Taking a vacation, or just getting away from the trucking rat race for a few days is something many small and micro-motor carrier owners place on the back burner because they either think they can’t afford it or that their business will go down the tubes if they take a week or two off. On the contrary, as far-fetched as this may seem, a vacation is easily possible with just a bit of proper planning and foresight.

Research shows Americans, not just trucking company owners, work more than anyone in the industrialized world. They take fewer vacation days, work longer hours, and retire later. Several different studies have shown that taking time away from the job has both physical and psychological health benefits. People who take vacations have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve goals.

With all that said, when you own a business, [...]

An app touted as the “Uber for tow trucks” has raised $24 million in a new round of funding overnight as insurance companies look to capitalize on an idea that could change the entire industry.

Honk, a US-based start-up currently only operating in America, links tow truck associations with insurance companies to offer 24/7 roadside assistance controlled through a smartphone app.

Just like Uber, users can request a tow truck around the clock and have the nearest operator connected to them, provided they are interested in taking the job. Users can also rate a tow truck driver based on speed, customer service and pricing.

Honk offers services such as towing, changing tyres, delivering fuel and assisting with drivers who have been locked out of their vehicle.

The start-up aims to replace annual roadside-assistance membership programs [...]

Whether you’re a fan of warm weather or you prefer to stay inside where it’s air-conditioned, you can’t deny that summer is HERE!  The temperatures have been soaring and the sun is blazing. And for tow truck drivers, the change in season means a new set of risks to look out for – roadwork, traffic, weather, sunlight, and heat, to name a few. So, how can a tow truck driver prepare for the new hazards and risks?

 

Check out the following summer tow truck driving tips.

 

1. Be mindful of construction and roadwork.

Summer is prime time for construction, which can mean closed lanes, delays, detours, and traffic. Be extra careful as you navigate through the work zones, which might resemble a maze of pylons more than a road. Pay attention to all road signs and obey them. Slow down, take it easy, and watch for construction workers. The side of the road [...]

Georgia-based Car- Hauler owner-operator Eric Turner Sr. earned Best of Show at the 36th annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs in Raphine, Va., with his 2015 Peterbilt 389.

For winning the competition, Turner took home $10,000 from Shell Rotella and $5,000 from Mac Trailer. Turner’s Pete also picked up the award for Best Interior at the show.

“It feels so good to win the best of show,” Turner said. “Like I said earlier when I was in the judging lane, when I was growing up, all my dad ever had on his tool box was a Shell ROTELLA calendar. And he always said, ‘son one day, you’re going to be on that.’ I’ve never seen that vision, but I guess he’s seen it for me. My dad passed away last [...]

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 22, 2017, contains numerous changes that will affect individuals, as well as businesses large and small. The new tax law has both good and bad news for company drivers but mostly good news for owner-operators and fleet operators.

Owner Operators – Sole Proprietors or S-Corporations

Self-employed individuals and companies will get the same deduction they have always had in the past. Owner-operators will still be able to take a per diem for meals and incidentals, just as they have in the past, since they are in business for themselves, and those costs are deductible business expenses. The new law also implements a 20 percent deduction on net business profits of Pass-Throughs which includes S corporation or sole proprietorship [...]