Trailers are a useful and economical way of hauling a variety of cargo. However, as with every vehicle, parts can wear out or break. Either due to excessive wear or to having a blow out, the trailer tires will eventually need to be changed. Changing these mid-sized tires is not…
Properly working trailer lights bulbs is crucial to maintaining road safety. If both bulbs are not functioning or even one is burned out, motorists behind you may not be aware when you are slowing down or planning to turn. Checking your trailer’s light bulbs and replacing them when necessary is…
Trailer lights are installed on trailers to provide breaking, turn signal and caution lights on a trailer. Trailer lights must be connected to the wiring harness of the tow vehicle so that the control functions of the tow vehicle are connected to it. Many vehicles have a wiring harness already…
Aligning Trailer Tongue to an Axle There is virtually no tolerance for misalignment. If the tongue is not mounted properly to the frame, the trailer will not track properly behind the tow vehicle. The further the attachment point is off-center from the axle, the more the trailer will sway while…
Trailer Axles: An axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. On wheeled vehicles, the axle may be fixed to the wheels, rotating with them, or fixed to its surroundings, with the wheels rotating around the axle. In the former case, bearings or bushings are provided at…
Vehicle manufacturers in the United States categorize trucks by gross vehicle weight rating, defined as the combined weight of the truck and its maximum cargo. The Federal Highway Administration categorizes them by their configuration, including the total number of axles and tires and whether the truck typically pulls a trailer….
Truck dispatching is a rapidly growing business. Many companies hire their own dispatcher, but other companies and some individuals who own and operate their own trucks hire the services of a dispatching company. Before the Internet, truck dispatchers kept charts to keep track of drivers and loads. Today, with high…
If you are considering joining the trucking industry it is smart to become familiar with the different trailer categories and types that can be found on the roads throughout the United States. In order to become a truck driver, there are several factors to consider, including what type of trailer…
Surety Bond is a bond issued by an entity on behalf of a second party, guaranteeing that the second party will fulfill an obligation or series of obligations to a third party. In the event that the obligations are not met, the third party will recover its losses via the…
Commercial truck insurance is a necessity for many businesses. Commercial truck insurance is designed to protect vehicles used for business. Though commercial truck insurance can be more complex than regular vehicle insurance, the process is fundamentally similar. Commercial insurance for your truck can be purchased directly from an insurance company…
Trucking companies throughout the United States have installed Global Positioning Systems in their trucks, which allow companies to monitor their fleets and keep better track of customer goods. Also, GPS monitoring allows companies to keep track of employees who are driving recklessly. GPS trucking software enables you to have better…
Logistics officers handle the distribution of a company’s merchandise. They work for retailers, manufacturers and many other industries, loading and unloading packages and sometimes even equipment. Most logistics officers are employed in warehouses, although some work on putting loads on docks, where they remove or place items on large trucks,…
Your truck is both a tool and an investment. Protect it with regular maintenance to ensure it will function without complications and last a long time. While people use their trucks for a variety of duties, the maintenance checklist is typically the same. There are a few parts in the…
Vehicle inspection is a procedure mandated by national or subnational governments in many countries, in which a vehicle is inspected to ensure that it conforms to regulations governing safety, emissions, or both. Inspection can be required at various times. Trucks weighing tens of thousands of lbs. barrel along on highways…
**How to Write Truckload Bidding Bid When bidding a contract for freight transportation you must take into account that you are competing with other companies. You want to set yourself apart from that competition in order to give yourself an edge on the competition. Every government agency or company that…
Freight forwarding, or third-party logistics providers, are the single most effective way to transport goods. Many top companies, such as United Parcel Service and FedEx, act as freight forwarders. U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk says, “More than a quarter of a million U.S. firms export goods. Ninety-seven percent of…
The trucking industry has one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the United States. There are close to 3 million commercial truck drivers in the United States, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor counts, and the figure continues to rise. If you are considering a career change and want…
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was created to minimize the amount of commercial motor vehicle-related injuries and deaths. To hold or obtain a commercial driver’s license , CDL, a driver must pass drug and alcohol tests periodically. Drug and Alcohol Testing • FMCSA regulations require CDL holders to pass…
The trucking industry uses its own specific terms to communicate within the industry and to the freight industry at large. There are terms for all of the tools, gear, drivers and other workers who are associated with trucking. Just like any other industry, the trucking industry has borrowed terms from…
The truck driving profession is one that is least hit by unemployment, and thus is a popular choice for many who need steady income and job security. Anyone can become a truck driver, however, getting the best training can be a challenge. Read on to find out more about truck…
Truckers who own their own rigs lose money when they don’t have freight loads. Income is lost when the truck is not running or driven empty. Finding a freight load available near the location where the last load was dropped is essential. Working with a freight broker or online load…
When using a freight broker to arrange a load, verification of the broker’s surety bond is essential. You can get bond information online, but the FMCSA can’t tell you if the bond has pending claimants. The best way to determine satisfactory bond coverage is to contact the freight broker’s bonding…
An owner operator is a truck driver who owns his own truck and operates as an independent contractor for a variety of companies. An owner operator chooses his own loads, manages his own schedule and works for whomever he likes. The job can be rewarding financially, if the operator manages…
Hauling freight with a truck is common practice; unfortunately, you can’t just throw a bunch of stuff in the back of a truck and drive away; loose cargo can fall out, so it needs to be properly secured first. Follow safety precautions and secure the load to the truck before…
Logistics sales representatives act as a liaison among the clients, trucking carrier, and the receiver. Negotiating fair rates and managing the movement of a client’s goods are the driving force of a logistics company. Logistics sales training is important to the success of a company. Training Objectives Logistics training includes…
