Trucks are the most in demand transport vehicles. The supply and retrieval of raw materials and finished products depends largely on the carrier vehicles and trucks are always the first transport choice to carry bulk items. However, small business owners are usually not always in a position to buy new trucks. Which is why they opt for used trucks.

Here are a few things to keep in mind while buying a used commercial truck:

1.Safety:

Old and used trucks might have defective brakes, engines, gear or any other faulty part. And this might be the reason why the owner wants to sell it. If you are not sure about the parts, get a professional mechanic for a thorough inspection.

2.Business Need:

Invest in a truck that will serve your business needs. For example, if you are transporting crates, make sure there is a closed compartment for the protection of the crates. If you transport oil or gas, make sure that a tankard can be attached to it.

3.Visit Auctions:

You are more likely to get hold of a wider variety of trucks if you visit an auction. You can pick and choose from a large assortment of vehicles and might end up buying a better truck than you expected to get from your local dealer.

4.Maintenance:

Make sure that the truck is in a good working condition when you buy it. Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish. You buy a truck for a small amount but later spend fortunes in repairing it – it’s simply foolishness! Don’t do it. Check the garage and maintenance records to see how well the truck is maintained.

5.Price:

Don’t select the first truck you come across! Check with different dealers and compare their rates. Keep in mind the truck’s condition and then zero in on the dealers that’s offering you the best rates.

6.License:

Make sure that the truck is registered and has a license. Some trucks are sold because their licenses have been revoked. It is best to stay away from such trucks.

7.Reason for Sale:

Know why the previous owner wants to sell the truck- whether it is because of his financial difficulty or whether there is a technical problem with the truck itself. Don’t afraid to ask questions; it’s your right to know.

8.Parts:

Avoid buying very old trucks (you know the ones that look like pre-historic ones!). The reason – most manufacturers stop making the parts for old vehicles. If the situation demands you to change any of the parts then you would be in a real fix. Make sure about the parts and where you can repair them before you buy the truck.

9.Insurance:

Check whether the truck is insured or not.

10.Test Drive:

The truck would mainly be used to carry products over long distances. Thus it’s important that you request for a test drive to see how the truck runs before you finally sign the papers.

For more Information you can visit our website or call us (780) 645-2478 or contact us via mail.

Driving commercial trucks isn’t an easy job. One needs to brave harsh weather conditions, travel to difficult locations (such as deserts and forests) and carry heavy loads. One mistake on the driver’s part and there can be serious consequences.

Here’s a rundown on to safety tips for commercial truck drivers –

• Make sure that the truck is roadworthy before starting the journey. Schedule a check-up with an auto repair shop that deals with commercial vehicles. They’ll examine the tires, brakes, lights, fluid levels, battery, wipers, suspension – their job is to ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy before it starts the big journey.
• When on road be patient. Maintain proper space with the vehicle in front of you.
• Signal early when taking a turn.
• Bad weather conditions account for almost 25% of truck accidents. On wet roads reduce your speed by one-third. And if driving on snow-ridden roads, reduce the speed by half or more.
• Always wear seat belts. During a crash it prevents you from being thrown out of window. For every one per cent rise in the usage of seat belts, five lives in the country are saved, as per Transport Canada.
• If you are driving below the posted speed limit the use the truck’s flashers.
• When slowing down for a complete stop give the truck time and space.

For more Information call us (780) 645-2478 or contact us via mail

Tow truckers are heroes of the highway. Their responsibilities include – performing vehicle related repairs (if they’re minor issues), towing the damaged vehicle, emergency road service, accident recovery, and towing abandoned vehicles. Here’s a rundown on what’s expected from a tow truck driver –

• When a tow trucker receives an emergency call, he must respond in a timely fashion.
• He should listen carefully to the customer’s problems.
• He must ensure that the roadside assistance is provided in a safe and professional manner ( free of injuries and damage).
• If the repairs are minor then fix them. For example - changing flat tires, providing enough gas to the customer so that he can go to the nearby gas station etc.
• If the repairs are major ones then he needs to load the vehicle on to his truck and transport it to the garage safely.
• The driver must be adept at using tools such as J hooks, basket straps, wheel straps motorcycle straps, safety chains, snatch blocks, wire rope, wrenches, shovel, floor jack, lug wrench, frame forks, axle straps.

Legal responsibilities –

• The tow truck driver must hold a correct and valid driver license.
• He must also have license endorsement.
• He should renew the license and endorsement on time.

In addition to these, the tow truck driver is responsible for checking the condition of the tow truck before using it.

If you have any problem in maintenance of your tow truck then you can consult any professional auto technician or you can visit any reputed auto repair shops, which is nearby.

For more Information call us (780) 645-2478 or contact us via mail.

Street food business – which includes mobile food trucks and food carts is a billion dollar industry, according to the researcher IBISWorld Inc. Food truck business has witnessed a skyrocketing growth in the last year as more and more people are opting for cheap yet healthy breakfasts and lunches. If you’re new to the food mobile truck business then here are some tips for a roaring business -

1. Try innovative ways to market it. The décor, signage, uniforms, the place where it stands – all play an important role in making the business a success.
2. Try reinventing the menu. People like change so incorporate a few new dishes. Experiment with the menu to offer variety to people whom you serve. But don’t change your classic dish – the one that is hit with the food lovers.
3. If the items on the menu are too expensive, then people might not come regularly. Remember - people visit food trucks to eat cheap yet good food. If they wanted to shell out big bucks then they would have very well visited a fancy restaurant.
4. Before starting your food mobile truck business, check the community’s ordinances and laws as they vary greatly from state to state.
5. Stay active on social media. You can use your Twitter/ Facebook page to update fans about the daily specials and your locations. Also, you can connect with your clients on one to one basis - their honest feedback on the dishes and the overall ambiance of the truck will help you immensely. You know where you’re going right and which areas you need to focus on.
6. A food truck moves out from a spot once it serves all the customers in the queue. Technically – a food truck needs to move around a lot which is why as an owner you must ensure that you aren’t stocking a lot of food. As food loses its freshness over time. Instead, make short trips and keep restocking the fridge.
7. Marketing – Traditional marketing like distributing pamphlets or putting up banners work wonders for a food truck business.
8. It is very important to maintain the food truck properly. You do not want the truck to break down in the middle of the road. Take the truck for regular servicing.
9. Research the areas where you’re going to set up the food truck. If it is near a school or college, try to dish out what youngsters prefer to eat. If you are setting it up near a beach, make sure you have plenty of drinks and juices on the menu.
10. Take a stock of the situation regularly as it’s important to know where the business is heading. You could then start with re-planning your menu ( if required) and how to source the ingredients and whether you would like to create a chain or not.
11. People who flock to food trucks want to be served quickly. So hire trained cooks who can whip up a delicacy in a jiffy.

For more Information call us (780) 645-2478 or contact us via mail.

Truck drivers are always under pressure to deliver the cargo on time. Speed driving is something that they have to resort to at times and it can be dangerous. Besides speed, factors such as heavy load, distant locations and bad road conditions cause truck accidents.

Here’s a rundown on a few safety tips for truck drivers -

1. It is a misconception that seat belts are only meant for the safety of the drivers who drive small vehicles as they are in greater risk of being overturned when hit. The impact of being hit is much greater inside a heavy truck and if it gets out of control, you need all your strength and the seat belt to stay on the seat.
2. There is no reason to believe that heavy trucks do not skid on snow or water like lighter vehicles. Hence, it is important to be alert while driving during bad weather conditions. R4emember - always drive slowly when there is ice or sleet on the road.
3. Never come to halt abruptly. The advantageous position a high seat of the truck offers should be made use of and the driver should check road conditions and traffic ahead and press the brakes well in advance to avoid sudden jerks.
4. Truck drivers have to travel long distances and they often have to drive through the night. They might become drowsy and sleepy due to excessive tiredness. It’s better to take rest and start the journey in a clear state of mind rather than being asleep at the wheel and losing control.
5. As with all other drivers, the rule of no talking over cell phones while driving also applies to truck drivers. Talking over the phone distracts the driver and can cause him to lose control of the steering.
6. Always be careful while switching lanes. A truck driver of a huge truck may not always be able to see what is going on the back even through the rear mirror. It is advisable that they change lanes and driving zones carefully and slowly.
7. Never ever drive under the influence of alcohol and truck drivers who carry heavy cargo and drive long distances should specifically keep this in mind. It is very easy to get carried away when you are with fellow drivers but exercise control if there is a journey ahead.
8. Never exert your truck more than it is capable of. The engine may become over heated or there might be other technical problems which might cause the truck to break down. Make sure you get the truck checked at a repair shop before a long journey.
9. Sometimes minor accidents might occur in the parking lot itself while parking or pulling out. If you are unable to see the back, ask a person to stand and guide you through the narrow space.
10. Most importantly, do not take on the responsibility of driving large trucks over long distances unless you are properly trained. Start with small distances and then graduate to longer journeys.

For more Information call us (780) 645-2478 or contact us via mail.

A truck is usually considered the most effective way of transporting heavy materials over long distances. There are different types of trucks but a heavy truck is usually capable of carrying tons of goods at a time. The technicalities involved in repairing this kind of a truck are also immense and here are some things to watch out for when you are looking for a heavy truck repair shop.

1. Registration and License

You should check meticulously whether the shop has a license and whether it is registered. Since the kind of work involves a great deal of risk as far as heavy equipments and money is considered, you should select a registered and trusted shop.

2. Working Equipment

Repairing a heavy truck involves different types of heavy equipment. These types of machinery weigh thousands of pounds and they are very complex to handle. Check whether the shop has the requisite tools required to properly service a heavy truck.

3. Use of Genuine Parts

Some shops use parts from black market and they can be defective. Always opt for a shop that uses genuine parts. A trusted shop will make sure that they only use the best parts for your truck.

4. Expert Technicians

When it comes to repairing heavy trucks, the process and tools are different and complex. The truck is huge and so are the equipments and the intricacies and technicalities increase manifold with the size and weight of the truck. So make sure that the repair shop has experienced and knowledgeable technicians.

5. Type of Repairing Done

Check whether the shop repairs heavy trucks like the one you have. Certain shops might repair trucks but heavy trucks are more specific and are fitted with special parts. So ask about the kind of repairing that they usually do.

6. Space

One needs a big space to repair heavy trucks. Select a repair shop that has the adequate space to house your truck. A small garage tending to cars will not do.

7. Drainage for Fluid

Heavy trucks require a lot of cleaning and emit a huge quantity of oil and grease. The repair shop should have proper drainage facilities to flush out the toxins.

8. Safety Measures

The repair shop should have certain safety measures in place to work on a truck that weighs tons. Fire safety for the gas and chains should always be in place to hold and support the trucks.

9. Hoist

The repair shop should have adequate hoists to lift up the trucks. Usual jacks are not enough to lift up such massive trucks which is why there should be strong levers and pulleys in place.

For more Information call us (780) 645-2478 or contact us via mail.

Trucks are considered hardy machines which can withstand a lot of wear and tear, rough weather and road conditions. However they too require regular maintenance. Winters and cold weathers can be particularly harsh for trucks.

Find below the top 5 tips to get the truck geared for the cold weather:

Battery

Test battery and check if the connections are clean and tight. Water level should cover the lead plates, if it isn’t then you need to add some. Put the battery to charge after adding the water.

Tyre

Check the tyres for wear and tear. The tyre pressure is usually lower in cold weather so check the pressure and adjust it following the instructions of the manufacturer. If you live in a hilly area or need to travel extensively through thick snow then it is best to get snow tyres. Check state laws for restrictions on use of studded tyres since they damage dry roads. Tyre chains can also be added in places for severe snowing.

Antifreeze and DEF Status

Antifreeze and water are mixed at equal ratios. Pour some straight antifreeze into your radiator when it’s freezing cold.

Visibility

Snow deposit makes visibility a great issue during the months of winter. Wiper blades need to be checked for cracks and those more than six months old need change. Contractions in cold weather lead to metal chipping and hence windshields can crack. If you find small chips, then get it fixed. In case of larger chips it’s recommended to get the entire windshield changed. If you have heated mirrors then check their functionality too. A windshield washer which does not freeze is essential since you will need to clean your windshield more often during winters.

Engine

Belts, hoses and oil levels must be checked for all engine models. Glow plug operation needs to be checked particularly for diesel engines. Engine heaters should be checked for working conditions.

There are several other things which must be checked and fixed before taking out your truck in the cold weather. Leaky exhaust systems are a common problem in trucks. The body of the truck needs to be kept clean in general – remove dirt and debris, road slat deposits and the likes for overall good performance. Take a test of the heater or the defroster option. Carry an emergency kit with you in your truck with a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, equipment to change tyre, water, cables, etc. Check operation of the four wheel drive. Before taking your truck out during winter, get a coating of wax done to protect the paint. Also, clean your vehicle once a week and keep an eye on the bottom and wheels in particular. If you have any problem in maintenance of your truck then you can consult any professional auto technician or you can visit any reputed auto repair shops ,which is nearby.

For more Information call us (780) 645-2478 or contact us via mail.