When transporting cargo in a semi trailer, you always hope for the best: wide-open roads, good weather, properly packaged items, etc. Unfortunately, that ideal scenario rarely happens. Typically, one or more factors increase the likelihood of cargo damage.
If you’re in the transportation industry, you’ve probably heard the term telematics. But even if that word doesn’t ring a bell, you’re probably familiar with the concept. In the context of trucking, it refers to the transmission of vehicle operational data that can...
When products have long journeys from origin to destination, it’s hard to imagine that the last mile of the trek is important. In fact, many people would consider that stretch unimportant. After all, the shipment is almost there. However, last-mile logistics play a critical role in the success of deliveries—both from the customer’s perspective and the point of view of the company shipping the products.
One lingering effect of the pandemic on businesses is ongoing labor shortages. There are many reasons for this, including the large number of working-age people who succumbed to COVID-19, the even larger number of individuals who have become ill and been temporarily unavailable, and many others who simply chose to leave the workforce.
It goes without saying that to succeed in business, you’ve got to maximize your revenues while minimizing your expenses. When it comes to the latter, an often-overlooked area is transportation. It’s common for companies to dismiss these costs as necessary and static and then turn their attention to other expenses.
There’s bad and good news about equipping your company with the appropriate semi trailers. The bad news is that if you fail to do so, you’ll hurt your business today and in the future. The good news is that getting high-quality equipment doesn’t have to be complicated or costly.
In today’s global economy, companies are obtaining materials from and sending products to points farther away than ever before. Consequently, most businesses have seen their freight costs increase significantly in recent years. If your company hasn’t experienced that rise, you’re lucky.
Hauling a semi trailer safely is no easy task. Countless variables come into play, including the weather, road conditions and the type of semi trailer you’re hauling (dry van trailer, flatbed trailer, refrigerated trailer, etc.).
Whatever type of over-the-road semi trailer you’re hauling—dry van trailer, flatbed trailer, refrigerated trailer, etc.—winter weather poses unique challenges, both for the trailer and the tractor pulling it. To ensure that you get to your various destinations safely, it’s vital that you take action to protect your rig from the elements.
Even for the most experienced drivers, hauling a semi trailer on snowy or icy roads poses some significant challenges. From increased stopping distances to poor visibility, winter weather greatly increases the risk of an accident. And, of course, winter storms can move in quickly and turn dry pavement into a treacherous “skating rink” in a matter of minutes.