Trucking Challenges and How to Manage Them
Commercial Trucking has a lot of benefits. You get plenty of time to yourself on the road. You have job security with an above average salary. And, you get to see the country as you drive as king of roadways. You have a ton of flexibility to create your own schedule and control the kind of hauls you want. An established trucking company might even offer freighter leasing to operators.
Still, the life of a trucker isn’t for everyone. You’ll have to deal with a certain level of stress, boredom, and extended periods of time away from your family. Not to mention, management (as in any job) can overload you with tasks and give you all sorts of grief.
So, how do you navigate a career in trucking? There’s no one answer fits all. But we’ve compiled a list of helpful tips that every new trucker should know:
(1) – Life Skills to Survive on the Road
Probably the most important aspect of trucking is learning to stay calm and collective on the road under all circumstances. You’ll be driving for days at a time. After a while, you’ll get into a routine and might start to feel everything is a bit monotonous. Then, when your motivation is low, it’s easy to develop road rage at brazen drivers looking to cut you off at a turn.
Instead, just relax. Rather than looking at the career as an endless cycle of driving, try finding something new to do every haul.
Your best asset might be your radio. As you travel routes across the country, you’ll discover new channels for music, talk shows, and comedies.
Since you have so much quiet time to yourself, you could even download some ebooks to a CD to enjoy the latest bestseller.
Driving across the country as a career is a huge privilege! Take advantage of the opportunity to explore the culture as your able. Every time you stop for refueling, make a point to meet someone new. Making connections, with other drivers or locals, can be a great way to keep things interesting and share the experience.
Also, take time to stretch at rest points. Staying cooped up in freighter all day isn’t good for you. Talk a walk and see the sunshine some. More than anything, this job requires mentally preparing your body for the road.
However, the reality is you’ll probably want to use rest points for actual resting. It’s very important to get as much sleep as possible. Make sure you optimize your time wisely at rest stops.
The Life of Owner Operated Truckers
If you own or lease the freighter used in your career, you should take the time to spice it up with some creativity and organization. Try decorating it with keepsakes, mementos, and souvenirs from your adventures on the roads. You might want to personalize it with family photos and scent diffusers. Eventually, you can deck the inside out with a fancy stereo system.
Owner operator trucking jobs allow you the individuality to make the experience truly unique. This helps keep you motivated and excited for work every drive.
(2) – Balance Everything with Your Personal Life
Trucking is a lot like owning your own business. The best trucking companies often allow you the flexibility to choose the routes and schedules that work best for you. This is the envy of most other professions.
Most companies pay a rate for the mileage you travel, known as “cents per mile” (CPM). So, the temptation is to work longer for more cash. Remember though, traveling back and forth across the country every day can take its toll you mentally and physically. It could also place serious strains on your relationships.
No matter what, your family and loved ones deserve your time. Ensure that you have adequate “home time” from your employer. These days off should also be well defined. For example, two days home time might mean two 24 hour periods starting you clock out or the following day.
Keep in touch with your loved ones as often as you can on the road via your cell phone. You’ll often be traveling far on busy highways. The family will want to know you’re okay.
Trucking is not the typical 9-5 job. You might start at 12 PM one day and then 4 AM the next.
So, you’re bound to miss a lot of family events, like your child’s ball game, graduations, or a date night. Don’t let the hours or stress get under your skin and destroy your personal life. Never be afraid to let your manager know that you need family time in advanced. (Check out our earlier post, “6 Ways to Balance Work and Family Life as a Truck Driver“)
A small, local trucking company might not have the luxury to give you the flexibility you need. Be sure to research reviews for any business to really get a feel for their culture.
(3) – Obtaining Your CDL
Of course, there’s a technical aspect to trucking. For any kind of trucker job, you’ll need to pass a commercial driver license test (CDL). This is where some people starting out have trouble. Driving a huge monster of a freighter simply isn’t the same as a U-Haul.
You can study and practice for your CDL test in many different venues. Some universities or trade schools might sponsor scholarships to trucking schools. These will be attractive offers, but you should still take due diligence to research the right school for you. You can also try to find a private tutor or recruiter to give you lessons.
If you try any amount of individual studying, you’ll find that the extent of information you must learn is quite intensive. It’s important to take the exam seriously and with the right attitude. You should dedicate a few hours each day to study leading up to the exam. Also, be sure to schedule your test online far in advance, so you have a date that works.
(4) – Driving Challenges
After completing their CDL, many rookie truckers still have trouble with more complex maneuvers. Here are some of the most commonly reported issues in truck driving:
- Making wide right-hand turns
- Starting up again from an incline
- Parallel parking
- Backing into a spot
- Downshifting and double clutching
Be sure to hone your skills by practicing over time and only taking routes your 100% comfortable with driving. Even experienced drivers can make simple mistakes. Always drive defensively and give the road your full attention.
Trucking is a career filled with opportunity, but also carries with it some level of risk. You will often find road conditions dangerous. Some might compare the stress of truck drivers to cabin fever as they are sometimes locked in the cabin for up to 14 hours at a time. Keeping this in mind – always take your time and go as slow as you need.
(5) – Managing Your Equipment
If you ever encounter an issue on the road, you’ll need to know the right person to call or have the proper tools on hand to address the issue. you are fully responsible for the safety of your vehicle. If you have a concern, you must report it immediately to cover yourself. Accidents are unfortunately high for trucks.
If you are an owner-operator truck driver (in other words, you own or have leased the vehicle), you have the benefit of have more time with family and leeway in scheduling. However, you need to manage all maintenance yourself. Take time to find a reliable mechanic shop that is ASE certified to handle commercial vehicles. And, make sure they can fix everything the first time. You don’t want to waste time towing it to a few different shops.
It’s absolutely necessary that you get a written estimate before signing off on any repairs. Your company will want to a report of the incident for records. Plus, an estimate on paper keeps the mechanic accountable.
(6) – Making Your Health a Priority
Before anything else, keep yourself physically healthy.
Truckers often don’t live an active lifestyle or have a normal diet and sleep pattern. The nature of the job requires them to stay seated for long hours at a time. Often locked in heavy highway traffic, they don’t get the chance for a full meal and opt for fast food and snacks.
If you’re working for a decent company, you should have a few days off a week. Make the most of this time to hit the gym, eat right, and generally get out of the house.
Snacking on the road is inevitable. Just stay away from energy drinks and junk. Instead, try to pack fresh fruit and home cooked meals.
Again, remember to stretch when you have the chance at a stop.
Keeping your body healthy physically goes a long way in keeping you alert and aware of your surroundings for a safe drive in all circumstances.
(7) – Finding the Right Trucking Companies
Finally, work the jobs for the company that best suits your needs. Trucking is currently in high demand, so you shouldn’t feel pressured to take a vague or sketchy offer.
Consider your family and personal life as you decide which routes to pursue. Use your best judgment to try and balance everything on your terms. If you don’t feel comfortable taking long hauls across the country, there’s no shame in working for a local trucking company that only offers regional routes close to home.
On that note, look for trucking companies that give the flexibility you need to manage your personal life. Some might insist on routes far from your family and hardly give any days off for you. Don’t settle for less than what you need. The family should come first in everything.
Still, the best trucking companies will offer all kind of extra incentives that may attract your attention. For example, you should get awesome bonuses for signing on, referring a friend, or having a safe record over time.
Many companies also offer incentives for teams. If your best friend or spouse also drives, this could be a great way to make more cash together.
Find companies that offer instructional training so you can grow professionally. Every vehicle is different and you’ll want your employer to give full transparency on how to operate and manage any particulars unique to your drive.
Depending on the company, your CPM will vary significantly. On average, a trucker might receive a salary of around $35,000-75,000. Unfortunately, there are many companies that use underhand tactics to swindle you out of your earnings. Get the job offer in writing and don’t let them cheated out of what you deserve! If you never see a raise or advancement in your career, no one is forcing you to stay in the company. Take your talents and skills where they are appreciated.
Go in with the perspective that this is your long-term career. You should eventually look for a company that offers a comprehensive insurance and retirement plan that works for you.
Critical Supply Solutions: Drive for Us!
Even with all of these challenges, trucking is still a great career that’s fairly simple to manage.
And with Critical Supply Solutions, we make all drivers a priority by giving you the power to decide the scheduling and routes that work best for you! We are always in need of additional truckers to join our team. You’ll enjoy great benefits and pay that you deserve.
Check out our homepage for a detailed list of vacancies and a link to apply online or request a callback.