U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear ELD Appeal
Sometimes, it’s not what’s said that really holds the most meaning, it’s those silences that are so telling. And for American truck drivers, the United States Supreme Court said a mouthful when they refused to hear a lawsuit challenging the mandated use of electronic logging devices starting December 2017. By not hearing the case, the Supreme Court has effectively killed efforts to stop the digital wave that’s coming for truckers everywhere.
This news is a mixed bag for professional drivers and the community is equally torn on the end result of ELD usage. A 2016 article on Trucks.com reports that a recent survey asked trucking companies if they had drivers leave over ELD requirements. It found that a full 51.4 percent lost manpower over electronic mileage logging. Drivers have voiced their thoughts on ELD, some stand in support of ELD, others are looking for other opportunities so they can avoid being forced to use the technology.
Two Sides of a Heated Debate on ELD
Some of the drivers who are opposed to ELD are concerned about their privacy. After all, it may just be a truck to their company, but it’s home away from home for the trucker. To these staunch opponents, ELD systems are akin to letting Big Brother in their front door. Others believe that the ELD is a sorry attempt at an overhaul of the way trucking is currently managed by the Department of Transportation.
“If the government is going to mandate ELDs and [faulty] hours of service, then the government should also mandate that shippers and receivers load and unload their own freight in a timely manner or pay mandatory detention time of $50 an hour per driver after the first hour of waiting, all of that money going to the driver.” Steve Brandon posted on OverdriveOnline.com. “Shippers and receivers have always been bad about delaying the driver and it seems they have gotten worse since the new HOS rules came into [effect].”
However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hasn’t been swayed by complaints lodged by owner-operators and other small fleet drivers. By their estimates, ELDs will spare the trucking industry 1,844 costly collisions, 562 injuries and save the lives of 26 travelers each year. This could ultimately be a very good thing for small drivers who sometimes struggle to find reliable insurance coverage. Accidents with cars end up being exceedingly expensive once juries have awarded damages, which in turn makes insurance companies wary of covering truckers at all.
What ELD Can and Cannot Do
Computerized automation has come to all aspects of modern life, it was only a matter of time before the trucking industry would have to embrace technology, too. The good news is that ELDs have already been in use by larger fleets like UPS, FedEx and Werner Enterprises and some small fleets, too. What these companies have found is that ELDs not only decrease costs to the carrier, they save a lot of time for drivers.
Since ELDs can detect information about driving behaviors like idling, speeding or hard braking, they can help improve fuel economy immediately while encouraging safer driving. A U.S. Department of Transportation commissioned report analyzed data from 224,034 truck-years and 15.6 billion miles of driving using ELDs and found that ELD-equipped trucks had a 11.7 percent lower crash rate than their unequipped peers for all crash types. The preventable crash rate was 5.1 percent lower in the ELD population, as well.
These devices do learn a lot about your truck and your driving habits, but they are not in any way reporting directly to the DOT, nor is anyone able to shut down a truck remotely. ELD legislation currently in place tightly regulates how these devices can be used and who can see the data that comes from them. Only a limited number of employees at your trucking company have access to your ELD data. This can come in handy if, for example, your truck were to break down in a remote or difficult to access location.
ELDs might hold the potential to revolutionize the trucking industry. Future applications could include sending instructions to receivers to anticipate a truck so it can be unloaded quickly, for example. No matter what side of the argument you’re currently on, the Supreme Court’s message was clear: ELDs are here to stay.
What do you think about the recent ELD ruling? Is ELD going to change trucking significantly or is it just another fancy log book? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Two New Penske Products You Can’t Miss
Truckers, you’re in for a treat this summer: Penske Truck Leasing, leading global transportation services provider, has two new offerings that will ease your daily operations. The products are designed to speed up roadside assistance, introduce preventative vehicle maintenance, and keep drivers informed about key details while on the road.
Connected Fleet Systems
With few exceptions, Penske Truck Leasing can now connect its systems with what they describe as “any truck and engine configuration or telematics service provider.”
Good for Drivers, Good for Business
“We’re very pleased to begin formally offering connected fleet solutions to customers,” said Brian Hard, president and CEO of Penske Truck Leasing. “Our unique approach makes it easy for customers to connect their vehicles and share their vehicle data with us. We’ve designed these connected fleet solutions to improve vehicle uptime, safety and compliance, and help keep customers well-informed about their vehicles.”
When roadside assistance calls become backed up, a triage process is undertaken by Penske to ensure that the most critical issues are resolved before the minor ones. With the new feature, the triage process will be faster through remote diagnostics, location providing data, and analytics applied to big data that can uncover trends and details that lead to predictive vehicle maintenance.
Penske Fleet™
They’ve also released a mobile app, and it’s completely free. This app keeps users up to date on crucial fleet information, as well as locations for services and roadside assistance.
It’s especially helpful to fleet operators because it enables them to access information they need on the go. According to Sherry Sanger, Penske senior vice president of marketing, “Our app helps customers manage their vehicles easily and places the services they rely on at the tips of their fingers. Additional functionalities and capabilities will also be added to the app later this year.”
Myriad Features for the Connected Driver
The new application for mobile, Penske Fleet™, allows users to view fuel prices in real-time. This data applies nationwide to company fuel prices in local markets as well as third-party fueling locations.
A 90-day history of vehicle maintenance is included with the application, allowing drivers to keep informed about the status of the truck they are renting. Roadside assistance is also made easy with one-click assistance calls and an included status monitor.
Lastly, the mobile application allows users to search for Penske service locations, including fuel and truck rental facilities. It also includes search features for public scale locations and third-party compressed natural gas fueling stations.
Learn More About Penske Solutions
Representatives from Penske Truck Leasing will be demonstrating and available to discuss the new connected fleet solutions during the National Private Truck Council’s (NPTC) Annual Education Management Conference and Exposition held in Cincinnati, April 30 – May 2.
Shop Used Trucks For Sale From Penske Used Trucks Here!
Drive Lumber or Log Trucks in beautiful Northern California for the World’s Largest Supplier of Redwood!
Through our partnership with The Home Depot, Mendocino Forest Products brings beautiful redwood and Douglas-fir lumber products to customers throughout the West Coast. Our redwood companies consist of approximately 440,000 acres of timberlands in the state of California and our Commercial
Truck Driving jobs will include driving big-rig vehicles to & from forest lands, to & from Sawmills, distribution centers in and around metropolitan areas, and or hauling logs, heavy equipment and construction materials.
We haul renewable wood products from the forest to the mill with a final destination of marketplace and it takes a team of 18-wheel semi-trucks with professional drivers. Both the log and lumber truck driver is responsible for the safe and efficient transport of wood products, or the machinery used to harvest and manage the forest.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Completion of truck driving school with one year min OTR or min three years related exp/training or equivalent.
• Clean MVR, current DOT medical
• Ability to complete paper driver logs, reports as needed, on-board driver log computer, daily inspections, minor maintenance, calculate load weight.
• Ability to read and interpret specific documents, follow GPS or map directions, sit and operate manual transmission, foot pedals dig, pick up and or throw binders, wrappers or straps. Tarp and untarp occasionally
• Ability to traverse narrow and winding roads, crowded highways, changing weather and surface conditions
• Prefer log or lumber hauling experience
Our drivers are much more than a highway driver because of the ever-changing and unique payloads hauled over diverse road conditions—from mountainous forests to congested highways; these drivers have extensive knowledge and a variety of responsibilities. The drivers often work independently, may frequently coordinate closely with other workers during loading and unloading, dispatch, customers and vendors. All of our drivers receive ample job-tailored safety and drivers training.
BENEFITS:
• Home nightly, drive modern, comfortable and quality equipment
• Paid by the hour for all the time you work, including overtime hours.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance with low employee premium. 401 (k) tax savings plan, employer match and others.
Review our website and on-line video to consider applying for a career with Mendocino Forest Products or Humboldt Redwood Company today!
(707) 485-6731
www.MendoCo.Com
Recruiter@MendoCo.Com
We value diversity in employment and are an equal opportunity employer, offering drug free workplace.
Pneumatic Trailers – Trucks – Flatbed Trailers – Vehicles | Retirement Auction
Sunday April 23, 2017 @ 1 PM
Kick Start – Thunder Dome, SD Hwy 34, Sturgis, SD
Trailers are in good condition……. ready to go to work!
PNEUMATIC TRAILERS (Please refer to reference numbers on trailers)
- # 346 & # 347 – (2) 2015 MAC, 51′, 1250 cubic feet, triple axel
- # 892 – 2014 MAC, 51′, 1500 Cubic feet, triple axel
- # 842 – 2014 MAC, 48′, 1500 Cubic feet, spread axel
- # CT4017 – 2000 Heil, 40′, 1500 cubic feet, tandem axel
- # 617 – 1999 J&L, 40′, 1600 cubic feet, tandem axel, 4 jacks
- # 401 – 1998 Fruehauf, 51′, 1000 cubic feet, spread axel
- # 101 – 1997 Heil, 53′, 1250 cubic feet, spread axel
- # 535 – 1997 J&L, 53′, 1320 cubic feet, spread axel
- # 3640 – 1995 Fruehauf, 51′ 1100 cubic feet, triple axel
- # 2680 – 1989 Fruehauf, 51′, 1000 cubic feet, triple axel
- # 2400 – 1983 King, 48′, 2400 cubic feet, triple axel, 5 jacks
- # 7900 – 1979 Fruehauf, 51′ 1100 cubic feet, triple axel
- # 771 – 1977 Fruehauf, 51′, 1100 cubic feet, triple axel
- # 424 – 1965 Butler, 46′, 1600 cubic feet, triple axel
TRUCKS
(2) 2009 Freightliner Cascadia # 6 & # 7
70″ condo sleeper, Detroit DD 15, 485 H.P., 10 spd, 40,000 lb rear ends, 3.42 ratio, air ride susp., 225″ wheel base, 22.5 low profile tires, all alum., wheels, new steer tires & recap drive tires, both Black Cherry, 939K #6 & 865K # 7
2009 Freightliner Cascadia # 15
70 in mid-roof sleeper, Detroit DD 15 engine, 475 H.P., 10 spd, 40,000 lb rear ends, 3.42 ratio, air ride suspension, air slide 5th, 225″ wheel base, 22.5 low profile tires, alum., disc front & outside rear, new steer tires & recap tires on rear drivers, White, 925K
FLATBED TRAILERS
2012 ABU, 20′ gooseneck, tandem axel – # 9
2010 Utility, 53′ spread axel – # 8
1999 Wilson, 53′, spread axel – # 7
PICK-UPS
2014 Ford F-150 STX 4×4, 4-door, Supercab, bed liner, silver, 33K – # 2
2014 Ford F-150 STX 4×4, 4-door, Supercab, silver, 18K – # 7
2013 Ford F-150 STX 4×4, 4-door, Supercab, white, 61K – # 5
MISC.
Sev., new of each: Toyo Semi trailer tires M122 11R22.5~ Barrier Group Semi chock blocks w/carrying handle~ Air-Weigh Semi truck & trailer air scale systems~ BTI Pneumatic trailer tank fluidizers~ PTS Pneumatic trailer tank flow line “T’s”~ Crossfire tire equalizer systems
All like new: Honda EM5000SX generator, 5000 watt, elect start, runs good~ Quincy QT7.5 air compressor, portable w/Honda GX390 motor less than 20 hrs~ Eastwood 200′ cap., sand blaster~ RMC Pneumatic trailer tank lid resurfacing tool~ Miller Spectrum 625 Xtreme plasma cutter w/attachments
Owner: Farren Richard
Not responsible for accidents~ More photos and details at our websites
Cash or Check only w/proper ID
Miller Transportation Dealer Welcome
Trucker-to-Trucker is pleased to welcome Miller Transportation into our exclusive online advertising network. This company has been serving drivers and other members of the trucking industry for over 100 years. They are family-owned and treat customers like one of the family. Miller has grown from a small dealership in 1912 to become a large company today, but they haven’t lost the personal touch as the company has grown. They have a huge number of trucks on the lot that customers can rent, purchase, or lease. They also offer fleet management and maintenance services to make running your trucking company as easy and stress-free as possible.
Included in Miller’s large inventory are a number of used trucks from some of the best-known manufacturers in the industry. This includes Hino, Kenworth, Ford, Isuzu, Freightliner, and Volvo. They have refrigerator trucks, tractors, and more. You can browse their inventory online any time of the day or night. The search function is also available to help you find exactly the trucks you need without having to sift through all of the trucks that don’t meet your needs. The staff will also answer your questions and offer advice if you’re not sure which direction to go in when looking at adding to your fleet.
Every truck they have is listed individually with pictures and information. This information includes things like transmission type, fuel capacity, tire size, model year, mileage, wheelbase, suspension type, number of axles, and more.
Truck Features
Every truck on the lot at Miller Transportation includes a number of features, but very few of them are alike. Features you may be looking for when you’re ready to add to your fleet include:
Oversized sleeper
Locking differentials
Sliding fifth-wheel
Automatic transmission
Maintenance records
Long wheelbase
Engine warranty
Check the individual truck listings to find these features and more on trucks in Miller’s inventory.
Rental and Leasing
As a business owner, your transportation needs may be constantly changing. Renting or leasing trucks is sometimes a simpler and more economical option than purchasing them. Miller Transportation offers several option to business owners who want to rent or lease trucks. If you’d like more information about renting or leasing trucks or vans from Miller Transportation, call 1-888-265-2900. They have everything from vans and small trucks to large semi-trucks available for rent or lease.
Here at Trucker-to-Trucker, we understand that running a trucking company can be stressful and overwhelming at times. Miller Transportation is a full-service company that offers everything from truck sales to brokerage and full-service leases. We are proud to have them as a member of our elite advertising team.
