While you’re out on the road, you’re thinking of the miles left in your haul, when you’ll stop next, and when you’ll get home again. Being pulled over for a weigh station inspection can seem like a hassle. It’s not surprising that you might get annoyed at the delay or worried that your schedule will[…]
DOT roadside inspections can sometimes feel like a hassle, especially when you’re working under tight deadlines. It’s easy to get annoyed with the inspector or try to rush through everything. Remember that the inspector has a job to do, just like you do. With a few tips, you can ace your next DOT inspection and[…]
Driver turnover is high – really high. According to an American Trucking Association report from 2014, turnover is around 96 percent. Based on those numbers, nearly every driver you’ll hire will be gone within a year. Sounds depressing, doesn’t it? It doesn’t have to be. If you put a few practices into place – very[…]
Do you remember your first computer? It was probably big and boxy, weighed a ton, and made all sorts of strange noises. You might even remember when floppy disks were actually floppy. Our kids today can’t even fathom it. Technology, a once clunky thing, has changed by leaps and bounds in the last 20 years,[…]
Gorilla Safety provides customers looking for a turn key solution with its award winning, patented solution in an easy to install MAX package. GorillaMAX comes ready to install and fully functional, taking all of the guesswork out of the process. GorillaMAX brings all aspects of your fleet operations into one easy to use driver interface. This cockpit[…]
Not every fleet management platform offers an electronic logging device (ELD) system meant to handle the needs small, medium, and large companies. Some don’t take into account certain quirks of the different mandates you have to work within, like the one that says you can have an AOBRD until 2019 — unless you get[…]
A full fleet management system that includes a GPS vehicle tracking system is invaluable for running an efficient fleet. It provides information known as telematics, which only becomes available through the addition of technology to your trucks. Telematics gives you control over your fleet with more information than you’ve ever had before. That access[…]
Get yourself and your fleet ready, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) annual International Roadcheck will be June 6 through June 8 this year. The inspection blitz covers the entire North American continent, so drivers in Mexico, Canada, and the United States will be affected. Last year, during the 72-hour blitz, more than 9,000 trucks[…]
Not every truck in your fleet is a 54-foot behemoth hauling big shipments across the country. Some of them are lighter duty pickup trucks used for smaller hauls. You might have thought that those trucks couldn’t be integrated in a fleet management system like Gorilla Safety. Think again. Unlike other systems, we offer the OBDII[…]
Part of running your fleet means trusting your drivers to do their job. You know the majority of your people take the road seriously and do the best they can. But you see the numbers. Fuel usage is going up. Service on a truck is happening sooner than it should. There has been an increase[…]
Every fleet is a little different; no two are exactly alike. Owner operators with a truck or two don’t have the same needs that a nationwide fleet with hundreds of trucks and drivers has. Small fleets are in the middle, with needs and expectations greater than the single owner operator but without the budget of[…]
There is plenty of misinformation out there about ELDs. It’s important to get the facts so you can make an informed decision and stay in compliance with the law. ELDs Will Put the Little Guy Out of Business This myth comes from the fear of the cost, loss of driving hours, and more strict[…]
Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are quickly becoming a fact of life for the commercial driving world. The OOIDA case shows that the ELD Mandate is here to stay, and the December 2017 deadline is fast approaching. Instead of focusing on the fact that an ELD is a new mandate, it’s time to think about the[…]
If you’ve managed a fleet for any amount of time, you’re used to bringing on a new driver, taking time and money to get them going, only for them to leave after a few months or a year. It’s a never-ending cycle that has become the “norm” in the trucking industry. While most drivers[…]
If you’ve been waiting for a final ruling on whether the ELD Mandate governing the requirement for electronic logging devices (ELDs) would be upheld by the U.S legal system or not, your wait is over. On October 31, the United States Court of Appeals ruled against the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and unanimously agreed[…]
In August 2016, the Obama administration unveiled new emission standards for tractor-trailer trucks over the next 10 years – a 25 percent reduction in carbon emissions. Big trucks account for only five percent of traffic on U.S. roads but contribute 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. While it sounds like a lofty goal, the savings[…]
On August 26, 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a speed limiter mandate proposal by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). At the beginning of September, a 60-day window for public comments began to give the motor carrier industry the opportunity to supply feedback[…]
Because they’re regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), electronic logging devices (ELDs) must meet specific requirements, especially if owner-operators and fleets want to be in compliance by December 2017 and December 2019. Every ELD must be able to do specific things and the benefits of an ELD are compelling. However, when you[…]
You got into the commercial trucking for a lot of reasons, but the main one is to build a successful and profitable business. Maintaining a safe fleet is the first step in reducing your overhead costs and increasing your profits. With the help of a fleet management system, like Gorilla Safety, you can reach your[…]
When the FAST Act highway bill was passed, it included a provision for the extension of any exemptions from two years to five years from the date of the exemption. This gives the organizations and companies extra time for their specific circumstances. The FAST Act The FAST Act stands for Fixing America’s Surface Transport (FAST)[…]
In July, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a few changes and updates to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The “Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation” and “Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance” portions of the FMCSRs were the areas that received the most amendments. The FMCSA says no new regulations have[…]
Whether you’ve got three trucks in your fleet or three hundred, there’s never enough of two things: time or money. Between checking logbooks, scheduling maintenance, talking to unhappy customers, or dealing with violations, you’ve got a lot on your plate. Every fire you have to put out costs money. On top of that, you have[…]
The idea of a 20-something driving a tractor-trailer down a busy highway may sound unlikely but with a serious driver shortage, Millennials may be exactly what the trucking industry needs. Is the transportation industry doing enough to capture the attention the attention of the Millennial generation? The answer is that yes and no. Understanding the[…]
One of the biggest problems in commercial trucking is also one of the least reported. Cargo theft is a $15 to $30 billion problem, according to the FBI. The numbers appear to be only going up as thieves target consumable products that can’t easily be tracked – although to many thieves, any cargo is good[…]
Managing your fleet can be challenging. Between the drivers and their quirks, new safety regulations, maintenance needs, and all the paperwork, you probably feel like you’re drowning in things that never get done on time. There are several things you can do to become a more effective fleet manager, diminish your stress levels, and help[…]
With the recent announcement of $16 million in investor funding available for Convoy, a startup billing itself as the “Uber of the trucking industry,” it seems that technology is continuing to catch up to the trucking industry. Convoy, founded by former Amazon employees and backed by plenty of heavy hitters in the investment world, aims[…]
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FCMSA) and other organizations will conduct its annual inspection blitz between June 7 and June 9 this year. Last year, 75,000 inspections took place during the blitz. There’s no word yet on what point of emphasis the inspections will take[…]
Accidents happen. Whether it’s a driver injured while helping unload a trailer or a smaller vehicle running out in front of you driver, causing a major highway accident. Sometimes you get a call quickly to let you know what’s going on, and sometimes you don’t. When an accident occurs, time is of the essence. The[…]
When you think of your fleet, with all the trucks and all the drivers, do you ever feel like you’re spinning plates? Or is it more like herding cats? Between the paperwork, the regulations, and just knowing where your trucks are, there’s a lot to keep up with. Managing a fleet can be stressful, with[…]
If you are like most fleet operators, you know of at least a few drivers in your fleet who rush through their pre-trip inspection, and think the whole thing is unnecessary. They either have never been in an accident out on the road, or they think they can handle whatever happens out there. The pre-trip[…]
Not all accidents are created equal. While that may seem obvious, it may be more complicated than you think. While every accident can impact your bottom line, DOT recordable accidents can have a major impact on your business. Here’s why. What is a DOT Recordable Accident? Carriers are required to keep records of an accident[…]
As of December 16, 2017, Electronic Logging Devices become mandatory for commercial trucks as part of a law passed in 2012 by Congress and based on rules and requirements outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Before you look at this change as yet another government regulation causing you and your drivers problems,[…]
Are you looking for a way to cut costs, keep your vehicles running longer, and keep your drivers on the road more? One of the best ways to keep your fleet moving forward and help your business grow is through a fleet maintenance program. With an effective program, you’ll have safer vehicles and lower costs.[…]
If you’ve worked in the trucking industry – as a driver, owner, or fleet manager, for any length of time, you’ve heard plenty of acronyms thrown around. Are your HOS accurate for your RODS? Did you get your IFTA done? Now, do you know the difference between an AOBRD, EOBR, and ELD? And, most importantly,[…]
The Electronic Logging Device (ELD), a new requirement for commercial drivers, regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is about to become a reality for millions of drivers across the country. The move to newer technology and away from paper logs used since 1938 is hailed for its many benefits. Besides reducing paperwork[…]
If you’ve been driving commercial trucks or managing a fleet for any length of time, there are a few violations you’ve probably seen over and over again. Perhaps you have banging your head against the wall for years trying to figure out a good, permanent fix. We’ve got the preventions necessary for addressing the most[…]
In 2012, Congress passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) bill, which required the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) for commercial drivers and fleets with rules and regulations to be crafted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The goal was to bring the trucking industry into the new[…]
