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

Worst Roads in America [p]America, land of the free, home of the brave, potholes and faulty bridges. [b][a href="https://app.appsflyer.com/com.sixdays.truckerpath?pid=Social Facebook"]Truck drivers[/a][/b] take to the roads of America each and every day, hauling freight and delivering the things we desire most while others drive to work, visit loved ones or travel for vacation. In honor of National Infrastructure Week here are the worst roads in America ranked by state.[/p] [h2] Worst Roads in America [/h2] [p]Rankings for the worst roads in America are broken down by state and based on the percentage of roads in poor or mediocre condition with data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration.[/p] [ol-2] [li]Connecticut – 73 % (tie)[/li] [li]Illinois – 73 % (tie)[/li] [li]Wisconsin – 71 %[/li] [li]Colorado – 70 % (tie)[/li] [li]Road Island – 70 % (tie)[/li] [li]Oklahoma – 70 % (tie)[/li] [li]California – 68 %[/li] [li]Washington – 67 %[/li] [li]New Jersey – 66 %[/li] [li]Oregon – 65 %[/li] [li]Louisiana – 62 % (tie)[/li] [li]Kansas – 62 % (tie)[/li] [li]South Dakota – 61%[/li] [li]New York – 60 %[/li] [li]Nebraska – 59 %[/li] [li]Pennsylvania – 57 %[/li] [li]Maryland – 55 %[/li] [li]Maine – 53 %[/li] [li]Minnesota – 52 % (tie)[/li] [li]Montana – 52 % (tie)[/li] [li]Arizona – 52 % (tie)[/li] [/ol-2] [h2] Best Roads in America[/h2] [p]These states have the least percentage of roads in poor or mediocre condition, making them the best roads in America.[/p] [ol] [li]Indiana – 17 %[/li] [li]Georgia – 19 %[/li] [li]Nevada – 20 %[/li] [li]Alabama – 25 % (tie)[/li] [li]Utah – 25 % (tie)[/li] [/ol] [h2]States with the Worst Bridge Conditions in America[/h2] [p]Rankings are based on bridges considered structurally deficient or functionally obsolete with data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration. (Hawaii and Alaska excluded)[/p] [ol-2] [li]Road Island – 57 %[/li] [li]Massachusetts – 53 %[/li] [li]Pennsylvania – 42 %[/li] [li]New York – 39 %[/li] [li]New Jersey – 36 %[/li] [li]Connecticut – 35 % (tie)[/li] [li]West Virginia – 35 % (tie)[/li] [li]Maine – 33 % (tie)[/li] [li]Vermont – 33 % (tie)[/li] [li]New Hampshire – 32 %[/li] [li]Kentucky – 31 %[/li] [li]North Carolina – 30.5 %[/li] [li]Louisiana – 29 %[/li] [li]California – 28 %[/li] [li]Michigan – 27.4 %[/li] [li]Missouri – 27.2 %[/li] [li]Maryland – 26.8 %[/li] [li]Virgina – 26 % (tie)[/li] [li]Washington – 26 % (tie)[/li] [li]Iowa – 25.7 %[/li] [/ol-2] [h2]States with the Best Bridges in America[/h2] [p]These states have the least percentage of bridges not considered structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.[/p] [ol] [li]Minnesota – 11.5 %[/li] [li]Arizona – 12 %[/li] [li]Nevada – 13.7 %[/li] [li]Wisconsin – 14 %[/li] [li]Utah – 15 %[/li] [/ol] [button-white href="https://www.transportation.gov/policy-initiatives/grow-america/road-and-bridge-data-state"]Full List Here[/button-white] [h2]Infrastructure Week[/h2] [p]May 15–19 is National Infrastructure Week, a time to educate, plan and generate opportunities to rebuild our nation's roads, bridges and more. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates $3.6 trillion is necessary to raise the standard of infrastructure level. Meanwhile, President Trump has proposed a $1 trillion infrastructure plan with details to be revealed soon says Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao.[/p] [quote]“We’ve been hard at work at this, and so we’ll be releasing principles in about two to three weeks and then the legislative proposal will probably be tackled by the Congress in the third quarter,” Chao said.[/quote] [video id="93AYEnehOa4"] [button-green href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=worstroads2015&utm_campaign=aug"]Try Trucker Path For Free![/button-green]

May 16, 2017 • Community

What is a Weigh Station? [p]Drive on any major interstate and you will eventually come across a green sign saying “weigh station”. So what is a weigh station for anyhow?[/p] [h2]What is a Weigh Station?[/h2] [p]A weigh station is a designated location, typically located directly off of highways, where the Department of Transportation or state highway patrol inspects the weight of a vehicle. The reason why there are weigh stations is to ensure that the roads are not compromised by a potentially overweight vehicle. In America, the maximum weight that a truck with a full trailer can be on the road is 80,000 pounds (some exceptions). Additionally, a weigh station that is on the border of two states is called a port of entry.[/p] [p][i]The Simpsons – Maximum Homerdrive[/i][/p] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/3o6Mbt3gvvQdFlWg4E" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [h2]Who Has to Stop at a Weigh Station?[/h2] [p]Any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) that weighs over 10,000 pounds is required to stop at a weigh station unless the driver has a PrePass or other weigh station bypass service. [a href="https://app.appsflyer.com/com.sixdays.truckerpath?pid=Social Facebook"]Truck drivers can use Trucker Path[/a] to check ahead and see if a weigh station is open or closed in real-time. This can be extremely valuable to help truckers save valuable time.[/p] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/xT5LMsfqY4WgipchIA" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [h2]What Do Truckers Mean When They Say Chicken Coop?[/h2] [p]With over [a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/trucks-delivering-cargo-in-the-usa"]1.6 million heavy-duty truck drivers in America[/a] weigh stations can become extremely congested and can cost drivers precious time, not to mention waste fuel. Some truckers will refer to weigh stations as "chicken coops" because the large trucks are forced into a confined space prior to being weighed, like chickens in a coop.[/p] [h2]What Happens at a Weigh Station?[/h2] [p]When a truck driver sees a weigh station that says OPEN, he or she must exit the freeway and enter the scales to be weighed. The majority of weigh stations have a rolling scale where a truck will roll past a certain area that has a scale (could differ by state). Once a truck is weighed and verified to weigh under 80,000 pounds, the truck will be granted a green light to exit the weigh station and proceed back on its route.[/p] [p]After a truck goes through the scales either the DOT or state inspection officer can flag the truck for an inspection.[/p] [p]At a weigh station, trucks can be inspected for a variety of reasons. DOT officers or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration agents conduct a thorough equipment safety inspection to find issues with a truck including:[/p] [ul] [li]low or flat tires[/li] [li]tire tread[/li] [li]oil, fuel or anti-freeze leaks[/li] [li]brake malfunctions[/li] [li]broken springs[/li] [li]securely mounted fuel tanks[/li] [li]cracks in wheels and rims[/li] [li]unlocked kingpin[/li] [li]hose or tubing leak[/li] [/ul] [p]Any of these violations can lead to a truck being declared out-of-service (among a variety of others). If the FMCSA declares a truck as out-of-service, the truck shall be towed and not operated until repairs to the violations found during the inspection are completed. Truckers will also have to have repairmen sign Form MCS63 issued by the FMCSA to verify proper repairs were made.[/p] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/3o6MbiPDaKvIei93KU" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [h2]Log Book Inspection[/h2] [p]A truckers' truck isn't the only thing that can be inspected. A truck drivers' log book can also be checked by an officer to ensure the driver is keeping a daily log of his or her record and isn't in violation of hours-of-service laws. DOT HOS regulations include:[/p] [ul] [li]Maximum 11 hours of driving during a 14-hour period[/li] [li]No more than 60 hours total in seven consecutive days on duty[/li] [li]No more than 70 hours total in eight consecutive days on duty[/li] [li]Required 10 consecutive hours off after 11 hours of driving[/li] [/ul] [p]Changes are coming for log books. The FMCSA Electronic Logging Device mandate will begin in December. The ELD mandate requires truckers to use an ELD to keep a record of his or her log book to comply with HOS regulations. HOS fines can range from $150 to over $1,000 each.[/p] [h2] Is There a Weigh Station Near Me? [/h2] [p] Ever ask yourself, is there a weigh station near me? As a truck driver, it's important to know if there is a weigh station near you along your route. Using the <strong>Trucker Path</strong> app you can see where weigh stations are located nearby and see if they're open or closed. [/p] [p] Want to save even more time? Plan ahead using the trip planning feature in the Trucker Path app to determine the locations of weigh stations along your route. Don't forget to update the status too! [/p] [button-green href=" https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=whatsweighstation&utm_campaign=Aug14"]Try TruckerPath Today[/button-green] [video id="NSSOwFRJaQw"]

Jan 17, 2017 • Community

Trucker Spotlight - Nikki Matthews <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> <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/01/202101-TS-Nikki-Mathews-BLOG1.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Nikki</strong>, who's a wife and mother of 6 kids. She's trainer at Stevens Transport and a lease purchase driver. She's been in the industry for more than 2 years now and she loves what she does. She's also an electronic junkie. Let's get to know more about Nikki and her life in trucking. <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3> I was driving 2 hours to the Post office and 2 hours home plus 4-6 hrs delivery Mail. All that driving made me think of driving trucks. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/01/202101-TS-Nikki-Mathews-BLOG3.jpg" alt=""] <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> More women are coming out and that some of the older generation of Truckers doesn't respect women out here on the road at all. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Any times when you get lonely while driving? How do you deal with it?</strong></h3> Yeah there are times of loneliness. I just use that time to meditate and relax my mind just a bit. I use that as my "Me time". <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/01/202101-TS-Nikki-Mathews-BLOG2.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you start a Youtube Channel? </strong></h3> I didn't see that many videos encouraging women Truckers to come out in the industry and not many good videos of the company I work for. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your trucking pet peeves? </strong></h3> Truckers leaving pee bottles and trash on the ground at truck stop. Not cleaning behind themselves. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/01/202101-TS-Nikki-Mathews-BLOG4.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What keeps you busy nowadays? How did the current Covid-19 situation affect your trucking life? </strong></h3> My 5 year old keeps me busy because he is growing and needs things so I stay out to provide for him and my fur babies. Covid-19 affect my trucking life by wearing masks all the time but I understand why I need it. Not able to sit down for lunch or dinner inside a restaurant. So I started cooking meals in my truck. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your future career plans? Would you continue to be a trucker? Any plans on being an instructor? </strong></h3> My future plan is to create me a small fleet of trucks under my business name. I will continue drive for a while until my fleet is established. I am currently a trainer. I haven't thought about being an instructor just yet. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Favorite Truckstop? Truckstop Food? Favorite truck model?</strong></h3> Pilot / Flying J is my favorite truck stop. Chicken wings and pizza at Pilot / Flying J. My favorite model of course is the Freightliner Cascadia. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your must haves or the things that you bring with you when on the road?</strong></h3> God, my sanity, food, good music clothes, personal hygiene items, sometimes my fur baby, all trucker tools, and my drone. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What's your favorite scenic route?</strong></h3> Going through I-70 through Utah to Colorado to see Aspen. So beautiful there. I just think how the western got from one point to the next point. <h2></h2> <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> My fave feature of <a href="https://sixdays.page.link/tpfb">Trucker Path</a> is that one it stay open while I'm driving so I don't have to stop and open it to see where I'm going. Then HOS part when you're routing. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring women truckers? </strong></h3> Don't let no one tell you what you can't do. If you wanna come out and drive trucks then do it. But don't let no one tell you any difference. Keep your head up. Don't let men bully you. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3> They can view my videos on my Youtube Channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgTa_9fKQR2_li03wAMZnqQ">OTR Diva</a>. <h2></h2> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P3DJKuJ85sM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> <h2></h2> Hope you guys enjoy! <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Jan 19, 2021 • Carriers