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Category: Blog

The Beautyof America

Posted 9 years ago

Today’s post was written by one of Sunteck’s fabulous Agent Response Coordinators, Erika Lippincott!

As we approach the 4th of July we reflect on the beauty of our country.

I am an American and proud of it. I am proud of the people who fought and still fight for our country. I can still see all the beauty this country has to offer.

I have traveled across our great nation and met some amazing people. We left the beaches on the east coast, drove through the open fields in the Midwest and settled in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.

One of the people that we met along the way was a generous truck driver who offered us a much needed strap. We stopped to purchase one, the driver saw my husband had one in his hand and said he had a new one he could give us. We talk about the miles ahead of us and his oversized load. We got back in our truck with a renewed spirit and hit the open road.

Thank you for the random acts of kindness.

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Sunteck lovespets: Safety Tips

Posted 10 years ago

Happy National Bring Your Dog to Work Day!
We here at Sunteck LOVE pets! We are a huge proponent of trucking with pets, not only do pets decrease stress, and promote good health but they makes those long hauls not quite so long.
Unfortunately those long hauls can sometimes go through deserted areas. What if Fido gets sick? Or needs some first aid? Sunteck would like you to know what items to include in your first aid kit while trucking with your pet.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, the easiest and most cost effective way to start a pet first aid kit is to purchase a human first aid kit and add pet specific items. This way your kit can do double duty for you and your pet, not only saving you money, but space as well.
Some pet-specific items to include are as follows;
• Pet first-aid book – to guide you through unfamiliar pet first aid situations
• Phone numbers – to your vet and the poison control center (ASPCA poison-control center 1-800-426-4435)
• Paperwork – Keep your pet’s medical and vaccination history, and medication list in a zip lock baggy. Also keep a current photo of your pet in the event he or she gets lost.
• Extra Leash – In the event you lose yours, it becomes damaged etc.
• Vet-wrap – bandage that stretches and sticks to itself rather than fur (you can find it at most pet supply stores across the United States such as Petco, Petsmart or Petsupermarket)
• Unflavored Pedialyte – great for dehydration in dogs and cats, helps restore electrolytes quickly
• Muzzle or strips of cloth (don’t use if your pet is vomiting, chocking, or coughing or having difficulty breathing) – great to keep your injured pet from biting you out of fear or pain
• Benadryl – (get correct dosage from your vet) great for allergic reactions and hot spots in pets
• Hyrdogen Peroxide – to Induce vomiting (only when directed by Vet or poison-control center) Do not use Ipecac, it is toxic to pet
• Qwick-stop / Styptic powder – used to stop bleeding, especially if you trim your pet’s nails too short (you can find it at most pet supply stores across the United States such as Petco, Petsmart or Petsupermarket)
• Canned Pumpkin – (not pumpkin pie mix) Great for constipation and diarrhea in pets, talk to your vet about how much you should feed your pet
These are just a few of the items that make trucking with your pet easier in the event an emergency arises. We hope that you found this list helpful. As always if you are not sure about something talk to your vet.

If you truck with your pet we would love to see a photo! Like I said, Sunteck LOVES pets. Tag us with the hashtag #suntecklovespets on Facebook or Twitter and let us know so we can “oooh” and “aaaah” over your furry side-kick! Stay safe and enjoy time with your pet!

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Happy Father’sDay!

Posted 10 years ago

Today’s blog is written by one of our Agent Response Coordinators, Erika Lippincott

Happy Father’s Day for those traveling Dads. Father’s Day reminds us of the special men in our lives, those who helped us become the people we are today.

I would like to like to take a moment to say a special Happy Father’s Day to the dads who travel. It’s a different dynamic when you don’t get to tuck the kids in every night or make it to the big game. It doesn’t mean that you love the kids any less than the stay at home dads.

My dad traveled my whole life, he provided for my mom, brother and me. But he also encouraged me to dream about far-a-way places. And to meet colorful characters, to realize that just because someone looks different or lives in a different house than mine doesn’t mean that they are any less of a person.

Dads that travel understand people from different walks of life and are able to explain love and compassion to their children that some parents are not able to convey.

So for all those dads on the road, do not think your work goes un-noticed. We thank you!

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Safety Tips:Inspecting Your Equipment Q&A

Posted 10 years ago

How many kinds of inspections are there?

  • There are 3 types of vehicle inspections
  • Pre-trips … done every working day before you start driving
  • On the road inspection or in route
  • After the first 50 miles
  • Whenever a change in duty status is made
  • And every 150 miles or 3 hours
  • Post trip inspection (this is the one you must document on you Driver Vehicle Inspection Report or the DVIR)

What is the point of all these inspections?

  • The driver must be satisfied that the vehicle is in a safe operating condition & meets all safety requirements
  • If the vehicle doesn’t meet DOT safety requirement, don’t drive it. Get It Fixed First.

Tips for doing a good inspection as quickly as possible

  • First start at the same place every time you do an inspection. The driver’s door for instance.
  • Work your way around the truck in the same direction every time
  • Always check under the hood …

What should be checked under the hood?

  • Fluids like coolant, and washer fluid
  • Belt and hoses for signs of wear
  • Nuts and bolts for rust leaking out

How do you keep from missing something?

  • Always check everything … it’s the thing you skip that will cause breakdowns and delays.
  • If you check everything, every time, you will be alert to little problems before they cost you time, money and violations. Your eyes will begin to catch things that have changed.

What about tires, what are you looking for?

  • Check tire tread depth at the lowest spot … that’s where the DOT will check it
  • Tires with cuts or exposed cord material are an out of service violation and must be replaced on the side of the road at a very high price
  • You only need a penny to check the tread depth on your tires the distance between the edge of a penny and the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head is 2/32” the minimum tread depth for drive tires. Steer tires are 4/32”.
  • Don’t forget the wheels… if they have dirt and oil in them, there is a seal leaking and it needs to be fixed. If you feel heat coming from the hub (careful not to touch, they can be very hot) you may have a bad bearing or it may be low on hub oil.

There are a lot of lights on a truck … if one or two are out is that ok?

  • Be sure all lights work… If it’s on the truck it must work, even if it is a light you added that is not required.
  • A single light out on the truck give the DOT a reason to pull you over and look at everything.
  • Check your low beam and high beam headlights
  • Check your lights every time you stop… they can burn out during the trip

Are drivers responsible for the lights on a chassis?

  • Yes… you are responsible for the lights on the trailer or chassis, be sure they are working before you leave and check them whenever you stop. If they don’t work fix them.

What else should we look for on a trailer or chassis?

  • Check the sliders on both trailer and chassis and the locking pins on chassis
  • If you don’t bend over and look you don’t know if the slider’s pins are locked in the holes.

Is it possible wheels could come out from under the trailer?

  • Yes the wheels can come all the way out from under the trailer or chassis…
  • If you use zip ties to secure the locking pins on the 4 corners of the container you can be sure they stay locked and an added benefit is the DOT will see the zip tie and leave you alone.

What else should we check on the truck and trailer?

  • The DOT is looking at brakes very closely…it is important that drivers check them on every trip.

Any tips on checking breaks?

  • Check your brakes using your eyes, ears and nose.
  • Using your eyes … are the brake pads at least 1/4” in thickness? Are the brake drums cracked or grease? Do the push rods travel more than 2 ½ inches? If the answer is yes to any of these questions you could be placed out of service and in for an expensive roadside repair.
  • Use your ears… air up the brakes and listen for air leaks if you can hear it the DOT inspector will be able to hear it too.
  • Use your nose… if you smell a burning smell it could be oil or grease dripping on your hot brake shoes; this could be a warning of a leaking wheel seal.

ABS Malfunction Indicator

  • There are two Antilock Braking System malfunction indicator lights, one on the dash for the truck and one on the lower left rear corner of the trailer.

Should the lights be on or off?

  • These lights should come on when you start your truck and go off when the truck starts moving. If they don’t go off you have a problem with the ABS system on your truck which needs to be fixed before you continue your trip. If the ABS light on the lower left rear corner of the trailer is on … it is like having a sign on the truck that says,”Pull me over I have violations”
  • Remember the ABS lights should come on when you start your truck and go off when you start moving.
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Windshield wiper
  • Horn
  • Emergency triangles … you should have 3
  • Is the floor neat and clean, so nothing that can get under your feet
  • Is the dash clear of item that could slide off and distract you
  • Is your truck clean… a clean truck is a happy truck and it is not inspected as often by the DOT
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Motivational Minute:Harriette Thompson

Posted 10 years ago

Have you ever felt that you were too old, too young, too out-of-shape, or not talented enough to accomplish something? You should rethink that. Oftentimes, the biggest obstacles we face are in our own heads. I was reminded over the weekend that all things are possible with a little bit of hard work, self-confidence, and the willingness to challenge yourself.

Harriette Thompson of Charlotte, N.C., completed the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego yesterday in 7 hours and 24 minutes. Thousands of others finished the race too. Most runners finished the marathon in less time. The difference is that Harriette is 92 years old. Ms. Thompson now holds the record for the oldest woman to finish a marathon.

Harriette has completed 17 Rock ‘n’ Roll marathons. This was the hardest one. “It’s harder every year, but this year has been a bad one for me,” said Harriette, adding that her husband died in January, and that she had been suffering from a staph infection.

We can all learn valuable lessons from Harriette. One – push yourself. Don’t accept the limits that others put on you due to age, sex, education, or a multitude of other reasons why they believe you can’t do something. Two – age really is just a number. I know young 90 year olds, and I know old 30 year olds. Be the youngest, most energetic version of you that you can be. And three – try something new and challenge yourself. Harriette didn’t begin running marathons until after she was in her 70’s. I want to be like Harriette – not a bad goal for all of us to strive for.

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Welcome!

Posted 10 years ago

We are beyond thrilled to reveal our updated site and we hope you like the result. We will constantly be improving our site over time; in the meantime, here are some early updates we think you will love:

Use it everywhere
Our world has changed dramatically over the last decade, largely driven by technology advancements. Here at Sunteck, we strive to keep at the forefront of this growing momentum. Our new website was created to be universally accessible, on as many platforms and devices as possible. It’s important for us that our busy audience can view the information they need, whenever they need it – especially on the go.

This is for you
We invest a lot into our proprietary technology systems and our website now showcases our commitment to bringing the best information to you using the latest technology. The site layout, language and content were all major decisions in our site road map. However, our #1 priority has always been to focus on you. We have worked hard to make every section of our site easier to navigate so you can quickly find the information you’re looking for when you want it.

Please take some time to explore our new site. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Sincerely,

Dave Dallas
Chief Marketing Officer
President, Brokerage Division

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October TonnageClimbs 4.5%

Posted 10 years ago

Truck tonnage in October rose to the second-highest level on record and climbed 4.5% from a year ago, American Trucking Associations reported.

ATA’s advanced seasonally adjusted for-hire index rose to 132.1, just below the record reading of 132.6 reported in August.

Last month’s gain tied August for the strongest year-over-year growth recorded this year. It followed a 2.9% gain in September that was revised down from an originally reported 3.7% increase.

On a sequential basis, last month’s reading rose 0.5% from September.

“Tonnage made a nice comeback after declining in September,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said in the Nov. 18 report. “The gain fits with the increases in retail sales and factory output during October, as well as with good anecdotal reports about the fall freight season.”

Costello described October’s reading as a “good sign” for the fourth quarter and predicted a “solid” fall freight season.

Year-to-date, tonnage has risen 3.2% compared with the first 10 months of 2013.

ATA calculates the tonnage each month based on reports from its member trucking companies.

Transport Topics 11/18/14

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September TonnageHolds at Record, Rises 3.7% Year-Over-Year

Posted 10 years ago

Truck tonnage held at an all-time high in September, rising 3.7% from a year ago and capping the highest quarter on record, American Trucking Associations reported.

ATA’s advanced seasonally adjusted for-hire index held at 132.6, matching August, which had posted a 4.5% year-over-year gain. The trucking group uses the year 2000 as a 100-reading baseline.

Third-quarter tonnage “jumped 2.4% from the second quarter and surged 4% from the same period last year” in posting the highest quarterly average ever, ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said.

“September [economic] data was a mixed bag, with retail sales falling while factory output increased nicely,” Costello said. “As a result, I’m not too surprised that truck tonnage split both of those readings and [was] unchanged.”

Tonnage is up 3.2% year to date compared with a year ago, up slightly from the comparable 3.1% figure through August.

The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents tonnage actually hauled by fleets before seasonal adjustments, was 135.8, up 1.7% from August.

ATA calculates the tonnage each month based on reports by its member trucking companies.

Transport Topics 10/21/14

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August TruckTonnage Surges to Record

Posted 10 years ago

August truck tonnage jumped 4.5% year-over-year to a record high, American Trucking Associations reported Sept. 23.

ATA’s advanced seasonally adjusted for-hire index rose to 132.6 — up 1.6% from July and topping the previous record of 131 set in November. ATA uses the year 2000 as a 100-reading baseline.

The year-over-year jump, the highest so far in 2014, followed a 3.7% July gain that originally was reported as a 3.6% increase.

“After a strong July, factory production and housing starts fell in August on a month-to-month basis,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. “Truck tonnage actually did the opposite. Not only did it increase, it accelerated.”

Tonnage is up 3.1% in the past two months and has surged 6.8% since falling to a recent low in January, Costello said.
“I’m optimistic about the second half of the year for the economy, which means truck tonnage should do well too,” he added.

Year-to-date tonnage is up 3.1% from the comparable 2.9% figure through July.

ATA calculates the tonnage each month based on reports by its member trucking companies.

Transport Topics 9/26/14

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Truck TonnageRises 3.6% in July, ATA Says

Posted 10 years ago

Truck tonnage rose 3.6% last month over July of last year, helped by the improving pace of factory orders and new home construction, American Trucking Associations reported.

The trade group said its advanced seasonally adjusted index reached 130.2, an increase of 1.3% over June, and moved closer to the all-time record of 131.0 set in November. The improvement in July followed a 0.8% decline in June, compared with May.

“The solid tonnage number in July fits with the strong factory output reading and a jump in housing starts for the same month,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. “I continue to expect moderate, but good, tonnage growth for the rest of the year.”

Factory output in July was the strongest in 2½ years, rising 1.1%, the Federal Reserve reported Aug.15, and a 16% rise in housing starts was announced Aug. 19 by the Commerce Department.

“After a surprising decrease in June, tonnage really snapped back in July,” he said. “This gain fits more with the anecdotal reports we are hearing from motor carriers that freight volumes are good.”

The year-to-date tonnage increase over the first seven months of the year is 2.9%. The pace of July’s increase was the fastest in three months.

By Transport Topics 8/19/14

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