Mar 22, 2019 • Carriers

Industry Update March 22, 2019

Industry Update March 22, 2019

Trucking Industry Update March 22, 2019

By Jeremy Feucht

Did you Know?

March 22, 1933, President Roosevelt signed the Beer and Wine Revenue act, which basically killed Prohibition. This started the shipment of alcohol again in earnest and culminated in the signing of the 21^st Amendment in December of 1933, officially ending Prohibition.

Trucking tip of the Week

Getting loads to the final destination on time is key to getting paid the full rate. During the Spring, especially this Spring, wind has been a major factor. Trucks, being top heavy, are easily tipped over. Pay attention to wind speeds in the area you are going through, in particularly through the Plains. Being late is better than not getting there at all.

Declarations of Emergency

This section has been a constant for the last several weeks. This week is no different. Nebraska is having massive flooding issues and are in desperate need of water, fuel and many other items. Make sure you are planning accordingly if your route takes you through Nebraska.

Toll Road Fight

The ATA sued the state of Rhode Island on their implementation of toll roads. The suit was initially brought up in July of 2018 but is just now being ruled on. Unfortunately, the suit has been dismissed but not due to the legality of the law. The presiding judge felt that the suit should be brought up in state court first. The ATA has declared that they will continue the fight.

Legislation

If you drive in the agriculture business, a new piece of legislation has been introduced that you need to keep an eye out on. HR 1673, The Agricultural Trucking Relief Act, has been introduced by Representative Austin Scott (R-GA),is set to further clarify what is classified as an agricultural commodity. While the full bill has yet to be released, you will be able to read the bill in its entirety here when its released.

TagsATA trucking Declaration of Emergency Legislation weather Wind Nebraska beer wine Toll Roads Rhode Island

Things to Consider When Buying Dashcams for Trucks [p]Trucking is a challenging job that requires constant commitment and motivation from the part of the truck driver. It is your job as a trucker to keep the cargo, the truck, yourself, and other drivers safe on the road. However, sometimes accidents can occur, leading to the involvement of multiple parties like the police and the insurance companies. In such cases, it is always better to protect yourself from paying for unnecessary damages. The best way to do that is by installing a dashcam in your truck.[/p] [p]There are so many dashcams for sale in the market that selecting the right one can be a troublesome task. Do not let that faze you. You can choose the perfect dashcam for your truck using the information provided in this article. So, without further ado let’s get started! [/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]The Dashcam’s Resolution [/b][/p] [p]The first thing you should consider when buying a dashcam for your truck is the camera’s resolution. There are dashcams out there that produce unclear videos then there are others that can record in HD resolution. When it comes to trucking you want to buy a dashcam with a high resolution so that all the recorded footage is of high quality. If you are required to present the video as evidence in the court then you would want the video to be as clear as possible and be able to capture essential information such as plate numbers or street signs. You could opt for 4k resolution dashcams, but they are highly expensive and chances are that you won't need such high resolution for your truck.[/p] [p][b]Number of Point of Views [/b][/p] [p]You want a dashcam that has more than two channels i.e. a dashcam that can show footage from at least two designated positions. A six-channel camera would show footage from a different location from inside and outside the car, which can be beneficial. A truck is huge and requires ample coverage which is why you need multiple channels. [/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/TP-BLOG-Things-to-Consider-When-Buying-Dashcams-for-Trucks-The-Type-of-Lens.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]The Type of Lens [/b][/p] [p]A dashcam with a wide lens will show a larger area in the front of your truck. Cameras with a 120-degree field of view are ideal for trucking. As a rule of thumb, the larger the field of view the better but that is not always true. Dashcam lenses that are wider than 120 degrees will create a fisheye effect leading to very awkward footage. A 360-degree camera lens can help solve both problems. [/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]Connectivity [/b][/p] [p]In this modern world, it is helpful if everything is connected to our phones or PCs. Therefore, a dashcam with a related mobile app can be very useful, especially if you are out & about and not near a PC. Furthermore, the mobile app can let you view the footage live and unaltered. So, even if you are away from your truck you are only a tap away from accessing the dashcam.[/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/TP-BLOG-Things-to-Consider-When-Buying-Dashcams-for-Trucks-Dashcam-Viewing-Screen.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]Dashcam Viewing Screen [/b][/p] [p]Some dashcams in the market have an LCD screen on their back so you can view the footage in real-time as you drive. That is not highly recommended, as a dashcam with an LCD can be distracting for you as a driver. They are big and bulky while also being too big to hide. Smaller dashcams with no LCDs are sleek and elegant making them the perfect choice for some truckers. The camera can be hidden from plain view allowing you to focus entirely on the road. [/p] [p][b]User Friendliness [/b][/p] [p]Dashcam installation can be hectic if you buy the wrong one. Many dashcams require you to connect electrical wiring and make adjustments in your truck. They are not very easy to install, which is why most truckers opt for dashcams that are operated by a battery or can easily plug in to a 12v socket. These kinds of dashcams do not require any complex installation and perform the same job as the other types. [/p] [p][b]Dashcam Memory [/b][/p] [p]You should also consider the memory capacity for your Dashcam. These cameras come with a micro SD card slot allowing you to save all the footage in one place so that you can transfer it later to a personal computer. Therefore, a dashcam should have the capability to accept high-volume memory cards such as 512 GB or 256 GB. This way, you’ll be able to record more footage and won’t have to worry about deleting often.[/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/TP-BLOG-Things-to-Consider-When-Buying-Dashcams-for-Trucks-Pricing.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]Pricing [/b][/p] [p]The last thing you should consider is the pricing. Dashcam prices range from $40 up to even $600. Treat your dashcam as a worthy investment that will save you money in the long run. Find a dashcam that gives you all the features that you’re looking for with a relatively cost efficient price. That way, you won’t have to think about upgrading in the near future. Do it once, and do it right.[/p] [p][b]Conclusion [/b][/p] [p]A dashcam is a simple gadget that has a lot of fancy features with a lot of good benefits especially for truckers. It is definitely worth considering to get to give you a bit of peace of mind when the unexpected happens.[/p] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> [p][b]By Aldous Aldwin[/b][/p]

Oct 22, 2020 • Community

Truck Freight Rates [h2] Truck Freight Rates [/h2] [p]Before getting into the details surrounding truck freight rates and how owner-operators can find the best one, it's important to understand what is a good truck freight rate and how are rates determined.[/p] [h2]What is a Truck Freight Rate? [/h2] [p]A Truck freight rate is simply the price or rate a broker or shipper is willing to pay a carrier to haul a load. Essentially, it's what you will be paid to haul a load. Our focus here is regarding truck freight rates for owner operators and carriers with authority. [/p] [h2] Where Can I Find Truck Freight Rates? [/h2] [p]You can find truck freight rates on load boards like <em>Truckloads</em>. Search over three million monthly truck loads and filter your results based on location, trailer type, weight, pick up/drop off date and more. Use Truckloads free load board to view a freight broker's credit rating, days to pay and call brokers directly from the mobile app to book the best freight rate for you! [/p] [button text="Try Truckloads Today" href="https://truckerpath.com/truckloads/free-load-board//?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=truckfreightrate" width="250px"] [video id="snyBYpnuhWw"] [h2] How are Truck Freight Rates Calculated? [/h2] [p]Truck Freight rates are calculated based on a variety of factors including the current market conditions, demand levels, overall weight or size, distance traveled and the type of goods being shipped. Certain routes and areas will offer higher freight rates because the supply of loads is so great, therefore the need for carriers will be higher.[/p] [p]Keep in mind that truck freight rates are often set by a<a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/what-is-a-freight-broker/"> freight broker </a> who takes a portion of the total rate a shipper is willing to pay and pays the carrier the difference. This rate is often negotiable and can fluctuate. [/p] [p]If a shipper is sending valuable equipment that is extremely heavy, chances are the freight rate is going to be very favorable for carriers. [/p] [p]Since the truck cargo that needs to be shipped is valuable, there is additional desire to find qualified carriers. Of course, you'll need to have the right equipment and trailer necessary to haul the specific load. [/p] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/3o7btPCcdNniyf0ArS" width="480" height="268" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [h2] What Loads Pay the Best Truck Freight Rate? [/h2] [p]In order to maximize your earnings, you'll benefit from hauling loads with the best freight rate as often as possible. Freight rates are typically paid by the mile and can range from $1.50 to upwards of $4.00 or more per mile. Typically, the best freight rate is for flatbed loads but this is not necessarily always the case. [/p] [p]We surveyed over 150 experienced <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/how-to-become-an-owner-operator/">owner-operators</a> asking them what they think are the best freight rates. 59 percent considered $3.00 per mile the best rate for carriers while 32 percent said $2.00 was a fair freight rate.[/p] [p]While these are ideal freight rates for the carrier, they are often times difficult to find in most areas and the volume of freight shipping at these rates can also be limited. [/p]

Aug 22, 2017 • Carriers

Trucking Industry Update February 15, 2019 <h4>Trucking Industry Update February 15, 2019</h4> <h6>By Jeremy Feucht</h6> <h1></h1> <h1><strong><u>Did you Know?</u></strong></h1> The regulation of the transportation industry, including today’s semis, began in earnest this week in history. On February 10, 1966, Ralph Nader testified before Congress regarding a book he had published called “Unsafe at Any Speed.” His testimony initiated the move towards an emphasis on safety as opposed to power and speed. <h1><strong><u>Trucking tip of the Week</u></strong></h1> With all the winter weather still occurring across the US, it is important to make sure you are keeping your headlights clear of dirt. Road dirt and other debris mixed with wet conditions can make your headlights less effective. Remember to wipe them off during your pre- and post-trip inspections. <h1><strong><u>Trucker’s Fees</u></strong></h1> One week after news broke that the US House of Representatives is considering a move towards a weight mileage tax on truckers, the US Senate has announced a similar initiative. While discussions are ongoing, there is also talk about increased fuel taxes in the interim while the weight/mileage change in implemented. During the hearing that occurred on February 13, the number thrown around was an increase of nearly $.20 per gallon. If you would like to listen to the hearing, you can access it <a href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=A73B1CC1-D6D6-4B18-A419-9F33FB5F69BA">here</a> (fast forward to the 2:12:00 mark). <h1><strong><u>Autonomous Technology</u></strong></h1> TuSimple, a company attempting to lead the way in autonomous trucking, has raised nearly $100 million dollars in a funding campaign. With its latest round of funding, TuSimple is now pushing a <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/autonomous-trucking-leader-tusimple-closes-110000387.html">$1 billion dollar valuation</a>. This ultimately means that TuSimple is making gains in their push towards a fully autonomous truck. However, this technology has yet to be fully approved for use in the US. While some states have allowed testing, many others have not. This will be an interesting topic to watch moving forward. <h1><strong><u>Declarations of Emergency</u></strong></h1> There are at least 32 states under declarations of emergency due to winter conditions in the US. Several are set to expire by the end of the week. Please check the <a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency-declarations">FMCSA’s Declaration of Emergency page</a> to ensure you are not caught in a bad situation. If you are operating under the HOS exemption granted by such declaration, make sure the declaration is still in effect, so you do not receive a citation for hours violations.

Feb 15, 2019 • Carriers