» Truck Drivers

Train crashes a passing tractor

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:37:21 +0000

The truck driver, seemingly indecisive of if to drive back (and breaking the gate) or to keep forward, finally decides to keep driving. Too little, too late. This is why they put signs, flashing lights and gates at train crossings.

Becoming a Miami long distance mover

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:08:04 +0000

Question

My uncle drives his own 18-wheeler for a Miami movers company so he does moving services Miami and North with them. They get him the loads and everything, he just does the driving and work. I was talking to him about maybe starting a business for long distance Miami moving. I want us to haul shipments out, for people moving from Florida to New York for example, and then take back people moving to Miami FL. How many moving companies Miami FL are there that offer that service? I would like to know how much of a competition can I expect from Florida long distance moving companies. Danny

Answer

There is always competition, but there is no way for us to measure the volume of it for you. What you need to keep in mind is that you will be competing not only with Miami moving companies. There are many movers in Florida and outside of it that accept and perform relocations through your state. Many companies offer both local and long distance relocations and many companies that are not stationed in Florida still haul shipments to and from it (same as you would like to do).

However, if you do decide to go into business with your uncle (and assuming you get all the proper licensing and insurance), you can use the following services to find shipments to haul.

* Movers Needs is not responsible nor guarantee the accuracy of any question, answer, comment or content. Go to terms page for full Disclaimer.

Truck blown by the wind

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:32:23 +0000

Here is why you need insurance. And another reason why it’s not good for the business to have empty trucks on the roads…

Destruction by a rental truck

admin — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:33:57 +0000

Here is an example of why renting a truck for a do-it-yourself move is not always the cheapest option. Bet he didn’t think of the surveillance camera when he hurried to drive away…

For rental trucks quotes and availability, use this link.

The mugging

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:55:03 +0000

I am driver and foreman for a company in California that had a branch in Florida (it was closed 2-3 years ago). The guy that ran the Florida branch was the long distance dispatcher there as well. He carried a lot of cash one day as he received balances from drivers returning from long distance trips. One day he called the boss back in California and told him he got mugged and all the money was taken from him. Luckily though, he wasn’t hurt… He said he was afraid though that the “guys” will come back for him and that they might try to hit him again now that they know he carries a lot of money. The boss bought his story (he seemed to be the only one, none of us believed him), and he flew him over for a month of relaxation at the California office. Who said crime doesn’t pay? R.

Truck Decals

admin — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:17:35 +0000

Question

I just bought my first truck, I recently opened a moving company in Kenton, OH. I know we need to put up some decals, but are there any specific requirements for that? Please let me know. Jay

Answer

Yes there are very specific requirement regarding the lettering and the content of the truck decals (That’s referring to the required marking of any commercial motor vehicle (CMV), not the company’s logo or whatever other info or paint you intend to have on your truck for publicity purposes). The requirements and regulations are detailed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website. You can use the following link to the relevant FMCSA website page for your convenience.

* Movers Needs is not responsible nor guarantee the accuracy of any question, answer, comment or content. Go to terms page for full Disclaimer.

Hoppin’ your hauling

admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:03:51 +0000

Not sure U-Haul will approve of this use of their trucks. But with skills like that, who needs a professional mover?

Speeding ticket?

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:56:44 +0000

I had a fellow driver that came back from a trip (I wouldn’t have sent that in if we were still working together). He did New York to Washington state and back. When he came to do the final calculations with the dispatcher for his trip, he told him he had $150 fine but had no receipt or citation to show for it. He said while he was driving through North Dakota (or maybe South Dakota, not sure, I don’t really remember), a cop stopped him for speeding and told him that he needs to pay $150 cash on spot or he’ll be detained. The poor guy was so stressed that he took out the money and paid the “fine” but he never got a ticket. He was very naïve and easily scared and probably thought he was very lucky to avoid the ticket. Needless to say, the company didn’t pay him back. He might have been better off with a ticket.

The motorcycle incident

admin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:09:36 +0000

Hi. I have been following your website for some time now and since you have some amusing videos I thought I might be able to share a story.
I am a truck driver and used to work for a company in Virginia. I once got sent to pick up about 4000 lbs plus a motorcycle. Once the helpers finished loading the shipment, it was time to load the motorcycle. The customer turned on the engine and was driving around to show off. He had a nice, large street motorcycle. After few rounds he then approached the truck, and without waiting for instructions or approval, decided to drive it, all by himself, on the ramp, and into the trailer (like in movies…).
When he went on the ramp he suddenly lost control of his motorcycle and fell off the ramp. He was only bruised a little but the motorcycle’s side cover and fender were scratched and cracked.
A month or so later I found out that he sued the company for the damage to the motorcycle and his medical expenses.
(I don’t know how it ended though, as I moved to Florida and since then have been working for a different company).
Chuck

Driving Tips from FMCSA

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:21:02 +0000

The Federal Motor carrier safety Administration (FMCSA) have created a website help raise the consciousness of Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers about common driving errors and to provide valuable driving tips through an the Internet.

The website contains short real-life video clips (up to 30 seconds each) showing driver errors that were recorded in a driving study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI).

The website can be used for driver training programs and is hoped to offer CMV drivers with better understanding of common driving errors and provide tools that can take to help avoid dangerous driving situations and crashes.

To take advantage of this tool, please visit the FMCSA website. The website has a tip menu by error types, in which you can read tips, view the videos and go through a set of related questions to enhance problem solving.