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Making Large Truck Operations
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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!
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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.
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Our topic list is sure to grow, but for now it includes:
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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).
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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...
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Note: This is the part of a comment that was split from "related question" to this new page.
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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 …
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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
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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 …
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Are there things only humans can do?
An April 12, 2014 article on AutoEvolution.com entitled " Toyota Replacing Some Factory Robots With Humans To …
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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 …
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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 …
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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?
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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.
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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
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