Monday, June 16, 2008

Special Truck Driver Jobs

The great thing about truck driver jobs is that there are a lot of them! There are thousands of trucking companies and millions of trucking jobs in this country. The trucking industry isn’t going anywhere and unless they build railroad tracks in the place of every highway in the country, truck driver jobs are here to stay. The fact is, there are great career truck driving opportunities and thousands of different trucking companies to choose from.

Like in any other industry, you will find that there are great trucking jobs and bad trucking jobs. For example, in the restaurant industry you could work in fast food or a five star restaurant. The trucking industry is no different. The majority of truck driver jobs fall into the $30,000-$45,000 salary range. Most of these truck drivers will be gone for 2-3 weeks with this type of trucking job. I consider this to be the fast food type job of all the truck driver jobs available.

The best truck driver jobs will pay over $60,000 dollars a year and truck drivers can make as much as $100,000 or more with a great trucking job. Then add the fact that a lot of these top paying trucking companies enable truck drivers to be home everyday and you have a five star trucking job.

If you happen to be in the market for a career change, give trucking some serious thought and consideration. Most trucking companies offer excellent benefits and like any other job market there are different levels of jobs available. The truth is that you can make a lot of money being a truck driver and it doesn’t have to be a lifestyle.

You can make more money that most college graduates and enjoy all the freedom these trucking jobs have to offer. There are trucking jobs available and truck drivers don’t have to live in a truck or be away from home with a five star truck driver job! That is the great thing about a top paid truck driver job. Good luck!

Truck Tire Review

While truck tires may be one of the more stylized parts of a truck, your wheels are not simply all about adding shine and beauty to your ride. Choosing the right tires for your truck should actually receive a serious amount of consideration, because the right set of wheels can add a great deal of performance benefit. Buying new tires for your truck is not just about style or appearance, as it also has to do with adding power, performance and value to your truck as well. Especially when it comes to off-road oriented trucks, choosing the right set of wheels can be just as important as choosing the right truck to begin with.

When choosing truck tires, be wary of the following factors: First of all, when choosing a new set of tires for your truck, the first consideration that you need to make is how vital your truck tires are going to be to your vehicle. The type of truck tires that you choose can have a serious and significant impact on the handling, traction, safety, braking and ride quality of the vehicle that you drive. The tires that you choose are just as crucial as every aspect of your vehicle and should never be taken lightly. After you do pick the right tires, it is important to also know that you need to take proper care of them in order to maintain their proper level of performance, as well as to keep them looking shiny and new over time. Your tires are providing stability for your entire truck, connected directly to your brakes, your suspension system and your axle. A failing tire can seriously harm other parts of your vehicle, so be protected by purchasing the right tires, and maintaining them for as long as they are part of your vehicle.

When purchasing new truck tires, the stylistic aspect is often the first consideration, but it is imperative that you not overlook performance factors and safety factors as well. This is why reading truck tire reviews before making a purchase is so important. If you educate yourself about the best types of tires for your truck before you go out to make a purchase, you can make better-informed decisions and ensure that the truck tires that you do purchase are the right tires for the job. If you want to get the most out of your truck and its tires, you have to be willing to use Truck Tire Reviews to steer you in the direction of the right tires for your truck!

Check out up to date truck tire reviews at our site below.

Jamming in your Jeep with Speaker Boxes

Jamming in your Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Grand Cherokee should be a requirement for those who own one. With the roll bar ready to go, doors off, and windows down it’s almost a requirement to have some good music pumping through the stereo. However, with all that outside noise, it can be difficult to hear your tunes clearly. That’s why your stock Jeep stereo system needs a little extra boost.. High quality sub woofers will give your Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Grand Cherokee the boom that you need to hear your tunes while the wind is rushing through your bones. A sub woofer will give your system depth and an overall complete feel for any type of music that is being listened to. Whether it’s rap, rock, country, blues or soul that pumps through the stereo, a sub woofer will bring out the best in the music and allow you to hear it clearly through outside interference.

Picking up a sub woofer and amp for your Jeep is the first step to great sound. Next is choosing a subwoofer enclosure to fit with your new system. Speaker boxes do more than just hold the amp and sub, they also provide protection and optimize space within the Jeep so that your amp and sub aren’t flying around everywhere. A subwoofer enclosure will also provide minimal weight gain to the Jeep while helping to produce the best sound possible from your sub and amp. Expert staff will tell you that a subwoofer enclosure will prevent resonance within the sub and therefore create a loud, deep and even sounding system.

There are a variety of quality sound products for your Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Dual speaker boxes are available for the Jeep Wrangler along with a MTX Thunderform subwoofer enclosure. For the Jeep Grand Cherokee the line includes a MTX Thunderform single subwoofer enclosure.

Stop by a professional car audio dealer and allow them to help you choose the right system for your Jeep so you can fit it perfectly with a high quality speaker box.

Becoming an Owner Driver: Getting started as a Courier

Getting started as an owner driver is easy, and has the advantage of potentially becoming profitable pretty quickly due to the lack of overheads. However, there are some things to consider as you start, and this guide hopes to show you the kind of things you will need and the pitfalls to avoid when going freelance and becoming an owner driver.

What You Need:

Firstly, you need a vehicle. This is pretty damn obvious for anyone getting started as an owner driver, but it is still worth stating. The vehicle should be no more than six years old and can actually be of any size really – though if you’re serious about making this work, then investing in a larger van (as opposed to using a hatchback car) will allow you to transport larger loads, and thus charge more.

Secondly a mobile phone is all important for new owner drivers. These days, people who don’t own one are something of a rarity, so this shouldn’t be an issue: All the same, it’s important to be able to keep in touch with others from the road, so getting hold of such an ‘unusual’ and ‘exotic’ device is all important.

Finally, owner driver insurance is all important. The array of options can be confusing, but there are three types of insurance you need to look into, which I shall deal with now:

Get Insured

Courier insurance is all important for new owner drivers. There are three types of insurance you need to look into:

Vehicle Insurance

Any vehicle on the road must be insured – that’s a legal requirement which most people are aware of! When you contact the insurance company, a common temptation is to say your vehicle is for business use – but actually be sure to specify that you need it for courier use. The difference is that you will be carrying goods for others for profit, and this will affect your quote, and any subsequent claims you need to make!

Goods in Transit Insurance

It’s worth stumping up the extra cash for ‘Goods in Transit’ insurance as well. This will protect your cargo against loss and damage, generally covering you for goods up to a value of £10,000. Your main insurance company might cover this, but if not, then it’s very easy to get this from specialist courier insurance dealers. This is especially worth considering for new owner drivers, as it makes you seem more legitimate and people will be more comfortable dealing with you.

Public Liability

This one may not be as necessary as the other two, but is still worth considering, especially for new owner drivers with butter fingers! This will cover you for incidents involving your customers, for example if you drop their same-day-delivery box of anvils on their foot…

While not strictly insurance, it’s also worth mentioning at this point that as you’ll be self employed, new owner drivers need to sort out their taxes with the Inland Revenue and arrange any credits they may be entitled to. At this point it may be worth hiring an accountant who will know how to save you money by understanding what expenses you can claim. Alternatively, if you know book keeping, there is nothing to stop you from managing your own finances, if you’re not too busy with all the owner driver jobs you hope to be inundated with!

Getting Your Name Out There

So, now that your finances are all (hopefully!) sorted out, how do you go about finding your first owner driver jobs? Well the first step is getting yourself listed in local directories – the Yellow Pages and Thomson Local directory are a good start, as is putting an advert in the local newspaper. It’s also worth joining a freight exchange like ours, as this can help you get owner driver jobs and backloads as well as keeping your running costs down. Some freight exchanges also provide a helpful community if you need help or advice.

Print some professional looking business cards, and don’t be shy about handing them out – you never know when you might get an owner driver job from them!

One unusual way of getting business is to contact other couriers in your area. At first this may sound like an unlikely solution, but the truth is that if your rivals can’t complete all their work in one day, then they will be happy to have your help, rather than risk losing their reputation for timely deliveries. If you can get on the sub-contraction books of a few local couriers, you may find this provides a steady stream of ‘one-off’ owner driver jobs to keep things ticking over nicely.

A web presence is useful as well, but in the early days of your operation you may find the costs involved in setting up and maintaining your site are going to cost more than the traffic they bring in, so I would suggest you save this for when your business has picked up a little.

Getting Paid

A tricky one to answer is the question of how much you should be paid. Unfortunately, I’m not able to give a definitive answer as to how much you should charge for each owner driver job, as it very much depends on the region you work in and the size of your vehicle.

Generally, owner drivers charge per mile on the outbound journey, and at a discounted rate on the return, but a good way of picking the right price for you is to check out the cost of hiring your local rivals and working from there.

Becoming an owner driver can seem a little daunting at first, but sticking to this basic framework should ensure that the first few months run smoothly. This should give you the solid foundations you need to begin earning the type of money the profession can offer, and can potentially see you expanding your operation over the following years.

Tramping & Bun Wagons: The Lingo of the UK Road Haulage Industry

If you’ve ever heard a couple of truckers chatting between road haulage trips in the UK, you may have found yourself baffled by the assortment of phrases and expressions littered throughout the conversation. Well, consider the confusion gone; as I lift the lid on the mystery of haulage company speak:

Wagon

Wagon’s just a standard term for one’s haulage vehicle. In my experience, UK road haulage workers are fiercely proud of the ‘wagons’ and make every effort to make them as glamorous and comfortable a space as possible. Which seems fair enough, considering how long they have to spend in such a tiny space.

Tramping

This one is as a direct result of making the ‘wagon’ comfortable – many heavy haulage and logistics drivers will take to spend days at a time camped out in their ‘wagons’. Extended stays in this ‘home away from home’ is affectionately known as ‘tramping’.

Cab

Technically, the part of the ‘wagon’ that the haulage company workers will spend their time ‘tramping’ in is the front section of the lorry with the controls. This part is known, in the UK road haulage industry, as the ‘cab’.

Fitter

The fitter is, as you might expect, a mechanic charged with fixing up faulty haulage vehicles. With the daily use the ‘wagons’ take, its no wonder that a trip to the ‘fitter’ is a regular, but unwelcome part of the UK road haulage worker’s schedule.

Forky

While it’s tempting to consider this is a delightful colloquialism for cutlery, in the same way as "knifey" or "spooney" would be, it’s actually just the term for a fork lift truck driver.

Shed

The ‘shed’ is simply the term for the warehouse – think of it as where the ‘forkies’ live.

Bun Wagon

I must admit, I was lost for words when I first heard this little gem slipped into conversation. What it actually refers to is one of those mobile fast food vans, which is often overly tempting to a haulage company worker with a rumbling stomach!

Back Loads

In normal deliveries, you take your ‘load’ up to the delivery point, then drive back and collect another. The back load is a clever solution to save on fuel costs, where the driver arranges to make another pickup at the drop off point, allowing them to earn a little more and save on fuel costs with a well timed delivery on the journey home.

Milk Run

If a haulage company’s driver has a days work composing of quite a few deliveries on a set route, the day’s work is playfully described as a ‘milk run’.

Finally, there are a couple of expressions that workers in the UK road haulage industry are well used to hearing, much to their frustration:

"It’s only 2 inches on the map – what’s taken you so long?"

Usually delivered in a frustrated tone, to regular haulage company drivers, inches on a map can be easily translated into an approximate delivery time!

"I’ll call you back in a minute"

In more professions, this means exactly what it says: you will be called back shortly, because something’s come up. In the world of heavy freight and logistics, this almost universally means "I have tired of talking to you now, and am going to end the conversation."

What A BodY Lift Kit Can Do For You

Vehicle owners nowadays take extra effort in making the necessary modification to their vehicles just to maximize its performance. Body Lift Kit is one of the mostly needed vehicle kits for today. It doesn’t only trim up your vehicles for larger tires but it also gives them a brand new rugged look.

You can spend some money on performance shocks or simple brackets to increase the height and jazz up the look of you rig. You can also ditch the stock springs and shocks to have a set of adjustable airbags; but the best addition you can make to your vehicle is give it a body lift.

Small as they may be, these kits can make a big difference to your vehicles when used. Those who owned 4x4’s, trucks and SUV’s are likely the ones to install such performance parts from reliable sources like Body Lift Kit Net. Raising the vehicle’s body provide better ground clearance which they really need especially when they take their rigs for off road driving and adventures.

Lift kits aid drivers in their usual problems on jagged, uneven roads. They allow the installation of larger tires that do not only give your auto a more muscular look but also provide better weight support for big vehicles. Small, ordinary tires may not be able to handle a rough terrain that is why it’s important that you have these kits to give room for off road tires.

Although a body kit is installed for best performance, it also comes with potential side effects. This vehicle handles differently from an ordinary vehicle in driving conditions which may occur on streets, highways and off road. The steering, braking and handling raised vehicle will differ from standard passenger cars and trucks. . If larger tires are installed the speedometer will read lower than the vehicles actual speed. Unnecessary sudden maneuvers, unexpected stops, sharp turns and other abrupt driving conditions could cause loss of vehicle control. You can roll over or encounter other accident that could result in serious injury or death to driver and passengers. That is why safety measures like reduced speed, seatbelts and careful driving should always be observed.

There is an abundant online lift kit shops in the web like Body Lift Kit Net. With just one click, you may readily purchase top of the line performance products of a particular brand and type.

How Heavy Machinery Playing Important role in Development of Nation.

In the present day industrial scenario, heavy industrial machinery is an important part of time and cost efficient construction. Industrial and heavy machines such as hydraulic cranes, earthmovers, generators, construction equipment, oilfields pieces, transport and other related accessories are very important in constructing big structures. These enable various construction companies and organizations to complete their targeted task in an easy way. These heavy machines help in reducing the manual labor and also the risk factor, that is usually a constant worry. It becomes very important to check the latest arrivals in order to meet the industrial needs. Well, if you are an industrial organization looking for genuine industry equipments and spares, Heavykit is the best online store that provides quality industrial tools and machinery in order to make your work easy. Heavykit offers some highly sophisticated and advanced machinery. It is the seller and buyer of quality industrial items and accessories such as hydraulic cranes, foundries and mills, iron and steel scraps, high capacity compressors and generators, welding equipments, marine equipments such as ships, tug boats, drills, rigs, diving bells, oilfield pieces and barges. However, due to the high level wear and tear in industrial equipments, it is very important that the machinery is provided quality and genuine spare parts that will add durability and aid proper functioning. Therefore, in order to provide you with genuine spare parts, Heavykit offers genuine accessories for heavy industrial equipments so that your work continues efficiently and continuously. Heavykit is committed to provide you with the best and high quality industrial machinery. All care is taken to provide the quality industrial equipments and accessories.

Heavykit offers both new and used machines that will provide you an affordable means of working on your projects. Heavykit provides a common platform to all buyers and sellers where customers can choose the best and most useful equipments from among a variety of industrial items which is usually impossible for many clients. As Heavykit provides all equipments under one roof, you can check all the wares in a relaxed way. This will help you in finding all the industrial parts and accessories. Heavykit is also a medium through which various heavy industrial goods manufacturers showcase their products. Both buyers and sellers get a chance to interact among each other. This ensures continuity of smooth and effective completion of industrial projects. Given the importance of heavy machinery, it is becomes an indispensable part of the completion of work. These are durable and heavy-duty machines that make work a lot more easy and manageable.

So, if you are looking for some quality engineering and industrial machinery, make sure that you buy it from the online store of Heavykit at www.heavykit.com, a trusted name in industrial equipments and related accessories. You can visit the website and see the catalogue of various industrial machines and spares. This will make sure that you get the best and high quality industrial equipments for your various projects. Avail the opportunity of placing your online order for industrial machines at Heavykit.

Truck tool box - a multi-purpose product catering to your requirements

A truck toolbox can be a great asset to any truck as it takes care of many of the problems faced. Not only does the driver have access to tools at the time of need but it also works as truck storage space. Pick up trucks generally have a lot of small knick knacks lying around so truck toolboxes are ideal for keeping all these things safe and also organized. You could carry just about anything in your toolbox and enjoy the truck drive. There are several different types of truck toolboxes that are available keeping to the different types of trucks. You could have one big truck toolbox or have one with small individual compartments so that you can have your things well organized.
Truck toolboxes are made of different materials depending on the purpose for which required. Steel is seen to be the most durable and convenient material for truck toolboxes. Steel truck toolboxes are ideal for rough use and can withstand a lot of weight too. There are several known brands that cater to this requirement and produce toolboxes of different kinds using different material. Steel toolboxes are seen to be the most durable and also amongst the most expensive. The wide range of choice available allows the option of being able to choose the one that suits your individual requirement and budget. Toolboxes also come with a locking facility that allows to keep your belongings safe and secure from theft and also the weather while you are on the move.
The truck toolbox also allows you to store your tools separately so that you do not have to search for them in case of a requirement. If you are well versed with repairing your truck on your own then a handy truck toolbox is just what you need to keep you company in case of any problem. Having a basic tool kit is essential especially considering the long distances that you have to cover while at work.
There are a wide range of toolboxes available made in moulded plastic, steel (powder coated that provides it durability and looks) and many others. The options are many. Getting a toolbox for your truck is a wonderful idea that provides you safety and security of belongings and also adds to the truck storage.
You could have convenient and very useful truck toolboxes built into the truck service body. This allows for a more sturdy and durable space for securing your valuables and other belongings. There are several vehicle service bodies manufactured by reputed manufacturers who would custom make the particular piece for you so as to cater to your individual requirements. With a truck toolbox you no longer have to worry about carrying your belongings while on the move. Be rest assured that your precious possessions are safe while you are travelling.

Utility trailer | Dump trailers | Car hauler | Equipment trailer | Gooseneck trailer

Texas Bragg Trailers has set their standards that are known for manufacturing the quality range of utility trailers and car haulers. All its products like car hauler, dump trailers, equipment trailer, gooseneck trailer and utility trailer range from big dual tandem to little Bragg, have proved to be extremely durable. With the passage of time, the clients have proudly witnessed the superior quality of their manufacturing and have appreciated their range of products. The specification of design for every trailer is an important point of concern which should always be checked at. Undoubtedly, a lot of skills and workmanship goes into the making of each trailer and this is the reason that Texas Bragg Trailers are considered as the best in the market.

There are basically two types of trailers that include enclosed trailers and open-air trailers. Car hauler is another name that is used for open-air trailers. These car haulers are normally used to transport cars from one location to another. Also, you can haul motorcycles, ATVs, farm tractors, and lawn equipments with the help of these car haulers.

A Utility trailer can be used for both contractors and home owners. A Utility trailer is a multipurpose trailer which is available in different sizes. Before buying it, you need to check your load requirements. There are different utility trailers for different purposes like hauling of golf carts, lawn mowers, vehicles and many other things. Equipment trailers are another variety of trailers that are used for the transportation of small tractors, excavators and skid loaders. Dump trailers are famous for the use of small household purposes, irrespective of the fact that they are related to your commercial or household purposes. There is a variety of dump trailers available in different types of weights, models and sizes.

A gooseneck trailer is also an important variety of trailers that has been introduced especially for heavy loads and towing of equipments as these trailers have an enhanced stability and tighter turning of radius.

No matter whether you are opting for car hauler, dump trailers, equipment trailer, gooseneck trailer or utility trailer, there are few points that you should always mind before making your choice. The capacity of the trailer to carry the load along with maximum weight of the tongue should not be neglected. It is better to determine the weight of the items you are preparing to tow before actually doing it. Weight is also an important determiner to decide the number of axles that will be required by your trailers. Besides weight, the size of the items that are expected to tow, its purpose along with the budget for the load are some of the aspects that one should consider before deciding the kind of trailer that is required by them. So, be careful while making the choice of utility trailers and car haulers as they should meet suit the specific requirements of your load. For more information on equipment trailers, dump trailers, gooseneck trailers, utility trailers and car haulers, you can visit www.TexasBraggTrailers.com

Best Deals on Nerf Bars

The best offers cannot just be found anywhere - but sometimes, it just comes knocking on your door. Would you pass up the opportunity to have the best deals on nerf bars for your SUV? No way! NerfBars-4You carries the most respected brands of nerf bars in the entire vehicle industry. Nerf bars are highly-engineered truck steps which are strong enough to withstand any amount of weight bound to it. Nerf bars are also constructed in a way that it can complement the exterior look of your rugged vehicle. We actually present various styles of nerf bars depending on your needs and desires. There are nerf bars which have aggressive molded tubular look that adds high style to current model trucks. There are also other kinds of nerf bars which provide an impact-resistant ABS plastic shell while others were made with tough tubular steel body-mount bracketry. Some nerf bars were intentionally made with two multi-fit styles, include all mounting hardware and can be painted to match your vehicle. But to make it more simple, vehicle owners have the option to choose between a stainless and a powder coated nerf bar. These styles and bar construction can absolutely make every vehicle enthusiast interested in greatly improving the looks of their car while building supporting and protection on the entirety of the car.

So whichever of these nerf bars by brand, by finish, by type or by vehicle make you are about to choose, you can already be certain of its luxurious effects on your favorite rig. With just a simple way of attaching these outstanding nerf bars onto the lower side of the car door, you can already create a big change! It’s a change that will soon make your car become a flexible transportation device which in turn, will give you the better advantages that you can only imagine! In short, nerf bars can effectively make your car looks so rugged at all!

Getting inside your car will never be a problem anymore! Besides, you have already found your best partner for sudden bumps along the trails and road sides. So hurry and choose the right nerf bars for your jeep or truck! This is also your opportunity to avail our lowest prices!

Trucks - new models for 2008

Trucks are highly practical are secure for the road because they are mainly manufactured to securely carry loads on a long distances and quality is always improving. A truck can be cheap but it all depends on the goods you want to transport, their importance, their quantity and the distance on which the truck has to go. They work on gasoline engines, for those for light medium duty, four stroke turbo intercooler diesel engines or V12 two stroke diesel engines for huge trucks. These are locomotive-type engines. The transmission is preferred to be automatic or semiautomatic, with gears from 5 to 12. This lowers fuel consumption and the truck’s durability is considerably enhanced.

Drivers, as well, prefer automatic or semiautomatic transmission because it offers them better capacity to concentrate on the road, giving their long trips.The top largest manufacturers of trucks in Europe, United States and Japan are Daimler Chrysler, Volvo (Sweden), Man (Germany), Nissan (Japan), Scania (Sweden), Iveco (Italy) and Volkswagen (Germany) among others.The cost of insurance for a truck depends on the trucking operations, driving history and the region and it can reach a million dollars. The focus is the cargo being transported and its value – this raises or lowers he risk and loses, thus changing the cost of insurance.

Pickup trucks are relatively basic but there can be a wide variety of choices if you look into it. If you don’t know where to start you can lead your way by opting for a certain automaker and continue with your other needs. The inside has to be spacious, the engine has to suit your habitudes; you need to consider immediate or future towing needs and, of course, last but not least, your budge possibilities. You could be willing to pay more for a truck if intend on investing by using it for larger transport for a firm or company.

Moving Around Made Easier with Truck Racks

Tired of carrying heavy loads? Then, it is time to make un upgrade! Truck Racks 4You offers all types of racks to fit all your needs. Whether you’re looking for a ladder truck rack or a commercial grade utility rack for SUV, you’re sure to get here the best rack deals that will match your budget and fill your needs all at once.

Truck racks are one of the most useful and economical truck accessories that can turn your ordinary grocery getter to a true monster truck with unlimited capabilities. With superior features and usability, truck racks also provides an easy and hassle-free way to manage your cargos. It also provides a cost-efficient and secured way to transport your things and/or loads from one place to another without worries that it will fall off during travel.

There are several kinds of Truck racks available in the market today that will match every need. Each was particularly designed and manufactured to perform best even at the most sensitive task. At our online shop, we showcase various types of truck racks such as the following: Ladder Racks, T-Rac, T-Rac Pro, Xtreme Pre-Runner, Xtreme Quick Rack, Xtreme Sports Bars and Xtreme Sports Racks.

Our entire truck racks and SUV racks mentioned above are brought to you by the industry’s leading manufacturers that include Waag, TracRac, Go Rhino and Manik. These truck rack makers are known for their commitment to delivering exceptional products and special methods used. We are truly proud to be partnered with such names and to be of significant bridge in delivering you not just top quality truck racks and accessories but also unparalleled online customer service you ought to have.

We are inviting you to explore our online shop filled with irresistible truck rack deals that you can’t find in other online shop. We’ve also created special pages where you can search for truck rack or SUV rack according to your preferred brand or make and year of your vehicle or truck rack type available. If you require more information about each product, please feel free to give us a call at your most convenient time. Friendly and courteous customer service and low prices are guaranteed when you order from us.

Choosing The Right Suspension Lift Kit

Still can’t decide what suspension lift kit would look best on your vehicle? Suspension Lift Kits 4You is here to give you the best options - top brands suspension lifts brands like Skyjacker, Pro Comp, Calmini, Fabtech, Cage, Superlift and other popular names in automobile industry. We have the most innovative lift kits for trucks, SUVs and jeeps. Our experienced staff in handling auto accessories is always willing to help you with your needs. Since we only carry branded products, you can be certain that every suspension kit you purchase is manufactured with the toughest components, plus detailed workmanship.

Whether for hitting the dirt or street driving, we certainly have the most fitting suspension kit for your vehicle. By having a lift on your truck or SUV, you are able to place bigger off-road tires. Also, most of our suspension kits have been known to produce champions in the world of extreme car sports. This fact is already a clue that our wide assortment of suspension lift kits provides longevity and optimum performance. Aside from improving the capability, the new height brought by our truck suspension systems and SUV lift kits will bring a major difference in the look of your favorite ride.

Nobody knows suspension better than Suspension Lift Kits 4You. Our company is run by car enthusiasts, for car enthusiasts. We are dedicated in delivering revolutionary truck suspension systems and lift kits with the assurance of getting only genuine parts and accessories. Each product we offer is precision-engineered and tested first by the manufacturer to ensure suspension reliability and high quality. Indeed, we have set a new standard for on and off-road performance by presenting to you our rugged and powerful collection of suspension lift kits.

If you don’t know what kind of suspension is best for your vehicle, please give us a call at your most convenient time. We have fully trained representatives who are very pleased to offer help if you get into a tight spot with our offered products. Best of all, you can have your preferred lift kit at the most reasonable price. So, buy one of our suspension lift kits today and experience safe and smooth ride while providing your vehicle with a new height and level of performance.

Bike Racks for Your Trucks

Bike racks are one of the most important and economical add-ons to trucks and pickups. This one of the most necessary accessories for trucks has the capacity to carry and transfer different things from one place to another without a sweat. Saving you from high-priced moving truck rentals, this truck utility rack is all you need to transport your things just in time you needed it most!

As known to motorists, trucks and pickups are automotive vehicles specifically designed for transporting goods. This type of vehicle was built using larger and heavier parts that makes it exceptional for carrying various loads. However, most truck beds have a smaller or limited space to accommodate things in volume. Therefore, a truck rack or pick up rack is needed to fill up that limitation.

At Bike-Racks-4You.com, we know that protecting heavy loads and other stuff while traveling can be tedious and stressful. In line with this, we offer a wide option of truck and pick up utility racks that can help in transporting your valuables. Our featured bike racks and utility racks include T-Rac, T-Rac Pro, Ladder Racks, Pre-Runner, Quick Rack, as well as Sports Bars and Racks.

Premium and superior designed of truck racks are available for grab at our online shop today. We have exceptionally constructed bike racks and pickup racks that can securely carry all your valuables. We have racks for ladders, lumber and other utility racks made by the industry’s well-known manufacturers such as Waag, TracRac, Go Rhino and Manik.

The truck racks or bike racks are also designed for people with sports and crafts inclination who always carry loads of up to 500 lbs. This great storage extension on trucks is just ideal for canoe rack, kayak rack and pipe rack, etc. And because of its versatility, it can certainly handle any type of load. Whether your stuff is long, short, diminutive, huge, and feathery or heavy, you can rely on this utility rack for a better and safer travel.

If you want to know more about our featured pickup racks and utility truck racks, we recommend that you browse our product pages. Our online shop features an easy-to-navigate design for you to easily find the kind of rack that fit your needs. We have separate pages where you can shop according to your preferred brand or your truck’s make and model. In this way, we can cut off your searching time so you’ll have more time to do other important things.

Truck Floor Mats You Can Trust

If you’re searching for outstanding and reasonably priced truck floor mats, cargo liners and floor liners, then we are the best place to turn to. We are your truck and SUV floor mats specialists and we can provide you with the most exquisite and economical carpets and liners that will always look best on your vehicle.

Floor-Mats-4You.com showcases the industry’s premier league of truck and SUV floor mats manufacturers such as Husky Liners, Cargo Liners, AVS and Nifty. These brands are internationally known for manufacturing high end and dependable truck floor mats, carpet, cargo and floor liners.

Our featured cargo carpets, truck floor liners and SUV floor mats can simply enhance and protect the flooring of your vehicle from acquiring unwanted dirt and stains. Adding a magnificent and long lasting carpet also helps to prolong your vehicle’s flooring; thus giving you absolute savings in the future.

Aside from being one of the most important interior auto accessories, a truck floor mat is also an economical way to maintain the cleanliness inside your car. While some of our offered carpets and cargo liners are removable and washable, installing and removing it can be done easily at anytime you desire.

Made from the finest materials available, these truck and SUV floor mats and carpets will certainly last a lifetime. Whether you are up for a permanent carpet restoration or just want to add more protection below your feet while riding on your precious investment, you can be sure that we have everything you need under one roof!

So if you want to unleash the true beauty or add more elegance and protection to your vehicle, avail one of our offered truck floor mats, cargo liners, truck floor liners or SUV floor mats today. We offer the lowest prices in the web so make sure that you take advantage of our greatest deals.

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Lorry Driver? Facebook, apparently.

I, like pretty much every man, woman, child, cat, dog and mouse in the country, am something of a Facebook addict. Sure, I can deny it – and always claim that time spent on it in the office is invaluable networking time (even when networking involves playing a rip off of Scrabble with old friends) – but there’s something of a compulsive delight in spying on old acquaintances and seeing what they’re up to. Then of course, there’s the communities… so many improbably named Facebook groups with even more improbable numbers of members. Everything from ‘The Drunken Text Message Appreciation Society’ to ‘A Cup of Tea Solves Everything’is represented, and more are springing up every day.

Naturally my career at a freight exchange means I have an above average interest in lorries and lorry drivers, so it stands to reason that one day this would collide with my other life-sapping obsessive interest – Facebook. I began looking through the various pages, and was more than a little surprised by the sheer quantity of groups devoted to expressing dislike and mockery towards trucking society. There are a few groups which particularly attracted my attention, including:

‘Nothing angers me more than lorry drivers hogging the motorway!

Personally, I can think of quite a few things that anger me more than lorry drivers hogging the motorway: famine, genocide, pizza menus through my door – and that’s just off the top of my head! Regardless, 54 people have independently thought "Yes, lorries on the motorway is Number One in my list of annoyances," and fair play to them.

"Lorry Baiting" appreciation society

This one’s just plain mean, and easily tops the ‘lesser evil’ of haulage vehicles hogging the motorway. For those not in the know, this involves cars travelling in front of lorries on the motorway a mile per hour slower than the lorry behind them, only to speed up a little when the lorry tries to overtake, forcing the lorry back behind. Cruel, unnecessary and ultimately dangerous – it currently has a membership of 54 but ultimately the danger involved in the ‘sport’ could see this number dropping. 54. Let’s face it, this is a very dangerous "sport" and, personally I would prefer them to abandon their game rather than needing another kind of driver to take them to hospital.

Lorry Drivers Suck

Finally, there’s the plain ol’ "Lorry Drivers Suck’ group. A title both simple and to the point, exactly like the group’s membership of 29.

Amongst all the hateful anti-trucker groups (trust me, there are a few – some of which won’t pass the editorial standards of article distribution websites (thanks to the liberal use of ‘f’, ‘c’ and ‘b’ words) there are occasionally touching groups – a personal favourite of mine (and with a massive 1381 members) expresses the disappointment that lorries consistently fail to live up to the expectation that they will transform into Optimus Prime from Transformers. Elsewhere is "Lorry Drivers have Rights Too" – a heart-warming call for equality diminished only by the sorry looking single member currently keeping the group warm.

I don’t know what traumatic event happened in these Facebook group creators’ childhoods to make them so vehemently anti-trucker – perhaps they had a nasty accident with a hub cap, or they were beaten up by an HGV – but I instantly felt a need to redress the balance somewhat. I created a Facebook group in praise of truckers, defending against a tirade of stereotypes. Join it if you want – "Just because I’m a Lorry Driver Doesn’t Mean…" - I can’t speak for everyone else, but I for one won’t bite.

What is important when you hire man van

A nice, empty apartment awaits you, but there’s just one problem you still have to get all of your stuff over there. Unless you have friends or family with large vans or trucks who are willing to help out, chances are you’re going to have to rent one from a company such as U-Haul. Demand for these vehicles is always high, especially between April and October, so its always a good idea to book out a van or truck several weeks in advance. Wait until the last minute and you might discover they don’t have any trucks available, and if they do, they might not be available during the time you had hoped to make the move.
Hiring a moving truck or man with a van or other self-drive transport enabling you to move your house contents is one of the most popular moving alternatives available due to its low cost.
Moving truck and van rental prices are often seasonal, cheap rates can often be obtained in the winter months, that said you are always advised to book in advance to minimize your overall costs and avoid disappointment.
The former point is sound course of action however you must also make sure that you book with an ensured house moving date in mind.
Reputable moving truck or van man companies will make moving equipment available to you for hire such as pads and dollies.

Also reputable company will offer man with a van services including the following:

Choice of service level
Full packing / unpacking
Insurance cover to suit
Available at short notice
Reliable and Punctual
Friendly and Efficient Service
Home visit for personal quote

Pay attention on the following:
The date - Book your removal as soon as you can confirm dates and times.
The new home - A map showing your new address and a contact telephone number is always helpful.
Who to tell - Apart from relatives and friends , there are a lot of people with a vested interest in your whereabouts. You'll find some of them on the check list.
System furniture - This can be difficult! In theory you are supposed to be able to dismantle and re-assemble most system furniture. In practice, it never goes together again so well and can't be covered by insurance. You can move it complete but joints may loosen.
Package and box - as much as possible, for speedy loading, protection, easy trolleying, and secure, tidy stacking on the van
If you are going to move yourself, hiring a self drive vehicle (van) is more economical and practical to move your belongings than using friends and families cars, fully loaded.
When choosing a vehicle from a man and van company you need to consider exactly what you need to transport. Bear in mind that the bigger the vehicle, the more expensive it will be, the driving license requirements will be different and the fuel costs will go up.
Ask the company offering man with a van services about their charges so you know exactly what you are paying for. A lot of companies charge for mileage after a fixed allowance. The allowance can range from as little as 50-150 miles. After this some companies often charge from 8-12p a mile. This will increase your hire cost dramatically, so work out how many miles you will be traveling and how many trips you will be making. If you predict that you will use more than the allowance, it may be best to choose a company that offers unlimited mileage- then you won't have any hidden cost to pay for when you return the van.

Going Out & Moving In

Moving from one state to another will take its toil, not just physically but emotionally as well. Asking individuals to leave everything that they hold dear may prove to be overwhelming. A classic example is "…Dad gets a promotion but has to move to another state, Mom calls----let’s say----a Florida moving company and the children will be rooted off school. Initially, the response would reflect unwillingness with a little agitation on the side (especially if your children are teens). Honestly, I wouldn’t blame the children if they’ll react belligerently. It is but normal. If I were asked to leave school in the middle of the academic year---my parents will certainly hear from me. I hate to be the antagonist of the story, actually, I’m not. In my POV, I’m the protagonist, of course. But somewhere in my head, where my conscience hides, I’m feeling that I don’t want to be the one who’ll ruin his career. One must realize that each member of the family will have to leave something behind---it is inevitable. From friends to enemies and everyone in between, all will be left---but not forgotten. Remember that you still have with you the memories that represent the same. Transition would be hard, but don’t fret, you have your family to support you all the way. In addition, you can always contact your friends through your mobile phone or the internet. Think of it as an adventure, a new chapter of your life. For the parents, please be supportive of your children. Help them adjust and settle in.

The scenario cited above is the most common reaction one will experience with regard moving and relocating. Though this is only half the battle. Note that I mentioned two factors, emotionally and physically. The former was already discussed in the preceding paragraph, now let’s go to the next.

Long distance moving services---some people don’t really bother hiring said services for a couple of reasons: one would be that they don’t trust the moving and storage company and the second would be that they don’t have sufficient cash to fund the same. More often than not, it’s the former. Imagine hiring a moving company to deliver your precious vehicle and upon inspection, you noticed a new paint job, I mean scratch job. Ballistic mode, anyone? Even for items like antique chinaware and figurine, if these are not properly boxed, said items would be transformed and delivered in a new form, a jigsaw form. How about getting your packages a day after the intended date. These are just a few of the horrors people encounter with truck moving services.

Now, how can one avoid these dreadful circumstances? These are the points that need be considered. Find a respected moving company, be it through the internet or through word of mouth. Trust referrals from family members, neighbors and associations. Also, make sure that the company is licensed, bonded and insured. These words reassure almost anyone who wants to get a particular service done. If you’ll be using the internet, I recommend that you narrow your searches. Don’t hire the first site that pops out of the search engine if you have yet to canvass around. To narrow down your searches, first make a list of companies with their contact info. Take your time and call them. Ask for estimates and packages. Will they provide free quotation? How about their track record, is it good? Do they guarantee anything? What if an accident happens, what would be the recourse of the client---if there were any? Ask these questions, if the company answers negatively then drop them and move on to the next. This will certainly cut your list down to size. When it comes to rate, the most expensive does not equate to the highest quality of service and vice versa. Bear in mind that the quotation is just an estimate. One can easily bring the cost down through constant haggling. Once you have reached an agreement, ask that all arrangements be put into writing.

Now, it’s time to pack. Purchase materials like sturdy boxes, adhesives, bubble wraps and those little peanut cushions. Remember to label your boxes. Put the chinaware atop of the box containing the magazines or books---not the other way around. Use extra clothes, socks, or other fabrics for additional protection or padding around fragile items. And before leaving, do inventory---just to make sure everything is all boxed up.

Though few, I hope these tips will help you have a stress free moving experience. You do not want to leave your home and your friends with the gloom and doom attitude, right? So I suggest you lift you head and view this as an adventure, a new chapter in the book that is your life.

Popular vans among customers

When people think of hiring a vehicle, they tend to think in terms of daily rental, or short term hire only.
The truth is that there are a wide range of hire options available for business and private users, offering the chance to rent vans for anything from a day to several years.
Vans are becoming more and more popular nowadays. The following types are in big demand:
- Minivan
- Ramped Minivan
- Conversion Van
- Lift-eqp'd Conversion Van
- Maxivan
Also people use different options when they hire van or use man with a van services in UK:
• Short Term Hire / Daily Rental - The most common type of hire. Vehicles are rented on a daily, weekend or weekly rate for a short period - typically not more than a few weeks.
• Long Term Hire - Long term hire is most commonly used by businesses that need an additional vehicle for their operations - perhaps for a couple of months, perhaps longer.
• Contract Hire - it means that you sign up to hire a van for a fixed period - typically 1- 3 years. Your contract will stipulate the maximum mileage you can do during this period, and you will probably have the option of including a maintenance contract.
• Contract Van Rental - it is a short-term alternative to contract hire. It is normally aimed at people who require a rental van for 3-12 months, or just want to use van man London service for 1 day and do not wish to be responsible for maintenance or repair costs during that time.
• Van Leasing - Leases are usually available for periods of up to 5 years and often have no mileage restrictions. During the lease you will have the option of a maintenance contract for the van and at the end of the lease you simply hand it back to the leasing company, with no hassle or obligations.
If you are driving a van for the first time or perhaps drive a van infrequently there are many differences to driving a car which you should be aware of and remember.

Van driving advice
• Be in complete control of your vehicle at all times, losing control means not being able to stop or move your van in a safe manner.
• Be aware of the size of the van you are driving, particularly the height. Take extra caution when approaching bridges and canopies and when driving under overhanging trees. Some petrol stations may not cater for the size of your vehicle.
• Large vehicles need extra room to turn, take this into consideration when approaching a tight corner. Also bear in mind the length of the van and the position of the rear of the vehicle when maneuvering.
• Make use of the increased visibility from a higher driving position and remember to use your exterior mirrors more often.
• Take tight bends slowly as tall vans can tip more easily due to their height and increased centre of gravity.
• Control your speed and never follow other vehicles too closely, vans require a much longer braking distance especially when traveling at speed, carrying a heavy load or in wet or icy weather conditions.
• Pay extra attention when reversing or parking and only attempt to do so if you are confident or when it's necessary. Ask for another person to guide you if your van has blind spots.
As conclusion I’d like to stress that you should be extra careful on the road, especially when changing lanes, the van you are driving may have blind spots. Pay particular attention for motor cyclists. Take a little extra time and care when driving an unfamiliar vehicle.

How to Buy a Used Car Online from Japanese Used Car Auctions

Japan is one of the world’s largest markets for used vehicles where used vehicle exporter companies are freely available. If you wish to buy a used car from Japan and you are willing to do it your self (DIY) the best way is to do it on line. The facility is available today. Do not surprise, including car selection, inspection, and money transfer everything you can do it from your home. Why waste money by purchasing the same car locally. There are thousands of used Japanese cars for export in Japanese used car auctions. Select and buy the car you love from your home. Here are some useful tips.

1. Select a suitable used car dealer in Japan by searching their websites. Japan Used Motor Vehicle Export Association (JUMVEA) is the most reputed and organized institute involved in export Japanese cars. Only reputed used vehicle exporter companies can become members of this institution. Therefore you can rely on them. If you find them reliable, you can select another company or single enterprises who export Japanese cars to deal with, even they do not have the JUMVEA membership. 2. Once you choose a company from the used car dealers in Japan online, fill their request form properly with truthful information. There will not be any risk involved as this information are only used by the selected used vehicle exporter to choose the type of the car you are looking for. If you are dealing with a reputed company this information will not be sold to any other party. On the other hand just filling out this form does not mean that you must buy that particular car. You will be provided with a specific access code which could be used to access the particular car auction website. 3. You will definitely love the next step. Visit the auction website using access code given and browse thousands of Japanese used cars. Look at the photos of these cars and search for the car in your mind. Market prices of these vehicles will be there to get a rough idea about the FOB price of the chosen car. 4. If your choice is among this collection of cars send an email using icons especially there for the purpose or send it manually. In this email include all your questions and facts to be clarified about the car you have selected. If you couldn’t find your selection from this collection of used Japanese motors, very clearly include all the car features you are looking for in the email. Then the used vehicle exporter you selected will search for the car you want from the hundreds of Japan used car auctions distributed in Japan. 5. Then you will be requested to deposit some amount of money that would decided by the particular used car dealer in Japan. It would be sent back to you if you did not buy a car from them. 6. The auction sheet will be received by you where you want to place the bid for the car you selected. The selected export company will help you in this process and they will bid for the car in the Japan used car auction for you. However there is no guarantee that you are definitely going to have this car for the amount you bid. 7. If your bid has been chosen the balance payment should be sent to the used vehicle exporter agent you are dealing with. They will make arrangements to ship your car after receiving the total amount.

3 Lorry Stories – Spot the Fake One

Over the years, the truck driver has made for a great series of stories. Amidst the standard tales of traffic jams, incredible journeys and more incredible bad driving, when involved with a freight exchange, you hear the type of outlandish tales more commonly associated with fishermen. In researching this article, I found too that lorries and lorry drivers are commonly associated with horror stories, and tales (and images) too gruesome to write about here. Suffice it to say, there’s an awful lot of truths and non truths spread in the anecdotes about truckers.

Here, I’ve taken three lorry tales– and discovered two of them to be verifiably truthful. The remaining one is equally exposed as fake. I’m going to list them all, allowing readers to guess which is untrue – I shall then provide the specifics of each one.

A) Elvis Presley was once told to "Stick to driving a truck, because you’ll never make it as a singer." B) A man was run over by a truck within hours of winning a lottery C) The Allman Brothers album "Eat a Peach" is a hidden reference to Duane Allman’s death at the wheels of a lorry carrying peaches.

Has everyone made their guesses? Okay – here’s the answer. C is an urban legend, while A and B are verifiably correct.

Here’s some background information to each lorry story:

Elvis Presley was once told to "Stick to driving a truck, because you’ll never make it as a singer"

While auditioning for a lead-singer position in a Memphis band, Eddie Bond, 21, informed the 19 year old truck driver, Elvis Presley that he should "stick to driving a truck, because you’ll never make it as a singer." This is the account of a mutual friend, while Bond himself claims the club’s owners forced him to make the decision. Either way, Elvis was rejected and left looking for his big break.

It would come in just a few short months. "That’s All Right (Mama)" was a big hit in Memphis, and Eddie Bond issued an invitation for Elvis to join them after all. Understandably, Elvis decided to turn him down – but not to "stick to driving a truck."

A man was run over by a truck within hours of winning a lottery

When I first heard this one, I immediately thought of the Alanis Morissette song, "Ironic", which begins with the lines "An old man turned ninety-eight, he won the lottery and died the next day." While the subjects of the song are well documented as not being ironic in the slightest, I did assume that the various incarnations of this story I’ve heard must be the same kind of embellishment as Ms Morissette recorded.

Not true, as it turns out. In January 2004, an Indiana man won $73,450 on an Indiana lottery, and was run over by a truck within hours of winning it big. Wearing dark clothing the winner of a ‘Hoosier Millionaire competition’, Carl Atwood, 73, was walking round a corner on a poorly lit intersection when he was struck by the truck, later dying in hospital. On the show, which was televised, Atwood had expressed his surprise at winning and stated his plans to "purchase a very nice car."

The Allman Brothers album "Eat a Peach" is a hidden reference to Duane Allman’s death at the wheels of a lorry carrying peaches.

While it’s true that Duane Allman died in a collision with a lorry in Georgia (a state associated with peaches) months before the release of the "Eat a Peach", and it’s also true that the album art does show a truck with a giant peach on board labelled "Allman Brothers", the album is not a direct reference to the death of the talented young guitarist.

The truth is the lorry that Duane Allman collided with was a flatbed truck with a lumber crane. Suffering no externally visible injuries, Duane held onto life immediately following the crash before dying in surgery with massive internal injuries three hours later.

The album’s title is less interestingly a reference to a comment Duane once made in a magazine interview. When asked how he was helping the revolution, Allman replied that "…every time I’m in Georgia, I eat a peach for peace."

Fans of the band have also suggested that the album’s reverse cover art – an image of a vehicle carrying a giant watermelon – was a reference to fellow band member Berry Oakley’s similar motorcycle accident at the wheels of fruit lorry is also revealed as falsehood, first by the fact that he collided with a bus, and secondly that his death was 9 months after the release of the album. Any hidden message would therefore be an inaccurate feat of clairvoyance.

Giving Trucking a Bad Name – 3 Lorry Driving Scoundrels

Having been exploring Facebook lately, the reputation of the lorry driving haulage industry is clearly in need of a tune up. The number of groups created to slander the profession and express personal dislikes is enormous, and despite a recent survey claiming over half the participants see lorry drivers as unsung heroes of their community, the less then neutral source (Clearstone – a haulage recruitment company) makes me slightly skeptical that attitudes are changing.

Nope, I’ve seen first hand the kind of prejudices and stereotypes associated with truck drivers, and as with most scenarios of this type it’s a few bad examples tainting the good names of the others. Of course, some people are worse than others, and while road users can be rightfully annoyed at a lorry driver cutting them off, they should be glad that the majority of truck drivers don’t have the same ethics as the following lorry driving scoundrels:

3. Robert Raison – Love Rat

In 2004, the Daily Express reported of a man who had played out the same life pattern 3 times in a row. He would meet a woman; have a child with them and then move on to another. His job as a long distance lorry driver meant that he could get away with his audacious double life thanks to his unusual working hours, when in reality he was making his own unique version of domestic bliss with three different partners.

2. Steven Lee Olsen – Art Thief

Moving from unscrupulous ethics into the world of crime, Steven Lee Olsen pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiring to steal an object of cultural heritage just before Christmas last year. The 54 year old lorry driver, with the help of Roman Szurko – a restaurant worker – broke into a truck carrying Francisco de Goya’s "Children with a Cart" from Ohio to the Guggenheim. The painting was insured for $1,000,000 and the men later tried to return the painting, claiming the $50,000 reward on offer. The pair face a maximum jail time of five years a-piece, and are due for sentencing on March 24th 2008.

1. Peter Sutcliffe – Serial Killer

Of course theft and conspiracy cannot compete in the evil stakes with mass murder, and that’s what this truck driver was found guilty of. Peter Sutcliffe, or the Yorkshire Ripper, murdered a total of 13 women and attacked a further 7 between 1975 and 1981, before finally being caught due to leaving a traceable £5 note on the body of the last of his victims. Sutcliffe was a grave digger when he claimed he heard the voice of God ordering him to murder prostitutes, though around the time of his first murder he had got the job as a lorry driver for T & WH Clark. In his lorry, police found an epitaph written by him said to prove his schizophrenic mindset, which read: "In this truck is a man whose latent genius if unleashed would rock the nation, whose dynamic energy would overpower those around him. Better let him sleep?"

So next time you curse a truck driver for cutting you up on a journey be sure to remember that, as evils go, there are far worse!

Mini Trucks

It’s not a truck, but it’s not a van- it’s a mini truck. It’s just a compact vehicle created for light jobs and which can also transport people. The engine of such mini trucks is of 4 up to 6 cylinders and it is a cute member of the so popular mini family which becomes more and more numerous and valuable for all human kind. The word truck comes from the original word ‘trochos’, which translates as wheels. So, check out the mini wheels that have invaded the market of vehicles. The mini trucks are also able to carry goods from one place to the other, and are among the favorites in the diverse types of trucks. Each type of truck has a different purpose, and it seems that the minis have been chosen by many buyers due to its extended utility and the fact that there is still enough space for passengers as well.

The mini truck can perform a lot of tasks, even difficult ones, being an excellent vehicle for off site work as well. The mini trucks can drag, and this is the most common feature performed by such trucks. When the vehicle is put to drag, it will lower very close to the ground employing the air ride. The interior of the mini trucks are functional and well organized. There is optional navigation integrated, while the satellite and the digital system of the radio contribute to the nice interior. There are also air bags, in some mini truck models there are knee air bags as well. So, one can travel comfortably and safely in a mini truck as well.

The fad mini trucks also feature different designs on the back of the vehicle, which may be some hot flames or any other image that will make the truck look cool at the back side as well. Check out a catalogue with painting designs to make your mini truck more popular among the other vehicles of the same size. In case you are interested in purchasing a mini truck, you can check out the Mitsubishi truck with improved features, the Vauxhall models, the Citroen 2CV or the Citroen Mehari, the Fiat Strada, or the Fiat 125P, the Lada mini truck, or the models from Volkswagen, Seat, Peugeot or Opel. You can test drive as long as you like all the types of mini trucks available in your area or you can try to buy a used mini truck, which can also help you in transportation or light duties on the road.

Ezy Lift gates

When Ezy Lift was invented, one thing came to mind: Heavy Duty Industrial. Their is many industries that needed a lift that did more then
a practical Lift Gate and was sturdier then a typical corner crane.
Even the corner crane industry has realized they had a problem real quick.
Most of the more popular brands offer a built in bumper jack to keep the
frame of the bed from torquing.

"That's a hassle" says Max Mclenden, CFO Ezy Lift Inc. "We have designed a top
of the line lift gate that will lift 2,000 lbs with out a single hiccup. Many
other lift gates will drop several inches when they exceed several hundred
lbs. Ezy Lift does not bow, slowdown, hiccup or speed up with a full load. It
is safe affordable and will out last any truck.

We are in our 5th year with Ezy Lift being made in the USA. It makes it more
expensive, however Americans appreciate the fact.
Our goal is to lower the standards and raise the bar on lift gates and fill as
many "niche" industries as possible. There are people in dire need of our
product, they just have to know we are here.

We do not like to bash our competition, fact is we really invented a whole new
category. Problem is we just can't figure out what category..
Lift gates are important, and with Tommy Gate being the first in the Lift Gate
arena they are still the thriving lift gate. In many instances a Tommy gate
is really more practical but many instances a regular lift gate will not work at all.
Ezy lift fits in those hard to lift categories:
Well Heads, Elevator parts,Monuments, Industrial drill bits and so on. No
wheels no problem. If it will fit in your truck bed , Ezy Lift will put it
there.
M. Harper

Drive your Truck Carefully Or Else, Get Sued

Truck accidents cause a lot of damage, including substantial damages to private or public property, establishments, residential, vehicles, and injuries to individuals. In fact, it is estimated that quality of life losses from truck accidents each year exceeds $13 billion dollars.

Every person can be threatened by vehicle accidents. It imposes a danger on us all, especially when it involves heavy vehicles like commercial trucks, large freight carriers, and so on.

That is why every state has enforced special laws on trucks to avoid incidents where it causes severe damages. One of the states that have imposed a change on their laws is California. A slower speed limit on large trucks and other commercial vehicles are now required.

According to crash statistics, 20% of large truck accidents are due to the driver’s negligence in the form of excessive speed. Besides over speeding, there are multitudes of reasons why truck accidents occur.

• Driving under the influence – Driving while intoxicated in alcohol • Reckless and negligent driving – Inobservance of speed limit and traffic rules. • Inexperienced driving – Driving without enough training and skills • Aggressive behaviors – Reckless driving maneuvers • Inattentive driving – Caused by boredom or distraction. Most often because of phone use • Driving fatigue – Driving for long hours exceeding that allowed by law which may cause drivers to fall asleep behind the wheel • Improper securing of heavy loads – Loads not properly placed, fastened or locked that may fall unexpectedly out of the truck • Overloading – Loading beyond the maximum weight capacity of the vehicle or the maximum weight permitted by law • Inaccurate inspection before and after the trip – Lack of careful inspection on the truck’s machine and equipments that could be damaged or working improperly. • Dangerous road conditions – Driving along slippery or uneven roads, or roads that lack warning signs. • Bad weather conditions – Driving a truck under heavy rain

Who can be sued in a truck accident?

Any person, company, or entity that was at fault for causing the accident can be sued. This includes any of the following:

• The truck driver and the trucking company • The owner of the trailer • The shipper • The vehicle manufacturer which may have been the cause of a mechanical or equipment failure • An owner of any public or private property whose negligence contributed to the accident

Who can sue in a truck accident?

• Any one who is injured as long as a person or entity can be held responsible for the accident • The surviving family members of a victim killed in the accident for which another person or entity is at fault

What damages can the victims sue for?

• Past and future medical expenses • Past and future loss of income • Lost of employment • Costs of repair or replacement • Physical pain and suffering • Emotional distress

In what aspects can California truck accident attorneys help?

• Collection and preservation of vital evidence • Examination of every angle of the incident • Assessment of all possible claims and damages • Establishment of liability • Act as defense and representation on your behalf • Preparation of legal documents

Do I need an attorney to represent me on my case?

Yes, she or he can help you win your claim. So hire the best possible attorney you can find.

The London Low Emission Zone – What it means for Haulage Workers

The London Low Emission Zone has now officially come into effect. Quite a few readers will doubtless be asking what it is, what it does, and how it will effect haulage companies and owner operators if media reports of the public being unaware of its existence are to be believed.

Well, Haulage Exchange to the rescue, because here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know about the London LEZ!

What is the LEZ?

For those of you that don’t know LEZ stands for Low Emission Zone. In London, the scheme has just been introduced to reduce pollution, and it extends to the entirety of greater London – an area of 610 square miles. To enter the London Low Emission Zone, vehicles must either meet specific emission standards or pay a daily fee of £200. Unlike the congestion charge, which charges motorists to use inner city London roads during business hours, the LEZ will be in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When does the LEZ start?

Technically, the London LEZ has come into effect already for haulage vehicles with a weight exceeding 12 tonnes, but due to the majority of haulage firms having no knowledge of the new laws, haulage industry workers have been given extra time to ensure their lorries meet the Euro III vehicle standards. Firms have been granted an additional 28 days to make their vehicles green.

Lorries between 3.5 and 12 tonnes will be included from 7th July 2008, with large vans between 1.205 and 3.5 tonnes following on 4th October 2010.

In 2012, the legislation will become stricter, and all vehicles previously affected by the law will need to be compliant with Euro IV vehicle standards.

Does my haulage vehicle meet the Euro III/Euro IV standards? The Euro vehicle standards relate to the amount of particulates emitted by the vehicle. As a general rule, any vehicles registered with the DVLA on or after the 1st October 2001, they are assumed to be Euro III compliant.

Euro IV compliancy is more recent, and only vehicles registered as new on or after the 1st October 2006 are assumed to meet these requirements. This level of greenness is not required until 2012, however.

If your haulage vehicle was purchased before these dates, you will either need to modify them to meet the standards, or pay the LEZ fee when working in London.

Why do we need the LEZ?

The LEZ is being brought in to counter the air pollution of the capital. London is well known for being a highly polluted city, and it is estimated that half the air pollution is a result of transport. London mayor Ken Livingstone believes that the move will not only reduce overall emissions 16% by 2012, but will also cut down on the 1,000 annual hospital admissions and 1,000 premature deaths caused by low air quality.

How much do haulage companies and owner operators need to pay?

Vehicles registered and not meeting the green standards will have to pay a massive £200 per day to enter the zone. If an unregistered vehicle enters the LEZ and does not meet the emission standards, the driver will be fined a hefty £1,000 (reduced to £500 if paid within 2 weeks.)

Vehicles entering London from abroad will have their fines chased by an international debt recovery agency.

How is the London LEZ enforced?

The London Low Emission Zone is set to be enforced using a £54m setup involving Automatic Number Plate Reading Cameras.

Any vehicle entering or driving in the LEZ will be checked against the DVLA to check whether the vehicle has had the required work carried out.

What about cars, motorbikes, vans, buses, coaches and emergency vehicles?

Cars, motorbikes and small vans remain unaffected by the London LEZ in its current form.

Buses and coaches exceeding five tonnes, and lorries, motor caravans and horseboxes between 3.5 and 12 tonnes will be required to pay from 7th July 2008.

In the final part of the LEZ scheme, from the 4th October 2010, large vans and horseboxes between 1.206 and 3.5 tonnes, motor caravans between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes, and minibuses below 5 tonnes will also be included, though with a half price daily charge of £100.

Ambulances and large hearses will also be included – the London Low Emissions Zone applies to all vehicles in the size bracket, regardless of whether they are for public or private usage.

Unsurprisingly, its something our members are beginning to grumble about, and it will only increase as more haulage vehicles are encompassed by the London Low Emissions Zone. For the moment though, it’s best to be aware of the restrictions so you can avoid the heavy fees levied for vehicles in the capital. My (slightly biased) advice to all concerned about the LEZ is to join a freight exchange, and swap loads to either make paying £200 a day worthwhile, or to take on work exclusively away from London to avoid the charges altogether.

The Mighty Tonka Dump Truck

In 1949, the Tonka Mighty Dump was presented to the public, and from this single truck came a series of Mighty trucks, two of which are the Hydraulic Dump and the Bottom Dump. Tonka, meaning GREAT in Sioux, wanted to make toys for little boys that can stand the test of time. They wanted something that boys can play with for a very long time, hence, their designs and materials are always top-of-the-line.

Brief History By 1987, it has introduced toys specifically for the younger set – preschool-aged boys. During its 50th year, it celebrated in a big way by hosting a national truck tour. The Tonka trucks continued to get even more popular and expanded through many partnerships including Hasbro toys. Their roster now includes die-cast, trucks with mini lights and sounds even books!

In 2005, the Tonka Toughest Mighty Dump Truck, introduced the previous year, was replicated life-sized to tour nationally for the truck tour. To date, Tonka keeps finding innovative ways to make their trucks even stronger, more durable and lifelike while maintaining its standard of excellence found in every Tonka toy.

For the Little Engineer For the little one who loves to play with trucks, the Tonka Dump Truck is the perfect gift for him. You can choose from the Tonka Might trucks series including the Toughest Mighty Dump Truck.

You may also check out their website or visit online shopping sites that carry Tonka toys for a list of all their toys. It’s best to compare prices with a few online shops before making your purchase.

Remember to ask about their delivery turnaround time, shipping and handling policy, payment mode - VISA, Mastercard or something else - return policy for damaged toy/s or erroneous toys delivered and money back guarantee.

Online shops know that there have been a lot of internet scams including shopping sites, and they understand that customers want to be assured that the same thing won’t happen to them. Thoroughly discuss their online security system and identity theft protection.

Finally, ask about their Tonka toys – where they come from, what models they carry, warranties, and such. Unfortunately, another online scam is peddling products that are either fake or secondhand passed on as brand new. You have to be sure about where you get your shopping done online.

Better still, visit your nearest retail shop and ask for their Tonka toys. You can either take a good look at the one you like before ordering it online, or you can just get it there yourself. Either way, your little boy will definitely flip once he sees his Tonka Dump Truck!

10 ½ Tips To Finding A Better Trucking Job

If you’re looking for a career in the transportation field, specifically as a truck driver, then there are a number of things you should keep in mind. Truck drivers are in high demand with a lot of companies, but the trick to finding a better job with better pay starts before you interview. It starts before you apply. It starts before you make a phone call.

There are a lot of openings, but few companies that are willing to pay a driver the top dollar for their miles. However, if you’re careful, and follow these steps, you’ll be well on your way to making more money, being home more often, and getting better benefits for you and your family. These days, it’s not just about your driving experience that will lead you to a better truck driving opportunity, it’s a bigger professional picture that if you make sure to do some of these recommendations, you’ll get the job that you’ve been working for, for so many miles. Take a second, you deserve to know:

1. Make Sure You Have A Job Now. Imagine you’re the recruiter. Do you want to hire someone that doesn’t have a job? Potential hires are "hotter" prospects when they’re currently employed. This means the new company has to make a better offer to steal you away from your current employer. Plus, if you have a job now, you don’t have to worry about going without a paycheck.

2. Get Your Work History Together. Most employers will require all necessary info regarding your previous three (3) employers – minimum. Most of them also require your previous three (3) years worth of employers. If you’ve had several jobs, you’ll need to be able to provide the names of the employer and supervisors as well as the phone number and addresses for all the companies. Yes, it’s a chore to dig up, but it’s worth it. Also, type it up or get it typed up so you have something professional to present to a new employer. This is one of the most overlooked aspects of truck driver jobs hunting.

3. Check Your DAC History. Your DAC driver history is a transportation company’s way of checking your driving history before checking your MVR (motor vehicle report). It’s a good idea to know what the recruiters see when they’re looking up your info. Disputing your DAC can be a chore, just FYI, in the event something is incorrect. However, you knowing what’s on there also means you don’t go into a conversation or interview not knowing information, about yourself.

4. Check Your Personal Driving History. That’s right, your personal driving history. It might show something different – could be good or bad – than what your DAC history or MVR shows. The best way to find all the info, and find it for FREE, is call your insurance company. The company that insures your personal vehicle has access to all of your info and can quickly and freely tell you all the info that’s associated with you. Again, you knowing all the available info prepares you for any question you might be asked.

5. Make Sure Your CDL Is Current. Too many drivers try to find a job and realize that their CDL (commercial driver’s license) is expired. Just how in the world is a trucking company supposed to hire a driver that does NOT have a current CDL? That’s an impossible question that is asked but goes unanswered every day. This is something painfully obvious, but lots of to-be drivers don’t have a current CDL.

Driving in the City

If you were made to choose between a cheap electric scooter and a shiny, flashy, powerful sports utility vehicle, which would you pick to be your everyday auto?

You would think that the answer was obvious, but when you live in a city like Rome, London or New York where the streets are considerably narrower, the traffic is heavy and finding a spacious parking spot can take up half of the day, then the tiny electric bike looks far more attractive than a monster SUV.

While many say that sports utility vehicles’ popularity will only continue to grow, many have started eschewing them for what motoring experts like Washington Post’s car columnist Warren Brown call the "city friendly" vehicles. Local governments in European cities like Paris and Athens have even mulled over the possibility of banning the vehicle (according to a French deputy mayor, the government has "no interest in having SUVs in the city. They're dangerous to others and take up too much space".)

What exactly makes an automobile the perfect vehicle for the city?

To be a true city car, a vehicle’s built and features must be suited to the conditions in the city. This means that first, it should be small enough to be able to quickly find and easily fit the smaller parking spots that are prevalent in cities. When you are in the city, you are also likely to find yourself parking in the streets more often than you would want, so being compact means that your vehicle can avoid being a regular victim of sideswiping by other cars.

Aside from being small, a "city friendly" car has to be easy to maneuver and have great handling capabilities. This would make it easier to navigate the narrow cobble streets of London or Manhattan’s packed avenues.

The large number of vehicles that flood the city streets also make traffic jams a common, okay, a constant occurrence in urban areas. These circumstances lead motorists to step on the brakes and accelerate more often than normal, thus causing the cars to consume more fuel and energy. Considering today’s soaring gas prices (the average price of a gallon of gas in the U.S. is $3), choosing a fuel-efficient hybrid or scooter is not only environmentally responsible it is also financially sound.

Admittedly, driving city-friendly vehicles does have its drawbacks. Scooters for example, are comparable to motorcycle dirt bikes in the sense that they would never be able to provide you with a smooth, bump-free ride. Compact and hybrid cars on the other hand cannot equal the comfort a plush and spacious SUV can provide. But the fact that driving in the city tend to involve only short distances, then the less spacious legroom and occasional bump are pretty good trade offs for the many benefits of driving a city-friendly vehicle.

Train Horns Primer

We’ve all heard it, that penetrating steady tone blast from a passing locomotive. It is designed to warn motorists or anyone in the right-of-way to stand clear, that danger is imminent for the unaware motorist or passer-by.

Although air horns are used in emergency vehicles and trucks, it’s the train whistle that stirs the imagination. Like trains in general, these tones stir a strong nostalgic response in those who grew up near a railway. It was Hank Williams that so aptly described in song that "lonesome whistle blow." Many youngsters have grown to adulthood with their fondness for diesel train horns intact. Today, there are many hobbyists who avidly collect these horns and refurbish them. The internet has allowed these collectors to band together to promote and share their hobby. Common collectible train horn manufacturers include Nathan, Leslie, Wabco and Prime. Only Nathan Manufacturing, Inc. and Leslie Controls, Inc. are still in existence today.

All air horns operate in similar manner. Imagine for a moment a megaphone type loudspeaker. It has a magnet, a voice coil and a diaphragm. After an applied electrical input, the diaphragm vibrates causing sound waves. The air horn is a type of speaker too but is actuated by air rather than an electrical/magnetic current. Air pressure causes the diaphragm to rapidly open and close the airway many times a second. This is heard by the ear as a steady tone.

Many hobbyists can determine a train horn model simply by listening to its tone. The pitch of a train horn is affected by many variables. The diameter of the air inlet orifice determines the loudness. The internal components and the bell horn material also affect whether the tone will be mellow sharp or in-between. The size and shape of the bell horn also changes the tone.

Air horns are supplied by an air tank. The tank holds a finite quantity of air so it needs to be re-filled by an air compressor. True diesel air horns need plenty of compressed air so hobbyists recommend a minimum 20 gallon tank. Compressors can run the gamut from small 12 volt electric compressors to moderate size gasoline compressors to large 10HP gas behemoths.

Truck and SUV owners represent a growing market for air horns. These vehicle owners are drawn to the flashy chrome appearance of these horns. Some hide the horns so as not to attract attention. These scaled down versions are typically bought new in a kit for easy installation. A consumer can choose a truck air horn, typically in a single or two horn model, or a train horn that usually contain three or four horns that produces that distinctive ominous chord blend.

The kit typically involves a 12 volt compressor running off the battery and a one to three gallon steel air tank running to a high flow solenoid valve. Separate tubes then run to each horn in the system. These kits can also be installed in a car or boat.

A collector usually mounts an air horn on a truck or truck bed for demonstration purposes and to test different configurations. If you are considering purchasing a train horn kit for your personal vehicle, check with your local ordinance. Train horns easily produce sound levels of 170DB. Remember, these horns systems do not take the place of your regular electronic horn so there is no need to draw attention in ordinary situations. The loud train horn blast is best left for a true emergency or for use at an isolated location.

1/6 Lorry Drivers Attacked – Haulage Safety Tips for Owner Operators

With jobs for owner operators often hard to come by, lorry drivers and haulage workers may increasingly find themselves working the less popular anti-social hours involving overnight trouble. Not only do the darker conditions make crime more likely, but exhaustion is more likely to set in, and it’s very easy to make the kind of slip up that will add you to the growing pile of haulage crime victims.

And these haulage safety lapses are reflected in the statistics. Across Europe and central Asia between 2000 and 2005, 1 in 6 lorry drivers were attacked. Of those, 30% had been the victim of repeat assaults.

The main targets of the attacks were predictably the vehicle and expensive loads they were carrying (60%), but in over a third of the cases, the driver’s personal belongings were the target of the criminals (40%). Owner operators and haulage workers should never let their guard down in truck stops, where 42% of the attacks took place – and predictably a massive 66% of all attacks occurred either in the very early morning, or late at night when poor visibility combine to create the perfect conditions for crime to thrive.

While those who have been the victims of haulage crime will find these statistics reveal no surprises, those who have managed to avoid trouble on the roads with their loads should not panic. There are various haulage safety precautions that can be undertaken to protect both you and your load.

Haulage Safety Tips To Reduce Crime:

- It sounds obvious, but equipping your haulage vehicle with a quality alarm system is the best deterrent when leaving your vehicle for any length of time. The initial outlay will be dwarfed by the damages to your reputation if your find that your load is stolen at the truck stop!
- Installing tracking devices can help the police recover your missing loads if you are the victim of crime.
- For overnight stops, make sure you only use official truck parking locations – it simply isn’t worth the risk in going unofficial.
- Try not to get into a habit on your journeys – varying your routes, favoured truck stops and times can make it difficult for a hit on your cargo to be scheduled!
- Parking up ahead of the "Just in Time" delivery window – although representing good time keeping – can make you a sitting duck for crime, as it means you have to wait around.
- Keep your haulage vehicle locked at all times, and make sure your keys are secure. Obviously "with the vehicle" never constitutes ‘secure’.
- Every time you return to your haulage vehicle, give it a once over and look for any suspicious markings (e.g: cut curtain sides) which implicate your vehicle as a target for crime. If you have any doubts, let the police know.
- Resting and refuelling your haulage vehicle should be undertaken at pre-authorised stops. If unavoidable, practice extra vigilance.
- Keep the contents of your truck to yourself – you really don’t want thieves and dangerous types knowing of the riches and valuables in your lorry!
- Never pick up hitch hikers
- When taking a break, park somewhere where your lorry will be visible from the rest stop or cafĂ© you’re heading to
- Ensure your load documentation tally matches your consignment
- Double and triple check the delivery addresses before you set off
- Take an inventory of your load as it enters and leaves your vehicle. Greater vigilance is required when another party is helping out.

Finally, make sure that – if you’re using a freight exchange – you can trust the people you’re doing business with. Our freight exchange allows for people to rate their business partners, so you can ensure that your future colleagues are above board and have a good reputation, before taking on new jobs for owner operators.

These haulage safety tips, alongside the usual care and vigilance you would take at night anywhere, should ensure that both you and your load don’t join the growing statistic of haulage crime victims next time you take on a freight or owner operator job.

Owner Operator and Logistics Protection – A Guide to HGV Safety

With any job, it’s remarkably easy to slip into a routine after you’ve been doing it for months, years and decades. The trouble is that most jobs aren’t as fraught with dangers as working with haulage groupage. And with logistics workers putting in such long hours, the danger of complacency becomes even more real. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimise the haulage safety risks every step of the way, from loading-up to delivery – if you make sure this becomes part of your job routine, you are far more likely to avoid joining the statistics as a logistics casualty.

So here are some lorry safety tips for every part of your journey – from loading up to unloading!

Truck Safety at the Depot

- Larger haulage companies should ensure that pedestrians are kept well away from the truck routes on site, to prevent any serious truck safety mishaps.

- Minimising your need for reversing is an important lorry safety tip. Having dedicated areas for reversing where pedestrians are kept away, and with reversing alarms, trained marshals or vehicle CCTV to prevent any casualties from the reduced visibility.

- Even on level surfaces, truck and parking brakes should be used to prevent unexpected movements. Spoken word handbrake warning devices can be installed if this looks like a likely cause of HGV safety slip ups.

Safety on Trucks

According to one source, there were 298 injuries and 1 fatality from falls in the road haulage industry, and roughly two thirds of these were from falling from the freight vehicles themselves. Although much of this is common sense, there are certain HGV safety steps you can take to minimise your risk of a serious fall from the lorry. - The first step to increasing lorry safety by reducing falls is incredibly obvious – avoid climbing onto your truck’s trailer if humanly possible! If you’re not at a height, it’s harder to take a dangerous tumble! If it is required, ensure there are steps and handholds!

- Ensuring your footwear is as slip resistant as possible will offer good support when having to climb to dangerous heights.

- A haulage worker on top of the vehicle’s trailer should never have their back to the edge if they are within a metre – it’s all too easy for something to happen and make you lose your footing. For similar reasons, walking backwards on top of a trailer is a seriously bad idea.

- Don’t leap from the top of your trailer or cab, even if it does look like a ‘safe drop’

- Hand holds on a truck are prone to wear and tear from load bearing – check them regularly to make sure they won’t give way at the worst possible time.

Slips and Trips

Slips and trips account for a fair percentage of haulage safety failures. In 2005/6, there were 442 major injuries, and 1507 workers were out of commission for more than 3 days as a result of slipping.

There are many steps that can be taken to reduce the chances of slipping:

- Wear gripped footwear, and take extra care around areas that are likely to be slippery – for example, diesel tanks where spilling is a common event.

- Take special caution when climbing down from the cab to the kerb, as balance is off and visibility is poor

- When loading and unloading objects, try your hardest to avoid carrying the heavier and larger ones over areas likely to be slippery, as this often obscures the carrier’s view and makes it difficult for them to catch their fall in the event of a trip.

Lifting and Moving Haulage Safety

279 major injuries and 3653 people required over 3 days off as a result of manual handling in the haulage industry. Here are some tips to ensure you don’t face the same kind of agony:

- If it’s possible to make loads easier to carry, then it’s worth the investment. If a smaller selection of haulage groupage can be carried with handles or hand-holds, then it’s worth investing in them, rather than risking your lorry safety.

- Mechanical aids can save time as well as you/your workers health! If its financially viable, consider vehicle mounted hydraulic hoists, pallet trucks, scissor lifts or customised trolleys.

- Roll cages are big contributors to manual handling injuries. Make sure they’re sensibly loaded, well secured in the vehicle and that the pavement you’re travelling across is even and free from potholes and bumps.

Although many of these HGV safety tips are common sense, it never hurts to restate them, especially as many workers have been dealing with haulage groupage so long that it has become routine. The watch words are care and common sense – keep those two at heart and you should easily be able to avoid injury.