Jan 08, 2021 • Carriers

How to Grow Your Hard Earned Money in Trucking

How to Grow Your Hard Earned Money in Trucking

There are at least 3 ways to “grow” one’s hard earned money in trucking:

1. earn more for what you do as a trucker;

2. earn a second income from the cab of one’s truck; and

3. put your money in an investment that lets it grow while you’re driving.

The majority of truckers are paid by the mile or by the task, meaning that they are trading their time for money.

There are a lot of “time wasters” associated with trucking, including:

detention at shipper and receiver locations;

waiting for loads;

road construction;

bad weather and storms;

bottlenecks and congestion;

mechanical breakdowns;

accidents (both preventable and not preventable); and

time that the Hours of Service regulations force truckers to wait without getting paid.

Seek to reduce or eliminate as many of these time wasters as possible.

Regarding earning more money for what you do, you can:

make yourself available to drive during all hours when you legally can drive;

develop a good relationship with those in your trucking company who assign loads, including your driver manager;

develop good relationships with mechanics in your trucking company’s shop, so that they will perform maintenance or repairs on your truck in a timely manner;

be friendly with everyone with whom you come in contact, including guards and lumpers;

work for a trucking company that values your experience and will pay you accordingly; and

perform with excellence all of the tasks assigned to you, so that you will develop a good reputation and be worthy of getting more miles or being assigned higher paying tasks.

Seek to pay off all that you owe as you buy things, so that you don’t have to pay credit card interest.

If you don’t have a budget, begin by using our “spending diary” (free download) for a minimum of 30 days so that you track where you are spending money.

From there, set up a budget, including what you save.

When the time is right, put your savings into:

either an interest-bearing account of some kind;

or investments that are most likely to grow.

Two ways to save more money as a trucker include:

preparing and eating as many meals as possible in your truck; and

resisting the urge to spend money on non-critical things.

We provide 35+ free downloads through our site.

To get them instantly by email, sign up through the form on the page listed below and confirm your subscription:

https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/free-downloads.html

On behalf of my husband Mike and me, we wish all professional truck drivers safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.

By Vicki Simons

https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/

TagsTruck Driver truck drivers Owner Operator trucking Trucker Path Trucking Industry Truck driver tips Owner Operators Technology Trucking Tips transportation finances

COVID19: State of Trucking <h4>By Trucker Path</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3> <img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b5.png" alt="Trucker Path COVID19" /> <h3><strong>Trucker Path COVID-19 Initiatives</strong></h3> The Trucker Path team is actively monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and preparing resources to assist truckers as they help keep America running. <h2></h2> In addition to providing updates on the Trucker Path <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TruckerPath/">Facebook Page</a>, a dedicated COVID19 thread has been created in the official Trucker Path forum. <h2></h2> A COVID-19 Tracker has been introduced on the Trucker Path mobile app which is available on <a href="http://bit.ly/truckerpathios">iOS</a> and <a href="http://bit.ly/truckerpathdroid">Google Play</a>. This feature will enable truckers to easily check the spread of the Coronavirus and see insights both for America and abroad, with live updates on infections and recoveries. <h2></h2> Along side the COVID-19 Tracker is the COVID-19 Navigation Tool which has been integrated on the Turn-by-Turn feature to track the latest information regarding reported cases and infected areas and provide alternate routing. </a> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b7.jpeg" alt="FMCSA" /> <h3><strong>FMCSA Emergency Declaration to be extended until June 14</strong></h3> The agency's COVID-19 Emergency Declaration has been extended until June 14. The original declaration was set to expire last Friday. Full announcement can be found <a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/extension-expanded-emergency-declaration-no-2020-002-under-49-cfr-ss-39025">here</a>. <h2></h2> FMCSA’s emergency declaration provides for regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts intended to meet immediate needs for: Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores Immediate precursor raw materials — such as paper, plastic or alcohol—that are required and to be used for the manufacture of essential items Fuel Equipment, supplies and persons needed to establish and manage temporary housing or quarantines Persons designated by federal, state or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes Persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services </a> <h3></h3> <h2></h2> <img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b6.jpeg" alt="CDC" /> <h3><strong>CDC Guidelines for Long Haul Truck Drivers</strong></h3> The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recently updated guidelines for long haul truck drivers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some prescribed steps to avoid contamination and reduce spread. <ul> <li>Notify your supervisor and stay home if having symptoms.</li> <li>Make a plan with your employer and your family as to what to do if you become sick while you’re on the road. Include where to stop, where and how to seek medical advice and treatment, and plans for freight delivery.</li> <li>Limit close contact with others by maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet when possible.</li> <li>CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. </li> <li>Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on a routine basis.</li> <li>Practice proper hand hygiene. This is an important infection control measure. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.</li> <li>Avoid touching surfaces often touched by others when outside of the cab.</li> <li>Do not share personal protective equipment (PPE) (such as vests, safety glasses, hard hats),tools, phones, radios, or other personal items.</li> <li>Use pre-qualified truck stops or hotels identified by your employer as having appropriate COVID-19 protections.</li> <li>When team driving or ride-alongs are required, wear cloth face coverings inside the truck and avoid sharing bedding in the sleeper berth.</li> </ul> Full guidelines can be viewed <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/long-haul-trucking.html">here</a>.

May 21, 2020 • Carriers

Truck Parking Issue Can Cost the Industry $5 Billion Annually [p]Finding safe truck parking is a looming issue that can cost the trucking industry an estimated $5.1 billion annually.[/p] [h2]3 Factors to Help Resolve the Truck Parking Issue[/h2] [p][b]1. Increase Capacity in Areas of Need[/b][/p] [p]After examining the data at over 270,000 truck parking spots in 2016, we found that in the Western areas of America, it is nearly impossible for a truck driver to find truck parking nearby within 45 minutes. After surveying over 3,000 truck drivers we discovered that [i]40 percent of truck drivers spend an hour or more searching for nearby truck parking.[/i] That's nearly 10 percent of their allotted daily driving time![/p] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2017/05/bottom-infgr-e.png" alt=""] [p][b]2. Increase the Use of Technology to Help Find Truck Parking[/b][/p] [p]Technology can provide truck drivers with necessary information to find nearby truck parking. [a href="https://app.appsflyer.com/com.sixdays.truckerpath?pid=Social Facebook"]Trucker Path[/a] is a necessity for truck drivers who need to find nearby truck parking. There are over 8,000 truck stops, rest areas, and travel centers in the app with real-time updates regarding the available truck parking.[/p] [p][b]3. Improve Trip Planning and Efficiency by Drivers[/b][/p] [p]Most drivers plan ahead by searching for truck parking along their route. However, on average, 16 percent of truck drivers say they start to plan for parking 30 minutes or less before hitting their HOS limit. For truck drivers to find available parking in a timely manner, especially in the Western part of the U.S., they should begin the process at least one hour ahead of hitting their HOS limit.[/p] [p]Fleets can also help their drivers by providing them with necessary recommendations or having technology like Trucker Path loaded onto in-cab devices. While some fleets are proactive, this is not standard as 86 percent of truck drivers say their fleets don't give them recommendations on how to find parking.[/p] [p][b]Using Trucker Path can save drivers an estimated 11 hours per month![/b][/p] [video id="NSSOwFRJaQw"] [h2]Lost Opportunity for Fleets and Truck Drivers[/h2] [p]Time spent searching for truck parking can limit a driver’s earning potential. [i]If over 1.6 million truck drivers in America lose 11 hours every month, then the trucking industry is losing about $5.1 billion annually.[/i] Here is a detailed breakdown of the potential lost opportunity.[/p] [images src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2017/05/chartcaption.png" alt="Cost of parking" width="316px" align="left"] [h2]Unauthorized Truck Parking is Unsafe[/h2] [p]Truck driver safety also plays a role in the truck parking issue. In 2015, 852 truck drivers lost their life while working, making it the most dangerous job in the USA. [i]79 percent of drivers were forced to violate their HOS because they couldn't find truck parking.[/i] Meanwhile, drivers have been forced to park in unauthorized locations such as highway shoulders, store lots, and off-ramps. These areas are unsafe for truck drivers, leading to potential cargo theft or accidents when merging off or back onto roads.[/p] [h2]What's Being Done to Help Truck Drivers?[/h2] [p]Truck drivers don't feel enough measures are being implemented to help them. [i]86 percent of truck drivers we surveyed said they feel the government isn't doing enough to help alleviate the truck parking issue.[/i] There are a few states that have taken the initiative in helping provide solutions for truck drivers.[/p] [p]States such as Kentucky and Florida (among others) now utilize weigh stations for truck parking, known as “rest havens”. Meanwhile, Maryland and Delaware have provided corridor parking for trucks along I-95 resulting in 220 available truck parking spots.[/p] [p]Reopening rest areas for trucks to use for parking is another potential opportunity. Many rest areas were closed since 2008 due to state and city budget decreases. Rest areas that are closed like in California, where there are 13 not in operation could provide an average of 10 truck parking spots per location. The operational costs could be limited by providing only basic restrooms and security like surveillance or a rotation of a security officer on duty.[/p] [button-white href="http://assets.truckerpath.com/external/2017-05-04-pdf/parking-shortage-costs-the-trucking-industry-5B-annually.pdf"]Entire Report[/button-white]

May 04, 2017 • Carriers

Things to Consider When Buying Dashcams for Trucks [p]Trucking is a challenging job that requires constant commitment and motivation from the part of the truck driver. It is your job as a trucker to keep the cargo, the truck, yourself, and other drivers safe on the road. However, sometimes accidents can occur, leading to the involvement of multiple parties like the police and the insurance companies. In such cases, it is always better to protect yourself from paying for unnecessary damages. The best way to do that is by installing a dashcam in your truck.[/p] [p]There are so many dashcams for sale in the market that selecting the right one can be a troublesome task. Do not let that faze you. You can choose the perfect dashcam for your truck using the information provided in this article. So, without further ado let’s get started! [/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]The Dashcam’s Resolution [/b][/p] [p]The first thing you should consider when buying a dashcam for your truck is the camera’s resolution. There are dashcams out there that produce unclear videos then there are others that can record in HD resolution. When it comes to trucking you want to buy a dashcam with a high resolution so that all the recorded footage is of high quality. If you are required to present the video as evidence in the court then you would want the video to be as clear as possible and be able to capture essential information such as plate numbers or street signs. You could opt for 4k resolution dashcams, but they are highly expensive and chances are that you won't need such high resolution for your truck.[/p] [p][b]Number of Point of Views [/b][/p] [p]You want a dashcam that has more than two channels i.e. a dashcam that can show footage from at least two designated positions. A six-channel camera would show footage from a different location from inside and outside the car, which can be beneficial. A truck is huge and requires ample coverage which is why you need multiple channels. [/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/TP-BLOG-Things-to-Consider-When-Buying-Dashcams-for-Trucks-The-Type-of-Lens.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]The Type of Lens [/b][/p] [p]A dashcam with a wide lens will show a larger area in the front of your truck. Cameras with a 120-degree field of view are ideal for trucking. As a rule of thumb, the larger the field of view the better but that is not always true. Dashcam lenses that are wider than 120 degrees will create a fisheye effect leading to very awkward footage. A 360-degree camera lens can help solve both problems. [/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]Connectivity [/b][/p] [p]In this modern world, it is helpful if everything is connected to our phones or PCs. Therefore, a dashcam with a related mobile app can be very useful, especially if you are out & about and not near a PC. Furthermore, the mobile app can let you view the footage live and unaltered. So, even if you are away from your truck you are only a tap away from accessing the dashcam.[/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/TP-BLOG-Things-to-Consider-When-Buying-Dashcams-for-Trucks-Dashcam-Viewing-Screen.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]Dashcam Viewing Screen [/b][/p] [p]Some dashcams in the market have an LCD screen on their back so you can view the footage in real-time as you drive. That is not highly recommended, as a dashcam with an LCD can be distracting for you as a driver. They are big and bulky while also being too big to hide. Smaller dashcams with no LCDs are sleek and elegant making them the perfect choice for some truckers. The camera can be hidden from plain view allowing you to focus entirely on the road. [/p] [p][b]User Friendliness [/b][/p] [p]Dashcam installation can be hectic if you buy the wrong one. Many dashcams require you to connect electrical wiring and make adjustments in your truck. They are not very easy to install, which is why most truckers opt for dashcams that are operated by a battery or can easily plug in to a 12v socket. These kinds of dashcams do not require any complex installation and perform the same job as the other types. [/p] [p][b]Dashcam Memory [/b][/p] [p]You should also consider the memory capacity for your Dashcam. These cameras come with a micro SD card slot allowing you to save all the footage in one place so that you can transfer it later to a personal computer. Therefore, a dashcam should have the capability to accept high-volume memory cards such as 512 GB or 256 GB. This way, you’ll be able to record more footage and won’t have to worry about deleting often.[/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/TP-BLOG-Things-to-Consider-When-Buying-Dashcams-for-Trucks-Pricing.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]Pricing [/b][/p] [p]The last thing you should consider is the pricing. Dashcam prices range from $40 up to even $600. Treat your dashcam as a worthy investment that will save you money in the long run. Find a dashcam that gives you all the features that you’re looking for with a relatively cost efficient price. That way, you won’t have to think about upgrading in the near future. Do it once, and do it right.[/p] [p][b]Conclusion [/b][/p] [p]A dashcam is a simple gadget that has a lot of fancy features with a lot of good benefits especially for truckers. It is definitely worth considering to get to give you a bit of peace of mind when the unexpected happens.[/p] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> [p][b]By Aldous Aldwin[/b][/p]

Oct 22, 2020 • Community