Flickering Trailer Lights? Try the Pigtail Wedge

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There are a few things that most truckers have in common, and one of them is the struggle of dealing with flickering trailer lights.  

 

It’s well known that the root of this problem lies in the pigtail, or the electrical cord that powers your trailer lights from your tractor. Loose connections or faulty wiring can affect the pigtail’s ability to keep a consistent supply of power. However, until recently, the long-term solution for this frustrating problem was still unknown.  

 

This is where the Pigtail Wedge comes in, an easy to install, long-lasting, and affordable solution that keeps drivers from constantly needing to readjust the pigtail or worrying about complying with DOT regulations. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the tool that is sure to become essential for truck drivers across the nation. 

An Easy Solution  

With 28 years of commercial truck driving under his belt, Pigtail Wedge inventor Robert Patterson has had his fair share of flickering and flashing trailer lights. Years of dealing with this frustrating and potentially dangerous issue led him to design and patent what is now known as the Pigtail Wedge.  

 

The concept first struck Robert in 2017, when he was shopping for Christmas presents with his wife. The carrier he works for, Dayton Freight Lines, had been having ongoing issues with the electrical cords on many of the trucks in its fleet. Every three months, hundreds of trucks required new electrical cords, creating a costly and time-consuming pattern.  

 

Then, in the Macy’s shoe department, Robert had an idea. He realized a shoe horn could be used to keep the pigtail from shifting, therefore maintaining the connection and keeping his trailer lights from flickering. Although the shoe horn was too large to fit at first, Robert used a dremel to adjust the size and create the first prototype of the Pigtail Wedge.  

 

Initially designed as a short-term solution, Robert thought the wedge would be useful to keep his lights from flickering just until he was able to replace his electrical cord. However, after weeks, and then months, of no electrical issues, Robert realized he might have found the long-term solution to this common trucking problem.  

 

How Does It Work? 

Over the years, truckers have tried various solutions for this pesky problem. Electrical tape, using screwdrivers to spread the contact posts, or other ways to manually force the connection have proved short-term fixes that aren’t worth the trouble.  

 

“If you go out and ask a hundred truck drivers if they know how to fix this problem, a hundred truck drivers will tell you that you just shove anything in the electrical socket: paper clips, zip ties, or paper,” said Robert. “That was the go-to.” 

 

However, Robert saw these solutions as limited. Drivers could keep their lights from flickering, but they had to continuously stop to readjust. Robert wanted to create a durable, long-lasting solution that would save truck drivers time and money, which led him to continue experimenting with the design of the Pigtail Wedge.  

 

After testing shoe horns and 3D printing, Robert now uses an injection molding machine to create the wedge from a specially crafted proprietary blend of plastics. The size and tapered shape of the Pigtail Wedge allows drivers to insert the wedge as far as is necessary to keep the connection tight, and a lanyard made of durable rope ensures that the wedge won’t be lost.  

 

 

When installing the Pigtail Wedge, the lanyard is first fed through the grip of the pigtail, then the plastic wedge is inserted into the receiver, creating a user-friendly solution that requires no expertise or specialized tools for installation.  

 

“A lot of drivers will tell you that they don’t need something like this,” said Robert. “They’ll say they know how to fix it. But if every driver you talk to knows how to fix it, why do we still have the problem?” 

 

Thinking About Trying It Out For Yourself? 

For many, the best part of the Pigtail Wedge is its low price tag. Starting at $6.99 on Robert’s website, the wedge can also be bought in bulk for any carrier looking to make an investment in its team. 

 

With the winter holidays just around the corner, a Pigtail Wedge is also the perfect gift for any trucker, or a great addition to your own wish list if you’re looking to “fix the flicker with the flicker fixer,” as Robert Patterson likes to say.  

 

 

Here at Drive My Way, we love highlighting innovative solutions for everyday obstacles in the trucking industry. If you know of other entrepreneurs making driving easier for everyone, or you just want to reach out with your thoughts, be sure to follow us on our social media!  

What to Consider to Find the Best Trucker GPS

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best trucker gps
While almost everyone has a cell phone these days, it may not be the most helpful tool if you’re a driver who often spends hours (or days) on the road. Using a GPS designed specifically for truck drivers will act as a partner on the road, by helping you navigate through difficult roads or unfamiliar state routes. Below are a few tips to guide you in choosing the best trucker GPS to fit your needs.

Consider What Best Fits You

Finding the right GPS model for you might be easier than you think. Before making your purchase there are a few items worth taking into consideration. The first thing to consider is screen size. Purchasing a GPS with a screen that’s too small can place extra strain on your eyes, making it harder to keep your eyes on the road. On the flip side, if you go with a model that’s too big, you risk blocking your vision.

In your trucker GPS, look for a good screen size as well as Bluetooth and hands-free navigation capabilities.

You should also think about whether or not the GPS comes with built-in Bluetooth capabilities and hands-free voice navigation. Certain models also have the ability to guide you through even the most remote country roads where WI-FI can be nonexistent, which is something that your cell phone won’t be able to do. Using a unit with a voice navigation function will not only make things easier for you but can also cut down potential distractions, allowing you to stay focused on the road ahead.

Remember: It’s All About the Features

semi truck dashboardTrucker GPS systems also come loaded with special features that you won’t find on your standard smartphone. Whether you’re looking to track your fuel usage, the number of miles you’ve driven, your tire mileage, or just curious about the nearest fuel stop, your GPS can provide you with all of that information. A good system will also alert you to changes in routine traffic patterns, hazardous conditions, weight restrictions, low overpasses, and more – all in real-time.

All of the features mentioned above will help keep you on the most efficient routes possible. And, most importantly, your GPS can help make sure you stay within HOS Compliance at all times, making the roads a safer place for everyone involved. This will allow you to deliver your loads on time, help ensure that you get the pay you deserve, and that you make it home on time.

Enjoy the Benefit of Automatic Updates

Additionally, many of the newer GPS models provide users with the benefits of automatic updates. This will help ensure that you have the most up-to-date software at your fingertips every time you get behind the wheel without the need for complicated instructions or flipping through manuals. Your system will always be up-to-date without you having to buy new equipment or software every single time.

Do Your Homework!

Happy trucker driverIt’s important to do your research before deciding on the best trucker GPS system that’s right for you and your life on the road. A simple internet search can lead you to a number of products on the market, as well as their reviews – many of which have been written by actual drivers. Use their feedback to walk you through the good, the bad, and the in-between before making your final purchase.

Remember that choosing the best GPS is all about finding the right option that fits your needs. Make sure that it comes with all of the features and functions that will help improve your driving experience. This will allow you to get a better feel for the product and everything it offers before making your selection.

truck driver at loading dock

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Tesla acquired trucking capacity to assist with end of year deliveries

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Tesla acquired trucking capacity

Elon Musk announced that Tesla acquired trucking capacity to assist with shipping Model 3 equipment by year end.

Tesla acquired trucking capacity

Image via Tesla

The CEO stated that using trucks, as opposed to rail, saves more than a month off of shipping times from the West to East Coast. “We bought some trucking companies and secured contracts with major haulers to avoid trucking shortage mistakes,” Musk tweeted.

In addition, these acquisitions appear to have been done without any news of said transactions spread throughout the transportation industry. Also, General Manager, Auto Haulers Association of America, Guy Young said he hadn’t heard a peep about these acquisitions.

“There’s a capacity crunch right now, because so many companies are gearing up for Black Friday and the holidays,” Young told Bloomberg. “There’s a lot of stuff that needs to go on trucks right now.” Therefore, Tesla acquired trucking capacity this season as a start to solve this problem.

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Tech Thursday: The New DrayNow App Will Change The Way Your Schedule Shipments

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The new freight-matching app, DrayNow, officially raised nearly $5 million in it’s first round of funding.

Image via DrayNow

Comcast Ventures and Osage Venture Partners backed the much anticipated freight booking and tracking app. With its new capital, the company hopes to expand its employee base in both Chicago and Atlanta.

“The shipping and logistics industry serves as an incredibly vital and growing part of our economy. However, the industry’s Intermodal sector sees little technology enabling the match-making and operational efficiency,” Sam Landman, managing director of Comcast Ventures, told DC Velocity.

“We invested in DrayNow because the team and the technology establishes a more efficient method for moving freight. Furthermore, as the first mover in the space, DrayNow addresses customers’ pain points.”

DrayNow quickly connects brokers and carriers based on prospective companies’ drop off locations. The app focuses on the beginning and end of each individual freight movement, allowing users to track their shipment’s location.

Furthermore, Founder and CEO Mike Albert said in a press release, “The industry experiences low visibility and transparency from pick up through delivery. However, we provide transparency and breadcrumbs all the way to delivery,” said Albert.

“When shippers give a carrier a load, they only hear about it when there’s bad news, like they have to push back delivery a day. But, now they see the load pickup, while it’s moving, and at its delivery. This gives them the tools to measure supply chain performance accurately. You can’t measure what you can’t see.”

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Tech Thursday: The New ELD Every Trucker Is Talking About

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New ELD

PeopleNet’s new Android-powered PD.5 might be the one you’ve been searching for.

Image via TT News

Many truckers were shocked by the new ELD mandate passed in late December of 2015. Even more became uncomfortable in their attempt to comply with it after the mandatory installation of ELD’s in each commercial truck just months ago.

No one enjoys having the government track their every move. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration felt that the ELD’s automatic documentation was far sufficient to the pen and paper many truckers had used previously.

Whether you’re a fan or not, every commercial carrier must have an ELD installed in the dashboard. In addition, the device replaces the need for individual Record of Duty Status (RODS). Also, it shares similar features with both electronic on-boarding devices (EOBRs) and automatic on-boarding devices (AOBRDs).

However, the benefit of many ELDs goes far beyond the data collected through EOBRs and AOBRDs.

While other logging devices only look at speed and time spent driving, ELDs also focuses on driver behavior such as hard braking or idling. Many devices also include mapping features for easier navigation as well as automatic updates on a driver’s status to dispatch.

As the leading provider in fleet mobility technology, PeopleNet always aims to deliver the highest quality devices for their customers. Their newest toy, the PD.5, is no exception. Made with truckers in mind, the electric logging device accomplishes everything on the road. Their mounted display was made specifically for the trials of trucking, while still incorporating everything you could ever need.

In the words of PeopleNet, “The ELD mandate is a complicated thing. Our electronic logging devices help you simplify it.”

The new PD.5 runs on the familiar Android LCD display, which makes navigating this device easier than ever.

It is super lightweight, allowing for easy use both inside and outside of your cab. Plus, a higher bandwidth of 20MHz will make sure every mile you drive is logged quickly.

No matter if you’re dropping off in the city or traveling through the rural countryside, you can ensure that your ELD is connected and secure.

In addition, the PD.5 includes other features, such as Bluetooth, a six-hour battery life, 16GBs, and a case.

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Susan Fall Awarded PR World PR Champion of the Year

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Image via LaunchIt

Susan Fall, owner of LaunchIt Public Relations, received PR World’s PR Champion of the Year award for her work in the trucking and transportation industry.

“My personal passion is to improve the image of the truck driver. Because, without them, this country would come to a halt in a matter of days.”

Fall founded LaunchIt in 2000 with a goal of bringing innovative products into the trucking industry. She noticed a discrepancy between management within the industry, and the lack of technology being used to better transportation across the board.

Fall’s firm specifically focuses on maintaining their relationships with experts in the industry. And in return, Fall says this sets her firm apart. She spent the last 20+ years dedicated to media education of the transportation industry.

“Pretty proud of this award because it’s… a personal achievement that I’ve been passionate about since I got involved in the trucking industry 25 years ago,” Fall stated. “Word is spreading about the need to respect and appreciate America’s Truck Drivers! Finally!!”

Even in her acceptance speech, Fall chose to focus solely on raising awareness for the transportation industry.

“It’s not an industry many people think about. When you think about it, every material thing in this room was on a truck, yet a truck driver is perhaps one of the most least appreciated professions out there.”

From all of us here at Drive My Way, congratulations, Susan!

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Tech Thursday: The Best Way to Listen to Your Music On The Road

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Music On The Road

Spending hours on the road every day leaves many truckers eager for a way to pass the time.

The radio is the most obvious solution, and music can make the drive far more enjoyable. However, changing the channels as you drive from state to state can get annoying.

But, with the increasing amount of streamable devices available, it has become easier and easier to find the best way to listen to your favorite artists.

Apps are easier to use than ever before, making them the obvious choice for music listeners on the go. This Tech Thursday, Drive My Way has compiled a list of the top three best music streaming applications to use on the road.

  1.  Spotify

    Image via Spotify

    Spotify has become one of the most popular music streaming devices in recent years. Boasting 70 million subscribers in January 2018 and climbing, They also have some of the most unique curated playlists of any music application, such as the ever popular “#ThrowbackThursday” featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bruce Springsteen, as well as “Feelin’ Good” featuring Al Green and The Supremes. With music to match your every mood, its hard to not fall in love with this streaming service.

    Spotify offers both paid and free subscriptions. The free subscription offers full access to all their music with limited commercial interruption, and five song “skips” per hour. Spotify Premium, their paid version, offers a higher quality of music, no ads, and as many skips as you’d like. After a free 30-day trial, Premium is $9.99/month for an individual account, $14.99/month for a family account featuring up to 6 lines, or $4.99/month for students. Even better, Spotify is currently offering a deal featuring 3 months free for $0.99.

    Other features that Spotify offers include the ability to connect to family and friends through Facebook. This way, you can share what you’re listening to, see what your friends are into, and even get song suggestions based on who you follow. If you ever want to listen to your music in private, though, you can always use their “Private Session” feature to jam to your tunes in peace.

    Spotify is available for download on any smartphone, laptop, or other tablet via iTunes Store, Google Play or Microsoft Store.

  2.  Pandora

    Image via Pandora

    Another popular app available for download is Pandora. This streaming service has been around for years, and has only recently become popular once again. Much like Spotify, Pandora offers immediate access to over 30 million songs in both a free and “Premium” format. However, unlike other music players, Pandora curates music to play for you on their “radio” based on which songs you “like” or “dislike”. Though it does not have more specific playlists like Spotify does, Pandora allows you to create your own custom playlists based on songs you like.

    Much like its musical counterparts, Pandora’s free subscription offers limited commercial listening with 6 “skips” per hour. “Pandora Premium” permits ad-free listening, as well as the ability to search and play any song they offer, create your own playlists, download and listen to music offline, and much more. Though they do not offer any student discounts, their music streaming is $9.99/month for an individual account, and $14.99/month for up to 6 lines in a family plan.

    Pandora is also available for download on any smartphone, laptop, or other tablet via iTunes Store, Google Play or Microsoft Store.

  3. iHeart Radio

    Image via iHeart Radio

    Finally, iHeart Radio is an app that offers the best of custom music streaming alongside your favorite radio channels. Its main focus is free, live radio streams.

    For example, let’s say you really like listening to one of your local radio stations throughout your entire route. The problem is, some spots get patchy, making it hard to hear your station. iHeart Radio fixes that. This app allows you to listen to your favorite local stations, as well as stations all over the country. What’s more, you can even create your own stations based on a favorite artist or song.

    iHeart Radio boasts a 30-day free trial, and a low-cost $4.99/month subscription for iHeart Radio Plus after that. This includes unlimited “skips” and on-demand access to all your favorite channels. Their higher subscription, iHeart Radio All Access, goes for $9.99/month. This package includes everything that their Plus subscription does, along with offline playback and unlimited access to their millions of songs.

    iHeart Radio is available for download on any smartphone, laptop, or other tablet via iTunes Store, Google Play or Microsoft Store.

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Tech Thursday: Be More Mindful with the Headspace App

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Welcome to Tech Thursday, where we review the best technology has to offer for our favorite truckers. Here at Drive My Way, we’re just as concerned about our mental health as the next guy. So, when we ran across an app that claimed to improve moods, decrease stress and increase overall mental stability, we had to try it.

Image via Headspace

What is Headspace?

Headspace is an app in the mindfulness sector of health applications. Mindfulness and meditation have been at the forefront of health concerns for a while. Headspace offers meditation training through your phone or other mobile device. No matter where you are, if you take 10 minutes or so, Headspace can help you refocus on the tasks at hand.

Mindfulness

What’s “mindfulness”, anyways? Why is it so important? Mindfulness is the idea of bringing your attention to experiences occurring simultaneously in one moment. Whoa. OK, let’s unpack that. Being more mindful about your surroundings allows you to be more fully aware of your state and stay in the moment. It allows you to acknowledge and accept your feelings and thoughts, and can often be used as a therapeutic technique to calm anxiety.

Image via Headspace

The beauty of Headspace is that it brings any mindfulness session to wherever you happen to be when you need it. Stressful day on the road? Head to your Headspace app for a quick, three-minute “Burned Out” session that is sure to calm your nerves. Need help falling asleep in your cab? Headspace is chock full of sleepy sessions for you to ease your mind and fall deep asleep. The sessions, ranging in from motivation to eating and happiness, give you plenty of options to cover your anxiety-ridden bases. The best part? Nearly all of them are free.

Headspace is available for free both online and on your phone, through either Google Play or the Apple iTunes Store.

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Shell’s SuperRigs Show Reveals This Year’s Victors

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Image via Shell

Truckers showed off their best equipment in June to claim the coveted best in show.

Raphine, Va., hosted hundreds for the 36th annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs® show. This three-day is a gathering of truckers from far and wide.

Contestants compete in multiple events for over $25,000 in cash and other prizes.

Various “beauty contests” are held for trucks in two categories — working or retired.  “Working trucks” must have logged a minimum of 85,000 miles annually. Other awards for Best Lights, Best Theme, People’s Choice and more are given out to the most outstanding trucks. The owner of the overall Best In Show truck receives a whopping $10,000 prize.

Image via Truck News

Wisconsin resident Bill Rethwisch won Best In Show for the third time in five years with his yellow 2016 Peterbilt 389. Additionally, his truck received top awards for Best Interior and Best Engine.

Other winners included Brad Garetson, who took first in the tractor-trailer division for his 2016 Peterbilt 389 and 2017 MAC flatbed Conestoga trailer, and Jayme and Whitney Snow in the classic division for their 1999 Classic XL Freightliner. Hills Construction of Hempstead, Texas, took home the Most Hardworking Trucker Award for its 2007 Freightliner Coronado.

Image via Overdrive

This year’s SuperRigs show also featured a “Tribute to Toughness”.

Drivers also showed off trucks featuring newly redone engines, cabs built from scratch, and tributes to loved ones. Mike Manuel’s 2015 Peterbilt 389,”Autism: One of Many,” was designed to raise awareness.

 

 

To read more about the 2018 SuperRigs show, click here.

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Volvo SuperTruck is Super Cool

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truckinginfo.com

Volvo released a concept truck getting people talking. The incredible $40 million machine seems rather pricey for a semi-truck. The fancy new model sure is getting a lot of attention, even if it won’t hit the road anytime soon. The truck is still “cost-prohibitive,” truckinginfo.com wrote of the vehicle, but the knowledge gleaned from this grand experiment will apply to future Volvo programs.

The goal of the Volvo SuperTruck project is to build vehicle prototypes that push the boundaries of both fuel and freight efficiency.

Göran Nyberg, president of Volvo Trucks North America, called the Volvo SuperTruck project a “knowledge accelerator.”

“We wanted to see what we could take from the project and get into our customers’ hands even before the project finished,” he said. “We found some significant improvement that we could add to the existing VNL lineup.”

truckinginfo.com

Enhancements featured in the 2017 engine lineup, which Volvo says increase fuel economy by 6.5%, include:

  • a new piston design that improves combustion and reduces soot production,
  • common rail fuel injection, and
  • turbo compounding for the Volvo D13 engine to capture wasted energy from the exhaust stream and convert it to mechanical energy

And of course it’s hard to ignore the overall aerodynamic look of the truck.

The smooth sweeping shape produced a 40% reduction in aero drag, not missing a corner. Since this is a concept truck and not a practical model, even the cab entry steps were covered up and the mirrors replaced with cameras.

Some of the technologies on the SuperTruck aren’t likely to become used daily in CDL trucking jobs for a long time to come. But it sure is fun to dream.

For CDL truck drivers, the joy is in the journey. Follow us on social media here and join the conversation.

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