Doggie Steps

Although they probably wouldn’t hesitate to do it, a long jump from a semi cab to the hard ground below isn’t great for a dog’s knees. Whether you have a large or a small pet, most owners would probably like to prevent the problems that come from dogs jumping these distances. Avoiding expensive surgeries and discomfort to your dog are two of the main reasons why many truckers who take their canines on the road would want to prevent them from jumping the long distance from cab to ground.

Until now, truckers facing this predicament have had only two solutions. First, they can carry their dog out of the cab. This option, however, presents problems for both the pet and his or her owner. Truckers can testify that it’s hard enough to get in and out of cabs without a squirming dog in your arms. And after hours on the road, the chances are great that that dog will be squirming, getting excited about finally being out in the fresh air. Also, some truckers have dogs that are simply too large to carry up and down from the big rig.

For these truckers, the sad second option was to leave your pet at home. With more and more companies allowing drivers to have a canine companion, this is a shame for both the driver and the pooch. Even though life on the road can be an exciting way to see the United States, and sometimes Canada and Mexico, many truckers like to have some connection to home. And that’s where Fido comes in. Having to leave your pet with friends or family members is not only disappointing to both you and your dog, but also presents a problem for the family or friends left in charge of the animal and his or her needs.

But for under $200, truckers now have another option, an easily removable ramp that allows dogs to walk up and down from the cab with ease, limiting the strain on their knees, and preventing you from getting involved. The PetStep ramp was, according to its manufacturers, created for the comfort of pets and their owners. The versatile design of this product allows you to use it for all of your needs. Because it comes with legs that can be installed, the ramp quickly converts to a table that can be used for grooming. Also fitted with wheels, that table can be turned into a rolling cart should you need to transport your pet short distances.

In addition to use on the road, this ramp can be easily used during recreation and home life. For homes with steep steps, high personal vehicles, or furniture, boats, and other areas that dogs may have trouble accessing, the easy to move, store, and set up PetStep ramp can be a beneficial asset. And because it can turn into a floating board, dogs can fearlessly be transported through water on boating and lake trips.

For the trucker who likes to bring his best friend along for the ride, the PetStep is a necessity for the health of the pet and the comfort of both pet and owner.

Truck Spotlights

 A career on the road means not only being away from your friends and family for hours and days at a time, but also living with the constant concern that you might break down. Although breaking down in your semi-truck can lead to a great deal of financial liability for yourself and the company that you drive for, it can also have harsher consequences, especially if you break down in a remote location.

 Driving along long stretches of desolate highway in either summer or winter can pose a threat to even the most careful driver. A blown out tire or stalled engine can leave truckers stranded on the side of the road with their broken down trucks. While most truckers would probably characterize this as a frustrating situation, not all would label it potentially harmful, as cell phones, CB radios, and even the Internet can serve as communication devices that can lead to a rescue in such circumstances. But no matter how many cell phone antennas or CB enhancers the trucker has purchased, some parts of the country are not convenient for cell phones. Hitting a dead zone in the middle of a long, rural highway can be not only frustrating but also potentially life threatening.

 But most seasoned, and some unseasoned, truckers are used to the dangers associated with the profession. That’s why they keep emergency kits consisting of reflectors, first-aid kits, flashlights, tools, and other necessities in their trucks. But for those who are prone to traveling long stretches of highway without a partner, an extra aid is always helpful.

 That’s where Fox Fury’s Sunbolt 6 comes in. The all-LED spotlight will break up the night for any trucker stranded along any long stretch of road, allowing the trucker to see for miles, while simultaneously warning other truckers and drivers of the operator’s position. This type of signal serves two purposes. First, it allows others to find the trucker and his or her trucks, chauffeuring the trucker to safety. Secondly, it warns other drivers that a disabled truck, that may or may not have lighting, has been pulled off the road, preventing an accident.

 With the ability to produce light for several miles, the spotlight provides instant lighting with over 11,000 lumens, requiring no time to warm up and no cool down time once doused as they emit little to no heat. Retailing for just under $7,500, the light is both weather and waterproof. It can even be used for under water rescue operations, as well as many other uses.

 For truckers who travel long stretching highways in various conditions, being prepared is more than necessary. Although first-aid kits and reflectors can be useful in an emergency, Fox Fury’s Sunbolt 6 is the perfect light for both rescuing and being rescued.

Oil Filter System

 Although a truck is composed of many parts that require regular maintenance, oil is the lifeblood of that machine, and making sure the truck is running on pure oil is important to its longevity and performance. While full-flow filter systems, located on the main line of oil circulation, is one way of keeping your oil pure and your engine running smoothly, the AMSOIL by-pass oil filtration system boosts the benefits already received by the full-flow system.

 According to AMSOIL, what makes the by-pass oil filtration system so innovative is its unique design, which is formulated to increase speed while similarly increasing the quantity and quality of oil filtered. Although the full-filtration system is needed to circulate the oil continuously, the by-pass system can filter six quarts of oil, all of the oil in some systems, in five minutes with an average engine speed of around 45 miles per hour. Designed to “remove contaminants without obstructing flow” this system is quick, quality, and easy to use.

 By using innovative technological design to improve upon the original oil filtration concept, AMSOIL provides a product that is unique and promising in every part of its construction. A blend of compressed virgin wood and cotton fibers, pressed into discs, is responsible for filtering the oil, materials different than most filters use. Furthermore, the all-steel, cotton-swathed center tube is designed for optimum oil flow, and a hydraulic follower plate and pressure system prevent channeling. Because of this unique design, AMSOIL maintains that dirt as small as one-tenth of a micron and larger will be trapped by the system.

 But just because AMSOIL has created an innovative product that revolutionizes the way oil is filtered and circulated in the average truck does not mean it has stopped innovating. On the contrary, several improvements to the by-pass oil filtration system have been recently put into place. Adopting the newest parts, technologies, and research, AMSOIL has adapted the filter to compete in today’s demanding world of long-haul transportation. According to the company, every part of the filtration system is new besides the filter element, from the mount to the hose. After extensive computer technology research, customer comments, and testing in both heavy duty and passenger vehicles, these changes have been adopted.

 The changes include such improvements as an anodized mount crafted from aluminum that is both stronger and quieter at the same time, repels corrosion and leaks, and is more durable than the previous mount. Attaching points have been reformed to carry and distribute greater weight, and the hose and hose fittings have been changed to offer better performance such as standing up against damage and reduce stress.

 From the original filtration system that paired quality and quantity with speed to the system’s new innovations that exceed performance standards in durability and damage protection, the AMSOIL by-pass filtration system is an excellent choice for any trucker who wants to keep his or her engine running as smoothly as possible.

Tornado Preparation

Just a short time ago, a tornado ravaged Myanmar. There are frequent tornadoes spotted throughout the Midwest. Though the company that you drive for probably has regulations about what to do in a tornado or high wind storm, as the weather changes from spring to summer to fall, being prepared to encounter severe weather, like a tornado, on the road is necessary for your safety. Fortunately, in the wake of the recent tornados, the media has made it an objective to educate the public, especially those on the road, about what to do in the event of weather related emergencies.

Although tornados can spring up at any time of day or night with little warning, tornado preparation while on your route is possible. One of the best ways to be prepared is to keep your weather radio on with charged or fresh batteries. In weather lingo, a tornado warning means a storm is expected to arise and a tornado warning means a storm has been spotted. If a tornado warning is announced, meteorologists will generally give the expected locations of the tornado and speed, so you can be best prepared. Speaking with truckers on your CB radio as they head the other direction is also a good way to gauge the weather you’re heading into, although weather is subject to fast and unpredictable change.

Though storm chasing shows can be interesting and fun to watch, the Federal Emergency Management Agency advises anyone driving during a tornado to get out of the vehicle as soon as possible, whether that means relocating to a safer outdoor area or pulling over at a truck stop, gas station, or other place of business. Though staying in your truck might seem safer than being outside, even large semi-trucks can be easily lifted by tornados. Also, because the storm can change direction very quickly, trying to out-drive a tornado is never a good policy, even if it seems possible.

If you are in an area where you can get indoors, head to basement, or if not possible, the lowest floor, or an interior hallway with no windows. In a truck stop, the showers are probably the safest places to seek shelter during a tornado.

If you are driving along a rural highway when a tornado strikes, and cannot find indoor shelter, authorities advise seeking low lying ground, like a ditch, and using your hands to protect your head and neck. Because flooding can occur with severe wind storms and tornados, being aware of your surroundings, whether inside or outside, is key.

With an average of 1,000 tornados per year, the United States has more tornados than any other country in the world, according to USA Today. Tornados have hit every state, though they are most frequent in Tornado Alley, the Western area of Kansas, Oklahoma, part of Texas, etc. Regardless of where you are driving, however, you should be aware that a tornado can strike at any time. Armed with a weather radio and these guidelines, you’ll be sure to keep a cool head and know what to do should disaster strike.