Minimizer Mattress Made for the Long Haul

Minimizer is growing its #RespectTheDriver brand by releasing a mattress that is designed and specified for over-the-road truck drivers.

The Long Haul Series Mattress is made of natural, organic latex foam which retains body heat and conforms to the body. Latex offers breathability and buoyancy, regulating temperature during sleep and reacting instantly to sleeping position changes, according to Minimizer.

The mattress offers dual comfort with a soft side for side sleepers and a firm side for stomach and back sleepers. Minimizer says it is also naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic, meaning drivers will not find mold, mildew, bacteria, or dust mites living in the mattress.

“My engineers researched mattresses for over a year and found a big gap with what's available in a home mattress versus a truck mattress,” said Craig Kruckeberg, Minimizer CEO. “It shouldn't be like that. Why would truck drivers be expected to sleep on something inferior to what the rest of the world has available? So we set out to make the finest mattress available for professional drivers.”

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

Truckers aren’t Terrorists

Truck drivers -- and many other workers -- have good cause to be worried about the rise of autonomous technology. Photo: Truckinginfo.com

So, it couldn't be cargo hijackers. Or terrorists. Although there was a mention of bored teenagers.

But according to science writer Simon (or “Simson” – they've got his named spelled two different ways) Garfinkle in an opinion piece in MIT's Technology Review, out-of-work truckers may one day be so angry at losing their jobs, they might either hack an autonomous truck's control system, or “bedazzle” its lane-tracking and safety cameras with a laser pointer to deliberately cause accidents.

Now, before we get too deep into this, let me say right up front that the article in question is worth a read and contains a great deal of useful information – particularly if you're worried about the threat of vehicle hacks today or in the future -- provided you're willing to overlook the fact that the author clearly thinks truck drivers are a greater threat to our collective security in our autonomous future than terrorists.

When I go around the country speaking about autonomous vehicle technology, the number-one question I get asked is about the potential for hackers to take over a truck and either divert its load or cause a crash. Rarely do any of the folks asking the question specifically mention certain groups of people – but if they do, it's usually teenagers or criminals. Out-of-work truckers and Teamsters aren't who fleet managers are worried about.

On a certain level, I do understand what Mr. Garfinkel is concerned about. I've written extensively about the disruptive nature of autonomous technology in our society today and the impact it will have in the future. Still, we're a long way from truck drivers losing their jobs. Although the truth is, almost any occupation you ...Read the rest of this story

Garmin Offers Suite of Truck Solutions Through Navigation Device

Garmin International has introduced the dēzl 580 LMT-S navigation device for trucks, offering built in- Wi-Fi for updates and a suite of truck solutions that can include hours of service compliance

The dēzl 580 LMT-S features a 5-inch display, customizable truck routing for the size and weight of a truck and the truck specific navigation features found throughout the dēzl product line, including bridge heights and steep grades.

Easy Break Planning is now possible thanks to timely break planning notifications with suggestions for upcoming truck stops, weigh stations, and rest areas. When truck drivers wirelessly connect the dēzl 580 LMT-S to the new Garmin eLog compliant ELD, important hours of service can be seen on the navigator's display.

“Not only does the dēzl 580 LMT-S take the guesswork out of break planning, but it also gives truckers a simple solution for HOS compliance if used with our new Garmin eLog ELD,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “One of the features we're most excited about is the dēzl 580's built-in Wi-Fi, so truck drivers can easily update maps and software with a touch of a button and avoid having to use a computer.”

For truck drivers who spend a significant amount of their time on the road, the dēzl 580 LMT-S features the Truck & Trailer Services directory that lets truckers filter truck stops by preferred brands or amenities.

The dēzl 580 LMT-S can also receive free real-time data when wirelessly connected to a trucker's smartphone using the free Smartphone Link mobile app. Once paired, the truck driver can use a wide range of features from free live traffic to weather forecasts. Text messages and calendar reminders can appear right on the navigation display allowing truck drivers to stow their phones away, with their eyes focused ahead and their hands on ...Read the rest of this story

US Liner Designs Lightweight Scuff Liner

US Liner Company has introduced Bad Wolf Scuff, a product line designed in response to customer needs for a better recycled scuff liner material.

The Bad Wolf Scuff was launched as an alternative recycled high-density polyethylene material that is thinner than traditional polyscuff at 3/8-inches thick and lighter in weight than the standard 5/8-inch HDPE currently, according to US Liner. Scuff liners protect the interiors of dry vans and reefer trailers from damage from forklifts, pallets, and other handling methods.

Bad Wolf Scuff is also designed to be easier to install than traditional HDPE materials because it is more resistant to curling and does not require a relaxation period prior to installation. US Liner says bowing was non-existent in company trials as well, reducing installation times.

The smooth, flat surface is available in white or black at no additional charge. The material is supplied in standard 12-inch, 18-inch, and 24-inch widths, coiled or flat. Standard order length is 52 linear feet.

Follow @HDTrucking on Twitter

Spot TL rates, volumes dip

The abundance of truckload freight on the spot market poured over into the week ending Aug. 19.

read more

Trucking doesn’t appear on this job list. That’s a problem.

So a firm by the name of CareerCast recently compiled a detailed analysis of the top paying jobs Americans can obtain without a traditional four-year college degree.

read more

HDT and Fleetmatics Partner on ELD Webinar

By December 18, 2017, commercial drivers will be federally mandated to manage and log their Hours of Service (HOS) digitally and automatically with an Electronic Logging Device (ELD). Fleetmatics, A Verizon Company and Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) magazine have partnered to help companies prepare for the ELD mandate deadline by hosting an open webinar on August 29, 2017. Countdown to ELD: Getting Your Burning Questions Answered is an opportunity for companies and industry experts to discuss common compliance concerns and confusion about the upcoming ELD mandate.

During the webinar, content will be presented in an open forum format, enabling attendees to bring their ELD questions and concerns to a panel of experts and their peers, for thoughtful discussions. Topics will include technical, operational and legal requirements, as well as common automatic on-board recording device (AOBRD) related questions and concerns. Panel experts include Deborah Lockridge, editor-in-chief of Heavy Duty Trucking magazine, Kelly Frey, vice president, product marketing for Fleetmatics and Avery Wise, president of TransComply.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) ELD requirements are intended to help allow for a safer, easier and faster way of accurately tracking and managing records of duty status (RODS), and minimize human error of completing daily HOS logs by hand. Any commercial motor vehicle carrier or driver subject to the ELD rule must be electronically recording hours of service by the deadline, and the companies that employ them will need to purchase and integrate an ELD solution by the same deadline.

"We're creating a community of drivers and companies that are all sharing a common goal of getting an ELD solution in place before December," said Fleetmatics' Frey. "There's still a lot of confusion and uncertainty out there about the ELD mandate and having the opportunity to chat through ...Read the rest of this story