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Instead of tape, we use ball bungees to tie off the loose ends of the straps. They serve two purposes: (1) impress the customer with attention to detail, (2) when used as shown, the strap is secured over the top of the ratchet strap handle, which helps keep the handle from popping loose (though...

Most if not all major tire manufacturers have a tire data book that shows proper inflation levels for each type of tire under a range of loads. Determine the normal load your new Goodyear's carry, consult the tire data book and run them at that psi. Any Goodyear dealer will have the book. I...

A discussion about which device configuration is best for drivers is more informative and respectful than a discussion about who is right and wrong.

A year or two ago, when the subject of wide singles (super singles) came up, people often mentioned the risk of having a flat wide single and being unable to get a quick replacement. It is interesting to see people are not mentioning that now. Market acceptance and tire store support for wide...

Good info, Turtle. Thank you.

You are right about rolling resistance being a factor in fuel economy. Our truck came new with eight deep-lug tires on two drive axles. Deep lugs are good for traction in snow and mud but have a rolling resistance disadvantage. As the tires wore down and thread depth decreased, rolling...

Sun visors are starting to disappear from some class 8 trucks. Below are photos of two newer Freightliners, one with and one without a sun visor. The one without clearly came that way from the factory.

This just in from Land Line: South of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, near Exit 267, thirty miles of I-80 in both directions will close this afternoon, due to flooding. Details

Well, the Airtabs are now on our truck; both sides and on the roof. We'll see how they do and share the results here. Additional info is at the manufacturer's web site.

We changed our driving habits to improve fuel economy. I wrote about it in Expedite NOW. See: How To Boost Your MPG For Free. (There is a typo in the story. Near the end, change "Iowa" to read "Ohio.")

The Truck Driving Championships can be good for drivers, if they choose to participate. ATA has a fair amount of political clout and has used it to oppose tolls, a position I agree with. ATA's Share the Road program helps drivers by educating the public about how to operate safely around...

For expedite wannabees reading this who have not driven a truck before, I'll share that while Diane and I consider GPS navigation devices to be essential equipment, (we use a laptop and GPS programs), we do not rely on them to drive. While they can be helpful, you do not need them to enter...

The final four paragraphs in the Land Line story suggest that regulators are not rushing into this. Arizona STOPPED issuing citations and warnings about laptops in the cab and seeks clarification on the rule. CVSA Executive Director Stephen Campbell said FMCSA leaders were taking their time...

Yes, laptop navigation programs can provide verbal directions.

Truck selection may vary from state to state. That was one of the toughest parts of the course for us, driving an unfamiliar truck on an unfamiliar course. Had we been able to drive our own truck, we would have done better. But that is not the way it works in Minnesota. No one gets to drive...

And that, dear readers, is one of the benefits of events like these. It helps keep you sharp. People talk about the value of experience. But if you allow yourself to fall into a slovenly rut, the value exists more in one's mind than out on the road. That is not to say you must enter a...

Very cool! I see your state organization provides sample written test questions online. These are the same samples we received in Minnesota. The questions are similar to those we saw on the actual test but they were not the same. Thorough book study was still necessary to do well on the test...

The answers to most of your questions are on the ATA web site (links already provided). I do not know what the entry fee may be in your state. Our carrier paid ours. Some drivers in our Minnesota competition told me their carriers provided bonuses for winning. Beyond that, I know nothing about...

I do not know if Panther is an ATA member or not. Drivers/contractors with any carrier, including own-authority owner-operators, that may wish to enter the ATA National Truck Driving Championships, can get info at National Truck Driving Championships. This is the same link provided in the...

Greg, people know how to read. The link about the Truck Driving Championships was provided in the first post. Can't you just leave it at that?