The RoadRunner 2K

Buying a New Truck: How to Get the Specs You Want

2013-05-20T19:07:00.001-07:00

Recently, I watched a video from a Youtube friend who offered some excellent tips on truck spec'ing. Now while his specs may not work for your application, I thought that sharing the video and his style of spec'ing may help some who are in the market for a replacement ride.

Contending with the Forces of Nature: Tornadoes

2013-05-20T18:53:00.003-07:00

Due to the unfortunate events in Oklahoma City and Moore, Oklahoma today, I thought it would be apt to discuss how to deal with a tornado as a truck driver. First of all, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost, injured, and otherwise devastated, and we can all hope that Oklahoma City and its surrounding communities will be able to recover as soon as possible.

In regards to trucking, truck drivers are caught in the path of tornadoes each and every year. While such a situation may never happen to you as a driver, you should keep a few things in mind, especially this time of year.

The greatest danger of a tornado is the debris, often blown at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. At these speeds even a single piece of hay can become a deadly weapon. For this reason, you should always seek shelter or attempt to drive away from the tornado.

If driving is the option you choose, you should first tune in to any local news radio station. In the event of a tornado, it is likely that such stations will be the best source of information at the time, often providing specific details on the movements of the tornado as well as on its current speed. So if they say that the tornado is heading east, it would be wise to head west if you are behind the tornado, and either north or south if you happen to be in front of it.

Because a tornado can move at freeway speeds unhindered by anything in its path, you should select the best road possible (typically either a freeway, state highway, or major thoroughfare) that leads away from the devastation. Tornadoes have been known to cross freeways and scatter passing traffic like vehicular bowling pins, so you do not want to be heading face-to-face with a twister.

Once you have removed yourself from the danger zone, attempt to make contact with either dispatch or the load recipient to see if the place where you are to deliver is being affected by the storm. If they are, your attempted delivery may be to a non-existent facility. Even if the load's destination is not in the direct path of the storm, it is better to hang back and allow the tornado to pass on.

However, if you happen to be at a truck stop or other facility and are not in a position to drive yourself out of danger, then your best chance for survival is to find shelter in the facility you are in. Open spaces such as shop bays are among the worst places to be in a tornado, and attempting to bug out in your cab could be a deadly decision.

If you are in the Midwest, it is likely that the facility where you may be stationed will have some kind of emergency tornado evacuation plan, or, even better, a safe room or other place to wait out the storm.

Whatever plan you choose, make sure that you are in the best place possible, given your circumstances, to wait out the storm. Safe travels to you, and always keep an eye out for dangerous storms approaching. The best offense is a good defense.

LEDs for the Longhaul: Truck-Lite's LED Headlamps

2013-05-17T20:36:00.001-07:00

If you have been in the trucking industry for any length of time, you know that LEDs now permeate almost every field of truck lighting once held by incandescent light bulbs, except for headlights. But thanks to a revolutionary American company, that may be about to change.

Recently, Truck-Lite introduced a series of headlights designed to replace standard OEM headlights in heavy trucks. The first of these are now being seen all across the country on Penske rental and lease Freightliner Cascadias.

Not only do these new lights offer improved visibility, increased longevity, and decreased maintenance cost, but once the full product line is completed, these lights will be able to simply pop into the position once held by halogen and even Xenon-headlamps.

Plans call for versions of the Truck-Lite LED headlamp capable of fitting into the headlight position of all of the most common Class-8 trucks on the road today. Plus, Truck-Lite's existing lineup of 7-inch circular and 4 x 6 inch rectangular headlamps offer the benefits of LED lighting to owners of more classic styled trucks or trucks with custom headlights.

Take a look at Truck-Lite.com or watch the following video for more information. Safe travels to you.

It Has Been Too Long

2013-05-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

Well, well, everyone, I am back again. Now for those of you who may have wondered if the Roadrunner 2k fell out of a tree and off the face of the earth, no, I was just incredibly busy with school.

So for the next three months, I will be back here, attempting to revitalize this blog, and add some fresh new content. In the coming articles this week, we will analyze a product that may change the face of heavy duty truck lighting, some of the newest releases from North America's Class-8 Truck Manufacturers, and throw in a couple good videos I feel may be helpful to some truckers looking to purchase a new or even used semi tractor in the coming months.

So stay tuned! The Roadrunner 2k is back in full force.

Contending with the Forces of Nature: Wind

2013-01-03T13:48:00.001-08:00

Each year, truckers cope with the very worst of nature: high winds, heavy snows, lightning, floods, rock slides, and even tornadoes. Although avoiding these scenarios would be the best option, often it is an impossible one. In this series of articles, we will analyze the best methods of driving through nature's fury without risking life and limb. Today's topic is high wind.

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How does one avoid flipping when the wind is strong enough to hurl over a 40 ton truck? In reality, there are three answers to this question, and we will analyze each briefly in this article.

Slow Down

Speed is the cause of the majority of truck crashes, and in high winds, high speed can be the ingredient necessary to send a truck on its side. Think of it this way. If you are traveling at 25 miles per hour and a sudden gust of wind slaps the rear of your trailer, your trailer will likely move over a few inches or maybe a foot. But double the speed, and suddenly, that slight adjustment in the path of your vehicle becomes a white-knuckle driving experience that could cause you to sweep other vehicles off the road and/or tip your own over. If you encounter high winds, drop your speed a few miles an hour. The reduced distance you will cover during each wind gust can allow you to correct the path of your vehicle and keep it on all its wheels.

Pull Over

In some cases, the wind is simply too strong to be safe to drive in. Depending on the weight of your load and the design of your truck and trailer, that speed could be anywhere from 40 miles and hour to 100. For example, a flattop truck hauling a 25 ton bulldozer on a stepdeck could likely drive in 70 plus mile an hour winds without a problem. But an empty van trailer towed by an truck with a condo sleeper could flip over in moderately strong wind.

If you have to pull over because of the wind, try to park in a place where you can face into or away from the gusts. Even if you are stopped, in incredibly strong wind, your vehicle could still be pushed over.

Retrofit Your Ride

Trailer skirts have been recently popularized by many fleets for their effects on fuel economy. But they also are beneficial in high winds. When wind strikes the side of a trailer without skirts, the majority of the just is blocked by the trailer while part of the draft continues underneath the trailer. This causes the upper portion of the trailer to away from the gust while the wheels remain in their previous position.

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Unless the driver allows the wind to move the trailer somewhat before returning to its original path, it can tip over. By installing trailer skirts on your van or curtain-side trailer, you will block the full flow of wind against your trailer and prevent the dangerous underdraft that can upset the balance of the vehicle. And at the same time, you will increase your fuel economy for the long haul.

Use these tips as you travel through the windswept plains of America and Canada's heartland, and safe travels to you as you contend with the forces of nature.

In our next post, we will discuss driving through flooding, so stay tuned for more.

Poll: How Much Do You Make Per Hour? Is it $19.83?

2013-01-03T12:29:00.003-08:00

In a recent article on trucking from the Star Tribune, truckers were said to make $19.83 per hour according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When multiplied by 2080 hours, that amounts to just over $41,200 per year. However, truckers do not work an 8 to 5 job.

If you drive an average of 10 hours per day and work two more hours in that same day, you will work a sixty hour work week. Multiply that by fifty work weeks, and 3000 hours worked in a year is not beyond reasonable. With this average pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you would average almost $59,500 per year in gross income and benefits.

Even at ten hours a day of work, you would still make $49,500 per year. So my question to you is: how much do you think you make per hour realistically. To make simple numbers, round your wages to the nearest thousand and divide by 2500 hours (10 hours per day for 5 days a week). Then round again up or down and select an answer in the poll on the right.

Safe travels to you.

CARB and What It Means for You as a Truck Driver

2013-01-02T15:40:00.001-08:00

For some, the start of 2013 was spent peacefully with family and friends. For others, in celebration of the end of another year. And for still others, in head scratching at the thought of a new year. Unfortunately, some of the head scratchers were fleet operators and truck drivers. The reason for their frustration? CARB.

What is CARB?

By now, you probably have heard of CARB, but may not know what it is. CARB stands for the California environmental protection agency Air Resources Board. The purpose of this organization is to protect California's environment: however, this does not always work out as it might seem. As with most regulations, the damage done to business is often greater than the prevented damage done to the environment. Not to say that improvements in technology should not be pursued, but in the current economic state, many fleets, especially those who only occasionally run into California, may not have the capital to retrofit their equipment to satisfy CARB. For example, new regulations affecting the trucking industry may cost fleets millions of dollars in upgrades or thousands in fines if they fail to comply while.

CARB 2013

Starting on the first of January of 2013, new CARB regulations aimed at reducing the emissions output of heavy trucks went into effect. The regulations concern nearly every area of truck design from aerodynamic efficiency to engine operation and tires. Simply put, as of January 1st, heavy trucks operating within or entering California and pulling 53 foot trailers are now required to be registered with the CARB board and use Smartway products such as trailer skirts, chassis fairings, low rolling resistance tires, and engine emissions filters. Furthermore, reefer operators are required to make necessary adjustments to their units in order to reduce emissions.

Although all this may sound like regulatory gobbledygook, it will have a direct impact on you as a truck driver and/or fleet operator. It will also have an impact on the price of consumer goods.

Coping with CARB

So what is the best method to deal with CARB? In reality, there are three choices: avoid California, lease equipment, or retrofit your existing trucks and trailers.

If you can avoid trucking in California, you probably should until the regulations become more reasonable. Given the cost of new tires, chassis skirts, boattails, and engine/reefer upgrades, unless you run often into California, the cost of these improvements is not worth it. Even with their perceived benefits, many of these enhancements to the truck's performance may be detrimental if you also haul anywhere in the Rocky Mountain states or Canada.

If you only run into California on an infrequent basis, it might be wise to lease equipment from a large truck or trailer leasing outfit such as XTRA Lease, Pac Lease, or even Ryder or Penske. These companies have already converted their equipment to Smartway standards and have a wide range of tractors and trailers ready to haul your load.

For those of you who run often into California, compliance may be your only option. But one thing is certain: if continued regulations threaten to eat further into the profit margins of truckers and trucking companies, the highways leading into California will be very empty. And as far as I'm concerned, an empty highway has almost no rolling resistance.

For Your Information

If you want more information on CARB, feel free to visit http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/truckstop/truckstop.htm and try to decipher the regulations for yourself. It might take you a while.

For a more succinct description of these new laws, read the following article.

http://times247.com/articles/23calif-regulations-forcing-trucks-off-the-road9

Safe travels to you on America's highways.

2012: The Year in Review

2012-12-31T10:59:00.003-08:00

Earlier today I was reflecting on 2012 and this blog in general. I began to realize that this same time last year, I had two spammers following me on Twitter, no sent tweets, and no blog to speak of. My screen name was still theJEF26.

Well today, things have changed quite drastically. Thanks to all your support, this blog has seen over 5400 page views, the Roadrunner 2k twitter feed has 864 followers, and my Google Plus and Pinterest pages are steadily growing as well.

But aside from all the numbers, I would like to say a sincere "Thank you" to each one of you who has made this possible. When I started on Twitter, I never knew where this would end up, and I would have been very surprised to see the results.

This year was a tumultuous year for trucking. Regulations were passed that will affect the future of American trucking likely forever. There were changes to the HOS rules, CSA regs, and fuel economy and emissions standards. There were proposals by truck manufacturers to create 6x2s to replace the beloved 6x4. There were new vehicle models introduced such as the Kenworth T680 and the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution. There were joint ventures between large industry players such as Navistar and Cummins.

Overseas, Volvo shocked the world with a viral video stunt displaying their all-new FH16. To date this video has over 6 million views. Mercedes introduced a refined version of the Actros, another truck which will soon dominate the roads of Europe.

These were the stories that captivated the majority of trucking news bloggers, news agencies, and fans. But the story of the hard-working driver is untold, unnoticed, and unregarded. This is the story of the man or woman who awakens each day to keep this great nation and the rest of the world moving. The trucker who fords flooded roads, conquers icy hills, and descends narrow, steep mountain roads. The trucker who performs his/her duties faithfully every day. This story will never make it to the top of the news headlines.

But then again, would these truckers want all the attention of the media? Would they want cameras following them every mile of the way, documenting all the challenges of the day? Would they want to be a popular figure, scrutinized for every mistake, lauded for every victory? Or would they want to do their job in peace and quietness?

Although the answers to these questions may never be found, those of you who pilot 18-wheeled behemoths on the highways of America, Canada, Europe, Australia, and wherever else you call home, you deserve a thank you. And that is the goal of this blog and associated Twitter feed, Pinterest profile, and Google+ page: to draw attention to the hard work of professional drivers and to provide news and information to those of you who simply lack the time to search for it, because you are working.

Thank you to all of you who keep the world's economy moving, and have a great, safe, happy New Year!

Ugly Trucks: Would You Drive This?

2012-12-12T21:35:00.002-08:00

As fuel prices continue to rise and carriers seek methods to cut costs, efforts to reduce vehicle drag are producing vehicles that hardly resemble respectable semis. Take this MAN concept for example. While it may have incredible fuel economy, it does not look like anything most truckers want to drive. The same can be said of many of the newer models, which all seem to compromise style and beauty for cost. Yes, fuel economy is a concern, but with modern technology and engine modifications, handsome semi trucks can be made more efficient also.

So my question to all the drivers who read this blog is: which would you rather drive? Vote in the poll on the right hand side and share your views with me.

Peterbilt 379

Kenworth W900

International Lonestar

Freightliner Cascadia

Mack Pinnacle

Volvo VNL780

Futuristic Truck

The choice is yours.

How to Chain Up: From a Professional Safety Enforcement Officer from CVSE

2012-12-11T15:17:00.002-08:00

With many regions of North America currently under the threat of winter weather, it is essential that commercial vehicle operators know how to use their chains properly. Chains are essential for proper traction in wintery weather conditions especially on hills and mountains. And who would know better how to sling some iron than the fine people at British Columbia's Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement division.

The following video should provide you with enough information to successfully chain up your heavy or medium duty truck this winter. But of course, practice makes permanent, and perfect practice makes permanently perfect. Always practice chaining up before you're spun out on a hill blocking traffic. That is not the time to learn.

Best Driver Stories

2012-11-28T15:56:00.000-08:00

This post is not for you to hear me, but for me to hear you. If you have a favorite story from the road about a perilous trip or some other adventure that you have experienced, please post it in the comment section below. I look forward to hearing your stories.

Please keep it clean for the sake of our readers. Thank you.

Why Are We Stopping? This is a Freeway.

2012-11-28T15:43:00.000-08:00

I understand traffic. When you have a lot of people on the same road, going in the same direction, in different sized vehicles, at different speeds, with different driving styles, there will always be congestion. However, some of the reasons for congestion are completely unwarranted. And I mean completely.

For example, as I was traveling today, traffic suddenly slowed from its normal breakneck pace to a snail's pace and then a complete stop. I began wondering why and as we crawled forward at less than 25 miles an hour, I began to realize the reason for the slowdown: a sign. Like this.

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Yes, a sign. For some reason, many drivers cannot read a DOT readerboard at any speed faster than 25 miles an hour. But of course, as soon as we were out of view of the sign, traffic resumed its freakish speed. Soon, drivers were back to passing, cutting one another off, and doing other things that should only be attempted in video games.

But back to the point, when you are traveling down the road and you see a sign, please continue at your normal speed. After all, the problem was 14 miles ahead of us anyways, and had no immediate effect on traffic. Remember: they're called freeways for a reason.

Be safe wherever the road takes you.

Tired of the Aches and Pains of the Road? The Bose Ride Seat May Be the Solution For You.

2012-11-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

What do you envision when you hear the name Bose? Speakers? high-end CD and MP3 players? Suspensions? Probably not the last one. Unbeknownst to many, Bose has worked for many years on developing car suspension systems that are as smooth as the sound that emits from a set of Bose headphones.

In truth, the efforts of the Bose Corporation have extended to the trucking industry with Bose's latest product, the Bose Ride Truck Seat. Unlike most truck seats which attempt to soften bumps, the Bose Ride Seat simply cancels them.

The principle is very simple. As a truck heads down the highway, it drives over inconsistencies in the road. As this series of bumps passes underneath the truck's wheels, it creates a wave-like shaking that is transferred from the axles to the chassis to the cab and seat. However, with the Bose Ride seat, this wave of bumps is canceled by an opposing wave. The effect of this cancellation is little-to-no vibration transfer to the driver's body. Thus, the driver can spend his normal hours on the road without being shaken all over the cab.

Such revolutionary technology does come at a price: each Bose Ride seat costs approximately $6,000. However, the benefits of reduced wear on your body may easily pay for the cost of the seat. Who knows? Someday, the Bose Ride system may be standard on all new trucks. Only time will tell.

Happy Thanksgiving to America's Truckers

2012-11-22T14:40:00.001-08:00

Since today is Thanksgiving, I think it is appropriate to be thankful for the millions of truck drivers that haul our dinners, desserts, and Black Friday shopping wares. Without people like you, the stores would have nothing to sell tonight and tomorrow and the next day. Although most Americans fail to notice, truckers are always on the go, even on a holiday such as today. And with increasing fuel prices, government regulations, and other problems, it is amazing that this nation still has a functioning trucking industry.

So even if no one else remembers to say thank you, we'll say it here. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and be safe on America's highways.

SCAM ALERT: To All YouTube Truckers

2012-10-17T16:51:00.001-07:00

As I have been browsing the internet looking for new trucking videos, I have been running into a new scam that I thought all of you should know about. Most of the readers of this blog know that there is a current oil boom in North Dakota. Shale oil is being produced at a rate ten times that of previous years. Due to this boom, thousands of people are pouring into the state in search of work.

And as with all things business-related, there are trucks involved and jobs for truckers. By now, you are probably thinking: so where is the scam? Here is the problem. A number of YouTube channels have been set up from a variety of countries, each with the same purpose. That purpose is to promote some website that claims to have North Dakota oil jobs or North Dakota trucking jobs. As to the validity of the job boards themselves, I have no information; however, I would not click on the links. They could always be viruses or phishing attempts.

Anyway, back to the scam. So on these YouTube channels, the operators of the channels are posting hordes of pirated videos, many of which are from popular YouTube trucking channels. I know personally that some of Jerry Ott's videos from Big Rig Talk and Matt Lynch's videos from 1776 Filmz have been placed on these channels.

I am constantly on the lookout for these channels, so if you get a YouTube message from TheJEF26 or a Twitter DM or tweet from TheRoadRunner2k, this is not spam. I am working to thwart this problem one channel at a time.

If you get such a message from me, go to the bottom of the pirating channel's YouTube homepage and click the report button. You can flag them for violating your copyright, and these channels should be shut down. My whole goal with this post is to inform you as truck drivers with YouTube channels that your videos may be being pirated by YouTube scammers.

Keep the shiny side up, and we'll see you down the road.

Trucking News: The Week in Review

2012-09-01T21:06:00.002-07:00

In case, you missed some of the biggest stories in trucking for last week, here they are in a brief summary.

American Trucking Association Thanks FMCSA for Safety Programs

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/blog/morning_call/2012/08/trucking-association-praises.html

Trucking Industry Growing at a Slow Pace

http://www.ttnews.com/articles/basetemplate.aspx?storyid=30062&t=Economy-Trucking-Show-Gradual-Growth-Fed-%E2%80%98Beige-Book-Report-Says

Whistleblower at Trucking Firm Given His Job Back

http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=24105

Truckers Heading for Better Health

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120827/BUSINESS13/308270028/Truckers-hit-road-health?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Business|p

Truckers Doing Good Work with Waived HOS Regs in Drought Regions

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/27/4761623/tireless-truckers-speeding-up.html

National Trucking Week in British Columbia

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=77868

85 Years of Trucking for Hermann Services

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=77876

Weight Loss Showdown for Truckers

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=77853

New Software for Rand McNally Trucker GPS

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=77840

Anti-EOBR Campaign Gains New Support

http://www.todaystrucking.com/truckers-guild-starts-anti-eobr-campaign

Increases in Fuel Prices

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=77852

Navistar Fined for Non-Compliant Engines, CEO Leaves

http://www.todaystrucking.com/final-epa-rule-sees-navistars-engine-fines-doubled

http://www.todaystrucking.com/navistars-ustian-retires-interim-ceo-brought-in

Kenworth Improves Medium-Duty Cabovers

http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=77842

For more news on trucking, follow the RoadRunner 2k on Twitter. News is posted at the end of each week for the time being.

Six-By-Two: Would You Drive One?

2012-08-31T19:12:00.003-07:00

With the increased push to get better and better fuel mileage, trucking companies and truck manufacturers are turning to radical ideas. From simple solutions such as full-length chassis and trailer skirts, roof airfoils, and air dams to more radical solutions such as trailer tails, super-single drive and trailer tires, hybrid engines, and fully automatic transmissions, trucking firms and truck manufacturers are seeking the best methods to cut fuel economy without reducing the truck's capability to haul freight.

On the other hand, to achieve revolutionary fuel mileage of 10 mpg and above, companies have to attempt even more extreme solutions. One of these solutions, which is being marketed by Freightliner in their new Cascadia Evolution truck, is the six-by-two axle configuration.

Freightliner Cascadia Evolution


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Instead of having eight powered wheels, these trucks only have four. Typically outfitted with a rear drive axle and a pusher mounted in front of it, a six-by-two truck requires less engine horsepower to push along its single powered axle. But as with other solutions, the question is: Would you as a professional driver operate one with confidence?

In truth, six-by-two configurations are quite common in Europe, but conditions in this part of the world are quite different. Hills are steeper, snows are deeper, and loads--particularly in Canada--are much heavier. Only time will tell if the six-by-two is worthy of the challenges that North America's roads present.

MAN 6x2 Tractor

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Scania 6x2 Tractor

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Post your responses in the comment box below, and tell me if you think this is an excellent idea or a terrible one.

Preparing for Winter as a Professional Truck Driver

2012-08-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

It's coming faster than you might imagine. Winter is right around the corner. In the coming months, leaves will turn color, snow will fall on the mountains, and your job as a truck driver will gain a new level of difficulty. But you don't have to fret about winter if you prepare yourself now.

In reality, winter provides three main challenges for truckers: reduced visibility, reduced traction, and reduced traveling distances per day. Although little can be done about the last factor, you can solve many of the problems related to the first two challenges.

Reduced Visibility

As days become shorter and fog, rain, and snow set in, visibility can become scarce. Dark roads often cause many accidents because drivers fail to see what is ahead before they collide with it. To overcome this situation, you need to get better lighting on your vehicle.

There are two ways to accomplish this: on and off-road lights. On-road lights such as fog lights, headlights, and high beams can be improved for increased performance in rain, fog, snow, or just darkness.

Off-highway lights or moose lights can also provide better visibility in extreme low light situations. Although moose lights are prohibited on some roads, in the far north, these lights are nearly standard on heavy duty semi trucks. Many of these lights have yellow or blue lenses to reduce the reflection of light off snow or water.

Reduced Traction

The second greatest challenge for truckers in winter is reduced traction. How many times do you see trucks spun out on hills, jackknifed, or driven into the ditch each winter? If you haul in the US or Canada, you see these accidents every year.

One of the greatest methods to improve traction on snow and large quantities of ice is tire chains. If you want a better solution than traditional tire chains, you should invest in a set of tryggs. Originally from northern Europe, these chains have gained great popularity in colder climates because they grip the snow with rows or small metal studs. These studs can provide traction in situations where traditional tire chains would be relatively ineffective.

A Professional Driver's Pet Peeves

2012-08-22T21:09:00.001-07:00

As a professional driver, you are constantly surrounded by hundreds of other motorists. From other truck drivers to daily commuters, the decisions of these motorists affect you day-in and day-out. Part of the purpose of the RoadRunner 2K blog is to allow truckers to share what they know with other drivers.

My question for you in this blog post is: What Behaviors Frustrate You Most on the Road?

For me, nine actions I see commonly are on my list of irritations, but I want to hear yours in the comment box below.

Easing up to a traffic light or stop sign.
Failing to stop at a stop sign.
Going through a traffic light a millisecond before the light changes to red.
Refusing to travel at the speed limit on a two-lane road with no passing.
Running along the road beside another vehicle as both head toward a merge lane.
Passing in the slow lane at speeds faster than the fast lane.
Matching another vehicle's speed so as to travel neck-and-neck down the highway.
Turning too sharply on a double-lane turn, forcing the inside vehicle to stop or slow down to avoid a collision.
Merging onto a freeway at a speed far below the speed limit, so as to slow down traffic.

A bonus: Preventing another vehicle from passing by accelerating when the vehicle accelerates and slowing down when the passing vehicle slows.

If you have any other pet-peeves that you would like to pass along, please leave them below. Thank you for reading the RoadRunner 2K Blog.

Mandates: They Connect More Than They Seem

2012-08-22T11:45:00.000-07:00

As I was thinking yesterday about some of the new mandates facing the trucking industry, I began to connect the dots. The purpose of the new EOBR mandate probably has little if anything to do with its said purpose: safety. Instead, this mandate's purpose is likely to force drivers of older trucks into newer models that comply with other fuel economy and emissions mandates.

Think of the drivers of these trucks.

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In all likelihood, these drivers do not want a new truck, cannot afford one, or like the classic look and customizability of the older models. For whatever reason, these drivers choose to operate older, quality equipment that emits more emissions and gets lower fuel mileage.

Of course, this is their right. However, with the new EOBR mandate, these trucks would not be able to operate. Therefore, drivers of vehicles such as these would have no choice but to drive today's machines or be forced out of business.

Again, the choice is yours. Either you stand with truckers against EOBRs, or you can allow these mandates to force all drivers to operate futuristic, unattractive, shapeless rides. These machines may get 10 miles a gallon and have enough gadgets to be featured in a technology conference, but they also require a monthly payment and a monthly fill-up of DEF, items these older trucks do not need.

And when a new truck breaks, it cannot be fixed with simple wrenches, screwdrivers, and hammers. Instead, it must be towed to a dealer or service facility with the technology to fix the truck's gadgetry.

Although I am in favor of technological improvements wherever they can be made, in this economic situation, the last thing America needs is more mandates to drive truckers out of business. When the trucks stop, America stops too.

Do you want to drive these?

Image Link

Thanks to Virgil Tatro for informing me about non-electronic trucks.

Safety is Simple: Part 3

2012-08-21T10:44:00.001-07:00

Of all the driving maneuvers, backing can be one of the most difficult and dangerous. The greatest danger of backing is a lack of visibility. Even with properly adjusted mirrors, many times it is impossible to see everything that you are backing towards.

If you are working in a jobsite or a busy loading dock, there is a high likelihood that you could run over a distracted worker or pedestrian. But that does not have to be the case. By installing a backup camera or backup alarm on your vehicle, you can either see the dangers behind you or warn them to step aside.

Backup Camera

The main benefit of a backup camera is that it allows you to see what you could not see before. Whether that is a post of a building, a wall, or a bystander, the backup camera allows you to see trouble and avoid it. However, the main disadvantage of a backup camera is that it does not work for tractor-trailer combinations in most cases.

Since the trailer is a separate unit, connecting the trailer's backup camera to the tractor's in-cab screen would prove challenging. In these situations, a different piece of backup warning system is most effective: the backup alarm.

Backup Alarm

Unlike the backup camera, the backup alarm works with both truck and trailer by emitting a loud, beeping sound to warn people that the vehicle is moving in reverse. The backup alarm automatically activates as soon as the vehicle is in reverse and does not cease until the vehicle is in a forward gear or neutral.

Backup alarms are common on tow trucks, ambulances, and some service vehicles, but including one on your truck tractor is probably a good idea also.

Safety is simple, but it is a way of life. If safety is only considered when the safety inspector is present, accidents are bound to happen. Be safe on America's highways.

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Building Your Dream Ride: Part 3

2012-08-17T19:13:00.000-07:00

For the last three editions of Building Your Dream Ride, we have discussed customizing the exterior of your ride. In the edition after the next edition, we will return to the exterior with a focus on fenders. In the meantime, this edition of Building Your Dream Ride pertains to the most important part of the truck, where you conduct your work.

Interior customization is not the part of a custom truck that draws the most attention. Most of us look at the wheels, bumper, sunvisor, headlights, and exhaust pipes of a truck and proclaim the truck a complete success. However, without a well-done interior, the driver of a custom truck will be an unhappy man in a nice ride.

The three main parts of a truck that require improvement are the driver controls, the seating, and the sleeping compartment.

The driver controls--steering wheel, pedals, switches, gauges, knobs, and shifter--are amongst the simplest to replace and the most connected to the driver. What would it feel like in your cab with an all-wood steering wheel, toggle switches, and wooden knobs looking back at you? Awesome.

Seating is essential for enjoying what you do. Let's keep it simple: a hard seat equals a stiff body

A custom interior can mean the difference between a comfortable day doing what you love and a day that you can't wait to end. Improve your interior today. Your body will thank you.

Finding Your Direction: Maps for Truck Drivers

2012-08-15T20:34:00.000-07:00

As a truck driver, you perform certain tasks each day. You do a pre-trip inspection, your head onto the road, and you offload your cargo. However, when you are in an unfamiliar city, things can be quite difficult. Not only can a wrong turn leave you miles from your intended destination, but it can also cause damage to your vehicle, your load, and even yourself.

Each year, hundreds of truck drivers run into low-hanging bridges and run into other trouble simply because they were unable to find their way. But that doesn't have to be you. By purchasing good maps or a trucker-specified GPS system, you can rest easy and arrive to your destination safely.

Trucker maps and GPS systems for truckers are designed to funnel the flow of cargo down main truck routes. With these maps or GPS systems in your possession, you will avoid low clearance bridges, narrow streets, and other hazards. Get a trucker atlas for yourself today, and have a safe journey wherever life's road leads you.

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Train Horns for Trucks: Be Heard and Be Seen

2012-08-14T18:45:00.000-07:00

There's a saying in trucking: "Loud pipes save lives." While this statement holds true in many instances, some drivers do not even hear the drone of a motor because they are distracted by loud music, texting, or other unnecessary activities.

When you are driving down the road and someone slides into your lane, you should have a second option to rely on. This option is none other than train horns. Although locomotives have carried this type of horn for over 5 decades, train horns are a recent phenomenon in trucking.

Simply put, a set of train horns will give you the sound of a freight locomotive on your semi truck. Not only do train horns have a better tone, but they also have other benefits as well: increased horn volume, increased range of the sound, and additional value added to the truck.

Train horns are becoming more popular each day, and you should join the list of truckers who rely on proven sound technology to warn motorists of impending disaster. Get a set of train horns for your truck today. Be heard, and be seen.

America Rolls on 18 Wheels

2012-08-11T21:54:00.000-07:00

Last week, I was running an errand when suddenly the whoosh of traffic was overrun by the noise of a trucker on the jake. To some, this sound may have been offensive, maybe disturbing, even unacceptable. But to me, this was and is the sound of America on the move.

When I heard this sound, the first thing that came to mind was "America Is Alive and Well." Well, at least partially. Until regular Americans begin to realize who hauls their food, fuel, furniture, and other necessities, blogs like this and truckers like you will continue to inform them of the realities of our economy.

That Jacobs brake that I heard was not the sound of one trucker or two, although it was made by only one. That sound was the sound of a nation rolling down the open interstates. Straight pipes, jake brakes, and train horns--America rolls on 18 wheels.

(This is not the Jake Brake I heard, but for those of you who want to hear the roar, here it is.)

Turn up the volume and enjoy.