Fire Your Trailer Shunting Service: Get a TrailerCaddy!

Warehouse management and logistics require the proper equipment and organization. As a warehouse manager or logistics professional, you know there are no shortcuts. To be efficient, your warehouse requires accessibility. Enter a specialized power dolly—the TrailerCaddy from DJ Products.

What Is the TrailerCaddy?

trailer dolly tractor supply trailer

The TrailerCaddy Terminal Tractor is a motorized trailer dolly that can tow truck trailers with ease. With this power dolly, trailer movement is simplified, and your warehouse can keep up with demand. It is powered by a long-life battery and, when it needs to be recharged, just plug it into a standard 110v outlet.

Able to move semi-trailers in and around loading docks, the power dolly trailer mover will not require much training. In fact, any dock employee can use it, and a CDL is not required. The system is also available at a moment’s notice to your full workforce and can be commissioned whenever shipments come in, whether they are on time or unexpected delays change your workflow.

The TrailerCaddy Eliminates Shunting Services

Trailer shunting service providers are notorious for not being on time. If your service provider is late, all of your loading activities cease, and no goods can be loaded onto your dock. Now, you don’t have to wait for anyone to move truck trailers into position. The TrailerCaddy is highly maneuverable, so it’s suited for facilities with limited space, and it offers tight controls to help minimize accidents and damage to trailers and docks. It even has a parking brake that engages when the driver releases the throttle.

Speed is controlled by a variable speed thumb twist pad accelerator. The operator can, therefore, adjust speed using gentle motions. A Safety Stop Switch is easily accessible and acts as a kill switch should there be an obstruction or operator in the way. In addition to a hydraulic lift limit, there is a hydraulic lift manual release that kicks in if the unit loses power. The lift can be lowered manually and the unit moved by disengaging the motor brake, which allows for manual movement to a charging location.

TrailerCaddy Trailer Puller LargeA TrailerCaddy Saves You Money

For starters, the machine costs one-quarter the price of a traditional terminal tractor or spotter truck. It also eliminates trailer shunting service costs. That includes the lost revenue associated with delays in moving and offloading trailers, equipment breakdowns, and lost productivity.

We offer a full range of TrailerCaddy models. Product options range from a motorized trailer puller rated for 10,000 pounds able to haul small boats, RVs, and utility trailers to models that can move empty and loaded semi-trailers and ocean shipping containers. We also stock 20,000- and 50,000-pound-rated units suited to a variety of applications. To see how a TrailerCaddy power dolly mover can enhance your warehouse operation, schedule a free on-site demo, request more information online, or call us at 800-686-2651.

Pending Federal Drive-Safe Act Allows Under 21 Year Age CDL Licensing

Young CDL Drivers May Soon Be On The Road
Young CDL Drivers May Soon Be On The Road

Your motorized trailer dollies may soon be toting goods for haul by underage drivers. With an industry shortage on labor, officials are looking to up the ante with a bill aimed at expanding the labor pool to include drivers under 21 years old.

License to Drive

Currently, federal law prohibits drivers age 21 and younger from interstate operations. However, following the U.S. House, a recently introduced bill has now been filed in the U.S. Senate that could allow drivers under the age of 21 to hold a CDL license to cross state lines.

Summer School

The Drive-Safe Act, filed by the House in March, would require extra training tasks for 18 to 20 year old drivers before permitting them to operate on the interstate, including at least 400 hours of on-duty time and 240 hours of driving time, logging hundreds of hours behind the wheel riding along with more experienced CDL drivers before they can drive on the interstate.

Move Over

While backed by the American Trucking Associations, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and safety other groups have opposed expanding interstate hauling to under-21 drivers. Proponents of the bill, however, argue that in large states, underage operators are already taking trips hundreds of miles long, yet aren’t allowed to make shorter trips across state lines. They also point to the fact bringing in younger drivers could help address the industry’s driver shortage, expanding their ability to attract career drivers.

Tired of dealing with special licensing requirements? Skip the CDL. Safe and easy to operate, motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products require no CDL, certification, or health card. Reduce your training tasks and increase safety and productivity. Get things moving with the help of DJ Products today.

Cut Your Shipping Costs with Our LTL (Less-than-Truckload) Tips

Thinking Smarter About How We Travel and Transport Never Hurts to Think About.
Thinking Smarter About How We Travel and Transport Never Hurts to Think About.

Are you being penny-wise and pound-foolish when it comes to an investment in cart caddies and motorized trailer dollies? While many shippers rely on eking the lowest possible transportation rates out of carriers, there are other more effective ways of cutting shipping expenses, especially when handling less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments.

Secrets to Cutting Shipping Costs

As the LTL segment increases, shipping logistics plays an integral role in cost. Focusing on process improvements sidesteps shipping dilemmas and safeguards rates. These can be accomplished by watching…

1. Pricing:

Avoid Surprises

Knowing true shipping weights is essential to avoiding admin correction fees and fees for overweight/overlarge shipments.

Looking to Net Cost

Don’t overlook fees that factor into total expenditures. Discount rates can be misleading.

Shopping for Simple Pricing

Pricing complexity leads to confusion and excess costs. Perhaps a simplified flat weight/space rate may be better.

Understanding Shipping Rules

Look to cost as a measure of what companies don’t like/specialize in. Choose the right carrier for your needs, looking to predictability in rate structure. Less variability reduces costs.

2. Packaging:

Protect Shipments from Stacking

Shipment condition at its destination is a prime concern in regards to expense. Mark packaged pallets as ‘FRAGILE’ to inform dock workers (not the bill-of-lading). Place a protective layer atop pallets devised to support stacked weight.

Shrink Wrap

To safeguard structural integrity.

Maximize Space

Pack to the maximum height requirement and pallet’s edge – but not beyond. This ensure maximum bang-for-the-buck and circumvent fees.

3. Carrier Choice:

Carrier Specialties

Selecting carriers that specialize in the services you need (national/regional/economy/commercial/residential) saves money.

Shipping Speed

Not everyone needs it yesterday.

Looking for ways to speed processes and reduce labor? Learn more about cart caddies and motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products today.