5 Strange Truck Loads You Didn’t Know Existed
The U.S. economy depends heavily on semi-trucks hauling goods across the country and from state to state. These goods can range from food to beer to manufacturing parts, and each load plays a vital role in stocking store shelves in large and local businesses. Not every load is so serious, though. Sometimes local loads for trucks involve wacky, unusual products waiting to be delivered. Here are some things you wouldn’t expect to be hiding in a semi.
Shopping Carts
One trucker reported having to move an entire truckload of shopping carts from Oklahoma all the way to Washington. The best part? They were already used. Sometimes truckers don’t move new inventory, but relocate old things between company stores.
Novelties
From knickknacks to souvenirs, those novelties have to get to gift shops and candy stores around the country somehow. Imagine transporting an entire semi full of fake party mustaches, stuffed animals or joke supplies. It might put a bounce in your step to haul something so fun.
Hot Sauce
From mild to blow-your-socks-off spicy, all that amazing hot sauce in New Orleans has to come from somewhere. Truckloads of this awesome sauce multiply in March when Mardi Gras rolls around and the party is in full swing.
Sound Equipment
All the sound, lighting and stage equipment for your favorite concert might not come from just around the corner. Some of it is hauled cross-country from one event to the next, and truckers can occasionally catch the show they’ve helped set up.
The Whole Bowling Alley
Sometimes you just have to move it all at once. Truckers have not only taken the bowling balls and pins, but the entire lanes, ball returns and scoring tables to new locations in different cities and even states. Hopefully, they got the chance to play in the bowling alley once everything was set up.
Preventative Vehicle Maintenance You Should Never Put Off
You rely on your car every day for getting to work, shopping, errands and even those well-earned road trips. Your car equals freedom, and when something happens, you could end up with no transportation. To catch simple problems before they become big ones, here are four preventative maintenance tips that you should never put off.
Annual Inspections
Having an annual safety inspection Olympia WA not only is the law, but it can also help identify any issues going on with your vehicle. Scheduling an inspection ensures that everything on your car is working properly. Plus, you won’t need to worry about getting a ticket for an expired sticker.
Oil Changes
Having your car’s oil changed is one of the cheapest maintenance routines you do, yet it’s one of the most important. Failing to get an oil change can cause extensive damage. When oil gets dirty, it’s like poison to your car’s engine. The toughest part of an oil change is actually remembering to schedule it, so mark your calendar!
Tire Rotation
Tires are vital to a car’s performance. Worn down tires or misaligned wheels aren’t safe, so have them rotated and balanced at least every six months for even wear. If you live in an area where you get snow, replace old tires in the fall before the first snowstorm.
Battery Check
Your car’s battery feeds your lights and radio, but more importantly, it supplies power to your starter. If you have a dying or dead battery, you won’t be going anywhere without a jumpstart, and that’s only a temporary solution. Have your battery regularly checked, and remember, a car battery loves charging, so use that as an excuse to take a long drive!
Preventative Measures
You use your vehicle all the time, so it needs to be in optimum condition. Taking preventative measures is just part of being a car owner. Making a to-do list today can save you hundreds of dollars tomorrow.
These Simple Steps Will Make Everything Easier After a Car Crash
Buying a car can represent freedom and the ability to get around town and beyond at one’s own speed. While it is a refreshing change of pace for those who have relied on public transportation or another person’s vehicle, such ownership also comes with incredible responsibility. Aside from maintaining safety and watching out for those who share the road, it is also vital to keep the auto in good working order. That means finding the best and most appropriate mechanic after a collision or other form of damage.
Narrow Down Your Search
In any community, there are likely a wide selection of available mechanics or body shops. For that reason, it is important to find just the right collision repair Lakewood CO or wherever a motorist is in need of the services. The internet has made this process much more straightforward, however, by offering easily accessible reviews and recommendations by those who have visited a particular establishment in the past.
Settle On Your Approach
When a car owner identifies the best experts for the job, he or she then needs to understand and approve the next steps toward restoring the automobile. Discuss any options available with those who will be handling the task. From there, get a second opinion if there are any concerns. When all questions are answered and everything appears correct, continue on to the next phase.
Negotiate Your Price
Many drivers might see a list of costs and assume there is nothing that can be done to shave a few dollars off of the bottom line. In fact, some shops will negotiate or offer a slightly cheaper route of service for those who might have trouble paying.
Do not put off potentially costly repairs out of fear or uncertainty. The steps outlined above can make anyone feel like a pro.
Employ Old-Fashioned Safe-Driving Practices Even In a New-Fashioned World
Today’s cars incorporate a range of active safety features that work together to help drivers avoid collisions and other traffic accidents. These may include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear-cross traffic alert and a host of other advanced safety systems. As such, many drivers assume a false sense of security. However, all drivers still need to employ safe-driving practices that are emphasized extensively in driver’s training courses As follows are essential minimal driver-safety suggestions for operators of both old and new cars.
Prep Your Car
Make certain your car is mechanically ready for the road. In particular, ensure the brakes are in good condition, and the tires are not worn irregularly or unevenly. Check front end alignment Fort Worth TX so that your car tracks straight and handles safely.
Buckle Up
Attach your seat belt properly before you head out. Since seat-belt use has been shown to reduce the number of serious crash deaths and injuries by 50%, nothing is more essential than taking this step; make certain your passengers are strapped in as well.
Prep Your Cockpit
Adjust your seat and steering wheels so that you are in a comfortable position and can reach the pedals easily. At the same time move as far back from your airbag as you can, since older ones can open with extreme force. Position your mirrors just past where you see the back of your car – most people angle them in too close, which does not provide sufficient view of the lanes next to you.
On the Road
Once underway, concentrate only on your driving. Look in your mirror and over your shoulder when changing lanes, and signal first. When merging onto the freeway, anticipate the speed of traffic and speed up or slow down to fit in. Drive at the speed limit, and reduce speed when approaching an intersection with a yellow light.
It pays to refresh your driving practices. You can download a driver’s manual for any state, so that when you hit the road you will arrive safely at your destination.
4 Ways To Get Rid of a Broken Car
If your car unexpectedly breaks and is too expensive to fix, you have several options for getting it off your hands. Whether you’re looking to get rid of your vehicle as fast as possible or get the most money back, here are four alternatives to consider.
Sell It to a Salvage Yard
One of the quickest ways to quickly get rid of your car with cash in hand is to sell it to a salvage yard. Often, cash for junk cars md services involves towing the car and handling some of the paperwork for you. While you may not get the most money possible this way, it is a no-hassle method that requires that least amount of time and effort to complete.
Part It Out
If you know for certain your car has no chance of ever getting fixed, dismantling it and selling individual parts is a good way to get the most money possible from it. You can either list the car as a whole and indicate which parts are still functioning or make individual posts for each part you want to sell.
Donate It to a Charity
There are several charities that are willing to take your used car and either fix it or sell it for parts. Some programs may gift your used car if repairable to someone who needs it or use the cash for a good cause. This donation qualifies for a tax deduction.
Sell It to a Private Owner
While it is sometimes difficult to sell a car that won’t function online, if there is any possibility that the car can be fixed, there are often people looking for inexpensive cars to repair and either keep or sell for a profit. If you decide to go this route, it is a good idea to find out the market value of the car first.