Building Your Dream Ride: Part 2

In the last edition of Building Your Dream Ride, we discussed the benefits of dropped, bowtie, and angled sunvisors. These products add a significant attitude to your truck, and provide you a shade from the sweltering glare of the summer sun.

However, the sunvisor is only a part of building your dream ride. To create a vehicle that you will enjoy driving and that can compete with the best looking trucks in the world, additional features are required. Our subject of discussion today is bumpers.

Although the sunvisor is more than likely the custom part you see the most from inside the cab, the bumper is probably the part that other drivers see the most. In all, there are approximately four types of truck bumpers other than moose guards which are discussed in a previous blog post. These are the Tapered, Texas Square, Boxed End, and American Eagle bumpers.

The Tapered bumper is a common bumper seen on stock trucks, those straight out of the factory. However, all tapered bumpers are not plain. Custom 20-inch tapered bumpers look just as impressive as any other custom bumper on the market.

Tapered Bumper

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Custom Tapered Bumper

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The Texas Square bumper is the closest of the four bumper categories to completely custom than the following two custom bumper types. Texas Square bumpers are amongst the best looking truck bumpers, and with sizes up to 24 inches, they can give your truck the awesome look you want.

Texas Square Bumper

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Both the Boxed End bumper and the American Eagle bumper are actually custom products; therefore, both will be discussed jointly. In reality, there is little difference between the Boxed End and the American Eagle bumper styles. Both have the front plate of the Texas Square bumper with an additional folded side panel. This side panel is the key difference between the two. On the Boxed End, this panel extend to a flat edge, but, on the American Eagle, it conforms to the wheel of the vehicle.

Boxed End Bumper

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American Eagle Bumper

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Regardless of the bumper design you choose, you will be impressed with the improvement in your truck's appearance. Safe travels to you; tune in for Part 3 of Building Your Dream Ride later this week.

Truckers Unite Product Line

Truckers Unite is a grassroots movement of truckers and citizens who support them. Our goal is to call for Congress to stop overloading one of America's most essential industries with unnecessary burdens. Truckers, their families, and their supporters also vote in our national elections, and we have the ability to appoint leadership that will help America move forward.

With the current truckload of regulations, mandates, and changes to existing laws, truckers are surrounded by an alphabet soup of political causes. Truckers need a system that allows them to work without constant changes to their vehicles, their work hours, and their in-cab systems. By uniting with America's haulers, you can show your support for the industry that supplies your food, gas, car, clothes, appliances, furniture, and much more.

Stand with America's truckers with the following list of Truckers Unite merchandise. Let's put America back on the highway to success.

Truckers Wall Clock by FlyingJoshTruckstop

Truckers Unite Belt Buckle by FlyingJoshTruckstop

Trucks Move America Keychain by FlyingJoshTruckstop

Truckers Unite Button by FlyingJoshTruckstop

Truckers Unite Water Bottle by FlyingJoshTruckstop

Truckers Unite Notebook by FlyingJoshTruckstop

Truckers Unite Mug by FlyingJoshTruckstop

Truckers Unite iPhone Cover by FlyingJoshTruckstop

Truckers Bumper Sticker by FlyingJoshTruckstop

Truckers Bumper Sticker by FlyingJoshTruckstop

Truckers Unite Trucker Hat by FlyingJoshTruckstop

Truckers Unite Against Regs and Mandates T-Shirt by FlyingJoshTruckstop

Coming Some Time Tomorrow or Wednesday

In concordance with the previous blog post "Truckers Unite Against Regulations and Mandates", I will be posting a series of products with the "Truckers Unite" label and other trucking statements on them. With these products, you can show the world your support of the trucking industry. So check in tomorrow for the full list of products and prices.

Trucking News--The Week in Review

The following are some of the top stories in trucking for this week.

Interstate 95 Tolling:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2012/jul/24/tdbiz01-trucking-group-looks-to-block-i-95-toll-bo-ar-2078337/

Thousands of Unwanted Trucking Jobs:

http://money.cnn.com/2012/07/24/news/economy/trucking-jobs/index.htm

Legal Loopholes in Georgia:

http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2012/7/24/Georgiatruckingcompaniescanescapescrutiny.aspx

Over-regulation in the Trucking Industry:

http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=23934

Stability Control Mandate:

http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=23928

Financial Losses and Gains:

http://www.joc.com/trucking/usa-truck-reports-35-million-loss

http://www.todaystrucking.com/dhl-fueling-delivery-fleet-with-propane

Fuel Price Fluctuations:

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=77592

Alternative Fuels:

http://www.todaystrucking.com/dhl-fueling-delivery-fleet-with-propane

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=77588

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=77575

Truck Stolen Twice:

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jul/23/thieves-target-semi-truck-twice-in-a-week-portland/

HOS Law Changes Challenged:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ata-files-opening-brief-in-challenge-of-unwarranted-hos-changes-163580786.html

Expedite Expo:

http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=23927

For more trucking news, follow TheRoadRunner2K on Twitter.

Truckers Unite Against Regulations and Mandates.

The trucking industry is one of America's most important industries. That is a fact. Nearly every industry utilizes the trucking industry to move products, bring in raw materials, or do business altogether. Even industries that are naturally competitive with the trucking industry either work with truckers or employ truckers just to operate their businesses.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific, two of America's largest railways, operate fleets of trucks, that if inoperable, would harm the company nearly as much as the shutdown of the rail lines. At the same time, airlines also operate fleets of trucks to repair, move, and fuel their planes.

While trucking remains essential to America's economy, many of our lawmakers do not realize this. Each year, increased regulations, mandates, and changes to existing laws hamper the efforts of American drivers to do their daily tasks. In recent days, the CSA and EOBR mandates combined with changes to the HOS laws and increased fuel economy standards are threatening to drive up the costs that truckers like you face daily.

As the costs of trucking increase, all other products increase in price also. Soon, economists will warn us that we are heading back into recession. This does not have to be the case. Without all of these unnecessary regulations, truckers and trucking companies could help fuel an economic recovery. But with the current state of things, that is not bound to happen.

Americans, both truckers and civilians alike, need to come together and advocate a removal of these hindrances to the flow of goods in our economy. In addition, Congress needs to re-analyze increasing truck weights as was done earlier in the year. If the HOS laws are going to change next year, why not allow the drivers to haul more cargo with their less driving time?

As was said earlier, stop the regs, and we'll create some jobs. Perhaps, if for a week, some of our representatives performed the duties that all truck drivers perform, they would learn to appreciate the work that America's haulers do. Remember, without trucks, America's economy stops.

Building Your Dream Ride: Part 1

Custom trucks. Almost truck drivers want one; however, they may not be as unattainable as previously thought. With a few simple modifications, your ride can gain some of that custom truck appearance. One of these modifications is an aftermarket sunvisor. Standard truck sunvisors are only made to block the sun, not to improve the look of your machine. However, dropped, bowtie, and blind mount sunvisors can be the start to an impressive project.

You don't have to take my word for it. Look at the following pictures.

Un-customized Peterbilt 379 Short Hood

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Peterbilt 379 with Custom Sunvisor

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 A Highly Customized Peterbilt 379

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Which one would you rather drive?



In addition to the look that they give your ride, dropped sunvisors also shield your eyes and your dashboard from the glare of the sun. With this added safety benefit, drop sunvisors are definitely a win-win for truckers like you.

Truck Stolen Twice Should Not Have Been Stolen Once

In the truck world yesterday, companies and industry experts were abuzz about a shocking story. This story related to a Peterbilt Model 335 that was stolen twice by two separate offenders.

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jul/23/thieves-target-semi-truck-twice-in-a-week-portland/

Thankfully, both thieves were unsuccessful in turning the truck into scrap. HOwever, such a situation never had to occur. With the installation of a simple safety lock that prevents the air brakes from being released, this truck would not have been stolen once.

Prevent such a situation from happening to you by investing in an air brake handle lock for your semi truck.

Safety is Simple: Part 1

Safety is more than a behavior. It is a lifestyle. One of the most dangerous parts of your job is a trucker is loading and unloading. In the loading zone, hundreds of injuries and thousands of accidents occur each year. To prevent many of these accidents, you can invest in inexpensive safety gear that will squelch these problems for good.

Two of the main problems at loading docks are moving trailers and shifting loads. When trailers move from the edge of the dock, forklift operators can literally fall between the dock and the trailer. A simple fix for this problem is none other than wheel chocks. When used properly, the following wheel chock will make sure that your trailer does not move during the loading process.








However, problems with loading are not confined to the dock. Many loads shift in transit, causing the vehicle's center of gravity to become misaligned. This can cause a wide range of problems from tire damage to rollover accidents. But as with runaway trailers, a simple solution can resolve this entire problem.

Load locks contain your load to a confined area within your trailer, giving you confidence that the load will remain where it was placed. Considering the hazards they prevent, cargo locks and load bars have inestimable value, and, with their strong construction, they can resist the stresses and strains that life throws at them.

After a long day on the road, you probably want some form of entertainment before the time comes to rest. One growing form of entertainment that has garnered thousands of views online is none other than YouTube trucking videos. Although there are thousands of channels offering YouTube trucking videos, here are a few of the best current producers of trucking videos.  

Canadian and American Trucking
TruckerJosh456  

Trucking Information
BigRigTalk

GoPro Trucking
1776 Filmz

Trucking Across the Nation
tekilka29


Each of these channels will provide you with hours of scenic drives, trucker knowledge, and creative masterpieces. For the full list of YouTube trucking channels, visit http://www.yttrucking.com/The_List.html.

Owner-Operator Vs. Company Driver: The Recent CDL Graduate's Guide

If you are looking to enter the trucking industry and have looked at job advertisements, you have probably noticed the words “company driver” and “owner-operator.” Although both types of drivers help move our nation along, there is a distinct difference between the owner-operator and the company driver.

Owner-Operator

The job of an owner-operator is essentially that of a small business owner. You own the truck and pay some of the fees associated with running the vehicle. Many trucking companies offer a owner-operator program that allows you to purchase one of the company vehicles through a dealership. While you get more pay from typical owner-operator trucking jobs, you have to compensate for fees such as licensing and minor maintenance.

However, the greatest benefit of owner-operator trucking jobs is freedom. If you choose to leave your source of employment, the truck stays with you as long as you can pay the lease or purchase payment. In addition, owner operator trucking jobs allow you to modify your vehicle to your specifications. In fact, many of the custom trucks featured in magazines and at truck shows are the property of owner operators.

In a short synopsis, here are the pros and cons of owner operator trucking jobs.

Pros:

• Increased Pay
• Sense of Ownership
• Ability to Start an Independent Fleet
• Customization of Vehicle

Cons:

•  Fees
• Vehicle Payments

Company Driver

For many truck drivers, being an owner-operator is out of reach. Financial concerns and unneeded hassles prevent these drivers from filling owner operator trucking jobs. For these drivers, working as a company driver is just as beneficial as working as an owner operator. Company driver trucking jobs provide many benefits also.

If you are employed with a good company that maintains its fleet, takes care of its workers, and pays a decent rate, you can experience similar success to owner operators. Being an owner operator is not always a benefit, and for many drivers, company driving work provides a sufficient flow of income and a stable source of employment.

Some of the benefits of company driver trucking jobs include:

Pros:

• Few Hassles
• Good Pay
• Frequently Replaced Vehicles

Cons:

• Less Freedom
• Loss of Job Equals Loss of Vehicle
• Inability to Branch Out from Employer

Whether you drive as an owner-operator or a company driver, trucking can be a successful career if you are diligent, drive cautiously, and obey the laws of the road. Happy travels to you as you embark on your new career.

Trucking News--The Week in Review

Here is a synopsis of trucking's top stories for this week.

A Lack of Rest for Drivers in the Pacific Northwest.

http://www.bendbulletin.com/article/20120720/NEWS0107/207200362/

Industry-wide Driver Shortages.

http://www.pe.com/business/business-insider-headlines/20120720-logistics-trucking-firms-cant-find-qualified-drivers.ece

Exercise Trainers Work with Truckers to Achieve Better Health

http://www.heraldandnews.com/members/news/inside/article_47c59aee-d236-11e1-991a-0019bb2963f4.html

Reduced Border Delays with New Technology

http://www.todaystrucking.com/new-border-tech-helps-carriers-avoid-delays

Profits and Losses of Major Trucking Firms


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303612804577528912340725548.html?mod=googlenews_wsj


Continued Increases in Fuel Prices

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=77528&news_category_id=42

Natural Gas Gaining Popularity in Trucking

http://www.todaystrucking.com/feds-endorsing-natural-gas-a-good-thing-cta

CSA Mandate

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=77577&news_category_id=3

EOBR Mandate

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=77508&news_category_id=3

For more trucking news, follow TheRoadRunner2k on Twitter. This feed includes news on trucking in the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world. We won't stop till every trucker is informed.TM

Healthy Living as a Truck Driver

Living a healthy lifestyle can be difficult in the trucking profession. With the abundance of food available at truckstops and the limited amount of exercise that some trucking jobs entail, gaining weight can become a way of life. As we age, the increased weight leads to a strain on our hearts, which in turn can cause heart disease, heart attacks, and possible premature death.

Just in the past week, a trucker died from a heart attack while at the wheel of his rig. Thankfully, others were able to stop the vehicle before it could harm anyone. This situation and the deaths of many other drivers could be avoided with better eating and exercise. In this article, we will discuss the exercise part of a healthy trucking lifestyle.

Although many trucking jobs would not be classified as strenuous, drivers can increase their exercise regiment if they so choose. Pushups, sit-ups, and squats can be done inside the comfort and privacy of the sleeper. Walking and jogging can be done around the perimeter of the truck, and some mirrors of newer trucks such as the Kenworth T700 are strong enough to do a pull-up on. Be careful with this if the truck is not your own.

However, you do not have to do push-ups, sit-ups, or squats to get exercise. Adjusting your driving style can also increase your calorie usage. By using the clutch instead of floating the gears and turning off the cruise control, you will exercise both legs simultaneously.

Lastly, if you are in the market for a new trucking job and health is one of your priorities, pick a company where some manual labor is part of the job. Typically, flatbed, heavy haul, and some LTL trucking jobs give you the opportunity to move cargo, chains, or other objects and get exercise while you are working.

Always stretch before you exercise, and begin your routine slowly. Don't try to do fifty push-ups in a day or use the clutch all day if you have never done it before. Remember, exercise is a way of life. If you overdo it some days and don't exercise at all other days, you will discourage yourself and stop altogether. Make exercising a part of your job, and live a healthier lifestyle, one that will lead to a longer, fuller life.

Natural Gas Semi Trucks: Would You Drive One?

Due to the recent increases in the cost of diesel, truck drivers and trucking companies are searching for new ways to cut fuel costs. One of the most promising of these alternatives is natural gas. However, unlike advanced aerodynamic truck designs, trailer skirts, and trailer tails, natural gas poses a problem to all who choose it as an alternative fuel source. This problem is none other than fuel availability.

America has thousands of gas stations and truck stops that offer diesel fuel. On the other hand, only a handful of stations offer natural gas. Although Travel Centers of America plans to open about 100 natural gas fueling stations at its truck stops, even these measures are not sufficient to fuel a nationwide fleet of natural gas semis.

With current production of natural gas vehicles by Freightliner, Mack, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Volvo, and International, the equipment is already in existence. The fueling system must follow. To combat this availability problem, Volvo Trucks has introduced a natural gas-diesel hybrid. When the natural gas runs low, the system automatically switches over to diesel.

With the added convenience of a diesel backup, natural gas-diesel hybrids are a more viable choice than standalone natural gas trucks. With that being said, truck drivers have to accept the switch from diesel to natural gas and the dangers, safety precautions, and fueling methodology associated with that change. So the question for you the professional drivers is: would you drive a hybrid natural gas-diesel truck? Your decision may determine the future of fuel efficiency in trucking.

Some natural gas truck pictures from 

Alternative Fuels Data Center

LNG World News

Top Speed

Detect Energy

Bullbars, Moose Guards, and Cowcatchers

If you drive in big game country, you know that it is only a matter of time before one of these beasts crosses your path. To ward off the threat of mammalian mayhem, you should purchase a bullbar, deer guard, cowcatcher, or similar product. Simply stated, these bumpers keep a deer, elk, moose, bear, or bison from damaging your radiator, hood, front axle, lights, and other parts of your truck.

Several companies produce these bumpers, and we will look at each momentarily.

Herd.

From its headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Herd produces a wide range of bullbars for a large number of trucks. Herd produces bullbars for pickup trucks, passenger vans, and heavy trucks. Whether you own a Peterbilt 379 or a Caterpillar CT660, a Ford F-150 or a Chevrolet Express, Herd has a bullbar for you.

Visit their website at herd.com to see their products firsthand.

All pictures from herd.com

Ali Arc.

Also from the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ali Arc produces its own line of quality aluminum bullbars.With products for every vehicle from light-duty pickups to full size big rigs, Ali Arc provides stiff competition to its neighborly rival, Herd. Ali Arc also manufactures other aluminum products to complete its product line.

Visit aliarc.com for more information.

All pictures from aliarc.com

Magnum Trailer

Located in British Columbia, Magnum Trailer produces a popular assortment of bullbars. With models for all the popular truck brands and makes, Magnum Trailer offers an alternative to the Herd and Ali Arc's dominance. In addition to its bullbars, Magnum Trailer produces semi-trailers, a full assortment of cab protectors, toolboxes, chain hangers, and other aluminum accessories for your truck.

Visit magnumtrailer.com to see their full product line.

All pictures from magnumtrailer.com

Bison Grille Guards

Another of Manitoba's fine selection of bullbar manufacturers is Bison Grille Guards. Bison produces a selection of products for heavy trucks only. As with the other bullbar producers, the products from Bison Grille Guards will protect your truck from damage should an animal cross your path.

Visit sandvgrilleguards.com for additional facts about this company.

All pictures from sandvgrilleguards.com

Mik Mak Fabrications, Ltd.

From the land of Ontario, Mik Mak Fabrications produces a wide assortment of bullbars and other truck products. From cabguards and truck sleepers to service truck bodies and bullbars, Mik Mak Fabrications makes them all.

Visit mikmak.net to see their full product line.

All pictures from mikmak.net

Bandit Bar

One of the few companies to manufacture their bullbars from steel is Bandit Bar. With their unique guard design, Bandit Bar products stand apart from the crowd and provide protection in difficult environments. Bandit Bar is also stands alone as the only major bullbar manufacturer from Alberta. Bandit Bar produces bullbars for heavy and light trucks in addition to their tire chain racks.

Visit banditbar.com for more information.

All pictures from banditbar.com

Other Types of Animal Guards

If you are looking for a smaller, lighter product to deflect smaller animals such as deer, wolves, or pronghorns, you may want to consider a tube bumper. Like a bullbar, these products provide protection against front-end impact, but, unlike a bullbar, these products mount to your existing bumper, not replace it.

A few companies that produce these are the following:

Peters Industrial Sales

Delirious Fabrications

Highway Products

Luverne Truck Equipment

Rig Guard
BigFrontGrill

Products from these companies look like this.

Pictures from Rig Guard, Delirious Fabrications, and Highway Products

Regardless of which product you choose, you can rest assured that your vehicle is protected from animal impacts.