Hybrid Semi Trucks

The cost of fuel continues to rise, and that makes it difficult for just about everyone. If you are a trucking company or an owner operator though, you feel that hit at the pumps more than anyone due to the amount of fuel that semi trucks need to operate.

There is also the fact that they contribute significantly to pollution in the environment. The idea of hybrid semi trucks has been in the works for quite some time to offset high fuel prices for truck drivers and to reduce their effects on the environment.

The idea of hybrid vehicles has been in place for quite sometime, and there have been numerous test projects going on in recent years for hybrid semi trucks. Some of these tests have been done with providing vehicles for the United States military. The results of these projects are very good, and the plan is to roll out hybrid semi trucks in 2009.

Peterbilt is considered to be a quality brand of semi truck, and they will be the first to introduce the hybrid semi truck models. They will be available for viewing at the 2008 truck shows taking place in various locations.

Some trucking companies and owner operators have already placed their orders for hybrid semi trucks and they are expected to do well in sales. Negotiations are currently in the works between Peterbilt and Wal-mart regarding the hybrid semi trucks. This will be a tremendous contract for Peterbilt because Wal-Mart operates the second largest fleet of trucks in the United States.

Kenworth is another very reputable brand of semi truck, and they are working on hybrid semi truck models of their own. While they already presented some models at truck shows in 2007, it is believed their production will be on a smaller scale. It is also believed their hybrid models won?t come out until after those from Peterbilt are released. Kenworth is looking for a big trucking company to initiate contracts with though at this time.

It is estimated an over the road hybrid semi truck can save the driver or the company at least %10,000 annually. This is quite a significant amount of additional profit for any owner operator to take notice of. For those trucking companies with thousands of trucks, this savings can quickly computer to hundreds of thousands of dollars being saved annually on fuel.

Some people remain skeptical about the use of hybrid semi trucks, but for the most part the trucking industry is excited about their introduction. This particular type of semi truck will significantly impact the trucking industry as we know it today. While these hybrid semi trucks will be expensive, the amount of money that can be saved on fuel costs makes it a great investment. There will likely be plenty of incentives offered by the government when you buy a hybrid semi truck as well.

With so many semi trucks on the road, the positive impact that hybrid semi trucks will have on the environment are very encouraging as well. If you are interested in learning more about the future of hybrid semi trucks, you can visit the Peterbilt or the Kenworth websites. You can also find out when they will be displaying their hybrid models at future truck shows. This is a great way for you to get to see one of the hybrid semi trucks up close and personal.

PPPPP

Word Count 569

Films Featuring Trucks

There are some really great shows out there that feature trucks and truck drivers. Some of them are realistic and others are more science fiction, but they do seem to hold the attention of the viewer. Those in the trucking industry are often able to pick out the inconsistencies in the sounds of the trucks and what they are able to do, but the rest of us are entertained by their power and their presence.

The movie Convoy starring Kris Kristofferson was released in 1978, and it is still a very popular movie today. It has been digitally re-mastered and released in a DVD format as well. The movie tells the story about some truck drivers who get into trouble with the law because the Sheriff doesn?t like truck drivers coming through his town. The truck drivers decide to fight back instead of being intimidated by the Sheriff.

The movie portrays the powerful numbers of truck drivers when they band together for a central cause. As a result of their efforts, the government steps in and takes notice of the ill treatment of truck drivers and steps are taken to make positive changes.

Stephen King has long been known for his creative stories, and one in particular has the semi trucks running the show for once. The show is called Maximum Overdrive and it tells the story of a comet that causes the machines to come to life and move on their own. A group of individuals are terrorized by the trucks at a local truck stop. The film was released in the 1980?s.

The cartoon Transformers was very popular in the early 1980?s, and it has found a renewed life recently. A full length movie of the cartoon was released in 2007 with a sequel due out in late 2008. The leader of the good guys is Optimus Prime, a very large semi truck that is able to transform into a robot. He is powerful yet his is very wise and attempts to resolve conflicts with his mind instead of his strength.

In the Disney Pixar animated cartoon called Cars, various semi trucks are given personalities. They portray the hard work of semi trucks on the roads very one. My favorite scene is at night when all of the trucks are lined up at the truck stop sleeping. Some of them are even snoring after a hard day of work.

A new series on the History Channel called Ice Road Truckers is very interesting to watch. It documents the events of truck drivers on the icy roads in Canada who work to safely transport equipment and materials to and from the diamond mines. This is considered to be one of the most dangerous jobs in the trucking industry due to the heavy loads and the inclement weather.

The program takes a close look at the trials and tribulations these truck drivers face to get the job done. It also shows viewers the dedication that many truck drivers have due to the passion for driving. They work hard to deliver what they are hauling safely and on time. Maybe this type of show will earn truck drivers the recognition they deserve instead of being classified as road hogs and lazy people who sit behind the steering wheel all day.

PPPPP

Word Count 552

Choosing the Right Trucking Company to work for

There are so many different trucking companies out there that the chances of you finding a job you enjoy driving a semi truck is very high. Yet you need to know that these companies all have different recruiting techniques that they use to entice new drivers to sign up with them. It is to your advantage to take a close look at the various trucking companies out there and see what they have to offer you. Since you won?t be comparing apples to apples you need to evaluate each one on an individual basis.

You want to find a trucking company that offers a terminal in your general area. Otherwise you are going to find you have to drive endless miles empty in your own vehicle if you are using a company owned semi truck. If you are an owner operator with your own truck then you will be driving these additional miles in the big rig without pay, and that is quite expensive.

Many of the larger trucking companies have terminals in many locations while the smaller ones may only offer one or two terminals. This will generally be the location where you drop of your paperwork, attend safety meetings, and take care of other essential tasks related to the trucking industry.

The amount of money you will get paid is very important, but you need to evaluate this carefully. Many trucking companies offer a sign on bonus if you agree to a contract of one year or more. This may be payable when you initially start or when you reach the time mark outlined in your contract. You need to find out if you will get paid by the mile or by the hour for your work.

It is important to find out when you will be paid for your work. Some trucking companies pay you a set number of days after you turn in paperwork for a load. Others have set pay dates. You also need to find out if you will get a check or if the funds will be direct deposit. If you are an over the road truck driver the direct deposit option generally works best so you can access funds even when you aren?t in the area.

Inquire about various benefits that the trucking company may offer you. These include health insurance, 401 k plans, and bonuses for attendance and safety. All of these items make up a complete employment package and they are worth investing in. It isn?t a good idea not to have health insurance and you should always have some type of savings plan in the works for your future.

The way dispatch works for different trucking companies can make getting loads a smooth process or it can be a nightmare. Look for a trucking company that has plenty of freight to offer. This way you can deliver your load, call dispatch for another load, and be on your way again. You will be wasting your time and your money if they continually leave you sitting around waiting for a load.

Find out how the company handles time off. You may be offered paid vacation time after you have been with the company for a set period of time. However, you may need to take a couple of days off to deal with issues that have been piling up or for a special occasion. Look for a trucking company to work for that understands these things arise and they are willing to work with you to get your personal needs met.

You also need to inquire about the equipment they operate because it needs to be up to date and safe. Even if you have your own semi truck you will be hauling their trailers so make sure they are well taken care of. PPPPP Word Count 642

What to Look for in Truck Driver Training Programs

There are many different programs out there that teach you how to drive a semi truck. They often assist you with learning the written materials as well so you can pass both tests in order to get your CDL. It is important to look into the qualifications of such truck driver training programs though. You want a quality program that is going to teach you valuable skills. It can be very dangerous to place new trainees into the work force with a CDL when they don?t have sufficient training.

You also want one that is affordable for you to attend. Many of the accredited truck driver training programs offer financial aid to help assist with the cost of attendance. They will also work out payment plans to assist you with paying for the remainder or if you don?t qualify for any type of financial assistance.

There are many instances where you can get your truck driver training paid for by an employer. Yet you have to look closely at what they require in return. Most of them will require you to sign a contract that you will work for their company for a specified amount of time. Generally one or two years is the term of such a contract. If you are fired or voluntarily leave the company before that span of time you will be responsible to repay the company for the cost of your truck driver training program.

The length of the truck driver training program is very important. Some of them claim they can get you in and out in a couple of weeks. While this may seem appealing, keep in mind that there is plenty to learn about driving a semi truck. You don?t want to be rushed and you don?t want to be on the road on your own in one before you are ready. You want a program that is full time and is at least four weeks long.

Ask about the curriculum of the program so you can see for yourself what information will be covered. You should also ask about class sizes so you can find out if you will be able to get one on one attention for your specific needs in the program. Don?t be shy about asking about the qualifications of their instructors either. The more experience they have in the classroom and driving a semi truck the more first hand information they will be able to share with you.

The internet is a great place to find out information about different truck driver training programs. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against them. Look online for independent reviews about the program from other students. This information will help you discover the pros and cons of any given truck driver training program before you commit to it.

Once you find the truck driver training program that suits your needs, find out what you need to do to get enrolled. Most of them will have specific guidelines and an application you need to complete. There are deadlines for getting in your application, applying for financial aid, and providing the requested verifications. Make sure you make this process a priority or you may find you can?t get into the program until the following term.

It can be very exciting to learn how to drive a semi truck, and it can open up many wonderful job opportunities for you. Selecting the right training program is essential for you to have a solid foundation to build on. Knowing the basics of how to operate a semi truck, the rules of the road, hours of operation, and being safe should all be a part of any quality truck driving training program. Don?t settle for anything less because it will result in you not having the skills you need to succeed in this type of career.

PPPPP

Word Count 658

Save Time and Money with the Prepass System

There are weigh in stations called ports at many locations where trucks have to pull in by law. The amount of time it takes to complete the process depends on how many trucks are in front of you and what they plan to do. Trucks can randomly be pulled aside to be inspected, and this can quickly eat away at the amount of time you have left to get your delivery to its destination.

An innovative way to get around this hassle is to enroll in the Prepass program. This will allow you to save time, fuel, and money. With the Prepass program you have a monitor in your cab that is read by the port. The information for their truck is recorded electronically so the driver is not required to pull into the station.

The electronic signal in the cab is activated approximately one mile before the semi truck approaches the exit for the port. The information about the truck and the weight of the truck and the load are sent to the terminal. Once this has all been processed the driver will get a green light in their cab and they can proceed.

If for some reason the information can?t be read or there is a problem with the information the driver will get a red light, and they have to stop. There are also some types of loads that have to stop regardless of the Prepass process being in place. These specifications vary by state so make sure you are aware of them if you driver over the road. For example some states require all oversized loads to stop at the port and others require all trucks hauling hazardous materials to stop.

Not everyone is eligible to get a Prepass authorization though. Each individual has to be carefully reviewed based on their length of time with a CDL, their driving record, and even the overall record of the carrier that the individual is employed for even if they are an owner operator. Prepass has the right to revoke authorization at any time when they are conducting reviews. This means if any of your credentials that earned you approval have changed you may no longer be eligible to use the service.

A Prepass transmitter and program only costs %15.49 per month, and it can be paid monthly or annually by mail or online. It is very convenient to purchase and most truck drivers will tell you that the amount of time and fuel they save each month is much more than what they pay for the Prepass.

Most employers who have fleets of trucks will even cover the cost as it adds up to big savings for them as well. Owner operators will have to pay the charge on their own, but it is an eligible deduction for income tax purposes.

There are currently more than 415,000 semi trucks in the United States using the Prepass option. There is no cost for the transponder that goes into the cab of the truck. It is very easy to place the transponder on the windshield of the truck without damaging it in any way. There is also no lengthy contract that has to be signed. The customer can cancel their Prepass agreement at any time and simply return the equipment and pay their outstanding bill in full.

If you are interested in signing up for the Prepass program you can contact them for an application to be mailed to you. They also have one online that you can submit electronically. As soon as they can verify all of the information on the application and get your account approved you will be sent the transponder and instructions for installing it. If your application is denied you will be notified of the reason why by mail as soon as the decision has been made.

PPPPP

Word Count 650