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A stock photo of a person inspecting the drive wheels on a semi truck.

Will your truck be ready to pass inspection during Roadcheck 2019?

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

What are inspectors looking for during Roadcheck 2019?

If you’re an over-the-road truck driver, getting stopped for inspections is just a way of life. Starting June 4, the frequency might increase as part of an international effort to ensure our roads and highways are as free from safety hazards as possible. So, what are inspectors looking for during Roadcheck 2019? According to some information the Patriot Truck Sales team was able to find, steering and suspension systems will be the inspectors’ primary focus. If it’s been a while since you’ve given these elements of your truck a close look, this will be a good opportunity for some reminders that could help you avoid lengthy delays and potentially costly fines. Don’t hesitate to make an appointment with us if you need a little help making sure your rig will be up to par. Read the rest of this entry >>

An illustration of a fuel gauge on 'full.'

A few small changes could equal big fuel savings; learn more today!

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Posted in Technology, Tips and Tricks

How can I get better fuel economy in my semi?

In order for any business to be profitable, it has to keep costs under control. As this principle applies to the transportation industry, owner/operators need to keep a close eye on fuel costs. If someone isn’t constantly asking themselves, ‘How can I get better fuel economy in my semi,’ their trucking business won’t be long for this world. A few of the product experts working at Patriot Truck Sales have reached out to some of their long-time customers and other industry contacts to help new owner/operators make better choices while they’re on the road to save as much fuel as possible. Hopefully, some of these tips will help you shave a few dollars off of your next fuel stop. Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of doctors looking at x-ray film.

A few small changes can help you avoid big work-related injuries

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

How do truck drivers avoid injuries while working?

It’s never good when someone gets hurt. However, being an owner/operator broadly means that there is only one person to fill every role in the company. If someone is hurt and can’t drive their truck, there is no money coming in and that can have catastrophic consequences. So, how do truck drivers avoid injuries while working? Like anything else, doing a little extra work beforehand and having a plan will go a long way to preventing injuries and keeping drivers on the road where they need to be. The Patriot Truck Sales staff did a little online research and spoke with some experts to bring you a few easy strategies to keep you as healthy as possible. Let’s take a look, shall we? Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a doctor filling out a form during an appointment.

The strongest people ask for help when they need it

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

How do truckers handle depression, stress and anxiety?

Anyone who has worked as a commercial truck driver for more than five minutes can reliably understand the physical toll it can take on a person. The long hours away from home only compound the stress that comes with running a small business. All of this is a perfect recipe for mental health issues. So, how do truckers handle depression, stress and anxiety? To be sure it can be a difficult hill to climb. Among the most important things to remember that if you’re experiencing feelings of depression, you are by no means the only one. A 2018 study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine from the National Institutes of Health found that truck drivers are more likely to experience depression more frequently than the general population. Let’s take a look at some things you can do. Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of several tractors lined up in a parking lot.

Avoid potentially dangerous mistake when buying your first truck

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Posted in Financing, Tips and Tricks

How do I pick out my first tractor as an owner/operator?

If you’re considering jumping into the world of being your own boss and running a transportation company, your top priority is going to be picking out a truck. One of the biggest mistakes a new owner/operator can make is to approach buying their first truck the same way they pick out a personal vehicle. Answering the question, ‘How do I pick out my first tractor as an owner/operator,’ is easily in the top five most common conversations we have with people at Patriot Truck Sales. There are a lot of things to consider when buying a truck including how much you can spend, what kind of cargo you’ll be hauling and where you’ll be hauling that cargo. This is by no means an exhaustive list. However, these are good places to start a conversation. Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a stacks of paperwork on a desk.

You have to finish your homework before you hit the road

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Posted in Documents and Regulations, Tips and Tricks

What documents does an owner/operator need to start?

Becoming an owner/operator requires more than that buying a tractor, hooking up to a trailer and hitting the road. Your first several steps on your journey to running a trucking business will involve copious amounts of paperwork and spending a fair amount of time on the phone talking to various government agencies. So, what documents does an owner/operator need to start? This is not an exhaustive list and you might need to do some different things based on the state where your business is going to be based and incorporated. Speaking with a lawyer and/or a professional business manager wouldn’t be the worst idea when you’re starting out. Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of the important paperwork needed by truck drivers.

Insurance is obviously important, but do you have enough of it?

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

What kind of insurance plans should owner/operators have?

Anyone who has undertaken the journey to become their own boss and operate their own trucking business knows how important insurance is for protecting that investment. The whole point of any insurance policy, be it for personal or commercial property, is to make sure all assets are protected in case something goes tragically wrong. There are a lot of companies on the market offering all kinds of products meant to meet this need. So, what kind of insurance plans should owner/operators have? There are a couple ways to answer that question, depending on what kind of transportation business you’re running. This Patriot Truck Sales blog post is meant to point owner/operators in the right direction. For coverage plans that will apply specifically to you, speak with a licensed insurance agent. Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of the traffic on the road at night.

Drivers and trucks both need to fill up with quality fuel

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

Health tips for over-the-road truck drivers

When someone starts their career as a long-haul truck driver, they know that they’ll be away from home quite a bit and they understand that they will be working long hours. One thing that almost all new long-haul truck drivers struggle with is maintaining as healthy a lifestyle as possible. All of these health tips for over-the-road truck drivers start with a foundation of better eating strategies. Between the long hours of sitting behind the wheel and finding time to eat, it’s all too easy to cut corners by reaching for snacks and meals of questionable nutritional value. Our hope is that we can help drivers of all experience levels a be a little bit healthier not only for safety but to also better enjoy what little free time they may have with their families. Read the rest of this entry >>

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Talk radio comes into the 21st century with podcasts

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Posted in Technology

Podcasts for long-haul truck drivers

Technology has changed the way we live our lives. Just look at the way modern trucking companies operate, for crying out loud. What was once constantly out-of-date atlases and maps that were hard fold, owner/operators can get up-to-the-second traffic alerts and detour information on their phones. In fact, there are very few trucking functions that can’t be done on a smartphone. Naturally, this has also extended to how drivers can pass the time while they’re chewing up the miles. It seems like everyone is listening to podcasts and it’s got to be better than listening to the radio. But are there any podcasts for long-haul truck drivers that might make us all better drivers? As it turns out, yes, there are. Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of someone signing some paperwork.

Insurance is a requirement, but you can still look for some price breaks

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Posted in Financing

How can I get a discount on commercial truck insurance?

If football is a game of inches, being the owner of a small transportation business is a game of cents. Controlling costs is the most important thing an owner/operator can do to ensure he or she is successful. Obviously, the first business bill you’ll want to pay each month is the truck payment, but the second most important is the insurance. After all, you can work and provide for your family if your rig is out of commission. If you’ve been wondering, ‘How can I get a discount on commercial truck insurance,’ Patriot Truck Sales might be able to help. Everyone’s situation will be different, and you should talk to a licensed commercial insurance agent to find the best solutions for you and your business. Read the rest of this entry >>