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A tough reality in the trucking profession is the requirement to be sedentary for the majority of time spent on the job.

A tough reality in the trucking profession is the requirement to be sedentary for the majority of time spent on the job. The average trucker works either 60 hours over the course of seven days or 70 hours over the course of eight days. While drivers cannot work more than 14 hours straight, 11 of those hours can be spent driving—resulting in well over 40 hours a week sitting behind the wheel.

The driver’s seat as a maintenance item

Remaining seated for long periods of time is harsh on the body, but even more so when proper support is not provided. Even when new, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) seats don’t have the best support, and what’s there decreases as the seat ages. Musculoskeletal disorders and soft tissue injuries can result, and these ailments are worsened by the physical exertion associated with the job. The resulting sprains, muscle pulls, and body aches will put a driver out of work.

In fact, a survey of long-haul truck drivers conducted by The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that the most common types of truck driver injuries are sprains and strains, and that over half of those injured on the job required time away from work. Considering that one-in-five reported injuries are neck or back related, providing truckers with a supportive driver seat can make a significant difference and potentially reduce driver turnover by decreasing the risk of injury.

Truck drivers and owners understand the importance of regular maintenance and repair to mechanical systems. It’s also time to start paying attention to the driver’s seat as an important wear item that requires regular inspection, repair, and replacement. Investment in the seating ‘system’ makes good sense compared to the alternative scenario of drivers who become unavailable due to seat-related injuries.

Variables to consider in a replacement seat

Semi-truck seats are “suspension seats”: they move up and down to help quell impacts from bumps. A scissor-type mechanism in the frame makes that allowance, with excess movement dampened by a built-in shock absorber. Most OEM seats are manufactured with the minimum: low seatbacks, narrow cushions, vinyl upholstery, and little adjustability. None of this is great for comfort or support over the long haul. However, the aftermarket offers a variety of upgraded seats which can improve on all these factors.

Keep these factors in mind when making your selection:

• Cab height: The truck cab’s height is an important deciding factor. A taller space equals more choice. If the space is there, a taller seat frame gives you the advantage of more vertical seat travel. Ample headroom also means more room for a high-back seat. Both of these give the driver greater comfort and support.
• Cushion firmness: Some people wrongly presume that soft and plush equals greater comfort, but that softness will not provide adequate support in the long-term. Firmer cushions are still comfortable and are more supportive to a driver who remains in the same seated position for long stretches of time.
• Isolators cure rocking: Isolators control back-and-forth movement, or rocking, when the truck is accelerating and braking. Isolators are mounted in the seat base, and typically include a lock-out lever if the driver wishes to temporarily disable this function under certain driving conditions.
• Even more options: One obvious choice is different upholstery material (cloth, vinyl, leather), depending on your preference and budget. Depending on seat model, you might also be able to choose among additional comfort options like more extensive tilt and recline angles, seat heaters, massagers, larger or tilting headrests, and adjustable lumbar support.

Whichever seat you choose, remember that the comfort, support, and safety of the driver are paramount. Keeping drivers alert and injury-free helps keep them happy and productive and mitigates any concerns about cost. A quality aftermarket semi-truck driver’s seat is a win-win for all concerned.

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The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is expecting major traffic delays when they close portions of I-70 in Kansas City for construction this weekend.

According to MoDOT, both directions of I-70 will be shut down in Kansas City as of 10 p.m. on Friday, February 21, until 5 a.m. on Monday, February 24.

MoDOT says that I-70 west will be closed between Route 291/I-470 and I-435 while eastbound I-70 will be closed at I-435.

A statement from IDOT said “a theft ring that has impacted the westbound Three Rivers Rest Area on I-80 near Minooka for an extended period. It is now impacting the eastbound rest area as well.”

Markus Lienkamp is the chair of Automotive Engineering at the Technical University of Munich. It seems that would make him a full blown auto expert (hence the title). Lienkamp told Business Insider that, “The battery for a Tesla Semi must have a capacity of about 1,000 kWh per 100 kilometers, about 130 kWh.” He adds that “this is technically not easily feasible and it’s also pointless both economically and ecologically.” This was in response to a study conducted by Transport & Environment, which is a consortium of European environmental organizations. The study compared the energy consumption of classic diesel trucks with the energy consumption of electric trucks on long-haul journeys, as well as the technical, regulatory, and financial viability of battery-electric long-haul trucks.

Tesla, Daimler, Renault, and Volvo are all working on large electric trucks. Tesla aims to put its Semi into production this year, with Elon Musk recently noting on a shareholder conference call that a main holdup has simply been battery supply.

The longest-range Tesla Semi will go a distance of 800 kilometers (500 miles) on a single charge, and will be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 in just 20 seconds with 40 tons in tow. The battery can gain 640 kilometers (400 miles) of range in a 30 minute charge. A shorter-range Tesla Semi is expected to have a base price of $150,000, while a longer-range one is supposed to start at $180,000. The former is expected to have around 500 kilometers (300 miles) of range on a full charge.

The authors of the Transport & Environment study write that the success of battery-electric trucks in the EU is technically feasible. This is due to “improvements to battery density, the efficiency of electric power trains and improvements to aerodynamics and tire rolling resistance.”

Another expert from the Laboratory for Commercial Vehicle Technology at the Dresden University of Applied Sciences, Martin Wittmer, disagreed. He says, “Battery-powered trucks are realistic for distribution, the post office or refuse collection, but today’s lithium-ion batteries are too heavy and too expensive for transporting goods over long distances, and after just two to three years, their storage capacity will already be in significant decline.”

What isn’t noted in the article by Business Insider is that these experts did not mention Tesla’s leadership in lithium-ion batteries or the fact that Tesla is working on a million-mile battery. Tesla, along with physicists from Canada’s Dalhousie University, were recently granted a patent for new lithium-ion battery tech using advanced battery chemistry. The title of the patent refers to adjustments to the battery cell chemistry for Tesla products that will increase the battery’s performance and longevity while also saving costs.

Experts who are a bit pessimistic about electric trucks perhaps do not take into account the successes with battery technology Tesla has had. They seem to see Tesla as just another automaker. To them, the Tesla Semi could just be another flashy toy for a few companies to show off to customers. In reality, many trucking customers have indicated it could be a game changer for the trucking world.

Imagine what the success of Tesla Semi could mean not just for other automakers dabbling in EVs, but for the automotive industry as a whole. Perhaps rescue vehicles and buses could benefit with the type of battery tech Tesla is developing.

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Commercial truck drivers and school bus operators currently adhere to a slower speed on most California roadways but at least one state lawmaker wants that to change.

A newly introduced Assembly bill would eliminate the speed differential for vehicles like commercial trucks, school buses, and vehicles carrying explosives.

The bill is sponsored by Assemblyman Jim Frazier (D- East Contra Costa County).

The change is considered by some truck drivers, who stopped in San Luis Obispo Tuesday, to be a potential safety risk.

Randy Creek, a trucker based in Fresno, said the change could impact his paycheck.

"People who are getting paid by the load and stuff, that might benefit them," Creek said. "But as far as I go, I get paid hourly, so it's not really benefiting me."

Creek, who is subject to a 55 mph speed limit, said the change would save him about 60 minutes.

Other truckers, like one man unloading sodas at Embassy Suites, said he already sees many truck drivers speeding and doesn't think the increased speed limit would be safe.

When the topic of speed governors came up at a Senate hearing earlier this month, Truck Safety Coalition President Dawn King told the Senate Transportation and Safety Subcommittee that slower speed is not really a problem for truckers.

"I don't think the differential is that big an issue," King said. "There's no freeway where everyone is going 65 mph or everyone is going 70 mph. most of us are driving 80 mph and many trucks are speeding to 65 mph."

But the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, Inc., a multi-national group that represents trucker rights, disagreed, saying truck drivers are often forced to speed up for safety reasons because of reckless, distracted drivers on the road with them.

Opponents argue higher speeds come with increased safety risks and fuel use. Supporters say the change saves valuable man hours.

The bill could be introduced to committee by later this month.

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Two of the biggest pain points for truckers are addressed by this company's unique solutions.

A North Dakota-based carrier is changing the game by providing their truck drivers with common sense solutions to some of the most persistent problems that they’ll encounter on the road.

Great Plains Transport, a refrigerated carrier based in Mapleton, North Dakota, is setting itself apart from other trucking companies by offering up two realistic and effective fixes for their drivers — a sack of groceries and a steady salary.

Keeping The Fridge Full For New Drivers

When you’re starting out at a new trucking job, you’ve got a million things to worry about. Company leadership at Great Plains Transport believes that feeding yourself shouldn’t be one of those worries. That’s why they provide drivers with $50 worth of groceries to keep their fridge full when they start out. Drivers get to order what they want online and have their groceries delivered to them — meaning they have access to the meals and snacks they want without having to spend on pricey and often unhealthy truck stop fare. It’s a small gesture that makes a big difference for new drivers who are making a job transition.

Wiping Out Worry With A Weekly Paycheck

Many truck drivers will tell you that an unexpected setback — like a long detention time, a weather delay, or an emergency repair — is one of the most stress-inducing things that can happen. After all, for most drivers, if the wheels aren’t turning, they aren’t getting paid. And not knowing whether your paycheck will be enough to cover your expenses is a huge source of stress for any driver.

Great Plains Transport is working to eliminate that worry about downtime by offering their drivers a salary-based pay structure. The company offers drivers a salary of $65,000 per year paid out weekly, meaning that drivers don’t have to worry about how they’ll pay bills if they have a slow week or a surprise setback. Great Plains Transport also rewards drivers with mileage-based bonuses of up to $1000 per month which are paid out on a monthly basis, giving company drivers the best of both worlds in terms of pay structure. Other stress-busting driver benefits include medical, dental, and life insurance, paid vacation, and a 401k company match program.

Founded by a truck driver, Great Plains Transport is an attractive career option for experienced drivers looking for a family-friendly atmosphere and a stable and honest work environment. If you’re interested in joining the team as either an OTR driver or an owner-operator in all 48 states, please click here to get started.

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