Have you been curious about flatbed trucking, what it entails, and if it’s the right choice for you? Well, to help, not only do we have used flatbed trailers for sale but in this post, we outline some important things you should know about this career.
Are you unsure about what a dry van trailer has to offer and if your shipping needs to utilize this style of trailer? At Mount Trailer Company, we wanted to provide a quick guide about dry van trailers, the benefits they bring, and some buying options you have.
Our team at Mount Trailer offers up a quick list of things to remember when shopping around for a used semi-trailer.
Do Your Research
Whenever you purchase a used semi-trailer, you want to do a market, background, and compatibility check. The trailer must have had a recent FHWA inspection. Additionally, remember to inquire as to why the trailer is up for sale. Always request to see the repair and maintenance history of the trailer.
Do you have a delivery coming that may require a liftgate? These mechanisms allow operators to transport heavy loads by attaching to the back of a truck and using a hydraulic or electric mechanism to raise the load to the truck body safely. These attachments along with other large-scale transport options such as used semi-trailers may seem intimidating, but with the right knowledge, they can be beneficial.
If you’re new to making deliveries or haven’t been in the logistics industry long, you might not know much about liftgates for trailers and precisely how they work. Well, they can make it much easier to drop off deliveries and load heavy goods onto the back of your truck.
As one of Portland, Oregon’s leading new and used semi-trailer sales companies, the team from Mount Trailer wants to shed some light on some of the questions you might have about liftgates, so continue reading!
A vital part of keeping your cargo and other vehicles safe on the road is how to secure a load in a dry van trailer properly. When it comes to securing cargo, unfortunately, accidents have happened when the rules and proper procedures are not followed.
Driving a semi-truck requires extensive training, certification, and skill. And while you have to be completely in control of your trailer when driving, you also have to be aware of your surroundings and how other vehicles are driving and reacting to your big rig.
To help, our team at Mount Trailer Company in Portland, Oregon, has prepared a safety guide to help you avoid collisions and outline some reasons they can occur.
Three Things to Remember When Driving Your Semi-Truck
While this may seem like an obvious one, a semi-truck can potentially have blind spots – also referred to as “no zones.” Some drivers think that extended and large front mirrors will cover everything, but they often don’t. Be aware of your semi’s blind spots and take extra care when maneuvering lanes and adjust/react to other vehicles.
Whether you drive a semi-truck or not, we’ve all seen them turn and know just how wide and more distance is needed to safely turn left or right. When you are driving your semi, you will need to swing out in order to make most of your turns. Be very careful when doing this as impatience drivers may try to quickly pass around you right as you are swinging to make your turn.
As mentioned earlier, this is a situation where you not only have to be mindful of your own rig, but all the other vehicles, and drivers (no matter how impatient and poor they may drive).
A semi-truck can weigh in at as much as 80,000 pounds. Keeping that in mind, the average break time for a semi on the highway can be up to 525 feet (roughly the equivalent to about two football fields). That break time is in optimal conditions, so with rain, snow, etc., it will increase greatly.
Be certain you are not only maintaining the proper distance between other vehicles when driving, but you are also considering the weather and other road variables like construction, lanes coming to an end, and more.
Get Semi-Trucks for Sale at Mount Trailer Company
Our team at Mount Trailer Company can cover all your trailer needs. We carry a huge variety of new semi-trucks for sale, as well as used ones, parts, and of course, trailer repair services.
To shop semi-trucks for sale and more, please contact us today!
Understanding how to avoid a trucker’s blind spots is key in staying safe on the road. Nearly three million commercial trucks move 9.2 billion tons of freight each year, as driving alongside a big rig is a common occurrence on the highway. Following a few simple tips to avoid being in a semi-trailer’s blind spots is vital in staying safe and avoiding a deadly accident.
Here are a few simple yet important tips to consider while you are sharing the highway with an 18-wheeler.
1. Understand the Location of Each Blind Spot
A semi-truck has three blind spots that you always need to remain aware of at all times. These blind spots include being directly behind a truck, driving on either side of the vehicle, or driving directly in front of the 18-wheeler. Always allowing for plenty of space is essential in limiting the chance of an accident and staying much safer on the road.
2. Avoid Following Too Close
Another simple tip to consider is to never follow to close to an 18-wheeler or any other vehicle. Tailgating a big rig makes it impossible to anticipate anything further down the road, which significantly increases the chance of a serious accident. Typically, it is a good idea to always give yourself around 5 seconds of following distance behind an 18-wheeler, and you need even more space if the weather is poor.
3. Pass with Care
Always passing an 18-wheeler with care is essential in driving safely. It is always a good idea to signal early and pass quickly to avoid staying in the truck’s blind spot for any lengthy amount of time. You may also experience turbulence if you are in a smaller car or a motorcycle. It is also a smart idea to give a big rig plenty of space while they are making a sharp turn.
Mount Trailer Company Has Used Semi-trailers & More
Always staying patient while sharing the road with an 18-wheeler is critical in staying safe and avoiding a serious accident. Mount Trailer Company is a business that focuses on selling used semi-trailers, as we have other five decades worth of experience in the trucking industry. We also offer a large inventory of parts, and we provide free repair estimates.
Feel free to give us a phone call to learn more about buying used semi-trailers and the importance of safety on the road!
One of the top skills to learn for a truck driver is the ability to safely back up a tractor-trailer on a consistent basis. Understanding this skill is essential for anyone that wants to be a truck driver. Following a few tips while practicing this maneuver is a great way to learn this vital skill.
Here are a few of the top tips to help you safely back a tractor-trailer.
1. Only Backup If It’s Necessary
One of the best ways to limit the chance of an accident is to only back up whenever it’s necessary. You can eliminate many unnecessary backups by always planning ahead and using parking in spaces that you can easily pull through. Ultimately, limiting backups improves safety while also making your job much easier.
2. Take Your Time
Another important tip to remember is always to take your time and avoid rushing yourself while you are backing up a truck. Getting out of the truck and looking around the entire vehicle is a great idea to help you safely back up without any problems. You should also back up with your window down and mostly use your left mirror and avoid the temptation of getting in a hurry.
3. Always Blow Your Horn Before Backing Up
A truck driver needs to always sound the horn before backing up to gain the attention of anyone nearby. Always keeping an eye on your mirrors is essential in staying safe and adjusting. Using four-way flashers is also a good idea while you are backing up a truck for additional safety.
4. Remember That You’re Driving the Trailer and Not the Truck
It is always important to remember that you are driving the trailer and not the truck. For example, turning the steering wheel to the right causes the rear of the trailer to go left. Understanding these dynamics is critical in successfully backing up a truck.
Visit Mount Trailer Company to Find Semi-Truck Trailers for Sale in Portland, Oregon
Following these tips play a key role in successfully backing up a truck without sacrificing safety. Mount Trailer Company specializes in providing new and used trailers for a wide range of customers. We also offer many truck parts, such as OEM axle suspensions, body components, and brake parts. Contact us to learn more about finding semi-truck trailers for sale and more.
If you’re looking to improve your truck body – or upgrade your fleet – buying used semi-trailers can be an excellent way to increase your capacity without breaking the budget. There are plenty of used trailers on the market that still have many more years of service in them and can be a great value – if you choose wisely. Because, of course, there are also plenty of used trailers that aren’t worth your time.
We proudly carry a wide range of excellent used semi-trailers and know a bit about picking the good ones from all the rest. Here are a few tips when you’re buying.
Is the trailer street legal? This should be one of the first questions you ask. If the trailer hasn’t been inspected or has been off the road for too long, this could mean a lot of extra costs down the line.
Also, if it’s a reefer, the refrigeration unit should have been inspected in the past year.
A lot of sellers will do their best to dress up the visible parts of the trailer, but they often neglect the underside – and that’s where rust could be hiding. Get under the trailer with a flashlight and check the undercarriage for rust or any other damage.
Bad tires on a trailer aren’t a dealbreaker – they’re fairly cheap to replace, after all – but they can point towards how well the trailer has been treated by its previous owner. If it’s sitting on bald tires or ones which have clearly been repaired multiple times, you’ll want to look extra hard for other damage.
Never take the seller’s word about the wiring – check it for yourself. Make sure all the lights and signals are working properly and, if possible, inspect as much of the wiring as you can for any signs of damage.
If possible, you want a test drive to make sure the brakes are functional. If nothing else, however, be sure to manually inspect the brake drums and linings for signs of damage or neglect.
We are one of the top sources for new and used trailers, and accessories in Portland, Oregon. To inquire about specific stock or parts, just contact us!
