Tips for Preventing Tire Blowouts

May 17th, 2019
Tips for Preventing Tire Blowouts
A tire blowing out is one of the worst things that can happen to any vehicle. But tire blowouts for long haul truckers are an entirely different animal.

A tire blowing out is one of the worst things that can happen to any vehicle. Any time this happens, it results in a few moments of panic followed by interminable waiting and frustration while the tow arrives and hopefully brings you a spare if you don’t have one. But tire blowouts for long haul truckers are an entirely different animal.

Inflate the Tires

First, don’t underestimate how important it is to keep the tires inflated to their correct levels. More than 20% of truck fleets have at least one truck that is below the amount of pressure it needs for its tires by 20 psi or more. While that doesn’t sound like a big deal, when it comes to avoiding tire blowouts, it really is. Underinflation is the culprit for 80% of tire blowouts. Checking the tire pressure every week is a smart move, especially if the truck has been going on multiple long trips lately.

Balance Them

Once the tires are inflated, they also need to be balanced. When the tires aren’t balanced correctly, they will wear out more quickly, which means you are spending more money than you need to on replacement tires. Even a mismatch of an inch can mean disaster. Worn out tires are more likely to fail, which is why the conditions of the tires need to be monitored as closely as the conditions under the hood that affect the engine and other ignition and emissions systems.

Keep Up with Maintenance

Finally, you need to keep up with maintenance on your truck. Every truck in your fleet needs to be well-maintained at all times. If you’re not making the most of gas mileage and tire integrity, then you could be losing business to your competitors without even knowing it. Get the tires aligned as often as possible to prevent wear and tear causing tire blowouts. Everything needs to be inspected and ensure that it is roadworthy – don’t dismiss anything as unimportant! The next tire blowout that happens could affect you, and you don’t want that to happen when you’re facing tight shipping deadlines!

Middleton & Meads is Your ONE STOP Shop for ALL of Your Vehicle’s NEEDS.

Need to repair your truck or bus? Contact Middleton & Meads today! Middleton & Meads provides quality truck and bus repair, service, and fleet management for the Baltimore, MD area. We have over 90 years of experience in the trucking industry and will provide you with customer service like you have never experienced before! If you are interested in seeing how we can help your business, give us a call at (410) 752-5588 or visit us online today! For more articles and trucking tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and LinkedIn.

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How to Avoid Distracted Driving

May 10th, 2019
How to Avoid Distracted Driving
Distracted driving presents a danger to everyone.

Distracted driving presents a danger to everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re behind the wheel of your rig or if someone else speeds through an intersection because there are not paying attention. When it comes to driving a truck, however, it is much more important to avoid the pitfalls of distracted driving.

Put Your Phone Away

Although smartphones are our lifeline in this day and age, they can also be dangerous. That’s because the leading cause of distracted driving isn’t driving to eat on the go or falling asleep because you’re tired. As prevalent as those problems are, the phone remains the number one cause of distracted driving. Avoid texting and don’t look at your phone unless you need it to help you guide yourself to your next destination. Keeping your phone off while you drive is the best policy.

Stay Organized

A cluttered cabin can be uncomfortable, especially if it makes your anxiety go up. Driving while anxious is not conducive to doing it safely and responsibly. So, that means you need to stay organized. Clear the trash out of your truck’s cabin every time you stop, whether it’s to rest or to refuel. Plan your route before you ever hit the road. That way, you won’t have to worry about checking and double checking your maps in case you get lost.

Take Time to Relax

Relaxing is also important. While you should strive to meet all of your shipment deadlines on time, driving in silence can help you do that. Sometimes,it’s best for you sanity if you take things at your own pace instead of rushing. Distracted driving, speeding, and road rage will all cause more problems than they will solve. AS long as you get to where you need to go and not be late, then you shouldn’t feel bad about doing it slower than other truck drivers that you know. After all, everyone has their own process. Listening to music, podcasts, or talk radio while you drive can help you fight boredom, but it can also be a source of distraction if you’re not careful.

Middleton & Meads is Your ONE STOP Shop for ALL of Your Vehicle’s NEEDS.

Need to repair your truck or bus? Contact Middleton & Meads today! Middleton & Meads provides quality truck and bus repair, service, and fleet management for the Baltimore, MD area. We have over 90 years of experience in the trucking industry and will provide you with customer service like you have never experienced before! If you are interested in seeing how we can help your business, give us a call at (410) 752-5588 or visit us online today! For more articles and trucking tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and LinkedIn.

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Important Trucking Safety Tips

May 3rd, 2019
Important Trucking Safety Tips
Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned trucker, it’s important to keep safety a top priority.

When you’re first starting out in your trucking career, you might not know what to expect. After all, driving a truck for a living is much more difficult than commuting to work in a normal passenger vehicle. You need to stay awake for long stretches of empty road and deal with traffic and also make sure your cargo doesn’t go missing. Here are some of the ways that you can stay safe while you’re out on the road.

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Tips for Preventing Cargo Theft During a Haul

April 19th, 2019
Tips for Preventing Cargo Theft During a Haul
As a trucker, you are responsible for whatever you are hauling from the time you pull away from the loading dock until you get to your final destination.

As a trucker, you are responsible for whatever you are hauling from the time you pull away from the loading dock until you get to your final destination. Unfortunately, there are people out there that take advantage of truckers who are resting or taking a break and try to steal their cargo. Fortunately, there are some steps that can be taken to prevent cargo theft. 

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How to Make Your Truck More Comfortable

April 12th, 2019

When you work a typical 9 to 5 job, you’re usually in your comfortable office surrounded by your chosen office decorations. Well, a trucking career is vastly different from your typical office job! Most trucking jobs will have you working far more than the 9 to 5 schedule. Your truck cab is going to become your “home away from home,” so how do you make it more comfortable? Here are some helpful tips for making your truck more comfortable.  

How to Make Your Truck More Comfortable
Your truck cab is going to become your “home away from home,” so how do you make it more comfortable?

Start with the Driver’s Seat

Since you’re going to spend the vast majority of your time in the driver’s seat of your truck, it is the most logical place to start. With some shopping around in local stores and online, you can find the perfect seat cushion or a cushion and cover combination that will suit your taste. There are hundreds of different types of seat cushions and covers available, so it shouldn’t be hard to find something that’s right for you.

For a Truck with a Sleeper Cab

Not all trucks have them, but those used for long hauls will often have sleeper cabs. A sleeper cab can save you lots of money on lodging, but they aren’t always super comfortable. Fortunately, there are some small adjustments you can make there too. Purchase some super nice bedding and pillows for the bed, and you can even get a mattress pad for extra comfort. If you sleep during the day and drive at night, you can get curtains that block out the sun so you can get the rest you need! 

What You Eat is Important Too

It can be difficult to keep your diet healthy and balanced when you spend a lot of time on the road. You can avoid hitting the fast food by preparing meals and snacks ahead of time and keeping them in your truck. Most truck stops have microwaves that you can use to heat your food. If you have food that needs to be kept cold, you can easily use ice packs and a cooler for those items if you don’t have access to a mini-fridge. 

Staying Entertained in Your Downtime

If you don’t already have a tablet or even just a laptop, you should consider investing in one. Many places have Wi-Fi hotspots so that you can access streaming sites for music, TV, and movies or keep in contact with loved ones. 

Middleton & Meads is Your ONE STOP Shop for ALL of Your Vehicle’s NEEDS.

Need to repair your truck or bus? Contact Middleton & Meads today! Middleton & Meads provides quality truck and bus repair, service, and fleet management for the Baltimore, MD area. We have over 90 years of experience in the trucking industry and will provide you with customer service like you have never experienced before! If you are interested in seeing how we can help your business, give us a call at (410) 752-5588 or visit us online today! For more articles and trucking tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and LinkedIn.

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Maintaining Your Truck Tires

April 5th, 2019
Maintaining Your Truck Tires
When you work as a trucker, maintaining your truck tires is one of the most critical tasks that you are responsible for.

How often do you think about the wheels on your truck? Most of the time, you probably don’t until they need air or need to be rotated. When you work as a trucker, maintaining your truck tires is one of the most critical tasks that you are responsible for. Here’s a closer look at how to do this.

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Self-Driving Trucks and the Future of the Trucking Industry

March 29th, 2019
Self-Driving Trucks and the Future of the Trucking Industry
Self-driving cars are being tested now, and could soon be on the roads for actual use. And it didn’t take long to see the ways this technology could be applied to the trucking industry.

Once upon a time we lumped self-driving cars in with flying cars as futuristic stuff we’d probably never see, but the future is much closer to now than we ever thought. Self-driving cars are being tested now, and could soon be on the roads for actual use. And it didn’t take long to see the ways this technology could be applied to the trucking industry. Self-driving trucks are also in testing, though they likely won’t go into standard use as soon as self-driving cars will. However, for an industry that suffers from staffing shortages, the prospect of self-driving trucks is both a good thing and a scary thing.

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Reducing Fatigue on the Road

March 22nd, 2019
Reducing Fatigue While On the Road
Fatigue on the road can be deadly. Here are some tips to help you reduce fatigue.

Driving for a long time can cause you to get tired. Unfortunately, driving while fatigued is not a sign of toughness. When you’re tired, you’re more likely to make careless mistakes that can endanger you and other motorists. Here are some pointers for how to reduce fatigue while you’re out on the road.

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Purchasing a Truck: To Buy Brand New or Used?

March 15th, 2019
Purchasing a Truck: To Buy Brand New or Used?
When you start shopping, the first big question you’ll need to figure out is if you will be purchasing a new or used truck.

Buying a new truck is a significant investment. As a trucker, your truck is your livelihood. When you start shopping, the first big question you’ll need to figure out is if you will be purchasing a new or used truck. Both of these options have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to do as much research as you can before making your decision. 

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Tips for Driving a Truck through a City Safely

March 8th, 2019
Tips for Driving a Truck through a City Safely
Large cities are everywhere all over the country, and whether you’re going coast to coast or going from one end of your state to the other, you’re bound to pass through a city at some point.

Do you know where you’re going next? Most of the time, your next destination is going to be inside a city. Large cities are everywhere all over the country, and whether you’re going coast to coast or going from one end of your state to the other, you’re bound to pass through a city at some point. Here are some tips for how to get to your destination on time, and more importantly, safely.

Make Your Plans

Having a plan makes anything easier. It doesn’t matter if you’re going on a fun road trip or driving for work. Making a plan before you go anywhere will cut down on the frustration caused by traffic, changing weather conditions, and unexpected road closures. Know your route before you leave, even if you’ve traveled it hundreds of times before now. Using a GPS can help you find shortcuts and avoid traffic jams.

Knowing what the weather will be like ahead of time also makes a huge difference. Winter may be turning into spring, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility of more snow, or even fog and rain on any given morning. Keep an emergency kit for if you break down, and make sure you have a warm coat and boots to deal with all kinds of weather.

Slow and Steady

Different cities have different traffic regulations. No matter where you end up, follow the speed limit. Instead of rushing and speeding up to beat a traffic light or shave a few minutes off your commute, breathe deep and exhale. Calm down and relax. You’ll get there eventually even if you have to slow down. After all, you don’t want to cause an accident or get into one because you weren’t paying attention to changing road conditions. If you’re concerned that slowing down to deal with city traffic will make you late for a delivery, simply leave earlier. It’s better to arrive a few minutes earlier than to be late. Be responsible and considerate, and you’ll get out of the city and back onto the highway to your next stop in no time!

Middleton & Meads is Your ONE STOP Shop for ALL of Your Vehicle’s NEEDS.

Need to repair your truck or bus? Contact Middleton & Meads today! Middleton & Meads provides quality truck and bus repair, service, and fleet management for the Baltimore, MD area. We have over 90 years of experience in the trucking industry and will provide you with customer service like you have never experienced before! If you are interested in seeing how we can help your business, give us a call at (410) 752-5588 or visit us online today! For more articles and trucking tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and LinkedIn.

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