Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85442
BUSINESS Stay in control of your warranty Manufacturers can invalidate warranties for many reasons. Here are some tips to keep you in the clear: • Keep all service records to help verify your maintenance habits. • Do routine inspections of common problem items such as hoses, clamps, belts, harnesses, radiator cap, seals, tire pressure, clutch adjustment (even with a self- adjusting clutch) and transmission and axle breather/ air-vent locations. • Inspect suspension systems for proper torque on U-bolts, frame bolts and mounting hardware. • Adhere to manufacturer specs for oil, other fluids and grease. • With coolant/antifreeze, ensure not just that the quantity is sufficient and that dilution is proper, but that coolant additives are adequately replenished. GAUGES Rates heat up along with temps Summer started off with strong freight demand. Dry van rates topped $2 in June for the first time in years, accord- ing to load-matching service Internet Truckstop. Flatbed rates, also at a high point in May, were unchanged in June, and reefer rates hit their highest level in at least two years. DRY VAN • Do not extend oil changes beyond manufacturer limits unless you do oil analysis and get engine maker approval. • Heed dashboard warning lights. • Use a low-enough gear when starting to drive and shift smoothly. • Avoid excessive idling. • Do not over-rev the engine during extended downhill braking. $2.50 $2.25 $2.00 $1.75 $1.50 June 2010 June 2011 June 2012 Aging U.S. fleets The average age of Class 8 trucks peaked in 2010 at almost seven years. Due to worries over new technology introduced to comply with federal emissions standards in 2007 and 2010, owner-operators and fleets have held on to trucks longer than in the past. That resulted in factory layoffs by some of the major truck makers in recent years. Average age of U.S. Class 8 active population 7 6.5 6 5.5 5 As you inspect wires and hoses, ensure that they are not contacting each other or major components. When lenders become givers Banks make lots of money off your credit card habits, and some are willing to give back a little to get and keep your business. There are many different incentives, so you can probably find one that fits your needs. "credit cards") to see a roundup of cards by category. You'll see groupings for cash back, low interest, balance transfer, gas rewards, business cards, cards for bad credit users and other categories. Check the personal finance site Bankrate.com (click 24 | Overdrive | August 2012 *projected "A Look Back at EPA's Cost and Other Impact Projections for MY 2004- 2010 Heavy-Duty Truck Emissions Standards," by Patrick Calpin and Esteban Plaza-Jennings of American Truck Dealers, published in February. Atlanta-Buffalo Chicago-Dallas Dallas-Jacksonville Houston-Mobile Los Angeles-Denver Memphis-Cleveland Philadelphia–Indianapolis St. Louis–Boston Seattle-Phoenix $3.73 $3.62 $3.60 $3.60 $3.78 $3.64 $3.70 $3.71 $3.75 June 25, 2012 average diesel prices FUEL SURCHARGE INDEX (FuelSurchargeIndex.com) prices are collected daily from more than 5,500 truck stops and averaged along specific routes. FLATBED REEFER Years 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 *2013