Jan 14, 2021 • Community

Highway to Health Competition

Highway to Health Competition

Rolling Strong and Trucker Path announced a Highway To Health trucker health and wellness competition, scheduled to run from January 22 to February 20.

“Taking part in the Highway To Health competition is a great way for drivers to improve their wellness,” said Stephen Kane, president of Rolling Strong. “We are pleased that Trucker Path opened this event to its million users so together we can help truck drivers lead healthier lifestyles.”

The Highway to Health virtual trucker fitness competition is driven by the Rolling Strong platform’s powerful gamification capabilities. Participants accumulate points by logging nutrition, fitness, hydration, sleep, and coaching sessions in the Rolling Strong mobile app, and compete against others for a chance to win cash and prizes.

The competition and the Rolling Strong app is geared to meet the needs of the person who is just starting their wellness journey as well as the seasoned athlete. Participants can manually log their information or have smart devices automatically feed the information into the app. “We have focused on making wellness accessible to all,” said Kane.

“Joining forces with Rolling Strong reflects our shared concern for truck driver wellness,” said Steven Lopez, vice president of business development at Trucker Path. “We both believe in helping drivers adopt healthy behaviors by learning how to improve their nutrition and fitness and to do so in an easy and enjoyable way on two of the industry’s most effective mobile apps for truckers.”

For more information and to register, click here.

By Trucker Path

Tagstruck drivers Owner Operator health Trucker Path Truck driver tips Truck Driver Health Owner Operators Trucking Tips transportation wellness

Industry Update - June 2, 2020 <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b21.jpg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b21-300x156.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-4991" /></a> <h3><strong>DOT to Distribute 2.1 Million Masks to Truckers</strong></h3> The U.S. Department of Transportation will distribute around 2.1 million face masks to truck drivers. This is part of a larger initiative to distribute masks to transportation workers across the country. “Transportation workers are on the frontlines of keeping our transportation systems operational during this public health emergency and their wellbeing and safety is paramount,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. DOT announced that the masks will be sent out over the coming weeks through the U.S. Postal Service. The breakdown of masks by transportation sector is as follows: <ul> <li>Mass transit and passenger rail – 4.8 million</li> <li>Aviation – 3.8 million</li> <li>Maritime – 2.4 million</li> <li>Freight rail – 2.2 million</li> <li>Highway and motor carrier – 2.1 million</li> <li>Pipeline systems – 258,000</li> </ul> For detailed distribution locations and current dates of distribution, please visit: <a href="http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/masks">www.fmcsa.dot.gov/masks</a> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b19.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b19-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-4988" /></a> <h3><strong>Volumes Now Up 10% vs Last Year</strong></h3> <a href="https://www.freightwaves.com/news/volumes-fall-week-over-week-but-now-up-10-year-over-year">Outbound tender volumes are benefiting greatly from the reopening of the economy</a> and a release of pent-up consumer demand. Supply dynamics are taking longer to adjust and capacity remains loose. While rates are coming off a depressed base, spot rates have surged to $1.47 per mile and have increased in the vast majority of lanes. <h2></h2> Volumes should continue to be supported by most of the states reopening, continued plugging of the income gap by generous unemployment benefits and stimulus, auto plants reopening, and produce seasons kicking into gear. <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b20.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/b20-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-4989" /></a> <h3><strong>Blinking Lights Cut Tanker-Truck-Crashes By Nearly 34%</strong></h3> As part of their safety efforts, Groendyke Transport installed $150 blinking amber lights to the back of their tanker trucks. They reported a 33.7% drop in rear-end collisions over a 31-month period, according to company officials. In addition, there were zero rear-end collisions at railroad crossing during a test period of one year and seven months. <h2></h2> The Groendyke Transport fleet currently has 900 trailers with the lights after almost three years of testing and now has <a href="https://beta.regulations.gov/document/FMCSA-2018-0223-0036">permission from FMCSA</a> to use them. <h2></h2> The cost of the strobe and installation is about $150. <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Jun 02, 2020 • Carriers

How to Grow Your Hard Earned Money in Trucking [p]There are at least 3 ways to "grow" one's hard earned money in trucking:[/p] [p]1. earn more for what you do as a trucker;[/p] [p]2. earn a second income from the cab of one's truck; and[/p] [p]3. put your money in an investment that lets it grow while you're driving. [/p] [p]The majority of truckers are paid by the mile or by the task, meaning that they are trading their time for money.[/p] [p]There are a lot of "time wasters" associated with trucking, including: [/p] <li>detention at shipper and receiver locations;</li> <h2></h2> <li>waiting for loads;</li> <h2></h2> <li>road construction; </li> <h2></h2> <li>bad weather and storms; </li> <h2></h2> <li>bottlenecks and congestion; </li> <h2></h2> <li>mechanical breakdowns;</li> <h2></h2> <li>accidents (both preventable and not preventable); and</li> <h2></h2> <li>time that the Hours of Service regulations force truckers to wait without getting paid.</li> <h2></h2> [p]Seek to reduce or eliminate as many of these time wasters as possible.[/p] <h2></h2> [p]Regarding earning more money for what you do, you can:[/p] <li>make yourself available to drive during all hours when you legally can drive;</li> <h2></h2> <li>develop a good relationship with those in your trucking company who assign loads, including your driver manager;</li> <h2></h2> <li>develop good relationships with mechanics in your trucking company's shop, so that they will perform maintenance or repairs on your truck in a timely manner; </li> <h2></h2> <li>be friendly with everyone with whom you come in contact, including guards and lumpers; </li> <h2></h2> <li>work for a trucking company that values your experience and will pay you accordingly; and</li> <h2></h2> <li>perform with excellence all of the tasks assigned to you, so that you will develop a good reputation and be worthy of getting more miles or being assigned higher paying tasks.</li> <h2></h2> [p]Seek to pay off all that you owe as you buy things, so that you don't have to pay credit card interest.[/p] <h2></h2> [p]If you don't have a budget, begin by using our "spending diary" (free download) for a minimum of 30 days so that you track where you are spending money.[/p] [p]From there, set up a budget, including what you save.[/p] [p]When the time is right, put your savings into:[/p] <li>either an interest-bearing account of some kind;</li> <h2></h2> <li>or investments that are most likely to grow.</li> <h2></h2> [p]Two ways to save more money as a trucker include:[/p] <li>preparing and eating as many meals as possible in your truck; and </li> <li>resisting the urge to spend money on non-critical things. </li> [p]We provide 35+ free downloads through our site.[/p] [p]To get them instantly by email, sign up through the form on the page listed below and confirm your subscription: <h2></h2> <a href="https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/free-downloads.html">https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/free-downloads.html</a>[/p] [p]On behalf of my husband Mike and me, we wish all professional truck drivers safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.[/p] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> [p][b]By Vicki Simons[/b][/p] <a href="https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/">https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/</a>

Jan 08, 2021 • Carriers

How to Start a Hotshot Trucking Business [p]Ever wondered how to be your own boss while enjoying beautiful sceneries across America? The freight industry is the backbone of America’s economy contributing more than <a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/gdp-from-transport">500 billion USD</a> every quarter and the numbers are increasing each year. It’s a lucrative industry which gives handsome rewards. However, it is not easy getting into traditional trucking due to the requirements needed.[/p] [p]What if there was a way to be a part of the trucking industry without dealing with all the hassle? The good news is there is a sure-fire way of being a part of the trucking industry and you can get started in a few days. What is it, you ask? The answer to that question is “Hotshot Trucking”. But there are still a few requirements before you are eligible to haul freight. Fortunately, these requirements are easy to complete and we will explain everything step by step below. [/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]What is Hotshot trucking? [/b][/p] [p]Hotshot truck drivers are freelancers who work privately carrying freight from one point to the other without any employer restrictions or scheduling restrictions. In other words, you are your boss and you can choose when to earn and how much to earn. All you need is a medium or heavy-duty truck with at least 7,000 pounds of hauling force and a trailer. A Dodge Ram 3500, a Toyota Tacoma, or any version of the Ford F-series truck can work well. [/p] [p]Currently, around 70% of the goods you can find on the shelves are transported by hotshot truckers and independent freight transporters. According to estimates, the trucking industry is expected to grow by 2.3% yearly till 2024. With freight volumes increasing day by day it is the perfect time to set up your own hotshot trucking business. [/p] [p][b]Pros and cons of Hotshot Trucking?[/b][/p] [p]Hotshot Trucking comes with a lot of advantages especially if you want to kick-off your trucking business easily. But be wary also of some limitations and trade-offs when entering this kind of trucking business. [/p] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/How-to-Start-a-Hotshot-Trucking-Business-pros_and_cons_table.png" alt=""] [p][b]How to Begin?[/b][/p] [p]Now that you have a basic idea of hotshot trucking let’s get started on the specifics: [/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]Set up an LLC[/b][/p] [p]You need to set up a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and register it with your state. This is the first step in registering your business and it doesn't matter if you are working alone or if you intend to invite others to join in with you, setting up a legal company gives you many <a href="https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/advantages-of-an-llc">benefits</a> such as:[/p] <ul> <li>Limited personal liability</li> <li>Less paperwork</li> <li>Tax advantages</li> <li>Ownership and Management flexibility</li> <li>Flexible profit distribution</li> </ul> [p][b]Register With the Tax Authorities [/b][/p] [p]Once you have your LLC set up, the next step is to get a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxpayer-identification-numbers-tin">Tax ID</a> to go with your business. The tax ID or the Employer Identification Number (EIN) will allow you to receive checks and other forms of payments directly to your business account. That takes us to our next step. [/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/How-to-Start-a-Hotshot-Trucking-Business-make_a_business_bank_account.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]Make a Business Bank Account[/b][/p] [p]A separate bank account will allow you to divert all your business-related transactions to your business bank account. This allows you to keep track of your expenditures while also giving you the liberty to make and receive payments.[/p] [p][b]Apply for a CDL (optional)[/b][/p] [p]Hotshot trucking does not require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) since in most cases you won’t be exceeding the gross weight limit determined by the authorities. [/p] [p]You don’t need a CDL if: [/p] <ul> <li>If the total weight you are pulling is less than 10,000 pounds.</li> <li>If the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is less than 26,000 pounds. </li> </ul> [p]Getting a CDL is no easy task. You have to enlist in a reputable training academy, go through several weeks of training, and then apply as well as pass the CDL exam. Therefore, it is better to forego this requirement in the early stages of your business but its best to acquire the license once your business is up and running. [/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/How-to-Start-a-Hotshot-Trucking-Business-acquire_relevant_equipment-1.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]Acquire Relevant Equipment [/b][/p] [p]As you know, hotshot trucking involves a lot of hauling and towing. It is important to have a sturdy and reliable truck if you want to save yourself a lot of grief later. You will need a good medium to heavy-duty truck with a lot of power (around 400HP) to pull at least a ton and a 30 ft. gooseneck flatbed trailer to begin. A decent truck can cost from $15,000 to $60,000. A good trailer costs from $7,000 to $25,000. It is up to you to decide how much you want to invest in the business initially. If you already have a truck at home and you don’t intend to get a CDL right away then you can save money by buying a cheap trailer and starting your business with minimum investment. [/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]Further Government Approvals [/b][/p] [p]It is a good idea to register your business with the Department of Transport (DOT) in your state and also with the federal authority if you intend to drive interstate. The state will provide you a DOT number and the federal government authority will give you a Motor Carrier (MC) number. These numbers must be emblazoned on the side of your vehicle. [/p] <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/10/How-to-Start-a-Hotshot-Trucking-Business-getting_your_first_order.jpg" alt=""] [p][b]Getting Your First Order [/b][/p] [p]It’s often difficult to get your first order but there are resources available online that can help you out. You can sign-up and keep an eye out for potential contracts using <a href="https://truckerpath.com/truckloads/free-load-board/">loadboards</a>, which is an online marketplace where truck owner-operators, shippers, and freight brokers can post and search for loads. If a contract fits your requirements you can sign-up with them and begin your hotshot trucking journey. [/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]Conclusion [/b][/p] [p]It is not easy to start a business from scratch and accept profits from the get-go. However, if you work hard, complete all the requirements and stay motivated, you can slice through the initial difficulties and begin expanding and earning handsomely all while being your own boss. [/p] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> [p][b]By Aldous Aldwin[/b][/p]

Oct 09, 2020 • Carriers