Infrastructure ⯀  

Whether you are just starting out as an owner-operator or expanding your business, buying a semi-truck-truck can be a little intimidating. No matter how familiar you may be with the trucking industry, it is always different when your money is on the line.

Gadgets  

Spending long hours on the road can now be as enjoyable as spending time at home. With the proliferation of electronic devices, life on the road can provide all the amenities you want, whether it’s for communication, entertainment, or eating.

Truck driving might not exist as a profession in the future, but for now, truckers can benefit from technology just like the rest of us. No longer are truckers limited to truck stop coffee and activities, they can enjoy their favorite meals and beverages at their leisure.

1. Warmers/Coolers

Several brands of warmers and coolers are available that let you either keep your food warm or cold by plugging into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter. These units will keep food as cold as 45 degrees F or as warm as 50 degrees above the ambient temperature. Many include exterior cup holders and carry straps.

Iceless coolers are also readily available and function as small refrigerators but can also function as ice chests. Sizes range from about 15 quarts to about 40 quarts.

2. Cookers and Coffeemakers

Eating out can be expensive and unhealthy. A variety of 12-volt cooking appliances provide the trucker with healthy, home cooked meals and snacks at reasonable prices. The 12-volt stove reaches temperatures to 300 degrees and is great for warming or slow cooking using regular cookware.

Twelve-volt slow cookers, sauce pans, and frying pans are available that can fry bacon and eggs, popcorn, or make a very satisfactory stew.

Coffee makers and hot pots can plug into the cigarette lighter and have that morning caffeine ready in no time. An automatic shut off feature means the pot won’t overheat and be ruined in case you forget to turn it off.

3. Dash Cams

No trucker should be without a dash cam. Driving for a living almost ensures that at some point you’ll encounter an accident or crime in progress. A dash cam can be an invaluable asset, particularly if you’re involved in an accident.

Dash cams can also document vehicle tampering or an attempted break in. Some models have lane collision warnings, Bluetooth capability, and lane departure warnings. A dash cam should be on the essential-item list for anyone who spends a substantial amount of time on the road.

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4. Power Inverters

There may be times that you need to convert your 12-volt power to AC power. A power inverter is the answer. It plugs into the cigarette lighter and provides you with the AC power you need. Many inverters are available with multiple outlets so that you can use more than one AC appliance with your single, 12-volt connection.

5. Entertainment

When relaxing after a day of driving, it’s important to have some entertainment, such as a TV for semi-trucks. Truckers who have a smart phone with mobile TV can connect it to their TV and watch TV anywhere they have phone service.

Many TV’s are available with DVD players so you can watch your favorite movie or show independently of your mobile phone. You’ll want quality sound, so a set of 12-volt speakers is a necessity, and they’re available in a variety of price ranges.

By  Claire Stewart	Embed
Claire Stewart is a freelance writer and blogger focused on writing about health, travel, and business among other topics. She graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelors in Women’s Studies and currently lives in Seattle with her goldfish, Merlin.

 Automotive  

Ford is getting a lot criticism over their aluminum truck design. Although the new aluminum body offers a lot of benefits, there are issues with using it instead of the traditional steel.

The Ford F-150 models are known as one of the top selling trucks, however, as of late Ford has been getting a lot of grief due to the 2015 Ford F-150 because of the new aluminum body. Ford points out that making the “bold move” to aluminum gives drivers better handling and towing capacity. But there are some serious drawbacks to making vehicles out of aluminum, which is leading to some heavy criticism. Take a look at the potential issues with using aluminum for these cars, and what people are saying about the decision:

The Cost of R&D

The cost of research and development and re-tooling factories means that these first aluminum trucks will most likely be expensive for a long time. This extra cost is not likely to be offset by savings at the pump now that fuel costs are sinking.

Corrosion vs. Rust

The body of the new F-150 is aluminum, not the frame. This is because steel is still the best metal to protect you in a crash. This means that everywhere the aluminum body is joined to the steel frame there is the potential for the metal to fail due to galvanic corrosion. This is a process similar to rust caused when different metals come in contact with each other. The end result is the same. Ford’s response is to apply a coating to all bolts and rivets, but it is important to remember that coatings wear off.

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Metal Fatigue

By definition, aluminum is more prone to metal fatigue and failure than steel. Repetitive stresses on your truck’s body may create cracks in the metal that could enlarge over time. Every time you slam the hood or the tailgate, the metal flexes. Over time, cracks may develop and enlarge. We saw something similar happen in a demonstration video where an impact caused the aluminum to crack in several places.

Expensive to Repair, Expensive to Insure

Repairs can cost four times the amount of the repair to a traditional steel body. Impacts cause the aluminum to flex and crack, causing other parts to break. Knowing insurance companies, if it costs more to fix, it will cost more to insure.

Things are Heating Up

During a test drive, a Ford aluminum prototype truck caught fire and burned to nothing but the frame and a blob of aluminum in about twenty minutes. This is because aluminum melts at temperatures much lower than steel. For obvious reasons, this is a concern for many drivers and dealers. While the new Ford F-150 model has many benefits such as a lighter design for easier towing and better fuel economy, skeptics still have concerns about the use of aluminum. 

Only time will tell how this model fares on the market. The introduction of new materials into established designs does open the door to other innovations in material use.



SOURCE  The information for this article was provided by the professionals at Tonka 4-Wheel Drive Ltd., who specialize in tires in Edmonton. Image Source: wrcbtv.com

By Dixie Somers

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