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Towing Industry News & Events

Towing Industry News & Events

Get latest news and events for the towing service industry right here.

We’ve searched the web and collected the latest in towing industry news and events. Find real stories about towing professionals.

Professional Towman and Towing Industry News

Occupational Safety on the Road for Tow Truck Drivers

Tow Truck Safety: Staying Protected on the Road
Tow truck operators face daily risks from hazardous weather to inattentive drivers. This guide offers practical safety tips based on OSHA standards to help drivers stay safe, compliant, and prepared for the road.

A Comprehensive Guide to Placing a Lien for Towing and Storage Fees in the U.S.

Unpaid towing and storage fees can burden towing companies, but lien laws provide a solution. This guide outlines the essential steps—completing services, notifying owners, verifying charges, filing the lien, and enforcing it—while highlighting state-specific variations. Stay compliant and protect your financial interests by following these key practices.

Highlights from the 2024 Baltimore Tow Xpo

See photos from this year's show below!With this tow show now in the books, we at East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales would like to take a moment to reflect on the highlights of the show. We always enjoy our time in Baltimore and look forward to the next year's show. Follow us on Facebook, [...]

The American Towman Exposition: Baltimore 2024

November 21st – 23rd at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland - Come out and see us at the Tow Show! We’re looking forward to seeing you all at the upcoming Towman Exposition in Baltimore! We’re bringing truckloads of straps, apparel, dollies and more. We will have more than 30 trucks available for sale exclusively [...]

The Future-Proof Business Model for Waste Management: How We Can Help

Future-Proof Business Model for Waste Management – The waste management industry is embracing innovation, shifting from traditional disposal to resource recovery and circular economy models. Companies are adopting advanced technologies like IoT, smart sorting, and renewable energy solutions to enhance efficiency, meet regulatory demands, and prioritize sustainability.

We’ll see you at the 2024 Tennessee Tow Show!

Come out and join us at the show!

Come to the 2024 Midwest Regional Tow Show

Come out and join us at the show!

2024 Brake Safety Week – August 25 to 31

The CVSA announces upcoming week of inspections in advance to increase compliance. Keep Your Brakes in Top Condition: Essential Tips for Brake Safety The braking system is one of the most critical components of any commercial motor vehicle, ensuring the safety of drivers, passengers, and other motorists on the road. As the 2024 Brake Safety [...]

Come to the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Tow Expo – Raleigh

Come out and join us at the show!

Come to the 2024 Dallas Tow Xpo

Come out and join us at the show!

Come to the 2024 Texas Tow Show

Come out and join us at the show!

Come to the 2024 Las Vegas Tow Show

Come out and join us at the show!

Highlights from the 2024 Mid-America Trucking Show

We saw some pretty amazing things! After being away from this show for a long while, our seminal return to the Kentucky event proved to be quite memorable.

New Integrated MPL-60

New Year – New Rotator

Hypothermia Quick Guide

Learn how to protect yourself and your team from Hypothermia. This is a quick guide of steps you can take to stop the worst from happening if someone gets into a predicament.

2024 Mid-America Trucking Show

East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales will be exhibiting at the Mid-America Trucking Show for the first time in 15 years! Come out to the Kentucky Exposition Center and join 860+ exhibitors and over 55,000 attendees to experience 40+ events at the trucking industry's largest trade show.   MATS BOOTH #30095 Visit our Exhibitor Profile [...]

We Want To Know…

Domestic or Imported Straps - Do you have a preference? We asked our customers and here are the results! Important factors to consider when making purchases: Quality Competitive pricing Speed of delivery   East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales offers high quality parts that are competitively priced with fast shipping because all of our products [...]

2024 CARB Update

CARB is focused on cleaning up heavy-duty vehicle pollution to reduce smog-forming oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and toxic diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions and the resulting health risks. What are the risks? NOx and PM can deeply affect your lungs and may even get into your bloodstream. Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure [...]

How to Solve Demolition and Disposal Logistics Issues

Businesses who perform major home improvements and renovations must dispose of their construction or demolition debris by bringing it to an approved facility, landfill, or by renting a dumpster. Some states offer landfill alternative services, specializing in commercial waste disposal service and recycling, but they can accept any types of material waste. Equipment used to dispose of [...]

We are grateful for you message

This season of many holidays, we are stepping out of hustle-mode, with celebration in our hearts, to say thank you for the many hours you work doing the things that help others: picking them up when they break down, fixing vehicles, getting vehicles where they need to go, saving lives, cleaning up after accidents, cleaning [...]

Annual Edmarc Holiday Fund Drive 2023

Dan Short, an ECTTS salesman who lost his life in 2021, shared his stories with us of how Edmarc was there to support his family during the hardships they went through losing a child. Dan and ECTTS teamed up, and since his passing, we have continued to support this cause that was so dear to [...]

Highlights from the 2023 Baltimore Tow Xpo

What a great show!With this tow show now in the books, we at East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales would like to take a moment to reflect on the highlights of the show. We always enjoy our time in Baltimore and look forward to the next year's show. Trucks on the lot 11 Vehicles Matching: [...]

5 Year/200K Mile Term Assembly Aftertreatment Coverage DPF Assembly SCR Assembly Aftertreatment Injector Decomposition Reactor $500 Deductible (Medium Duty Commercial) Powertrain Care Plus Coverage (Required Base Plan) Engine, Transmission, Drive-line, Steering & Air Conditioning Benefits $100 “Sign-and-Go” Roadside Assistance $100 Towing Allowance $45/Day Car Rental Allowance $1,000 Trip Interruption Coverage $50 Plan Transfer Fee INCLUDING [...]

The American Towman Exposition: Baltimore 2023

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! We're looking forward to seeing you all at the upcoming Towman Exposition in Baltimore, now just days away! We're bringing THREE truck loads of straps, apparel, dollies and more. We will have more than 20 trucks available for sale exclusively at the show, including an all [...]

2023 Top Safety Tips for National Safety Month

Tow Times Magazine puts out its list of 10 Tips to keep your wrecker or rollback safe To handle the toughest jobs on the road a tow truck needs to be loaded up with the proper recovery and tow equipment tie-down and connection gear and necessary tools. However, a tow operator must also ensure the [...]

2023 DOT Week – May 16 to 18

The United States Department of Transportation will conduct safety inspections May 16th - May 18th. DOT Blitz 2023 is a week-long annual inpsection event by the Department of Transportation that promotes safety in the industrial truck industry by conducting rigorous inspections of commercial trucks and drivers. Inspectors will be looking fr any and all potential [...]

A Transforming Fleet

As Andrew Van Winkel, manager/supervisor of A+ Towing of Eugene, Oregon, was working on the expansion phase of adding heavy duty wreckers to the company's fleet several years ago, he suggested naming their new units after characters from the Transformers which is an ongoing sci-fi action series of movies that took off post 2000’s, built [...]

AAA Nebraska Launches “Move Over for Me” Campaign

October 14, 2022 AAA has long supported state “Move Over” laws, which require drivers to slow down and move over for emergency responders on the roadside, yet each year there continue to be an alarming number of fatalities reported due to motorists failing to slow down and change lanes for roadside work and distressed vehicles. [...]

Solid Teamwork: Recovering One Big Fracking Crane

By George L. Nitti One hot summer’s day, B & B Wrecker Service of Pecos and Big Sky Towing of Odessa came together at the town of Monahans (population ~ 6,953), right off of route number 20, to perform a recovery operation on a crane that had overturned there. Cranes being an indispensable component of [...]

This Month in Towing: October 2022

Top stories this month from Tow Times Magazine October 5, 2022 California Tow Operator Dies from Medical Emergency While Clearing Crash Responding to a vehicle crash in Bakersfield, Calif., a tow truck driver has died while clearing a crash on Tuesday night, October 4. The Bakersfield Police Department reports the operator was working a minor [...]

2022 Las Vegas American Towman ShowPlace

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! At the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada come to the American Towman ShowPlace - Las Vegas event featuring heavy duty equipment used in trucks, transport trailers, truck engines, truck cabin interiors, tow truck accessories, winches, emergency light products, engine components, wheels, [...]

Hot Weather Risks

Tow Industry Week 2022 With an extreme heat wave covering a large portion of the U.S. this week, now is a good time to address environmental exposure and OSHA compliance. As part of your workplace safety program, it is your duty to provide your employees with an environment free from recognized hazards. As employers you [...]

The American Towman Exposition: Baltimore 2021

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! Looking for a new wrecker? We will have several standard and heavy duty wreckers exclusively for sale at the Baltimore Tow Expo! Come out and see us there November 12th 1p – 5p, November 13th 11a – 6p, or November 14th 11a – 4p! Come see [...]

2021 Tennessee Tow Show

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales is pleased to announce we will be attending the Tennessee Tow Show in Chattanooga, TN, this October hosted, as previously, by Tow Times and the Tennessee Tow Truck Association. The hosts anticipate a large crowd this year and so recommend [...]

Mid-America’s Tow Show: The Towman Games

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! Over 100 exhibitors are accommodated inside the world class Huntington Convention Center. The industry’s wrecker, carrier, trailer and chassis builders all exhibit. Today there are many satellite-distributor booths adding many more tow trucks for sale on the floor. The suppliers exhibiting cover an amazing sprectrum of [...]

2022 Brake Safety Week – August 21 to 27

The CVSA announces upcoming week of inspections in advance to increase compliance. This year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Operation Airbrake Program will hold two annual brake safety inspections. The 2022 Brake Safety Week has been announced to take place starting August 21st and ending August 27th and there will be an unannounced one-day [...]

Las Vegas American Towman ShowPlace

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! At the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada come to the American Towman ShowPlace - Las Vegas event featuring heavy duty equipment used in trucks, transport trailers, truck engines, truck cabin interiors, tow truck accessories, winches, emergency light products, engine components, wheels, [...]

Operation Safe Driver Week – July 11 to 17, 2021

Set for July 11-17, the week-long event will again focus on speeding and unsafe driving behaviors. In response to an 8% increase in on-the-road deaths in 2020, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has decided to reiterate last year’s focus on speeding and unsafe driving behaviors during this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week. Taking place [...]

San Antonio Tow Expo 2021

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! American Towman’s trade show tour makes its debut this year with the TowExpo, the biggest industry conference in the Southwest to take place in San Antonio Texas August 5-7! The city of San Antonio, ranked seventh in the nation in the number of people who reside [...]

2021 Truck Driving Industry Statistics

If you've ever driven down a highway, you've seen commercial truck drivers performing their jobs. But have you ever wondered who these drivers are, what their days look like, or how dangerous their jobs are to their health and lives? Or, as you've driven past a vehicle, have you thought about what laws govern them? [...]

Families of tow truck accident victims testify on “move over” bill

Slow down and move over when you see flashing lights Families -March 25th, 2021 HELENA, Mont. - "Slow down and move over when you see flashing lights," it’s a sentiment being echoed at the State Capitol after two tow truck drivers were killed last fall near Columbus. Casey Allen and Nick Visser died when a [...]

Tow Bill In Akron To Reform Police Tows

Akron deal would inject immediate and ongoing competition into who gets exclusive towing rights. - March 23rd, 2021 A police towing reform bill that was introduced on March 1 and then subject to further review will allow more towing and roadside service companies to compete fairly and openly for police vehicle tows throughout seven of [...]

Take the Roll-Off Quiz!

The Advantages of Using Roll-Off Trucks The advantage to using a roll-off truck or dumpster truck as opposed to a fixed body truck is the freedom to load any type of container that sits on rails. (This flexibility is highly valued in the industry as it allows for a smaller yet versatile fleet). Also, with [...]

ECTTS Brings Work Trucks to cover ANY Job to American Towman Expo Atlantic City!

See What's In Store at the 31st Annual American Towman Association Expo! --11/22/2019 The biggest event coming to Atlantic City this season, the American Towman Association's Exposition XXXI is taking place December 4-7, 2019. After spending the last few years attending the event in Baltimore, we're super excited to see our Atlantic City friends for [...]

Don’t Miss the 2019 NACV Atlanta Show!

You do not want to miss this year's North American Commercial Vehicle Show. This amazing commercial trade show is coming around the bend to Atlanta from October 28 to 31, 2019. At East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales, it's our first time exhibiting at NACV, and we are ready for the fun! NACV is the [...]

Time for the 2019 Tennessee Tow Show! — Join Us for the Fun!

Enjoy Special Discounts & New Products Making Their Debut! The 2019 Tennessee Tow Show is right around the corner! With new dates this year, the Tow Show will take place in Chattanooga from October 10-13, 2019 — and we are so excited you wouldn't believe it! It's the perfect time of year to enjoy the [...]

Don’t Miss the Fun: The Midwest Regional Tow Show Is Here!

Mark Your Calendars for Sept 27-29 Here comes the Midwest Regional Tow Show — the biggest tow show in the whole Midwest! Where else can you meet up with friends and colleagues, all while checking out cool new rigs and equipment? Personally, we can't wait! At East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales, this is one of our [...]

Staying Awake–Tips for Tow Truck Drivers

Thirty-seven percent of people admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel. Here’s what to do to make sure you’re not one of them. Fatigued driving is an issue not to be treated lightly, especially among truck drivers or towing operators. After driving long hours, it is understandable that one will feel tired and even unintentionally [...]

Take a Minute, Thank a Driver It’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

09/08/2019 It’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, the time of year when motor carriers and others connected to trucking make a special effort to recognize the professionals who keep the freight moving. Throughout the week, special events will take place to honor them, and many of those events will feature food. Lots of it. So [...]

NTDAW Makes Big-League Move With Trucking Day at Nationals Park

-08/22/2019 If you’ve ever enjoyed nachos or a hot dog at baseball game, you have a truck driver to thank for transporting it. On Sept. 13, American Trucking Associations will do just that as it honors truck drivers during a major league baseball game on Trucking Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The event [...]

Join East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales at the Dallas Tow Show Aug. 15-18, 2019

Hook Up With Great Deals on Towing Parts & Supplies at the 2019 Dallas Tow Expo The Dallas Tow Expo happening this week is a must-do event for towing and recovery professionals — East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales will be there with the latest in Jerr-Dan wreckers plus two semi truckloads of towing equipment [...]

How The Car Towing Field is Born

The Debut of This Great Industry -08/08/2019 It All Started With The Old Professor In 1916, Cadillacs and Ford Model T’s where the main types of cars that people use to travel around places. One day, a mechanic from Chattanooga, Tennessee named Ernest Holmes received a call from his old professor saying that his Ford [...]

Points to Note in Carrying Out Heavy Duty Towing

Safety Measure to Carry Out to Prevent Damage and Injuries -08/06/2019 Heavy duty towing is not an easy job, and not all the tow truck companies are capable of carry out this task. In order to execute a flawless tow, it requires experience, skills and great attention to complete the job. Here we shall examine [...]

Business A guide to owner-operator success

Winning trucking company strategies for owner-ops -08/02/2019 A detailed, thoughtfully written business plan is more than just an outline from which to start a business. It’s the guide you use to be successful.  Following is a list of solid reasons why a trucking company needs to have a business plan. Set specific objectives. To correctly [...]

After the crash: What to do

How Transportation Professionals Can Limit Liability -07/24/2019 Anyone even loosely involved in the transportation industry is familiar with the increased demand and rapid growth of the last few years. For example, motor carriers are busier than ever. The booming economy has increased the amount of freight needing to be transported, so transportation companies report they [...]

Vintage Navy Aircraft Recovery

Vintage Navy Aircraft Recovery -07/24/2019 Kelvin and Janette Ramer established Auto Care Lifesaver Towing in Watsonville, California, in 1991. The business has been family owned and operated for the last 28 years and has expanded to include Kelvin’s brother Clinton, as well as the Ramers’ children Rosalee and Ben. They maintain a fleet of 16 [...]

How To Help Drivers Ace CVSA’s Operation Safe

Driver Behavior Still Causes Over 88% Of Large Truck Crashes 07/12/2019   Driver behavior is the reason for over 88 percent of large truck crashes and 93 percent of passenger vehicle crashes1. Despite the evidence, many commercial and passenger vehicle drivers continue to partake in risky driving. The impact of these behaviors – such as [...]

Drivers Who Ignore Va.’s Move Over law Could Face Harsher Punishment

July 1st Virginia's Move Over Law Just Toughened The Penalties There are just a few of the hundreds of new laws going into effect on July 1st in the Commonwealth. But there are two super important ones that Virginia Auto Transport drivers need to know. 1. Failure to Move Over for Emergency Vehicles Is Reckless Driving Virginia has had a "Move Over Law" that requires [...]

Driving forces: Women taking on more lucrative trucker jobs

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS OF BEING A TOW TRUCK DRIVER You hear complaints about today's truck driver shortage almost as much as you hear them about the weather. So why aren't more fleets and trucking companies trying to increase their drivers from the most obviously underrepresented population demographic among professional drivers out there: Women? According to the [...]

Tow Truck Drivers Face Many Hazards on the Roads

Potential Risks of Being a Tow Truck Driver Those drivers who are considering a tow truck driver career or operating their own tow truck business should be aware that it is a very dangerous job. Injuries and fatalities are very high among tow truck drivers. Accidents regularly occur when the tow truck driver is loading a vehicle onto the [...]

Where Car Crashes and Hazardous Waste Spills Are a Good Thing

Cleaning up Spills in First Responder Training An aerial view of the training track for first responders on the grounds of the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s training center in Nashville. Tennessee Highway Patrol NASHVILLE, Tenn. — About a dozen miles from downtown, in a wooded area on the grounds of a former state mental health institution, [...]

Safety on the Road

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS OF BEING A TOW TRUCK DRIVER Safety on the Road Every occupation has its own risks, big or small. While being on the road is a risk in itself, tow truck drivers face even more challenges than a regular motorist. They may be heroes to those stuck on the side of the road [...]

Sleep Apnea & Safe Driving

Sleep Apnea & Safe Driving The Truckers & Turnover Project, led by Stephen Burks, with the University of Minnesota Morris, has earned the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies 2019 Robert C. Johns Research Partnership Award for researching commercial drivers and untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In the study, the research team identified that non-adherent drivers [...]

32 TRUCK DRIVING ESSENTIALS TO BRING ON THE ROAD

Truck driving jobs mean you live in your truck, and living in your truck means you need to pack it all! The essentials, entertainment options and work related items for a smooth ride. With this checklist, you’ll be able to pack the important stuff!   Infographic courtesy of CDL Jobs

How systematic are you in your maintenance process?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently announced that it is gathering information on the role of maintenance in vehicle safety. One area FMCSA wants to focus on is understanding what is meant by “systematic.” Current regulations say that fleets must have programs to “systematically inspect, repair and maintain” trucks. However, there is no clear-cut definition [...]

What does PM (preventive maintenance) really mean?

What does PM really mean? In some cases it means lights out, afternoon, or even after dark — as in post-meridian. But in other cases, "PM" is surrounded by a lack of understanding at a moment in time. It is clear that PM has different meanings to each person responsible for managing or performing the preventive maintenance process. Therefore, [...]

HOW TO BUY AND MAINTAIN WIRE ROPE FOR YOUR TOW TRUCK

Wire rope is the lifeline of your tow truck. We’ll help you understand the terminology, construction and ratings of wire rope. We’ll also give you advice on what type of rope to buy, how to attach it to a hook without losing towing capacity, how to inspect and maintain it, how to prevent damage, and [...]

Maintenance considerations for air disc brakes

Air disc brakes (ADB) continue to grow in popularity, and there are a number of reasons for this. Improved safety, shorter stopping distances, consistent stopping power and more efficient maintenance practices all help to lower both the cost per mile as well as vehicle downtime. As an example, the estimated time for a wheel-end drum [...]

Vehicle Wrap Statistics

More than 95% of Americans are reached by media targeting vehicle drivers and passengers. Individual vehicle advertising generates between 30,000 to 70,000 daily vehicle impressions. The average American has traveled 302 miles in the past 7 days. Outdoor advertising deliver immediate results for advertisers. 29% say outdoor advertising caused them to visit a retail store [...]

Will you survive winter?

You can’t prevent or ignore temperatures below zero, ice, snow, sleet, deicing chemicals. You can, however, spend time before bad weather sets in getting your trucks ready for winter’s onslaught and then pay extra attention to a few specific areas during the winter. If you follow these tips, winter is likely to be less harsh for you. [...]

Middleweights doing big jobs

Not to be outdone by their more numerous light-duty siblings, medium-duty trucks covering Classes 4-6 have been the object of a flurry of development and experimentation the last few years. They're often on the job with upfit bodies of various kinds serving trades and utilities or handling last-mile and metro/urban-area deliveries and distribution, and they [...]

5 ways to prep for the downturn: With the economy cooling, owner-operators must be ready for leaner times

The final quarter of 2018 presented more mixed results for freight indicators than the roar of late 2017 and the first half of 2018. Still, rates remained near historic highs as trucking capacity held tight. As the year ended, the economy appeared stable despite that lull. Little risk of a recession looms for 2019, with [...]

Truckers with depression find hope and others to listen online

Veteran driver Michael Suson came home one day and told his wife that a colleague had shot himself dead. The driver had suffered from depression. Suson, who had been driving for over 25 years knew about truckers and their high incidence of depression – he also suffered its effects – but until about four years ago, he [...]

MDOT Demonstrates ‘Move Over’ Law

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Every day, thousands of emergency responders put their lives on the line to save others. While the rapid response is crucial, several workers have died over the years in the line of duty. More than 500 people die in traffic crashes every year in Maryland. Dozens of emergency responders have been killed or [...]

ELDs and trucking: A pain in the neck (and back and elsewhere)

About 60% of Canadian truck drivers suffer from musculoskeletal (MSD) pain – aching in their muscles and bones – because of their job, according to researchers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario. The results mirror those of US drivers' health and wellbeing studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control. "It’s not that surprising that muscular skeletal disorders [...]

Tow truck driver hailed hero after helping state trooper with traffic stop moments before dying

ARCOLA, Texas -- A former Arcola City Council member died a hero, a state trooper wrote in a moving Facebook post. The story of how Glenn "Bam Bam" Sanco lived out the final hours of his life has been shared hundreds of times, and is giving comfort to his grieving widow. "He had my back [...]

Poor dental health on the road can turn fatal

Imagine visiting the dentist for what you think is a quick pain fix and ending up in a hospital emergency room?

Dr. Thomas Roemer, the dentist at the Iowa 80 Truckstop, has seen it too many times. His practice is 95% emergency, drop-in care, but too often it’s beyond any dental intervention.

“My biggest advice to truck drivers is to keep themselves out of a medical emergency by making sure a dental problem doesn’t turn into a medical problem…I’m not here to say to [most of my patients], ‘Hey, you need to get your teeth cleaned and examined.’ We’re beyond that. It’s a situation where they have to get some kind of care to try to stay out the medical emergency room. I know I keep saying ‘medical, but there’s a handful of guys over the years I’ve sent to the hospital because I can’t even treat them. It’s actually that bad and I’ve said: ‘You […]

15 ESSENTIAL WINTER TRUCKING SAFETY TIPS

Winter trucking safety tips for truckers: driving a tractor-trailer in serious winter conditions, demands a specific set of skills for all drivers, especially big rig drivers. Too many drivers on the highways do not alter their driving skills, when driving in poor weather conditions, on snow-covered or icy roads. Good maneuvering and skid control skills [...]

Truckers: Stay ahead of the cold

Chilly days out there this winter across America—it's the perfect time for stuff on a truck to break, and you really don't want it to.  Trucking is an industry where the work always gets done, no matter the challenges – and there are many challenges. Staying on top of new legislation and regulation, monitoring new technologies and their benefits, and creating a [...]

Tesla wraps matte black Semi prototype in stunning red amid continued road tests

Tesla is yet to provide any details behind its decision to change the color of one of its Semi test mules. That said, the new wrap does make the vehicle stand out more, resulting in more visibility for the upcoming all-electric long-hauler. With such an eye-popping color scheme, after all, the vehicle would likely catch [...]

5 tips for truckers away from home for the holidays

It’s rarely easy to be away from friends and family during Christmas or New Year’s, but there are things drivers can do to make the holidays more full of cheer. Few people want to be at work during the holidays. But for many truckers, that is their fate this time of year as they work [...]

Barrar’s Bill to Authorize Tow Truck Lights and Increase Safety Becomes Law

HARRISBURG, PA-Legislation sponsored by Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) that would better protect tow truck operators by authorizing the use of emergency lights to increase other drivers’ visibility was recently signed into law. House Bill 1414, now Act 83, authorizes flashing yellow and white lights on tow trucks, yellow strobe lights for solid waste collection vehicles [...]

Dolly Safety Revealed

Reading through the various towing forums, the uninitiated can draw multiple conclusions over a single event—often erroneously. Much of the disparity in operating the self-loading dolly stems from a lack of uniform training or, for some, any real training at all. We are here to help. Since first coming to the scene in 1972, self-loading [...]

Hurricane Michael relief drivers exempt from HOS rules

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration(FMCSA) has exempted motor carriers and drivers involved in Hurricane Michael relief efforts in eight states from Hours of Service and other parts of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, or FMCSRs, in an extended regional emergency declaration. “Catastrophic Hurricane Michael continues to intensify as it approaches the Florida Panhandle," AccuWeather [...]

5 Heart Disease Myths Busted As World Heart Day Approaches

World Heart Day is Sept. 29 and the World Heart Federation, which is made up of members such as the American Heart Association, is busting five common myths about heart disease. 1. “Heart disease only affects older people.” FALSE. Heart disease is not limited to one particular age group. The World Heart Federation cites data [...]

Expediter Services, Women In Trucking team up to help women start their own transportation businesses

Expediter Services and the Women In Trucking Association have reached a new milestone in their collaborative effort to create 150 women-owned businesses in transportation. The program announced that it had welcomed its 50th participant last week. The 150 Business Challenge gives women the opportunity to start their own small businesses in transportation, many as owner-operators [...]

From yoga to cooking in the cab, a healthy lifestyle starts with the choices drivers make

Hope Zvara and Phil Knuckey co-founded Mother Trucker Yoga, and Tom Kryk is a blogger at Road Tested Living, a cook, and a truck driver. The three of them are among the presenters at GATS (and there are a lot of them) touting their knowledge, but also pitching a common theme: it’s about doing what you [...]

JERR-DAN EXPANDS WEST COAST PRESENCE

Jerr-Dan Corporation (Hagerstown, Maryland) recently sold its first rotator in the state of California to Frank Scotto Towing in Torrance, California. The sale of this 50/60 Ton, Tandem Steer JFB Rotator reinforces Jerr-Dan’s steady west coast expansion strategy.

“We are honored that Frank Scotto Towing and the Van Lingen Group would be the first to secure a Jerr-Dan rotator in California,” said Jeff Irr, senior director of marketing and sales, Jerr-Dan.  “As we expand our presence and offerings on the West Coast, we continue to partner with our Jerr-Dan distributors to offer towers the solutions they need.”

Frank Scotto Towing is part of the Van Lingen Group of companies.  As a third-generation family-owned and operated business, Van Lingen is southern Los Angeles’ most trusted name in towing and recovery. With four locations, Van Lingen is a leader in swift, efficient, one-call-and-done towing service for businesses and municipalities alike.

“We find the Jerr-Dan to be the best […]

Impact of the 2018 Tax Changes for Truck Drivers

No one likes change, but there is typically a light at the end of the tunnel. Or at least that's what over-the-road company truck drivers are hoping for when it comes time to file 2018 taxes. Many drivers itemize deductions, including per diem rate pay, supplies gear, etc and until the new laws, could expect [...]

Progressive taps into ELD data in quest to better align insurance premiums with risk

With ELDs in nearly every truck, it was only a matter of time before insurance companies started to utilize the devices. Progressive (NYSE: PGR) is among the first, launching a new discount program for truckers that provide Progressive access to their ELD data. The Smart Haul program is billed as a “user-based insurance (UBI) program,” but [...]

This is the most brutally honest “Truck Driver Appreciation” video we’ve ever seen

Florida comedian Josh Pray delivers an honest and laugh-out-loud hilarious “thank you”  to the unsung hero of the American economy — the truck driver.

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week: Let’s celebrate those who supply our lives and strengthen the economy

While your Labor Day weekend may have been stocked with food, refreshments, barbeque grills, beach toys and lots of other fun items, truck drivers across America made that happen. They were busy traveling and making deliveries door-to-door and then getting back on the road to the next safe delivery. Chances are you saw a truck [...]

Rumor Confirmed: A New 7.3L Gas V8 is Coming to the Ford Super Duty

Rumors have been swirling about a new engine from Ford to replace the aging 6.2-liter V8 and the 6.8-liter V10, and now an inside source has confirmed to TFLTruck that it will be a new 7.3-liter gas engine. Word broke of a possible new 7.3-liter V8 from Ford when a document leaked online over a [...]

How drivers can stop diabetes before it starts

Drivers with pre-diabetes – the precursor to Type 2 diabetes – is a warning sign for truckers and costly for fleets. Fortunately, it doesn’t take that much effort to keep a driver from becoming diabetic even if they are already diagnosed with pre-diabetes, according to health care experts. This problem can be turned around with [...]

NACFE study: Fleets adopting efficiency technologies save millions at the pump

(The full report, released on Aug. 28, can be found through this link.) A study of 20 fleets found adoption of fuel efficiency technologies resulted in a savings of more than $600 million in 2017, compared with the average truck currently on the highway. The study issued by the North American Council on Freight Efficiency (NACFE) found these [...]

Hours reforms process swirling, ATRI and Trucker Nation push sleep studies to back 14-hour flexibility

In kicking off its potential hours of service reforms process last week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration cited two specific proposals brought to the agency as starting points to the hours conversation at large. At the core of both of those proposals is a chief — if not the chief — wish for many owner-operators: an end [...]

Tow Truck Operators Overlooked Link in Accident Response Chain

Vehicles collide on a well-used stretch of highway; a single car goes off a back road in the middle of the night. Auto accidents happen every day, caused by weather or sudden mistakes, and scenes of inconvenience or tragic devastation are quickly encircled by police cruisers, fire engines, ambulances and, waiting nearby, a tow truck or two.

Like other first responders, tow operators are subjected to many of the shocking sights faced by law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians, which is simply part of a job many of them continue to do despite the possibilities of mental and physical strain, but also risks to their financial health.

While emergency personnel who try to save lives and maintain order are certain to be paid, tow truck operators can go without compensation for their efforts clearing wrecked vehicles from accident scenes.

Doug Merrill is one of hundreds of operators in Maine who has dealt with […]

Get in Line: Backlog for Big Rigs Stretches to 2019

Anyone ordering a new heavy-duty truck this summer will have wait until sometime next year to get it, assuming strained manufacturing supply chains hold together.

An unprecedented run of orders for big rigs has pushed the backlog at truck factories to nine months, according to industry analysts, the largest since early 2006, when truckers stocked up to get vehicles in place before tougher environmental restrictions would take effect. Typically the backlog is about five months for the truck industry’s manufacturers, analysts said.

“It is longer than it should be,” said Magnus Koeck, vice president of marketing for Volvo AB’s North America operation, where Class 8 truck orders this year soared to 25,000 from 11,000 during the first six months of 2017. “Of course we are not alone in this situation,” he said. “Everyone is in the same boat.”

North American freight-haulers ordered more than 300,000 Class 8 trucks in the first seven months of this […]

FMCSA grants waiver to allow GPS mounting on windshields in ‘safety technology’ area

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted a waiver to allow drivers and carriers to mount a GPS on the windshield within the areas allowed for “vehicle safety technology” devices.

Traditional Trucking Corporation, in its application in March, stated GPS devices are “approximately the same size as the currently allowed ‘vehicle safety technologies’ mounted on the windshield” and added that the dash “is not suitable for mounting the fixture to hold the GPS unit” and the location of the unit if mounted on the dash is in the same area that safety technology is currently allowed.

The five-year waiver applies to any motor carrier mounting a GPS on the windshield. The waiver allows the mounting of GPS devices no more than four inches below the upper edge of the area swept by windshield wipers and no more than 7 inches […]

FMCSA wants feedback on hours of service reforms around 14-hour rule, split sleeper, 30-minute break

A process that could alter current hours of service regulations has officially begun. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced Tuesday it is seeking feedback from industry stakeholders on ways to overhaul hours regs, focusing on four key areas:

  • Extending drivers’ 14-hour daily limit by two hours in the event of adverse conditions;
  • Allowing drivers to split 10-hour off-duty periods into segments;
  • Revising the 30-minute break requirement;
  • Expanding hours limits for short-haul drivers.

The advance notice of proposed rulemaking poses no reforms for hours regs. Instead, it simply lists questions aimed at gathering input from drivers, owner-operators, carriers and other industry stakeholders.

The agency is set to publish the ANPRM within days and will accept comments via the regulations.gov rulemaking portal for 30 days after its publication.

“It’s time to have an honest conversation […]

Approach fuel efficiency from a variety of angles

I have talked about this subject before but I still get asked to name one thing that fleets should do to improve their fuel economy. That is a tough question. It depends, in part, on where the fleet is in its fuel efficiency journey. No matter what your current MPG is getting to the next level is something that needs to be approached from a variety of angles.

Obviously, it starts in the spec’ing process where fleets can choose a variety of products that will help them squeeze more miles from a gallon of diesel. Just to name a few they can consider automated manual transmissions, low rolling resistance tires, aerodynamic devices for the tractor, aerodynamic devices for the trailer, a variety of idle reduction solutions.

Once you have the tractor and trailer spec’d, […]

If You Missed the Darlington Car Hauler Parade and Festival Watch it Here

FLORENCE, S.C. – The 14th annual Darlington Car Hauler Parade and Festival will be held on Aug. 30 at the Florence Center, preceding the Bojangles’ Southern 500 on Sept. 2 at Darlington Raceway.

This year Raldex Hospitality has come on board as the sponsor of the free family-friendly event that kicks off with the festival at 4 p.m. and culminates at 7 p.m. with the NASCAR transports starting the slow trek to Darlington along a route populated by cheering fans.

“We are thrilled to be sponsoring this year’s parade and festival,” said Chad Patterson, vice president of Raldex Hospitality. “While our No. 1 mission is to exceed the expectations of guests at our hotel properties, we firmly believe it’s equally as important to elevate the Florence community and surrounding areas by supporting kid-friendly, community events like the Darlington Car Hauler Parade.”

The main attraction continues to be the NASCAR transporters, which fans can take pictures […]

Do you have an exit plan?

It wasn’t until I hit my mid-50s that having an exit strategy for my business even occurred to me.  I saw the need to start tweaking my business plan to make the end come on my terms as much as possible.

And it’s good to think about planning for all the “exits” in our lives, not just retirement.  Whether it’s closing a business, ending a relationship, estate planning or appointing the person who will be your medical power of attorney, planning makes our lives and the lives of our loved ones easier.

Frequent the truck stop Counters of Knowledge, and you’ll overhear too many truckers admit that they can never afford to retire, or that their plan is to exit when their life ends. It shouldn’t be a catastrophe that drives us into the exit lane. […]

How do you analyze the cost savings of accident avoidance?

How do you validate a return on investment (ROI) from accident mitigation? When you avoid an accident you don’t know how much revenue may have been lost because of unforeseen downtime, and how much you didn’t spend on repairs or hospital bills. This topic was one of the talking points at a recent panel discussion [...]

Diesel Dips 0.3¢ to $3.223

Saudi Arabia — the world’s largest exporter of crude oil — curbed output last month, according to OPEC delegates, following signs that the kingdom couldn’t find enough buyers to justify elevated rates of production.

The fear is China friction related to higher tariffs will slow global economic growth and reduce fuel demand.

Article Courtesy of Transport Topics

“The Saudis are sending clear signals on their desired price range,” Mike Wittner, head of oil market research at Societe Generale SA, told Bloomberg News. “When the concern was prices getting too low, they unexpectedly trimmed output.”

Saudi Arabia — the world’s largest exporter of crude oil — curbed output last month, according to OPEC delegates, following signs that the kingdom couldn’t find enough buyers to justify elevated rates of production.

The fear is China friction related to higher tariffs will slow global economic growth and reduce fuel demand.

Article Courtesy of Transport Topics

Crude oil futures trading on the New York […]

Nuisance, thy name is ELD

With today marking four months since full enforcement of the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, a number of truck drivers still say there are problems with ELDs in use and the federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules that are their foundation.

This has never been much of a honeymoon. After Fleetowner’s recent articles noted that large percentages of drivers and fleets don’t believe ELDs are good for the transportation industry or are making trucks safer, we got another big dose or three of feedback.

Despite the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) adjustment of more leeway in what can be counted as personal conveyance—a driving status that can allow a truck driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle outside of the HOS on-duty drive time constraints—scores of drivers say more must be done.

FMCSA helped with one big problem many truck drivers complained of: running out of available drive time while delivering or picking up a load and then […]

Cummins recalling half a million engines on voluntary basis due to degradation of emissions-control systems

Cummins has instituted a voluntary recall of roughly 500,000 model-year 2010-2015 engines, according to an announcement from the U.S. EPA. The recall involves faulty emissions systems components that cause the engines to fall out of compliance with federal emissions regulations.

The trucks and engines under the voluntary recall have seen degradation of their selective catalytic reduction systems, according to financial reports issued by Cummins. SCR systems are the exhaust aftertreatment components that use diesel exhaust fluid to curb emissions of nitrogen oxides and greenhouse gases. All manufacturers of engines for Class 8 trucks use SCR and DEF in their emissions-control systems. Engine makers adopted the technology in 2010 to meet that year’s emissions hurdles

In financial reports issued for the 2017 fiscal year and for the first quarter of 2018, Cummins noted that the EPA and the California Air […]

Running Smart

Ever felt like your trucking business was careening down an ice-covered mountain in ‘Georgia overdrive’? (That’s in ‘neutral’ for the younger truckers out there.) Many of us have wondered, “What was I thinking when I bought this #%&! truck? Now what?”

Well, to make it to the bottom in one piece, you’ll need to run smart.

For the majority of truckers and small motor carriers, even as the rates have improved, costs are still increasing. We’re left wondering what catastrophe is around the next bend. How are the threatened tariffs with our nation’s trading partners going to impact the freight we haul? And how can we plan for it?

As any great football coach knows, when the team’s behind and the opposition is first and goal on the 10-yard-line, he must return to the basics to turn the game around. We need to do the same—return to the basics of trucking, the basics of how […]

Charles County Implements New Tow Program Tow Companies Requested to Submit Application for Tow Service Permit

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office has begun the process of implementing legislation that was signed into law regarding tow services in Charles County. House Bill 1320, which passed in March 2017 and was initiated by Sergeant Jon Burroughs of the CCSO Traffic Operations Unit, ensures oversight and regulation of towing operations within Charles County. In order to operate within Charles County, tow companies must now complete and submit the application for tow service operating in Charles County, MD.

To be considered for a permit, tow companies should visit the Charles County Sheriff’s Office website to download, print, and fill out the application and read through the county tow regulations.For a Level 1 Application, which covers only consensual tow services, the fee is $250. For a Level 2 Application, which covers consensual and non-consensual tow services, the fee is $500. All fees will need […]

Free hot dogs available Wednesday at Pilot Flying J, Love’s

Pilot Flying J and Love’s Travel Stops will be offering truckers free hot dogs Wednesday to celebrate National Hot Dog Day.

For PFJ, drivers will find an offer for a free hot dog or roller grill item in the myPilot mobile app on Wednesday, July 18.

Love’s is partnering with Schwab Meat Co. to give customers free hot dogs or roller grill items the same day by showing a barcode that will be found on the Love’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Article Courtesy OVERDRIVE

More than 3,000 Kenworth, Peterbilt tractors recalled

More than 3,000 Kenworth and Peterbilt tractors are being recalled over an issue with the anti-lock braking system dash warning light not working properly, according to documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Paccar is recalling 3,043 trucks in which, in the event that the ABS loses battery and/or ignition power to the controller, the dash warning light for the ABS may not light up to warn the driver. NHTSA says a driver unknowingly operating a truck without the ABS functioning increases the risk of a crash.

Trucks affected by the recall include:

  • 2015-2018 Kenworth T660
  • 2015-2018 Kenworth T680
  • 2015-2018 Kenworth T800
  • 2015-2018 Kenworth T880
  • 2015-2018 Kenworth W900
  • 2017-2018 Peterbilt 567
  • 2017-2018 Peterbilt 579

Paccar will begin notifying truck owners on July 24. Dealers will update the software in the cab […]

Nearly 2,000 trucks placed out of service in Texas during Roadcheck inspection blitz INSPECTIONS

The Texas Department of Public Safety inspected 7,980 commercial motor vehicles during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck 2018, placing nearly a quarter of those inspected out of service. Roadcheck was held June 5-7 nationwide. Results from the nationwide effort have not yet been announced.

A total of 1,975 commercial vehicles — about 24 percent of those inspected — were placed out of service for a variety of safety violations until appropriate repairs could be made, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Issues with brakes and defective tires were among the most common infractions that led to out of service violations.

Also during Roadcheck 2018, drivers were checked for compliance with state and federal laws. According to the DPS, 301 drivers were placed out of service for violations ranging from failure to have the proper type of driver license for the vehicle being driven to violations of hours-of-service requirements.

In all, Texas DPS troopers […]

Some Truckers Finding Stress Relief in Meditation

“It sort of resets me,” says Echols, who has been driving for 21 years, some of it over the road. “I find breathing meditation to be the simplest and most effective. I think there are benefits physically to it as well. If you concentrate on your breathing, you can’t focus on anything else.”

Echols doesn’t know any other drivers who mediate, and he suggests that the majority of truckers think meditation is “wacky, kooky stuff.” He adds that for the many drivers, meditation comes across as weakness or worse, for some, as an anti-Christian or Eastern-based religion in opposition to their own religious beliefs. “Mediation is just sitting still. If you tell people to sit still for a few minutes and just breathe, that’s something that your mother or your grandmother said to do; sit still and breathe. That’s mediation, but they didn’t call it meditation. If we can explain to drivers, ‘Look, we just want […]

Know your risk factors for diabetes

Truck drivers have a higher-than-average risk for diabetes, which affects over 30 million Americans. That’s largely because the sedentary nature of truck driving contributes to obesity and lack of physical activity, which increases the risk for Type 2 diabetes.

DIABETES TYPES. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, occurs when the body develops insulin resistance and is unable to use insulin properly. This causes an inability to regulate blood glucose levels properly, causing levels of blood glucose, or sugar, to rise too high.

Only about 5 percent of people who have diabetes have Type 1 diabetes, which is not as straightforward as Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes typically is diagnosed in children and young adults, according to the American Diabetes Association. It is considered to be caused by an immune reaction in which the body attacks itself. Family history and age are considered risk factors.

SYMPTOMS. Frequent thirst and excessive urination […]

Brake checking: Road rage taken to a new level

Although less common, trucks sometimes brake check each other with disastrous results as seen in the video below.

According to the poster, the following incident occurred on May 9, 2018, on I-294 in Chicago. The brake check caused a complete stop on the interstate. Although the brake-checked truck was able to stop, the stoppage caused a 15-car pile-up with injuries. Caution: Strong language at the end.

Is brake checking becoming more common?

“Anecdotally, we might be seeing see more of it… It seems like there is more. That’s for sure,” said Doug Dahl, manager of Target Zero, a Washington state program to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Washington’s roadways to zero by the year 2030.

He notes that the Washington Department of Licensing includes brake checking as one of the behaviors symptomatic of aggressive […]

Planning out a vacation

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, […]

App heralded as ‘Uber for tow trucks’ raises $24 million

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 […]

10 TIPS FOR SUMMER TOW TRUCK DRIVING

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 […]

CarHauler Takes the Win at Shell ROTELLA SuperRigs

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 year. […]

Taxes & Trucking for 2018

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 to […]

DOT Inspections: What You Should Be Prepared For

Most commercial drivers do not like the mention of DOT inspections, but it doesn’t have to be so hard if you know what’s expected of you. It is advisable to be conversant with the different requirements needed during the various levels of a DOT inspection. A DOT inspection is a routine annual checkup for all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) weighing over 10,000 pounds to ascertain their safety on the road.

Here is what all commercial drivers should know about a DOT inspection:

Have your paperwork ready
During a level 1 inspection, the driver should be ready for a full DOT inspection and hence have their paperwork near […]

How Far Away are We from Self-Driving Trucks?

With the world’s seemingly unending obsession with technology automation, it should come as no surprise that companies are leading the trucking industry into the future with the development of self-driving technology. In the sweep of advancements that are changing the way we live, work, and play, the trucking industry won’t be left behind. So, how far away are we from self-driving trucks?

Experts are suggesting that self-driving trucks may surface even before self-driving taxis. And although it is predicted that we are at least a decade away from completely autonomous self-driving trucks, several companies have thrown their hat into the ring, and are investing billions of dollars to make this concept a reality.

Like any other advancement, this feat won’t come without its hurdles. Before the trucking industry can […]

Fire Extinguishers are Required Safety Equipment in Your Truck(s)!

Fire extinguishers are required by law on all trucks, truck tractors, and buses - except those in driveaway-towaway operations. Per the Code of Federal Regulations 393.95: A power unit that is used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity that requires placarding (see 177.823) must be equipped with a fire extinguisher having an Underwriters' Laboratories [...]

Fifth Wheel Maintenance

OK, so how many of you are thinking about your fifth wheel right now? Probably not many, right? Well like everything else on your truck, it needs maintenance. Here’s a list to help you check your fifth wheel and make sure you’re good to go.

First, you’re going to need to clean the gunk off that fifth wheel. Some folks go so far as to steam clean it; others simply scrape and clean it with a brush and solvent. You should know that steam cleaning is recommended not only for the top plate, but the jaws and legs, as well.

Next you’re going to inspect the upper area and edges for any damage. This can simply be wear and tear, or something more excessive – like missing parts or cracks. […]

Why Your Business Needs Customer Reviews

You know your company has the very best product and/or service in the industry; however, no one seems to know this but you. In this era of frenzied business competition, how do you make sure people know what you do for your customers? Of the many forms of advertising and marketing, only one can change how someone “feels” about your company. Only one speaks to people, because it’s by a real person. Your best salesperson should tell your story. You need your customers to share their stories – you need customer reviews, testimonials, and recommendations. With these references, you are now the star, instead of simply another player on the field.

Leave us a review on Google! - Customer ReviewsThere is no doubt that it can be difficult to get great customer reviews – if […]

More Calls to Push Back ELD Compliance Date

As the deadline for truckers to switch from paper logs to electronic logging devices nears, the heated discussion about ELD Compliance between the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and truckers continues.

ELD application - phone

With under 12 weeks to go until the deadline, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association is leading a coalition that is asking for the mandate to be delayed for two more years.The delay would occur as a result of passing the ELD Extension Act of 2017 (HR 3282).

OOIDA is calling for a delay in the implementation of the mandate due to concerns surrounding the reliability of self-certified ELDs, connectivity issues in rural areas, cyber-security vulnerabilities, and the availability of data for law enforcement.

OOIDA argues that the mandate can be delayed without any negative consequences as well […]

Autumn Safety for Commercial Drivers

For some of us, it sure doesn’t feel like summer is over – but it’s already here! 
Here are a few autumn safety tips for preparing your truck(s) in advance of the cold weather:

 

Leaves on the Road

While the fall foliage is breathtaking enough to bring tourists out in droves, they’re sure to be a pain once they hit the pavement. Especially after it rains, they can stick to the pavement and cause slippery conditions. The leaves may not be the only thing on the road, either – they […]

ELD Data Collection May Help Truckers Avoid Roadside Inspections

Mention ELDs in any freight yard or truck stop and you are bound to hear to a wide array of opinions from those that praise them to those whose language is best left out of print. The fact is that they are with us to stay and thanks to some of the data mining experts at ‘Keep Truckin‘, you might find they are a more valuable asset than you would have ever believed.No one in the trucking industry, carrier or driver, benefits from time spent going through roadside inspections, especially, a time-consuming Level 1 inspections.

‘Keep Truckin’ has discovered by carefully studying information collected by their units that the risk of being subjected to this nuisance can be greatly reduced.

The company began by focusing on four key areas;

  • Inspections by cargo types
  • How violations vary state to state
  • Most common types of violations
  • Time period of inspections

Training Announcement: National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Responder Training

A new coordinated, multi-disciplinary training program developed through the Second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) is available for all emergency responders and those supporting traffic incident management operations. This training puts police, firefighters, state and local departments of transportation, towing and recovery professionals, medical personnel, and other incident responders on the same page, leading to a safer, faster, integrated responder team.

 

Save Lives
– Faster incident response and clearance times result in fewer secondary crashes.
– Training results in less exposure of responder team to moving traffic during recovery.

Save Money
– Less congestion leads to fewer freight and travel delays in backups.
– Fewer secondary crashes save on insurance claims.
– Faster cleanups lead to cost savings for incident personnel.

Save Time
– Smarter response techniques […]

ELD Mandate Update: FMCSA Gives Further Detail about ‘Grandfather Clause’

According to a guidance issued in February by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Automatic Onboard Recording Devices can be used to remain compliant with the Electronic Logging Device mandate until December 16, 2019. The two-year extension is due to the “grandfather clause” that is included in the ELD mandate.

However, the grandfather clause comes with a couple stipulations:
• In order to qualify for the December 2019 extension, new commercial vehicles installed with an AOBRD must replace an old vehicle. If an older vehicle is not being replaced, the newer vehicle must be installed with an ELD instead.
• New vehicles purchased after December 18, 2017 must be installed with an ELD. After December 18, 2017, it does not matter if an old vehicle is being replaced.

ELDs - OmnitracsAOBRDs […]

SmartLINQ – Peterbilt’s Built-In Monitoring System

SmartLINQ is a factory installed diagnostic system in all new Peterbilt trucks – including all of the new Petes on our lot!! – and it is designed to help you stay on the road. SmartLINQ helps drivers, fleet owners, and vehicle service and maintenance coordinators by remotely keeping track of engine and aftertreatment diagnostic codes, notifying the appropriate parties of problems that need to be addressed, and instantly giving the driver an easy to understand alert with directions on how to proceed.

SmartLINQ in ActionThe online portal for SmartLINQ, through PACCAR, allows the fleet owner or truck maintenance person to view all of the fleet’s trucks color coded to show their current engine health, allows for customized notifications 24/7/365 of alerts from trucks, and tracks the vehicles through North America.

U.S. Senate to Consider Bill Opposing Increases in FET

A new bill has been introduced to U.S. Congress that will seek to repeal the federal excise tax (FET), which is at present 12 percent. The FET on heavy duty trucks dates back to 1917 when it was introduced to defray the cost of World War I. The tax on new heavy duty trucks later grew from 3 percent in 1917 up to the 12 percent we see today.

The 12 percent FET on the purchase of heavy duty trucks is a burdensome tax – higher than taxes for all other vehicles, and when combined with recent federal emissions and fuel-economy mandates, can add up to thousands of extra dollars when purchasing a new truck. At its present 12 percent, the FET depresses heavy duty truck sales and, as a result, slows companies […]

Is the Towing Insurance Market Really That Bad?

Article by Hal Kresser, Principal at Hal Kresser Agency

“Tow Truck Market Gets Hit Hard as Carriers Exit Market.” This article appeared in The Insurance News Journal on February 6, 2017 and featured on the front cover.  Simultaneously, it was posted in the Forums section of Tow 411, so it was written before February 6, 2017.  Naturally, a front page article will get the attention and it did!  That magazine is distributed to every insurance company in the country and most agencies. Within just a few weeks I heard from underwriters that they will have to tighten up their requirements and continue to raise rates due to claims. They were also apprehensive because many of their competitors were exiting the market. In their minds the only reason a competitor would exit the market is if they […]

Summer Towing Tips: Avoid Heat Illness, Get Ready for these Common Summer Issues

The hot weather that’s paired with the summer months adds more difficulty to the towing industry. Not only does the heat provide additional health risks for you, but also for your towing truck and for the vehicles of your customers. Here are some summer towing tips for avoiding heat illnesses and dealing with common summertime towing issues to help you ride out the heat waves.

Safety Tips for You

Working out in the sun provides two big threats for truck towers: heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is an illness that occurs through a combination of exposure to high temperatures and dehydration. While not as serious as heat stroke, failing to intervene may lead to more danger heat related illnesses. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Confusion
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Fainting
  • Pale skin
  • Dizziness

 

Heat Stroke

If heat exhaustion is left untreated, you may suffer a heat stroke. A heat stroke […]

Electronic Logging Device Mandate (ELD) Will Take Effect in December 2017

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that starting on December 16, 2017, truck operators will be required to use electronic logging devices to record their duty status. This electronic logging device mandate was first published in the Federal Register in December of 2015, but the FMCSA opted to give operators and carriers time to comply.

Although drivers will not need to maintain paper logs after the mandate, supporting documentation will be required in order for their carriers to keep the records on file.

Trucking Electronic Logging Device

Why did the FMCSA pass this rule?

The FMCSA predicts that this new rule will save at least 26 lives and prevent 562 injuries in the industry every year. Due to the amount of time saved because of the decrease in paperwork, over $1 billion is expected to be saved […]

Clean Diesel Particulate Filters Extend Engine Life, Save Fuel, and Add Resale Value

Diesel Particulate FiltersDiesel Particulate Filters have been a key component of truck emissions systems since 2007. If your DPF’s are not maintained they can present problems along with engine issues. This may cause your engine to go into regeneration more times than it needs. As a result, your DPF can become clogged faster.

Slow Down – Move Over (SDMO) – It’s the Law!

Slow Down Move Over LawSlow Down – Move Over (SDMO) – It’s the Law! Tragically, emergency responders are being struck and killed at traffic incidents in the U.S. on an average of five firefighters a year, one law enforcement officer a month, one tow truck operator a week and one road service person every three days!

Cottrell QuiXspinz® Ratcheting System

Quixspinz Ratcheting SystemExperience the QuiXspinzⓇ Ratcheting System from Cottrell! By East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales

East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales would like to introduce you to Cottrell’s latest option available on NeXtgen soft tie equipment.

Pick a color, any color… Big Rig Peterbilt Trucks

Driving down the parking lot with all these big rig Peterbilt Trucks looking like candy. Pick a color – We have Western Star, Freightliner, Sterling, Peterbilt trucks; new and used ready to start working for you today!

Saluting Truck Drivers & Veterans

In our daily lives as fast paced human beings, it may be easy to slow down and reflect on the cycle of life and those who impact it.

Top Highway Safety Tips For Truckers During Autumn

 

Another season is just about in the books as summer comes to a close and autumn starts down the bend.

Peterbilt Limo Truck

Amazing TruckModel Peterbilt RC Stroller

Would you get a custom Pete stroller like this: https://t.co/mb2PJjc3bC ? >_< #Truckers #trucking

— East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales (@ECTTS) August 26, 2016

Diesel Particulate Filter Tips

You’re 25 miles out of the truck stop; settling into the long haul, and then the regen warning light comes on – again! You know you just did a parked regeneration to clear the diesel particulate filter yesterday, and you’ve been driving this rig at speed today, so shouldn’t the filter be clean? Well, probably not. Here’s why:

 

• Unless you’re running a disposable filter system, which are a must in the mining industry and some off-road equipment, the DPF is probably still clogged, but not with soot. The diesel particulate filter works by trapping soot and other particulates in a network of cells before releasing the smaller gasses through the pores in the filter structure (usually cordierite or silicon carbide). The diesel particulate filter, like any filter, eventually gets clogged with this material. Unlike other filters, […]

Slow Down. Move Over.

Imagine working in an industry that makes the “Deadliest Catch” fishing industry seem like a cruise ship vacation. If you’re reading this, chances are good you already do. As a tow driver you work in an industry where you’re practically invisible – until it’s almost too late. In some states, you’re also invisible to the law telling people to slow down and move over when passing an incident or emergency on the highway.

10 Ways To Keep Truck Tires From Eating Your Profits Alive

We know tires are expensive. We also know most drivers mean to keep up with their tire maintenance programs, but driving often gets in the way. Until you drop a tread, or pick-up a bolt, it’s easy to forget about your tires. Problem is, tires are very unforgiving, and will eat up your profits any chance they get. Don’t let them. Here’s how.

1. Any tire showing damage is trying to tell you something.
You might need an alignment if you see certain patterns, so knowing which tire patterns to look for helps you identify the problem. Tire sites usually have a chart on types of damage to expect with each problem.

2. Keep tires of the same diameter together.
 (New with new. Used with used). If not, you end up with one tire skipping and scraping the road because it isn’t the same size. Premature wear isn’t pretty.

3. Know when to […]

TOWMATE WIRELESS TOW LIGHTS PASS FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATIONS ALL 50 STATES

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its decision to grant TowMate, LLC’s (TowMate) application for a limited two-year exemption to allow motor carriers to operate rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting systems during temporary towing operations. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), all required lamps, with the exception of battery-powered lamps used on projecting loads, must be powered by the electrical system of the motor vehicle.

When Was The Last Time Your Rig Was Comfortable – Without Idling?

Everyone's cab is comfortable while they're rolling down the highway, but when you don't want to idle, or can't, things get downright unpleasant. Some states have laws against idling; other times, you just want to conserve fuel to make a tight load pay better. If you don't have an alternate solution to idling, you're the [...]

7 Reasons To Keep Your Truck Serviced

7 Reasons to keep you truck servicedConsistent truck maintenance is very critical due to work loads and traveling long distances. Sometimes we are so focused on work and the job at hand that maintenance services are forgotten. The more work you have the busier you are and the less likely you are to get basic maintenance done because nothing seems wrong.  Keeping your truck in tip top shape is better for your business and pockets. Check out these seven great reason below:

1. Save Money 

Keeping up with maintenance cost but its actually save your money in the long haul. For example is your regularly keep up with your oil changes it keeps your engine performing properly. But if you refuse to get your oil changed you are at risk of having your engine blow out costing […]

4 Healthy Salad Jar Recipes for Truckers

It's no secret that life on the road can put a strain on your eating habits. At every exit and stop there’s a fast food place calling your name. Long, stressful hours on the road lead drivers to seek fast food meals instead of the healthy substitutes needed to fuel their bodies like salad . Time management on [...]

5 Ways Your Rig Can Generate $50,000

Very few people have the opportunity to give themselves a $50,000.00 raise per year. You, as an owner/operator of your rig, tractor trailer, have that opportunity. You’ve probably heard any number of these recommendations before, but we’ve put them all together - and done the math. If you want results, some bad habits need to [...]

Dangerous Bridges versus Truck Driver (Video)

Have you ever had to power through a dangerous situation as a driver? Of course you have! Driving across state lines puts you in contact with different climates and extreme weather conditions. These often bring about obstacles like snow and extreme heat waves that can affect your car hauler. As a truck driver, you should always take preventative maintenance and care seriously. Maybe it’s the typical deer in the road or fallen tree. Whatever it is – most of us drivers still depend on the solid asphalt road or dirt roads to carry our ton-heavy rigs. So what happens when the obstacle between you and your load is a log? Check out just how determined this truck driver is to cross a river without a bridge. So, like all innovative drivers he creates a wooden bridge to drive over.

 

 

 

Preventing Cargo Theft

Cargo theft is on the rise, and it’s everyone’s problem. Drivers are held primarily responsible, because they’re typically associated with the transport of the load. As a truck driver, you should know there are certain actions that keep you and your cargo safe:

Pick up in well-lit, secure areas

You already know to deliver and drop to secure areas, but picking up loads securely can be just as important. While we don’t often think of the customer as a threat, there are theft rings that specialize in calling for pick-ups at seemingly legitimate businesses, only to hi-jack a load when the driver gets to the location. Think of how many high-end cars you’ve had on that car hauler at one time. That’s one heck of a pay day for a hijacker with a plan.

 

Read more

Extend Your Haul with Oil Bypass Filters

Every mile counts.

As a hauler you probably hear and say that often. Miles are money, and when you can keep rolling, instead of paying for yet another oil change drain – in money and downtime; those miles can pay for more of what you really want.

So, how do you go about extending your rig’s oil life? If you’re like some, you keep idling to a bare minimum. Others depend on advanced formula oils, and expensive synthetics that extend the life of the oil with formulation and additives. While this works, to a certain degree, still others have found a way to keep from draining their oil unless absolutely necessary. The key to long oil life is an oil bypass filter.

Oil bypass filters (OBF) are a proven way to keep your oil clean and dramatically reduce the wear on your engine. This isn’t new technology. Having been around for close to twenty years, […]

Go Jak Dollies Will Solve the Problem

Scenario 1 This was supposed to be an easy tow. However, you get there to find that the car is not only parallel parked between other cars, but the customer is locked out of the vehicle. Scenario 2 It’s a late-night repo. You need to get this car out of a “blocked” situation quickly, and [...]

Summer Truck Maintenance Tips

Get Summer Preventative Maintenance Plans.    Walk-ins Welcomed.     Monday - Saturday.      757-465-2200 Hot weather can cause costly damage to your trucks if you're not prepared. If you don't have a proper truck maintenance plan set up for your fleet, then now is the time to schedule one. A few minutes looking over these [...]

6 Coca Cola Hacks Truckers Can Use

Truck drivers are constantly on the move and rely on tools that keep them going. Coca Cola, while being an enjoyable beverage, can also make time on the road much easier. Keep reading to discover the top Coca Cola hacks. 1) Pain reliever for insect bites and stings For truck drivers, summer brings longer days, beautiful [...]

Five Best Ways to Avoid Driver Distraction

The American Trucking Association (ATA) is calling attention to the beginning of Distracted Driving Awareness Month by offering advice and insight from the elite professional truck drivers who make up ATA’s Share the Road highway safety program.  Since 1986, the Share The Road program has been teaching the public how to share the road with large [...]

Tractor Trailer Stopped In Second Recycle Fraud Attempt

Tractor Trailer Recycling NJosephOn Feb. 16, at 4:25 p.m., agents watched a white semi-truck with “New Evolution Trucking” name on it enter the yard. The California Department of Justice’s Recycling Fraud Team conducted an investigation into a North Las Vegas storage yard. 

During the investigation they watched the truck as it left at approximately 10:42 p.m. and called for assistance from California Highway Patrol. The driver took a route which would miss the Yermo California Department of Food and Agriculture border checkpoint in.

The East Coast Difference

A History of Dedication You Can Count OnOur Background Is Your Background We’re a family owned and operated business that believes in delivering the best value to our customers and employees. After working for many years in the towing industry, the Rudiger Family opened East Coast Auto Transport, Inc. Our company entered the auto-transport venture [...]

Driver Turnover Rates at Large LTLs up 100% as Small Carriers See Improvement

It seems that the driver shortage is finally turning around for smaller carriers while larger companies continue to face high driver turnover rates.  It was reported that the annual turnover rate at large truckload carriers rose 13 points to 100% in the third quarter of 2015, according to ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. Adversely the rate at smaller truck load carriers has since dropped to 68%, making it the lowest since the final quarter in 2011.

In an earlier post we referenced CEO of Covenant Transport Group, David Parker’s remarks at a town hall style discussion on the auto transport industry.

“I don’t care if you’re running 50 trucks or 5,000, you have a driver problem,” says Parker.

The statement followed a long discussion on driver retention techniques and idea farming for better management-driver relations.

Many took to social media to chime in on the conversation, offering their views on the shortage.

Towing With A Tesla

TeslaHow do you get a boat out of your drive way without calling a tow man? Drive a Tesla apparently – Towing with a Tesla. The new Model X has a gross weight of 6,000 lbs, goes 0-60 in 3.2 seconds with a P90D modification. Tesla recommends this car to those in the market for an SUV with a need to tow. The model features a smooth interior with comfort designated seating and built in technology and medical grade HEPA filters for added safety.

Great New Years Resolutions for Truckers

Happy New Year Truckers and All! – Resolutions are a great way to spring into the new year. They help us feel in control, refreshed and empowered. It doesn’t matter if you have one or many goals… It only matters that we set forth the effort to accomplish them, this is also called trying, easier said than done. Show of thumbs – How many unfinished resolutions from 2015 did you tack on to the 2016 list?

Don’t feel bad. Although 45% of Americans set these goals with a determined can-do attitude many fall short. 

 

8 percent of people are successful in achieving their resolutions – Statisticbrain.com

Rank Top 10 New Years resolutions for 2015 1 Lose Weight 2 Getting Organized 3 Spend Less, Save More 4 Enjoy Life to the Fullest 5 Staying Fit and Healthy 6 Learn Something Exciting 7 Quit Smoking 8 Help Others in Their Dreams 9 Fall in Love 10 […]

Mobile Parts Truck

Mobile Parts TruckThis rigged up Freightliner mobile parts truck hits the pavement December 1st and will be fully stocked with the same great industry trusted brands we sell online. This mobile parts store is equipped with everything you need in the towing and auto transport industries.

Highway Bill Misses Thanksgiving Mark

The House of Representatives has failed to pass the Highway Bill since it first announced its Thanksgiving plans of delivery. Without much shock, to the general public, this would make for the 36th straight short-term patch to the Highway Trust Fund. The patch will extend funding through December 4th as Congress continues to work out the compromise bill.

Previously the House successfully passed the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act on November 5th while the Senate passed its version which lacked the needed funded for six years.

The House approved the Drive Act with a spending budget of up to $261 billion on highways and $55 billion on transit over six years. The qualm with this is that the legislation includes just enough money to pay for the first three months.

“I am very pleased, that after ten years of short-term band-aids and extensions, the House finally passed a bipartisan, six-year transportation bill,” said Rep. […]

Is Your Diesel Truck Ready For The Cold?

Winterize-Rig-Checklist ECTTS_NiaJoseph_800px

Is Your Diesel Truck Ready For The Cold?
Follow these essential winterization tips for a profitable season
By: Nia Joseph

  1. Top It Off
    The most basic maintenance step for any vehicle is an oil change. In diesel trucks, you benefit by following the manufacturer recommended change times. Diesel fuel contains paraffin, which causes it to gel up as it gets cooler. Using anti-gelling additives will help to counteract this.
  2. Engine
    Diesel engines are much harder to start in the winter because they require higher cylinder temperatures than gasoline powered engines. You can use a block heater to regulate engine temperature, such as the battery powered no idle Nite Phoenix system offered at East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales. Check all intake pre-heats […]

Truck Tank Winners Create Driver Retention App

 

Truck DriversDriver retention is on the forefront of every company’s agenda these days, especially with a 97% annual turnover rate. Often drivers’ complaints of feeling like just a number and working conditions go unheard.

Beyond the Wash – Detailing for Car Haulers & More

Beyond-the-wash

 

Amazing Need-to-Know Detailing Practices

Every dedicated truck driver knows and feels the love that I am about to express. This is not just a truck you say. Maybe you have a nickname for your truck; Mickey the Hi-Roller, Cab-Stabber or Buddy. For many truckers this is the lovable machine they wake up to at the crack of diesel dawn.

Simple Steps To Keep Your Truck Tires From Eating Your Profits Alive

We know tires are expensive. We also know most drivers mean to keep up with their tire maintenance programs, but driving often gets in the way. Until you drop a tread, or pick-up a bolt, it’s easy to forget about your tires. Problem is, tires are very unforgiving, and will eat up your profits any chance they get. Don’t let them. Here’s how. Any tire showing damage is trying to tell you something. You might need an alignment if you see certain patterns, so knowing which tire patterns to look for helps you identify the problem. Tire sites usually have a chart on types of damage to expect with each problem. Keep tires of the same diameter together (New with new. Used with used). If not, you end up with one tire skipping and scraping the road because it isn’t the […]

Height Sticks and GPS

GPSCMVSYou’ve seen the videos and pictures on the web. You know it happens – just not to you. And this is exactly how it starts.   Every day we see a video of a truck carrying a large load hitting a bridge, underpass or some other object of civil engineering. In fact, over 60 percent of states say that over-height accidents are considered a significant problem. The problem is so bad in the empire state that New York is installing “Over-Height Vehicle Detection Systems” to alleviate it. (You have to wait for troopers to guide you to another route if you’re over height, and that can’t be an enjoyable process.)   So, how do these strikes happen so frequently when we all know to measure twice and plan the route accordingly? It’s all about safety culture […]

Supreme Court Decision Now Protects Your Phone Information

Supreme CourtSupreme Court Decision Now Protects Your Phone Information

We are a mobile society, and always have been. Moving about seems to be tied to our curiosity as a species. Moreover, when you travel as much as some of our readers, you’re probably going to want to take as much of your information with you as possible. It’s not only convenient, it now seems absolutely necessary. Previous to the Supreme Court’s decision, this might have posed a problem – if you’re a privacy advocate. With technology making huge amounts of information available, both the world’s and yours, privacy has become a sticking point for numerous organizations. Warrantless searches of phones had been quite common. The contents could be downloaded by a device in an officer’s car in a matter of moments – including […]

How Are Your Driving Skills At 100+ Miles Per Hour?

Race CarIt’s cold and absurdly early on this Las Vegas morning, but 30+ people couldn’t be happier. Not just because it’s Vegas, but because East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales is hosting their Richard Petty Driving Experience again. If you’ve never been, the Richard Petty Driving Experience is a thrill ride you control – starting at 100+ mph!   Every year, the folks at ECTTS ask a number of their friends and customers to come out for the driving experience of a lifetime. This is a chance to drive a car as fast as you can – without any fear whatsoever of a ticket. In fact, the faster the better! So much so, we keep track of the stats.  The day starts with a facility overview of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. There’s roughly 1,500 acres to the […]

Keep Your Diesel Particulate Filter From Dying an Early Death

You’re 25 miles out of the truck stop; settling into the long haul, and then the regen warning light comes on - again! You know you just did a parked regeneration to clear the diesel particulate filter yesterday, and you’ve been driving this rig at speed today, so shouldn’t the filter be clean? Well, probably [...]

East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales Power Pricing

 

 

 East Coast Truck and Trailer Parts Store

Drastically Extend the Oil Drain Intervals for Your Rig

 

Every mile counts. As a hauler you probably hear and say that often. Miles are money, and when you can keep rolling, instead of paying for yet another oil drain – in money and downtime; those miles can pay for more of what you really want. So, how do you go about extending your rig’s oil life? If you’re like some, you keep idling to a bare minimum. Others depend on advanced formula oils, and expensive synthetics that extend the life of the oil with formulation and additives. While this works, to a certain degree, still others have found a way to keep from draining their oil unless absolutely necessary. The key to long oil life is an oil bypass filter. Oil bypass filters (OBF) are a proven way to keep your oil clean and dramatically reduce the wear on your engine. This isn’t new technology. Having been around for close to twenty years, this […]

Diverse groups stand up against longer, heavier trucks: Land Line Magazine

Diverse groups stand up against longer, heavier trucks: Land Line Magazine

My comment on the above story link that was posted to the article comment section:

”I know most of the bridges in this country cannot take the weight of
heavier trucks. I read somewhere that in Ohio alone 1 of every 4
bridges is structurally deficient.”

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cargo wheel strap Wheel Straps

Wheel Straps For Sale

Great prices at parts.ectts.com Wheel straps are perfect for carhaulers, autohaulers, car shippers, autotransports, car carriers, and Cottrell Trailer owners Wheel Straps are high quality

 

Towing Benchmark: Municipal Support In Managing The Towing Environment

Towing Benchmark: Municipal Support In Managing The Towing Environment

Another DOT shutdown but still no..carhauler

DOT Orders Demco Express to Shut Down – Truckinginfo.com

It says a lot about the carhauler and autohauler industry that not one autotransport company
has been shut down. So far the shutdowns, as you will see in the linked article have been:

Carhauler for Sale

 

  1.  confined to general trucking companies
  2. companies with huge outrageous violations

Most carhaulers are very experienced and run their operations cleanly. So far so good…

DOT Orders Demco Express to Shut Down – Truckinginfo.com

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4car or 4 pack for sale

Great Selection of 4 Pack, 4 Pack Car Carriers, 4 Pack Carhaulers, And 4 Pack Autotransports 

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Wage Increases For Carhaulers In The Future?

The inevitable has hit. I read in Transport Topics that 5 carriers are already talking about increasing wages. Hopefully this trend will spill over to Carhauler Fleets and Carhauler owner operators. The reasons are simple

  • too few drivers
  • too many requirements to be a driver
  • too much time away from home

I bet this trend will continue since no one is doing anything to try to increase the driver pool. The question is, at what point will goods become so expensive due to market demand for drivers?

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Avoid Embarrassing Situations On The Road….Always have your height stick

Available here…CLICK HERE

How will it impact Carhaulers? New Jersey Congressmen Call for Suspension in Toll Hikes – Truckinginfo.com

I cannot even imagine what this is going to mean for carhaulers going in and out of the Northeast corridor. When you think of all the costs a carhauler already bears, adding $50 or $100 may make it an unprofitable for any carhauler traveling in this region. This might seem like a harsh conclusion, but the cost structure for any transportation professional is already under a lot of strain with expensive fuel and a weakened economy.

New Jersey Congressmen Call for Suspension in Toll Hikes – Truckinginfo.com

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Excellent Selection of Carhaulers / Cottrell Trailers
just click the picture 

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Carhauler Saving Strategy: Get Someone Else To Pay For Your Idle Reduction

Every Carhauler knows that a dollar saved is a dollar earned. Every Carhauler also knows that the price of fuel is outrageous. Every increase in the price of fuel reduces the profit of the Carhauler. I saw some great information in Truckinginfo.com about sites that can help you find funding for idle reduction.

There were a number of sites mentioned but here is the link to the one I found most helpful from the get go:

https://www.csswebform.org/WebForm/TSE_home.aspx

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Used Carhauler For Sale Used Carhaulers For Sale: click picture

Looking for a used carhauler? Visit North America’s largest carhauler dealership

https://ectts.com/view_haulers.php?CON=Used

In The News: Can Your Carhauler Make It Over The Bridge?

The Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, CA a...this is a bridge…not a diving board for carhaulersThis post is not about carhaulers and bridges. It is about what will happen to carhaulers if heavier trucks are allowed on the roads. The simple fact that every carhauler owner must accept is:

Our roads and bridges cannot take it..

It is unlikely that every road, bridge, or overpass can be inspected and fixed and then inspected again in the next 5 to 10 years. This really is not a choice. Going over a bridge should not be a death lottery for carhaulers and carhauler trailers around the nation

for more information click here ———————————————————— Visit North America’s LARGEST carhauler dealership

 

Open publication – Free publishing – More autohauler

Visit North America’s LARGEST carhauler dealership
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Want to learn […]

Great Read for Carhaulers and Autotransport Professionals

Safety Legislation Newsletter:

Excellent read for autohauling, carhauling, Cottrell, and Autotransport information. This issue includes

Safety legislation: Definitely pertinent to today’s carhauler as safety has to be priority #!

Straps versus chains: Carhaulers are required by manufacturers to have strap units but what do you do if you have a chain unit trailer? Good information on what to do.

Will reducing the speed limit of your Carhauler be beneficial? opinions vary but
some trucking companies are going to this option

LOOKING FOR A GREAT PRICE ON A HEIGHT STICK

Safety Legislation Newsletter PDF

  Enhanced by Zemanta

Clean Energy Unveils Backbone Network for Natural Gas Highway – Truckinginfo.com

From Truckinginfo.com
January 2012

Image by TruckPR via FlickrClean Energy Fuels Corp. unveiled the route plan for the first phase of 150 new LNG fueling stations along what it’s calling “America’s Natural Gas Highway.”

The company already has identified 98 locations and anticipates having 70 stations open by the end of 2012.

Due to an agreement with Pilot Flying J, many of the fueling stations will be co-located at Pilot travel centers.

Major highway segments planned for early opening include those linking:

* San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside and Las Vegas;

* the Texas Triangle (Houston, San Antonio, Dallas/Ft. Worth);

* Los Angeles and Dallas;

* Houston and Chicago;

* Chicago and Atlanta;

To read the full article CLICK HERE

 

Related articles

  • Routes Revealed for Natural Gas Highway (environmentalleader.com)
  • Natural Gas Prices (myfoxny.com)
  • Natural gas price plunge aids families, businesses (sfgate.com)
  • Natural gas price plunge aids families, […]

US Fuel Prices May Be Volatile After Northeast US Refinery Closures

SunocoUS Fuel Prices May Be Volatile After Northeast US Refinery Closures

 

Related articles

  • Sunoco to Idle Main Processing Units at Marcus Hook Refinery (gloucestercitynews.net)
  • Op Ed: Save Sunoco Refineries? Get Pols Out Of The Way (gloucestercitynews.net)
  • Sunoco to sell refineries (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

 

Light & Medium Truck | Navistar Says SCR Systems Can Be Defeated

Photo Source: Navistar

Navistar Says SCR Systems Can Be Defeated
By Light Medium Truck

Navistar Inc. recently attacked competitors’ 2010 selective catalytic control engines on two fronts, telling environmental regulators that pollution controls on the engines could be easily defeated, and telling fleet managers that every gallon of diesel fuel an SCR engine saves will come at the cost of at least that much diesel exhaust fluid consumed.

Distracted Driving at a whole new level

pulled from Toronto Sun
July 21,2010

A Kitchener truck driver is facing a careless driving charge but on the bright side, his tooth doesn’t hurt anymore.

Lambton County OPP say they stopped a big rig driver doing some driving dentistry along Hwy. 402 on Wednesday.

Const. John Reurink told the Sun Saturday it’s the first time he’s ever heard of a driver being pulled over performing dental surgery.

“I’ve never heard of this sort of thing occurring before,” Reurink said, adding he has stopped drivers doing their make-up, reading a map or talking on a cellphone. “Somebody doing an amateur tooth pulling? That’s a first.”

Reurink said it all started June 30 when an officer was on Hwy. 402 in Warwick Township, near Sarnia, and a passing driver pointed him to a tractor trailer being driven “all over the road.”

The officer found the eastbound […]

Interesting story about towing costs…

Tips for towing, from hidden fees to costly considerations

Posted: 11:00 PM May 19, 2010
Reporter: Heather Haley
From VolunteerTV.com in Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) — It’s something you may not think about, until your family is stranded on the side of the road. Knowing who to call for a tow, when your vehicle stops, can be a tough decision. It’s actually important that you know before your car breaks down, because you can’t be sure if the company that is coming to your aid is a reputable business.It’s the end of a long day at work, and you just want to get home, but your car has a different idea. Mario Pac said, “My friend was driving my car, and it just broke down.” Stranded in a parking lot, Mario called AAA, and Tony Nelson with Moneymaker Wrecker Services, helped him on his way again. Tony says, “I’ll give them a rough […]

Towing and Going Green

Local tow truck company goes “green”
New environmental rules to be implemented starting next year
By Brenda Gazzar, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/16/2010 07:36:17 PM PDT

 

20100516_102407_SX17-TOWTRUCKS4Jan’s Towing heavy duty towing specialist Steve Coffee, from left, president Jan Qualkenbush and driver supervisor D. J. Johnston with a Kenworth 40 ton heavy recovery tow truck that has been retrofitted with a particulate filtering system making it an “eco friendly” diesel at his Azusa towing company May 12, 2010. About 75 per cent of Jan’s Towing trucks are environmentally safe diesel engines that are already complying with future air quality requirements. (SGVN/Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb)Like other service shops around the nation, Jan Qualkenbush’s towing business suffered a blow during the recession, bringing his profits down at least 15 percent and causing him to […]

Towing company is told ease up

Towing company is told ease up

Pickup pulled from Jacksonville’s Buckman Bridge barrier wall | jacksonville.com

Pickup pulled from Jacksonville’s Buckman Bridge barrier wall | jacksonville.com

What I Do: I run Liberty Towing Service

State Journal Posted: Monday, May 10, 2010 3:48 pm

 

 

Name: Simon Birch
Age: 45
Occupation: Co-owner of Liberty Towing Service, Madison
Web: http://www.libertytowing.us/
Number of years on the job: 29

 

Ever since I was 12 years old in my native Coventry, England, I knew this was what I wanted to do.My friend, Harvey Wasson, owned a towing service there, and he let me ride with him. Harvey worked round-the-clock and built a large business. He taught me how to run a towing business and to provide excellent customer service. I came to Madison in 1991 to work for a towing company. In 1989, I read an article in American Towman magazine about the business and wrote a letter to the owner telling him that I’d like to work […]

Towing light, police light bulb, ambulance light bulb finder for federal signal product


Federal Signal Bulb Selection Chart

for Towlights, Strobes, Tow Truck lighting systems, police lights, flashers, ambulance flashers, loading dock lights

questions email [email protected]

Tips for Towing Disabled Vehicles

Tips for Towing Disabled Vehicles

By Ann Job of MSN Autos
Sophisticated new vehicles require great care and different types of towing techniques.

Always make certain that the tow truck driver knows the proper way to tow your vehicle.

On occasion, our car, van, truck or sport-utility vehicle can break down and need to be towed.

Decades ago, it wasn’t uncommon to see a friend, family member, neighbor or Good Samaritan towing the stranded vehicle home for a needy driver.

It’s rare to see this today—for good reason.

Towing practices, like today’s vehicles, are more sophisticated than they were years ago— so sophisticated, in fact, that there are more rules and “don’ts” than ever before.

Even AAA, the largest member-supported roadside assistance service in the United States, offers a towing manual for tow truck operators that has “more than 350 pages of details involving every make and model,” said Larry Keller, editor at AAA […]

Tow truck driver hurt post-storm

Tow truck driver hurt post-storm
from CBC News
April 30,2010

A tow truck driver, trying to clear a crash after a major snowstorm in southern Alberta, was seriously hurt when a car struck him. The tow truck driver was on Highway 22, south of Cremona, when a southbound Volkswagen Jetta hit him on Thursday afternoon. The Jetta’s driver then left the scene in another vehicle, said police. Didsbury police said weather was no longer a factor at the time of the collision. The tow truck driver was taken to the Foothills hospital with serious injuries. He is in stable condition.Charges are pending against a man, 48, who is in custody. Power still out About 1,000 homes are still in the dark in southern Alberta after more than 15 centimetres of snow fell in some areas between Wednesday and Thursday.Electricity provider, Fortis Alberta, has 300 workers […]

Blue, red and amber lights mean slow down and move over

Police LightsBlue, red and amber lights mean slow down and move over Law changes in effect today

From The Eagle Tribune 2008
By Jarret Bencks

When emergency vehicles arrive at an accident, safety officials said vehicles with lights that aren’t red or blue don’t get the same level of respect from motorists — and it puts workers in danger.

“It’s unnerving when someone blows by you at 70 mph,” said Bill Boynton, spokesman for the Department of Transportation, whose vehicles have amber lights. “We’ve had a few instances where people have had to jump over guardrails just to get out of the way.”

Beginning today, changes to the state’s Move Over Law will clearly include tow trucks and DOT vehicles as emergency vehicles. Drivers will be required to slow down and make room for […]

Car Being Towed Catches Fire On I-95

Car Being Towed Catches Fire On I-95

Tow Truck Driver Escapes Unharmed
POSTED: 9:18 am EDT April 28, 2010

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A tow truck driver escaped unharmed after the car he was towing caught fire early Wednesday morning.

The fire started about 1 a.m. along southbound Interstate 95 near Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard.

WPBF 25 News was first at the scene when firefighters were extinguishing the flames.

The tow truck driver told WPBF 25 News he was towing a car that had been involved in a fire when he saw smoke. He stopped to lower the car from his truck when it burst into flames. No One was injured

Fairness in Towing

Moreno Valley tow truck operators could get rotation system

By LAURIE LUCAS
The Press-Enterprise

Tow truck drivers in Moreno Valley may finally get an official rotation system.

Under the proposed city-wide fee schedule for fiscal year 2010-11, tow truck operators would pay an application fee of $2,828 for a five-year contract and post a $5,000 deposit to cover administrative costs. Owners of towed cars would have to pay $74 to recover their vehicles.

The City Council is expected to vote on the fee schedule tonight after a public hearing , which starts at 6:30 p.m. State law requires that municipalities can only charge fees to recover costs, not to make profits.

Moreno Valley has an ordinance that’s languished on the books for more than a decade involving towing service rotation, said Rick Hartmann, the interim assistant city manager.

Most California cities and counties have a rotation set up with area operators so that business […]

Seems fair?

Parma gives break on towing fee to crime victims

By Bob Sandrick, Sun News
April 25, 2010, 11:10AM

Victims of crimes like automobile theft will no longer have to pay city towing fees under an ordinance Parma City Council approved Monday.

Under the previous code, the city charged a $25 fee for each car it towed. From now on, the city will waive the fee for crime victims.

Safety Director Greg Baeppler said the ordinance was recommended to council by the city’s Law Department and Police Chief Daniel Hoffman.

Tow truck driver dies after crashing into Chesapeake store

by Brandon Foster-Gray

Posted on April 13, 2010 at 9:28 PM

Updated Tuesday, Apr 13 at 10:15 PM

CHESAPEAKE-A tow truck driver who crashed into a pool and leisure supply store Tuesday evening has died.The crash happened shortly after 7 p.m., at East Coast Leisure, located at 3269 Western Branch Boulevard. According to police spokesperson Dorienne Boykin, the driver, 48-year-old Durward Whitehead, Sr. of Elizabeth City, N.C., was driving the tow truck, when a medical emergency caused him to lose control and crash into the store.The store was closed at the time of the crash.Whitehead was taken to Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, where he died. Boykin does not know whether Whitehead died as a result of his medical condition or injuries suffered.

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Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Mr. Whitehead.


-East Coast Truck & Trailer

1 person hurt as train pulling safety caboose collides with tow truck in Jacksonville

1 person hurt as train pulling safety caboose collides with tow truck in Jacksonville

from the Florida Sun Times April 2010

Posted: April 8, 2010 – 1:50pm

A train engine pulling a caboose used to promote railroad crossing safety collided with a tow truck in North Jacksonville this afternoon, injuring the tow truck driver, police and fire officials said. The accident occurred about 1:15 p.m. in the 9200 block of North Main Street across from the Preferred Materials concrete plant. A tow truck from Abe’s Wrecker Service was leaving a junkyard and crossing a train track when it was struck by the northbound engine and caboose, said Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Lt. Allen Eason. There was no crossing arm at the site, but there was a sign warning motorists about the track. Eason said the tow truck driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The man, taken to Shands Jacksonville hospital, […]

AutoNation CEO: “Fat V” Recovery for Auto Sector

Published: Thursday, 1 Apr 2010

1:26 PM ET Text Size By: Brooke Sopelsa

By: Brooke Sopelsa
Writer/Producer, CNBC.com

The automotive sector was handed major setbacks during the recession, but Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation, said the industry is in store for a “Fat V” recovery.“We plunged from 16 million (vehicles sold) down to 10 million in two years, and it’s going to take us about four years to get back to 16 million,” Jackson explained.Jackson, who runs the largest chain of auto dealerships in the United States, added that March was an “excellent month” at the retail level.“I think March is going to break through 12 million units,” he said.He noted that 12 million is still a “depression-level number” but said the rise from last year’s sales is a confirmation of the recovery. He also said incentives would enhance March’s sales results. More Good News?

Light at the end of the tunnel

transporttopicsonlinelogo
LOUISVILLE, Ky. Daimler Trucks chief Andreas Renschler said Thursday that his company is readying the largest introduction of new vehicles in its history. At a press event at the Mid-America Trucking Show here, Renschler said Daimler Trucks over the next four years plans to spend 2 billion euros, about $2.65 billion, on the biggest product launch in our history.While he acknowledged that the global truck market is still facing headwinds, Daimler believes in reinvesting into its product lines.We have the pedal on the metal, he said.Daimler Trucks North America President Martin Daum told Transport Topics that the product plan focuses on improving fuel efficiency of its diesel engines and expanding use of compressed natural gas and liquid natural gas engines. Daum said DTNA has received close to 7,000 orders from more than 700 customers for […]

Stop Taking Tow Truck Driver Safety for Granted!

I saw this article from BNET. Everyone wants the benefit of what tow truck drivers provide, but cant offer a simple courtesy for doing it!

EDITORIAL: Treat tow truck drivers with respect
Brandon Sun, The, Feb 12, 2010

12Next ..It shouldn’t require a public plea from a Brandon tow truck company to get motorists to slow down when they see a pair of flashing lights on the side of the road.

Taking your foot off the gas and steering clear of a stopped vehicle is something all of us learn in our teen years during driver training as we attempt to obtain our licence in the first place.

But as the Sun reported on Thursday, two dangerous collisions with Wheat City Towing trucks caused by inattentive motorists this winter have company manager Kevin Ouellet worried for his drivers’ safety.

In the first case, a nighttime driver lost control on a slippery road while steering […]

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