Monthly Archives: May 2020

6 Reasons Why You Should Become a Team Truck Driver

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Some people love the idea of striking out on their own. Not only are they free to carve their own way, but they’re also free to make their own mistakes. But when it comes to succeeding in the trucking industry, too many solo drivers end up learning the hard way that it doesn’t pay to go it alone — literally. We’ll look at the reasons why becoming a team driver can make you more money and deliver a better experience when you’re on the road.

1. Team Truck Drivers Make More Money

Did you catch the bit about making more money in the first paragraph? Because we really can’t hammer this point home enough. If you’re in this business to make a living, you owe it to yourself to start building your wealth as quickly as you can. Team drivers make more money because they can keep their trucks going for roughly twice as long as a single driver would. Very often team driver pay scale is higher than solo drivers. Even though you’re splitting the profits, you’re also making your deliveries in half the time as a solo driver. It means you can work longer and more efficiently.

2. You Get a Real Break

While solo drivers are mandated to rest to ensure everyone’s safety, it’s not always easy to really relax and recoup when you know someone’s waiting for your freight. With team driving, you get to take a break without having to worry about your income or deadline. While one person rests, the other one picks up the driving.

3. Team Driving Gives You Someone to Talk to

While there will be time spent switching between resting/sleeping and driving, driving teams will have the chance to spend time with someone else. Some people team up with a friend or even a spouse, so they can reduce the possibility of personality friction when on the road. Trucking can be a great way to spend time with the people you love while making a comfortable living. So if you’re tired of missing home when you’re out and about, take home with you when you become a team driver.

4. Team Truck Drivers Keep the Supply Chain Going

The supply chain is a vital part of the US economy, and the cargo carried from place to place is an integral part of ensuring everyone gets what they need. When you drive in a team, everything moves faster. Companies and companies across the nation can rest easy that the freight will be delivered and the inventory will be restocked. From medication to produce, team drivers can help reduce shortages in the many towns and cities they service. A solo driver is limited to how many hours they can drive, which can easily put them behind the curve.

5. Team Driving Gives You a Built-In Strategist

When you’re with a team, it’s easier to identify and solve the problems before they balloon into catastrophes. From when to stop for gas to how to arrange the freight, there are a number of ways for truckers to become better at what they do. Even shaving off a few minutes per driver can quickly add up over the course of the year. For solo drivers, it may take longer to catch these issues, especially if they’re shouldering the pressures without any help.

6. Team Drivers Can See It All

Truckers have the opportunity to travel without the associated costs that normally keep people at home. Some team drivers will choose routes that take them through some of the most scenic areas in the US, a practice that has led many truckers to truly cherish their time on the job. As you’re exploring the best the nation has to offer, you’re also perfecting invaluable skills that will help you in your everyday life. From general problem-solving to serious crisis management, team drivers have a chance to better themselves together.

People Also Ask

What does it mean to be a team truck driver?

A team truck driver is part of a pair of drivers who operate a single truck together. They take turns driving and resting, allowing the truck to stay on the road for longer periods without needing to stop as frequently. This setup maximizes driving time and productivity.

What is the highest-paying truck driver job?

The highest-paying truck driver jobs are typically in specialized fields, such as hazardous materials (hazmat) driving, tanker hauling, or oversized load transport. Team drivers also tend to earn more than solo drivers due to the increased mileage and workload. Additionally, owner-operators who manage their own trucks and contracts can earn significantly more, depending on their business acumen and market conditions.

What is the difference between solo and team truck driving?

Solo truck driving involves one driver who manages all driving, resting, and responsibilities alone. They typically have more control over their schedule but must stop more frequently for rest. Team truck driving, on the other hand, involves two drivers sharing the workload, which allows for more continuous operation and quicker delivery times since one driver can rest while the other drives.

How do team truck drivers sleep?

Team truck drivers sleep in shifts while the other partner is driving. Most long-haul trucks have a sleeper cab, which includes a bed or bunk area behind the driver’s seat. This arrangement allows one driver to rest while the other drives, ensuring the truck remains in motion for longer periods.

How many miles can team drivers drive in a week?

Team drivers can cover between 5,000 to 6,000 miles in a week on average. This is significantly higher than solo drivers, who typically cover around 2,500 to 3,500 miles per week. The higher mileage is possible because the truck is moving almost constantly, with only short breaks for refueling, loading, and unloading.

How to Choose a Team Truck Driving Partner

Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been a solo driver for a while, consider the people in your personal network and whether they’d be good candidates to form a capable team with you. It could be a friend, a colleague, or even your wife or husband. You may be surprised at the amount of husband and wife team truck driving jobs available today. The key is to choose someone with whom you can share everything, from space to responsibilities. Each person needs to be willing to fulfill their side of the bargain to indeed form a lasting and successful partnership. From there, you can establish a team that gets more done, helps more people, and, ultimately, makes more money per year.

Looking for a team truck driving job? Apply Now or Search Truck Driving Positions

What is a team truck driver? Read our blog post: Team Trucking in 2020 and Beyond.

Dashcams For Truckers: What You Need to Know

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A truck dashcam is a tool utilizing technology for the betterment of the trucking industry. Dashcams for truckers work by recording every minute a truck is in operation and sometimes when parked, showcasing what’s going on both inside and outside the cab.

Benefits of Dashcams

There are many situations this type of recording is advantageous.

In Case of an Accident

If a truck driver happens to experience an accident while operating their vehicle, blame can be placed on a driver, even if they are not in fact at fault. In many cases, it comes down to one person’s word against another, and if there are no witnesses to say otherwise, an innocent driver can easily be blamed for an accident that wasn’t truly their fault. A dash can become an innocent driver’s best piece of evidence to prove their innocence. After all, video feed doesn’t lie. Since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) states there are more than 400,000 accidents involving commercial trucks yearly, dashcams should be considered a nearly vital piece of equipment for all professional drivers.

Allows Drivers to Check on Trucks, Even When Away

Another benefit of a dashcam is to show what has happened when a driver is away from their truck. Imagine a situation where a driver is inside a restaurant and comes back out to an unexpected ding in the bumper on their parked truck. The dashcam video will reveal what happened while the driver was away. This information can be extremely helpful to find the person at fault for damage to an expensive truck. Admittedly, not all dashcams have the ability to record when the truck isn’t in operation, but it is a possible option that can be extremely helpful.  

Aids in Training

Dashcams can also be utilized to train new drivers. Since a dashcam records what a driver sees, watching the recording afterward can give trainers the ability to correct improper technique in their drivers. In other words, the dashcam serves as a substitute ride along with the trainer. Although the corrections won’t be instantly implemented, the corrections can be made once the video is reviewed. In addition, the dashcam will not completely take the place of an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) but can work in conjunction with this required piece of equipment.

Identifies Careless Drivers

For fleet owners, dash cameras can be an invaluable way to ensure drivers are operating their trucks properly. The recording aspect allows owners to determine if their drivers are obeying their training and performing safely on roadways by reviewing video footage.  

Saves Money

Unfortunately, just having a dashcam won’t in and of itself reduce a truck’s insurance rates. However, since insurance rates are often impacted by motor vehicle reports, by proving an accused driver is not at fault for an accident, the video proof can save a driver a hike in insurance premiums.

Evaluating Dashcams for Truckers

Once a driver has made the decision to invest in a dashcam, they should consider the following elements:

  • Price: Dashcams can range in price from as little as $40 to as much as $500. The cost will depend greatly on the features of the particular dashcam.
  • Features: A few of the features that drivers should contemplate when choosing a dash cam include:
    • Automatic looping.
    • Microphones.
    • Location and time tracking.
    • Accelerometers.
    • Camera mounts.

The Best Dashcams For Truckers Available

The following are a few of the best dash cams drivers can purchase, along with their features:

Wheel/Witness HD PRO Dash Cam with GPS: $124.99

This camera, made by Ambarella, features a 170-degree super-wide lens. It records everything in front of the truck in crisp 2304x1296P, Super HD 2k resolution.

More features:

  • Continuous loop recording. The camera records automatically until the microSD card is full. Once the card is full, the oldest file is replaced with new ones.
  • GPS Enabled: Drivers can follow video alongside Google Maps on their screen, revealing where the driver was during the recording.
  • Three possible mounting locations, including two sticky mounts and one suction cup.
  • Night video equipped.
  • Easy-to-use interface, allowing drivers to begin using the product immediately.

ROAV by Anker Dash Cam C1: $72.99

This device features a Sony Sensor and a 1080p FHD wide-angle dashcam.

More features:

  • Motion-Activated: This device activates the camera the instant the truck is moved or bumped.
  • It comes with a quick start guide.
  • 12-month warranty.
  • Dual-port charger.
  • Drivers can access camera recordings via an app on their mobile devices.

Vantrue N2 Pro Dual Dash Cam: $199.99

The Vantrue features both inside and outside views. The front camera is a 310-degree camera. This device also features a motion sensor, a 24-hour parking mode, and infrared night vision capacity.

More features:

  • Loop recording: This camera overwrites the oldest footage with the newest.
  • Auto LCD off timer.
  • Audio recording with a built-in microphone.
  • Optional GPS.
  • An automatic sensor that detects a collision/shake that locks the footage in an event file, preventing video overwrite.
  • 18-month warranty.

OldShark Dash Cam: $49.99

This dashcam features a 170-degree wide-angle dashcam, with a 32GB recording card.

More features:

  • Parking mode, detecting collisions.
  • Night vision, with superior resolution.
  • Sony sensor that captures detail for a superior visual experience.
  • Easy to use, with windshield mount.
  • Loop recording, which overwrites old recordings continuously.
  • G-sensors that detect collision.
  • Camera powers on when the engine starts and turns off when the engine is turned off.

Dashcams for Truckers: Bottom Line

Dashcams are a worthwhile investment for any professional truck driver. The security and peace of mind they provide, make them an ideal addition to every truck driver’s cab. The above are a few of the best dash cams on the market as well as information on why drivers should consider them a necessary piece of equipment for operating a commercial truck. Dashcams might not be required equipment for commercial fleets, but their presence is extremely helpful.

Looking for a truck driving job? Apply Now or Search Driving Positions.