Archive for August, 2009
Better Fuel for the Trucking Industry
Posted by Allen Smith in Fuel Costs, trucking, trucking companies on August 30th, 2009
Better fuel mileage and cleaner emission control is always on the mind of trucking companies and many owner operators, especially these days. BetterFuel.org is an organization providing and promoting fuel saving technologies with the use of Ethos. As their site explains:
“Ethos is a product that is added to fuels to help engines burn fuel more completely. Ethos is non-toxic, non-hazardous and works with any fuel used in cars, trucks, buses, ships, trains and generators. Ethos is free of carcinogens and is not derived from petroleum. It utilizes cleaning and lubricating esters suspended in a mineral oil base.”
One gallon of Ethos FR treats 1,280 gallons of fuel, while four gallons will cover 5,120 gallons. Studies have shown that this product are the following:
- Non-toxic, Non-hazardous
- Extends Engine Life
- Reduces Maintenance
- Bridges the Lubrication Gap
You can see the difference that Ethos FR had when tested on two separate engines. BetterFuel.org will come to your place of business and provide testing on your vehicles showing you the end results. They will then implement a technology of your choice or one that they have tested and proven to be sufficient. They will then compare the difference between the two test results. This will allow you, as a trucking company or owner operator, to view what is really happening within the vehicle’s engine.
BetterFuel.org is showing proven technologies for fuel saving and emission control products. Technology is getting bigger and better with products that will increase the life of your truck’s engine which, without a doubt, will lead to more dollars staying in your pocket as a professional driver or fleet owner. Stay up on the newest technology for trucking fuel and emission products. Check out: BetterFuel.org
Allen
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: better fuel, betterfuel.org, emission control, ethos, fleet owner, fuel saving, owner operator, owner operators, trucking, trucking companies, trucking company
Related posts
Energy Drink for Truck Drivers, Without the Caffeine
Posted by Allen Smith in Truckers Health, otr trucking, trucking on August 27th, 2009
The life of a truck driver can be tough. Over the road, regional and even local trucking can wear us down and the lifestyle itself prevents many of us from receiving the proper diet, exercise and vitamins or minerals that the human body craves. Often, we barely have time to grab a quick hamburger or a cup of coffee and get back on the road to meet our deadline. Finally, when we reach that moment in time where we can shut down and actually go inside the truck stop or cafe and enjoy a good, hot meal . . . we head for the all-you-can-eat buffet or in my case, ( or maybe my downfall?) my favorite . . . chicken fried steak dinner. Hey! What can I say? I like it!
I’ve never been one who liked those energy drinks or supplements that we all know and hear about. Although there were many times my body could use a jolt of energy, I never wanted to fill my body with pure caffeine and sugars, which most energy drinks offer. However, there were times I gave some of them a try. Once, when I was waiting to get unloaded at a receiver in Maryland, I walked to their break room and found a vending machine, but all it had in it were energy drinks. They looked good and showed to have vitamins and minerals, so I figured I would give one a try. I put in $1.50 and chose one that looked like lemonade. I took a really big drink . . . and instantly got rid of it in the sink! It tasted like crushed vitamins mixed with water. It was the worse drink I have ever tasted and several others that I have tried through the years had the same effect on me. They tasted like medicine or was filled with unhealthy ingredients . . . until now.
I have been hearing a lot lately, about a new energy drink that was specifically designed for the lifestyle of a professional trucker. It made me want to research more about those other drinks, and my suspicions were confirmed. Most energy drinks are filled with high sugar, calories and caffeine and “other ingredients” that can lead to increase weight gain which medical science proves can result in diabetes, obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure. I don’t know about you . . . but that term “other ingredients” tends to make me very leery.
Big Ol’ Trucker Energy Juice is a new energy drink that is beginning to make a name for itself and I thought I would pass this information on. Before doing so, like anything I do, I tried it first. For the last two weeks I have been taking 1-2 bottles of Big Ol” Trucker with me to work. The very first thing I can say about this drink, is that it is the first energy drink that I could actually drink! With the fruit punch flavor, I could still get a touch of that nutrient and vitamin taste, but it was still a good flavor. I actually enjoyed it. This energy drink for trucking professionals is filled with vitamins and nutrients which creates a heart healthy energy blend:
Big Ol’ Trucker Energy Juice gets an A+ rating. There was no “jolt” of nervous energy and no “crash” afterwards. Just a normal, relaxing and more natural effect that is what the body actually needs, being provided by the vitamins and nutrients listed above. It’s worth checking out and just so I make myself clear here . . . it tastes pretty darn good too!
For Trucker Health:
Allen
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: big ol' trucker energy juice, caffeine, drink, energy, energy drinks, healthy, lifestyle, nutrients, sugars, truck drivers, trucker, Truckers, trucking, vitamins
Related posts
Texas Couple Winner of Trucker GPS Give-A-Way
Posted by Allen Smith in iPhone Trucking Application, mobile phone applications, trucking show on August 26th, 2009
On Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 the Trucker iphone application booth at GATS launched its PC Miler Navigator 430 GPS System Give-A-Way. The lucky winner was Jeanie Cummings who had placed her name in the drawing as did her husband, Ron who’s a driver.
Donna presented Mrs. Cummings with the GPS system, valued at $349.00 and her excitement was apparent!
Congratulations to the winner of the “Trucker App” GPS Give-A-Way and I bet Ron will be running down the road very soon with their new Navigator 430!
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: GATS, give-a-way, gps, GPS system, pc miler navigator 430, Trucker iPhone App
Related posts
Safe Truck Parking Advocates Recognized at Trucking Show
Posted by Allen Smith in Politics, Safety, trucking on August 26th, 2009
The drive for secure and safe parking areas for our professional truck drivers was on display at the recent Great American Trucking Show and its popularity and recognition was well noticed. Hope Rivenburg and family members were set up at booth #23149 and the voice of Jason Rivenburg was heard loud and clear. Advocating for Jason’s Law, hundreds of trucking enthusiasts and drivers learned, for many the first time, about Jason’s Law H. R. 2156, which is a bill seeking to pass a law to address the ongoing and escalating problems with truck driver safety and security.
With thousands of attendees enjoying the three day event, the Jason’s Law Booth even caught the attention of GATS as a featured article of the event:
Hundreds of new signatures were received for the Jason’s Law petition and new awareness for the cause was escalated. Donna finally got to meet Hope Rivenburg and the twins: Logan and Hezekiah.
It was quite apparent that the Rivenburg family is on a mission to bring about safe and secure truck parking, being joined by literally thousands of supporters for the cause, and the 2009 GATS show did just that. It was a lot of work and effort and I would like to thank Hope and her family for all their effort it took to get to Dallas for the show: Hope with Josh and the twins:
A lot of work and determination, but also some fun and enjoyment as well. Little Josh Rivenburg even got to meet TruckinDog Karma and her owner Trucker Desiree:
Jason’s Law was a great success at the Great American Trucking Show . . . and their sign said it all:
Allen
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: Great American Trucking Show, hope rivenburg, jason rivenburg, Jason's law- H.R.2156 S971, safe parking, truck drivers, truck parking, trucking
Related posts
Trucks Shine at The Great American Trucking Show
Posted by Allen Smith in otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies on August 25th, 2009
The 2009 Great American Trucking Show pulled off another great event this year. As the 2nd largest trucking show in America, those nice rigs … and I mean those REALLY nice rigs … were nothing but shine!
For those who have received our eBook: The Best Truck Driving Jobs . . . A State by State Guide, you already know about John Christner Trucking out of Oklahoma. An excellent owner-operator company, plus . . . a fellow “Okie.” But check out their rig from the 2009 GATS event:
Eye catching rig, don’t you think? John Christner Trucking was just one of many on display this year and we are already looking forward to GATS 2010!
Allen
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: 2009, best truck driving jobs, GATS, Great American Trucking Show, john christner trucking, oklahoma, owner operator, trucking
Related posts
Trucker App Well Received at GATS
Posted by Allen Smith in iPhone Trucking Application, trucking on August 23rd, 2009
The 2009 Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, Texas came to a close yesterday but there was a lot of fun and informative works that took place during the three day event. Our booth for “Trucker” – the world’s first iPhone application for the trucking industry, was well received and Donna did a great job with the much appreciative help and assistance of Trucker Desiree.
Also on hand, and giving much of his time in helping out was Daniel Audet of The Truck Star and Truck Star Radio. We will be posting more pictures and stories from the event and would like to thank everyone for their help during the event. It was a big three days but well worth the time and effort. Donna also finally got to meet the Rivenburgs and family of Jason’s Law, and we will be sharing all the pictures as they come in, right here on our blog.
Also, we will be posting the winner of the PC Miler GPS System very soon. My understanding is that a lucky lady from Texas claimed the prize that was donated by GoTruckStop. She was one happy winner!
Check back later, as there will be more posts coming about the GATS event of 2009.
Allen
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: application, dallas, GATS, Great American Trucking Show, iphone, texas, trucker, trucking
Related posts
Trucking GPS System Give-Away
Posted by Allen Smith in iPhone Trucking Application, mobile phone applications on August 18th, 2009
An important reminder that we will be giving away a PC Miler Navigator 430 GPS System on Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 at the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) in Dallas, Texas. If you can make it to the show, we will be in Booth #21149 for the Trucker App display. The actual drawing will take place at 12:00 noon and the lucky winner will walk away with a brand new GPS system ($349.00 Value).
Special thanks to the nets truckers online gift store, GoTruckStop.com for donating the Navigator 430. GATS will get under way on Thursday, August 20 and run through Saturday, August 22nd. Be sure to swing by the Trucker App booth and put in your name for the GPS drawing!
Also, stop by and meet the iPhone Trucker Mascot, TruckingDogKarma. Karma will be at the booth with her “mama” TruckerDesiree.
See you in GATS!
Allen Smith
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: GATS, gotruckstop, gps, GPS system, Great American Trucking Show, navigator 430, pc miler, trucker app, trucker gift store, trucking
Related posts
Workplace Harassment and American Injustice
Posted by Allen Smith in Politics, Safety, Woman Truckers, otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies, trucking life on August 17th, 2009
“The most odious of all oppressions are those which mask as justice.”
That statement was once made by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson. It’s a statement that I often recall when I hear or read about a so-called “victory” within our American judicial system. Granted, the system is not perfect, but it’s the best on the planet as far as “man” goes. Without a doubt it continues to rid America of criminals that prey on the weak and vulnerable. Like most things however, there are flaws. Criminals, most often seem to have more rights than the victims. Also, when it comes to our judicial system, many times nothing is more truer than the old saying, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.”
Those who have the courage to stand up and speak out about workplace harassment within the trucking industry and are not willing to sell themselves out to businesses or organizations, are making a difference within the industry. A difference that has some big players in the trucking game growing nervous. That is what the truth does . . . it can make a lot of people nervous. It can also strengthen a person’s courage to come forward and fight for what is right.
More and more, student, inexperienced and female drivers are coming to the front lines and exercising their rights as employees. Female drivers who have experienced harassment, abuse and even rape by male driver trainers, are going to court and fighting back. It’s about time. Some have won . . . and some have lost, but they fought back. This is the ultimate sign that things are changing and they will continue to change as long as there are those who will speak out against these secrets of the trucking industry and other industries as well. Not to be bought out . . . not to be frightened by threats . . . but to move forward with truth which holds the key in bringing about real change for the better, to an industry that has its share of corruption, lies and abuse.
There will be those workplace harassment cases that will be thrown out due to some trivial oversight, but not because the cases were not warrant. An attorney missed something . . . the statute of limitations were missed . . . or somebody “knew” somebody in high places. All to often, sadly enough, there will be those true victims that will run right into the brick wall of American injustice. The accused will claim “victory,” but I would like to know where exactly is the justice?
A friend in high places . . . Congress, Senate, Judge? American justice can be bought and paid for … it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
When victims lose the judicial battle, many times they still win. They won by not backing down and facing the demon head on and saying, “You cannot allow this treatment of drivers to continue, or we will fight back.” They may not win the case every time, but their courage and determination speaks volumes to many others and can lead them to follow in their footsteps and not back down when faced with violations of their employment rights. When a case is thrown out over some missed, minute detail, this is no victory for the accused. The facts of the case were never heard . . . the victims never had the opportunity to provide testimony . . . the defendant has no victory at all . . . just another example of judicial injustice.
Workplace harassment, whether it be in trucking or any other business . . . is not going away . . . but those of us who cannot be “bought out” by trucking companies, businesses and organizations . . . are not going away either.
Allen Smith
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: abuse, female drivers, harassment, harassment case, inexperienced, injustice, judicial, justice, male driver trainers, rape, student, trucking, trucking industry, workplace
Related posts
Green Truckers and Life Outside of Trucking
Posted by Allen Smith in Talk Radio Show, Truckers Health, trucking, trucking life on August 14th, 2009
With our previous Blog Talk Radio show about life outside of trucking being so well received, Barry Szczucki rejoined us for one more go around. Looking at what professional drivers do to pass the time when not on the road, Barry turns to organic gardening and topics focusing on energy.
In this broadcast, he discussed how to make your own compost and fertilizer, what you can plant right now, no matter where you live and his continual efforts toward providing easy-to-understand advice on his website: relyonyourself.com.
Organic gardening part 2 – Green Truckers aired live on Sunday, August 16th, 2009.
Take a look at how Barry helped me get started and why he is becoming known as the Green Guru: Organic Gardening
For now, enjoy the show:
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: barry szczucki, blog talk radio, energy, fertilizer, green, green guru, make your own compost, organic gardening, rely on yourself, Truckers, trucking
Related posts
Trucking Lease Scam Perfect for DAC Lies
Posted by Allen Smith in Truck Driving Jobs, otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies on August 11th, 2009
The trucking company owner operator lease-purchase scam. I’ve talked about it … I’ve written about it … I’ve done talk shows about it. Truth About Trucking was established with one goal in mind: to provide the answers to the insider secrets of the trucking industry for new CDL students and drivers. All those things that every veteran driver knows about, but, for whatever reason, few would discuss. Four years ago, we changed all that.
Suddenly, there was someone actually talking about the scams of OTR trucking. Scams, that every newcomer to the industry should be aware of, in order to know exactly what they are getting into when it comes to long haul trucking. Furthermore, by understanding and realizing the Truth About OTR Trucking . . . they would be better prepared to face those situations head-on and know what is to be expected of them in order to survive and make it in the OTR trucking game.
Being available through email, phone and from our Truth About Trucking “LIVE” talk radio show, I have received thousands of questions from students and new drivers. It is the best part about being involved with an informative on-line format. Still, I find that trucking companies continue to prey on drivers’ hopes and dreams and wanted to reiterate in this post about one of the BIGGEST scams in the trucking industry: the Owner Operator Truck Leasing Program.
Here is a comment that was just made from our online petition to stop false DAC reporting:
“I RECENTLY SIGNED A TRUCK LEASE WITH A COMPANY CALLED XXXXX , THE TRUCK PAYMENTS WERE OVER $1000.00 PER WK. BUT I WAS TOLD MY TRUCK WOULD BRING IN OVER 4500 PER WK AVERAGE. THIS NEVER HAPPENED, SO AFTER STARVING FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND LISTENING TO THEIR BULL, I FINALLY TURNED IN THE TRUCK. BUT NOW MY DAC REPORT IS NEGATIVE.”
For all of you new CDL students and new drivers trying to break into the industry, be very leery of these trucking company lease purchase plans. This is a big money maker for these companies and the chances of you succeeding with one of these plans is highly unlikely. I know that many of you would really like to be an owner operator and these purchase plans are so enticing, but the best way to be an O/O is to drive several years, save up the down payment and purchase the truck on your own from a reputable dealer . . . NOT A TRUCKING COMPANY. The only exception to this “rule” is obviously, if you have worked for a company for a good length of time and know for certain that they are a good, reputable company and one you can trust. Until you have some serious background experience with them, stay away from leases!
One of our highest rated shows on Truth About Trucking “LIVE” was about this very subject. I would urge you to give it a listen if you missed it:
Remember . . . there are many fine trucking companies out there to work for, but you will have to build up between one to three years of driving experience before you will be considered for hire. There are also very good companies that offer CDL training other than those we all hear and know about. Keep in mind, with the current state of the economy, companies such as these may not be accepting new students right now.
The point here, is that OTR trucking does work for many drivers . . . but a successful career in trucking does not happen overnight. It can, literally, take several years. Understand the scams that exist within OTR truck driving and know what to be suspicious of when it comes to this industry. One of those things is the Lease Purchase Plan. Not only will they use it to rake in more of your hard earned money, but when you cannot hang on any longer . . . they will turn around and place a negative report on your DAC, hitting you twice and very possibly ruining your truck driving career.
I’ll say it again . . . Until you have worked for a company long enough to know that they are a good and honest employer . . . then . . . Stay away from trucking company leases!
To your success in trucking,
Allen Smith
© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.
: cdl students, cdl training, lease, lease purchase, millis, otr truck driving, otr trucking, owner operator, roehl, scam, Scams, trucking, trucking company, trucking industry, truth about trucking
Related posts
-
You are currently browsing the archives for August, 2009
Truth About Trucking Blog Talk Radio Show Podcast
Subscribe to Podcast
AskTheTrucker
Recent Comments