Driving With Underinflated Tires

Driving With Underinflated Tires: The harsh winters of Central New Jersey can really do a number on heavy-duty vehicles and their tire pressure. In fact, the weather can be to blame for loss of tire inflation pressure (PSI) and decreased fuel mileage. Basic tire maintenance can help truckers avoid missing deadlines due to underinflated tires. Check out what you need to know about changing temperatures and tire PSI. Changes in air temperature can impact how fast air molecules can move within the tire, causing a fluctuation of PSI. So, if you’re a trucker starting out in Florida for a delivery in New England, you will likely notice a dramatic change in PSI by the time you get there. Hot tires not only affect pressure but also the sound of a tire. In fact, warm tires after a long drive can experience a 15 percent increase in inflation pressure compared with cold tires. As the driver, it’s impossible to know the exact pressure rating of your tires by sight. You must be on the lookout for common signs of under-inflation including: The TPMS light illuminates on the dashboard You get reduced steering and handling You have longer stopping distances You [...]

Driving With Underinflated Tires2024-09-09T04:23:48-05:00

“If You Fail to Plan, You Are Planning to Fail”

“If You Fail to Plan, You Are Planning to Fail” - This is a famous quote by Benjamin Franklin that rings true today just as much as it did back then. Even though most people nowadays know this statement is true, many business owners and salespeople still don’t heed these wise words, especially when it comes to landing and securing new accounts. They still ride around town and “wing it” with cold calls, thinking they can just walk in a business and give them their pitch. But there’s a much better way, and it involves planning. Here are some questions to ask yourself to come up with the type of potential customer you want to target. Which sectors… Have the most profit (dealer, PCMO, industrial)? Have the most potential volume? Will you have most success in and why? Are you least likely to succeed in and why? Will you target first? Which geographic areas will you target first? Now that you have the answers to those questions, you can come up with specific companies to go to. Go online to do some preliminary research, peruse association membership lists and look into other resources that contain the pertinent information you [...]

“If You Fail to Plan, You Are Planning to Fail”2022-02-17T15:22:49-05:00

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Training?

If you own a fleet of trucks and are responsible for training many drivers, you may assume that offering as much training as possible is the best option. After all, more is better, right? Not always. Let’s talk about: how much training is too much? Well, there is a thing as too much driver training, as it can lose its effectiveness over time. This situation typically arises when fleets are holding required monthly training assignments for their drivers. Many fleet owners are assigning a block of training each month, with a requirement that drivers must complete the training by the end of the month. It’s actually counter-productive to assign safety training for drivers every month. In fact, it’s not very effective when you want to improve driver knowledge, fleet safety, or workplace culture. Why is that? Well, you can’t just dump a bunch of info in their laps and walk away. You have to take time to review that content, adjust any plans, work on gaps, and ensure that drivers follow through. To ensure training is most effective, you have to determine the effect over time and make crucial decisions based on what you see. If the training gave [...]

Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Training?2022-01-11T18:00:26-05:00

Safe Driving Tips From Truck Drivers

More than 53 million Americans are expected to travel by car this holiday season, says AAA – the highest since 2005. That’s great for reconnecting with friends and family, but all that high traffic volume contributes not only to congestion but to a reduction in speeds as well. Because millions of motorists will be sharing the road with large trucks over the next couple weeks, truck drivers and motorists in smaller vehicles have to be extra diligent about keeping themselves and others safe. There are many additional challenges to traveling over the holiday and winter season, including low visibility, high winds, blowing snow and freezing temperatures. It’s important for truckers and motorists to perform a thorough pre-trip inspection and make sure they understand the driving conditions for the day before setting out. Here are some reminders for motorists about important elements of safe driving, including how you should safely operate a small passenger vehicle near a large tractor-trailer. Safety Tips Always wear your seat belt. Seat belts may not prevent accidents but they can save your life. Scrape ice and snow off your vehicle before driving. Don’t forget the roof! When you leave snow and ice on your car, [...]

Safe Driving Tips From Truck Drivers2021-12-15T16:05:27-05:00

Getting Your CDL: The Basics For Getting Started

If you are planning to get your CDL, there are some things you need to know before getting started. First, it’s recommended that you take a CDL training program. Second, you must have the following if you plan to get your CDL or get hired as a truck driver: Clean driving record Clean criminal record Clean drug/alcohol history Healthy medical record Recent and verifiable work history Let’s go more in-depth on all of these. Driving History Most companies will want to see a three-year motor vehicle record, with no speeding tickets, careless driving, suspensions, or accidents. Just an FYI, a 15-mile-over-the-speed-limit ticket is still considered reckless driving! And a suspended license for any reason – even for not paying a ticket, failure to register your vehicle or lack of insurance – will not put you in a favorable light. Let’s say you have 20 years of clean driving, then over the last year you got two tickets for moving violations. This will still seriously affect your chances of getting hired. Don’t even think about lying on your application. You must tell potential employers about any expunged convictions. They will do their research and if you haven’t been honest, you [...]

Getting Your CDL: The Basics For Getting Started2021-11-16T15:20:14-05:00

Top Locations For Fuel Stations When Disaster Strikes

Top Locations For Fuel Stations When Disaster Strikes - You never know when or where a natural disaster will strike, so it’s important to be prepared in knowing where you will get fuel when you need it. At these critical times, resources become scarce yet still remain vital for local communities. Not only do vehicles and generators need fuel, construction and emergency vehicles need it as well. Oil companies can do their part to set up emergency stations to provide the necessary fuel. Location selection is one of the main factors. Here are five location suggestions for fuel stations and the benefits of each. 1.      Schools Local schools can be a central hub when a major disaster hits. Schools can provide outlets for resources such as food and bottled water. They’re ideal because they’re usually located in central spots around town and have plenty of parking for people who need emergency fuel. Fuel trucks can also use driveways and people can use the loops to fill up on gas and ensure the smooth flow of traffic. 2.      Malls Shopping mall parking lots are great because they’re easy to control traffic and long lines of cars. The mall building can [...]

Top Locations For Fuel Stations When Disaster Strikes2021-10-21T16:40:45-05:00

Generators: Gasoline or Diesel?

Gasoline and diesel are the two main options when it comes to fueling your generators. Both fuel options have their similarities: they’re both readily available and dependable, plus they generate low emissions and give you on-demand power. But these fuels also have their differences, which makes them ideal for different applications. Whether your business needs a prime or standby generator, here’s how to choose between gasoline and diesel generators so you can make the most informed decision. Fuel Consumption Diesel generators are more efficient than gasoline generators because they don't burn as much fuel to produce the required power. They also have a higher compression rate, requiring less fuel to run. This makes them tops in terms of cost-efficiency. You can reduce your operating costs and improve your bottom line with diesel generators. Safety Diesel is less flammable than gasoline, so it’s the safer bet. For instance, a diesel generator would be better for a business that routinely handles chemicals and combustible products, due to its less explosive nature and low probability of accidental ignition. Additionally, if you plan to store the generator next to heat sources, go with diesel because it has a longer shelf life than gasoline. [...]

Generators: Gasoline or Diesel?2021-09-14T16:41:29-05:00

Heavy Construction Equipment Fuel Saving

Heavy construction equipment features large engines that run on fuel. As you can imagine, your fuel budgets has to be equally as large in order to accommodate this allocation. But if you’re not careful, those fuel expenses can reduce your profit margins -- fast. Good news is, you can utilize practical strategies to save on fuel and thus on money. Here are tips for reducing fuel consumption in your heavy construction equipment. 1.      Maintain Your Equipment Poorly maintained equipment has to work harder to achieve the same result, which sucks up more gas. You’ll have to service your equipment regularly to boost fuel efficiency. This is why it’s critical to regularly maintain your equipment with regular cleaning, oil checks, and lubrication of all moving parts, as well as proper tire inflation. Underinflated tires have high rolling resistance, which makes your engine work harder and use more fuel. Tell your drivers and operators to regularly check the tires and inflate them. 2.      Hire Skilled Operators Whether your equipment is owned by you outright or you rent it, your operators should have advanced skills and a detailed knowledge of every machine they work with. When they’re not well trained on the [...]

Heavy Construction Equipment Fuel Saving2021-08-19T13:36:18-05:00

Top 5 Tips For Reducing Your Fleet’s Fuel Costs

Top 5 Tips For Reducing Your Fleet’s Fuel Costs - Fuel represents one of the biggest cost expenditures for any fleet. In fact, in many cases, it can account for up to 60 percent of the operating budget! That’s why fleet owners and managers should be seeking out ways to reduce fuel consumption and costs, while increasing their bottom line. Sure, cost of gas per gallon is out of your control, but there are plenty of other factors you can control that impact fleet fuel spend. These include anything from driver behavior to vehicle type and condition. Here are five ways to reduce your fleet's fuel costs and save cash. 1.      Upgrade to More Fuel-Efficient Vehicles The best way to improve your fleet's fuel economy is to get rid of your older, underperforming, gas-guzzling, high mileage vehicles and replace them with brand new models that are more fuel-efficient with higher MPG ratings. You may even consider upgrading to vehicles that rely on alternative fuels or hybrids for overall better fuel economy. 2.      Perform Regular Maintenance on Your Vehicles This is another great way to save money on fleet fuel. It’s important to schedule vehicle maintenance because it improves MPG [...]

Top 5 Tips For Reducing Your Fleet’s Fuel Costs2024-09-09T04:29:17-05:00

Cleaner Fuels: What to Expect

Cleaner Fuels: What to Expect - As we progress through 2021, the hope is that the use of biodiesel continues to rise. Did you know? 88% lower than ULSD, a cleaner-burning diesel fuel containing less than 97 percent less sulfur than low-sulfur diesel (LSD). 85% lower than CNG (compressed natural gas). This is a fuel gas that is made from natural gas and comprised mostly of methane. 65% lower than an EV (electric vehicle) Biodiesel is something that can make a big impact immediately. The best part about biodiesel is that it doesn’t need updates to equipment or infrastructure. Rather, the biodiesel blends are simple drop-in fuels. Supply is strong enough to meet demands all across the country. Did you know that biodiesel has seen a 600 percent increase in consumption in the last decade? New Ways of Using Biodiesel Biodiesel is getting used in more innovative ways as more fleets try it out. The exploration of higher blends will continue to happen, too. It used to be that B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% ULSD) blends were the gold standard; well now, they’re going even higher, up to B100. In fact, B100 pilots are faring well, even in cold climates. There [...]

Cleaner Fuels: What to Expect2021-06-04T16:07:59-05:00
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