Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Preventing truck and carhauling accidents

6/13/2011 Trucking Groups Call on NHTSA to Examine Truck Crashworthiness Standards

American Trucking Associations and the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association together called on the federal government to begin researching standards for crashworthiness for heavy trucks.

"NHTSA has continuously developed crashworthiness standards for automobiles and light trucks, but to date has generally not applied crashworthiness standards to commercial trucks," the two groups wrote in a June 6 letter to David Strickland, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "We believe there may be opportunities to enhance the survivability of professional truck drivers if appropriate, research-based, uniform standards are developed."

To read the full article click HERE
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2004 Peterbilt Truck
1996 Freightliner Truck
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Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Truck Fleets and Social Media...

Opinion: Why Trucking Should Adopt Social Media

From Transport Topics

Image representing Facebook as depicted in Cru...

Image via CrunchBaseBy Dick Hyatt
President
Decisiv Inc.
June 2011

Social media are transforming the way America does business, and there’s no reason that shouldn’t include trucking. When it comes to traditional trucking products such as vehicles, systems and components, the development life cycle can be fairly long. The time span required from initial concept through design, research and development and testing before production can begin can be measured in years. Information-management technology, on the other hand, often has a much shorter development life.

Image via WikipediaWhat that means for those of us who supply the advanced technologies used to manage trucking companies today is that our objective has to be communicating more effectively with our customers and partners.
Traditionally, we have employed such practices as focus groups to accomplish this task, and while they yielded results, these groups were expensive, time-consuming and static.

Fixed in time, they simply could not address technology issues and customer and partner challenges in an effective and beneficial time frame.

But today, many trucking companies and industry suppliers of all types of technologies are successfully using social media communication channels such as blogging, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube to meet almost immediately the challenges and needs of customers and partners.

To read the full article CLICK HERE

Thursday, June 30, 2011

NAFTA: Mexican truckers to drive cargo into US interior

By Chris Roberts / El Paso Times, Texas
Sunday, May 29, 2011

As the Obama administration prepares to honor a 17-year-old treaty with Mexico allowing that country’s long-haul trucks into the U.S. heartland, emotions are again at fever pitch as businesses on both sides of the border predict job losses and industry upheaval.

The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, included a provision that the United States and Mexico would allow each other’s trucks to haul cargo across the border for delivery anywhere inside the other country.

To comply with NAFTA, the Obama administration in April proposed a three-year pilot program with requirements for Mexican truckers that include a preliminary safety audit, purchase of U.S. insurance, English proficiency for drivers, truck inspections for every border crossing for at least the first three months, an 18-month probation period and a three-month renewal period for safety inspections after permanent authority is granted.

"Participating Mexican carriers and drivers would be required to comply with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including those concerned with motor carrier safety, customs, immigration, vehicle registration and taxation, and fuel taxation," according to the program’s legal description.

When the pilot program concludes, the Mexican haulers would receive the same authority granted U.S.-based truckers. Public comment on the proposed program ended last week, and the final version is expected later this year.

But the devil has been in the details in the United States as objections have arisen over safety, fair competition, reciprocity and other issues. Some Mexican carriers are concerned that opening the borders will encourage U.S. haulers to locate in Mexico and dominate their industry.

"I wasn’t in Congress when they voted for NAFTA," said U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas. "But I think we signed the treaty and we should follow the treaty and respect its conditions."

to read the full article click HERE

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Mega Haul

I don't think there are industry awards for the largest specialized haul or the largest flatbed BUT if there were I think this would be the winner. I saw this online and realized it was not photoshopped but carry an actual jet that crashed in the Hudson river.
to read the original article click here

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2004 Peterbilt Truck
2004 Peterbilt Truck
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Thursday, June 9, 2011

Fuel price challenges for carhaulers and truckers...

More money to fill your carhauler…more money to fill your rig.

I am waiting and watching as fuel continues upward against the backdrop of 9.1% inflation. The price of goods is increasing everyday and no one is viewing the fuel situation for what it really is, a crisis and an opportunity. The crisis is that the price of fuel will get so expensive that the average American will struggle to purchase even the most basic of commodities from the grocery store. The opportunity is that it will galvanize the entire American public to pursue a mission of alternate energy programs everywhere to get us out of this boom-bust oil nightmare forever

To read the full article clickthis link

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Free Trucker Website

FREEBIE WEBSITE for Truckers

this side actually made the news section of Google which in not an easy thing to do for self promotion but who cares. FREE=FREE

FREE trucker stuff website

Trucks for Sale

2004 Peterbilt Truck
2004 Peterbilt Truck
1996 Freightliner Truck
2005 Western Star

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Friday, May 6, 2011

Are bigger trucks the answer?

Business pushes Congress to clear bigger trucks

By John Crawley

WASHINGTON | Tue May 3, 2011 2:24pm EDT

The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

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(Reuters) - Manufacturers, retailers, and other businesses are quietly working with truckers in renewing a push for government permission to operate bigger and heavier rigs, to the dismay of unions and safety advocates.
Lobbying coalitions for hundreds of companies hope an improving economy will underscore the case that inefficiency associated with trucking capacity shortages and higher fuel expenses adds costs for shippers and consumers.

They are behind proposals taking shape in Congress to lift size restrictions. They also want to restore the flexibility of states to decide which trucks can operate on their roads.

Union and safety groups vocally oppose any change, saying bigger trucks would erode hard-won regulations and pose new hazards for truck drivers and other motorists just as U.S. traffic deaths are falling noticeably.
Also, smaller independent truckers say new size allowances would hurt their businesses by adding costs for equipment necessary to win business and compete with bigger rivals.

Randy Mullett, government relations vice president for trucking company Con-Way Inc, said business interests are working together on a range of changes in law that would affect regions and businesses differently.

"We don't want to run triples (trailers) through Washington, D.C., but we might want to in the cornfields of the Midwest," said Mullett, whose company is based in Michigan.

Mullett added the larger goal is to "find a way to make this part of the supply chain more efficient," especially with diesel fuel prices above $4 per gallon and other costs going up.

Shipping costs rose by almost 35 percent from 2004 through 2006, which translated into a 2 percent price increase for retail goods. A decrease during the subsequent economic downturn has been followed by an 8 percent shipping cost rise since 2009 due to capacity shortages, higher fuel prices and other factors, according to FTR Associates.

to read the full article click HERE
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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Diesel prices are on the rise...

Commentary Update (basically a rant)

I spend $40 to fill a hyundai elantra today. Yes you heard that right..small car, small tank, HUGE gas bill. I cant even imagine what truckers are doing. For any economic gains to take root in the economy the price of fuel has to be addressed or the cost to deliver goods will spiral out of control..

From Truckinginfo.com

NANJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 20: A petrol attend...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife4/5/2011

National on-highway diesel prices climbed for the second week in a row, rising 4.4 cents to $3.976. The national average is up almost 96 cents from last year.

New England experienced the smallest cost increase at 1.4 cents; California prices rose the most, 6.7 cents, to $4.323, up $1.17 from last year.


Trucking part: Clearance light, Pete Light

To read the full article click HERE

2004 Peterbilt Truck
2004 Peterbilt Truck
1996 Freightliner Truck
2005 Western Star
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Current Fleet Management News Articles on Google

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Commentary on Transportation and The Economy

I think the recovery is taking root. No economy is perfect even in the greatest of boom times BUT steady signs of improvement are showing. As far as how this improvement is affecting truckers and carhaulers, the simple fact is goods have be shipped. Even after considerable damage was done to the economy in 2008 and 2009, life has gone on and food and services have to be delivered.

This alone is a stepping stone to a greater recovery.While there are challenges like high fuel costs, regulation fears , and driver shortages, they are surmountable challenges.The part of the economy that has survived the recession is growing again.

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Transportation and the economy improving?

Positive Outlook for Trucking Industry Tempered by Rising Operating Expenses, Says GE Capital Survey

The sleeper berth is the area toward the rear ...

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nearly three-quarters (71%) of trucking company executives surveyed by GE Capital, Transportation Finance expect business conditions to improve in 2011 but they are concerned about the impact of external and internal factors on their profit margins. The rising price of diesel, a nationwide shortage of drivers and the twin costs of complying with government regulations and maintaining their own aging fleets are all significant concerns.

For the original article click HERE

Need a truck or carhauler

Friday, April 22, 2011

It was bound to happen

I have seen this coming down the pike for about a year now. Regulation after regulation is taking its toll on American Trucking companies including the Autohaulers. Simply put the economy will grind to a halt if regulation sends the costs of transporting goods skyrocketing.

In an industry like Automobiles the need to keep prices as a low as possible is paramount to success.

From KBND.com
Thursday, April 21st 2011 09:53am

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This week Oregon Congressman Greg Walden is hearing some tough stories from truckers in Oregon. On a trip through his District, Walden spoke with the owner of a trucking company in southern Oregon who is forced to close because of the cost of fuel and mounting state and federal regulations. "Its was pretty depressing meeting if you want to know the truth in terms of federal regulations and the price of fuel are doing as we try to get this economy going again." Original Article

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Senator Sends Letter Opposing Mexican Truck EOBR Program | Transport Topics Online | Trucking, Freight Transportation and Logistics News

From Transport Topics
3/23/2011

Photo portrait of U.S. Senate Mark Pryor

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood outlining his opposition to the U.S. proposal to buy electronic onboard recorders for Mexican trucks that will travel within the United States.

“I do not believe this concept is fair for U.S. carriers who are not eligible for such payments,” Pryor wrote in a letter dated Thursday.

exotic tie down strap

A Department of Transportation official said earlier this month that DOT will pay for EOBRs for Mexican trucks entering the United States under an agreement with Mexico. The program is meant to ensure drivers’ compliance with hours-of-service regulations while in the U.S.

To read the full article click HERE

Monday, April 11, 2011

Jobless claims falling...

The seal of the United States Department of Labor

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From Transport Topics
4/7/2011

Initial jobless claims fell by 10,000 last week, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

New claims fell to 382,000 for the week ended Saturday, below economists’ forecasts of a drop to 385,000 from the originally reported 388,000 in the prior week, Bloomberg reported.

It was the lowest level since Feb. 26.

To read the full article click HERE

Towing Part: 4 point tie down kit

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Dont forget your height stick

Dont forget your height stick. Here is one of my favorites. A semi trying to squeeze through a tunnel that was probably designed for a horse and buggy (look at the old stone). I admire the bravado, but the cost of pulling out the measuring stick and realizing that you cant squeeze into the tunnel would have save you thousands of dollars and hours of teasing.


dont forget your height stick

This hole must have looked really really small from a distance. Thats the purpose of the height stick, to take away any chance you could be wrong

https://parts.ectts.com/index.php/height-stick.html

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Towing electric cars may pose problems

By Auto123.com,

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Vehicle engine and drive wheel placement diagr...

Mini Lightbar or Mini Beacon with 2 rotators

Canadians will soon be able to purchase electric vehicles yet many have already voiced their concerns about the availability of charging stations as well as the longevity and replacement cost

But what about towing? There is actually a very specific technique required to tow a stranded EV.

Most of these cars come with front-wheel drive. Logically, lifting the front axle should prevent any form of damage to the components, particularly the powertrain. However, towing companies don't use all the same equipment and techniques, and that's exactly the point that needs clarification.

To read the full article click HERE

Friday, March 4, 2011

Don't Forget your Height Stick!

Don't Forget your Height Stick!

Whether you are a trucker, heavy hauler, or car hauler

tunnels can be deceptive.

This one was marked with the height in big digital letters, but having the height stick is a good reminder to watch for height signs

Preview

WKRG.com News

Thursday, February 17, 2011

From PRnewswire.com

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In today's public listening session on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's recently released hours-of-service proposal, American Trucking Associations Senior Vice President Dave Osiecki told the agency to put facts and data before politics.

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trucking towing hauling part: 28"Tie Down Bar

"Policy changes must be based on sound research and data, not pressure or politics," Osiecki, ATA's senior vice president of policy and regulatory affairs, told FMCSA officials, "and their benefits must outweigh the costs," he said. "The proposed HOS changes do not pass the test on any of these principles."

Osiecki noted that those pillars are at the core of the Obama administration's recent push to improve the regulatory process, yet are ignored by FMCSA in this proposal.

In an attempt to justify one component of its proposal, FMCSA leans on a study of just 12 people conducted at an in-residence laboratory and released just weeks before the agency's proposal. The study itself recommends "validation of the study findings . . . in a real-world field study," Osiecki said.

FMCSA, Osiecki said, also "relies on a completely different, less sophisticated method" in its regulatory impact analysis than it had in the past in order to calculate the costs and dubious benefits of the proposed changes.

To read the full article click HERE
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