New to The Road? Tips and Tricks For Truckers | West Coast Enterprises

Welcome to the world of long haul trucking, car hauling or any career that you have just accepted that will bring you onto the open road and across the country. This profession has so many benefits and positive attributes that it can make a fulfilling and lucrative career for just about everyone.

However, that doesn’t mean that just anyone off the street can get behind the wheel and be successful right away. We offer up some simple tips and tricks below to help you start off on the right foot so you can settle in for many years of success on the road.

Become the Expert

We have all seen car haulers and semi trucks rolling down the road, but that doesn’t translate into knowing all about them. Take the time to get to know your equipment and become the expert on your specific rig. Even if you have been hauling for years, each truck is different from one another and will need a little extra TLC to understand completely from wheel well to headlight.

Go over each winch, strap, trailer ramp and anything else that could potentially malfunction on the road. You should also understand where and how to look for signs of wear and tear on your equipment. If you can catch a strap that is starting to wear early, you can replace it without worrying about causing a serious incident or accident later.

Be Prepared For the Job

Just like each car hauler or truck is different, each job you take on is different. Be sure you completely understand the task at hand before loading anything onto your truck and have extensive conversations with your customer(s) about what their needs are before you get started.

After you understand the weight load, the specific cars you are hauling and any special considerations, select the right straps, ratchets and tie downs to ensure a secure ride to your destination. You should also fully understand the distance you are traveling so you can make your own plans for breaks, stops or even lodging ahead of time. The worst time to be caught without a plan is when you have someone’s precious belongings tied down behind you!

Address Issues Right Away

This one may seem obvious, but it might surprise you at just how many truckers will power through a potential issue just to shave off a few minutes or hours off of their travel time. If you notice something like an oil leak or a shuddering when your transmission shifts, it is best to address these issues immediately rather than trying to limp along until your destination.

Getting the problem fixed, even if it takes a little extra time in the process, will always be in favor of your customer. Take pride in your rig and take pride in knowing that you are transporting important possessions, so stop when you need to and tackle repairs right away.

We wish you a safe and successful career on the road! If you are ever ready to switch trucks or are interested in checking out our inventory come visit us at West Coast Enterprises.