Large trucking companies have widely offered online shipment tracking, allowing customers to check the status of their shipments at their convenience on services such as Swift Load Tracker, JB Hunt Quick Load Tracking, or Prime Load Tracing. Carriers have been hugely successful in using these systems to attract new customers, since shippers and consignees have come to expect the instant tracking updates that were popularized by FedEx and UPS. Tracking technology has been slow to trickle down to smaller fleets, as the cost of setting up and maintaining the infrastructure is typically in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.
Owner-Operators have suddenly turned the tables in the past month, offering their customers an online tracking system that displays the exact location of their shipments, along with images of the freight and shipping documents. How? Drivers are downloading “See It Ship,” an app that uses the GPS and camera built in to smartphones to create an advanced shipment tracking system that operates from the driver’s own phone. Drivers simply give their shipment a name, and their customers receive a link to a map that shows the shipment’s location, as well as any images of shipping documents or freight that the driver uploads.
We really like the idea of independent truckers having free access to a technology that goes beyond what mega carriers are using. Let us know if you hear of other apps that help owner-operators.
There are plenty of truck driving jobs to be found if you know what you are looking for. However, many qualified truckers experience unnecessary difficulty during the search and give up before finding the right job because they are not organized. Having everything you need ready and being informed will make it easier for you to find a trucking job.
Don’t feel tied to a recruiter
When you start looking for truck driver jobs, you will probably talk to a recruiter. However, it is important to realize that recruiters are often working for just one company, so you will want to talk to different recruiters. This will give you a better view of the spectrum of available truck driver jobs and find the one that best suits your style. Be sure to keep track of the information that you hear from different recruiters so that you may easily reference the details later when there are multiple positions to consider.
Tell the truth
Whenever you are talking to a recruiter about a CDL job, or at a job interview, it is important to be honest from the very beginning. Even if you have some negative information to share, it is better to put it out in the open yourself than to have it come to light later on.
Have your information ready
When you are applying to a number of trucking jobs, it is important to have some information ready. Some of this may be on your resume, and if it isn’t, make sure that you have it handy. You will need:
- Your current CDL, which should be non-expired and have your correct home address
- At least three years of work history, though more is sometimes wanted by recruiters. If you were not driving during part of this period, be sure to have other professional references that can speak to your working character.
- Names and contact information of all trucking companies and employers that you have worked for. It is a good idea to talk to former employers beforehand to let them know you are using them as a reference.
- If any of the former employers are unreachable or out of business, you should have other proof of work history. This can include letters of reference, DOT numbers, and W2 tax forms from trucking jobs.
- A copy of your driving record.
- Proof of eligibility for work
Know what the recruiters know
Before you can obtain a job in the trucking industry your potential employer will run a background check. This will include pulling any criminal records, copies of your driving records, your DAC report with previous truck driving jobs, accident history, and more. It is important to know what is included in that report and be forthcoming with the information before the recruiter finds it. If the recruiter believes that you were being dishonest or hiding something during the interview, it could cost you the job. Also, if there is any information in the background check that is false, you will want to get it taken care of before interviewing.
Drug testing
Most reputable companies will do drug screening on potential and current employees. If interested, the company may require you to take a drug test on the spot to prove that you are drug free.
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Looking for more information about running an expedited freight company? Talk with hundreds of other drivers in our Hot Shot Trucking Forum.
Hauling expedited loads and hot shot freight is a choice job for many truckers. Loads may be somewhat hard to find, and the loads that do get booked usually require the truck driver to run hard to meet the schedule, but the reward is premium rates and higher per mile pay. Hotshot and expediting often get used interchangeably, which leads to a number of people getting confused and asking us for an explanation.
RickG kindly explains what it all means on the truck driver forum:
Expedite was sometimes referred to as hotshot. Currently expedite refers to vans, straight trucks and T/T’s delivering time sensitive freight. There are no set lanes. The trucks are on standby for immediate response. However, with the state of the economy expedite carriers are accepting regular LTL shipments to keep their trucks busy.
True hotshot is like flatbed expedite, mostly one ton or medium duty trucks pulling trailers and hauling time sensitive loads. There are many O/O’s with rigs like this running freight that pays lower rates and is not hotshot by the true definition.
jtrnr1951 shares his personal definition of hotshotting:
Hot Shot used to be-standing around Texas Iron Works, waiting for the drill part to be manufactured, then throwing it on the bed of the truck or trailer- and driving straight out to the [oil] well. NON-STOP !!!!
Made good money in the 1970′s running them 454 chevys !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ask your questions about driving expedited freight and get answers on our Hot Shot Trucking Forum
Choosing the best lubricants and oils for commercial trucks is a constant topic of debate amongst owner-operators. A better product translates into money saved by decreasing wear and maintenance costs, and increasing fuel mileage. The old conversation about choosing synthetic lubricants or non-synthetic oil was recently revived on the forum:
In my VN670 with 16 liter volvo engine I use Delvac fully synthetic oil since new. Change interval 50000 miles (according to manual using mineral oil change interval 25000 miles). Hope to see your comments soon guys.
My buddy also uses Delvac 1 in his truck, I think he said he changes oil around 60-75k, but changes the filters at 15-20k.
All the research I’ve read seems to suggest that you can use regular oil during the mild weather months (spring and fall) and use syn during the rest of the year, since syn oil’s increased resistance to temperature extremes helps the most then. But of course, using it all year round won’t hurt anything, and should help keep your engine cleaner (on the inside).
Some drivers discuss fuel mileage improvements:
I use Amsoil’s Heavy Duty Diesel full synthetic, and also use Amsoil throughout my truck for the transmission and axles. This is on a 2000 Volvo with Cummins N14.
When I first bought the truck, it came with what I’m sure was conventional oil. After switching, I immediately noticed that my truck was running cooler on hills. Where the fan would kick on at the top of the hill before, the temp wasn’t even getting close to that.
Fuel economy also started to climb. I was getting an average of about 6.1-6.3, and now I post 7-7.5 pretty steady.
I have always used synthetics in my vehicles. After seeing a dyno test done by a Mustang publication years ago, it really changed my mind. The test Mustang actually got 5 extra hp at the rear wheels! Add to that the extended drain intervals, and it’s a no brainer. [click to read more…]
Rollover the Original shares his experience pulling reefers:
I love a reefer! Never a problem waiting for a load as dry freight fits just as well!
I do not sweep out a reefer! I have a small battery operated leaf blower! But Blue Beacon does a great job also when water is needed! Not ALL meat loads bleed on the floor.
Yes, jumper cables are great, just get the LONGEST ones you can find such as 20′+. and the smallest gauge you can 3 gauge or smaller. I also have a long 3 gauge wire with heavy duty alligator clips for using when needing to run with a cable between the unit and the tractor. I got mine from a commercial construction site and works great for an emergency. You only need one as the ground between the truck and trailer is all that is needed. You use this setup when your alternator in either the truck or trailer is bad. It will work in a “jump” situation but it takes a lot longer for it to juice up a set or batteries but when it’s all you have go with it!
Ask your mechanic how to “pump” up a unit that has run out of fuel! Some are different than others. Get a tennis ball and an air chuck or air valve from a tire to make a device that will help to blow fuel up to the injectors if you run out of fuel. Someone will show you how to make it. But you’ll run out of fuel one time and then you’ll learn to keep better watch on that fuel gauge on the reefer tank! It’s a PITA pumping up or “jacking off” that fuel pump!
A milk crate is the best think to hold your jumper cables,siphoning hose, oil, fuel additive,rags, polish and other things. The 9/16″ combo wrench you should keep in your tool bag!
ScooterDawg warns about weight issues to consider when hauling dry freight in a refrigerated trailer:
Sometimes you will have a reefer hooked to your truck and you get dispatched to pick up a dry load. Typically, shippers sending out a dry load plan on a heavier load that what you would be used to with a reefer load.
Obviously a reefer trailer weighs more than a dry van. And if you are picking up a dry load that weighs 43,000 lbs or more, you could have a problem with exceeding the 80,000 lb gross weight restriction.
I have run both and I couldnt count on both hands and feet the number of times that a dry load, put in my reefer, forced me to run light on my fuel and re-fuel with 50 gallons of fuel every 325 miles. I have lovingly coined it as “the 50 gallon giggle”. The advantage is that I can bank a bunch of showers in a short period of time, but the disadvantage is that I have to stop a lot.
Reefers usually have longer unload times (and lumpers…. argh!), and there are maintenance issues as well. But on the flipside, they are somewhat more versatile when it comes to hauling either cold loads or dry loads.
Pros:
- If you’re having trouble finding cold freight, reefer trailers can just as easily accommodate dry freight
- Steady freight market as a result of consistent demand for fresh produce from supermarkets
- Less waiting around trying to find a load, more time driving means higher pay
Cons:
- Constant noise produced by the motor in the reefer trailer
- Cleaning out trailers after every load
- Refrigerated trailer breakdowns are an emergency maintenance issue to prevent spoilage
- Long waits to get loaded at the shipper docks
[click to read more…]
