fleet management Archives

What Fleet Managers Need to Know About Electronic Driver Log Books

What to Know About ELD

At the end of 2019, the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate will be fully in effect. The grandfather clause for older e-log devices will run out, at which point virtually all fleet drivers will need an FMCSA-compliant logging device.

Hours of Service rules cause a cascade of effects on the transportation industry. If you’re short on drivers or time, you’ll need to get creative. Using battery-powered terminal tractors that don’t require a CDL license offers one easy solution for time management.

Approved Electronic Logging Devices

The mandate includes several necessary specs for an ELD. The device must connect to the truck’s engine and know when the vehicle is moving, and it must be able to transmit data by USB, Bluetooth, or the web. Drivers can log their on-duty or off-duty status, but otherwise the whole tracking process is automated.

ELD Costs and Savings

Each device will set you back hundreds of dollars. Most are around $500, but they vary from about $200 to $800.

The FMCSA and industry groups both find that the ELD mandate will provide long-term cost savings. Reduced paperwork and fewer truck accidents will save more money than the initial outlay.

One wildcard to consider: if your drivers have been fudging their time sheets, adhering to the HOS rules might mean that you’ll need to hire more drivers or avoid wasting your CDL drivers’ time.

Save Time for ELD Compliance

Many drivers are only struggling with ELD and HOS compliance because they waste too much time in the truck at warehouses. Electric terminal tractors make it easy to tow trailers from the dock to the yard—so your CDL drivers can simply pick up and go.

Contact DJ Products to learn more about TrailerCaddy Terminal Tractors.

Five Considerations for Managing Your Semi Truck Fleet Maintenance

Managing Your Semi Truck Fleet Maintenance

Preventive maintenance for truck fleets has gotten easier thanks to smart apps that monitor and alert you to service needs. Yet managers still need to be vigilant. We’ve rounded up some fleet maintenance tips that will help with costs and efficiency.

One overlooked area is the option to reduce the stress on your fleet vehicles by using electric yard trucks to shunt trailers to and from the dock.

Top 5 Tips for Semi Truck Maintenance

Keep those wheels rolling, and consider these tips:

Pay now, or pay more later: The cost of preventive maintenance will always be less compared to emergency repairs and towing for broken-down trucks.

Turn oil changes into full inspections: When it’s time for an oil change or a tire rotation, make more efficient use of the downtime by getting the fluids, air pressure, and other things inspected.

Monitor warranties: Some fleet managers prefer to run each vehicle to death to squeeze maximum life out of a paid-off asset. Others choose to sell off vehicles that are out of warranty. Do the math on cost of ownership.

Train drivers on what to look for: Create a system for drivers to report vehicle problems and make sure they adhere to the preventive maintenance schedule.

Get the right trucks and equipment: For your round of purchasing, find fleet vehicles that meet your specs. If it’s a stretch, work will be harder on the vehicle. Also look for material handling equipment and shunt yard trucks that make it easier to operate your fleet.

Reduce Fleet Maintenance Costs

At DJ Products, we’ve designed our Trailer Caddy Electric Yard Trucks for easy control and safety. They also aid with operations efficiency and reduce fleet maintenance costs. For more info, call 1.800.686.2651 or contact us.

Truck Driving Tips to Stay Safe on Long Hauls

Coming in at #8 on Time magazine’s 2014 list of ‘10 Most Dangerous Jobs,’ your semi trailer movers are toting goods destined for a dangerous journey. How can you ensure your long-haul truck drivers stay safe as they facilitate the timely delivery of essential goods across the U.S.?

Seven Truck Driving Safety Tips for New Drivers & Seasoned Pros

1. Don’t neglect routine maintenance.

Check your hauler daily, including tires, brakes, fluids, mirrors, horn, and other integral safety components. Report any issues before driving off.

2. Load cargo carefully.

Spreading cargo into lower stacks across the entire area of your truck allows for better handling and fuel economy.

3. Beware of blind spots.

Most passenger car drivers are frustratingly unaware of ‘no zones.’ (Directly behind the truck, behind side mirrors, and just to the side of cab fronts.) To avoid an accident, stay aware of surrounding vehicles, maintaining a safe distance and carefully checking these zones before turning/lane changes.

4. Go slower on curves than speed limits suggest.

Posted speed limit signs are typically geared toward lighter, low-profile cars and are too fast for trucks. Avoid tipping over by going far slower than posted limits around curves.

5. Be extra-cautious in construction zones.

Don’t put the lives of interstate construction workers at risk. About one-third of work-zone fatalities involve large trucks.

6. Make necessary driving adjustments in inclement weather.

Bad weather causes one-quarter of speeding-related accidents. In wet conditions, be sure to slow speeds by one-third. In icy/snowy conditions, cut them by half.

7. Take care of yourself as you do your truck.

Truck driving safety has as much to do with your vehicle’s health as yours.

Start off the journey safely. Learn more about semi trailer movers from DJ Productstoday.

What to Know About Inbound vs Outbound Logistics

Logistics is an umbrella term encompassing the process of transporting and storing products. The concept can be broken down into inbound or outbound logistics based on whether items are being received or shipped.

Equipment such as our powered trailer mover can be utilized on both sides, but inbound and outbound logistics also differ in several important ways. Here are factors to consider for optimizing your logistics program in both directions.

Supply Chain Side

Companies develop supply chain partnerships with suppliers on the inbound side and customers on the outbound side. In many cases, companies choose to work with third-party distributors on either or both sides.

Liability

Both inbound and outbound shipments are governed by specific agreements between the relevant parties. Free on Board (FOB) is a commonly-used term in which the inbound recipient covers all shipping costs from when the shipment is loaded on a carrier or when it reaches a particular destination.

Supplies and Equipment

Inbound logistics applies to tools, office equipment and other materials used to operate your business, while outbound logistics refers to inventory only.

Supply Chain Integration

Vertical integration is a strategy in which a company takes control over one or more stages of the supply chain. For example, in the 1920s Ford Motor began manufacturing much of its own steel rather than sourcing from outside suppliers. Implementing vertical integration creates a more cohesive supply chain, thereby increasing productivity and reducing costs.

Improve Yard Efficiency with Our Powered Trailer Mover

Are you frustrated with outside shunting services? Boost productivity and safety with the Electric Yard Dog from DJ Products. Our popular powered trailer mover can handle trailers up to 100,000 pounds and it’s ergonomically designed to help reduce injury risk.

Visit our website for more information.

Truck Mirrors – What to Know Before You Buy

Unlike small and easily maneuverable yard trucks, your large and powerful rig requires careful care in operation to keep fellow travelers in smaller highway vehicles safe. Your mirrors are an essential feature in helping you accomplish this, granting you a greater vantage point of the things surrounding you. But as with many products, not all things are created equal.

‘If You Can’t See My Mirrors, I Can’t See You’

Anyone traveling America’s highways knows this phrase. This simple sticker says it all, alerting passenger vehicle drivers that it’s a crucial responsibility to stay in sight of trucker’s mirrors. It’s just as crucial for you, as a truck driver, to carefully choose and maintain these mirrors that are so essential to protecting yourself and fellow motorists.

Truck Mirrors Broken? Avoid these Purchasing Pitfalls:

Be Wary of Non-OEM Replacement Mirrors
Avoid bargain basement stick-on mirrors and the like. If your factory truck mirrors have broken, obtaining an exact replacement from the manufacturer is best. Your truck’s mirrors are precisely sized and curved to allow for the best visual range for its specific size and features. However, that’s not to say there aren’t any good aftermarket replacements, because some of them offer additional features that improve safety.

Upgrade to Heated Mirrors if Driving in Cold Climates
Heated mirrors are a great investment for those driving in areas that commonly experience frost, snow, and ice, ensuring a clear mirror in these already dangerous conditions.

Consider Additional Mirrors to Expand Your View
Installing additional mirrors on the cab of your truck can help you eliminate blind spots and increase your viewing range.

Get a good look at true trucking business efficiency. Learn more about yard trucks from DJ Products today.

Some Truck Stops Stand Out Above Others – What to Consider

To put an end to the monotonous ‘meh’ feel of truck stops, many centers have lately been striving to up the ante by offering added comforts and conveniences and boasting bright, shiny exteriors to lure you in and gain your business. There’s now a plethora of places for you to pick for a bit of respite on the road. Almost too many.

Tips for Choosing Truck Stops that are Worth Your Time:

Plan Your Stops for Easier Access to Added Services

Terminal tractors can go forever… but you can’t. Preparations for your journey should include your need for food, leg stretches, bathroom breaks, sleep, etc. You should PLAN your stops versus an on-the-fly haul, so you can take advantage of the services of specific truck stop locations. With the influx of freight shipping and drivers, truck stops are offering quite a bit more than they used to. What would you like to do on your trip?

-Laundry?

-Shower?

-Relax and watch TV?

-Address dental or medical needs?

-Renew DOT certifications?

Look for Superior Parking Facilities

Gas and food are a given, but a great parking setup with wide spaces and great lighting are signs of a quality truck stop.

Major Chains May Offer Bigger Advantages

While there are some great independently-owned truck stops, as a general rule major chains tend to offer more services. Major chains also tend to sport cleaner bathrooms, better food, and more reasonably priced gas than independently-owned stops, due to their increased purchasing power and corporate connections.

Hostler dead on his feet? Ensure the help you need, increasing efficiency and lightening the workload with the help of terminal tractors from DJ Products today.

February Brings Snow – Tips to Share with Your Fleet on Driving in Bad Weather

Share Our Snow Driving Tips with Your Fleet

When your fleet is on the road, they don’t have the advantage of yard trucks to help maneuver through winter driving conditions. Snow, sleet, wind and hail create treacherous roads resulting in costly and time-consuming delays, accidents and injuries.

Make bad weather awareness a regular focus of communication with your drivers during winter months. Professional truckers offer helpful tips for dealing with major hazards of winter driving.

Freezing Rain

Freezing rain, also known as sleet, is one of the more challenging winter conditions as it often produces black ice and low visibility. Once ice begins forming on mirrors and windshields, the best course of action is simply to pull off the road until the freezing rain stops.

Heavy Snow

Snow can be unpredictable, especially when traveling through high altitude areas, and it can take a while before roads are clear enough to travel. Fuel up before beginning a trip and keep tire chains, food and extra clothing on hand.

Strong Winds

When crossing wide open spaces on the highway, even heavy trucks have little protection against strong winds. If winds are making the truck difficult to control, find a truck or rest stop and park between two van trailers.

Intense Cold

When temperatures drop low enough, it can interfere with the truck’s engine running properly. If you’ll be stopped for a while, it might be a good idea to leave the truck on high idle to keep the engine warm.

Save Time and Boost Productivity with Yard Trucks from DJ Products

Time is one of the more valuable resources in the transportation industry. Our Electric Yard Dog is ready when you need it most. Visit our website to learn more about yard trucks and our other tugs, movers and pushers.

Safety Tips to Review with Your Fleet Drivers

Reviewing Safety Rules with Your Fleet May Save a Life.

You manage your fleet well, and you know that your drivers are wise about working safely. You may have even purchased motorized trailer dollies for them to do their part. Still, it never hurts to offer them a refresher.

Maybe it’s been a while since you have talked with them about safety. If so, we’d like to offer you some helpful tips that will keep them safe while they’re on the road.

Top Safety Tips for Truck Drivers

Make sure to wear your seatbelt – We know that it’s easier to get in and out of your truck without it. But it’s the law. You need to wear it when you drive.

Don’t use your cell phone while you’re driving – Professionals are just as much at risk for accidents while driving distracted as anyone else. Stay safe and wait until you’re parked to use your phone.

Keep an eye on the speed limit – It can be easy to go faster than you should; especially on long hauls. But maintaining the speed limit can help you avoid potential accidents later.

Don’t drink or use drugs – It’s vital for you to be alert and aware at all times while you’re driving.

Plan your trip ahead of time – This can help you avoid possible problems with traffic or weather during your trip.

Remember your truck’s space cushion – that is, how tall and wide your truck is, and keep that in mind when you travel.

Go slow around curves and turns – This will help you maintain control.

Safety is What We do Best

At DJ Products, your fleet’s safety is our top priority. That’s why we offer products like motorized trailer dollies to help with that. We have many other products as well. Contact us!

Fleet Manager Tips: Using In-Cab Video to Improve Safe Driving

Are your drivers equipped with the intel they need to navigate the highway battle zone they face daily? It’s a jungle out there, and without the right preparations you could be sending them unprepared into an extremely hazardous situation.

WATCH OUT!!

Drivers face a host of tactical hazards. In a University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute study, the actions of 81% of motorists in investigated collisions were identified as ‘assigned factors’ in accidents. The study found automobiles the ‘encroaching vehicle’ in 89% of head-on collisions, 88% of rear-end crashes, and 88% of opposite-direction side-swipes.

WATCH THIS!

Unlike a motorized semi trailer mover, which requires little-to-no training for accident-free operation, safely operating a semi requires a unique skill set, especially in a world of auto-driving ‘amateurs’. To circumnavigate an on-road ambush, Custom Ecology Inc. fleet safety director Rob Arbeiter is turning to in-cab video training.

Mimicking the infamous movie, Arbeiter’s ‘Top Gun’ style training is highly-effective. Using DriveCam-captured in-cab video clips to showcase hard-braking and other incidents, pre and post ‘flight briefings’ are administered to enhance driver skills, protecting drivers, reducing accidents, and saving money.

Show-and-Tell

The in-cab videos often exonerate drivers, such as those involved in accidents where other autos run stop signs or worse: Purposefully ramming into tractor-trailers falsely claiming driver negligence for a payout. Here, a simple ‘I’ve got it on video’ eliminates shenanigans. Videos can likewise help correct driver habits, such as when a driver isn’t at-fault, but could’ve prevented an accident with more frequent mirror checks, helping sharpen skills and ultimately protecting the livelihood of drivers.

Emerge victorious in the battle zone at your loading dock. Eliminate accidents, protect workers and speed the process with a semi trailer mover from DJ Products. Learn more today.

Fleet Manager Tips: Preventive Maintenance Protects Your Truck Investment

You already rely on the use of a powered trailer mover to protect your trucks and trailers from damage, but are you dropping the ball on maintenance? Keeping your fleet in top shape ensures productivity, safeguarding your organization’s sales and service goals.

Keeping Your Fleet Road-Ready with Preventive Maintenance is a Worthwhile Investment

With regular preventive maintenance, unscheduled downtime and unexpected repairs are easily avoided. This includes pre-travel safety checks (fluid levels, tire pressure) to ensure a road-worthy vehicle. Sadly, this is often the only time the vehicle gets an all-over once-over!

Keep Drivers In-the-Know

Fleet managers are not the only ones responsible for preventive maintenance (PM). Make sure all drivers know their PM responsibilities, including scheduling and policies on how to handled the need for repair, roadside assistance, or accidents. Common areas of concern include:

Proper Spec’ing: Usage, operating conditions, and the nature of the goods carried must be carefully considered to control cost. Operating an over-spec’d vehicle will inflate costs. Under-spec’ing leads to roadway incidents and damage to goods.

Tire Pressure/Wear: Heard often and practiced rarely, adjusting tire pressure is essential. Affecting tire wear, gas mileage, handling, and vehicle/driver safety, tire pressure should be regularly adjusted for weather.

Use Preventive Maintenance to Protect Your Investment Dollars

When a preventive maintenance schedule is routinely followed, it’s easy to see when maintenance and repair needs rise with vehicle age. The way manufacturers’ warranties cover maintenance and repair will affect your total cost of ownership. Comparing maintenance with vehicle worth will help you realize when selling the vehicle makes more sense than the cost of repairs.

Wish everything worked as easily as your powered trailer mover? Simplify things with the help of the industry experts at DJ Products today.

Tag: fleet management