Feb 12, 2021 • Community

Trucker Spotlight - Matthew Eso

Trucker Spotlight - Matthew Eso

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.

Today we are putting the spotlight on Matthew Eso, who’s also known as The Little Guy on Youtube. He’s been driving trucks since 2012 and shares the same love for trucking with his father and grandfather. Let’s get to know more about Matthew and his trucking life.

What made you decide to be a trucker?

It’s something I always wanted to do because it runs in my family.

What attributes must one have in order to be a successful truck driver?

In order to be successful in this trucking game you have to know what you want first. Then chase it.

What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had while over the road?

Most memorable time on the road has to be when I took my son with me. Just watching his face light up from all the things he was seeing.

What’s your favorite Truck Brand / Model?

Big fan of old school long hood trucks.

Aside from being a trucker, any other things you dream of doing?

Always wanted to operate heavy machinery.

What’s the best truck stop for you?

My favorite one is the Joplin 44 Petro with the chrome shop. Place is a truckers toy store.

What was the worst breakdown or setback you’ve experienced while OTR?

Starting a Lease Purchase and the truck being a lemon off the lot.

We’re glad that you use the Trucker Path on your day to day trucking. What features do you enjoy the most?

Having all of the points of interest a trucker uses in the Trucker Path application is by far the best feature next to the turn by turn navigation.

What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?

Tips for others are be safe, stay hungry, and don’t let anyone say you can’t do it.

Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?

They can view my videos on my Youtube Channel, The Little Guy Show.

Hope you guys enjoy!

By Aldous Aldwin

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

MATS 2019 Recap

Mar 31, 2019 • Carriers

6 Tips to Keep Safe at Truck Stops <h2></h2> <h3></h3> You have finally arrived at your truck stop of choice (or found one using <a href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/">Trucker Path</a>) and conveniently located a parking spot. Watch out as things might not be so safe as you think. A large percentage of truck-trailer accidents occur at truck stops which should be the safest place to park. Drivers can never let their guard down when behind the wheel and even parked at that! Trucking accidents are expensive and causes major setbacks in your schedule which leads to more expenses. Below are a few tips to help reduce a trucking accident/incident at a truck stop: <h2></h2> <strong>Here are 6 tips to keep safe at truck stops:</strong> <h2></h2> <strong>1. Pre-plan your route:</strong> Pre-plan your route so you know you will be stopping at a location with plenty of room and that is well lit. Choose your stops, don’t let them choose you. Use truck apps such as Trucker Path to efficiently plan your route and plot your desired stops. <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b56.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b56-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5073" /></a> <h2></h2> <strong>2. Maximize your stops:</strong> Plan to take care of everything you need at a truck stop when you are there the first time. Stopping to fuel, refill your coffee, and eat is better than stopping five times. <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b55.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b55-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5072" /></a> <h2></h2> <strong>3. Avoid parking at the end of a row:</strong> Not only is there traffic crossing next to you but most people park on the end because they are tired and after a long day the end is the closest spot. Avoiding the end of a parking lot helps you avoid drivers who are parking when they are tired. Removing yourself from high traffic areas can help reduce risk. <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b54.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b54-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5071" /></a> <h2></h2> <strong>4. Avoid a spot that will force you to back out when you leave:</strong> Choose a spot you can either pull through (the best option) or back into (second best option). <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b53.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b53-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5070" /></a> <h2></h2> <strong>5. Park where there is space around you:</strong> The back of the lot will usually have more room than the front so let other drivers take the risk of all that traffic coming and going. No need to be a super Trucker when a safe and easy place is available. Think safe, not convenience.<h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b41.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b41-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5068" /></a> <h2></h2> <strong>6. Use your cameras:</strong> Don't be complacent when parking. When your space is tight, utilize what you have to your advantage. Using your cameras will help you see tight spots on sides and at the rear. Take your time and you can also step down to survey the surrounding areas. <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b40.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b40-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5067" /></a> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Jun 23, 2020 • Carriers

Trucker Spotlight - Vicki Simons <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different people in the trucking industry 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> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Vicki</strong>. <h2></h2> <strong>Introduction</strong> <h2></h2> My name is Vicki Simons. <h2></h2> While living in our first company-issued truck full-time in the early 1990s, my husband Mike and I learned quickly that some of the products that are marketed and sold to truckers are what we concluded to be cheaply made but expensive to buy trucker junk. <h2></h2> In those days, technology was not as advanced as it is now, so the only options open to us -- to cook food in our truck -- were 12-volt appliances. <h2></h2> One appliance that we felt would serve us well was a 12-volt "hot pot." <h2></h2> Because these units were constructed with no temperature control, the units were either "all on" or "all off." <h2></h2> So, they burned out quickly. <h2></h2> The warranty -- if there was one at all -- was usually either 30 or 90 days. <h2></h2> Because there were no other cooking solutions that we knew of at the time, we ended up going through eight -- yes, eight! -- of those units. <h2></h2> I was very upset and I kept thinking, "You know, someone ought to do something about this." <h2></h2> Oh, sure, there were occasional articles in trucking magazines that were geared toward helping truckers save money, but after searching for a long time, I found no resources that focused on this topic. <h2></h2> I kept feeling the Lord directing me toward being a "trucker consumer advocate" to help keep truckers from being stung financially. <h2></h2> So with Mike's consent, I spearheaded a website that we envisioned being a clearinghouse of how professional truck drivers from around the world save money -- in order to help each other save money. <h2></h2> That website is: <a href="https://www.Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com/">Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com.</a> <h2></h2> I have been a professional truck driver and Mike's home support team member, both in-truck as a passenger and at home while he's been on the road as a solo trucker. <h2></h2> With nearly 20 years of professional truck driving experience between us -- and my insatiable appetite to research and write in such a way that helps others -- our website has grown to well over a thousand pages. <h2></h2> Every week since 2010, I have written multiple tips and inquiries in order to help truckers save money. <h2></h2> And every week since 2017, I have written a weekly trucking commentary entitled TDMST Weekly Round-Up. <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Tell us a short story about you. Any trivia? </strong></h3> <h2></h2> My husband Mike and I had both earned college degrees before we became a professional truck driving team. <h2></h2> After graduating from truck driver training school, we began orientation at a large trucking company. <h2></h2> On the very first day of orientation, there were 5 prospective truck drivers in the class. <h2></h2> We were told by the "Orientation Director" that in 45 days, 3 of the 5 of us would not be with the company! <h2></h2> Ouch! <h2></h2> I determined that with all of the time and money we had spent to get to that point, Mike and I were going to be the two who would succeed! <h2></h2> And we did! <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <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> <h2></h2> The most significant changes I've noticed in the trucking industry since the 1990s have been: <h2></h2> <li>increasing regulations;</li> <li>more advanced technology; </li> <li>a desire among some cheapskates to want to replace human truckers with machines (so that they don't have to pay people to move freight); and</li> <li>some truckers relying too much upon GPS units not geared for commercial motor vehicles -- and as a result, being involved in many completely preventable accidents, including: <h2></h2> <ul> <li>hitting low clearances,</li> <li>collapsing bridges on non-truck routes, and</li> <li>getting stuck in places where big trucks are not supposed to travel.</li> </li> </ul> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker before?</strong></h3> <h2></h2> Originally, we thought that Mike would be the only trucker in our family. <h2></h2> When we visited with a truck driver training school recruiter, he asked Mike if I was going to drive, too. <h2></h2> The thought of me driving a big rig surprised me greatly, but the option was made available. <h2></h2> With a great deal of prayer and consideration, it made sense to us that if we were going to be together on the road, both of us should know how to drive a truck. <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Tell us a story about you and your husband and how you tackle the trucking industry?</strong></h3> <h2></h2> The way that I have tackled the trucking industry is by publishing -- so that others can learn from -- the true accounts that: <h2></h2> <li>we have had on the road and </li> <li>which we have learned from others (including Mike's co-workers).</li> <h2></h2> I ask a lot of questions, including on our website and through my TDMST Weekly Round-Up trucking commentaries. <h2></h2> From my unique perspective, I've also written numerous comments to the FMCSA about various types of proposed trucking regulations <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your trucking pet peeves?</strong></h3> <h2></h2> I have a number of trucking "pet peeves," including: <h2></h2> <li>people who make decisions affecting truckers who have never spent a day in their lives as truckers;</li> <li>regulations that treat people like robots; </li> <li>the push toward self-driving, driverless, and autonomous trucks; </li> <li>truckers who haul illegal drugs and smuggle illegal aliens;</li> <li>truckers who set themselves up for failure, such as by engaging in distracted driving and/or not maintaining proper following distance; and</li> <li>truckers who blindly follow GPS units -- especially those that are not designed for commercial motor vehicles -- and end up in completely preventable accidents.</li> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you go into blogging?</strong></h3> <h2></h2> I began <a href="https://www.Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com/">Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com</a> as a rant against cheaply made but expensive to buy trucker junk, the first of which was a series of 12-volt "hot pots." <h2></h2> Because these units were constructed with no temperature control, the units were either "all on" or "all off." <h2></h2> So, they burned out quickly. <h2></h2> The warranty -- if there was one at all -- was usually either 30 or 90 days. <h2></h2> Because there were no other cooking solutions that we knew of when we started in trucking in the early 1990s, we ended up going through eight -- yes, eight! -- of those units. <h2></h2> Since we started our website, we have grown it to well over a thousand pages, including: <h2></h2> <li>a huge number of pages filled with information and truck drivers money saving tips, </li> <li>lots of reviews, and </li> <li>contributions from our readers. </li> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Do you have a favorite truck model/brand?</strong></h3> <h2></h2> The only brand of truck I've ever driven professionally has been Freightliner. <h2></h2> Therefore, I have no other brand with which to compare the Freightliners I have driven or lived in. <h2></h2> In general terms, I believe that trucks driven by regional or long-haul truckers should be equipped with enough space and conveniences so that each trucker can work, sleep, and live comfortably on the road. <h2></h2> Concerning tractors with sleeper berths, I consider the following options to be critical for trucker well-being: <h2></h2> <li>a minimum of 1500 watts AC (alternating current) interior power (to let truckers operate cooking appliances and use other electronic devices);</li> <li>reliable, non-battery-dependent climate control for both cooling and heating (to let truckers rest and sleep comfortably); and</li> <li>an in-truck toilet (whether portable or not).</li> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Could you identify the current pain points in the trucking industry? And maybe some suggestions on how to fix them?</strong></h3> <h2></h2> As of late 2020, these are the current pain points I see in the trucking industry: <h2></h2> <li>Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs);</li> <li>the Hours of Service regulations; </li> <li>problems with broker transparency; and</li> <li>the fact that the U.S. federal agencies that are supposedly devoted to motor carrier "safety" and the "transportation" of goods in our country do not seem to be standing up for truckers as they face problems on the road.</li> <h2></h2> Because the FMCSA is influenced by many people who have never spent a day in their lives as truckers, I believe a lot would change for the better if every agency employee was required -- every year -- to spend a minimum of one week with an experienced trucker, so that they can understand life from a trucker's perspective. <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What keeps you busy nowadays? </strong></h3> <h2></h2> As of late 2020, I have in the works two books: <li>one for aspiring truck drivers and</li> <li>one for those who are already professional truckers.</li> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Did it ever cross your mind to be a CDL instructor?</strong></h3> Yes, and to a certain extent, I consider that I am a CDL instructor because of the information that I provide on our website. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Do you have a favorite truck stop? Also truck stop meal?</strong></h3> Based on changes at both the corporate and management levels over the years, I will not name a specific truck stop as my favorite. <h2></h2> Whether at a truck stop or other restaurant, Mike and I always enjoy a perfectly flavored and cooked steak, together with all of the side dishes. <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers? Also some tips and things to look out for based on your recent experiences.</strong></h3> <h2></h2> I will go into a lot more detail about tips for aspiring truckers in one of my upcoming books. <h2></h2> However, the one big overview tip that I will give to prospective truckers -- because trucking is different from every other kind of job out there -- is to make absolutely sure you're cut out for the trucking lifestyle before you start down that path. <h2></h2> For example, regional and long haul truckers are required to sleep away from home, usually in the truck they drive, wherever they park, during their sleeper berth break. <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>Vicki Simons</h4> <a href="https://www.Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com/">http://Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com</a> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Nov 19, 2020 • Community