As a trainee, you’re entering into a complex relationship where it is easy to step on toes. You might be worried that your trainer knows less than you do, or you may be hesitant to have someone “tell you what to do” or “boss you around,” but there are a few things that you can do to make the situation better for both you and your trainer.

First, you can realize that the trainer might actually have something to teach you. If you’re fresh out of driving school you might have all the by-the-book answers, but your trainer knows a lot more about actually driving a truck. In addition, your trainer will be able to give you advice about the company you’re working with,such as their rules and regulations.

Newbiedriver.com, a web site for new truck drivers, urges drivers in a trainee-trainer situation not to challenge trainers to “a war of who knows more.” Also, the web site advises new truckers not to forget what they learned in trucking school, as the trainer might suggest, but just add to it.

As a trainee, you might be feeling frightened or apprehensive about driving a truck for the first time outside of driving school, but letting those feelings come out as anger or frustration with your trainer is not the best way to deal with it. If you do that, it will just make your frustration even worse and your adjustment even harder.

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Like the recent release of the Beatles re-mastered tracks, there’s nothing better than an update on an old classic. That’s why Microsoft’s Streets & Trips needs no introduction, save to say that truckers have been using the program for years, and they love it. If you’re not convinced, check out Amazon.com’s reviews to get a better picture of how many truckers love this program. A majority gave it five out of five stars, and only 30 reviewers out of nearly 200 ranked it at under three stars. And for only $35 for the newest release of the program, truckers should be excited. Students who use Microsoft Office products for their schools often have to pay well over $100. But if cost and popularity won’t convince you, here are some stats that might.

This user-friendly product makes navigating your trip easier than other software, which requires truckers to take an extended amount of time to familiarize themselves with the product. Despite the fact that this product was described as “by far” the most user-friendly trucker software among comparable packages, at least one reviewer on Amazon argues that the program tends to only get negative reviews from people who do not know how to use it. So while it does require some experience to get everything right, this product can be used by truckers who don’t have degrees in computer design.

In addition to being user friendly, Microsoft Streets and Trips is accurate, and genuinely helps truckers do their jobs with less stress than they would without the software. Truckers can choose to automatically start their GPS when the program begins running, and the smart program also offers automatic rerouting should truckers encounter construction, traffic, or other hazards along the way. Of course, these options can be turned on and off in order to customize the software for the trucker’s own personal use.

This innovative GPS software gives truckers 3D maps of the streets that they are traveling, along with indications of points of interest, such as truck stops, large parking lots, and rest areas. If you’re driving with Microsoft Streets and Trips 2009, you can rest assured that you’re going to get where you are going faster, easier, and with a helpful navigator. And since you’re getting all of this from a name you can trust – Microsoft – you know that you’ll really be heading in the right direction. The popular, inexpensive, and accurate software is available from Amazon.com, where you can read more about its features and popularity among truckers. But if you’re looking to nab a copy of this re-mastered classic, you can do this at Amazon.com too, and with the integrity of Amazon, the worldwide retailer that has been offering Internet to home sales for years.

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What are some simple things that have made our lives infinitely easier?  People often used the phrase, “the best thing since sliced bread.” It’s true, how often has sliced bread made life easier for you on the road? You grab a couple of slices and some lunchmeat or PB&J and you’ve got a quick, easy snack.  Sliced bread makes us see that sometimes the simplest inventions are what makes our lives the easiest.

The same lesson can be learned from the Accutire Digital Tire Gauge.  It’s a simple stick that is about as long as an eyeglass case.  Costing under $30, it’s not the most expensive invention. Surely, it’s not as life changing to the over the road trucker as the GPS system or the laptop. But the Accutire Tire Gauge does make life a whole lot easier.

Using a traditional tire gauge can be the last straw in the life of a frustrated trucker who has had a long day.  Stopping to get fuel, you want to get in and out and back on the road as fast as possible, but you have to check the air in your tires.  You want to meet the standards set by environmental agencies, transportation groups, and your employer. You also want to make sure you’re not driving on flat tires, using more fuel than necessary and paying for that used fuel.

But using a traditional tire gauge makes you bend to try to see the numbers indicated, stooping uncomfortably while you try to keep the gauge on the tire. Because you already have to do so much stooping, bending, sitting, and lifting when you’re delivering a load from one place to another, stooping to check the tire pressure is just one more ache and pain you don’t need.  And if you’re trying to fill that tire, the frustration, stooping, bending, and attempting to read gets even worse.

Because the Accutire displays the tire pressure in bright, red, large numbers that are easy to see—no more stooping.  And since the Accutire is just that, accurate, you don’t have to worry about whether or not you got the tire pressure right.  Going from wheel to wheel checking tire pressure gets to be frustrating when you’re driving a semi-truck.  Even if you have an automated tire pressure gauge in your cab, having an Accutire is a smart decision, making checking tire pressure incredibly easy if you have malfunction.  And for under $30, this invention should go right in your box of on-the-road necessity.

 Accutire, or a similar model, is also sold at truck stops and automotive stores across the country.  Picking one up is simple, easy, and will save you a great deal of frustration in the long run.

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For some drivers, being alone in a cab can be a much-needed relief from social life. Being alone gives some drivers time to reflect and think that others working 9-5 jobs in cubicles rarely get. But just because drivers are alone in their cabs, this doesn’t mean that they are exempt from extending professional courtesies to their fellow drivers. Like most other jobs, these courtesies are things that can be learned from being on the job. Thankfully, one web site, Newbie Driver , has compassion for the new driver.

According to Newbie Driver, some of these courtesies are slowly dying out, but they are still good ways to show that you are a professional, kind driver. For instance, Newbie Driver states that truckers sometimes wave at each other on two lane roads, reminiscing back to before the CB radio, when truckers would communicate important information.

Many courtesies are designed with safety in mind. For instance, a trucker will flash his or her lights when another truck has passed him or her in order to tell the other trucker that it is OK to re-enter the lane. The passing truck might respond by flashing the taillights or saying “thanks” over the CB radio. Other safety courtesies include using turn signals and four-way flashers to communicate turning, changing lanes, merging, or slow movement.

Other courtesies are intended to relieve frustration and make sure that truckers can get good rest and then get quickly on their ways. These courtesies include keeping headlights off in truck stop parking lots at night, only using the horn in an emergency at a truck stop, and pulling into a parking spot at a truck stop instead of blocking the fuel line.

While many of these things seem like common courtesies, it would be easy for a trucker to break some of these commandments of the road if he or she did not know their importance. Because you probably wouldn’t want a trucker waking you up with a horn or a bright set of lights, it’s good to avoid those kinds of things when encountering other truckers. New truckers can discover more about this topic or unwritten rules of the road at Newbie Driver.

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KANSAS CITY, MO (June, 2009) Arrow Truck Sales, Inc., North America’s leading  pre-owned truck source, announces an unprecedented 4-year / 400,000 mile comprehensive engine warranty option on pre-owned units.  This program provides extended protection for the equipment purchaser who wants to take the worry out of buying used. With the addition of this new coverage plan, Arrow now offers the widest coverage of extended warranties for medium and heavy duty trucks in the industry.

Unlike other used truck warranties in the marketplace, Arrow’s warranty includes full coverage (not just major components) during the entire 4 year period. In fact, Arrow’s warranty option is longer than many manufacturers’ standard new truck engine warranty. This new extended warranty plan is available on 2005 and newer Volvo VNLs with less than 500,000 miles.

“Arrow Truck Sales continues to be a true innovator and cutting-edge leader in the used truck industry,” said Carl Heikel, Arrow’s President and CEO. “We have continually led the charge in providing extended warranty options to the used truck buyer. Buyer satisfaction, and exceeding our customers’ expectations, have truly been the key to Arrow’s success in the industry for nearly 60 years.”

“We have always led the industry in this area,” said Lee Wallace, Arrow’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We began including a free 30-day warranty on our trucks in 2003 and started offering a 3 year/300,000 mile warranty program in 2007. Today, we offer an extended warranty that’s unmatched by any of our competitors. Our goal is take the worry out of buying used equipment.”

Founded in 1950, Arrow is headquartered in Kansas City, MO and has 16 retail locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Today, Arrow is North America’s leading source of pre-owned heavy and medium-duty trucks. Arrow carries all makes and models, maintaining a diverse inventory of more than 2,000 over-the-road tractors, vocational and specialty vehicles, and trailers.

Arrow Truck Sales, Inc. is part of the Volvo Group of companies. The Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, aerospace components and services, and is one of the world’s leading producers of heavy-diesel engines (9-16 liter). The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs about 100,000 people, has production facilities in 19 countries and sells their products in more than 180 markets. Volvo Group sales for 2008 amounted to over 46 BUSD. The Volvo Group is a publicly-held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Nordic Exchange and are traded OTC in the US.

Don Mueller
Director of Marketing & Advertising
Arrow Truck Sales, Inc.
816.627.4919
dmueller@arrowtruck.com

See Arrow Truck  Sales  Inventory Here

Or Call 866-270-3939 For Immediate Service

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 What have you been doing to live a “greener” life? As scientists have continued to urge people to try to respect the environment in their day-to-day lives, many people have attempted to make chances. But making lifestyle changes of this caliber can be difficult. How could you get buy without paper towels, paper plates, and other paper products? What if your neighborhood does not have a recycling program?

 Most people wish they could make a positive impact on the environment without having to change much of their lifestyles. Truck drivers are among those that are often targeted for living less than green lifestyles, as truck emissions are among the greenhouse gasses linked with global warming.

 But now there is a way for truck drivers to make a positive difference on their environment without making much of a change. They don’t need to throw in the trucking towel or switch to the Sham-Wow from paper towels, all they have to do is make a new selection when choosing tires.

 This is because the EPA has provided a list of green tires that will reduce the harmful emissions and fuel savings. Among those truck tires are two Michelin brands—the Michelin X One XDN2 drive tire and the Michelin X One XTE trailer tire.

 For years, the Michelin tire brand has been one that truckers have been able to trust. Well known for service and quality, Michelin tires are some of the best that truckers can have on their trucks and trailers.  But now, truckers can make the choice to go with Michelin for both their trucks and their trailers, not only choosing a sturdy tire, but also making a positive choice for the environment.

 Of course, truckers who do not like Michelin brand tires can check out the EPA’s list for other green tires on  the SmartWay list, to find other products that they can purchase in order to not only save the environment, but also to save money on fuel. The EPA has been able to construct this list after tire manufacturers sent them information about the tires they create.

 Although buying new tires is a part of every trucker’s life, it now has the opportunity to change the trucker’s lifestyle to a “greener one” without a great deal of effort. Instead of having to stop using paper towels while driving their trucks, truckers can now get green just by buying some of the most durable tires around.

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Electric Fleece Blanket

While you might be trying to pretend that winter is just beginning, the burst of cold weather across the states is enough to convince many that winter is actually here, and this year, it’s going to be a cold one.

It’s hard to concentrate when you’re cold. It’s also hard to get a good sleep. In fact, being cold can put a damper on an otherwise good day or event—like the time you finally get tickets to a Superbowl game, only to be too cold to actually enjoy yourself.

Although most truck models are fitted with heaters that can make the cold vanish quite quickly, and a variety of additional heaters can be powered by the vehicle’s cigarette lighter, attempts to save energy while the truck is parked may not allow you to take full advantage of these resources. In addition, sometimes you just want a nice, warm bed to help you unwind after a hard day.

As the temperatures continue to drop, you’ll probably begin to look forward to crawling into your warm bunk even more than you do now. And with 12-volt electric heating blankets, that warm bed can be even sweeter.

The RoadPro 12-volt 58” by 42.5” fleece electronic blanket can make even the coldest nights warm. Made out of 100 percent polar fleece, this blanket is both warm and comfortable for any sleeper, and for under $40, the blanket makes a great gift—for yourself or for someone else.

An eight foot power cord, low amp draw, and easy storage make this blanket perfect for the trucker or traveler. The cord leaves enough room to easily reach your bunk, and the storage bag, included with the purchase, keeps your electric fleece blanket from getting dirty or wet as the trucker carries out his duties.

In addition to being the perfect way to keep warm at night, this electric fleeece blanket is also wonderful for truckers who bring their dogs along for the ride. If you have a dog that wants to crawl in bed with you, an electric fleece blanket may be the perfect way to keep you best friend warm while you get to sleep alone.

As winter gets heavier, you’ll be glad for the purchase of the RoadPro electric fleece blanket. Perfect for humans and dogs, this blanket is one way to a better night sleep. Also great for emergencies, you can rest assured that the weather won’t get to you with your purchase of this blanket.

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