Poll: How Much Do You Make Per Hour? Is it $19.83?

In a recent article on trucking from the Star Tribune, truckers were said to make $19.83 per hour according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When multiplied by 2080 hours, that amounts to just over $41,200 per year. However, truckers do not work an 8 to 5 job.

If you drive an average of 10 hours per day and work two more hours in that same day, you will work a sixty hour work week. Multiply that by fifty work weeks, and 3000 hours worked in a year is not beyond reasonable. With this average pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you would average almost $59,500 per year in gross income and benefits.

Even at ten hours a day of work, you would still make $49,500 per year. So my question to you is: how much do you think you make per hour realistically. To make simple numbers, round your wages to the nearest thousand and divide by 2500 hours (10 hours per day for 5 days a week). Then round again up or down and select an answer in the poll on the right.

Safe travels to you.

Ugly Trucks: Would You Drive This?

As fuel prices continue to rise and carriers seek methods to cut costs, efforts to reduce vehicle drag are producing vehicles that hardly resemble respectable semis. Take this MAN concept for example. While it may have incredible fuel economy, it does not look like anything most truckers want to drive. The same can be said of many of the newer models, which all seem to compromise style and beauty for cost. Yes, fuel economy is a concern, but with modern technology and engine modifications, handsome semi trucks can be made more efficient also.

So my question to all the drivers who read this blog is: which would you rather drive? Vote in the poll on the right hand side and share your views with me.

Peterbilt 379

 

Kenworth W900

 

International Lonestar

Freightliner Cascadia

Mack Pinnacle

Volvo VNL780

Futuristic Truck

The choice is yours.

Six-By-Two: Would You Drive One?

With the increased push to get better and better fuel mileage, trucking companies and truck manufacturers are turning to radical ideas. From simple solutions such as full-length chassis and trailer skirts, roof airfoils, and air dams to more radical solutions such as trailer tails, super-single drive and trailer tires, hybrid engines, and fully automatic transmissions, trucking firms and truck manufacturers are seeking the best methods to cut fuel economy without reducing the truck's capability to haul freight.

On the other hand, to achieve revolutionary fuel mileage of 10 mpg and above, companies have to attempt even more extreme solutions. One of these solutions, which is being marketed by Freightliner in their new Cascadia Evolution truck, is the six-by-two axle configuration.

Freightliner Cascadia Evolution

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Instead of having eight powered wheels, these trucks only have four. Typically outfitted with a rear drive axle and a pusher mounted in front of it, a six-by-two truck requires less engine horsepower to push along its single powered axle. But as with other solutions, the question is: Would you as a professional driver operate one with confidence?

In truth, six-by-two configurations are quite common in Europe, but conditions in this part of the world are quite different. Hills are steeper, snows are deeper, and loads--particularly in Canada--are much heavier. Only time will tell if the six-by-two is worthy of the challenges that North America's roads present.

MAN 6x2 Tractor

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 Scania 6x2 Tractor

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Post your responses in the comment box below, and tell me if you think this is an excellent idea or a terrible one.

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

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