DOT Add Opioids to List of Drugs Drivers to Be Tested For January 1

Drivers Are Now Being Tested for Opioids
Drivers Are Now Being Tested for Opioids

With the increase in opioid abuse over the past several years, the Department of Transportation will be requiring truck drivers to be tested for them soon. This testing is being done to help ensure that truck drivers are able to safely operate their vehicles. It’s also being implemented as part of a nationwide effort to address opioid abuse.

New Drug Testing Rules

Starting on January 1st, truck drivers will be tested for four different kinds of opioids as part of routine testing. These include hydromorphone, hydrocodone, oxycodone and oxymorphone, which are all semi-synthetic opioids that are used as prescription painkillers.

The DOT will be adding this new testing panel to routine urine testing for those who operate commercial vehicles. Whether driving on the road or operating a semi trailer mover, it’s important for those in the industry to stay safe and not put others at risk on the job.

Support and Opposition to the New Rules

These new rules have been met with both strong support and opposition. Supporters are in favor of these new rules in order to reduce safety risks associated with truck driving and opioid abuse. They also believe that the new rules are necessary under the Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, which determine the types of drugs that federal agencies can test. Those who oppose the new rules cite concern that truck drivers who are taking prescription pain medication under their doctor’s orders could be unfairly punished.

If you need a reliable semi trailer mover for your business, contact DJ Products to learn more. We offer a wide selection of products to help keep your employees safe on the job. These products lower the risk of injuries and save you time, money and manpower.

What’s Shaping the Trucking Industry’s Future?

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Trucking Industry

The trucking industry in the United States is more than a century old, yet it continues to change along with the times. Here are some of the major trends that will impact the future of transportation in 2017.

1. More Productive Vendor Relationships

As trucking companies continue to deal with labor shortages and other obstacles, they will rely increasingly on trusted vendors for advice and solutions. Thanks to a varied customer base, vendors get a broad view of the industry and you can benefit from their greater perspective.

2. Greater Integration of Technology

Improving efficiency and profitability is a permanent goal of all trucking companies. GPS and other sophisticated technology provide a valuable advantage in cost-effective measures such as mapping the best routes and planning optimum truckloads.

3. Self-Driving Vehicles

Automation took a huge step forward last year as a San Francisco startup owned by Uber made a delivery of beer to Colorado using a self-driving truck. Odds are slim that the trucking industry will become completely automated, but it’s another new technology that you should evaluate for possible benefits to your company.

4. Changing Regulations

The government is also adapting to the ever-shifting landscape of the transportation industry. Regulations are created, changed and discarded in order to cover worker safety, environmental issues and other pressing concerns, and you can’t afford to fall behind.

Trailer Mover to Pull Semi Trailers from DJ Products

Our battery-powered trailer mover to pull semi trailers is safe, eco-friendly and economic, allowing a single employee to move loads of up to 100,000 pounds. Visit our website to learn more.

Tips for Packing Semi Trailers for Improved Efficiency

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Top Trailers

Your warehouse places a huge focus on efficiency, but are you doing everything you can to be as efficient as possible when packing the semi trailers? Before the truck can depart, your system for packing trailers has a huge impact on your team’s productivity as well as how efficiently the trailers can get moved out and on the road.

Freight experts know that efficient packing for semi trailers consists of several key steps:

• Have forklifts and hand trucks ready to move the freight.

• Use a semi trailer mover to safely position your trailers in the best locations.

• Know the weight of your cargo and plan on packing it with even distribution.

• Use appropriate tie-downs to hold items in place and maximize space efficiency.

It sounds simple, but even with a great strategy for loading the cargo, you need the right tools to get the job done safely and quickly.

How does your team move semi trailers? If you’re using a pick-up truck or tractor as a semi trailer mover, you may be wasting precious hours every week. A heavy-duty trailer dolly can more efficiently maneuver semi trailers with near pinpoint accuracy.

A motorized semi trailer mover is about as easy to use as a shopping cart. For sites that need to move semi trailers around the yard like puzzle pieces, a semi trailer mover can be the key to unlock the next level of warehouse efficiency.

Our semi trailer movers work great with 48’ and 53’ trailers and tons of other heavy equipment — find out how DJ Products can improve your efficiency with a powered trailer dolly.

Couple Quits Job and Travels in a Cargo Trailer

Point to Point Travel Route
Traveling on a Freight Train?

What used to be the retiree’s dream has become a new model for happiness among younger couples. Sell what you don’t need, buy a trailer, and hit the road for adventure and freedom.

The blog “Pay Gas, Not Rent” chronicles the unique experiences of one 27-year-old couple. The former teacher and social worker from Alaska became intrigued by the tiny house movement and decided to customize a cargo trailer into a home.

Singin’ and Travelin’ Across the Country

Curtiss O’Rorke Stedman and Kelly Tousley left their jobs and home behind to see the continent while finding excitement and relaxation on the road. Stedman performs Americana music a few days a week for most of the couple’s cash, while the biggest chunk of income going toward gas and lodging.

Trailer living has grown in popularity as young people decide to do away with physical belongings and focus on experiences. As long as a trailer has a bed, bathroom, and basic cooking equipment, it can make a home.

The Changing Market for Trailers

Sales of trailers are up, such as Airstreams and basic cargo trailers, as more people decide to live in them full-time. If your business is seeing increased action on trailers, it might just be time for a trailer caddy to help maneuver and store them efficiently.

A powered trailer caddy can handle loads up to 50,000 pounds with ergonomic steering. Any employee can walk along and move trailers into parking spaces or service areas. For dealerships and distributors, a trailer caddy can revolutionize how you handle inventory. Contact DJ Products for more info about car, truck, and trailer movers.

Highlighting the Trailer Caddy Extreme

TrailerCaddy 24ft Kingpin Video Demo Thumb
Trailer Mover

Got trailers to move? At DJ Products we have taken our easy and powerful material handling equipment and scaled it up for semi trailer movers. Loaded with features and designed for simple, ergonomic performance, the TrailerCaddyHD Extreme is your best and most affordable option for moving trailers indoors or out.

The Heavy Duty Dolly for Semi Trailers

One person can easily maneuver any trailer up to 50,000 pounds with the TrailerCaddyHD Extreme. Connect with your choice of hitch type and all the operator has to do is steer the caddy and walk along.

Ergonomic design makes our semi trailer movers comfortable to use, reducing the risk of back pain, shoulder injuries, and other ailments. Even in tight spaces or on rocky outdoor ground, you can move trailers with pinpoint control and easy maneuvering.

Move equipment in and around lots, get the job done faster to free up time and reduce the risk of injuries — this is equipment that improves your peace of mind and bottom line.

TrailerCaddyHD Extreme Specs

We built the TrailerCaddyHD Extreme for 48’ and 53’ OTR trailers as well as other heavy equipment such as toy haulers, horse trailers and boats.

  • Heavy-duty 36-volt motor
  • 15,000-lb. hydraulic lift
  • 0-2 mph forward and reverse with adjustable speed control
  • Safety stop switch
  • Options for ball hitch, king pin, and pintle
  • Optional 18” aggressive tread tires

Looking for other specs? Check out our other car, truck, and trailer pushers.

Semi trailer movers from DJ Products are a common-sense investment that can radically improve productivity on your lot. For more information on the TrailerCaddyHD Extreme and other semi trailer movers, visit DJProducts.com.