Friday, November 21st, 2008
Heavy truck manufacturers are developing new technologies in an attempt to decrease truck accident collisions. The technologies may assist in reducing the expensive costs and fatalities associated with truck accidents.
Recently, the annual Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) met for the annual Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress and Exhibition to showcase several new technologies aimed at decreasing the potential for heavy truck accidents.
There are an array of technologies on the horizon being developed by commercial truck manufacturers like Ford, Volvo, Ottawa, Mack, Peterbilt etc as well as technology producers working to better equip commercial truck drivers with the safety devices needed to better protect drivers, passengers and other vehicles on the road. One of the SAE’s 2008 exhibitors has produced the following technolgies:
* The vehicle integrated safety system that offers lane departure warnings for forward, side and lane departures using radar and vision technologies.
* The headway alert system offers feedback to drivers on safe and unsafe distances for audio and visual alerts.
* A lane departure warning system that uses a camera to alert drivers when they have drifted out of their intended lane and the system uses algorithms to stop alerts when turn signals have been used.
* A drowsy driver alert system attempts to reduce vehicle accidents caused by sleepy drivers by using an imaging sensor and infrared illuminators to determine the number of eye closure rates that occur for an individual driver. The system uses a vavariety of alert tones to ensure a driver stays awake until they pull off of the road.
In addition to new-aged technology being developed to ease commercial truck driver’s worries of becoming involved in an accident, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is in its third year of its driver information sharing project known as the Enhanced CVISN. According to the FMCSA Technology Division, this system was created to “enhance the safety, security and productivity of commercial vehicle operations and to improve access to and quality of information about commercial drivers, carriers, vehicles, chassis, cargo, inspections, crashes, compliance reviews and citations for authorized and public and private sector users.”.
The project is also responsible for gathering and maintaining statistics on commercial truck carriers involved in accidents Feature Articles, receiving tickets as well as roadside assistance.
Legal Help For Commercial Truck Accident Victims :
Accidents of commercial trucks are among the most dangerous vehicular accidents that can occur in the United States. Most commonly truck accidents involve a severe injury or bodily harm to those involved. Those who have been involved in a heavy truck accident should consult an experienced legal attorney who can provide insightful details into developing a truck accident lawsuit.
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Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
Buying and owning a vehicle is every man’s dream in Australia. But if you are a farmer or an owner driver who wants to buy a truck then things can be more difficult than buying a car. Why? The investment involved here is greater so is the risk.
Truck finance in Australia is supported by many banks and financiers. For big truck finance there can be a commercial truck loan application needed.
Usually people choose to buy a commercial truck might be Ottawa commercial truck, Kenworth commercial truck, Peterbilt commercial truck, Volvo commercial truck etc through financing, which can be a sensible option especially if you are hard on cash. This process involves payment via installments making it more feasible for middle class individuals. Truck financing is available at a bank or a private individual can also lend you money. You can choose which lender, after weighing the pros and cons of both and decide which one to go for.
People normally can think of only two ways of buying a vehicle, either pay in cash or obtain a loan. The former one is not a likely choice for most of us involved since it is can tie up valuable working capital or funds that you can invest elsewhere for better value. Truck lease companies generally require three main fundamentals when approving a large truck loan. These are:
That you own a property, cash, shares or assets of real value. This is known as fall back position which means you have something to fall back on if the unforeseen bad time happens.
Working capital. Most trucking contracts don’t see income until after the first month, sometimes longer. Finance companies want to see sufficient funds available that you have at your disposal to cover expenses and if there is an unexpected expense like engine trouble. This amount can be anywhere between $10-$30,000, which can depend on the age of the truck and can be what you can arrange through a type of loan but not included with your truck finance.
For startup truck finance applications it is important that you have sufficient arrangements for where the work will come from. This normally has to be in writing and confirming in what way will they will pay you (ie by weight, km’s, load). This should also state what work would be made available to you.
Existing operations may not require this as their current financials may show affordability. Banks and finance companies can ask you for your last financials. Truck finance can require a tailored finance application. This can require but may not require cash flows, financials and details account of your business. A commercial loans broker can be useful to do this and assuring you get your truck finance at better interest rates.
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Monday, November 10th, 2008
When you say truck rental, the biggest majority of us instantly think of a move it yourself truck rental company such as U-Haul or Budget Truck Rentals. But some of those same companies that you might associate with do it yourself movers also rent over the road semi tractor trailer combinations to individuals and companies who have qualifying CDL licenses. Budget and other companies have what they call their commercial rental divisions, where they handle truck rental and leasing to all manner of commercial enterprises.
The advantage of leasing trucks rather then buying can be substantial to many companies. Many companies need trucks only during particular times of the year, or on special occasions. It might be advantages to some companies to lease or rent trucks for tax purposes, or insurance reasons. For companies that want to make sure that their cargos get handled only by personnel that are qualified, leasing trucks is a big advantage, making sure that drivers are well informed about how to deal with special shipments when loading and unloading as well as while the shipment is in transit.
Other advantages for companies are flexibility and diversity of equipment, making it easier to match the right trucks or equipment to the right job. Fleet availability to move what ever needs moved without the hassles of maintaining fleet operations, such as maintenance facilities, thus helping to simplify budgeting and expenditures.
Many of the companies that offer leasing of commercial trucks like Ford commercial trucks, Peterbilt commercial trucks, Kenworth commercial trucks, Mack commercial trucks etc offer 24 hour roadside assistance as well as offering licensing services that take care of your permitting and tax reports further saving time and money. Some even offer driver safety programs that can help to educate and retain driving personnel. Also driver education and safety programs can help to reduce costs due to equipment and cargo damage, thereby lowing insurance rates.
Some leasing companies have dedicated systems that can track each and every truck while in route, helping companies to maintain critical transit time tables on important materials.
So if you company has need of trucks on a big scale or a small scale, it may be worth while to check into leasing or renting the trucks and equipment you need rather then hiring a trucking company or buying the equipment.
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Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
All transportation companies need an operating authority issued by the former Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) which is now maintained by the Department of Transportation (DOT). You as a trucker also need this operating authority. For commercial trucking and commercial truckers it is an unavoidable permit or authority. When you carry commodities over different state lines, you need this ICC authority along with truck Insurance and Cargo Insurance. While getting the ICC authority check with your home state rules and regulations. Your home state may have some regulation regarding loading and unloading of the items. For truckers an ICC authority means you have a permit to carry different items and goods within state and interstate.
Now instead of the ICC, ICC authority applications are handled by two agencies under the USDOT. To get ICC authority, you do not need any experience; you just need to apply for it. ICC authority decides which companies are permitted as truckers/carriers. It also decides the service that these companies will offer and the charges that they can take from the customers.
ICC authority means Operating authority. ICC refers to Interstate Commerce Commission. ICC authority now means federal operating authority that looks after the rules governing transport companies for hire across the different state lines.
ICC authority is a term used to mean a legal permission or a business license. This is granted by a federal or state transportation governing agency. This permit or license is needed by the for hire transportation agency or the truckers.
According to the law, if you are a trucker, you should have a ICC operating authority. If you are operating new or used commercial truck might be Ford commercial trucks, Kenworth commercial trucks, Peterbilt commercial trucks, GMC commercial trucks etc without the ICC authority, then you are really taking a big risk.
It is better not to operate till you get the authority. When you, as a trucker, operate within a specific commercial zone then you can operate without such authority but if you plan on going beyond this zone then make sure that you have the authority to.
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Monday, October 27th, 2008
No one wants to be in an accident with an 18-wheeler. Truck drivers are professionals. They drive all the time and they are some of the best drivers on the road. That doesn’t mean that you should throw caution to the wind and expect everything to be just fine when you are driving around big commercial trucks might be Ottawa commercial truck, International commercial truck, Kenworth commercial truck, Peterbilt commercial truck etc.
The size and weight of a semi tractor trailer truck makes it hard to maneuver and hard to get back into control once the chain of events leading to an accident gets started. You can substantially reduce your chance of being involved in an accident with a large commercial truck by driving responsibly and by understanding their limitations and what can go wrong.
Equipment failure
No matter how much you trust the driver’s ability, and even when you have the legal right of way, consider this – equipment failure is out of the driver’s hands and honors no laws except the laws of physics.
Tires, brakes, steering components, couplers, axles, turn signals, and horns are just some of the parts that can fail on large trucks. If you’re in the way when equipment fails, you will be hurt or killed.
Trucking laws require regular inspections. Trucking companies do not always comply with inspection schedules and they many fail to maintain their vehicles. Equipment failure can also be the fault of manufacturers or repair shops.
Jackknifing caused by malfunctioning brakes often involves a combination of the front brakes locking up and rear brakes failing, causing the cab to stop as the trailer stays in motion. Jackknifing can quickly progress into a deadly rollover accident, involving multiple lanes of traffic and multiple vehicles.
Blind Spots :
You have seen the signs on trucks that say, “If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you.” It’s not a joke. All vehicles have a blind spot, and big rigs are no exception.
Experienced drivers, and those with proper training, know how to anticipate when another vehicle may have entered a blind spot and the correct procedures to avoid a collision, even though they cannot see all of the perimeters of the truck. Any driver can make a mistake, and you have no way of knowing which trucks are being operated by experienced drivers or if the driver is impaired.
Wide turns :
Long trucks have to make wide turns. To do this they swing out to the left before making a right hand turn, taking up two lanes of traffic. In the process they leave an opening to their right. If you pull into that opening, you’re pulling into a blind spot. The truck driver will not be able to see you, and can easily be crushed by the truck as it makes its turn.
Passing :
Never cut off an 18-wheeler! The weight and momentum of a commercial truck means that it needs much greater stopping distance than you do. If you cut a commercial truck off on the highway, you may be rear ended. If the truck driver has to brake quickly you may not be struck, but it could cause the truck to jackknife and have an accident involving other vehicles.
Always allow more space between your car and the front of a commercial truck than you would a passenger vehicle when passing, even in heavy traffic. Most truck drivers will flash their headlights to let you know when you are clear to change lanes and get back in front of them.
Other cars
There is another variable to consider, besides you and the truck driver – all the other drivers. If you see another vehicle behaving unsafely near a big truck, keep you distance. When a truck driver is forced to take sudden evasive maneuvers due to the behavior of other drivers, an accident may result, and you need time to avoid getting caught in the middle of it.
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Friday, October 24th, 2008
If you are planning to shift to a new place, be it across the state or to a new country, you obviously would want to take all the pieces of furniture and stuff you had collected, which you hold special to you, instead of selling them off and buying new ones. Well then what better way to do that than to rent a truck! You can decide on the size of the truck depending on how much stuff you have. There are different commercial trucks like pickups, dump trucks, boom trucks, semi trucks, crane trucks etc. There are also various branded commercial trucks like Ford commercial truck, Peterbilt commercial truck, Kenworth commercial truck, Ottawa commercial truck etc.
Make enquiries about truck rental companies:
Finding a good rental company may be difficult, as there are so many these days. Here are some points that one should keep in mind while renting a truck:
• See if the rental company has branches in the same city you are moving to. This way you will only have to pay for a one way move. Many companies do accommodate that, but they ask for upfront payment, so this way you end up paying the company for the return journey as well. You may not be aware of this, as you may assume that you are paying extra for the service charge incase they do not have a branch there. Make enquiries before you book.
• It is always advisable to book the truck well in advance once you have decided on the rental company. Sometimes you may not get the truck on the day you want, especially during the peak season. So always call in advance to reserve a truck for yourself, preferably a week or two in advance.
• Make enquiries about the rental charges in different rental companies to find out which price suits you best. Some companies may also charge more for new and well maintained trucks, than they do for old trucks. You have to decide based on that, which one you want. Some truck rentals may also offer special services as compared to other companies. Find out the distance to be traveled, as they may charge according to distance, and for every extra mile you travel, you may be charged extra.
• The size of the truck will be based on the number of rooms to be moved. Generally, a 26 foot truck will accommodate a 4–plus bedroom house, and a cargo van or trailer can be used for shifting small offices. It is always better to book a larger truck, this way you can be sure all the goods will fit in.
• The rental companies may also offer optional insurance plans such as cargo insurance, accident insurance, and loss and damage insurance. Find out about all the coverage from all different companies, and then decide which one you think is best for you. Make sure that you call your credit card companies before signing the agreement.
Rental trucks are convenient, and the good part is you do not even have to shell out a lot of money for your shifting. They are a cost effective way to move your stuff to your new place. It’s as simple as renting a car to move about the city - you just have to decide on the rental company, and rent their truck to transport your belongings. The rental cost all depends on the size of the truck and the distance to be traveled. Some of the rental companies even have major branches in all the different cities, thus saving you money by just paying for the one way truck rental.
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Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
A recent study conducted by the state of Washington found that the number of truck accidents involving log trucks has declined by 11 percent even as the number of accidents involving all commercial trucks increased by 15 percent over a two-year period. Commercial truck accidents are considered the most expensive and fatal vehicular accidents that can occur throughout the country. The ripple effects of a commercial truck accident can often be vast and devastating to victims, family members and friends.
What are Commercial Trucks, Log Trucks?
In the United States, commercial trucks, also commonly referred to as heavy duty trucks, are those vehicles used to transport cargo and weighing more than 26,001 pounds in which case a commercial truck driver’s license is also needed. Commercial trucks transport a number of goods and products across state lines and throughout the country including food supplies and logs and some are specifically designed for tasks such as mixing and moving concrete as well as transporting light trucks for military use.
Researchers have reported that while the construction of commercial trucks continues to improve, the level of quality still remains well below the quality level of automobiles and it has been said that commercial trucks remain well below automobiles in quality due mainly to the fact that nearly 3/4 of all commercial trucks are custom built, causing inefficiencies in steamlining a commercial truck assembly line. However, a lengthy list of popular commercial truck manufacturers remains both worldwide and in America. The list of top commercial trucks by manufacturers includes: Peterbilt commercial truck, International commercial truck, Kenworth commercial truck, Ottawa commercial truck etc.
Logging trucks and log truck drivers are no different from commercial trucks or commercial truck drivers, however, the Washington study conducted by the Washington State University found that a small group of log truck drivers are often considered seasoned and experienced drivers of the dangerous profession, which may be attributing to the total decrease of log truck accidents. However, the study also noted that as these individuals begin to retire, not only will the logging industry suffer, but accidents may begin to increase instead of decrease. The study noted that, “rising costs, aging drivers and long hours of service” as well as “other factors that could affect safety and economic viability include the ongoing effects of deregulation, poor driver recruitment” could all become factors responsible for a potential increase of log truck accidents.
Protecting Yourself from a Truck Accident :
Individuals who have been involved in a commercial truck accident are advised to seek medical assistance even if no signs or symptoms of an injury are present. Often, injuries sustained in a vehicular or commercial truck accident can remain unseen and may include internal bleeding or bruising, which could have fatal consequences on a victim if injuries are not immediately assessed and treated.Receiving a free legal consultation on injuries derived from a truck accident can provide relief from stress or worry over medical bills or automotive debts associated with a commercial truck collision or a log truck wreck.
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Monday, October 20th, 2008
Getting the right deal on your Truck Insurance has improved thanks to the Internet. You can now get commercial truck insurance and truck insurance quotes anytime and any place. The Internet caters to your needs 24/7. The accessibility of getting truck insurance U.K based means that any truck driver can have their vehicle insured quickly and safely. Whatever your need to have any truck insurance quotes, from commercial truck insurance for haulage and smaller vans to specialised fields such as recovery truck insurance. You will find all the policies available online and you will get the Truck Insurance policy that is right for you.
Why should you take out HGV Insurance? The advantages of being out on the road and knowing that your vehicle is insured is a great comfort. You can have your truck insurance U.K work for you whenever there is an accident and can protect your business from undue harm.
There are over 250,000 road traffic accidents on our roads each and every year. So you will be glad that you have commercial truck insurance if it happens to you. You’ll be even happier to know that the driver of any recovery truck insurance keeps them safe as well. Their insurance protects your vehicle from damage. Truck Insurance is a lifeline and a great support for any road user who drives a truck might be a heavy duty, light duty, pick up, Ford truck, GMC truck, Peterbilt truck, Isuzu truck etc. You must have the right truck insurance quotes for policies that fit your needs and you can do it all with the click of a mouse.
Truck Insurance is easy to access with the Internet and their are hundreds of insurance firms and brokers who are willing to help you get the best deal on your truck insurance quotes. Any specialised insurance details, like if you need recovery truck insurance, can also be obtained and there are many different policies to suit.
Commercial truck insurance providers are mainly for the large fleet vehicles and businesses that require a larger amount of comprehensive cover for all company vehicles. This doesn’t mean that smaller businesses will be left without Truck Insurance, you just have to find the right policy. Getting the right HGV Insurance quote for your companies needs is easy to do if you take the advice of the professionals that work for the online Truck Insurance sites and the related brokerage firms. You can find that the online Insurance providers have done all the hard work for you and have compiled lists of over 450 individual policies that can be tailored to suit your commercial vehicle needs. Getting Truck Insurance has never been easier.
The contract of Truck Insurance will mean that both you and the insurance provider will agree to set terms for the eventuality of an accident, fire or theft. The insurer will specify how much you are to pay for your policy and in return they will provide you with a level of service.Truck Insurance protects you and other road users against risk. Getting the right deal can mean the difference between a growing business and financial strain.
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Thursday, September 11th, 2008
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 commercial trucks need to operate. There is also the fact that they contribute significantly to pollution in the environment. The idea of commercial 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 commercial vehicles has been in place for quite sometime, and there have been numerous test projects going on in recent years for commercial 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 commercial semi trucks in 2009.
Peterbilt trucks is considered to be a quality brand of semi truck, and they will be the first to introduce the commercial 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 commercial semi trucks and they are expected to do well in sales. Negotiations are currently in the works between Peterbilt and Wal-mart regarding the commercial 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 commercial 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 commercial 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 commercial 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 used commercial 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 commercial 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 commercial semi truck as well.
With so many semi trucks on the road, the positive impact that commercial semi trucks will have on the environment are very encouraging as well. If you are interested in learning more about the future of commercial semi trucks, you can visit the Peterbilt commercial truck or the Kenworth commercial truck websites. You can also find out when they will be displaying their commercial models at future truck shows. This is a great way for you to get to see one of the commercial semi trucks up close and personal.
Posted in Commercial truck, Kenworth commercial trucks, Peterbilt commercial truck | No Comments »
Monday, September 8th, 2008
Commercial trucks are popular because of their stylish build and also because of its capacity. It is built in a way that it not only caters to the travel for passengers; it can also be used for other reasons. It is very spacious, and it has a large area. This is ideal for those who would like to use these vehicles for long distance travel. There are several hundreds of commercial truck models to choose from, so the designs are not limited. It opens the door for an individual to have a various choice to pick from. They are also reasonable priced, and they have several interesting accessories too. The commercial truck vehicles as well as accessories are built to please the user.
The vehicles are a pleasure to ride, as they have the capacity to meet any kind of terrain. They are also ideal for hauling heavy items, for use in any trade. Since these vehicles are also stylish, they are a pleasure for passengers to travel in. To make the driving quality better than ever, those who buy this vehicle must choose accessories well. By choosing the newest and the best accessories, it not only enhances the look of the vehicle, it also allows the users to be comfortable in all ways when using the vehicle. These trucks will also come with luggage carriers if you need them.
By maintaining the commercial trucks, you will also ensure that it has a long life. Most of the time, it is always better if you choose to service these vehicles at known truck dealer. You can make sure that they will not tamper with your parts. They will also have the most professional team to work on the vehicle.
This team will be trained exclusively to handle commercial trucks, and they will be the best to perform the job. When you want to shop for commercial trucks, you can of course compare all the models and makers too before taking a decision. You will have catalogues in such a way, that the trucks will be filed according to the model and make. You will also get to see the price side by side, so making a choice will be easy, depending on your budget.
Some of the popular makes of commercial trucks are Ottawa truck, Kenworth truck , Peterbilt truck, International truck and Mack truck. Most of the makers in the business of selling these trucks, are in the field for years. So a buyer need not worry about the quality of the trucks.
Ottawa Commercial Truck
International Commercial Truck
Peterbilt Commercial Truck
They will be designed in a perfect way, and all safety measures will be taken. These trucks when sold by dealers, also hand out safety instructions to the buyer. This way, the buyer can make sure that he safeguards his vehicle from all ways, and drive accordingly. Commercial trucks are powerful, so one need not bother about being indecisive on certain terrains. What the owner of the vehicle must do, is to make sure he maintains his vehicle, and checks its performance often.
Posted in Commercial truck, International commercial Truck, Kenworth commercial trucks, Mack commercial trucks, Ottawa commercial truck, Peterbilt commercial truck | 3 Comments »
