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Modern Technology for Truck Safety
Modern Technology for Truck SafetyThe transportation industry has been vital to the U.S. economy since the Industrial Revolution. Since then, the technology in trucks has improved immensely, from simple two-cylinder engines to the advanced Electronic Logging Devices...
Route Planning in Flatbed Trucking
Route Planning in Flatbed TruckingIn the trucking industry, route optimization refers to the process of reviewing customer orders, considering the available resources, road networks, and operational constraints they have access to, and determining the best combination...
The Essential Guide to Tarping Your Flatbed Freight
The Essential Guide to Tarping Your Flatbed FreightWhen picking a company to ship your freight with, there are a lot of factors that need to be considered. From the type of load, weight/size restrictions, and additional requirements for the route that freight is going...
Essential Logistics & Shipping Terms
Essential Logistics & Shipping TermsAs you enter the transportation and logistics industry, it may feel as though there is a whole other dictionary of terms and phrases that are being used. Learning the terms you'll need to know is the first step to success in the...
Short Haul vs Long Haul in Trucking
Short Haul vs Long Haul in TruckingThe two classifications of length of haul are short-haul trucking and long-haul trucking. While both may involve shipping the same goods, using the same trailers, and operating within the same regions, there are significant...
Most Common Types of Flatbed Freight
Most Common Types of Flatbed FreightJust like other modes of transport, flatbed transportation can accommodate a variety of different loads. Depending on the time of year, using open-deck trailers will be your best bet for a multitude of different load types, from...
Cross Border Shipping in the US and Canada
Cross Border Shipping from US to Canada/Canada to USIn the constantly changing landscape of international shipping, Canada consistently ranks among the U.S.’ top trade partners year after year. As a shipper, the opportunity to cross into Canada is accessible through...
Cross Border Shipping in the U.S. and Mexico
Cross Border Shipping from US to Mexico/Mexico to USIn today’s dynamic world of global trade and international shipping, cross-border freight shipping plays a pivotal role in connecting markets. Moving freight into and out of Mexico, one of the United States’ largest...
Tips for Your Pre-Trip Inspection
How to Ace Your Pre-Trip InspectionsInspections, inspections, and more inspections! Did you know an estimated 388,000 truck accidents are recorded annually in the US, making up about 6.5% of all reported vehicular collisions? When you consider the numbers, the value...
Trucking Safety and CSA Scores
Trucking Safety and CSA Scores: Keeping our Roads SafeIn the trucking industry, safety is the top priority. Drive recklessly, let repairs lapse, or cause a collision, and you’re held accountable. The things you do, or don’t do, can affect CSA Scores. The Compliance,...
Truck Stop Etiquette for Drivers
Truck Stop Etiquette That Every Driver Should KnowWhether it’s the end of a long day when you’re ready to take a break, or if you’re just looking for a quick spot to refuel, truck stops are the go-to for any long-haul driver looking for somewhere to pull in. Once...
8 Things You Don’t See in Modern Trucks
8 Things You Don't See in Modern TrucksThe trucking industry has come a long way -- not just in the way freight is moving or the regulations, but the technology in the trucks as well. In the last several decades, we’ve seen improvements to safety technology, tracking,...
Differences Between Class A CDL, Class B CDL, and Class C CDL
Differences Between Class A CDL, Class B CDL, Class C CDLWhen it comes to operating a commercial vehicle, a standard driver’s license is not all you need. It takes different skills to operate a semi-truck, a bus, or a large trailer than it does to operate a regular...
Managing Stress as a Truck Driver
Managing Stress as a Truck DriverBeing on the road as a truck driver has many perks – a flexible schedule, the ability to travel the country, great benefits, and most of all, the ability to work independently. However, the job is not without its challenges, and one of...
Winter Safety for Truck Drivers
Winter Safety for Truck DriversAs winter quickly approaches and we’re buttoning up to stay as warm as we can, flatbed truckers face the challenge of securing and tarping outside in the cold temperatures, ice, and snow. Whether you’re brand new to the industry, or...
How Do Truck Drivers Sleep? Best Tips for Rest on the Road
How Do Truck Drivers Sleep? Best Tips for Rest on the RoadWhile sleeping in a semi-truck is a way of life for an over-the-road truck driver, irregular schedules, long hours on the road, and unfamiliar sleeping environments can make sleep difficult to come by. Drivers...
Understanding Freight Trends in Trucking
Understanding Freight Trends in TruckingThe trucking industry is responsible for carrying over 70% of the nation’s freight from place to place, which means almost every industry depends on freight companies to keep them running. However, just like every other...
Home Time for Truckers
Home Time for Truckers: What You Need to KnowHome time is something every trucker looks at when deciding on a company to drive for. But first, what does home time mean in trucking? Unlike a traditional job, the weeks are not always broken up into workdays and days...
How to Improve Gas Mileage as a Flatbed Truck Driver
How to Improve Gas Mileage as a Flatbed Truck DriverMost drivers on the road pay attention to the fuel efficiency of their vehicles. With the average price of regular fuel around $3.80 and diesel sitting around $4.35 as of August 2023, reducing fuel consumption is...
The Smith System: 5 Keys to Driving Safe
The Smith System: 5 Keys to Drive SafeIn today’s climate where delivering freight quickly takes priority, it’s more important than ever that truck drivers are keeping safety at the top of their mind. From the moment you take your place behind the wheel to when you’re...
The Best Apps for Truckers
The Best Apps for TruckersA smartphone is one of the most important tools a driver can have on hand. Mobile devices can be used to stay in touch with friends and family, navigate routes, be used as entertainment on breaks, and more. There are tens of thousands of apps...
Truck Driver Training: What You’ll Need to Know
Truck Driver Training: What You'll Need to KnowOnce you've passed the interview process with a trucking company, you'll be invited to their training program. Congratulations! Here, you'll be evaluated further to determine if you're ready to start driving. It's a...
Top 5 Time Management Tips for Truckers
Top 5 Time Management Tips for TruckersIn a career as solitary as truck driving, you won’t have someone to tell you when to work, when to stop, and when to rest for the night. You’re trusted to schedule and keep track of your own hours, as long as you’re within the...
Should You Become a Driver Trainer?
Should You Become a Driver Trainer?After driving solo for a while, you might be looking to learn something new and rewarding to take your truck driving career to the next level. Fortunately, many companies, including Melton, have opportunities for you – the most...
Questions to Ask a Trucking Recruiter
Questions to Ask a Trucking RecruiterThere are hundreds of trucking companies out there looking for drivers like you, all with different policies, cultures, and more. If you’re just beginning your job search, it can seem daunting to know how to get the right...
Preventing Sun Damage
Preventing Sun Damage as a TruckerTruck driving is a difficult job – hauling a huge trailer while dealing with potentially hazardous weather, other drivers on the road, and long hours is tricky enough. However, there are some risks that come with the job that you...
What is Tarp Pay?
What is Tarp Pay? Any truck driver knows that fair compensation is extremely important in the industry. Truck driving is both a difficult and important job, so drivers should be paid fairly for the time and work they put in to keeping the U.S. moving. That’s why tarp...
Owner-Operators vs Company Drivers
Owner Operators vs Company DriversThere are two types of truck drivers that are often discussed in the industry: owner operators and company drivers. But what do these terms mean, and what’s the difference between owner operators and company drivers? We’ve explained...
What Should Experienced Drivers Look For in a Company?
What Should Experienced Drivers Look for In a Company?Before we get started, let’s first answer a couple of commonly asked questions: What is an experienced driver? How many years is an experienced driver? What is the difference between an experienced driver and an...
Tips for Backing Up a Semi Trailer
How to Back Up in a Semi TrailerBacking up is a skill that both new and veteran truck drivers must continually focus and practice on.. Flatbed trucks require skill and training to maneuver, and there are many things to remember when backing a 53’ trailer into a...