How to Become a Truck Driver

The romance of the open road might well be calling, but to truly find out if you’ll be happy following the yellow lines you will need to ask yourself a few hard questions and have a bit of knowledge about how such a life might play out. Holding a truck driving job isn’t a life cut out for everyone, regardless what the ate night trucking school commercials might say. Armed with a bit of information and a serious reflection on what makes you happy will go a long way – and that could either be toward the cab of a long haul, cross-continent rig or somewhere else entirely.

Start With The Questions

A trucking job is unique in that it pulls you away fro long periods on time at end, away from family so you can deliver you loads where they need to go. You have little say in the when, so being on the road to maximize your paycheck is the way to go. This means driving five days a week in a solid shift, with a day off. You will want to discuss this possibility with your family before making a decision.

Training

Not all driving schools are created equal, so choose the one right for you and with an accreditation for your certification work. The PTDI is the accreditation to look for, and this will help you when it’s time to apply for your CDL. Your accredited school will provide you with a solid training with appropriate hours behind the wheel to get you on your feet, so head into class with a mindful attitude to learn as much as possible.

Maintain Your Driving Record

Before you even apply for a driving job, make sure you have a good driving record. A company will check during the interview process, so if you have a lousy history, the chances of you being hired are next to nothing. You will also want to keep a clean driving record while working, as this will help keep you employed.

Talk to a Working Trucker

Find a mentor who is currently working to ask question of to help you make your decision. A truck driving job is different from company to company, so seek someone who works the same type of rig and job you’d like to apply yourself toward. They can help immensely with tips and information on the realities of the road, and might be willing to let you ride along to get a feel what a trucking job might have in store for you.

Truck Driver Winter Driving Tips

Nothing can raise the hairs on a driver’s neck like several hundred tons of trailer taking control of a rig on a winter road. Icy conditions, poor driving from other vehicles and sudden changes in weather can all have an adverse effect on a rig’s behavior. With a few tips and reminders about winter road condition habits, a driver can keep themselves safe and on the road when others are burning time on the side of the road or in the repair yard.

Be a Defensive Driver

It stands to reason that no matter how careful and mindful you are of the road and winter conditions, the driver next to you hasn’t a clue about paying attention to winter driving tips. Greenhorn truck drivers, small box trucks, and those guys with a brand new four wheel drive pick-up always seem to think they have a better understanding of the road during icy weather than anyone else. Keep a close eye ahead of you, to the sides, and in your rear mirror for drivers exhibiting fool hearty behavior and keep your distance. Be over cautious when winter weather sets in, and always be prepared for the other driver to do something stupid.

Plan Your Trip

Keep up to date on shifting weather patterns and be ready to adjust your route accordingly. The initial route may have shaved a few hours off your drive time, but even a light dusting can create backups on the highways. Be prepared to run secondary roads when available, and keep the radio on. Vehicle pile ups can happen even after a storm has passed, so be ready to skirt them as well.

Keep Up With Inspections

A good truck driver inspects their rig every chance they can, and a great driver inspects even when it’s 20 below outside. Things are more likely to go wrong when the weather gets frigid, so keep up the routine of pre-trip and enroute walk-throughs to ensure everything is ship shape. Knowing your rig’s condition and capabilities will give you that much more information when deciding on how best to handle winter weather on the road.

Keep the Proper Gear Stowed

When cold weather hits, be sure to have an expanded emergency kit to handle whatever Mother Nature wants to throw your way. Have extra bedding in case of snow ins, as well as extra socks and clothes for when yours get wet. A warm change of clothes can do wonders. The same can be said for a good pair of dry boots with solid treads. Round out your preparedness kit with extra anti-gel, flashlights, batteries, food and drink items, and anything else you can use to stay comfortable.

Winter can be a bear, but paying attention to winter driving tips can make it more manageable. Stay safe, and stay focused.

  

History of Mack Trucks

Mack Trucks, Inc. was established to supply extensively heavy duty trucks and components that meet the consumers’ need. Mack Trucks have emerged to be the main truck manufacturer in America over the years. In addition to heavy duty trucks, Mack Trucks manufacture other medium duty trucks with exportation into more than 45 countries worldwide as at 2002.

In 1901, the ‘Mack Brothers Company’ was established by five Mack brothers in which they started with assembling of small buses but evolved from assembling horse-driven wagons in 1983. By 1907, the first truck was produced after which the company experienced an instant boom and later relocated to Allentown, Pennsylvania. Later in the year 1911, acquisition of engine and chassis plant in Plainfield took place.

The company’s name was changed to Mack Trucks in 1922 with the bulldog adopted as the company’s trade logo. As the company was gaining popularity, Mack Trucks stood out and were regarded to be very tough, rugged and dependable trucks. They blazed the trail in 1918 by manufacturing trucks with air cleaners and oil filters installed. Also, by 1920, they produced the first power brake system in mark trucks. As if that was all, by the year 1938, they became the fisrt truck manufacturer to design self-own diesel engines.

RISE OF MACK TRUCK BRAND

The use and acceptance of Mark trucks became more prominent during the haulage heavy arms pieces through the sludge of World War I battlegrounds. It was then it got its nickname “bull dog” which was coined from the ruggedness and toughness of the trucks. Later on, the name was adopted and bulldog emblem were began to be used by the company.

Mark, who was described as a manufacturer poised to always deliver quality had issues of cash flow and nearly went bankrupt. Around 1890s, the company later folded up or abandoned as a result of financial panics. Due to these, they resolved to the aspect of maintenance and repair of engines instead of manufacturing the trucks.

FINANCIAL HISTORY AND EXPANSION

The financial history turned around late 1953 and the economic state was enriched with the design and manufacture of the conventional B series. The cabin and front-end were restructured all-metal. Sales of this were made for the next 13 years. In 1965 the B series was upgraded with introduction of multifunctional R range.  The engine bonnet was made of folding fiberglass and fenders.

Expansion of Mack Company continued with new plants in Califonia, and New Zealand commencing operations. Later in the mid 70’s, Mack Company suffered another financial set back which allowed Renault, a French company, to buy about 20% of its shares and later had 41% of Mack Company in 1983. Consequently, the production output decreased in 1986 which led to the restructuring of the company in 1990 when Renault gained full control of Mack Trucks and Mack Company was rationalized as the American branch of Renault.

By 2000, a Swedish company, Volvo AB acquired Mack Trucks from Renault and new range of model and engines were introduced by Volvo. Volvo as faced her financial constraints due to the economic recess in U.S economy and this led to scaling down of productions. 

Even in the heat of competitive market, Mack trucks have survived all scares and this is proudly due to its durability, strict cost cutting management and thus, they still maintain the reputation of their brand by their dominance on American roads.

Dixie Highway History

The history of Dixie Highway is understood to be the story of transformation of American travel from trails to highway. In the historic days of the automobile, locating places was an adventure. It was complicated to embark on long distance journeys as it was difficult locating places. People depended on the use of expensive tour books and road maps for navigation, which are similar to the modern devices we have today. The drawback of both navigation processes was the fact that they required a navigator to interpret. Thus, there was need for a better system for identifying good routes for travel.

The Dixie Highway came into existence as an idea of linking the North and South together for easy of accessibility of both goods and services. Early auto travelers who traveled from the Midwestern US and Canada to Florida were conveyed through the Dixie Highway. The Dixie Highway was encouraged seriously by Carl Graham Fisher. In 1925 the highway was about 5,706 miles long and extended as far as Ontario to the North and Florida City to the South.

The Dixie highways started out as an idea to link the South and Midwest in December, 1914. It was reported that WS Gilbreath from Indianapolis had earlier suggested that the trail be referred to as ‘Cotton Belt Route’ during the fourth annual American Road Congress Meeting on 9^th November, 1914. The first meeting by the Dixie highway association was held on 3^rd April, 1915 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The name ‘Dixie’ was chosen by the organization to celebrate Fifty Years of Peace that existed between the North and South.

In February, 1915, states such as Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida had joined the trail and in May 1915, the number of State increased as Ohio came on board. Also in May, a conclusion was reached to have dual mainlines. This was due to the fact that competition for attachment along the Dixie Highway was high among cities which insured parallel routes and also a plan for another Northern trail in Michigan. As a result, the Dixie Highway System was created. Michigan was also included in the highway trail through Mackinac City.

In December 1915, the slogan of the Dixie Highway association was revealed as “We all live on the same street.” The first sign was also announced, which had an image of a blue bale of cotton with the words ‘Dixie Highway’ inscribed. These symbols were displayed in 1916. Markers were placed at all county lines and places of historical interest.

The cotton bale emblem appeared to be too complex for daily usage. The most accepted sign was the white-red-white with the white lettering “DH” on the red band. Also accepted was the band of red bisecting a white sign horizontally. Tri-banded trail signs were the most common and artistic. They could be painted on virtually anything which included telegraph and telephone poles along the route. Also, they were very economical to produce.

In 1927, the roads integrating the east and west mainlines were accomplished, and the Dixie Highway Association was dissolved.

Today, the Dixie Highway exists largely as street signs. Local roads bear witness of a grand past as major interstate corridors.