10 tips that all newbie truckers must check out
10 tips that all newbie truckers must check out

Trucks serve as lifelines for the transportation and logistics sectors, transporting heavy-duty goods across long distances and allowing industries to broaden their horizons. Today, it is impossible for several small and large-scale businesses to sustain without trucking. According to a report by Statista, as of 2020, the trucking industry is worth 732.3 billion dollars nationwide. Here are some quick tips for newbies in the truck-driving space to become more proficient in driving a truck.

Don’t skip the pre-trip inspection
Trucks are heavy vehicles prone to fatal accidents, with approximately 30,000 truck accidents taking place in the country each year. Pre-trip inspections are essential to ensure one’s safety on the road. Some aspects to check during a pre-trip inspection are brakes, seatbelts, the steering wheel, reflectors and lights, the emergency kit, and wheels and tires. Creating a pre-trip inspection checklist can help truckers ensure that they check all safety parameters before commencing their journeys.

Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles
Truck drivers require sufficient space around their vehicles to be able to keep an eye out for blind spots and avoid collisions. In general, there are four blind spots a trucker must consider while navigating the vehicle – the first one situated directly behind the vehicle, the second and third on either of its sides, and the fourth one in front of the truck. Moreover, being heavy vehicles, trucks require more time to come to a complete halt as compared to other lighter vehicles. Consequently, maintaining a distance allows drivers to halt in time in case of emergency situations.

Check the mirrors frequently
The front and rear-view mirrors of a truck help drivers spot vehicles following them and maintain a safe distance from them to avoid accidents. It is important for truckers to frequently shift their gaze from one mirror to the other to look for vehicles approaching from all directions. Practicing this essential skill in a still vehicle for starters can help truckers get accustomed to checking the vehicle mirrors frequently.

Check the truck again after parking
A common mistake most truckers make is to directly walk away from the truck after parking it. Often, one may forget to turn off blinkers or headlights after parking the vehicle. Thus, it is important to check one’s vehicle after alighting it and before heading to the destination.

Be aware of the trailer at all times
An effective truck driving tip for beginners to gauge their safety on the road is to check their trailer’s position frequently. If the trailer deviates from the line or treads outside the road, it is a sign that the truck is not being driven safely. Truck drivers must be constantly aware of their trailers to ensure vehicle safety.

Get enough sleep before the journey
A truck driver’s job is tedious and demanding, requiring one to undertake journeys late into the night and be on the road for long hours at a stretch. In a study conducted to gauge truck driver fatigue, approximately 18% of truck drivers reported having fallen asleep behind the wheel. Such sleep deprivation can prove fatal, causing serious injuries and even deaths. It is crucial for truck drivers to take adequate rest and ensure quality sleep for 7-8 hours during their off-shift time to avoid accidents and stay alert while driving.

Understand the safety policies
A company’s occupational health and safety (OHS) department is concerned with preventing injuries and accidents at work and providing the necessary safety training to employees. This department also lays down and enforces safety policies and protocols that employees must follow for their well-being. New truckers must go through and understand such safety protocols thoroughly and seek clarifications, if any, promptly with the concerned authorities.

Be careful before and while reversing
Reversing can be a dicey job, especially for newbie drivers of heavy vehicles like trucks. It is best to avoid it over long distances and always keep an eye out for blind spots while reversing. Moreover, drivers must check for any obstructions in parking areas before reversing their trucks in these spaces. While reversing on the road, it is important to look out for vehicles and pedestrians coming in the way.

Avoid overspeeding
Overspeeding is not only detrimental to one’s life but can also result in excessive fuel consumption. As per 2020 reports by the U.S. Department of Transportation, speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of vehicle fatalities. Truck drivers often ignore speed limits in an attempt to complete their journeys quickly; however, it is important to know and adhere to the speed limits in different areas to ensure safety on the road.

Take regular breaks while driving
An essential pro-tip for truck drivers is to care for their physical health, especially while driving across long distances. Truck driving involves being sedentary for long hours, which can increase one’s risk of developing lifestyle diseases like high cholesterol and heart problems. It is essential to take regular breaks during long journeys and alight the vehicle to stretch one’s muscles. One may also perform some basic exercises during these breaks to stay fit and avoid lethargy. To ensure that one does not postpone break time while driving, it is a good idea to plan it before the journey begins.

  • Junkyard parts that can make you good money

    Whoever said that you cannot make money from a bunch of scraps has never come across a junkyard parts sale. Vehicles today are stripped to the chassis in order to remove any parts that can be resold to be used by someone else who cannot afford to buy original parts from vendors. Part in the junkyard can be purchased for a fraction of their prices in their original condition, even if they are sold online.

    Junkyard is heaven for custom car designers and builders since cheap spare parts can be reused and help drive up their profit by a significant margin. Used auto parts dealers make their profit from parts which are refurbished and tested good to go back out on the road.

    Here is a list of most common auto parts and components which can be recycled and reused, or can be found at your local junkyard:

    Motor oil: The engine oil which helps lubricate vital parts can be cleaned and reused. Engine oil doesn’t not wear or lose its viscosity, it just gets dirty. Even though this is not the junkyard part which will help you cash in or make a good profit, it still is a good deal instead of letting the oil go to waste.

    GPS: This might sound a little odd, but your car GPS system can fetch you some decent money in case you are a selling your car. Selling the unit separately to a junkyard parts dealer will fetch you good money as opposed to selling it as part of the car. Though nowadays this inbuilt device has lost its value owing to people relying on their smartphones for navigation.

    Fenders: Car fenders can be cleaned, polished, reshaped and restored to its original condition ad is a preferred part amongst custom car shop owners. Buying original fenders will cut into their profit, so sourcing fenders in the junkyard will help keep their margin and can get you some decent bucks. Classic car model parts will be more in demands as opposed to mass production vehicles.

    Wheels, tires and rims: Again, these are parts which can be refurbished and can make you good money. Tires, matching rims set and component as part of their original kit will be ten times more expensive. This way you make money by selling scrap and adding it to their junkyard parts collection.

    Other popular junkyard parts that can fetch you a couple of hundred dollars here and there include tailgates from pickup trucks, air bags, battery, bumpers, doors and more.

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  • 5 factors to be taken care of before hiring plumbing services

    Plumbing issues are extremely common, for both old and new homes. Some problems are rectified by the house owners themselves like a leaky faucet or a blocked drain. There comes a need to hire a proper plumbing services agent when there is a complex problem like changing a pipe, installing new faucets or sink. These issues need the attention of a skilled plumber to get the job done because if you fail to do so, the problem can result in costly and dodgy repairs in the future.

    Keep in mind these few tips and considerations before hiring a plumber or any plumbing service company.

    • License: Make sure that the plumbing services agent that you are going to hire holds a certified license. Verify if there have been any complaints against the plumbing services you are considering.
    • Experience: Check for the experience, look around for relevant consumer reviews. The longer the person/company is in plumbing services, higher should be their experience. However, only positive customer feedback can support such ideas.
    • Cost of work: The professional from any plumbing services company checks the issue and gives you an estimate of the cost. Look for hidden costs such as the material and labor or additional work. Also, ask about the after-work cleanup charges, which should ideally be part of the package. To get the right costs and to match it with your budget, look past verbal assurances and get calculation in the paper.
    • Insurance: Ensure that the plumbing services you are considering offers life insurance to their workers. If a plumber, while working on your premises, injures himself, without coverage, it becomes your responsibility to fund any health care services. Life coverage is a priority, and as a customer, you must be aware of it.
    • Guarantee/Warranty: Make sure to check for guarantees and warranties that the plumbing services are offering. Ask for a written agreement and never settle for a verbal one. Ensure that your agent provides security and reliability on repairs.

    The above points will surely help you pick a skilled and reliable plumber or plumbing services for your home.

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  • 4 laptops for those always on-the-go

    If you’re always on the move and need a device that can tag along with you without slowing you down, we have a couple of laptop computers that will solve this problem. These have an amazing combination of compact design and powerful performance.

    • Samsung Ativ Book 9: At just 0.46-inch thickness, the Ativ Book 9 is the most portable of this lot. This 12.2-inch notebook has a super sharp display that supports 2560 x 1600 pixels resolutions. The performance is decent; this laptop computer will surely get the job done before you reach your destination.
    • HP Spectre: The 0.41-inch thick HP Spectre was just released. It is the thinnest full-power laptop available. What’s impressive is that it houses a powerful Core i5 or i7 processor in its thin body. The notebook is a real beauty too, and you won’t shy away from pulling it out in public. The only drawback we can scrape up is that this laptop computer doesn’t have a touchscreen display and is a little loud.
    • Microsoft Surface 3: It’s a tablet; it’s a laptop, it’s the Microsoft Surface 3. This tablet-laptop hybrid runs the full version of Windows. While the must-have keyboard cover is not included, the Surface 3 still costs lesser than the Pro. It skimps on the materials and design of its more expensive sibling. But, the performance remains uncompromised, scoring it brownie points in the portable category.
    • HP Elite x2: If you’re looking for something like the Microsoft Surface laptop computer as above, the HP Elite x2 is for you. With a durable and portable design, a hybrid form factor, and a solid keyboard, we can say that this baby won’t disappoint. It goes toe-to-toe with the Microsoft’s Surface Pro’s keyboard with respect to comfort. A sleek, sturdy design with a fingerprint reader, docking options, and replaceable components make the HP Elite x2 ideal for both work and play.

    If you’re looking to buy laptops online, these suggestions should set you on the right track. They are portable, powerful, and great for people who travel a lot for business and pleasure.

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  • Popular Models of Adjustable Beds to Choose From

    Adjustable beds have now become common. The added comfort and functionality are the main reasons why people go for it. Adjustable beds are no longer only meant for patients in the hospital. Adjustable beds are easy to find and extremely convenient.

    Adjustable beds give you the convenience to sleep, read, and even watch a movie on your bed. What better way to use it than with a foam mattress. This will ensure you have a sound sleep.
    Luxury adjustable beds are nothing like the ones you’ve been seeing in the hospitals. These are made to ensure that you get your quality rest when you need. The beds are foldable in many angles. They can be adjusted to a sitting position for you to work or even watch a movie.

    Finding a good adjustable bed can be a bit of a challenge. Here are few of the best adjustable beds that are popular in the market. These top-rated beds have several features that would maximize your benefits.

    Leggett and Platt Prodigy

    This is one of the best adjustable beds you can find on the market. Made of high quality and exciting features, this company knows exactly what you need. They have a total of 4 programming positions. The head, foot, and pillow on this adjustable bed can tilt.
    There are features that include massage, wall hugging, USB ports and even preset positions. The massages can go up to a speed of 3. Is there anything more you need from your adjustable bed?

    Reverie 8Q

    If you want to focus on an adjustable bed that has great massages, then this is the one to go for. It has features like tilting the foot, head, and pillow too. The speed of the massages goes up to 10, making it an all favorite. There are also several preset positions and a USB port for your convenience.

    Serta Motion Custom II

    This is the next model that you should look out for. If you want a simple adjustable bed accompanied by a few more features you can go for this. It has a head, foot, and pillow tilting and a massage of about 3-speed.

    S-Cape

    This is a simpler model that comes with only a head and a foot tilt. It comes with 2 programmable positions. There is also a massage feature of 3 speeds. You can use up to 8 USB ports on this adjustable bed.

    Classic Brands

    This is one of the bestselling ones amongst the simpler models. It has all the basic features that you will need and comes at more affordable prices too. It has a head and foot tilt along with massage of 3-speed and 2 USB ports. If you are looking to try adjustable beds for the first time you can purchase this with no second thoughts.

    Raven

    This is one of the first models made in adjustable beds. They have the basic features you will need for your adjustable bed. These include the head and foot tilt feature alone. If you are looking for the bare minimum, you can always go for this.

    Lucid L300

    Lucid L300 is another of the popular ones. Apart from the head and foot tilt, they have one programmable and one pre-set position. There are 2 USB ports available in this model.

    Sealy Ease

    This is the most basic model that you can find on the market. The Sealy Ease has just one preset position and only has head and foot tilting. It just fits the bill with an adjustable bed. If you are looking to make a small investment, this model will suffice.

    There are several models with and without features. Once you decide on the features you would like to have in your adjustable bed, you can easily find the right one.
    An adjustable bed is a long-term investment. Based on your requirements, you can go for an entry-level model like Raven or invest in Reverie 8Q. With the market filled with numerous options, you can get any model you like without any hassles.

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  • How to get Oriental Trading coupon promocodes

    The Oriental Trading company is a great place to buy party supplies, toys, crafts, and much more. Getting an Oriental Trading coupon can help you save a huge amount and is totally worth a try when you want to buy items in bulk. Usually, we see a coupon as a discount-getter that helps slash the price below retail price. But the best thing about Oriental Trading is that their coupons offer more than deals on pricing. Moreover, the Internet has made it easier for us to find an Oriental Trading Coupon easily online.

    Gone are the days when you could buy a product without having to pay much due to discount deals or actually get a discount when you walk into a store in your locality or add a product in your online retail store’s carts. The online availability of Oriental Trading coupon has actually made it easier for people to easily buy products through great discounts for every purchase.

    Unlike a lot of coupons, Oriental Trading coupons actually get a great discount in terms of actual money saving in huge dollars. Most of the coupons for Oriental Trading carry a discount of a minimum 20% and when calculated in terms of dollars this does make a big difference from the retail amount. The Oriental Trading coupon codes are sometimes coded according to geographical location and the real discount you get for your locality could be higher at times. To get the best deal on your Oriental Trading products purchase ensure that you pick the right coupon that is applicable for your area so that you get the full discount without any catches or deductions, etc. Given that there are a lot of varieties of Oriental Trading coupons the discount rates and the type of deal as well may vary.

    All you have to do to get your hands on an Oriental Trading coupon is that you have to open up your browser and search for Oriental Trading coupons codes with your locality’s name. More importantly, make sure you get an active coupon code rather than ones that had been released quite a while back because those coupons could have easily expired. Also, make sure you get the free coupon codes and not buy them by paying any amount of money on any website because sometimes they can be spam as well.

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  • Popular field service dispatch software you need to know

    If you run a business that requires you to send people out in the fields for their services, then the chances are that it will be difficult to coordinate. You can maintain a planner with each employee. However, if you had management software for the same thing, it would be comfortable to manage. Opting for field service dispatch software would be expensive if you run a small business.  But did you know that you could get some of the excellent software for free?

    The fleet GPS tracking solutions enable you to GPS monitor to know the exact place where your vehicle or employee has reached. With this, you get leverage of keeping problems at bay and accommodate emergency situations in nearby areas, as your employee gets free. The overall productivity also increases a lot with the use of this software. The mentioned tracking solution may or may not be included in the free software mentioned below but will still give you a lot of other features:

    Fergus
    It offers all the essential elements of the field service dispatch software and is free for one user for an indefinite period. So if you have a startup that requires management software and everything needs to run by you, then you can use this software for offering better management services.

    Loc8
    Some of the services offered given by software are a mapping of the employee, calendar maintenance, quoting and invoicing, job management and live chat for any issues that you might face in the software. It is free and can be used by many people without having to pay anything extra, and that is what makes it one of the best field service dispatch software in the industry.

    ReachOut Suite
    You can quickly make invoice and estimates, dispatch at the required time, drag and drop scheduling for any last minute changes that you want to accommodate in your planner, work order management, and location tracking. Three people can use the software simultaneously, and if you’re going to give more access to more people, then it is suggested that you should invest in another paid software.

    ServiceM8
    You can use this software for up to 20 jobs in a month. It can track time and opening in anyone’s planner at the last minute.

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  • How are animated Christian figurines the best gifts for kids

    Although Christmas is a time for joy for everyone, honestly, kids enjoy Christmas more than anyone else. For children, Christmas is a magical time, something right out of the fairytale books or something right out of a movie. It is about angels and elves, candies and toys, mistletoes, stuffed stockings, Santa Claus, and reindeer. Kids will be excited about all kinds of decorations, but what they won’t tell you is that they are secretly looking forward to the animated Christmas displays you bought for this Christmas.

    A child loves nothing better than something that glows. For them it is quite magical to see, something which is a stick, lights, and light metal to become into an animated figurine the moment they are plugged in.

    How are animated Christian figurines best gifts for kids?
    All kids love something which shines and catches the eye. And there is nothing better than animated Christmas displays to get to your child’s heart. Here are few reasons why kids love animated Christmas figurines for display:
    Vibrant: All kinds figurines made for children always have one thing in common, they are bright and colorful. A child loves nothing more than a bright colored toy.

    Collectables: Many times, many brands dedicated to children’s toys bring out an exciting collectible series. You can get one of the collectibles or the entire series for your kid to make them happy. A huge collection of toys from different brands makes for a good show.

    Encourages them: Figurines dedicated especially for Christmas gets them in the mood to for Christmas. They might surprise you by setting up an entire show for Christmas by using the toys they have at hand. Many children also use Christmas specific figurines to re-create nativity play. So, finding the right figurines for your kid might encourage them to pay more attention to Christmas.

    Keeps them busy: There is no parent in the world, who doesn’t love the freedom of working at their pace without the constant chattering of their kids. Buying figurines and various toys for Christmas will not only encourage your kids to take part in the celebration but will also keep them busy when you are busy with decorations, cooking and dealing with important matters during the day.

    Simply makes them smile: When a parent takes the time to find the right animated figurine, and the animated outdoor display for Christmas their kid begged for, the child finds an undeniable happiness which cannot be expressed. It simply makes them smile and makes them happy, and that is the sole reason why you should get one of those animated displays for your kid.

    Every kid loves animated Christmas displays and will love it if you find the one they want.

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  • Expect these 10 exciting mattress deals this Cyber Monday 2022

    A quality mattress means less tossing and turning at night for a restful sleep. If you’ve been waiting all year to make a purchase, this is a great time to upgrade to the mattress from top brands. Score major savings on best-selling and top-rated mattresses in the upcoming Cyber Monday sale. As there is still time for the deals to go live, here’s a list of the best deals on mattresses of the previous year.

    Casper Original Mattress
    For Cyber Monday, Casper offered all its mattresses at a discount of up to 30 percent. Retailing at $995, the plush mattress from Casper might be on sale for $795.99 on Amazon. The mattress features a soft foam for your shoulder area and a firmer foam for the lower half to keep your spine aligned.

    Helix Midnight Mattress
    The Helix medium-firm hybrid mattress could be $100 off on Cyber Monday. You could also get two pillows for free. This mattress features memory foam that contours to the body and provides good support. The coils cushion the pressure points on the shoulder and hips for a comfortable sleeping experience.

    Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
    This Cyber Monday, Nectar might offer a discount of $100 on all of its sleep mattresses. Additionally, you could also get a bedding accessory worth $399 which includes a mattress protector, sheet set, and a cooling pillow. This medium-firm mattress offers good support to the shoulders, hips, and back.

    DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress
    From $1198, the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress could be down to $699 for Cyber Monday. With a massive $500 off, this might be a deal that you should not miss. This medium-firm mattress offers great cushioning and support to your body and is one of DreamCloud’s most popular mattresses.

    Leesa Legend Mattress
    If you are a side sleeper, this mattress might be perfect for you. Offering a savings of $300, the Leesa Legend mattress could be priced at $1599. The mattress is also suitable for sleepers dealing with night sweats as it has a breathable sweat-wicking organic cover that helps you stay dry and cool.

    Purple Mattress
    Purple’s revolutionary grid mattress made with two inches of GelFlex Grid material might be available at a discount of $100 and could be priced at $1199. The mattress is soft to touch, and it instantly adapts to the body relieving pressure points and providing all-over support to the body.

    Tuft & Needle Mint Foam Mattress
    For Cyber Monday, Tuft & Needle could offer up to 30 percent off on all mattresses and other items. The Mint mattress is soft yet relieves pressure and provides adequate support to the body. You could get $359 off on its regular price of $1196 during the Cyber Monday sale.

    Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud mattress
    This medium-soft mattress of foam might be available at a discount of up to 30 percent as part of the Cyber Monday sales. The Tempur-Cloud mattress provides relief on pressure points such as hips, shoulders, back, and knees. Retailing at $1669, you could get this mattress on sale for $1189.30.

    Saatva Classic Mattress
    You could save up to $250 on this luxurious hybrid innerspring mattress from Saatva. The mattress is made of eco-friendly foam with two layers of coil support system and is ideal for all sleeping positions. The mattress is available in three firmness options and two heights with prices that could start from $887.

    Layla Foam Mattress
    This two-sided foam mattress gives you options to find the right fit for you. On one side is a medium firm mattress while another side is a medium soft mattress. The mattress could be on sale for $150 off and might be offered at a deal price of $949.

    It is always worth waiting for Cyber Monday sales as you get plenty of deals that offer the lowest prices of the year. Save money to do some more holiday shopping while you catch up on some good sleep on your new mattress. These deals were provided last year, so expect similar or better deals this upcoming sale season.

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