More interesting facts about trucks

Did you know a new trailer cost is between $30.000 and $80.000?
Did you know a new tractor truck cost is between $130.000 and $270.000?

This means that a new combination tractor trailer can be on average between $160.000 and $300.000, I guess now Bob the driver looks a little more appealing to some... lol

No pun intended, just a little morning humor. Enjoy the rest of the week.

#TransportationBrokers

Facts about trucks:

Engine differences with your car:

• A semi transportation truck engine is about 5 to 6 times larger than a regular car's engine both in size and in weight.
• A regular car produces about 100 to 200 Horsepower and around the 100 to 200 FT.LB. of torque, a semi truck will go produce about 600 horsepower and about 2000 FT.LB. of torque.
• While a car engine is designed to last about 150k to 200k miles a semi engine is designed to go over 1'000.000 miles before even an overhaul or rebuilt, and they are designed to run nonstop, they used to be shut down only for repairs or maintenance until states started adopting anti-idle laws to help the environment. 
• Your car takes about 4 quarts of oil, max 6 if you have a big SUV or Pick Up, a semi's motor holds about 15 gallons of oil.
• Your car has about 4-5 speeds, a semi has about 12 and up.
• A turbo charger is a standard component on a semi truck engine, not on a regular car.
• A semi truck's engine has an air-brake system to aid in the breaking process. 

News from our friends at DAT for Reefer availability in the US.

The USDA came out with their weekly market report today and indicated tight conditions for refrigerated trucks & equipment in SW Indiana, SE Illinois, Southern Michigan (melons), Nebraska, and the Columbia Basin in Washington state. It looks like they missed a few hot spots that brokers and carriers may wish to update:

Grapes in California - The California grape harvest has been hitting record levels for nearly three weeks. The grape harvest started in May and can extend into January. DAT sees strong evidence of constrained truck capacity in the Fresno market, where well over a thousand reefer loads were chasing fewer than 200 trucks yesterday, boosting the load-to-truck ratio to 6.5. The Fresno market includes Bakersfield and Santa Maria near the Pacific Coast, and much of the San Joaquin Valley. Further up the coast, Salinas and Watsonville are also stretched for equipment. Trucks are not nearly as tight in the southern part of the state, where the Santa Ana market continues to produce avocados and citrus with seemingly adequate truck supplies.

Apples Everywhere - Last year’s apple production was 2.7 million bushels in Michigan, and this year is projected at 30 million bushels, more than a 10X increase. Michigan's load-to-truck ratio leaped to an average of 18 yesterday with strong load volume. The entire state looks tight for trucks, especially towards the western part of the state. Reefers in the Grand Rapids market faced a load-to-truck ratio of 36 yesterday. New York will also be back at or near full production this season. Last year, the Empire State produced 17.1 million bushels and is expecting a whopping 30.5 million bushels this year. Washington State is likely to be the top apple producer again at 143.9 million bushels, a decline of 7% compared to last year's 154.8 million bushels.

Potatoes in Wisconsin - A shortage of both reefers and vans is plaguing growers in central Wisconsin -- including Marshfield, Appleton and Green Bay. Yesterday’s load-to-truck ratio for reefers was 37 for the state, and the van ratio was 6.5, with well over a thousand load posts for each of the two trailer types. Bumper crops include cabbages and potatoes. Idaho also grows fall potatoes, of course, and volume is building in that state, as well, with more to come.

Bountiful Harvests - Crops are coming in strong all across the country. Favorable growing conditions have been reported in locations from Delaware, eastern Virginia, and New Jersey, to the Upper Midwest for Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, out to the West Coast where San Diego is seeing a strong tomato crop, and Oregon is producing grapes as well as tree fruit.

Timing May Lead to Labor Shortage - The only sour note found was a concern that the timing of the seasons could result in labor shortages for some California crops. If growers must compete for skilled labor, the end result could be lower yields, higher prices, or both.

Nkargo Logistics strives to keep our customers moving year round no matter the conditions, check with your transportation specialist at 713-623-1434 to get your transportation needs covered or visit us at www.nkargo.com

Sources: DAT RateView, DAT Hot Market Maps, USDA Fruit & Vegetable report for 9/4/2013, The Produce News and The Packer.

Nkargo Safety Tips, properly passing a large truck

If you want to pass a big rig, try to pass as quickly as possible and hug the outside part of the lane. Pass on the left side whenever possible. The right side is full of blind spots and they can barely see you! After passing the tractor trailer, don't cut in front. Practice good truck safety training tips and give them much more room than you give regular cars. It can take a fully loaded rig the length of three football fields to come to a complete stop from 60 mph. Not only is it dangerous and rude to cut in front of a large vehicle, but it's also illegal in many states. Don't take your chances. Give truckers as much room as possible. Be safe out there, Nkargo Logistics.