Americans! and a site called – Free Mature Moms….

  Now i don’t really know how to get round this, so seeing as its my first time doing it i’ll wait for the complaints to come in. This article below is all about what sounds like a brilliant American show, which i’m hoping we’ll get over here on some Sky TV channel or another. But i have taken it all from Free Mature Moms, i have no idea why its called that, but there you go. Thanks to them for what i thought was a nice little article. Its a nice insight into the Americans!!! also click on the link for the chrome my truck site, lock away your credit card though!! No idea why i’m in big black letters either, computers and me seem to still have troubles getting on.

  

Semi Truck Accessories – 5 Trick My Truck Accessory Tips for Truckers!

Last fall, CMT (Country Music Television) introduced a six 6 show pilot called “Trick My Truck. It is a new reality show featuring a deserving trucker and his 18-wheeler in each episode. The show is a theme similar to “pimpmyride” and “overhaulin”, where old vehicles are restored except the target vehicles are semi trucks. A crew of experts searches the truck stops of America looking for run-down trucks whose owners are in need of a break. With the secret help of family members, the owner operator’s big rig is “hijacked”, and completely revamped with all the latest and greatest features and equipment.

How to trick your truck is 5 easy steps! When truckers leave home for the road, there focus is usually on everything but finding semi truck chrome accessories for their truck. However, something may spark them to call us on a whim and ask: “where can I find semi truck accessories to trick my truck?” Here are some tips to find the big rig accessories you need.

Have the last 8 digits of your VIN availableUnlike light truck accessories, semi truck accessories are manufactured specifically for a truck, such as Peterbilt accessories or Kenworth accessories. Or, semi truck accessory manufacturers also produce universal accessories. Universal accessories are designed to be used on all makes and models of trucks. If you have the VIN available, a good semi truck accessory distributor can look up your truck and see specific manufacturer diagrams to determine if accessories are specifically made for your vehicle. For example, if you’re looking for Peterbilt chrome or Freightliner accessories, they are easier to locate with a VIN.

A picture says a thousand words It makes it much easier for a semi truck accessory supplier to find accessories for your truck if they have a quality photo to work with when they communicate with semi truck accessory manufacturers. In almost all cases, an experienced semi truck accessory distributor can locate specific parts with a broadcast email to many semi truck accessory manufacturers.

Save the rainforest. Get comfortable using online catalogs!As any experienced semi truck accessory distributor will tell you, 15-20 requests for paper catalogs are received each day. Printing costs and paper are extremely expensive so semi truck accessory manufacturers usually produce every two years. Paper catalogs also significantly impact the cost structure of big rig accessories. Online catalogs are the best to locate your semi truck accessories because most manufacturers keep their websites current with the latest additions to their product lines. For example, Rockwood products has several new 2006 model Peterbilt accessories that you can only see on their website, or a special flyer distributed through their dealers.

Let your cell phone do your shopping Find a supplier willing to become your chrome guy that has the knowledge and expertise to find what you need. Call them with your VIN, tell them what you want, and let them do their job. We receive many calls each day from truckers looking to trick their truck with the newest semi truck accessories. The conversation always begins with ” where can I find this accessory”! Let the supplier find what you need and the entire transaction can take place over the phone!

Older trucks need love too! At least two to three times a day someone calls with an older truck application. They are usually frustrated because they haven’t found any chrome for their truck. Ask your supplier if a custom quote is available for the accessory you want. this is not an unusual request. Semi truck manufacturers have the tooling in place to make almost any customized semi truck accessory you request.

From roof to fender to grill to cab, you can find all the accessories you need that will have your truck reflecting your independent and freewheeling spirit. Using the tips we discussed, you shouldn’t have any problem dressing up your truck with trickmytruck semi truck accessories.

The author has twenty five years experience in the automotive aftermarket in sales, marketing, product management, benchmarking and best practices, and E-Commerce web development. He is currently a Manager of Marketing and E-Commerce Business Development, and the webmaster behind a semi truck parts and accessory site http://www.chromemytruck.com.

New Michelin Tyre

 

A new tyre has been lauched from Michelin and its called the XFN2+. Its been designed to offer better safety on slippery winter roads. Supposedly it offers 10% more grip than previous tyres.

Going on my experience i’d think Michelin are probably correct with there statement. I’m a Michelin man through and through (although you cant see my white rings!) and i’m sure this will be another excellent tyre with outstanding grip.

The Smoking Ban. Part 3

Obviously i meant to say that all this stuff i have written about the smoking ban has beeen for the ban in England not Scotland or Wales, but i’m sure the principles are the same and i wouldnt be surprised if the law is written almost word for word the same, but i thought i should just point it out just in case!

Now moving on from, i have heard that one view taken by organisations such as the RHA and the FTA, is that its very unlikely that, or indeed you’d be very unlucky to get nicked for smoking in your truck. The basis of this is that since the end of March there have been no recorded cases of any Scottish driver being prosecuted, so it is thought it may be a piece of legislation that has a big fat blind eye turned towards it, but WHAT EVER YOU DO DONT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT!!!!!!!

The Smoking Ban. Part2.

2 seconds after publishing the first post i find this in an email from the RHA. The following information is taken from the RHA’s Summary Guide to Smoking Ban at Work. Thanks to the RHA.

Can drivers smoke in a works vehicle? Yes, unless the vehicle is used by anyone else at any other time. The regulations will require enclosed vehicles to be smoke-free at all times, if they are used:a. by members of the public or a section of the public (whether or not for reward or hire), orb. in the course of paid work by more than one person, even if those people use the vehicle at different times, or only intermittently. Intermittent use by other people would include the intermittent use of the vehicle by a worker such as a fitter using the vehicle for testing purposes. If there is regular or intermittent use of the vehicle by other workers, then the vehicle must remain smoke free even during any daily rest break taken by a driver in a sleeper cab.

Again it shows that even drivers in sleeper cabs cannot smoke in cab, even after hours. To read the RHA’s complete Summary Guide click the following link; http://www.rha.net/adviceandinfo/plonearticle.2007-06-28.4094792133  The guide also states; Who will inforce the regulations? Local authorities will enforce the new regulations and enforcement functions can be transferred between enforcement authorities.

The Smoking Ban

Right although i’m not a smoker a lot of you other drivers are. So as a consequence it has been a matter of discussion especially as most of my friends are long distance and spend  4 or 5 nights away in a truck. Now, most are employed company drivers therefore the vehicles are insured for other drivers, even though the vehicle will only be home saturday or sunday.

To me this means that realistically one driver one truck, meaning the truck is in their possession and control all week, every week, with exception of servicing on a saturday morning. The driver uses the truck for work all day but after hours the truck becomes the drivers home, so this is where the question comes in; Is it or is it not illegal for the driver to smoke in the truck in the evenings or after the days work is done? Bearing in mind they would be allowed to smoke in their own bricks and mortar homes.

I’ve been trying to research into this and to be quite honest without a great deal of success., but I’m hoping i can add to this post as i can find more out. The following comes from the official Smoke-free Government regulations.

  

The Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations 2007

2007 No. 765PUBLIC HEALTH, ENGLANDThe Smoke-free (Exemptions and Vehicles) Regulations 2007

  Made 7th March 2007  
  Coming into force 1st July 2007

PART 3Vehicles Enclosed vehicles
     11. —(1) Subject to the following paragraphs of this regulation, an enclosed vehicle and any enclosed part of a vehicle is smoke-free if it is used—
(b) in the course of paid or voluntary work by more than one person (even if those persons use the vehicle at different times, or only intermittently).

 

Right, this really is the only paragraph which i can find in the regulations that says anything relating to  the situation of one driver all the time except once in a very blue moon! I have highlighted the words to make a sentance for you (i hope). But by reading (b) over and over i think we can all say it is (Officially and on paper) illegal for a driver to smoke in his truck even if it is his home for the week (or more).  This is the official line. Sorry.

 The penalty for you naughty drivers for smoking in your truck is as follows; Smoking in smokefree premises or work vehicles: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (reduced to £30 if paid in 15 days) imposed on the person smoking. Or a maximum fine of £200 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.

Also for the operators of your truck if you are working for a company. The operator is responsible for stopping you smoking in your vehicle and also displaying no smoking signs in your truck. If they fail to do so they can be find £200!!!!! and they will have 29 days to cough up. Although it can be reduced to £150 if paid within 15 days.

I hope this gives some form of help but i take no responsibility for incorrect information, bla bla bla, you know what i mean. If you want the official quickquide please click here: http://www.smokefreeengland.co.uk/what-do-i-do/quick-guide.html

V8 Scania Sound

If like me you love the sound of a V8 Scania then log on to this site and turn your speakers up!!!

 This is the english version of the site and the translation isnt very good, but does that really matter once you here the sound?!    http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscaniaweb.eigenstart.nl&lp=nl_en

The original dutch site is here, http://scaniaweb.eigenstart.nl/

CDC Accessories

Just browsing through their website, www.truckstuff.co.uk and i found another new line of light bars to mount your spot lights on. They are Viking light bars and are built to fit most make of trucks and on most no drilling is required, just like all the others, but some thing to possibly spend you hard earned cash on, and compared to Kelsa they are a little bit cheaper but still come with wiring for 4 spots. Click here to see; https://store.truckstuff.co.uk/_8DE4BAF37A0F4CEFAB23398B407C737F/vikingssteellightbar/ .

I’ve long been a fan of CDC and have like many spent a fair bit on money on bits and pieces for various trucks. Whenever i have dealt with any one from CDC even speaking to the big man in charge, David  Fairweather, they have all been exceptionally helpfull and made parting with my cash that little bit easier, good to see they are doing there jobs correctly!

Also in the specials section of the website; https://store.truckstuff.co.uk/_8DE4BAF37A0F4CEFAB23398B407C737F/cdcspecials/, are some nice looking curtains, ranging from £125 for just a single pair to £149 pounds for a pair of curtains, Back Tunnel curtain, Front window fringe and matching rope tiebacks. Not bad me thinks, so get your wallets out and spend spend spend!

Click here to go to CDC’s front page; www.truckstuff.co.uk

Stobart Again!

Sorry to mention the men in green once again but for anyone who’s interested, Stobart shares started trading on the stock exchange today.  This is all following the £138milliion pound merger with Westbury.

Although i can’t find what the price is.

Scania Really not Keen on VW/MAN Takeover

A merger between Scania and  MAN/VW have collapsed. The three companies had called off negotiations with no date for any new meeting.  Scania chief executive Leif Ostling had been the key obstacle from the German point of view, imposing conditions unacceptable to Volkswagen, such as siting the headquarters in Sweden.  VW and MAN jointly control 51% of Scania’s Shares shares.

This came from an article published by Focus magazine from Munich, Germany.