. It offers free vehicle inspections and Log Book Demonstrations as well as chances to win $1,000 cash plus numerous other prizes. This show then proceeds to the Iowa 80 Truckstop located at Walcott, IA. This is the largest truckstop in the United States, built on over 200 acres.

These shows cover all types of trucks with different categories. By going on the Internet, it is possible to find them located throughout the country, which makes it convenient to participate without traveling too far. It is an opportunity to display your truck, take home trophies, inspect the latest models of all types of vehicles, and find jobs.

There is nothing that is more of a pain to a trucker than having to keep the maintenance records for their vehicle.   Many people just going into the business are unaware that it is because of federal regulations.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the rules regarding these requirements.

Under these regulations, regardless of the number of trucks involved, carriers must have a program to “systematically inspect, repair, and maintain, or cause to be systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained, all motor vehicles and intermodal equipment subject to its control“.  These regulations also state that the parts and accessories of these vehicles “shall be in safe and proper operating condition at all times“.  After a maintenance program is designed records must be kept detailing all maintenance and repair.

Keeping an accurate record is essential, as FMCSA can audit a carrier at any time.  Part of this audit is being sure that good records are maintained, proving an organized program is in place.  Each vehicle must also have an informational record.  This includes the name of the truck owner, the year, make, and model of the vehicle, and the tire size.  These records must be kept for one year while the vehicle is in operation and six months when operation ceases.  There is no specific ‘form’ for these records.

Maintenance inspections and preventive maintenance are not the same for all types of trucks.  Information regarding your particular vehicle can be found by checking with the manufacturer who built it.  The manufacturer will have a schedule as well as intervals allowed for maintenance and inspection.  This information is based on how many are miles driven and the hours the vehicle is run.  It will also list what items need to be checked daily, monthly, and so forth.

Sometimes the type of work done affects how often these tasks need to be done.  For example, some jobs, such as local delivery, may require more frequent inspections and oil changes.  In maintaining a truck there are recommended “pull points” where parts are scheduled to be replaced.  This applies to things such as fuel filters, brake linings, tires, and so forth.

Since these records are the responsibility of the driver, there are often complaints of “too much paper work”.  If you are familiar with computers, software is now available on the Internet that is especially designed for this purpose.  It has also become possible to conduct inspections with mobile devices, which allow the information to go directly to your PC maintenance record.
For those purchasing a used truck, these records can provide great insight into a rig’s history, reliability, and prior care.

Vehicle Inspection Pros has been exceeding the expectations of their customers for over 50 years. Their main office is located in Independence, Missouri, but they offer services across the United States. VIP Inspections is a member of the Used Truck Association as well as Trucker to Trucker.

Types of Customers

There are more than 300 trained vehicle inspectors at VIP who can inspect the units of their customers. VIP’s extensive customer base includes leasing companies, auction houses, truck dealers and finance companies as well as the general public. Anyone who is buying a used truck should get it inspected, and anyone who is selling used trucks should get them inspected before they sell so that they can fix anything that is easy to fix and get a better price for their unit. Trucks that have been inspected before being placed on the market usually sell faster than those that haven’t been inspected.

The pros at VIP understand that buying and selling trucks is often a time-sensitive process, so they strive to complete all inspections and have reports to their customers within 72 hours. Detailed digital pictures of the unit that was inspected are included with the report. They will travel to wherever the vehicle is located, whether it is at a business, dealer lot or private home. VIP’s state of the art dispatching system gets the customer’s information out to the inspectors within a short period of time so that the inspections can be completed as soon as possible.

Inspection Services

VIP inspectors are experienced in inspecting many different types of vehicles including cars, pick-up trucks, sport utility vehicles, medium-duty and heavy-duty commercial trucks, fleet vehicles, fork lifts, man lifts and light-duty rolling stock. Anyone who has questions about vehicle inspections can call VIP at 888-586-2289.

Vehicle inspection reports contain a variety of information about the vehicle that is being inspected as well as its condition. Vehicle specifications such as engine, transmission, serial number, suspension, wheel size and axle ratings are included in the inspection report. The customer’s name and basic information is also included. The inspection report also contains information on the general condition of the vehicle such as if there are any leaks and whether the vehicle starts and runs. The condition of the brakes and tires is noted on the report as well as any wear and tear such as missing or faded decals or torn and faded upholstery. Detailed digital pictures of the outside and inside of the vehicle are included with the report. These pictures show any issues that were noted on the report.

Vehicle Inspection Services is known as a leader in the vehicle inspection industry. Thousands of customers have relied on their reports to decide whether they should purchase a particular unit over another. They are also known for their excellent customer service. Inspections reports generated by VIP are some of the most in-depth and accurate in the industry. They have been in business for more than 50 years and continuously strive for excellence.

D.M. Bowman has been serving customers since 1959. They only sell pre-owned trucks that are high-quality and have been maintained by their own team of maintenance specialists. They offer one of the best warranties in the used truck industry. D.M. Bowman Truck Sales has an inventory of about 50-75 vehicles. They offer financing, but do not take in trades because they only sell trucks that they bought brand new. They have two locations open six days per week to serve customers. The Hagerstown, PA location can be reached at 1-877-269-6261 and the phone number for the Somerset, PA location is 1-800-314-3855.

D.M. Bowman has a number of financing options available to their customers depending on the financial status and needs of each customer. A credit application is available on their website for customers who would like to apply for financing. They currently accept wire transfers, cashier’s checks and certified checks for payment on any truck purchase.

One of the best things about buying a truck at D.M. Bowman is the excellent warranty they offer with every truck they sell. The warranty period is 30 days and it covers various parts of the truck’s engine, driveline, rear axle and transmission. Customers should read their sales agreement so that they understand which parts are covered under the warranty. All warranty repairs must be made at a D.M. Bowman facility to be covered. D.M. Bowman doesn’t accept trade-in vehicles because they know the entire history of every truck they sell from the time it was new until they sell it to a customer.

Another reason to buy a truck from D.M. Bowman is the price. The trucks are discounted according to how long they have been on the lot, so buyers may choose from identical trucks with lower prices simply because they have been for sale for a longer period of time. Their typical inventory includes about 50-75 late model Volvo and Mack sleepers and daycabs. Many of these trucks are identical, so they are a great option for companies who are looking to purchase several identical trucks. They occasionally offer other types of equipment for sale including van trailers, dollies, asphalt tanks, dry bulk tanks, flatbed trailers and more.

D.M. Bowman offers customers excellent trucks at affordable prices. The sales staff strives to meet the needs of every customer and offer them the best possible trucks for their businesses. The warranty offered by D.M. Bowman is hard to beat, as is the friendliness of their sales staff and financing team.

If you sell semi trailers for a living, you probably have been struggling financially just like other individuals who must rely on sales in a tumultuous economy. However, you don’t have to hang your head in shame just yet — there are ways that you can increase sales, even with the difficult economy. Of course, you need to post your trailers for sale on the Internet. Relying on local sales and advertisements in local papers just isn’t what brings in the money anymore. You must be online to get good sales. The following five tips will help you increase the sale of your semi trailers and get your sales numbers moving even if the economy worsens.

1) Use Great Pictures

Let’s face it, this is a fast-paced world we live in, and people who drive semi-trucks know that better than anyone. In most cases, if you’re looking for a new semi trailer, you’re looking to get back on the road again in no time. For this reason, you don’t have time to call individual trailer sellers and request pictures. If you run across an advertisement without a picture, you probably click right past it. In fact, research has found that including a good picture increases ad open rates by 90%

This is why using great pictures is so important. First, pictures encourage a customer to stay. Second, a good pictures makes an individual better visualize owning the trailer — it is more likely to seal the deal or at least get some good customers inquiring, which always brings more business.

2) Write Detailed Descriptions

A semi trailer is an important piece of equipment, and someone who is interested in buying it isn’t going to do that unless he or she has a thorough description of the specs. Research has even found that people are more likely to open an add that uses “relevant keywords” than one that doesn’t. Some people even hire professional writers do do the descriptions. Whether you do or not — don’t be afraid to get detailed.

3) Take a Video

Video has literally taken over the Internet. According to Internet marketing company Comscore, in 2012, Internet users watched over 40 billion videos — over 12 percent of which were add videos — not too shabby. Today, people don’t want their information in written form. They want to see it move — with video. Take a video of all the different angles of the truck to entice your audience further.

4) List the Price

Some people avoid listing the prices of their trailers because they think it will turn the shoppers off — they are under the impression that looking at the videos and specs will be enough to convince a person to buy the trailer no matter what. This is completely flawed thinking. The reality is that most people are on a budget. If people call for price, that’s just more work that you have to do. If you list price, you’ll get only serious inquiries.

5) Reply Fast

Remember this is the age of ultra fast connectivity. If you wait too long to reply, your customer may already be on a plane to purchase a semi-trailer elsewhere.