Whether it is winter or summer and whether it is your first season driving or your tenth, mountain roads are a force to be reckoned with if you are operating an 18-wheeler. Not only can these roads be dangerous, but the steep drop-offs can make them feel even more arduous than they are, especially when viewed from a truck cab. While driving a tractor-trailer on mountain highways may seem daunting, with a bit of know-how and preparation, you can ensure that you have safer travels over any terrain. Read on →

It is no secret that semi trucks are not known for their fuel economy—and given how much fuel they require, even a few cents of fluctuation can make a big impact on your wallet when you go to fill up. Plus, depending on how far you are driving, you may find yourself hitting the pumps more often than you would like, creating a compounding issue that can get expensive quickly. Read on →

Staying safe on the road is always important for truck drivers, and each season brings about its own set of challenges and hazards. While winter brings cold and snow and spring brings rain, summer can bring about relentless sun, severe weather and other hazards. Whether this is your first summer as a long-haul driver or your 50th, it is important to be aware of the potential hazards and make sure you are protecting yourself against them. Read on →

Packing is always one of the most difficult parts of going on a trip, and packing for a long-haul truck driving trip can be even more difficult. Knowing what to bring with you on the road is a skill that you will hone through trial and error, but we hope that with these guidelines, you can better prepare for the road ahead—no pun intended! While everyone’s needs will be different, below, we have listed out some key considerations for your travel bag. Read on →

Regardless of where you are driving or the weather conditions you may face, stocking your 18-wheeler with a roadside emergency kit is a smart choice. From getting stranded due to weather or getting stuck in hours-long traffic jams, there are a lot of situations where an emergency kit could come in handy if it is stocked with the right items. Your emergency kit should live in your truck all the time, so you have it whenever you need it, but if you have items that could expire, such as food or medication, it is important to rotate these things out regularly. Read on →

While there is nothing like driving on a clear and sunny day, unfortunately, not every trip can be this ideal. While you should never drive in severe weather, it is inevitable that any tractor-trailer driver will eventually have to make a trip in the rain. It is important to always check the weather before you head out to drive for the day so you know exactly what to expect. Read on →

No matter how long you have been driving for, parking a tractor-trailer is always quite a hassle. Tractor-trailers are supersized vehicles, and with many parking areas not designed to accommodate them, finding a safe and accessible parking spot is often a challenge. While parking lots are typically lower-stakes situations than driving on the interstate, that does not mean that accidents are not possible—in fact, one in five accidents happen in parking lots. Read on →

While summer is behind us for now, as truckers well know, there are many parts of the country that stay quite warm all year long—and even for those that do not, sun safety is something that is just as important during cold weather as it is during hot weather! While many drivers may not consider sun damage as a hazard of the job, it certainly is. Even mild sun exposure can cause damage to the skin if it occurs regularly, and truck cabs have large enough windows to let in plenty of UV rays. Read on →

Are you ready for the holiday season? Christmas is rapidly drawing closer and the holiday shipping rush is in full swing, which means that getting goods from Point A to Point B can feel even more crucial than normal for truck drivers. Deadline pressures, exhaustion and general holiday worries are all exacerbated at this time of year—on top of the fact that “supply chain issues” seem to be the theme for 2021. Read on →

Summer has officially ended, and with it, the days full of light have also drawn to a close. While the long days have both pros and cons for truck drivers, one of the biggest pros is that late sunsets reduce the amount of time that a person has to drive after dark. While not driving in the sunlight can be easier on the eyes and reduce overall UV exposure, driving at night brings certain hazards that truck drivers should be aware of. Read on →