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Driving a rig is rewarding in many ways.

The thrill of the open road, not having a boss breathing down your neck, seeing different places and people each day, but at the end of the day most truckers truck for one primary reason.

To make as much money as they can.

As with anything, the more time and experience rig drivers spend behind the wheel the more tricks (and hacks) they learn when it comes to keeping more money in their pockets at the end of the day.

And while there are many things that experienced drivers do to maximize their income, one thing that stands out is that successful truckers see preventative maintenance as an investment, not an expense.

Inexperienced drivers view regular oil changes, alignments, inspections and sometimes even things such as replacing worn parts as expenses. But as any trucker eventually learns (usually after a few breakdowns that could have been avoided [...]

image of a truck fuel gauge showing 3/4 empty

Any heavy truck driver will quickly point out that fuel mileage is one of their primary concerns when it comes to driving a rig for one great reason…

Money.

Driving a rig and hauling thousands of pounds gets expensive very quickly. Even a fuel mileage improvement of just a few percent points can add up to saving thousands (or even tens of thousands) of dollars over the long term.

And those savings all go directly into the profit column of the driver (or company), as opposed to the fuel company.

Well today we have a suggestion that will not only help reduce fuel costs, it will also give you the added bonus of increasing tire life (which is something else that can save truckers thousands!).

Get your alignment done.

When your truck is out of alignment, your tires are being pushed down the road “off-kilter”. This means you are effectively making your tires fight every [...]

three different tan colored volvo heavy trucks in a well lit warehouse

Just as there are many different brands and manufacturers for cars and SUVs, there is stiff competition in the trucking industry. Experienced truckers and operators favour certain manufacturers for various reasons, whether it’s longevity, ease of use, and aftermarket services. For decades, Volvo has been the brand of choice for truckers all over the world.

Volvo’s Reputation in the Trucking Industry

Debates about the best truck to buy will likely never end, since thousands of people have subjective opinions based on their personal experiences with particular trucks. Despite this, Volvo trucks have long maintained an excellent reputation in the trucking industry. For decades,
they have been recognized as a top brand internationally.

Volvo trucks are well known for their unique and elegant designs, excellent for long-distance trips because of their comfortable sleepers. They are also easy to maneuver and very functional.

Wherever you are in Canada, it’s easy to find dealers that can provide [...]

silver Volvo VNL truck on white background

When it comes to Volvo heavy trucks at Gerry’s Truck Centre our biggest selling model is unquestionably the VNL.

The VNL line was originally introduced in 1996 and while back then, the VNL was a game changer, the model has steadily improved each and every year since them. Today’s VNL buyer, driver and owner has the reassurance that their new VNL has benefitted from two and a half decades of improvement and enhancements!

Here at Gerry’s, we have every confidence to comfortably state that todays VNL trucks are the best they’ve ever been!

Currently there are five vehicles in the VNL family:
  1. The VNL 860 – This is the flagship of the VNL lineup. Truly a home away from home in almost every sense!
  2. The VNL 760 – Probably the best selling model and perfect mix of value and features, all new cab introduced in 2018.
  3. The VNL 740 – The money saving option [...]
Volvo heavy truck with fluid tank on back on a dirt road

Hauling heavy cargo is not just about using a powerful truck to make the delivery process efficient and streamlined. You need more than the right truck to perform your logistics needs; you must also have a proper understanding of aerodynamic drag and how it affects your drivers’ handling of your fleet. 

Aerodynamic drag has a considerable impact as to how well your drivers can maneuver your fleet. Since semi-trucks have box-shaped trailers attached, they have limited ability to withstand the effects of aerodynamic drag. However, you can modify specific areas where pressure buildups are apparent to improve fuel efficiency through small yet effective installations. 

How Does Aerodynamic Drag Affect my Trucks? 

Aerodynamic drag is a form of force that pushes against your semi-trucks during high-speed drives. All vehicles experience this form of air resistance, forcing the driver to accelerate accordingly to maintain speed. However, this pressure is more noticeable for semi-trucks in terms of fuel usage. [...]

two heavy trucks driving down a multi-lane highway with several cars around them

As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on almost all industries. It’s heartbreaking to know that countless businesses all over the world have shut down because of the financial crisis and government restrictions… and will likely never reopen. Not surprisingly, some of the most affected sectors are hospitality, travel, entertainment, and restaurants. What many people don’t realize however is that the trucking industry has also been adversely affected. 

In Canada, trucking is an essential service. This is why drivers keep on working despite the pandemic. Although they know how challenging and difficult it is to continue working during the pandemic, effectively risking their lives along the way, they keep on rolling to earn a living as they move products and services for society as a whole. But having said that, the reality is many in the trucking industry also have faced lowered demand for products and services due to COVID-19. 

The [...]
Volvo heavy truck driving down a road pulling two trailers

Volvo is one of the largest truck brands in the world, and a company that prides itself on innovation, quality and customer satisfaction. It is perhaps said best on their website that Volvo offers “…an unmatched tradition of pushing the limits, setting new standards and driving innovation…”.  If you are looking to purchasing a great truck, then it goes without saying that Volvo is a great brand.  

As a side note, did you know that Volvo has been manufacturing trucks since 1928, which makes for over ninety years of truck manufacturing! Also, as of 2019 the Volvo Group sold over 230,000 trucks annually, which if you were to average out to each day of the year, would equal just over 630 trucks per day!  

While there is no shortage of benefits that come from purchasing a Volvo Truck, for brevity we’ll point out three quick features that will make you want a Volvo truck.  

Volvo Design offers superior [...]
teal green Volvo heavy truck backed into a loading/ unloading area with a man walking by the front of the truck

Even trucking businesses that have been in the industry for decades can struggle with whether they are better to invest in a new truck, or a slightly pre-owned or used vehicle. While there are many considerations when it comes to this, and each scenario is unique, here are some things that may help you determine which path is best for you.

 

Why You Should Buy a New Truck

If new and used vehicles were to all cost the same amount of money, there likely wouldn’t be any need for this article, however as we all know, there is a clear price difference. In the majority of instances, this extra cost is the main driver that causes people to buy used trucks instead of new ones.

On the surface, yes, buying a brand-new truck is more expensive, but as anyone who has ever purchased a used vehicle can attest, in some cases that additional cost [...]

Open moving truck in front of a walk up building with people unloading a plant

Regardless of what business you are in, running a successful operation requires having the proper equipment to face the demands of your business model, and more importantly your customers. 

While for some businesses, these demands can be achieved through the use of innovative software or specialized equipment and machinery, in many cases the most versatile tool a business can invest in to “get the job done” involves either purchasing, renting or leasing a commercial or heavy truck. More importantly, the truck fits its purpose best.

 

Commercial trucks’ role in various industries

Commercial (or heavy) trucks can be used in many ways, but their primary role, not surprisingly, involves simply hauling a large number of materials, products or items from one place to another. However basic the concept of “hauling” may be, it is a wildly diverse group of businesses from a variety of business sectors with very different needs, that use commercial trucks for [...]

Teal green Volvo heavy truck in front of loading area

Industries all over the world are shifting their practices to place sustainability and eco- friendliness at the forefront. The trucking industry is no exception. As the need and demand for environmentally friendly vehicles grows, manufacturers have shifted their focus to electromobility.

With online shopping, medical carriers, and delivery services at an all-time high, the trucking industry will continue to see steady growth in the next year. Electric trucks are a viable solution for businesses and cities all over the world. They contribute to quieter cities, cleaner air, and efficient transport services.

Electric Trucks

Battery technology is ever-improving and evolving, so the future is bright for electric trucks. There is always a high demand for vehicle solutions that will reduce local air pollution, and the densest cities in the country will be the first to benefit.

In the next few years, electric trucks will be a significant disruption to the trucking industry. While manufacturers are striving [...]

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