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Tips When Buying Commercial Trucks

Buying Commercial Trucks

Introduction

If you are in need of a commercial truck for your business, one of the things you most likely realize by now is the fact that the purchase is not necessarily as simple as it may seem. However, being aware of a few things can help make the process of purchasing a commercial truck a little easier for you. Knowing the following information is important.

Knowing What Kind of Commercial Truck You Need

Before you purchase trucks, it is important to know exactly what type you need. The type of business you have will determine what type you need. There are various types of trucks. Thus, you have many choices in terms of what you can get. For example, there are flatbed trucks, box trucks, tow trucks and water trucks just to name a few examples. Also, there are small commercial trucks, medium-sized and large trucks that you can purchase.

Choose a Dealership

Once you are aware of the type of commercial truck that you want to purchase, find a truck dealership which sells that type of vehicle. To find a truck dealership, look in the yellow pages phone book under the term "trucks." Or, you could ask others where they purchased their trucks and that could give you some ideas as to places that you could start in your search for a dealership.

Go to the Dealership Prepared

When you go to the truck dealership, it is a good idea to take your business financial information with you. For instance, take your business tax reports from the previous two years. Also, take your business balance sheet and your business credit report with you when you go to the dealership. The reason that you need to take this information is that you will need to show this information if you plan to apply for financing to purchase your commercial truck.

Asking Questions

Once you purchase your vehicle, make sure you understand all of the paperwork that is associated with the financing agreement. Also, even though the salesperson has already told you information, ask the salesperson to explain again how many miles per gallon in gas mileage the truck gets and other relevant information about the truck so you can keep this information in mind.

communicate with other truck drivers-Using Special Signs of Course

Using technology to communicate with other truck drivers is always an option. However, it is imperative that you are aware of the languages of truck drivers. Do such drivers have a special language? Well, it is but obvious that the language is not oral or written but consists of signs that can be made from the inside of a truck.

Drivers of these huge vehicles were forced to come up with signs to communicate with each other. When driving such vehicles, they could not afford even the smallest risk of miscommunication with other drivers.

One very commonly used sign is repeated flashing of the headlights. Switching the direction of the headlight from dip to dim and back to dip again is considered as the universal way of saying- Please let me through. Try this with any truck driver and you will find the truck gracefully swerving out of your lane so that you can overtake without any difficulty.

There may be instances where the driver may wish to thank other automobile drivers for their courtesy. He may do so by waving his (or her) hand out of the driver's window. Of course, one should not wave the hand in such a manner that it is misconstrued as a signal for turning.

Such small gestures go a long way in breaking the monotony and boredom of driving alone over long distances. You also feel reassured that you are not alone and are in a position to maintain contact with other human beings despite being closed in fiberglass and metal and traveling at high speeds.

Driving With Your Gears and Not Your Brakes

I've done so much talking and brushed across the old subject of taking hills, using your gears and just hadn't thought, you might not know what I'm talking about.

What I'm about to describe to you is old school - I mean before Jake brakes. This is how the old timers did it. If you try it today, you'll probably get run over but knowing how, might save your neck some day.

Knowing the basics, even if you never have to use them, is fundamental, in my way of thinking. Being the master of your truck can someday save your life.

You know all those runaway ramps, you see? They're needed today but back in the day, nobody ever saw a runaway ramp unless they were in the hills of TN or something. Very few areas thought there was such a need. Well, today we need them and lots of them. The kids today aren't trained the way they used to be.

It's kind of like riding a bike down hill for the first time and you only learned to ride, yesterday. You can panic at the wrong time. I've scared myself a few times. I know what I'm talking about.:)

You know how when you leave the truck in 2nd gear, if you don't apply the accelerator, you slow down? That's the gears holding you back.

This is how it was done in the old days. Listen and learn. Just having the knowledge empowers you to master your truck.

At the top of a 6% grade, we slowed down to 2nd gear. As we let the truck role forward, at some point it would hold, long before it maxed out the R's. That meant we could go to the next gear. So shift into 3rd. Let it role. If it held it's place,without maxing out the R's, then we shift to the next gear, and so on. Letting the truck do it's own driving, without adding any acceleration, the truck told us when a gear was holding and when it wasn't. When you have finally shifted up into a gear that runs away, instead of holding back (and under the max R's), then you applied the brakes enough to slow down and shift into the previous gear. That's the gear you used to finish out the hill.

Doing it this way, your gears held you back,without running away and you could go safely all the way down the hill without ever touching your brakes.

Today, you're taught to do this with the Jake. A hill you can safely maneuver in 7th gear, would have been something like 3rd gear, without that Jake. You listen to the engine and when it drops, you know you can go up a gear but sometimes that doesn't work and you either use your brakes or you drop a gear.

Today's trucks can take a lot more than they used to. But there's always that exception. Like the day I was in too big a hurry to check things out, had just picked up a trailer from the shop at the home base. I trusted those guys and when I asked if they had adjusted the brakes, they assured me they had. I mean, they had just worked on them. Should be safe. Right?

I top over Donner and head down. I started to run away so I applied the brakes softly, mind you. A few more feet and I saw smoke. Oops. Hmmm, it was coming from one side of the trailer. What the heck? Right?

I pulled over and stopped and made sure I didn't set the trailer brake. It was steep enough, I ran the front tire right up to a rock, got out and went to check. Oh nice, a dragging brake shoe. So what did that mean? No brakes on this hill, that's for sure.

If I didn't know how to use my gears, I would not have been able to go on without a mechanic. It wasn't like I had all afternoon to try and fix it myself. I had to go on or miss my appointment so I reverted to the old days and just snickered back at the other drivers. "Aaah shut up"

See smoke = stop!

Car Or Truck During the Winter

When winter hits, there is less and less quality time to wash your vehicle and do general maintenance. This is particularly true of those of us who live in northern climates, as the cold and the lack of sunlight can really affect how we go about doing work on our cars. Here are some quick tips for taking care of your car or truck during the winter time.

1. Washing. Washing your car in the winter can be tricky. Not only will the water freeze quickly, it will be hard for you to find the time or the patience to actually do it. Obviously, you don't want to do this in your driveway, as the water will freeze on your vehicle as well as the driveway, making it harder than ever to actually get up it. Take your car or truck to the nearest self-serve wash and bring along towels and stuff to dry your vehicle off. These are great because they are always heated and allow you to take the time to properly clean all of the truck accessories you have of the salt that can absolutely destroy the body and parts by letting rust take hold. When you are done, be sure to wipe down as much of the vehicle as you can because otherwise the water can freeze quickly and that would be bad on things like your brakes and doors.

2. Maintenance. What happens if your car or truck is due to have an oil change during the winter months and you are the sort who likes to do it yourself and not have to rely on others for the service? The simple answer is to prepare your garage before you undertake the task. By purchasing some space heaters and turning them up to high, you can blast hot air into your garage and actually make it somewhat bearable to do the work. I would recommend letting the space heaters work their magic for a few hours at least so that there is a reasonable amount of warmth in the garage. If all else fails, you can position the heater nearer to yourself so that it is a little more bearable to actually perform the oil change.

3. Breakdowns. Should this, for whatever reason, happen to you, it is best to have some sort of kit in your car that contains blankets, candy bars, hats and gloves, a flashlight as well as a cell phone. Having these things handy will keep you from getting frozen by the temperatures outside and you can call a towing company or simply someone nearby for help.

Taking care of your car or truck during the winter can seem arduous, but if you do it right, it isn't really that much of a problem. Follow these tips and your winter will be more productive and your car will come out the other side better off than in previous years.

Truck Driving on Mountain Roads-different from traveling on a flat highway

Driving a big rig on a mountain road is very different from traveling on a flat highway. With the immense amount of weight being hauled in your trailer, you'll want to be sure you get down the mountain safely. But before you go down the mountain, you have to climb up.

For the most part, you need to find the highest gear possible to pull you up the mountain, but when the truck starts to bog down, you'll have to shift into a lower gear. You also need to keep a watch on the temperature gauge. Even though the truck seems to be taking you up the mountain in a high gear with no problem, it may begin to overheat. Shift down a gear - you will travel slower but are less likely to have an overheating problem.

Now that you have successfully climbed the mountain, it's time to come down. There are some general rules for traveling safely down a steep grade. One of them being "Go down the mountain in the same gear you used going up." This is good advice if you're driving an older truck with a simple transmission, but today's trucks are built differently. Some have 600 horsepower engines and 18-speed transmissions. These big rigs have little problem making it up the mountain, but you shouldn't fly down the other side.

Some of the advice you'll hear about traveling down a mountain is about how to use your brakes. Do not keep a gentle but steady pressure on your brake pedal the entire way down the mountain. This will cause your brakes to overheat and possibly catch fire - and maybe lose the use of your brakes altogether, sending you into a freefall.

A good way to maintain a safe speed down the mountainside is to determine a maximum safe speed - say 50 MPH. Apply the brakes firmly when you reach your maximum speed, until it is about 5 - 10 MPH lower. Then let off the brakes until it reaches your maximum speed, giving the brakes time to cool between pushes - and making them less likely to overheat. If you brake to 45 MPH and you find you reach 50 MPH too quickly, brake to 40 MPH. Release the brakes at let it roll. If it still reaches 50 MPH too quickly, set a lower maximum speed.

You can determine a safe maximum speed by calculating the equipment, road characteristics and weight of your load. Some mountain roads are long and winding, while others are short and steep. The first time you travel a mountain road, you'll be going in blind so be sure to stay alert and practice safe driving techniques. After you travel the road a couple of times and you get to know the road characteristics, you'll know a safe speed for your equipment.

Experience makes you a better driver, when it comes to traveling mountain roads.

Things to Look For in Every Good Truck Driving Course

You may be a very good car driver but you will have to attend a truck driving course if you want to become a truck driver. There are numerous courses available in the market today. It is your duty to compare courses and find the one that is best suited to your requirements. There was a time when these courses focused on teaching the individual how to handle a big vehicle. Today, there are many other factors that are considered and many other instructions being given.

You should check whether the course teaches you how to read maps. We are not talking of paper maps only. You should also be taught you how to read and understand electronic maps. A GPS receiver is more than enough to plan your route with the help of satellites. However, what is the use of having such a receiver in your truck if you do not know how to read such maps?

There are some courses that stuff all students in a single truck and appoint one instructor to teach each and every student. On the other hand, there are some courses that restrict the number of students per truck and the number of students per instructor. The latter ensures that you get adequate personal attention to iron out flaws in your driving.

Always remember that a truck has the capacity to cause immense damage in any accident. Further, it is the natural tendency of people to blame the big vehicle first. Considering all this, it is best to be very careful when choosing your truck driving course.

How Used Tow Trucks For Sale

The towing business is seeing good times these days. Buying used tow trucks is a good idea as they will be cheaper and this way you don´t need to invest a lot on them. Before you buy one, decide which type you would want to add to your towing company. Make sure you have the requirements in mind before you go looking for them. Since the number of vehicles on the road is increasing day by day, the towing business will see nothing but positive growth.

Before you buy used tow trucks, you should know what different types exist and where each one is useful. The tow trucks fall under three categories. The first one is the oldest and not used much these days. It is called hook and chain. Axel tow trucks use hydraulic hoist to lift the front end and are widely used. Flatbed tow trucks have a back that can be lowered. Vehicles are usually loaded onto the back and moved. Boom tow trucks are generally used to pull the vehicles out of ditches.

When you are buying a used tow truck, get a mechanic to check it and tell you if it is worth buying. He can also check for its mechanical problems as well as safety problems. Buy one that will turn out useful in the city you own the business in. You may want to see the towing capacity before you buy. Additional accessories added to the tow trucks can also be helpful. If these accessories are available on the used truck, it will save you a lot.

Wheel lifts can greatly increase the tow truck´s capacity. When you have a towing business, you will have to see what you will be towing often and buy the trucks accordingly. You should own one for light vehicles and one for the heavy ones. Or you will be wasting a lot of fuel by used the heavy duty tow truck for thing like towing bikes.

A number of good brands like Hummer, Ford, Chevy, Toyota, etc. have been rolling out tow trucks from a long time. All these brands have good vehicles and the spare parts are easily available. So buying used trucks of any of these companies shouldn't give you any problem. You can also choose of different models and the year of production depending on your budget. Knowing where and for what it was used will give you an idea of how durable the tow truck is.

Even if you don't have a towing business, tow trucks can also be used to tow trailers, boats, etc. Since it will be put to use only occasionally, a used tow truck is a good bargain. A tow truck can always be rented out when you don't have any personal use for it so it is never a waste. A complete service after the purchase will make sure the tow truck will work well and increase it life too. Internet is a good place to start looking as most people will advertise their used tow truck on various sites.

Biggest Trucking Companies in the US

Looking to become a tucker? There are tons of carrier companies out there to work for, but most likely, you'll be working for one of the really big companies that represent the backbone of the U.S. trucking industry. To familiarize yourself with the business, here are the top five largest carriers in the U.S. as of 2003.

1. United Parcel Service - You may know them best as UPS or, as "The Brown Machine." UPS is headquartered in Sandy Springs, Georgia and UPS delivers more than 15 million packages a day to 6.1 million customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Ironically, this massive company was started in 1907 by two teenagers as the American Messenger Company. They capitalized the start-up with a $100 loan and grew it into a multi-billion dollar company.

2. FedEx Ground - This shipping juggernaut was created to take advantage of new bar code, material handling and computer technologies and has expanded to cover the entire United States. As of 2009, FedEx ground employs over 70,000 people.

3. Schneider National - It is the largest privately-owned truckload carrier in the United States and is headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Schneider National operates 14,000 tractors, 40,000 trailers, and has partnerships with over 6,000 carriers. Schneider drives more than five million loaded miles per day, and provides services to more than two-thirds of the companies in the Fortune 500.

4. Roadway - Through its full-service network, consisting of 349 service centers, and with its 32,119 trailers and 8,426 tractors, Roadway is able to deliver over 49,000 shipments per day. Roadway employs over 23,000 people and their trucks are easily recognizable by their ROADWAY logo that is printed boldly across their trailers.

5. Yellow Transportation Inc. - Originally founded as the Yellow Cab and Transit Company, a bus and taxi company that served central Oklahoma. Why are Yellow's vehicles actually orange, you may ask? Because in 1929, a study was done for safety concerns which determined that the color of the swamp holly berry would be most visible from the greatest distance. Swamp Holly Orange became the color used on all company tractors.

Most Popular Truck in the US

Toyota's Tacoma model has been a top-seller among pickups for quite awhile. Truck variant of Toyota's Tacoma meets all the requirements to off-road driving. The Toyota Tacoma is a mid-size pickup truck that provides one with a comfortable and smooth ride, easy handling, excellent off-road capability and superior quality. You can choose from among a trio of styles as well as your choice of 2 or 4 wheel drive. Two engines are available for the Toyota Tacoma, the 4 liter V6 engine or the two point seven liter 4 cylinder.

Standard safety features include a star safety system that comprise of a vehicle stability control as well as traction control that has an off switch and an anti-lock brake system that comes with an electronic brake-force distribution. Auxiliary safety features are ingeniously designed for the comfort of each and every passenger. Included in these safety gears are advanced airbag system for the driver and front passenger, driver and passenger seatbelts with pretensioners, active headrests, 3 point seatbelts in all seating positions, child restraint system lower anchors, and a side impact door beams in all sides.

When you observe the Toyota Tacoma from the outside some features will be clearly seen including the reinforced fiber sheet molded composite inside bed with outer steel panels, the deck rail system with the four changeable tie down cleats, the rear mudguards, two preset cargo tie down points and the 15 inch steel wheels complete with either P215 or 70R15 tires.

Internally one is able to see a steering column electrically adjustable for rack and reach, a CD player with MP3 and WMA playback inclusive of satellite, AM/FM radio and double 12v aux energy points. Also, for those people who own a Toyota Tacoma, there are LED lighted gauges that come with a tachometer, speedometer, coolant temperature as well as fuel level gauges that have a warning light, trip meter, and a digital clock, with those kinds of great features it just does not get any better than that!

Trucks For Sale - Great American Trucks at Super Cheap Prices

For many people, the only make of truck they will own is a Chevy. Since the first truck was introduced in 1918, Chevrolet has continued to produce high quality vehicles. The Chevy truck continues to be one of the best selling vehicles in the United States.

If you are searching for Chevy trucks for sale, here is some information on a somewhat unknown source. You'll find the best prices on America's best trucks at a government auction.

Why Government Auctions Offer the Best Deals

Thousands of government auctions occur each year. Local, state, and federal governments sell repossessions, surplus, and seizures in hopes of recouping some of the costs for storage and other fees. These agencies include law enforcement, the IRS, and city or county governments. You'll find vehicles of all kinds at these auctions.

Some people think these auctions only sell junk; others don't even know about them. They are usually only advertised once in the local paper. However, you'll find Chevy trucks for sale in just about any conditions, from almost brand new to salvage. When fewer people know about an auction, the better your chances are for a great deal.

Bidding at a Government Auction

If you think there is a lot of red tape to get through to place a bid, you'll be pleasantly surprised. If you've placed a bid at a regular auction or even through eBay, you already know how the process works. If you haven't, then many websites that list the auctions will also walk you through the entire bidding process. These websites also have listings for auction dates, times, and locations. Some will email you with new listings as they become available.

A Few Final Thoughts

While you can find quite a few heavy trucks for sale, you won't find many at the prices at government auction. Some will sell for up to 70% off of the book value. Many dealers know this secret and this is one they really make a profit on some of their trucks.

If you're ready to add a Chevy truck to your garage, then it's time to find your best deal at a government auction!

Best Truck Tool Box

If you have a truck and you are a very organized person, then let me suggest a very effective way on how you can arrange your tools. This suggestion is definitely foolproof just as long as you make the necessary steps on how to secure your things. This is also a great way for you not to misplace anything. So if you are really interested to know, just read on.

I'm simply pertaining to truck tool boxes. You can use them because of so many good reasons. Just to name a few - they help save space in your truck. You don't have to worry about getting more clutter and finding it hard to look for the things that you need. You can easily get your tools because you know where you keep them. They also have storage containers that can hold different tools. You will only have to choose the ones that do not break easily.

There are many truck tool boxes for you to choose from, but the only thing that you should watch out for is that you have to know which is the perfect one for you. One popular choice among builders and contractors is the professional rail top mount truck box. Sizes are available for all kinds of pickup trucks.

Another great truck tool box is the side mount truck box. It mounts to a side rail and what makes it different is it has a notch that makes the bulk of the box sit over the rail into the bed. If you have a smaller truck that indicates that you only have a smaller storage area, then you might to get a 5-drawer truck storage box.

Whatever tool box you have in mind, make sure you follow these simple tips:

• Consider your budget. There are a lot of tool boxes available for every type of budget. If you have enough money, consider buying something durable and also something that will last a very long time.
• You can choose from the types of truck tool boxes that are mentioned above. Make sure your choice will meet your unique needs.
• If you don't want to occupy too much bed space, then choose a truck tool box that gives space saving options. You should take a look at trailer-tongue and hitch-mount truck tool boxes.
• Security is very important so this is something that you should also consider before you buy a truck tool box. It should have secure lids and handles. You would also like the ones which allow you to use padlocks.

These are just a few things that you have to put in mind but you could also think of other ways that can help you make a good choice. After all, you can benefit from it in the long run.

World's Longest Truck

World's Largest Monster Truck Limo

Imagine riding around in one of the largest limousines in the world. That's what someone decided would be an incredible task. S.D.M. Industries has created the largest monster truck limo in the world that is still street legal. This ultimate bad boy is sure to leave you breathless and ready to roll anywhere with the massive vehicle that comes in at a full 11 feet tall.

Consider that most vehicles are nowhere near 11 feet tall, S.D.M. decided to give this monster truck limo a nice lift with a massive 24" lift underneath.

The complete length of the truck is now coming in with a massive 36 feet long.

This means that crew at S.D.M. added a complete 14 feet onto the length of the monster truck limo and created the longest monster truck limo around. Imagine stocking this monster bad boy with everything from a 27" TV to a complete surround system full of plenty of room for a bar, and plenty of mood lighting to accompany the stunning leather interior.

This gigantic feat was certainly no cheap task. If you can imagine the work that goes into creating a monster truck this is by far one of the hardest tasks.

This monster truck limo cost a grand total of $250,000 to complete the modifications to.

This is one of the largest investments into any vehicle modification seen around the world. Imagine pulling up to your wedding in this magnificent piece of automotive machinery.

This gigantic monster truck limo is certainly something to be proud of and at a full weight of 7 tons of 14,000 pounds his is one of the biggest and heaviest vehicles on the road for passenger use.

Just picture this truck in the old days as a normal and standard F350 and you can see, any vehicle can be constructed into a fabulous one of a kind masterpiece with the right crew and plenty of time and energy into construction.