Tag: fleet operations

Truck Mirrors – What to Know Before You Buy

Truck Mirrors - What to Know Before You Buy
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.

Safety Tips to Review with Your Fleet Drivers

Reviewing Safety Rules with Your Fleet May Save a Life.
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!

Reminders About Tire Chains for Safety and Snow Performance

Reminders About Tire Chains for Safety and Snow Performance
Reminders About Tire Chains for Safety and Snow Performance

It’s winter again, and like every year it’s time to think about the safest ways for truckers to travel on the road. One of them is chaining, and it’s something that will keep your fleet going through the toughest weather.

At DJ Products, we know you rely on us to provide you with top products like your fleet’s semi trailer mover. But we also want to you know that we’re here to help with all aspects of safety.

How to Know if Chains are Ready to Use

First, you will want to make sure that you’re meeting all of the chain requirements for the states you will traveling through. Once you know you can do that, it’s time to inspect the chains.

You can start by laying them out next to each other. Make sure they’re the same size and in good repair. Make sure to inspect the cams, cross links and connectors. Also, take a look at your bungee cords. You need two cords per chain at a minimum. Make sure that none of them need to be replaced.

Driving With Chains

When you are driving, make sure to follow these guidelines:

– Don’t exceed the speed limit.

– Keep at least one window partially down so you can hear if there are any problems with the chains.

– Maintain extra distance between you and other vehicles to give yourself enough time to stop.

Consider Other Products to Keep Your Drivers Safe

There are so many ways that truck drivers can get hurt during their shifts. As you know, it’s important to keep them safe, and we have a lot of products that can help you with that. Now is a great time to pick up a semi trailer mover! Contact us!

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

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