The life of a trucker is a life spent on the road, a lot. They are alone, a lot. And let’s face it, being on the road can be difficult for truck drivers at times. It can bring loneliness. Being away from family and friends for a long period of time will take a toll on anyone. For truckers, this is just a day in the life. The feeling of loneliness is a feeling no one should feel on a daily basis. Here are a few tips that we’ve received about how to deal with the loneliness and make the days easier.
Category Archives: Driver Info
Famous Highways in the US
We are all in our little corner of the world. It is easy to forget all the people, places, culture, and scenery that exist out in the world, let alone the US. While some may choose planes to get from destination to destination, others prefer the wide, open roads. And for those people, they may want to bring their attention here. There are interstate highways, US-numbered highways, state highways, and country highways. Below are the top six famous highways not to miss, whether it’s a family road trip vacation, a trucker’s map of the must-have routes to deliver their loads, or a time to be alone and soak in all the quiet. Get ready to start planning!
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Famous Trucker Songs – Old Songs and New
April is right around the corner. This means sun shining, windows down, music loud. Are you picturing it yet? Okay, now you’ve turned on your Spotify playlist filled with the best trucker songs of all time—some new, some old, all awesome. Now you’re really in a good mood!
Regional, OTR, or Vocational Trucking: What’s Right for You
Regional, OTR, or Vocational Trucking: What’s Right for You
Truck driving is a popular occupation, and it’s important to weigh your options and find what the best fit is for you. There are three main types of trucking:
- REGIONAL: This typically involves day trips—often a maximum of one or two nights out. A driver may run areas anywhere from a few cities or counties to a few states.
- OVER THE ROAD (OTR): A long-haul OTR driver can spend weeks at a time on the road with coast-to-coast loads.
- VOCATIONAL: Vocational drives take care of specific jobs or tasks. This category includes dump trucks, end-dumps and side-dumps, belly dumps, refuse (garbage trucks and roll-offs), concrete trucks, service trucks, rail trucks, and the list goes on. These types of rigs are often found in construction sites, oil fields, landfills, and more.
Truck Maintenance Checklist for Winter
Checklist for Winter Truck Maintenance
With the coldest months of winter upon us, it’s important to prepare your trucks for extreme cold temperatures. Extreme cold may impact the aftertreatment system heat management, which could impact the efficiency of your truck if not maintained properly.
Find Out How to Get Behind the Wheel of a Commercial Truck
Steps to becoming a commercial truck driver
Anyone considering a career in commercial trucking will need to go through the proper training and education. There are several important steps to becoming a commercial truck driver that interested parties will need to take before getting behind the wheel. Read the rest of this entry
How Does Traffic Congestion Affect Commercial Trucking?
Traffic jams are incredibly irritating for many Americans. As long as we have driven cars, it seems as though we have all been driving to the same place at the same time. This leads to traffic congestion and stress for many drivers. All of this traffic has a significant impact on the commercial trucking industry. So how does traffic congestion affect commercial trucking? Read the rest of this entry
Warranty Options When Purchasing Pre-Owned
By Bill Maki
Used Truck Manager
Allstate Peterbilt Group
Recently, a host of companies offering extended warranties on pre-owned units entered the used truck market. Most of these programs include a limited mechanical breakdown warranty and require an inspection. So, how do you know if an extended warranty is worth the additional cost? Or which type is best for you? Read the rest of this entry
Tips to Keep Your Truck Running in Cold Weather
By Dana Dagen
Regional Service Manager
Allstate Peterbilt Group
Being in the trucking industry, we are all more than aware of the headaches cold weather can create for drivers and maintenance managers alike. Most industry veterans are very familiar with the havoc that winter can cause for a truck’s fundamental components. However, many of us are not as comfortable with the newer technology of the engine and aftertreatment systems that are ever evolving. Read the rest of this entry
Planning for the Next Round of Emission Regulations “GHG Phase 2”
By Tom Wentworth
General Sales Manager
Allstate Peterbilt Group
Have you ever thought it would have been nice to have a “do over” on how you planned for 2007 and the first DPF trucks required by the EPA? If so, Greenhouse Gas Phase 2 may provide you with your chance. By the time you read this president Obama will most likely have signed the latest emission reduction proposal into law. It may be worth a quick google search of the topic which will provide you with dozens of articles detailing the new requirements. Read the rest of this entry