Truck Driving Jobs Are Waiting, But Are You Ready?

So what makes someone take on truck driving jobs? While a lot of time is spent driving from place to place, many people never think of what else is involved and only see the freedom of life on the road. Truck driving jobs are not as easy as some might think. You are thinking that you can drive a truck, have your heavy vehicle license and have decided to look at truck driving jobs. Well, it may not be that simple. There is a little more to getting a truck driving job than just driving a truck. The first is to decide whether you want to be an owner driver and do sub-contract cartage. Maybe you want a truck driving job for a company just as a driver without the worry of owning your own truck.

Do not underestimate what you need to know. For any truck driving job, there are a number of skills you need. This will include map reading, and the ability to get your load safely to the delivery point as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. Time management is one of the most important skills a truck driver needs. There are a lot of routes heavy trucks can not travel. You need to know about these and plan your trip efficiently so you can deliver on time. Most delivery points have short windows of opportunity for offloading that you just canâEUR(TM)t miss. If you do, you will waste a lot of time and you may miss back loading your next consignment. Truck driving jobs are often about meeting tight deadlines, there are strict guidelines on the amount of hours, and miles you can travel in a day to protect you from tiredness; and other road users from truck drivers spending too much time on the road.

Just like any other business or job, you need to be good at managing your money. It can be costly driving the highway âEUR" fuel, food, fees, tolls, truck washing and all the other expenses related to truck driving jobs. Make sure you keep track of all your expenses and receipts for reimbursement when you get back to the depot if you are a company driver. If you are an owner driver, it is even more important to keep track of these as deductibles for your taxes.

And of course, you need to play the role of secretary to yourself and keep all your paperwork up-to-date. This is crucial for each load and may cost you money if you neglect to keep on top of the paperwork. Another important aspect of truck driving jobs is the need for you to be a diplomat. Truck driving jobs are filled with the stresses of the highway, company dispatchers, other road users, police and so much else to deal with on a daily basis. You must be able to keep your cool and deal with all situations diplomatically. This can be hard when you are tired, the truck broke down overnight, and you have missed your unloading slot and will now be late for your next load.

All truck driving jobs require you to be multiskilled driver, part-time mechanic; knowledge of unloading and loading your freight as there may not be someone there to do it for you. Ideally, you need to be fit and healthy as most truck driving jobs require you to work when you are tired and stressed. It takes a special type of person to deal with life on the highway.

Why truck driving jobs are so popular? Before you rush and apply yourself, see what http://truckdrivingjobs4u.com has to say. You may be surprised as to what's expected from you...

Get Your Rig Ready For Winter

1. Check your rig's oil grade

The typical big rig operates on 15W-40 oil, which is good in a wide range of temperatures but excels in moderate to hot climates. This oil is typically rated effective in temperatures up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but will cease being effective when the mercury drops below about 14 degree Fahrenheit. For truckers in more moderate winter climates typically those below the Mason-Dixon line, this will certainly suffice. But those who do most of their business in the mid-Atlantic states, New England, and the Upper Midwest will find that 15W-40 graded oil is simply insufficient for the types of frigid temperatures they'll encounter. For this reason, it's recommended that serious cold weather truckers switch out their 15W-40 graded oil for the much more resilient 10W-40 graded oil during the winter months. For most people, this will be necessary between November and March though it's always best to judge based on your local area's typical winters. 10W-40 oil can withstand temperatures up to -5 degrees Fahrenheit, a level that is rarely reached even in the coldest parts of the continental United States.

2. Get an engine heater

It's no secret that starting up a rig during the winter months is a challenge unto itself. Most truckers opt to let their rig idle overnight in order to keep the engine warm and make the morning easier, but this no longer has to be the case. Instead, many truckers are restarting to engine warmers which actually surround the engine in a metal jacket and help to heat the coolant and the oil needed for a smooth start. In addition to making the cranking process easier, these engine warmers allow the engine itself to undergo far less stress on a cold day, and that only bodes well for longevity and reliability on the road.

3. Check your coolant

Using a hydrometer, measure the amount of coolant and water in your rig and ensure that the mix is just the right blend, or else you'll encounter one of two problems: a cracked cylinder block (because water expands when it freezes), or antifreeze coolant that has simply frozen solid and prevents your rig from starting effectively. This tool costs about $100 and will help to ensure that your engine is running with a 50/50 coolant and water concentration, which is the ideal concentration to avoid dangerous freezes of either the coolant or its water concentration.

4. Get a diesel fuel additive

Here's something most people don't consider as a possibility: the weather may get so cold that the diesel fuel which powers your rig may gel and be unusable. And, if you typically drive north to south, from warmer climates in Florida to the colder reaches of Minnesota, you'll find that the diesel fuel is even more prone to freezing and gelling. That's because southern climates promote the use of a different kind of fuel which isn't tested to such low temperatures. To prevent this complication, invest in a fuel additive that will keep the diesel fuel liquid and usable no matter the outside temperature.

Winterize Now, Get Peace of Mind Later

The key is to get all of these items in place before winter actually arrives and because it arrives at different times each year, it doesn't hurt to be prepared early. These four steps will ensure that your rig can start up, stay running, and maximize driving time without dangerous freezing or gelling. And they'll make it easier to crank and start up the rig on those cold January mornings that are legendary among long-distance truckers.

Jim is the managing editor for Trucker To Trucker which offers the best truck deals around. Trucker To Trucker also offers tips for truckers buying insurance and truck financing options.

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