 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Making Large Truck Operations
|
||||||||||
|
We read in the November 2009 edition of "The Rolling Review" newsletter published by Mike's former trucking company that the EPA had mandated changes to each new tractor totaling some $20,000. New engines would cost $15,000 more each on top of the cost of the tractor. Ouch!
|
 |
It has never been more important for truck drivers to save money while operating their commercial motor vehicles.
Owner operators may be especially concerned about saving money on the operation of their trucks.
Over time, we plan to address different aspects of operating a large truck -- both driving and non-driving aspects -- in order to help you save as much money as possible.
|
Our topic list is sure to grow, but for now it includes:
|
We did an entire 9-page section about idling as a part of truck operations:
- Truck Idling: An Overview of the Need, Problems, Cost and Alternatives
- A Hot Truck: On Summer Heat, Truck Heat and Bake Oven Conditions
- Home Sweet Home: Addressing Idling and Creature Comforts for Pro Drivers
- Air Quality and Idling: Driver Comfort Bumps Up Against Environmental Concerns
- Idling Costs: How to Calculate the Need for Idling Alternatives
- Addressing Anti Idling Sentiment and No Idling Laws
- Idling Alternatives for Climate Control and Electrification in Trucks
- A Little Empowerment for Drivers Without Idling Alternatives
- A Proposition Between Drivers and Trucking Companies Regarding APUs
Will driverless trucks have any impact on truck operations per se?
If you're planning to drive during holidays, you may wish to read some tips about surviving New Year's Eve, especially as it concerns signs of drunk driving. We also address unique challenges of driving on or around Memorial Day.
We seek professional drivers' help in listing free truck parking at shippers' and receivers' locations.
We address the aspect of drivers who try to pin fault on others for their own actions.
You may also wish to view an updated operational costs of trucking report (released in 2011) from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).
 |
Money saving tip:
Whenever the cost of trucking goes up, the cost is passed along to the
customer and eventually the consumer. Truck drivers are also
consumers, and we want to keep costs low and profits reasonable. To
accomplish this, we can employ various techniques to make truck
operations frugal.
For example, take the awareness of fresh and stale red and green traffic lights that help drivers save fuel. If a driver sees that a traffic light has been red for some time (a "stale red"), then he or she can back off on the fuel to give the light time to change to green without having to bring the truck to a complete stop before proceeding. You may know of other tips, which we ask you to share through the form below. |
Have A Great Idea for Frugal Truck Operations?
Do you have a great idea about saving money on big rig truck operations? Share it!
Truck Operations Ideas Other Visitors Have Shared
Click below to see truck operations ideas shared by other visitors to this page...
Knowing When to Pull It Over and Just Stop Driving in Winter! 
Hello drivers. Today is March 5, 2015. I'm currently parked at the Pilot Travel Center in Corbin, KY. It looked rough out here in the parking lot as I …
What's the answer to this seemingly impossible winter trucking problem?
Many professional truck drivers are put in a seemingly impossible situation when driving in snow- and ice-prone areas in the winter.
Consider these …
Punished for a hard brake?
I'm looking at maybe switching trucking companies. One has a policy of a $25 deduction for each duty violation including a hard brake.
Say what? If …
On getting endorsements
Note: This is the part of a comment that was split from "related question" to this new page.
Hello, Vicki,
For an update, I got the class A permit …
Roof Rake
A product we use at Domino's Distribution center is called the Big Rig Rake. It's an inexpensive tool and much safer than climbing onto the roof of the …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.04.21 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending April 21, 2018.
We welcome …
How Tax Reform Affects Owner-Operators Not rated yet
In December 2017, Congress passed one of the largest tax reform bills since the 1980s. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will affect owner-operators starting this …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.04.14 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending April 14, 2018.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.04.07 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending April 7, 2018.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.03.31 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending March 31, 2018.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.03.24 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending March 24, 2018.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.03.17 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending March 17, 2018.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.03.10 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending March 10, 2018.
We welcome …
Detention Policies Need to Change in 2018 Not rated yet
Chad Boblett is the owner and driver of Boblett Brothers Trucking of Lexington, KY. Chad also founded the Rate Per Mile Masters group on Facebook, …
ELDs Add to Pressure on Driver Pay and Truckload Costs Not rated yet
Shippers are already paying more, sometimes a lot more, to move freight, and driver compensation will soon follow that upward trajectory, as relationships …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.03.03 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending March 3, 2018.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.02.24 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending February 24, 2018.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.02.17 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending February 17, 2018.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.02.10 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending February 10, 2018.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.02.03 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending February 3, 2018.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.01.27 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending January 27, 2018.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.01.20 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending January 20, 2018.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.01.13 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending January 13, 2018.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2018.01.06 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending January 6, 2018.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.12.30 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending December 30, 2017.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.12.23 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending December 23, 2017.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.12.16 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending December 16, 2017.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.12.09 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending December 9, 2017.
We welcome …
In what other industry besides trucking has the government ever mandated the purchase of a 'self-certification' product? Not rated yet
In my December 2, 2017, TDMST Weekly Round-Up , I cited a November 30, 2017, article that captured the following:
Indiana Attorney General Curtis …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.11.25 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending November 25, 2017.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.11.18 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending November 18, 2017.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.11.11 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending November 11, 2017.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.11.04 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending November 4, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.10.28 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending October 28, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.10.21 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending October 21, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.10.14 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending October 14, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.10.07 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending October 7, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.09.30 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending September 30, 2017.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.09.23 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending September 23, 2017.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.09.16 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending September 16, 2017.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.09.09 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending September 9, 2017.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.09.02 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending September 2, 2017.
We …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.08.26 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending August 26, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.08.19 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending August 19, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.08.12 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending August 12, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.08.05 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending August 5, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.07.29 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending July 29, 2017. This week, …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.07.22 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending July 22, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.07.15 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending July 15, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.07.08 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending July 8, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.07.01 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending July 1, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.06.24 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending June 24, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.06.17 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending June 17, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.06.10 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending June 10, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.06.03 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending June 3, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.05.27 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending May 27, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.05.20 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending May 20, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.05.13 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending May 13, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.05.06 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending May 6, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.04.29 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending April 29, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.04.22 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending April 22, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.04.15 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending April 15, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.04.08 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending April 8, 2017.
We welcome …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.04.01 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending April 1, 2017.
1. A …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.03.25 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending March 25, 2017.
1. …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.03.18 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending March 18, 2017.
1. …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.03.11 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending March 11, 2017.
1. …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.03.04 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending March 4, 2017.
1. …
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.02.25 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki
Simons for the week ending February 25, 2017.
…
TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.02.18 Not rated yet
This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending February 18, 2017.
1. …
Learn How to Save Thousands on Diesel Fuel! Not rated yet
When fuel accounts for up to 40% of your trucking companies operating expenses, saving a few cents at the pump can add up to thousands of dollars per year! …
Go see what you can scrounge up Not rated yet
My husband is a trucker who was told at his new job, "Go see what you can scrounge up" regarding trying to find a working truck and trailer amidst the …
DEF fuel tank Not rated yet
Suppose you drive a truck that has a DEF fuel tank -- aka "DEF tank" or "DEF storage tank" -- that holds Diesel Exhaust Fluid on the passenger's side …
Distracted by a bee in your truck? Not rated yet
How can you keep from being distracted by a bee in your truck, as this driver supposedly was? (Note: He consequently caused a truck accident.) The first …
Truck Fuel Efficiency Guide Not rated yet
Truck Fuel Efficiency Guide
Hope you are well. I was hoping to see if you like my guide, alot of work has gone into it. I was wondering if you think …
load equality not equal Not rated yet
hey mike. your a local truck driver right? your company has other drivers right? your all paid miles and drops right? are all the drivers at your company …
Lack of freight Not rated yet
My husband drives a truck for a dedicated account where the freight is somewhat seasonal. This time last year, there were 5 drivers. This year, there are …
Maximum speed Not rated yet
My trucking company decreased my truck's maximum speed. My truck went from being able to go 71 mph to stuttering along at 63. This adds insult to the injury …
My supervisors accused me of not doing pretrip inspections because they don't show up on my e-logs Not rated yet
Hey Mike and Vicki. I'm on a new electronic log system in my truck which I don't trust so I'm keeping a paper log backup. I'm doing my pretrip inspection …
Double-check your Memorial Day delivery appointment Not rated yet
On Friday, April 18, one of our Facebook friends who is a professional truck driver grumbled about how someone inside his company had dropped the ball …
free labor? Not rated yet
i'm spitting mad! yesterday, i was told to move some trailers between two places. when i was done, i was told neither my time nor mileage would be paid! …
ATRI says FMCSA's HOS Field Study Report is flawed Not rated yet
The news release states (in part),
MAP-21 required that the field study be “representative of the drivers and motor carriers regulated by the hours …
Things only humans can do Not rated yet
Are there things only humans can do?
An April 12, 2014 article on AutoEvolution.com entitled " Toyota Replacing Some Factory Robots With Humans To …
Should I fight ticket for failure to remove snow/ice from my trailer? Not rated yet
I received a citation west of philadelphia on highway 76 mile marker 334 for ice on top of my trailer. It could not be seen from from thr ground but some …
Don't Repeat Your Mistakes Not rated yet
This should be a no-brainer, but don't repeat your mistakes in trucking.
Doing something wrong one time may be called a mistake (unless you knew not …
Rubbernecker Accident Not rated yet
Don't let an accident on one side of a highway lead to a rubbernecker accident on the other.
When going slowly past an accident -- or any time law enforcement …
Backing up during training Not rated yet
The wife of a trucker is frantic over the fact that her husband is having trouble backing up a truck -- and he's in his last two weeks of training with …
Losing income over required repairs Not rated yet
A trucker complained about losing income over required repairs due to an accident that wasn't his fault.(*) Who pays for it?
-----
Response from Vicki: …
Leaning Freight Not rated yet
A conversation on Twitter between @MonMisfit and @TruckersSavings came about as a result of publishing the pallet wrap page.
Please note that …
BigRigTravels Not rated yet
I was reading your article, and you mentioned you cannot find any trucks with LIVE cameras. I run an entire website doing just that - broadcasting LIVE …
Trailer skirts, why not seeing more of them Not rated yet
Hello Vicki and Mike
First, let me thank you for taking the time to help educate others in the industry. You are using the power of the internet in …
Education for ALL drivers on the road! Not rated yet
A truck driver is educated in the capabilities, and limitations, of the transport he is driving, but little education is given to those that drive 4 wheel …
Ticket for passing in left lane too slowly Not rated yet
I got a ticket for remaining in the left lane to long trying to pass a slow moving car on I-10 in Louisiana.
-----
The information below is edited …
Resources
For over 40 years the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has been fighting for the rights of all professional truckers.
Sherilyn Thompson provides through her Simplified-Solar-Power.com website information about Smart Trucks that utilize solar power and other alternative energy sources.
Dianna Lambert runs TheTruckingVA.com (the Trucking Virtual Assistant) that provides compliance services and does administrative office tasks, research, bookkeeping, social media assistance and more.
We personally use and recommend the service described in this webinar...
How to Pay Less Taxes and Never Worry About an IRS Audit
Recommended Trucker Accessories
- Portable Toilet
- Cold Food Storage
Device
- Appliances to Cook in
Your Truck
- Powering Your Appliances
- Navigation Tools
- Communication Tools
|
Welcome
Jobs, Training
Trucks
Reviews
Drivers
Food
Finance
Additional Helps
Site Sponsor
Copyright
© 2009-2018. All Rights Reserved. NKBJ InfoNet, LLC
www.Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com
All information on
this site is intended for
informational and educational purposes.
It neither substitutes for professional advice nor negates user
responsibility to do due diligence.