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Trucker Spotlight - Larry Cothran <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em>
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/12/ts-larrycothran-blog-1.jpg" alt=""]
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Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Larry Cothran</strong>, a.k.a. L- Boogie. He's been driving trucks for more than 13 years and is also a businessman. He is the owner and founder of Ministry Marketing Pro. He's also an entrepreneur who has been helping businesses, political leaders and churches leverage the power of social media.
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After realizing there was a lack of churches using social media to spread the gospel, he decided to focus his efforts and marketing strategies on churches.
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Larry took the knowledge he learned over his 18+ years of studying marketing and advertising and created unique strategies that applied specifically to churches. Let's get to know more about Larry, his trucking life and, his ministry.
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<h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3>
Truthfully, I needed a job and I needed something that would be self sustainable. Something that would always be in demand.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/12/ts-larrycothran-blog-2.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>In the years that you have been driving, what are the significant changes that you've
noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3>
The biggest change has been going from paper logs to e-logs, plus the DEF addition to the trucks.
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<h3><strong>What made you decide to put up your Youtube channel?</strong></h3>
I wanted to help other truckers and entrepreneurs. I wanted to give information because when I started there was a limited amount of people to talk to that would give me truthful information .
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<h3><strong>Any times when you get lonely while driving? How do you deal with it?</strong></h3>
Yes. I’ve had to deal with loneliness on the road. When I first started out, I missed Christmas, my son’s first steps, birthdays and etc. I learned to deal with it by watching movies on the laptop, talking with friends and family on the phone. As the times started going, by I would become more useful with the time and use it to study my Bible, create content or counsel different people I met along the way while driving.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/12/ts-larrycothran-blog-3.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>As a trucker, what are the current struggles in this COVID19 pandemic?</strong></h3>
Having to wear a mask and forgetting to wear a mask. There are limited places to sit down and eat. Mostly everything has to be done in the truck.
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<h3><strong>What's your favorite Truck Brand / Model?</strong></h3>
I love the Volvo 780 with the table and bed in it.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/12/ts-larrycothran-blog-4.jpg" alt=""]
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<h3><strong>Aside from being a trucker, any other things you dream of doing?</strong></h3>
Yes, I love doing marketing for churches, small businesses and politicians so I’m focusing more time on that so that I can eventually transition into full time ministry and become a motivational speaker so that I can share my story to the youth. I’m also a published author with a book called “More Than A Conqueror” which can be purchased on Amazon and I plan on writing more books.
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<h3><strong>What's the best truck stop for you?</strong></h3>
I love going to Loves. It’s clean and friendly.
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<h3><strong>What are the common troubles or problems you encounter while trucking?</strong></h3>
Most common problems are breakdowns and traffic delays, but the biggest is health and weight management.
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[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/12/ts-larrycothran-blog-5.jpg" alt=""]
<h3><strong>What are your pet peeves while driving/trucking?</strong></h3>
Cars that cut you off and then press the breaks. Distracted driving. There are a lot of people that text and drive and drink and drive. I continually have to drive for 5 which is defensive driving.
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<h3><strong>We're glad that you use the Trucker Path app on your day to day trucking. What features do you enjoy the most?</strong></h3>
The feature of Trucker Path that tells you how full the truck stop based on the truckers response.
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<h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?</strong></h3>
First get a mentor. There’s nothing wrong with apprenticeship before ownership. Learn all you can while you’re training and during your 1st year. You won’t make much money the 1st year but if you continue you will make the money you deserve later. Keep your record clean and be safe.
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<h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3>
They can view my videos on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/fastestfoot">Youtube Channel, L Boogie</a>.
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K9bQ1RmUZo8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Hope you guys enjoy!
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<h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4>
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Trucker Terms [p] If you're going to make it in trucking these are the trucker terms you'll want to remember along with some good ole trucking slang you'll hear on the CB radio. [/p]
[h2] Trucker Terms [/h2]
[p] Being a trucker is not only a unique way of life, it also comes with a unique way of communicating that only those in the trucking industry probably can decipher and understand. [/p]
[p] <strong> 10-4 - </strong> acknowledging something
[/p]
[p] <strong> 10-6 - </strong> busy right now
[/p]
[p] <strong> 10-8 - </strong> en route
[/p]
[p] <strong> 20 -</strong> location
[/p]
[p] <strong> 4-Wheeler -</strong> automobile
[/p]
[p] <strong> APU -</strong> authorized pick-up
[/p]
[p] <strong> Backhaul -</strong> retuning load to home location
[/p]
[p] <strong> Bear Trap - </strong> speed radar trap
[/p]
[p] <strong> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/freight-contracts/">Bill of Lading</a> - </strong> document that details information regarding the goods being hauled by a carrier from a shipper
[/p]
[p] <strong> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/what-is-a-weigh-station/">Chicken Coop</a> - </strong> Weigh Station
[/p]
[p] <strong> Chicken Lights - </strong> Added lights on and around a truck
[/p]
[p] <strong> Chocks -</strong>blocks placed in front and behind wheels to prevent truck from rolling
[/p]
[p] <strong>Cosignee - </strong>person who receives the goods
[/p]
[p] <strong>Cosignor - </strong>person who ships the goods
[/p]
[p] <strong> County Mounty -</strong> - county sheriff
[/p]
[p] <strong> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/what-is-deadhead/">Deadhead -</a></strong> miles driven with no load
[/p]
[p] <strong> Dry Van -</strong>standard enclosed truck trailer
[/p]
[p] <strong> ETA -</strong> estimated time of arrival
[/p]
[p] <strong> Freightshaker -</strong> Freightliner truck
[/p]
[p] <strong> GCW (Gross Combined Weight) - </strong> combined wieght of tractor/trailer and load
[/p]
[p] <strong> Gear Jammer -</strong>speeding driver
[/p]
[p] <strong>Hammer Down -</strong> drive faster
[/p]
[p] <strong> Hopper -</strong> truck that empties load through bottom that opens
[/p]
[p] <strong> HOS -</strong>hours of service
[/p]
[p] <strong> Intermodal -</strong> shipping container freight
[/p]
[p] <strong>Jack-Knife -</strong>when trailer is pushed to the side of the tractor
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[p] <strong> K-whopper - </strong>Kenworth truck
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[p] <strong> Kingpin - </strong> pin where the axel wheel pivots
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[p] <strong> LTL (Less Than Truckload) -</strong> load less than 10,000 lbs.
[/p]
[p] <strong> Motor Carrier -</strong> person or company that is responsible for transporting goods via a commercial motor vehicle
[/p]
[p] <strong>P&D Driver -</strong> pickup and delivery driver locally
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[p] <strong>Payload - </strong>weight of the load
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[p] <strong>Peddle Run - </strong>route with lots of deliveries
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[p] <strong>Pete - </strong> Peterbilt truck
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[p] <strong>RC (Rate Confirmation) -</strong> the rate shipper or broker agrees to pay carrier to haul a load
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[p] <strong> Reefer -</strong> refridgerated truck trailer
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[p] <strong> Shiny Side Up - </strong> top of truck; don't crash or roll over
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[p] <strong> Sliding Fifth Wheel - </strong> fifth wheel that can be slid back to redistrubute weight on the axels
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[p] <strong>Trucking Authority -</strong>FMCSA approval to haul loads
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[p] <strong>Willy Weaver - </strong>drunk driver
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[h2] Using Trucker Path Along Your Route [/h2]
[p] Now that you know the trucker terms and are talking like a real driver, it's time you use a tool that most truckers rely on to help them save time and money - the <strong>Trucker Path app. </strong> [/p]
[p] Trucker Path is free to download and helps drivers: [/p]
[ul]
[li] Find truck parking with real-time updates [/li]
[li] Browse through the list of amenities a location offers [/li]
[li] Check to see if a weigh station is open or not [/li]
[li] View Walmart locations and know if they allow truck parking [/li]
[li] Compare diesel prices to save on fuel[/li]
[li] Plan their route to show locations along their trip [/li]
[li] Read through fellow drivers reviews of a location [/li]
[li] Find restaurants near truck parking locations and much more! [/li]
[/ul]
[button-green href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=truckerterms
"]Try Trucker Path Today![/button-green]
[video id="EIs5Rk6xpm4"]
How to Start a Trucking Company
[p]Wondering how to start a trucking company and earn more money? There are several steps and a few guidelines to follow. [/p]
[h2] How to Start a Trucking Company[/h2]
[p]Deciding to start a trucking company is a great idea and the timing is right. <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/trucking-industry-trends/">Trucking industry trends</a> expect freight revenue to grow by 75 percent over the next nine years and with the trucking industry eclipsing over $726.4 billion in revenue for 2015, starting a trucking company now can be extremely lucrative. The trucking industry serves as a pillar in keeping things going and as long as people have demand for products, moving freight will be necessary for years to come.[/p]
[p]Don't be intimidated by the larger trucking companies with thousands of truck drivers and investors to provide capital. 90 percent of trucking companies are small fleets of six trucks or less so there's space in the industry for you to learn how to start a trucking company.[/p]
[h2] 1. Apply for Trucking Authority - Trucking Company Forms[/h2]
[p]Paperwork, documentation, and forms. They're tedious and might seem redundant but are necessary for you to get your trucking company started and earn <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/trucking-authority/">trucking authority</a>.[/p]
[p]If you haven't already been assigned a US DOT number, you will need to register for a DOT number form before you can apply to obtain trucking authority. Keep in mind the old [a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/form-mcs-150-and-instructions-motor-carrier-identification-report"]MCS-150 form[/a] is now only for updating existing US DOT number and not for obtaining a US DOT number.[/p]
[p]To get a US DOT number you will need to use the new [a href="https://portal.fmcsa.dot.gov/UrsRegistrationWizard/"]Unified Registration System[/a]. The processing time can take 20-25 business days according to the FMCSA.[/p]
[p]If you already have a US DOT number and wish to apply for operating authority you can do so by [a href="http://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/LIVIEW/PKG_REGISTRATION.prc_option"]completing this registration form[/a] and paying the associated $300 fee.[/p]
[h2] 2. Choosing a Process Agent[/h2]
[p]You will need to choose a process agent who can represent you in regards to court papers. You will need to have a process agent for each state your trucking company operates in. They are used if there ever is an issue where court papers are to be served to your trucking company in a state other than the state your company is registered in.[/p]
[p]The FMCSA has a [a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/process-agents"]list of process agents to choose from here[/a]. The process agent is responsible for completing [a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/registration/1996/boc-3-1-18-2017.pdf"]Form BOC-3[/a] on behalf of your trucking company.[/p]
[h2]3. Truck Insurance[/h2]
[p]Once you've established your trucking company you will need to make sure that it's properly insured. Liability insurance is required for trucking companies to cover potential damages or injuries caused by operating a commercial vehicle.[/p]
[p]Shop around and get several quotes before making a decision on which insurance provider is best for your trucking company. [a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/insurance-requirements"]Here is a detailed overview of the FMCSA insurance requirements[/a] to help get you started.[/p]
[giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/3o6Zt2iHqqrjNlbPS8" width="480" height="270" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy]
[h2]4. Buying or Leasing a Truck[/h2]
[p]When starting your trucking company you can buy or lease trucks depending on what suits your needs best. If you have the working capital upfront to cover the cost and want to operate a small fleet with a few trucks, buying several trucks at once from a dealer might result in a discounted price per vehicle.[/p]
[p]You can also look into leasing trucks which often times keeps the monthly costs down and can even have a lease-to-own option available. However, there are usually restrictions that apply to leasing that vary by dealer. You will want to take the time to search and compare dealer options and offers before choosing.[/p]
[p]Lastly, there is also the option to purchase used trucks which can help save you upfront but can be costly down the line. You may find a used truck that is a few years old with over 400,000 miles on it for $40,000 to $50,000 less than a new one.[/p]
[p]It might be a great deal but remember, on average, truck repairs cost an estimated $15,000 annually according to the ATRI and with used trucks, that number can be even more.
[/p]
[h2]5. Choosing the Right Truck and Trailer Equipment [/h2]
[p]
Choosing the correct equipment to haul <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/types-of-truck-freight/">truck freight</a> can have a tremendous impact on your trucking companies earning potential. Although freight rates fluctuate week-to-week, typically flatbed truck loads pay the highest rate on average.
[/p]
[p]
That is not to say that a reefer, van or step deck load won't ever pay a better rate. Rather it's just an overall average to consider before choosing the equipment type for your truck. Keep in mind that location also plays a major factor in determining freight rates.
[/p]
[p]<strong>Looking ahead</strong>: when you're trucking company is set up, you can find truck freight to haul on free load boards like <strong>Truckloads</strong>. Customize your truck load searches by <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/what-is-deadhead/">deadhead</a> location and the trailer equipment type for you. [/p]
[video id="snyBYpnuhWw"]
[h2] 6. International Registration Plan (IRP)[/h2]
[p]
By registering your vehicle through the IRP in your home state, you will be allowed to haul interstate loads as well as freight through Canada without having to worry about additional registrations. You will be provided an apportioned license plate and cab-cards now display all jurisdictions that you cover.
[/p]
[p]
The IRP registration fee for your apportioned plate will vary depending on state and vehicle weight, but typically the price ranges from $1,500 - $2,000. [a href="https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/about/webstate.cfm"]Use this list to determine what the cost will be for your state.[/a]
[/p]
[button-green href="http://vip.truckerpath.com/gold-member?utm_source=email&utm_medium=how-to-start"]Try Trucker Path Premium FREE for 14 Days[/button-green]