Some things, we found, are universally loved, like when kids pump their arm to hear the air horn, hearing the voice of a loved one on the phone, or something good coming through the rig’s speakers.

We had so many incredible responses, it wasn’t easy to narrow them down; however, here are just a few of our favorites.

“Kids pumping their arms. A good Ma and Pa dinner. A wide-open parking lot at 11pm when you have 5 minutes left on your clock. A nice clean shower with consistent hot water. Coming home from weeks on the road to my 6-year-old screaming “Dads home!!!” and running to hug me.” – Nate L.

“Three things.
1) the smell in the air just before sunrise.
2) the smell in the air just after sunset.
3) little kids who give me the arm pump to honk my horn.” – Thomas G.

“When you’re stuck in traffic on an interstate and the old couple sitting in the car next to you are holding hands.” – Jim T.

“Definitely the arm pump from anyone young or older. Makes me smile every time. Good water pressure and clean showers, talking to loved ones.” – David N.

“Random conversations with total strangers, people who go out their way to help you when your [sic] in a jam or broke down etc.
Or backing into tight spots and drivers come out to help guide you!
Nice helpful shippers and receivers especially in a place you’ve never been before.
Taking time to stop at places and enjoy scenery even if just for a few minutes like Eagle Nest Creek in Texas if you blink you miss it but I’ve stopped a few times for a 30 just cause it looks so amazing!” – William R.

“Back roads going to Nogales, and taking my break somewhere so dark I can see the stars in the night sky. Clean rest areas that have pretty flowers and landscaping. Seeing people smile.” – Chastity P.

“Dog’s sticking their head out the window knowing the owner is probably cold or hot but wants the dog happy.” – LD S.

“When i take out my meal out of the freezer to put in my lunchbox cooker and my granddaughter draws hearts on the cover with her name..” Joseph D.

“Seeing people singing loudly in their car. (I do it too!)” – Linda B.

“Cool air, a clear sky, good music and a smooth road…….” – TC S.

If you want to see even more, check out the full thread here: (2) Truck Drivers U.S.A – Posts | Facebook

The post The Best Little Joys of the Road According to Our Community of Drivers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The fund recently celebrated the overall success of Rigs Without Cigs, the truck industry’s only campaign committed to helping truck drivers end the habit of smoking cigarettes, which poses a huge risk to an individual’s health. The program was created in support of the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout event, which occurs yearly to spread awareness on the risks of smoking.

Rigs Without Cigs first ran in September 2017 and has made an impact on the health of truck drivers. The campaign boosts a success rate of 40%. In total, 178 of the truck drivers who have participated have kicked the habit. Also of note, 124 drivers have reduced how much they smoke in half — or even more than half.

As more information has become accessible regarding the health risks of smoking, rates of cigarette usage have dropped over the last 40 years. However, with time to kill while truck drivers traverse ample distances, the addictive habit is still prominent within the professional truck driving community, SCF said.

The University of Utah led a study in 2019 which shed light on the reality that 68% of truck drivers smoked cigarettes on a daily basis. In an effort to reduce this percentage and help drivers prioritize their health, SCF committed themselves to the Rigs Without Cigs program.

It offers a variety of methods for quitting the habit, as they realize that not every method works for everyone. There are also professional tips and tools to help drivers in their journey to stop smoking. Best of all, the program is free to all Class A OTR drivers. This is owed to the fiscal, and sometimes products-based donations, from sponsors who want to help truck drivers adopt a healthier lifestyle.

The post Rigs Without Cigs sees another year of success appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Comparatively, sales of new trailers are seeing significant levels of success. The total number of trailers sold in October reaches nearly 47,000. This is an increase of 82% from September. Even more shocking, it is 168% higher than the sales of October 2021, according to ACT reports.

The data for November, for both used and new trailer sales, are not yet available.

There is, however, detailed data on the intricacies of the used Class 8 tractors and trailers sold in October. Compared month-over-month the average retail price of used Class 8 tractors increased by a full percentage point, while average miles decreased by a full percentage point. When the average age of the tractors was compared with September’s data, it had increased by 3%.

Comparing the data to October 2021 reveals even more information on the sales patterns this year. Used Class 8 sales were 14% higher, average miles were greater by 1% and average age was greater by 2%.

“Drama in the used truck market increased in October, as the average retail sales price moved counter to expectations, ticking up a scant 1% month-over-month,” said Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research.  “While a welcome change from the monotonous drumbeat of persistent decline, nothing fundamental that would recalibrate expectations has changed.”

Keeping track of new trucks and their assembly can shed information about the supply levels for used trucks and their parts, Tam said.

“As the OEMs have continued to make incremental progress on overcoming supply-chain constraints, marginal improvements in output have logically followed,” Tam said. “Looking ahead, other forces will step in and offset those improvements.”

Jennifer McNealy, the ACT’s director of commercial vehicle market research and publications, shifted the focus back to new trailers, “with more 2023 order boards opening, October net orders continued their upward trend,” she said.

McNealy explained what the data shows about OEMs willingness to accept orders.

“With the supply-chain constraints improving for trailer manufacturers, as well as their increasing nimbleness in meeting and mitigating those challenges, OEMs are more comfortable accepting orders, and this month’s preliminary data demonstrates that,” she said.

She also emphasized that, “demand remains strong. With backlog-to-build ratios above the seven-month mark, on average, fleets needing trailers are getting in queue and staying there.”

The post Used, new Class 8 tractors market shifts appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Larry and Angie Baum, from Illinois, have racked up an astonishing 3 million miles. To fit how much they love life on the road, they’ve not only brought along their furry family members but also have customized their truck to fit the life they love.

“Used to be, we’d be out for two or three months, go home for a week; out two or three months, go home for a week,” Larry said. “But now, we have the Volvo 180 super sleeper that has all the amenities — toilet, shower, stove, sink, a big refrigerator. So, we are selling our house and living on the road.”

With their commitment to living life in their rig, they have traveled across the United States and experienced moments they otherwise would not have been able to. That’s what Angie enjoys the most.

“I’ve done so many firsts with him since we’ve been driving,” she said. “To see all the landscapes and wake up every day to a new city is so cool. We just love it!”

Before the couple was able to achieve their dream life, they faced some uncertainties.

“I was on unemployment,” Larry said. “Went to one of those classes that they had on unemployment and they’re like, ‘What do you like to do?’ I said, ‘I like to do masonry, plumbing, carpentry, construction and I like to drive.’ They go, ‘You like to drive? Here, call this number.’”

So, he did just that. He was given an address to a Rite Aid distribution center who ran their cargo through Swift Transportation. Larry was new to the trucking industry and it was obvious, when asked how long he had his license he replied, “Since I was 16, like everybody else.”

“They go, ‘I mean, how long have you had your trucker’s license?’ I’m like, ‘You need a special license to be a trucker?’” he continued. “The guy just shook his head and said, ‘Here, call this number — and if you get your CDL, give me a call.’”

After this, Larry earned his CDL and began his career as a truck driver. Eventually, he and Angie found one another.

“I met Larry about eight and a half years ago,” she said. “I’d always told my friends, ‘There’s no way I’m ever going to date a trucker,’ given their lifestyle. And, of course, the one guy I fall for is a trucker. About a year later we were married.”

Angie never enjoyed the lifestyle of Larry being away for chunks of time and her being at home without him.

“We were sick of being apart because he would be gone for weeks at a time, and I’m like, ‘This is no fun!’” she said. “One day his boss was like, ‘You guys, your kids are all grown. Why doesn’t Angie get her CDL?’ Larry was my driving trainer and that’s how I got my license.”

Even though life on the road together was good, Angie knew it could be even better. Three and a half years ago, they adopted Gizmo, a Shih-Tzu Pomeranian.

“I just missed having a pet, because I always had a pet at home. I’m like, ‘Let’s get a puppy,’” she said. “Then we both fell in love with Gizmo. Gizmo’s the one we always say is our comedian. He’s so funny, and he just blended in so well with the truck.”

The couple enjoyed life with Gizmo so much that they adopted another from the same mother. They named him Bandit. And despite Gizmo being Angie’s idea from Day 1 the couple has agreed that Gizmo is Larry’s dog and Bandit is Angie’s.

After adjusting to life on the road with two pups, the couple decided to take their biggest step yet: adopting a Siberian Husky and fulfilling a lifelong dream for Larry. This decision coincided perfectly with them upgrading to a larger truck.

“When we knew we were getting this truck, just out of the blue I told Angie, ‘You know what? Since we’re getting a bigger truck, maybe I could get my dog,’” he said. “She started researching, and she started showing me pictures of Huskies. When Nova came across the screen, I’m like, ‘Oh my God! She’s perfect. I want her!’”

They immediately knew Nova was their dog. The couple says that their three dogs reduce the stress that can come with living on the road.

“It’s a stressful job being out on the road,” Larry said. “There’s a lot of stress out there. When I shut down and I climb into bed, the boys climb in with me, and we snuggle. They just totally calm me down.”

The post Loving life on the road: a husband-wife team and their pups appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“You have to put things in perspective,” Jones said.

From frustrating passenger vehicle traffic to a general lack of parking that is both safe and convenient for big rigs, Jones tries to look at it all from a different perspective than the one he gets behind the wheel.

“A lot of people are just not used to being around big rigs and don’t understand how we work,” he said. “Or they are intimidated by the size of the rigs. I don’t think anything they do is intentional. Things happen. The sound, the size — it can be intimidating.”

Bringing this sort of attitude to his job allows him to remain calm and enjoy all the beneficial and exciting aspects of a truck driving career. Jones has also had a sense of natural and ingrained curiosity, which led him into truck driving in the first place.

“I needed to kill some time one day, so I went into this trucking business to talk to them because I was curious,” he said. “They told me it was a good opportunity to see the country. So, I said I would take a chance, take a course and do that.”

Jones earned his CDL and decided a career in truck driving would be a good back-up option, however, he quickly fell in love with the profession,

“(Going into it), I didn’t know I liked trucks — but I did. I liked working outside,” Jones said. “I just made the decision to go and pursue it. I met a lot of interesting people along the way who taught me a lot. I had a really great trainer that I liked.”

Jones has been in the industry for about 20 years. In that time, he has witnessed several changes to the way things are operated. He faced all these changes, which he said were challenging, with a positive attitude.

Recently, the CEO of The Trucker Media Group Bobby Ralston, rode along with Jones as he drove through a route.

“It was a great experience,” Ralston said. “I was impressed with how hard he worked. He is in great shape. He moved a pallet jack faster than anyone (else) could, and they had to stand out of his way.”

Ralston immediately recognized how respected Jones is with his fellow truck driving professionals; Ralston said that at every truck stop Jones was recognized and greeted with joy.

Jones shared with Ralston his perspective on some of the larger issues facing the trucking industry. He said that gathering information on a route is any of the most helpful things a trucker can do to ensure a successful and safe route. Jones has met many friendly and helpful people along the way, affirming his belief that the concept of brotherhood is still strong in the trucking industry.

Once, Jones was stuck in an emergency. The weather has extremely cold, and he needed help.

“I was in 25-below weather, and my truck froze up,” he said. “Someone came up, and they got out of their truck and took the time to help me. They saved me.”

He said that the one way to succeed in life is to pay it all forward.

“I try to think that way,” he said. “We are a big group — a big family out here.”

Sometimes, Jones has the opportunity to train new NFI driers. His best advice for those getting into trucking?

“Attitude is everything. It makes you a better driver. It makes your job easier,” he said.

The post The brotherhood behind the trucking industry appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Mike Lempka, who drives for ABF Freight in Fort Smith, Arkansas, was recently given the designation for saving a man who experienced a medical emergency while driving, causing him to crash through a fence and hitting a flagpole. Lempka helped to remove the man from the car following the crash, as reported by Truckers News.

The collision happened in the morning of Jan. 25 in Lincoln, Nebraska, as Lempka and a co-worker were walking to their trucks to start their day. The two heard a loud noise and when they turned their attention to see what had caused it, witnessed a car crashing through a fence and into a flagpole. They immediately began to help.

“We ran over there and this guy is in his vehicle,” Lempka said. “He’s clearly having an episode – he’s shaking.”

Before Lempka could call emergency services, a police officer pulled onto the scene. The man in the car had been ahead of him in traffic, and the officer had witnessed the crash. The driver was unresponsive when the officer tried to talk to him. Deciding that they needed to remove him from his vehicle, Lempka helped the officer safely get the man out.

The officer began CPR while Lempka, a volunteer driver for the Adams Rescue Squad in his hometown and a holder of CPR certification, stood nearby to offer any aid.

“This guy was literally dead,” Lempka said. “He (the officer) would do chest compressions and this guy’s eyes would open up and look around, then he would stop chest compressions and then the guy would just fade away.”

Lempka’s immediate response to the crash, and his help in getting the man out of the vehicle, helped to save a life. The officer on the scene contacted Lempka after the accident to tell him that the driver had survived.

“This was his lucky day,” Lempka said. “It just felt like somebody needed help – it seemed like the right thing to do.”

The post New Highway Angel: Saving lives while on the job appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

And it started with Brian Lips, a Crete Carrier long-haul truck driver, who is also a classical music aficionado and has a passion for the violin, as reported by FleetOwner.

Lips first began playing the violin on his 52^nd birthday, proving that you can start pursuing your passions at any stage of life. He had always known that he a desire to master the violin so when his friend Kaitlyn gifted him a Cecilio violin, the learning started.

“It gives me peace,” said Lips in the Truckloads of Talent YouTube video. “It gives me [a] sense of doing something that a lot of other people don’t do.”

After being featured on the Truckloads of Talent channel, Lips gained a Twitter following. He connects with his audience daily by posting videos of him practicing his instrument. Some of the videos are shot right from the front seat of his truck. Lips plays while parked at truck stops along his route, rolling down the windows and drawing curious listeners in.

“In a little 6-foot by 6-foot box, you can imagine the reverb,” Lips said.

Sometimes the listeners are other truck drivers who share in Lips’ passion for classic music. All from Lips deciding to follow one of his passions, he can connect with people he otherwise may not have.

“There’s a lot more classical music people out there that drive trucks than you would think,” Lips said.

He has a dream of starting a quartet – where all the members are truck drivers.

The post Behind the wheel with violin-playing truck driver appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Tinker has been hitting the open roads since he was just five weeks old. When he’s not joining Jackie on the road, he loves having room to “zoom” around and playing with his cat friend, Andy.

As for bringing a four-legged friend along for the ride? “Have plenty of toys and the snacks in the truck,” Jackie advised. “And puppy pads!”

We see lots of happy trails – and happy tails – in their future. Safe travels, Jackie and Tinker!

The post Trucker Pet Spotlight: Tinker, the Itty Bitty Pitty appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

1. You Get to See the Country (or the World!)

One of the best things about being a truck driver is that you get to see places you never would have seen otherwise. If you’re driving cross-country, you’ll get to experience different landscapes and cultures as you go. And if you’re driving internationally, well, there’s even more to see! No matter where you’re driving, though, it’s always interesting to see how the world looks from behind the wheel of a truck.

2. You Meet New People

Another great thing about being a truck driver is that you meet lots of new people. Whether you’re chatting with customers or meeting other drivers at truck stops, there’s always somebody new to talk to. And who knows? Maybe you’ll even make some lifelong friends along the way.

3. You Get to Listen to Music (or Audiobooks, or Podcasts…)

Not everyone enjoys long stretches of time alone, but if you’re the kind of person who does, then being a truck driver is perfect for you! You can listen to whatever music you want, catch up on your favorite podcasts, or finally get around to listening to that audiobook you’ve been meaning to start. It’s all up to you!

4. You Can Bring Your Pet Along for the Ride

Truck driving can be a lonely job, so it’s nice to have some company on the road, as long as your carrier allows. If you have a pet who doesn’t mind traveling, why not bring them along? They’ll keep you company and help ward off any feelings of homesickness. Just be sure to take breaks often so your furry friend can stretch their legs and use the restroom.

5. You Get Paid to Drive!

Last but not least, one of the best things about being a truck driver is that you get paid to do something that many people consider a hobby: driving! If you love spending time on the open road, then being a truck driver is definitely the job for you. And even if driving isn’t your favorite thing in the world, it’s still pretty neat that you can get paid to do it!

Being a truck driver may not be everyone’s idea of fun, but there are actually quite a few things about it that make it an enjoyable career. From seeing new places to meeting interesting people, there are plenty of reasons why being a truck driver can be fun.

The post The Trucker Life: Why it’s America’s Most “Fun” Career appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

B2B’s mobility solutions senior marketing manager, Justin Cocchiola, sees the advantage of such technology. The data-collecting equipment, which can be built into the maintenance system, exist as sensors, or as tire inflation and temperature monitoring systems, allow trucking companies the ability to use collected data to “proactively address tire issues and increase technician productivity,” he said.

The technology, which can also be stand-alone tire monitoring systems that specialize in reducing cost per mile, collects the necessary data to make tire maintenance easier. It also helps to avoid disastrous repairs as it works ahead to track and stop big problems before they happen. Most of the management systems use data collected from several sources to ascertain a detailed log of the tires’ performance.

Dave Walters, Trimble Transportation’s senior solutions engineer, has worked with technology that “allows fleets to create tire configurations for each vehicle type,” he said. This is important when considering the differing number of axels and tires which is dependent on the truck type.

It’s commonplace for drivers to regularly notate air pressure and tread depth, giving the tire management system lifelong measurements for each tire’s tread, getting as specific as miles per 1/32 of wear. This attention to detail helps trucking companies “forecast future tire replacements and … validate tire specifications,” Walter said.

This provides companies with knowledge on which tires are best suited to their purposes, as well as information on tread, retreading, and serviceability. All of this information helps trucking companies in “(maximizing) their investments in tires.” And for a driver, it gives a sense of peace of mind.

Whip Around is a tire maintenance system that comes equipped with personalized inspection forms, able to collect data on inflation, damage, and tread depth. Lauren Yeoman, Whip Around’s product marketing manager, explained that the app can collect this information and then, if needed, quickly connect a driver to a repair shop.

Being in the trucking industry means being cognizant of tire maintenance. Incorporating advanced systems than can track tire health and provide solutions when repair is required increases both the safety and satisfaction of drivers, the most important cargo.

The post Taking care of your truck’s tires just got easier! appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.