
There are nearly 30,000 trucking related locations and 270,000 truck parking spots on the Trucker Path app. It may seem like a lot but new locations for truckers are built and smaller, lesser-known locations like family-run truck stops may slip through the cracks. No matter the size of the location it has a place in our database for truck drivers to access reliable information about.
If for some reason a location does not appear on Trucker Path there’s a simple way to add a place!
Steps:
1. Open the Trucker Path app
2. Click the menu tab at the top left of the map screen

3. Click Add Places on the lower left side

4. Choose the email provider you wish to use to send a message

5. Fill out the Name, Location and Details about the new place and send the message

Your message will be sent directly to our support team who will be happy to help facilitate the addition of the new place. (Updates to locations typically take 24-48 hours to appear on the app)




34-Hour Restart Bill Signed by Congress
[p]The Senate and House passed a bill addressing the 34-hour restart for truck drivers. It now awaits The President's signature of approval.[/p]
[h2]How Does 34-Hour Restart Bill Affect Truck Drivers?[/h2]
[p]The new bill prevents the 2013 requirements of breaks from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. on consecutive days in a 34-hour restart with a once-per-week limit.[/p]
[p][a href="http://m.onelink.me/d5890481"]Truck drivers[/a] now have the ability to use the 34-hour restart as they wish without the weekly limit and will not be required to take consecutive breaks.[/p]
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[p]Congress enacted the hours of service provision to include the consecutive breaks and restart limit in 2013. It also required a study by the FMCSA to determine if the proposed regulations of 34-hour restarts would be beneficial to drivers or not.[/p]
[quote]“Drivers have little control over their schedules and the flexibility of the 34-hour restart is necessary to make sure they get needed rest and avoid driving under the worst conditions such as congestion and bad weather,” explained Todd Spencer, OOIDA Executive Vice President.[/quote]
[h2]34-Hour Restarts Almost Eliminated by Congress[/h2]
[p]This fix to the legislation prevented the elimination of the 34-hour restart which could have been the case because of a mistake in the language of the 2015 bill.[/p]
[p]This is an inherent win for the trucking industry as the 2013 HOS provision was widely opposed by many, including the American Trucking Association.[/p]
[quote]“Thanks to hard work by congressional leaders of both parties and in both chambers, we are one step closer to having an hours-of-service restart rule that makes sense and puts safety first,” said ATA President Chris Spear in a statement.[/quote]
[p]The House passed the bill by a 326-96 vote and will require President Trump's approval after January 20 in order to last through the new year.[/p]
President Trump Discusses The Trucking Industry
[p]President Trump met with executives from the trucking industry as well as representatives from the American Trucking Association on Thursday at the White House, including ATA President and CEO Chris Spear.[/p]
[p]Topics of the discussion included the new health care bill which repeals the Affordable Care Act as well as infrastructure and other important topics facing the trucking industry.[/p]
[quote]“Trucking is the backbone of the nation’s economy. We employ 1 in 16 people in the U.S. Driving a truck is the top job in 29 states. Trucking moves 70% of the nation’s freight and 56% of GDP. To grow our economy, we need to take care of the people that move America forward,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear.[/quote]
[p]<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTruckerPath%2Fvideos%2F1160858214060459%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>[/p]
[h2]ATA Supports President Trump's Healthcare Plan[/h2]
[p]The Affordable Care Act was established by the Obama Administration seven years ago to the day. A vote by the House on a new health care bill was expected today but has since been delayed.[/p]
[quote]“The Affordable Care Act is just plain unaffordable,” Spear said. “Replacing this law will help trucking employees, their families and our customers by lowering insurance costs, decrease mandates, liabilities and administrative burdens, and provide access to quality care and patient choice.”[/quote]
[img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2017/03/cnn-healthcare-1.jpg" alt=""]
[p][b]Provisions that will remain:[/b][/p]
[ul]
[li]Dependent coverage up to the age of 26[/li]
[li]Pre-existing conditions are protected[/li]
[li]No lifetime limits[/li]
[li]Keeps cap on maximum out-of pocket expenses[/li]
[/ul]
[p][b]New provisions:[/b][/p]
[ul]
[li]Eliminates employer mandates[/li]
[li]Subsidies include refundable tax credits[/li]
[li]Medicaid would be overhauled and more responsibiities would be left to states[/li]
[/ul]
[h2]Trump ❤ Trucks[/h2]
[p]<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If he promised not to tweet anything crazy today, we told him he could wear his "I ❤Trucks" button. <a href="https://t.co/zTdCxOpatK">pic.twitter.com/zTdCxOpatK</a></p>— Trump Social Intern (@TrumPenceSocial) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrumPenceSocial/status/844999341064511490">March 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>[/p]
Trailer Door Locks [h2] Trailer Door Locks [/h2]
[p] There isn’t a single trailer door lock that is universally the absolute best. Many truck drivers have hasps and door hardware that vary in size and functionality; therefore, not every padlock will fit every trailer door. [/p]
[p]However, there are some things you can keep in mind to navigate the winding roads of finding the best trailer door lock to secure your cargo.[/p]
[h2] Type of Locks [/h2]
[p] Most truck door locks must be padlocks based on how the trailer door secures. Often a trailer door will use hardware with a cam action side-bar that fastens into place with a hasp. In order to lock the doors, a padlock must be placed on the hasp.
[/p]
[p]Padlocks come with many different profiles, but they have some essential features that are consistent throughout the wide range of products. Though you might know your <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/trucker-terms/">trucker terms</a>, here are some other definitions you should be aware of. [/p]
[ul]
[li]<strong>Lock Body - </strong> The thick part of the lock that houses the internal components and lock core.[/li]
[li]<strong>Shackle - </strong> A piece of metal that remains immobilized when the padlock is locked and moves to allow the lock to be removed when the padlock is open.[/li]
[li]<strong>Locking Pawl -</strong> The device keeping the shackle stationary when the padlock is locked and retracts to allow the shackle to move when the padlock is open.[/li]
[/ul]
[h2]Key Features of a Trailer Door Lock[/h2]
[p]<strong>A Keyway - </strong> Combination padlocks and other such devices that do not use a key are not made to the same security standards as the best keyed-locks on the market. You also run the risk of someone overhearing you mention the combination, seeing you input it, decoding it, etc.[/p]
[p]<strong>Shackle Protection - </strong> A shackle is going to be thinner than the lock body, so you need your shackle to be as covered as possible (which provides greater thickness). You can do this with a padlock that has a puck lock profile or a shackle shroud (both of these terms are used to describe the different ways the thickness of the lock body can extend to cover the shackle).[/p]
[p]<strong>Sturdy Internal Components - </strong> Since the padlock will be outside, exposed to the elements, debris, and sustain stress from the vehicle's movement, the internal components of the lock are at risk of being damaged to the point where the proper key will not open the padlock.[/p]
[p]<strong>Strong Metal - </strong> This should be used on the lock body as well as the shackle. Hardened steel can vary in quality, so it is best to get some sort of alloy steel. Those made with Boron Carbide are some of the best on the market. This helps to ward off cutting and prying attacks.[/p]
[p]<strong>Picking Resistance - </strong> Though most criminals do not pick locks, you do not want someone with little to no training opening your lock quickly and covertly (lockpicking resistance will also equate to bump key resistance). [/p]
[p]<strong>Drill Protection - </strong> Even with a strong padlock with a protected shackle, most lock cores are brass and can be drilled out. Whether it is an anti-drill plate that uses rotating hardened steel or anti-drill pins that deflect drill bits at key drill points, you should have some form of drill protection.[/p]
[p]<strong>Ball Bearings - </strong> The locking pawls for your padlock must be ball bearings. Other forms of locking pawls can be shimmed, which is a simple bypass most people can perform untrained with simple household items.[/p]
[h2] Top Trailer Door Lock Choices [/h2]
[p] As we previously mentioned, there is no one best lock for every use. But as long as you purchase a product with at least most of the specifications listed above, you will be providing your cargo with more protection than many others who are just buying what they can get their hands on at the hardware store.[/p]
[p] Depending on your budget, what you are hauling, and <a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/best-truck-stops/">the types of truck stop</a> you will be parking your load, you might need different levels of security. Here are some recommendations that cover a variety of potential needs:
[/p]
[p]<strong>1. Mul-T-lock MT5+ TR 100 “Hockey Puck” </strong>[/p]
[p] This product is a great example of the puck style of a padlock. It is similar to products from companies such as Master Lock and Trimax, but with the additional features that Mul-T-Lock provides in their high-security locks. This lock has a cost that makes it accessible to most, though some more frugal buyers may faint from sticker shock. Just know for that price you are getting a very hardy lock that almost no one is going to pick the lock open or remove it by force.[/p]
[p]<strong>2. Abloy PL 342T </strong>[/p]
[p]Sometimes referred to as the Abloy model 342, this is a tremendous lock, both in terms of size and security. This Abloy padlock uses a PROTEC2 core, which has never been picked open to this day. With an extremely thick shrouded shackle (10mm in diameter) criminals will have a hard time prying it open too.[/p]
[p]The main issues you are going to run into with this lock is not having a hasp with the correct dimensions to accommodate such a thick shackle. It is also the most expensive padlock that I am recommending (though certainly not the most expensive padlock you could buy).[/p]
[p]<strong>3. Stanley Hardened Steel Padlock</strong>[/p]
[p]The lowest security lock I am willing to recommend for securing your cargo is this Stanley Padlock. It has a shrouded shackle and drill protection, which come standard. I would recommend that you replace the lock core with something more secure, but in terms of price for the product you get, this is the best value for such a small sum.[/p]
[p]The Stanley Hardened Steel Padlock is a good starter lock. If you have invested in other things and need a bit of time to recoup adequate funds, the standard Stanley is the lowest security placeholder you should settle for. For the price, you cannot buy much better.[/p]
[h2]Price Considerations[/h2]
[p]Price matters because money most truck drivers have to work within a budget. Don't spend all of your budget for your truck’s security on the trailer door lock. With that said, you shouldn't both with a lock that is less than $100. If money's no object, you can <a href="https://unitedlocksmith.net/blog/10-best-padlocks-of-all-time">get the best padlock available to you</a>. For everyone else, focus on getting as many of key features as you can. And if you can’t afford much now, start with a Stanley padlock and work your way up to the lock core replacement.[/p]
[p] <strong>About the Author</strong> [/p]
[p]Ralph Goodman is a professional writer and the resident expert on locks and security over at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://unitedlocksmith.net/blog&source=gmail&ust=1510851240149000&usg=AFQjCNFCuwh1U-3WlNpEde3Klm2dTkTMSQ">the Lock Blog</a>. The Lock Blog is a great resource to learn about keys, locks and safety. They offer tips, advice and how-tos for consumers, locksmiths, and security professionals.[/p]