Truck drivers have had a bad reputation over the years. I am not sure why when you consider the training, the skills and road knowledge that is required to obtain a commercial drivers license (CDL). The image hasn’t been good but it is built more on perception than fact.

I know what it’s like to be driving down a highway, late at night, only to have a big tractor trailer come bearing down on you from behind. It can be a scary feeling. If you ever get the opportunity, you should climb into the passenger’s seat of one of these big rigs and go for a drive. You will come to realize fairly quickly that every thing is different. The driver does have control and although they do come thundering up behind another car, the truck driver has a great view of the road ahead. He does know what he is doing.

In fact, if you are the truck driver, there is nothing like the view, the power of the engine under you, and the feel of the road in front of you. Even after 40 years, I know drivers who fret to get back out on the road after a long weekend away.

Truck driving can be an awesome job. The hours are long, but the pay is pretty good. When you climb into the cab, you are in charge – you’re the boss. Sure, you do have a supervisor somewhere who is watching to ensure you arrive and leave on time – but they are not in the cab with you, or leaning over your shoulder.

Obtaining a commercial driver license requires knowledge of road rules, the ability to drive a truck, and knowledge of safety procedures. Training for a commercial drivers license can be done in as little as three weeks. In fact, within a month of starting you training program, you could be on the road, driving for a living.

Gaining a commercial drivers license (CDL) means more than just a piece of paper. It also involves more than just having a job. That CDL is a license to freedom, a license to explore, see new places and meet new people.

Being qualified to drive trucks can lead to interesting jobs driving trucks and trailers thousands of mile every week. You could have a run that takes you from home through to Mexico (or Canada), or from one coast to another. There is a lot of freight that arrives on the west coast that needs shipping to the east coast. Some businesses rely on rail – others rely on trucks. I am sure you have seen them on the highways – I am also sure you have probably asked yourself – where have they come from and/or where are they going?

Truck driving is more than a skill. In a tradition that probably goes back to the stagecoach days, drivers meet at certain places along the route. You know they say you can tell a good roadhouse by the number of trucks parked outside. Inside, there is real camaraderie amongst the drivers.

A commercial drivers license is not that difficult to obtain. Good quality truck driver training from a highly reputable training provider is the first step. Having belief and working hard during that training is also important. Finding employment to put your new found skills to work is the final step – we can even help in that area too.

There are a lot of trucking companies that are now starting to feel the pinch from the economic downturn, however, it’s not quite what you think. Rather than having to tighten their belts and perhaps put off drivers, they are starting to feel the strain of not having enough truck drivers to keep up with demand. These companies are now looking towards truck driver training schools in a bid to recruit the best from each training group before they hit the labor market.

The economic stimulus package is behind this problem as literally thousands of package driven projects start to get under way, all at the same time. The logistics can be a nightmare for many companies, particularly the smaller owner operator companies. We are reaching a point where trucks are being used 24/7 to deliver building materials, road construction materials like road base, and heavy equipment.

If you are looking for a career change and truck driving appeals to you, now is the time to act. Whilst truck drivers in the construction area are kept busy, there is more good news for drivers just around the corner. Construction is labor intensive. This means more people working, more people with pay checks, and more people spending. Where do they spend? The majority of people spend their money on housing, food, utilities and in the retail sector.

The retail sector is where the next jump in demand for truck drivers will occur. Retailers have tended to run their stock down over the last 12 months but as people start to spend, they are going to need more stock – quickly. This will only add to the demand for more truck drivers. The question is, will you be ready to take advantage of this increase in demand?

Associated Training Schools has over 45 years of experience training individuals to become successful truck drivers. Their truck driver training program takes individuals through a training program that includes in-class instruction, vehicle maneuvering and on road driving and prepares them for the Commercial Drivers License (CDL) test required to obtain a truck drivers license. If you’re looking for a career in truck driving – now is the time to act.

You can gain experience and a variable range of training by simply doing – that is – borrowing a piece of heavy equipment and practicing, perhaps with an old hand showing you some of the ropes. There are even employers who may be willing to employ you based on that experience, the number is reducing every year however.

Gaining certification through format training is not exactly ‘cheap’ – but then you don’t want anything that is ‘cheap’ these days. The old saying ‘cheap and nasty’ often holds true and it can be particularly true when it comes to training. Having said that, training is not overly expensive, not when you consider what you are getting in return for your dollars.

Certification is virtually a life long qualification. Sure, there are some jobs or industries where you have to keep up to date with the latest techniques and safety rules. There are some areas that require at the very least license renewals (CDL truck licenses for example), however the training and original certification are still valid.

The cost of your training and certification should then be considered an investment – an investment in your future. You will always find employment in the heavy equipment field – it’s simply a matter of maintaining your skill levels and experience.

ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Schools can provide you with quality training in heavy equipment, cranes and truck driving. Training is done to nationally accredited standards and certifications issued are also to nationally accredited standards. Invest in your future with a well paying career in heavy equipment operations, crane operations or truck driving. You will never regret your investment.

For those that do it, Truck Driving appeals on many different levels. If you look at what truck driving is, at its most basic, it is easy to understand why so many people love it. It is a career that just about anyone can get into at almost any stage of their life. Truck driving can be a lot of fun and it pays well. Even if you are driving someone else’s truck, you are left to your own devices for much of the day. These are all things that give truck driving its appeal, which we will elaborate on in today’s article.

Truck Driving – Easy to Get Into

Don’t mistake me, truck driving is not an easy job. Truck driving requires a certain amount of training that not everyone will complete. There are skills that not everyone can master. Getting into the training and from training into a job, however, is relatively easy. It does not take a great deal of time to meet your licensing requirements. From there, with a little help from a job placement program, you will be able to go from training to working in no time. It is a profession that does not require much in the way of an educational background, the training period is relatively short and, if you are prepared to work, the payoff is fantastic.

Truck Driving Pays Well

A lot of people don’t realize just how financially rewarding truck driving can be. Truck driving has the potential to pay extremely well, it all depends on how hard you are prepared to work. If you are prepared to drive over some of the long-haul trucking routes, where you may be away from home for days or even weeks at a time, you can find yourself earning enormous sums of money. Of course, the trade off is time; still if you enjoy the open road, long-haul truck driving can be a fantastic experience.

Truck Driving Offers Freedom

Regardless of whether you are an owner operator or working for a company, when you are doing your job it is just you and your equipment. Some big rigs might have a second driver so that you can drive around the clock, but for the most part your time is your own. This, for some people, is one of the most exciting aspects of truck driving.

If you are interested in a career in truck driving, please contact us at Associated Training Services.

All kinds of people go into truck driving and I do mean all. Over the years you get to meet all kinds of people in heavy equipment and truck driving and the thing that stands out is that no two people are alike. Sure plenty of people come straight into truck driving after they finish school; others have fully-fledged careers that they give up for a life on the open road. What is it about truck driving that makes it appeal to so many people?

For many people the appeal is the freedom of the job. You do not need to be an owner operator to enjoy the freedom of truck driving. Even if you are driving someone else’s rig, you can enjoy the benefit. To some people, truck driving seems a lonely profession. It is anything but; there is camaraderie among truck drivers that you can see anywhere that truck drivers stop. You will also find truck drivers communicating via radio. If you enjoy your peace and quiet, you can have that too.

The thing that can either turn people on to or turn people off of truck driving is the hours on the road. Some truck driving routes will see people away from home for days on end. It is not for everyone, but it is that aspect of the job that some people really enjoy. Truck driving also pays exceptionally well, which helps too.

If you are interested in learning more about truck driving or would like to acquire a license, please feel free to contact us at Associated Training Services.

One of the simplest things that you can do to save fuel in Truck Driving is to maintain correct tire pressure. As tires deflate, more of the tire surface comes into contact with the road. This creates extra friction which requires that you to spend more fuel to achieve the same speeds. Anyone that has been in the truck driving industry for any amount of time is aware of this fact. Less people are aware that the time of day that you measure your tire pressure makes a difference.

Heat will affect the tire pressure of the truck that you are driving. As you drive, your tires heat up, so it makes sense that you check your tire pressures at the start of the day. The recommended pressure ratings for the truck that you drive will be based on cold tire temperatures. Take the reading when your tires are at their coldest and you will be able to ensure that you have accurate pressures.

For most car drivers, these savings do not amount to a whole lot, but with truck driving you are traveling over long distances and putting a lot more miles on the clock. The fuel savings can make a big difference to your profitability. It takes a few minutes to check your tire pressures and is well worth the effort.

If you are interested in truck driving or have any truck driving tips or techniques that you would like to share with us, you cancontact us or leave a comment to this article.

This is part three of our Truck Driving Tips to Save you Money series. Today we are going to look at a few little maintenance tricks that can improve the fuel economy of the truck that you are driving.

Tires Make a Difference

Tires play an important role in fuel economy in truck driving. Tire pressure is absolutely critical to performance. This subject was broached in an article on Equipment Today very recently and is worth repeating.

As tires deflate, rolling resistance increases. “As you start to lose tire pressure, your sidewalls start to sag,” Matsil explains. There is more rubber on the road. “You have more friction, so the rolling resistance increases. Consequently, the amount of energy required to move the vehicle down the road increases.”

Check your tire pressure at least once per week and make sure that you do so in the morning. Tire pressures will change with temperature, so make sure that you fill your tires cold for the most accurate results. Just how important is tire pressure? According to the same article, correct tire pressure and axle alignment can reduce your fuel consumption by up to 3-4%. That is a sizeable amount, especially over a year.

Change your Filters Regularly

Fuel filters that are full will cause a loss of power that might see you revving the engine harder than would otherwise be necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel filters and change them as required. Air filters can have a similar impact and if you are in a dusty environment, you are going to need to change them more often.

Do you have any tips and tricks related to truck driving? If you do or have any truck driving related questions, please feel free to contact us at Associated Training Services.

Hybrid technology has been in the automotive industry for some time now, but it gas been slow to catch on in Truck Driving. The main reason why hybrids have not taken off in truck driving as they have in other areas of transportation has traditionally been the upfront cost of getting hybrid technology into the trucks. Hybrids need a specialized engine and a bank of batteries. Engine prices have never been the problem, it has always been the batteries that have made hybrid prices high in comparison to their conventionally fueled vehicles. Now two things are happening that are switching the balance. Battery prices are coming down and fuel prices are going up. In addition, the green sector of the economy is becoming a more powerful force and people are prepared to pay a little extra for greener products and transportation.

Kenworth-Eaton has entered the hybrid trucking sector. What does this mean for truck driving? We are not sure exactly, but with some heavy hitters getting behind hybrid technology, we believe that it is something that you are going to be seeing more of. The benefits are there, stated fuel savings are about 35% and with fuel prices where they are at today, this can translate into thousands of dollars per year. Spread that over a fleet and hybrid technology can have some real bottom line impact and it is better for the environment too.

Some of the new range from Kenworth-Eaton includes (ConstructionEquipment.com):

The Class 7 T300 hybrid is a pre-production vehicle. Kenworth has split its midrange T series into several weight-based models, including a Class 6 T270 and Class 7 T370, which will have hybrid drive as an option. They will use Eaton Corp.’s electric propulsion system, which includes a 6-speed Fuller UltraShift AMT linked to a 60-horsepower electric motor-generator and two lithium-ion batteries operating at 340 volts.

These are just a few models out of many that we are going to start seeing soon, if the cost of fuel continues to rise.

If you are interested in truck driving for a career, or would like to provide us with any comments or suggestions, please contact us at Associated Training Services. Our training centers throughout the country are dedicated to helping people get into new careers in truck driving, carpentry and of course, heavy equipment.

This is part two in our Truck Driving Tips to Save you Money series. Today we are going to look at some more truck driving tips that will make better use of your horsepower. Conservative Truck Driving might not feel like a whole lot of fun, but if you are an owner-operator, it can reward you with a little bit extra at the end of each month.

Truck Design, Gear Ratios, Weight and Aerodynamics

If you already own a truck there is not a whole lot that you can do about aerodynamics. If, however, you are getting started in truck driving or planning on buying a new truck it is well worth considering the following tips from an article in Equipment Today. Some of the other tips are more general and can be incorporated regardless of the truck that you are driving.

“The gear ratio is another significant point,” says Matsil. “If you can get away with a numerically lower gear ratio, rear axle ratio – which means your accelerations will not be as brisk – that will help with fuel economy.” The trade-offs would be startability and gradeability.

Lower ratios will make it harder to ascend steep grades. If you are driving trucks in mountainous regions, then you ought to choose very carefully. You need enough from your gear ratio to be able to get up a steep incline, but you do not need more than that.

Weight is another issue. A light truck makes it possible to haul a larger payload. But remember that many trucks, such as dump trucks, spend half of their life travelling around empty.

I could not have put it better myself. Any truck that you are driving is going to be empty on the return trip. I think that this passage plays down the importance of weight a little. A heavier truck tends to require more fuel to do the same amount of work.

In addition, consider aerodynamic efficiency if your trucks spend much time travelling down the road. “As you improve the coefficient of drag – the aerodynamic efficiency – you squeeze more miles out of the same gallon of fuel,” says Matsil.

While it might not seem like you can do a whole lot about aerodynamic efficiency, something as simple as correct load placement can reduce drag. If the truck you are driving has a covered trailer it is obviously going to have greater aerodynamic efficiency than an uncovered load on a flat bed. Think about aerodynamics and you might be able to get a few gallons out here or there. Truck driving typically involves much longer journeys than most people make, for this reason, little things can make a big difference to yearly fuel costs.

If you have any questions about truck driving or are interested in obtaining your truck driving certification, please contact us at Associated Training Services.