Off Road Safety Tips

By Mo Shafi

Chances are if you are a Jeep owner you have been off-roading a time or two. The thrill and excitement of pushing your Jeep to its max and seeing just what it can do is something you just can't avoid. While off-roading is fun and adrenaline pumping it is still a dangerous activity.

While your Jeep is known for its off-road capabilities, its actual ability is dictated by the skill and preparation of the driver and its occupants. Proper preparation can be help you have a safe and fantastic journey. So here are a few off-road safety tips to think about before your next off-road adventure.

Before you Go

1. Let your friends and family know where you are going. If you are planning to off-road through a national park inform the park authorities of your route, duration and the date you will begin.
2. Understand that while you are taking your Jeep off-road, you will be without cell coverage more than you will have it. So it would be a good idea to buy a satellite radio, HF radio or a UHF radio and learn how to use them.
3. Put a good first aid kit together and make sure you know how everything works.
4. Put together a good toolkit along with basic spare parts. Regardless if you know how to use any of it, a passerby who stops to help just might.

During your Off-Road Adventure

1. Make sure that you are well rested both physically and mentally at the start of each off-roading journey.
2. Wear a pair of high quality sunglasses to cut down the glare from the sun while you're driving.
3. If it's possible, travel with another vehicle. If something happens to your vehicle you have a way to get help.
4. Don't be the sole driver. It's a good idea to share the driving responsibilities in order to cut down on driver fatigue. Take regular breaks throughout the day.
5. Make sure you know where the facilities are located such as fuel, repairs, food, water, medical facilities and accommodations.
6. When leaving towns check your mileage. If you do break down and need to call for help you will be able to tell them how far you are from the nearest town.

A good thing to keep in mind is that you may not be alone during your off-road adventure. Wherever you go there are wild animals and natural elements to the area. If it is your first time taking your Jeep off-road it is a good idea to take things slow until you get the feel for the ground beneath you. The most important thing is to have fun. Your Jeep was built for enjoyment.

If you are planning an off-road adventure make sure to check out http://www.shopjeepparts.com There you will find everything you need to make your Jeep more than just off-road ready. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mo_Shafi

2008 Big Trucks and Transport

By Michael Rad Platinum Quality Author

A truck is a great invention that has made it possible to transport diverse goods from one place to another. Ever since 1769, the trucks technology and design has evolved a lot and today, the trucks made by manufacturers such as Mercedes, Man, Iveco etc, are simply amazing. The word truck has its origins in the Greek language, the word 'trochos' designating wheels. The development of the truck as we know them today has gone through many stages starting from the steam powered fardier to the semi trailer and so on.

Today the trucks are manufactured by many brand names such as PACCAR (the DAF trucks), Man, Scania, , Iveco (made by the Fiat Group), Nissan Diesel, Renault, Sisu Auto, Mitsubishi, Mahindra and Mahindra, Chevrolet, Volkswagen and others. The top two truck manufacturers are Daimler Chrysler and Volvo. The Daimler Chrysler group sells trucks under the name of Mercedes Benz. They boast with trucks such as The current range consists of Mercedes Benz Atego, which is a light truck, the Axor, which is a mid sized truck in rigid and articulated, the Actros - a heavy duty rigid and premium articulated, the Econic, which is a low floor version of the Axor for diverse specific applications, and last but not least the Unimog, which is dedicated for special purpose applications and transport across extreme terrain.

The Mercedes Benz Unimog is an amazing truck, funny looking, having a history of over 50 years. The most recent line of Unimog trucks is the UGN series. These vehicles employ the BlueTech technology, and the U20 is the latest model, being launched at the end of 2007. The U20 has a cab over design, which is a premiere in this area. This model lacks the front hood that was characteristic for the Unimogs. This new model weighs around 7 or 8 tons and has a shortened wheelbase to 2,700 mm.

The Volvo trucks are quality Swedish vehicles that are available since 1927. the most recent models of Volvos are the Volvo FL, the Volvo FE, the Volvo FM, the Volvo 80th Anniversary FH16, the NH, the VHD, the VN, the VT 880 and the VM. The Volvo FH is a truck for heavy use and can be acquired in two versions: either the low roof or at two different height extended roof. The latest FH is the FH12, which has a cool design; the 2006 edition of the FH is the Volvo FH which has a 13 liter engine and having engine timings gears controlled from the back of the crankshaft flywheel side. All in all, trucks today are for transportation but they also present a design that will make you turn your head and they incorporate great technology and features that have surpassed greatly the very first models of trucks back in the 1800s.

Visit the author's website to learn more about:
2008 Truck models reviewed
Dodge trucks review
About commercial trucks

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Rad

Get Attention With New Personalized Wheels

By Ben Pate

Congratulations to you for making that big decision in buying a new truck. How about making this exciting event even better by customizing your truck to reflect your style? It may look good with a new coat of paint, accessories of your choice or even custom wheels to make it you're your own.

While adding custom wheels to your truck, gear alloy wheels are a possibility that you can look into. These wheels are available with multiple colors for the center and many models also feature machining along the wheels. You can do some looking around to find out which models fit the make of your truck and choose your pick from those models.

Can you not find any wheels you are interested in? Check out Helo wheels or Boss wheels. They have some very interesting models too. A quick search at your online search engine for customized wheels will bring up tons of results. You can also look at price comparisons at the same time. Just be sure to include any shipping costs when you check online prices because a low price can be a bad thing if there is a high shipping cost with it.

It is preferable to go for professional installation of your Gear Alloy wheels. The wheels will be better balanced to hold the weight of your truck than when you fit them yourself, and you won't face any problems in the future. Use this opportunity to ask the installer about the perfect tires that are right for your new wheels.

If you get the opportunity, speak to someone who has used Gear Alloy wheels, Helo wheels, or Boss wheels, to see what they think of the product. There is no better information available than from people who have used the product. If you lack these contacts who can share this with you then you can try to locate these opinions on internet forums.

Once you have finished setting up your truck, you're ready to comand the respect of anyone that you see. Now you need to make sure that you keep getting your props by keeping it clean, bringing it in for regular servicing to keep it running properly, and purchasing anti-theft precautions so that your truck never gets stolen.

After you purchase a truck you might like to give it a new look by repainting/adding new accessories and personalized wheels. One of the popular choices is fitting gear alloy wheels of different color/style. In the event of non-availability of this, on can fit Helo wheels or Boss wheels that may interest you. By looking through the World Wide Web, one can get the names of suppliers and prices. The alloy wheels have to be installed by a professional since it needs proper balancing. The installer can guide you on the choice of matching tires. Check with users/online forums regarding the performance. You will be proud of your customized truck. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_Pate

Tired Truckers Pose Danger on Highways

By Lynn Fugaro 

Approximately 5,000 people are killed and nearly 150,000 are injured annually in trucking accidents on our country's highways. One in four passenger vehicle deaths in multiple-vehicle crashes involve a large truck, and large trucks are involved in multiple-vehicle fatal crashes twice as often as passenger vehicles.

When truck drivers become fatigued from excessive daily and weekly work hours, they substantially increase the risk of crashes that result in injury or death. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that approximately 750 people die each year due to fatigued commercial truck drivers and 20,000 are injured. Because of these disturbing statistics, the FMCSA has proposed a rule change regarding the number of hours a trucker can drive without taking a break to rest/sleep.

The current rule allows drivers to operate a truck or bus no more than 10 consecutive hours before resting for a minimum of 8 hours. This current rule allows drivers to spend 16 hours driving in a 24-hour period. The new rule proposes a rotating schedule of work and rest based on a 24-hour period instead of an 18 hour period, requiring longer rest periods for drivers. The new rule would require drivers to rest between 9-12 continuous hours each day.

There are advantages and disadvantages to the new ruling.

The proposed new rule promotes safety by:

· Requiring longer rest periods for truck drivers. If there is any interruption in the off-duty time of the driver by dispatchers or other personnel, the driver gets to re-start the off-duty period.
· Electric On-Board Records (EOBR) will be required in long-haul vehicles and in regional drivers. These devices are tamper-proof and can monitor actual daily and weekly driving time.
· Drivers must take 2-3 hours of breaks in addition to the required 9-12 hour off-duty period.
· Drivers are limited to a 60-hour work week. Upon reaching the maximum, drivers must have an off-duty period encompassing at least 2 successive nights.

The proposed new rule contributes to driver fatigue by:

· Allows truck drivers to operate their rigs for 12 consecutive hours which is two hours longer than the rule in place now.
· Allows for only a minimum of 32 hours off-duty rest after 5-6 days of driving.
· Allows unlimited nighttime driving without restriction.
· Does not distinguish between driving and non-driving truck work. Drivers could drive for 12 hours and then spend several hours loading or unloading during what was supposed to be their off-duty rest time.

The new ruling has clear advantages and disadvantages. Since truck driver fatigue is a contributing factor in as many as 30-40% of all heavy truck collisions, something must clearly be done to reduce the number of tried truckers on our nation's roadways. And since the risk of a crash doubles from the 8th to the 10th hour of driving and then doubles again from the 10th to the 11th hour of driving, obviously limiting consecutive hours driving is crucial to promoting truck driving safety.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Colorado, please contact the Truck Accident Attorneys Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Fugaro

Blown Out Truck Tires Cause Catastrophic Accidents

By Lynn Fugaro 

Truck tire blowout, often caused by defective tires, is a very serious road hazard that often results in collisions with injuries and fatalities. We have all probably seen the remnants of a blown truck tire scattered across a highway, and many of us had to do some skillful maneuvering to avoid running over these "road gators" (as they are called) or to avoid them hitting our vehicles after the car in front of us has run over them.

Debris littering the highways causes over 25,000 accidents and at least 100 deaths each year in the United States and Canada. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that blown tire pieces are the number one road debris.

Importance of Proper Inflation

Studies have shown that most tire and scrap rubber debris on the roadways is caused by under-inflation of tires, which makes the tire susceptible to cuts and flats. When a truck tire comes apart, it can often cause a failure in the other tires, either from a puncture from the debris or from other tires having to carry a disproportionate share of the load, which causes overheating and tire failure.

Most tire-related truck accidents are caused by improper tire inflation. These accidents are avoidable; truckers need to maintain the proper inflation for a given tire size and load. It is not the tire, but the air inside the tire that carries the weight of the vehicle, absorbs shock and keeps the tire in its proper shape so it can perform as designed. This is the single most critical factor for getting the safest and longest life out of tires.

Tires flex when they roll, bending the tire's rubber and steel cords. The flexing generates heat, and tire wear is the result of friction created between the road's surface and the tread as the tire rolls along. Heat is a tire's worst enemy. A tire that is improperly inflated does not roll as smoothly or as easily as it was designed to roll.

When tires are over-inflated, excessive wear occurs at the center of the tread because it will bear the majority of the vehicle's weight. Over-inflated tires tend to not absorb road hazards like debris in the road and potholes, increasing the risk of sustaining a puncture or impact damage.

Safety Measures

Tire pressure should only be checked when a tire is cold (before a vehicle is driven or has been driven less than a mile). Once a vehicle has been driven, tires warm up and there is an increase in air pressure resulting in an inaccurate reading. After driving a truck, a "hot" tire can take several hours to cool down.

Tire pressure should be checked regularly, as often as once per week with a properly calibrated tire gauge. Kicking or thumping the tires is not an effective way to see if they need air. Just as you don't thump on the hood to see if you need oil, you don't thump on the tire to see if you need air.

Alignment also needs to be checked on a regular basis. A truck driver, while inspecting his truck, should be on the lookout for wheel problems and tire injuries. Rubbing your hand along the tread and sidewalls to feel for problems like flat spots, cuts, shoulder wear, bulges, sidewall damage, etc. is a good way to check for obvious problems. These simple and quick checks can help you avoid, or at least minimize the number of, catastrophic accidents.

All drivers should stop immediately once a tire problem is detected. Even continuing on to the nearest rest stop or weigh station can be disastrous. Tires driven with improper air pressure will eventually come apart, and the results can be deadly.

Maintaining proper air pressure in all tires is absolutely imperative while driving your truck across the nation's highways. Ensuring your tires are properly inflated just may save your life and the lives of those traveling beside you.

If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident in Missouri or Illinois, please visit the website of the experienced truck accident lawyers at Brown & Brown, Attorneys at Law Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Fugaro

Off-Road Tires - A Beginner's Reference

By Billy Han

Choosing the Right Off-Road Tires

Looking to buy some new off-road tires? Hold it right there. If you’re just looking to grab the biggest, most wicked-looking off-road tires available, there are a few things you should probably know before you go about doing so.

The Truth about Off-Road Truck Tires

Whether you’re sand-racing, rock-crawling, mud-plowing, or whatever other off-road activities conceivable, it’s important to understand precisely why you need a set of off-road truck tires.

A common misconception with regard to off road tires is that you need them for improved traction on rugged terrain, and naturally, the general consensus suggests that larger tires equate to more traction. While such an assumption makes sense, it is not entirely accurate.

True, the right off-road tires can provide some additional traction in off-road conditions, but there are better, more efficient ways to improve traction than simply bulking up the rubber. If traction is your primary concern, trucks parts like a traction differential (locker) with stock off-road tires is more beneficial for your rig than just adding a set of taller, more aggressive offroad tires. Or for that matter, a winch is probably a smart idea before anything else. A locker or other 4x4-related truck parts could inspire excessive boldness, causing you to get caught in some real jams and then you’ll wish that you opted for the winch instead.

The point is larger off-road tires are meant first and foremost for the purpose of raising the height and ground clearance of your rig to enable steeper ascent and descent in off-road terrain. Simply put, when driving over boulders, slogging through mud, coasting across the desert, or even just making your way through the occasional forest trail, higher ground clearance facilitates negotiating certain obstacles.

Not to downplay the traction aspect of off road tires, as a set of mud terrain bias off road tires will most definitely perform better in the mud than a set of all-season radials. Rather, improved traction is more of a secondary function that still bears importance, but should not the sole consideration when it comes to buying truck tires, as there are far better truck parts available for meeting that goal.

Are you ready for taller off-road truck tires?

Buying a set of taller off-road tires for your 4x4 is like making a marriage work; it involves sometimes drastic changes, sacrifices, and commitment, along with constant care and maintenance. On the other hand, at least you won’t have to remember anniversaries.

The first thing to keep in mind is that upgrading to taller truck tires means upgrading a number of other truck parts in your vehicle as well. Additional inches of vehicle clearance are needed for the truck tires to fit without rubbing against the vehicle fenders. Truck parts like a suspension lift, body lift, or a combination of both can provide those additional inches. For off-road purposes, a suspension lift is preferable for the increase in wheel travel ability, whereas a body lift simply allows for the fiting of larger off road tires without any off road performance enhancements.

Larger truck tires also mean that your vehicle will be working harder to tote additional weight, which can result in significant strain to your axles and shocks, and also alters the gear ratio set by the manufacturer. To compensate for these changes, new ring and pinion gears and performance shocks (many complete lift kits typically include shocks) are strongly recommended. To counteract the additional weight and loss in performance, custom intakes, exhausts, computer chips, or any other performance-enhancing truck parts are also advised.

Bias Truck Tires versus Radial Off-Road Tires

Any driver will tell you that radial truck tires have innumerable advantages over bias ply truck tires. In fact, the tire industry has almost completely abandoned manufacturing bias truck tires, save for a few exceptions. Yet despite that bias truck tires come attached with a number of disadvantages, they still have their advantages when it comes to off road conditions.

The Case for Bias Off-Road Tires

Bias off-road tires provide unmatched performance in extreme off-road situations, such as deep mud, jagged rocks, and rough trails. The tread is designed to self-clean and release mud or foreign objects much easier to assist in maintaining traction and the rubber compounds are softer to produce better grip on rough terrain. Additionally, the tire sidewalls are typically reinforced to prevent damage.

On the downside, however, the ride and wear characteristics of bias off road tires on pavement are rather poor. High speed street driving is an uncomfortable and noisy endeavor, and a set of bias ply truck tires won’t last much more than twenty to thirty thousand miles. Even for off-road situations, while low air pressure bias off road tires will deliver excellent performance, the center tread will still take a beating.

The Case for Radial Off-Road Tires

Although Bias off-road tires are ideal for the extreme off-road enthusiast, this is not to suggest that radial off-road tires aren’t effective on harsh terrain. On the contrary, the latest radial truck tires perform quite well in off-road situations, and are designed with versatility in mind to produce better road handling characteristics, even at high speeds.

While radial off road tires may not provide the same traction or performance as a set of low air pressure bias off road tires, their longevity, handling, and smooth ride on paved roads makes up for it. Radials are perfect for the weekend off-road enthusiasts who see a lot of driving time on paved roads.

Sizing

Tire sizing can be a tricky thing, mostly because the size of off road tires you have in mind is dependent upon a number of factors. The most obvious question is first whether your vehicle is capable of handling the size of off-road tires that you want, and if not, what modifications do you need to make in order for the off-road tires to fit? Unfortunately, there aren’t any universal, all-authoritative guides available to simplify the process, since customization and modification is vehicle-specific. Your best bet for getting a better idea of your vehicle’s specifications is to contact the manufacturer. This will give you a general sense for what your vehicle is capable of so that you don’t exceed its limits, or that you have the right parts installed in case you do.

In terms of choosing the right lift kit, accessories, and knowing what modifications to make, factory service manuals, off-road magazines, internet message boards, manufacturer’s guides, and a number of other resources are available to assist you.

Choosing the Right Type of Tires

Before plunging headfirst into the sea of off road truck tires and coming out with the meanest, most intimidating monsters you can find, you have to at least know what type of monsters will best suit your off road needs. First and foremost, you need to ask yourself a few questions. What type of off-road activities will you be doing the most? How much on-road and off-road driving will you do? What qualities in particular are you most concerned with -- durability, performance, traction, appearance, or ride quality? How much are you willing to spend? Taking some time to consider these important questions can help to narrow down what type of off-road tires are best for you.

All Season Tires

All season truck tires usually have no business going off-road, as their composition and tread designs are not built to handle beatings from off-road conditions. They do, however, provide long-lasting tread that excels on wet or dry paved roads and offers tremendous longevity. Most stock vehicles come equipped with all season tires. For vehicle enthusiasts adding larger truck tires just for show, all-season truck tires are likely the most efficient way to go. Granted, you won’t get that aggressive look that’s quite popular as of late, but that may be a small price to pay for truck tires that will last you tens of thousands of miles longer than more aggressive truck tires.

All Terrain Off-Road Tires

Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to all terrain off road tires, which typically makes them a jack of all trades but a master of none. As a result, a broad range of all terrain truck tires are available, based on whether a tire’s focus is on or off road performance. Typically, all terrain truck tires are built with off-road standards in mind and then are modified in certain areas to improve street performance. The end result is truck tires that can handle everyday driving, as well as some light to moderate off-road conditions. For the most extreme off-road performance, all terrains won’t perform as well as specialized off-road tires, but on the road, they offer peerless longevity, even wear, and excellent durability.

Extreme (Rock Crawling/Mud Terrain/Sand/Deep Snow) Truck Tires

Designed for extreme off-road conditions and little else, rock crawling and mud terrain truck tires employ aggressive tread designs that extend to the sidewalls, giant lugs with deep voids, and reinforced sidewall construction to create tires that will grip any surface and remain durable in the process. Extreme terrain off road tires typically carry many of the same features, and consequently many mud terrain tires make excellent rock crawling tires, and vice versa. Extreme terrain off road tires come in either radial or bias ply, but do their job best in a low air pressure bias ply, which allows the tread to conform to surfaces for increased traction. Yet despite that extreme terrain off road tires are composed of durable, cut and puncture resistant compounds, they usually do not produce very much mileage when driven on the street, particularly at high speeds. In addition, due to the wild tread designs and huge lugs, extreme terrain tires can cause a bumpy ride and are quite noisy on the road.

Need More Help?

Getting new off-road tires can be a complicated process if you don’t know how to go about doing so. It is strongly recommended that you do some research and take advantage of the many available resources before making a purchase. Yet in the end, if you still have doubts, by far the best way to determine the right off-road tires and modifications for your vehicle is to consult an experienced and knowledgeable person who has a vehicle similar to yours, and has customized it in a similar manner to what you want to do. Not only can such a person suggest the correct products, but also likely has experience with installation and general drivability.

Billy Han lives in La Palma, CA and currently works as a Web Copywriter for TransAmerican Auto Parts. Transamerican Auto Parts is a leading retailer in offroad tires wheels, lift kits, suspension, and other truck parts and accessories, and has over 40 years of experience with off-road tires Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billy_Han

Rubber Wheel Chocks

By Sarah Freeland 

If you are in the market for high quality wheel chocks, you should consider rubber wheel chocks. Wheel chocks made of rubber have many advantages over chocks made of other materials. When you are shopping for wheel chocks, it is important to know what to look for. Buying the right chock for your specific work conditions will ensure safety at all times. Let us help you choose a great rubber wheel chock.

One of the things to look for when shopping for rubber wheel chocks is high quality materials. Many rubber chocks are laminated, which ensures they will last longer. Other chocks are made of nylon as well as rubber, enhancing the grip traction on a wide variety of surfaces. Another way to get a great grip is to shop for cord reinforced rubber wheel chocks. These materials will give you the best grip possible.

Another thing to look for when shopping for rubber wheel chocks is design. Some chocks offer a curved surface, which fits more snug on the tires and ensures a solid and safe grip. If you are looking for a rubber chock that is easy to use, you should take a look at chocks with handles and easy grips. These chocks make placement quick and easy. Or perhaps you are looking for a rubber chock that will offer the very best fit. In this case you should consider purchasing molded rubber wheel chocks. These chocks provide the most traction between tires with molded designs gripping the tires and surface simultaneously.

Finally, when shopping for rubber wheel chocks, you should be sure you are purchasing a chock that has been designed with guaranteed tested safety engineering. The manufacturer or retailer of the chock should be able to provide you will comprehensive safety testing information. If they refuse to do so, you should consider buying your wheel chocks elsewhere. Your safety and the safety of your employees is simply not worth the risk.

Looking for dock boards, wheel chocks, loading dock ramps and other trucking and loading equipment? Dock Boards Online provides an informative way to shop for trucking, shipping, docking and loading equipment online. Resources and information on dock boards, dock bumpers, loading dock ladders and other equipment and accessories. Motorcycle trailer hitches, towing accessories and enclosed trailers for Harley, Ducati and Honda. Information, reviews and resources - Motorcycle Trailer Hitches is your source for tips, guides and reviews on motorcycle towing and hauling equipment. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland