Pro-Trucker Magazine March 2016

Proudly

PM #40033055

March 2016

Inside this issue...

Truxpo and Big Rig Weekend Show’n Shine Information

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

“Professionals with Tenacity and Integrity”

Whether you're looking for a competitive insurance quotation or prorate licencing, B&W will put decades of experience to work, making it happen. Flawlessly.

Because when you turn to us, you are tapping into a team of specialists, both within our company and outside. We build our entire approach around you, leveraging our market expertise and extensive industry partnerships to guarantee you'll always get the best advice and the best coverage.

1-866-866-9780

Commercial Office LANGLEY 201-5735 – 203rd Street

ICBC & Prorate Office LANGLEY 19825 Fraser Highway

604-449-3339 ABBOTSFORD

DELTA

SURREY

CLOVERDALE

#4-2054 Whatcom Rd.

#108-8434 120th St.

16007 Fraser Hwy.

306-18690 Fraser Hwy.

604-853-0077

PAGE 2

604-530-9993

604-591-7891

604-597-6555

www.bwinsurance.com E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

604-575-8454

march 2016

From the Editor’s desk...

VOLUmE 18, ISSUE 2 of 11 PUBLISHER/EDITOR John White john.protrucker@shaw.ca PRODUCTION/CIRCULATION Tori Proudley tori.protrucker@shaw.ca ADMIN/SPECIAL EVENTS Donna White donna.protrucker@shaw.ca ADVERTISING/MARKETING John White john.protrucker@shaw.ca Tori Proudley tori.protrucker@shaw.ca CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dave Madill • Ben Proudley Scott Casey • Mel McConaghy Ed Murdoch • Colin Black Tamara Weston PHOTOGRAPHY David Benjatschek wowtrucks.com Brad Demelo HEAD OFFICE Ph: 604-580-2092 Fax: 604-580-2046 Toll Free: 1-800-331-8127 Published eleven times a year by Pro-Trucker Magazine Inc., The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the publisher. The advertiser agrees to protect the publisher against legal action based upon libelous or inaccurate statements; the unauthorized use of materials or photographs; and/or any other errors or omissions in connection with advertisements placed in Pro-Trucker Magazine. The publisher can and will refuse any advertising which in his opinion is misleading or in poor taste.

The publisher does not endorse or make claim or guarantee the validity or accuracy of any advertisement herein contained. All materials submitted for publication are subject to editing at the publisher’s discretion. The act of mailing or e-mailing material shall be considered an expressed warranty by the contributor that the material is original and in no way an infringement on the rights of others.

PUBLIcATIONS mAIL AGrEEmENT #40033055 rETUrN UNDELIVErABLE cANADIAN ADDrESSES TO cIrcULATION DEPT. 9693 129th Street.

SUrrEY, B.c. V3T 3G3 Email: tori.protrucker@shaw.ca

PrO-TrUcKErmAGAZINE mAGAZINEe PrO-TrUcKEr

I have received more than a few calls asking what I think about Donald Trump and what do I think may happen in regards to crossing the U.S. border if Donald Trump is elected President. All I have to say is your guess is as good as mine. Just a few months ago the very suggestion that Trump could ever become a presidential candidate let alone President would have drawn snickers if not outright laughter. Many Canadians and Americans are watching John White in disbelief as the soap opera called the U.S. Primaries unfolds. A good friend, who spent many years living in the U.S., said, “It reminds me of a clown car, with way too many clowns.” One thing for sure is, if the U.S. Republican Primaries were a reality show they would be a top contender for an Emmy. The Democratic Primaries on the other hand resemble a snowball fight using cotton balls.

It is obvious that a tremendous number of the American people, not just Republicans, are so fed up with the status quo that they are willing to vote for a wild card like Donald Trump and let the chips fall where they may. This is a train of thought that I think is also creeping into Canada, although at this point, it is still in a more reserved manner.

By the time most people read this, Super Tuesday in the States will have come and gone. Donald Trump is currently so far ahead that, if he does well on Super Tuesday, he will quite likely become the Republican Presidential Candidate.

Trump’s popularity stems from speaking his mind with complete disregard for political correctness or fear of who he offends. He doesn’t care who disagrees with him, as he funds his own campaign, so he has no favours to return.

A person does not have to agree with any of his rhetoric to appreciate what a breath of political fresh air it is to find a politician that has no obligations.

(Outlawing corporate donations and lobby groups were items 2 and 3 on my 6 point political policy wish list in our October 2015 issue.)

What do I think would happen if Trump was elected? Anything I say is pure conjecture but he is a business man and Canada is still the largest single trading partner the U.S. has. Keep in mind that there is currently only 300 U.S. agents on the 4,000 mile Canadian/U.S. border at any one time. Fear mongers have been calling to increase that number for years and I would think it will come eventually. Individuals may be checked more closely but that does not mean slower crossings for commercial vehicles as they are already very well regulated.

Commercial truck slowdowns are expensive for both countries. No there will not be a northern wall as some sensationalist would have us believe. I really suspect that the U.S. would use the extra manpower to concentrate on more border patrols for the many, many, miles of open country between our two nations.

CARGO INSURANCE PROGRAM Western Canada’s Cargo Insurance Center “Just a call away to SAVE on your Cargo Insurance”

1-866-866-9780

“Excellence Through Service”

Commercial Branch LANGLEY 19825 Fraser Highway 604-530-9993 mArch 2016

By combining the coverages for our smaller fleets and singletons into one program, we are able to offer superior coverage at the same discounted level our larger fleets enjoy.

Many have even saved up to 50% www.bwinsurance.com JULIE Zazula, Marketing Manager 604-530-9993

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 3

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

PRE-Register TODAY! MAY 13-14 PRO-TRUCKER Magazine has once again been asked to host a

Big Rig Show N Shine at TRUXPO!

35spots for Bobtails, Tow Trucks & Loggers

$50 REGISTRATION • TROPHIES • DASH PLAQUES CERTIFICATES AND MORE!

PRE-Register by May 1st tori.protrucker@shaw.ca • PH: 604-580-2092 PAGE 4

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

e e Whit John Magazin

r rucke Pro-T

John White gazine Pro-Trucker Ma

John John Maywood’s letter in your February is spot on.

It is a disgrace that the BC, the most mountainous province in Canada, has such a poor road maintenance program. You comment was also right on the money when you talked about the government downloading the blame to so called, ‘arm’s length’ corporations and then denying they have any control over the cost increases or policies. As you said it is just so they do not have to admit that all they are really doing is increasing our taxes. I realize that the money has to come from somewhere and I don’t mind paying taxes as long as there are proper controls and oversight. What I do resent is being treated like a fool who they think isn’t intelligent to see what is happening. Keep up the good work it is good to see some straight talk.

Tom Prescott Vancouver, BC

Editor’s note, I suspect that some of those lies may have originated with you Bob. As I have said many times the Big Rig Weekends are our way of giving back to the industry by giving the truck drivers a place to mingle with old friends, and show off their trucks and we want to make it as easy as possible for them.

We start working on next year’s events in October of each year and anyone who has put on a truck show of their size with live entertainment, steak dinners with all the fixings for the drivers, entertainment for kids, laying out the grounds, finding judges who are knowledgeable but have no ties to us, the drivers, or any shop or dealership, then compiling all the information to find the winners, know exactly what it takes to organize.

& SINGLE OWNER OPERATORS FOR S HIRING TEAM BC/WA/CA to ON & BC to IN & BC to TX

S

LETTERS to the EDITOR

Hello John, Classy move John, Thank you for thinking about us who like to attend truck shows by changing the date of the Big Rig Weekend. I don’t drive anymore but I still like to get out there and see the trucks as well as listen to the lies other truckers tell – some of which I’ve told myself.

Looking forward to seeing you and the trucks in Chilliwack.

Bob Evans

G N I R I H

New driver leasing programs available

Exchange rate program • Open door policy • Safety bonus program – paid quarterly Well established – family run business • Fuel discounts Direct deposit twice a month • Benefits available • All empty miles paid at full rate Call or email Byron - Tel: 604-535-1825 • byron@spadytransport.com or Margaret - spady@telus.net • 159 – 17735 1st Ave, Surrey, BC mArch 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 5

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

Our Major Sponsors, Trophy Sponsors and our volunteers, are really the ones who make it all possible. If these shows were put on as a money making venture, as a business, we would have stopped doing them 15 years and 28 shows ago and put our energy into publishing a January issue. (We currently publish 11 times a year by combining December and January into one) That being said we are also a family run business and I suspect that anything gained by publishing an extra issue each year would soon be offset by open rebellion and divorce proceedings.

Hi John, I have been doing some thinking about Sgt. Mark Whitworth’s column on illegal use of lights, May 2015 issue Pro-Trucker. It seems that most of the offenders are 4 wheeler’s who probably don’t read Pro-Trucker.

Any of us can screw up the odd time, I certainly have, and I’ve also had to flick my lights at a police car a time or two. I’ve noticed that the worst offenders are vehicles pulling heavy trailers and pickups loaded up with a sled deck & a couple machines on it. Shouldn’t be rocket science to figure out that when the back of your rig goes down, the lights are going to point up. These people should at least have the decency to shut off there fog/ driving lights.

Mixed in with these of course are a few people whose

The

attitude is, “I’m not going to dim my lights till you do”.

It gets damned hard to see the road if traffic is very heavy and the last guy in your line, 2 miles back, still has his high beam on. You then have to factor in the road lines that are made with sidewalk chalk, or whatever the M.O.T. is using these days.

Would it be possible, or advisable to publish Sgt. Whitworth’s article in local newspapers, or as a tuck in possibly in ICBC renewals?

Have a good day, summer is coming.

Ian Trehearne, Thornhill B.C. Editor’s note: While we are on a rant how about the vehicles pulling trailers and 5th wheels that do not have extended mirrors? Some of them are totally blind.

Following them while they pull out into the flow of traffic from an on ramp, or change lanes while on the highway, makes you wonder not only how they ever got their license but how they have managed to keep it. How long do you think a trucker would get away with that?

Concerning having Sgt Whitworth’s articles published in local newspapers. I have emailed a number of small papers over the last 18 years, with excellent educational articles written by various writers of ours, but, much like our government, I have yet to find one that is more interested in safety than sensationalism.

Yellowhead Inn

Trucker Rate of $75 Per Night

Diesel People Stay With Us!

3.5 ACRES OF NEWLY PAVED & GRAVELED TRUCK PARKING To Reserve call: 780 447 2400 or go to: www.yellowheadinn.com

15004 Yellowhead Trail • Edmonton • Alberta

Come See Our Newly Renovated Lobby & Remodeled Rooms

NEW CHEF & MANAGEMENT IN OUR RESTAURANT PAGE 6

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

JOIN OUR TEAM OWNER/EMPLOYEE FRANCHISES AVAILABLE IN ALBERTA

that no matter how much most people hate change things will never be the way they were in the past. As hard as that may be

By Ben Proudley to do, the past is the past and dwelling on it will not help the Ben has been a Class 1 driver for 17 current situation or help to shape the future. The only thing years. He started out driving wreckers we can do is try to embrace the ‘now’ which in turn may help and currently heavy hauls for Hertz us to shape our future in a positive way.

Equipment Rentals. Ben was our Rig of The future is wide open. We all look back at our past and the Month in March of 2008 remember the good as well as the bad. When we look back, I mean way back to when we were little, (this is longer for Change is Inevitable some of us than others) we remember how much easier life “Things are not like they used to be.” was, ‘back then.’ Eat, sleep, play, school, weekends, repeat. As “Back in the day, things were different.”

How many times have we, as younger drivers, heard that or kids we had it pretty easy. Now we find that being an adult is something similar? Reality is that it’s true and before long we not always as much fun as we thought it would be. Eat, sleep, will be the ones telling it to the new guys. We have to accept work, maybe the odd weekend free when we aren’t doing

froM

The

driVers seAT

ING OWNER OPS & COMPANY DRIV R I H E ERS WE’R FOR ALL DIVISIONS Safety & Performance Incentives Paid loading & unloading time Empty & Loaded miles paid at same rate Newer model equipment Full service maintenance shop Satellite communication New pay rates

- HIRING FOR CANADA & USA -

Vancouver 1-866-303-7999 • Kamloops 1-888-374-3440 Prince George 250-562-5659 mArch 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 7

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

upkeep around the house and or on a truck, or taking our kids to various sports etc.

Work takes up a lot of time as a driver. Back in the day, when some of us started, rules were much simpler. Today they seem to get more and more complicated, which makes it harder and harder to earn a good living. Or does it really? For me as a kid I always wanted to be a trucker. In spite of trying my hand at other things, I ended up trucking like I always said I would.

I also promised myself I would never look back and regret the decisions I have made. For the record I do not. I am well paid for the work I do, no complaints there. But it is tough to try and get my work done in a decent amount of time. I started driving for a living 25 years ago at the age of 16. The first truck I drove commercially was a 1 ton flat deck for a masonry company then 19 years ago I climbed into my first big rig. In the ten years of being employed where I currently am, I have seen a lot of changes. The rules for trucking have changed, the way roads are maintained has changed, the way people do business has changed. ‘Not like it used to be.’ There are those words again.

So does this mean things are better or worse than they used to be? The truth is it is all about perspective. Back in the day much of the major road work was done at night in order not to affect traffic during the day. Times have changed. The majority of work now seems to get done during daylight hours, thus making driving through the city more time consuming. That

“Your Transportation Specialists”

ALWAYS HIRING QUALIFIED DRIVERS

FOR OUR LONG HAUL SUPER B FLATDECK DIV. EXTENDED BENEFITS, PENSION PLAN TO JOIN SUTCO’S HIGHWAY HAUL TEAM TODAY APPLY ONLINE: www.sutco.ca Fax: 250-357-2009 Phone: 1-888-357-2612 Ext. 230 definitely makes it worse for me but I’m sure the road crews, who now have more time to spend with their families at night, appreciate the change. Sure it may take me a bit longer to do my job, but I get paid by the hour so really it is not so bad. I might get home a bit later but such is the curse of the profession I have chosen.

When I first started trucking here in the lower mainland we had 5 scales locally to deal with. Now we have 1 fulltime and one part-time. ‘Not like it used to be.’ The consequence of this change is more guys now run overweight, endangering more people. Some guys choose to skip or do very little maintenance in order to get by. Guys also push the limit on log books since there is a very slim chance of being stopped here. All of which endangers everyone’s families. It has also

LOWER MAINLAND’S

HEAVY TRUCK POWERTRAIN EXPERTS! • TRANSMISSION & DIFFERENTIAL REPAIRS / REBUILDING

• REMOVAL & REINSTALLATION • CLUTCH REPAIRS & ADJUSTMENTS • EXCHANGE UNITS & PARTS • TROUBLESHOOTING • COMPUTERIZED DIAGNOSTICS • PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE • HYDRAULIC / PTO REPAIRS & SYSTEM INSTALLATIONS

#1, 18763-96 Ave. Surrey

1-866-928-2156 www.GEARSNREARS.com PAGE 8

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

put a bunch of people out of work like CVSE officers, but they are people with families to support just like us. It is all about perspective.

So what does it all mean? Change is inevitable. We may not like it, but the easiest way to deal with it is to accept what we cannot change and work on the things we can. Talking about how it used to be is always a good thing, but comparing it to how things are today and saying things are all wrong today is not a productive way to affect positive change. Point out the good points of the old days and try to find good in the ways of today. People are far more apt to listen, instead of just shrugging you off, if you have a positive way of trying to make a point. Saying the old ways were better and the new ways suck just makes you sound like a grumpy old fart. Even if it may be true. ***** I flew out of Calgary on WestJet the other day and when I got to the check in I found that had not purchased space for the 2nd piece of luggage I had. When I went to pay the cashier said, “Strip down, facing me.”

Making a mental note to complain about the air safety control wackos completely running amok, I did as she had instructed. When the hysterical shrieking and alarms subsided, I found out she was referring to how I should place my credit card in the card reader. Apparently I’m not welcome at that airline anymore.

They need to make their instructions a little clearer

LARGEST RADIATOR & CHARGER AIR COOLER INVENTORY IN CANADA

HIRING OWNER OPERATORS COURIER VANS, 1, 3, 5, 10-TON AND TRACTORS

Local deliveries in the Lower Mainland & Fraser Valley Minimum 2 years of experience required Steady year around Great working environment

Please email your resume, drivers abstract and truck information in one email to: F: 604-298-1366 E: admin@rollsright.ca

RADIATORS CHARGE AIR COOLERS AIR CONDITIONING PARTS AIR CONDITIONING TOOLS GRILLS & HEADLIGHTS HEATERS & FANS Freightliner Cascadia Hood Mirror Right Hand OE# A22-66565-001 MRRFR103CH $159.99 EGR COOLERS Freightliner Cascadia Hood Mirror Left Hand TURBOS OE# A22-66565-000 MRlFR103CH $159.99

Deal of the Month

Tel: 604-888-1883 Fax: 604-608-4846 #4, 20085 - 100A Ave. Langley, BC

Tel: 905-564-3000 Fax: 905-564-6682 #11 6185 Tomken RD. Mississauga, ON

Toll Free: 1-877-266-5480 • www.CoolHeatTruckParts.com mArch 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 9

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

On the evening of March 10, 2015 a massive fire was started in the motorcycle shop at the far end of our building. Thanks to the Langley fire department, the fire was contained and extinguished at the concrete fire wall that separated Coastline Transmission from the rest of the building, but not before damaging the structural integrity of the wall and receiving substantial losses from smoke and water damage.

So, after 34 years at the same Langley location, overnight Coastline Transmission was both homeless and on the hunt for a new shop. After extensively searching the Langley area with no success, we found a new location at 30991 Peardonville Road in Abbotsford that could meet both ours and our customer’s needs.

Finally, on February 1, 2016 after 10½ months of dealing with real estate agents, engineers, draftsmen, city inspectors, insurance adjusters and contractors we opened our doors to the public. With our shop fully booked on day one the response from our many longtime and new customers has been overwhelmingly positive.

Our motto is to supply truck drivetrain parts and components at the greatest value, while stressing quality, service and support and remaining constantly aware and vigilant to the needs of our customers.

Big rigs require special attention, so when you want a truck powertrain repair shop in Abbotsford, BC, that can meet your needs, bring your truck to Coastline Transmission. Our service technicians will work quickly to diagnose the problem and get you back in business in the shortest possible amount of time. When prompt, professional service is important to you, we aim to please.

At our shop, we like to develop a trusted relationship with our clients. Value is built into every job, and we work to keep our rates affordable without sacrificing our standards. Our mechanics strive toward fast job turnaround times.

Truck drivers throughout Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley know that they can get a high level of customer service when they bring their trucks to Coastline Transmission. We’re a truck transmission and differential repair shop that’s proud to be known as the trucker’s friend.

We provide service appointments and courteous assistance Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm.

PAGE 10

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

604-746-9975

DIFFERENTIALS ROCKWELL MERITOR EATON DANA SPICER PARTS | SERVICE | NEW | EXCHANGE

POWERTRAIN SPECIALISTS EATON | FULLER | DANA | MERITOR

TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIAL VIBRATIONS DRIVELINE FLYWHEEL CLUTCH PTO’S PARTS | SERVICE | NEW | REBUILD

TRANSMISSION COASTLINE TRANSMISSION IS CERTIFIED BY EATON ROADRANGER DRIVETRAIN SYSTEMS ON THE THEORY OF OPERATION, FAULT CODE DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR OF GENERATION III EATON FULLER AUTOSHIFT TRANSMISSION PRODUCTS AND DANA DRIVE AXLES.

CLUTCHES Eaton Easy Pedal Clutches

NEW & REMAN EXCHANGE UNITS

KEEP YOUR RIG ROLLING WITH A COASTLINE REMAN We Stock Over 100 New and Remanufactured Transmissions and Differentials

9-30991 Peardonville Rd. Abbotsford, BC Phone: 604-746-9975 Toll Free: 1-888-686-4327

mArch 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 11

PRO-TRUCKER MAGAZINEe

My Life Through A Broken Windshield

By Mel McConaghy

Mel is a retired veteran driver who has spent 40 years on the road.

The Spectacular Golden Bear Mine Road In the mid 80’s the Golden Bear Mine, was built approximately 150 kilometers northwest of Dease Lake BC. To get to it you went up highway #37 to Dease Lake then turned North on the Telegraph Creek road. This was a trip in itself, but then you could see the Tuya river and the 20% grade that went back and forth down switch backs for about a mile to reach it.

At the bottom was a bridge that required a 90 degree left hand turn to get on. If you hit it just right you could make the first swing without hitting the guardrail. If you didn’t you had to jack-knife your tractor to get on to the bridge.

The steep terrain was not the only concern. If it rained, the ground was like grease and if it didn’t rain the dust would blind you when you met another vehicle.

After you got off the bridge you ran along the river for about a mile or so and up a shorter hill, that was almost as steep and had a real sharp S turn in it that was banked, not unlike Daytona Speedway. If you didn’t have lots of weight

on your drivers you would spin out.

I made one trip from Vancouver into the mine with a load of insulation. I got into Prince George on Friday night, parked in the yard then Sunday morning I went in and checked my outfit. The trailer seemed to be riding a little different but I figured it was just my imagination as I had been partying a bit Saturday night.

When I got to the Tuya River, I slid my trailer wheels ahead, so it would be easier to get down the hill and onto the bridge. I then walked on it, to get a run at the next hill.

I was nice and light so I thought I would just wiz up around those corners but when I got to the second one I started to spin. The road was hard packed clay so it didn’t make any sense to me. I backed down and opened the trailer doors to find someone had thrown two big pallets of masonry grout into the trailer without telling me. When I had slid the trailer wheels ahead it put all that extra weight back behind the trailer wheels, not unlike putting the fat guy on the end of a teeter totter. I couldn’t slide the wheels back as it was an old trailer with a bad slider and no weight on the drivers so after spinning out again I put the truck in low gear and stayed as far as I could to the outside, letting her idle up the hill. It was a painful process, hanging out the window watching the front wheel turning ever so slow, stopping at times then starting again, but I finally made it.

After crossing the Tuya river there was a gatehouse, which was about forty miles from the mine. I believe the

Tax included

PAGE 12

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

Tax included

march 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

YOUR SAFETY, YOUR YOUR SAFETY, SATISFACTION, YOUR SATISFACTION, YOUR SUCCESS YOUR SUCCESS

= OUR GOAL = OUR GOAL

Hiring Company Drivers and Owner Operators for Hiring Company and Owner for Canada & US runs,Drivers and Canada OnlyOperators Team Drivers Canada & US runs, and Canada Only Team Drivers

Sign-on bonus for company drivers* Sign-on bonus for company drivers*

Safety recognition program, wellness program and more Safety recognition program, wellness program and more

Dedicated new equipment Dedicated new equipment

WE OFFER WE OFFER » Competitive compensation package

WE REQUIRE WE REQUIRE 2 years of » Minimum

» »

Comprehensive benefit package to all employees Competitive compensation package Corporate perks,benefit recognition programs, wellness Comprehensive package to all employees

» »

verifiable experience Minimum 2 years of Experience within last verifiable experience

» »

program, and more Corporate perks, recognition programs, wellness 2016 Volvo trucks available program, and more

» »

10 years Experience within last CVOR/ Driver’s abstract 10 years

» » »

GreatVolvo work-life balance with individual driver 2016 trucks available oriented approach Great work-life balance with individual driver Safety focused company culture with a commitment oriented approach

» »

»

to diversity, integrity and open communication Safety focused company culture with a commitment to diversity, integrity and open communication

in goodDriver’s standing CVOR/ abstract Criminal Background in good standing search Background Criminal search

»

TRANSAM CARRIERS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

*SOME CONDITIONS APPLY *SOME CONDITIONS APPLY

We are TRANSAM strongly committed toAN providing environment that is free from CARRIERS IS EQUAL an OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER harassment and discrimination, we are an equal opportunity and equal access employer We are strongly committed to providing an environment that is free from fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce. harassment and discrimination, we are an equal opportunity and equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce.

Please Contact Recruiting team today!

Please Contact Recruiting team today! attn: HR T. 877-907-8101 x4042 F. 416-907-8103 T. 877-907-8101 x4042 F. 416-907-8103 attn: HR hr@transamcarriers.com

www.transamcarriers.com www.transamcarriers.com PAGE 13 mArchhr@transamcarriers.com 2016 Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

guy living there in a mobile home was a little confused about his gender but it didn’t matter what time, night or day that you arrived, you could always get a good cup of coffee.

I remember he was a pretty good artist and had done some beautiful ink drawings from photographs.

When you left the gate house, you ran along a stretch that was fairly flat until you reached the Chelsea construction camp. If you got there at the right time you could get a meal but any other time you had to settle for a cup of coffee and a bowl of soup.

The road past the gatehouse was new but well built and maintained. When you left the camp you ran about a mile through a rock cut and around a corner to see one of the most spectacular sights you will ever set your eyes on.

Everything just dropped away and you were looking across the most beautiful mountain valley you can imagine. It wasn’t just a valley, it bordered the Coast Mountain Range and was almost straight down to this tiny ribbon of water that wound its way along the bottom.

You could see the road, twisting and turning down the side of the mountain, until it leveled out at the bottom where it crossed a bridge, before it started winding its way back up the other side. Back and forth, it went until it disappeared around a corner onto a high mountain meadow. From this point you could see traffic coming around the corner a full 18 miles away. The road down had some fairly rough spots which wasn’t a problem because, considering the terrain, no

one was out to break any speed records. Going up some of the switchbacks gave you a little trouble but once you got to the top it ran across a beautiful mountain meadow with low growing shrubs, small streams and green vegetation everywhere.

The road snaked across this picture post card for about an hour before going back down into another valley. After following the valley floor for another hour you came around a corner to see the mine site where you unloaded, or slept, or ate, depending on the time of day or night and then you turned around and headed for home.

From the Patch

By Tamara Weston

Tamara and her husband Eric, were the Rig of the Month drivers in our October 2014 issue.

Love in a Truck Stop As with most holidays, this past Valentine’s Day Eric and I found ourselves on shift trucking. This shift though, we were once again teaming my truck because his was in the shop getting a new head due to injector cup failure. That meant we were at least together, if you can really call it that, as one would be driving while the other was sleeping, making it a pretty lonely day actually. At least if we had been in each of

Join our winning team. is HIRING Owner Operators • Fuel Cap of 47 cents per litre • Fuel performance pay program • Late Model Tractor • Direct Deposit, paid twice monthly • Fast cards and passports preferred • No cost satellite communication system • Insurance/license Subsidy of 40%,

• Scales paid

To run Canada & USA

Please call

• Group Insurance Dina or Mark at • Fuel cards supplied 1-800-663-2339 or fax resumes to • $500 sign on bonus 1-866-492 -7644 • Home most weekends dinae@berryandsmith.com • Paid pick ups and drops • All miles paid/practical miles equal monthly payments, no interest • Stable Company in Business Over 60 Years Good driving record • Good condition tractor • Cross border capability • Customer service focus

PAGE 14

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

Cummins ISX Manifold Substitute for your Holset HE551 & HE561 Turbo

Manifold Part No. Price 1048008

$ 1,153.00USD

Benefits of Installing BD Manifold and Borg Warner S410SX Turbo • Reduces operating costs and costly HE 500 series repairs • Provides excellent pulling power in combination with a S410 Turbocharger

Turbo Part No.

Price

S410SX

14969880004

$2,522.00USD

• Produces more working hours with less breakdowns

S478

171710

$1,574.00USD

• Pulse design in combination with a dual volute T6 flange enhances turbine response for quicker spooling • Thick walled durable high-silicon ductile iron casting • 2 evenly placed slip joints allow for heat expansion with no cracking

Slip coupling or V-band compressor outlet choices 360 degree thrust system

Robust bearing system

Forged milled compressor wheel technology

Optimized compressor stage wheel technology

1-800-887-5030 www.bddieselperformance.com bruce@bd-power.com

mArch 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 15

our own trucks we could have talked, or seen each other, for more than a few minutes on our way in and out of the bunk.

This day we had a late start due to a brake pot needing replacement on our trailer so by the time we were loaded and rolling it was well after lunch. Eric took the first shift driving as I settled into the bunk. I took a quick stroll through my Facebook feed, quietly jealous of my friends and family sharing their valentine surprises and plans for fancy dinners and adding likes to pictures of fancy outfits being worn to those fancy dinners.

With a bit of a frown I rolled over and tried to nap. Just as I was dozing off Eric stuck his head in the bunk.

“You sleepin?” he asked.

“Nope what’s up?” I said. He then proceeded to show me a picture of my driver’s side front axle inside drive tire. It had two bulges in the side wall which meant we were down until the tire guy showed up. As luck would have it he had stopped for fuel in Waskatenau and there just happened to be a truck stop restaurant. I guess the trucking gods had taken pity on me and answered my secret prayer, a quiet romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, at peppers truck stop.

Time was of the essence so there was no time for hair and makeup or a little black dress, it was a come as you are type of affair. As we walked up, an older couple was just leaving, hand in hand. It was obvious they had been out on a dinner date. I was actually quite surprised at how busy the restaurant was. Waskatenau is only about 45 mins from Edmonton and

NWEED NEW CHROME OR STAINLESS PARTS? E ARE A VENDOR FOR ALL THE MAJOR NAME BRAND SUPPLIERS OF

CHROME, STAINLESS STEEL, LIGHTS AND TRUCK ACCESSORIES. SPECIALIZING IN: BUMPERS, SUN VISORS, SKIRTS, DECK PLATES AND LED LIGHTS “WE CAN POLISH YOUR WHEELS AND OTHER CHROME AND ALUMINUM WHILE YOUR NEW PARTS ARE BEING INSTALLED!”

TREmE

POLISHING

& CUSTOM RIGS

*WARRANTY ON ALL PARTS*

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

#2-19349 94th Ave, Surrey • 604-888-4670 or 604-376-1189 www.xtremepolishing.net Sherwood Park and both those cities boast amazing eateries, yet this truck stop was packed. And not with truckers, besides Eric and I there was only one other table that I would guess was occupied by two truckers. Everyone else was families or couples.

The staff was friendly and efficient and our food was hot and decent but the best part of the whole experience was that I actually got to sit across from Eric, just the two of us, on Valentine’s Day.

refLeCTions Thru My WindshieLd

By Dave Madill Dave was Pro-Trucker Magazine’s Rig of the Month in June of 2001

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

CLUTCHES TRANSMISSIONS • DIFFERENTIALS DRIVETRAIN REPAIR & REBUILDING New & Rebuilt Transmissions & Differentials In Stock

604-882-0526 or 604-882-0523 9755-197B Street in Langley, B.C.

PAGE 16

Shifting Loads On one trip my son John and I loaded our trucks with decorative moldings, (quarter round, cove moldings, etc) at the molding plant in Yakima, Washington, and let me tell you this stuff is a bear to tie down. One bundle will be eight feet long with four foot pieces and the next will be twelve feet also with varying lengths inserted in random order and it all must be tied down but not broken. Loading and tarping took all morning for both loads and we finally got away at about noon and headed out the back way heading east. As usual after five miles we stopped and tightened our belts as much as possible and then again at about twenty miles we did the same thing. We decided to make it a short day and pulled in at Post Falls, fueled, showered and had a good meal before climbing into our bunks and getting a little shuteye.

We were up bright and early next morning and after a good breakfast we checked over our loads again and tightened everything as much as possible and headed out.

The roads were fairly decent and we made good time with no problems at the scales. Things were going good until John got on the CB and told me his load looked, “funny”.

I backed out of the throttle and told him to go around and I would take a real close look at things. He went around

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

K

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

You’ve Got to Get Meaner...

than the Deposits Constantly Attacking Your Engine.

Internal diesel injector deposits are a serious problem for trucks all year long. Clean them up with our new, stronger detergent package.

Nothing protects your engine and boosts your power like Howes Meaner Power Kleaner.

Grab a bottle today!

PLUS: ✓ Increases Fuel Economy ✓ Lubricates Entire Fuel System ✓ Removes the Water that Promotes Microbial Growth

From the makers of Diesel Treat and these other premium products.

Howes Deluxe Long-Sleeve T-Shirt 1-800 GET HOWES (438-4693) • www.howeslube.com mArch 2016

when you purchase 3 bottles of Meaner Power Kleaner.

Visit www.howeslube.com or call 1-800 GET HOWES Offer ends: 9/30/16, available while supplies last.

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 17

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

and then I pulled up on his driver’s side and saw that he definitely had a problem. The front had shifted right and the back had gone left and things did not look good. We were just a few miles out of Billings so I kept an eye on his load and we made it in to the truck stop without any more movement. We drove around to the very back of the lot to try to figure out what to do. We both had extra straps so we decided to throw the straps over his load, hook to the rear of my trailer, tug a little, and then add more straps to cinch things down. Things went great other than hearing a little cracking from his load but I would rather get charged damages than lose a full load, so no problems.

On the way the next morning and we cut North to Duluth so we could cross at the Soo as was our usual route but when we finally pulled in at Duluth we had a problem.

Johns load had slipped again but this time just the front.

What should have been straight up and down was out at the top by almost two feet. We went to the back of the truck stop, hooked up and tried to pull things straight but this time when we backed the load just slumped back to the same spot. We figured there had to be a way so after a little thinking we took his 2X4 dunnage off his landing gear and drove it down into the stake pockets of the trailer. Next, I had some real nice 4X4 elm dunnage that I scavenged from a steel load so we spiked that on to the 2X4’s and then spiked another across the inside top. We added a couple more straps and we had the load contained and solid.

MARILYN TAYLOR IS OUR COMMERCIAL TRUCKING SPECIALIST!

Marilyn has over 25 years experience in providing insurance for Owner Operators & fleet transport companies operating in Canada & the U.S.A. www.diamondinsurance.ca

Phone: 403.278.1129 • Fax: 403.278.8307 Email: marilynt@diamondinsurance.ca PAGE 18

Free Estimates • 30 years experience • Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 7 PM

PH: 604.534.3426 • www.thatstruckn.ca 5721-A Production Way, Langley, B.C.

A NEW YEAR MEANS A NEW FLEET SPECIAL TRAILER INSPECTIONS $95 FLAT RATE (+TAX) All new customers in the first quarter of 2016 will receive our New Year Special. Trailer CVI with grease and decal for only $95 plus applicable taxes. Repairs extra at our regular shop rate of $75 per/hour. Our facility is clean, bright and spacious, while employing only knowledgeable experienced staff to get your equipment back where it belongs, earning for you!

Things went well from there on but we kept a very close eye on things all the way to Alexandria and finally made it into the yard and got unloaded. We had way more damage than I would consider normal but the mill didn’t blame us, instead they were livid about the way the load had been stacked in the first place and charged all the damage back to the shippers. We didn’t argue with them we just headed on out to North Bay to pick up a couple loads of veneer for Seattle and got back to “normal” trucking. ***** Better Late Than Never?

A 54 year old woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near death experience. Seeing St Peter she asked “Is my time up?” St. Peter said, “No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live.”

Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a face-lift, liposuction, breast implants and a tummy tuck. She even had someone come in and change her hair color and brighten her teeth!

Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it. After her last operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, she was killed by an ambulance.

Arriving in front of St Peter, she demanded, “I thought you said I had another 43 years. Why didn’t you pull me from out of the path of the ambulance?”

He replied: “I didn’t recognize you!”

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

EC

N

N

O C T H IT W U S

Your life Your lane

Join one of Canada’s premier transportation companies today and get the pay and miles you deserve!

TransX has new and exciting opportunities available for owner operators.

• USA teams $1.20 • No slow downs • We have miles!

0

START UP COSTS

Let TransX help drive your success!

Visit drivetransx.ca or call 1-877-787-2679 for more information mArch 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 19

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

Pro- Trucker Magazine's

Big Rig Weekends “A Trucker’s Dream”

Big Rig Show N Shine INDUSTRY Trade Booths

r o o d t Ou vies mo

y c n Bou les t s a C

TRUCKER’S FAMILY WEEKEND!

aNNUAL ProTrucker BC 16THMagazine's Big Rig Weekends th st

AUGust 19 -21 BigChilliwack Rig Show N Shine Heritage Park Chilliwack, BC

PAGE 20

For more information visit www.pro-truckermagazine.com Call: 604-580-2092 E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

Pro- Trucker Magazine's

Big Rig Weekends “A Trucker’s Dream”

Best Lights Competition Live Music and Entertainment

f l o G i n Mi

s n o lo l ! a e B r Mo

&

s'ALBERTA enizagaM r14TH ekcANNUAL urTorP sdnekeeWthgiR st giB

July 29 -31 enihSWesterner N wohPark S giR giB Red Deer, AB

mArch 2016

For more information visit www.pro-truckermagazine.com 604-580-2092 Find us on FacebookCall: at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 21

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

Rig of the Month by John White

Photos by: Brad DeMelo Our March 2016 Rig of the Month driver is Iain village of Rigg (referred to as “the Rigg” by locals) in Richmond from Calgary Alberta. This is his story: south west Scotland. There was one way to stay warm at I’m told my story began in a cold rented house, in the night, that was sleeping close and sharing body heat, which

JACKSON CORPORATEFuelCONSULTING LTD. Tax, PST, Excise Tax Refunds d s n f u o f r e t R h x e a T T r u d e c z k i i l n a i g c I e n p d S u f stry since 1985 o n o i t a r a p rP e Call us to discuss possible refunds if your company is involved in any of the following:

• Prorated (IFTA) highway hauling • Off highway servicing to oil and gas drilling operations • Off highway log hauling • The operation of engine mounted PTOs

No cost to your company if no refunds are obtained Contact : Ted Jackson, MBA, Partner email: tedjackson@jacksoncorp.ca phone: 604-224-2549

PAGE 22

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

resulted in my joining this world in December of 1982, at Crestwell Maternity Hospital, Dumfries, Scotland.

I was raised in the village of Eastriggs, upon the Solway Firth. For most of my younger childhood, the main “Euro Route” (A75) between Northern Ireland and mainland Europe ran directly through the village. The village of Eastriggs only came into being during WW1 when the munitions factory was built at Dornoch. This factory was the largest munitions factory in the world at the time.

In this modern age of health and safety it seems a little shocking, but I can still remember, when I was only five or six years old, going to the paper shop across the main road and buying a pack of smokes for the old lady that lived next door. If I remember correctly, her brand was an all red pack with gold letting. Many years later my mother’s uncle would own this store until he closed it due to health issues.

My mum’s family lived in the same village, and as a result I’ve been close to them my whole life, especially my grandparents and my one uncle Keith. With an 11 year age difference between us, I got to hang out with him a lot when he was still in school, and we’ve maintained that closeness despite the distance that is now between us.

My interest in trucks and trucking has been a lifelong affair with my mum’s dad and 2 brothers, uncles Colin and Keith, all truck drivers. My Dad also owned trucks and construction equipment. This was seen as pretty cool among my friends at school, especially when I got to go with dad

Z Z Z

EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY INSTALL IN 30 MIN. OR LESS NO FLASHING OR FOOTPRINT IN ECU PROGRAMMING

Z

NO INCREASE IN COMMON RAIL PRESSURE

Z

DUST, VIBRATION & MOISTURE PROOF

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS UNIQUE PRODUCT AND WHAT KIND OF RESULTS ARE POSSIBLE GO TO:

WWW.THEDIESELSAVERS.COM OR CALL 403-223-9636 FOR MORE DETAILS

DEALER OPPORTUNITIES ALSO AVAILABLE mArch 2016

Iain Richmond & Christy Doyle

SAVE TIME !

S A V E MO N E Y !

A PLUG & PLAY SOLUTION THAT LEAVES YOUR ECM IN CONTROL OF THE ENGINE !!

BACKED BY A 30 DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE !!

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 23

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

to “play in the dirt”.

Some of my favourite memories from my early years are going with my grandfather on Sunday mornings to load a truck or two with butter or Lockerbie cheese, at the creamery in Lockerbie. (the same Lockerbie of the Pan Am flight 103 Lockerbie air disaster). We would then grab the Sunday papers and return to the house where the rest of the extended family had stopped in for their weekly visit.

Interestingly the company he worked for used curtain side trailers with a reefer to haul the cheese and butter - they only needed to be chilled and not frozen. This allowed them to return home with a wider variety of goods.

When I got older, I got to go with him during the school holidays where I learned some of the little things that go with the job. Things such as load placement so it won’t move in transit, tarping, how to tie a three loop knot, and a list other things.

By the time I was old enough to do that, my dad had sold his equipment and gone back to turning wrenches. Being self-employed he had the ability to take me along with him, thus began my apprenticeship. Depending on who you talk to and on what day, the answer as to what I did will range from getting under peoples feet, to learning what not to do.

One of the most memorable places we went to was a wind farm that was under construction. One of the times we were there it was fogged in and raining so bad you couldn’t see the blades turning when you were standing at the base of

A

cOLLISION SPEcIALISTS ESTABLIShED 1968 IcBc & PrIVATE cLAImS FrAmES & ALIGNmENT #4, 19155 - 96th Avenue Surrey, Bc V4N 3P8

Ph: 604-888-1133 Fax: 604-888-6254 PAGE 24

A

Westcan is hiring experienced Class 1/1A drivers who are available to haul Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) OR other dry bulk commodities in Super B hopper bottom trailers throughout the Prairie Provinces during April-June.

Seasonal Drivers Receive:

Transportation to and from employment location Good Operations Bonus Returning Bonus where applicable

Full Time Drivers Receive:

Potential to earn $55,000 - $75,000 in the first year of employment; earnings increase in subsequent years Additional earning opportunities through quarterly and annual bonuses Group benefits, matching RRSP program and more!

Locations* of Employment Include: Kamloops, BC Calgary, Edmonton & Lloydminster, AB Moose Jaw & Saskatoon, SK Yellowknife, NT and Toronto & London, ON

*Type & availability of work varies depending on location needs & driver experience.

Apply online at www.westcanbulk.ca Proud Sponsor of (MADD Canada) Mothers Against Drunk Driving

the turbine. The wind that day was blowing so hard it was bringing the rain back up the hill and we had to stand on top of the machine when we were working just to get out of the rain.

Every Saturday we would go to the home of M & H Smith, where dad would perform the weekly maintenance on their fleet of timber trucks. The major repairs on the trucks were done during the week. While there I got to know the two brothers that owned the company, as well as the drivers, two of whom have had a lasting impression on me.

The first one was Michael Smith, a son of one of the owners. Michael was killed in a traffic accident, which happened on a single lane bridge. On this particular bridge there is a tight right hand turn onto the bridge and then, after crossing, there was a tight left turn on the other side.

It is single lane so it also has a set of traffic lights to allow alternating traffic on the bridge.

From what was pieced together after the accident, Michael had been going a little faster than advisable trying to beat the light before it changed and the momentum around the corner caused the truck to roll over the side of the bridge and into the river below, killing him in the process. At the time, the wearing of seatbelts was not mandatory in trucks, and to be honest I can’t recall many of them even being fitted with belts. I definitely don’t recall wearing one myself.

My memories of that day, dad getting the phone call,

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

calling the drivers back to base, going out to the scene, watching the clean-up, and retrieving his belongings from the truck, are sharper and more detailed than the memory of what I had for breakfast this morning. The lessons from that day didn’t have much of an effect on me until I started driving myself, the results of trying to run a light, knowing how your load will react, driving for the road ahead are all things I’m considering when driving. I always have the vivid memory of that accident scene in the back of my mind to remind me of their importance.

The other driver to leave an impression on me was Michael’s brother Craig. Craig is perhaps solely responsible for my interest in show trucks, having a show worthy truck, and the never ending quest for perfection. Being around to watch and help out, as one thing after another was upgraded, and seeing the habits and routines he had in order to keep his truck looking immaculate (doing a little bit, more often, is easier than doing a lot, occasionally), is something I’ve been trying to emulate since I was handed my first set of keys.

He also taught me how to get ready for a show.

Everything from cleaning when you come off the road, the polishing, dressing and staging at the show, and most importantly getting your score card after the awards ceremony so you can learn what things you need to improve upon for the next time.

In 1995 Mum and Dad decided to take us kids on a holi-

MILES TIRE SERVICE Serving the Lower Mainland For Over 30 Years

E

IC

RE

TI

SHOP TOLL FREE: 1-800-661-5662 24 HOUR DISPATCH: 604-468-2566

MILES SERV

COMPLETE MOBILE TIRE SERVICE AND SALES

EIGHT MOBILE TRUCKS ON THE ROAD TO SERVE YOU BETTER 1464 SPITFIRE PLACE • PORT COQUITLAM BC V3C 6L4

SHOP 604-468-4300 FAX: 604-468-4301

mArch 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 25

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

day to visit some relatives we had in Alberta. Three weeks after we arrived they had a hard time getting us kids back on the plane, and upon our return to Scotland they decided to begin the process that would eventually lead us to arriving in Calgary on March 11th, 1997.

That day our plane was the last to land before they shut the airport due to a snow storm - welcome to CANADA! After staying with relatives for a couple of months we settled down in the town of Didsbury, where my Dad and brother still run a heavy equipment repair shop. This has been a great help to me when I need to work on my own truck.

After graduating at 17, I started an apprenticeship at a dealer in Red Deer, Alberta. But I ended up quitting after a few month because of the shop politics. I then worked in a welding shop until I turned 18 and got my class 1.

Not having family nearby or knowing anyone I could borrow a truck from, I went through a driving school and got my license that way. Dad was discussing this with one of his early customers, who upon hearing this promptly offered to take me out with him and show me how to do things properly. I’ll be forever thankful to Bill Jensen for doing this for me.

That following spring, I joined a custom combine crew for the summer. We started in Vernon, Texas, before moving north to Alberta and returning to Kansas in the fall. It was a great experience going to places you wouldn’t go if you were a tourist and getting to meet some great people as well.

It is a great way to get away from everyone and everything and allow yourself time to figure things out for yourself, something I’d recommend to every 18 year old.

Upon completion of that year’s harvest, I went to work for Bruce Farms Ltd. just outside Strathmore, Alberta. I drove truck, operated equipment, and helped in the shop on the farm side of their operation. My foreman there was Lance Kabatoff. A man I’ve come to know as both a mentor and a good sounding board when I’m in need of a BS session. He taught me a technique that I’ve used ever since. He said that when things start going sideways, stop what you’re doing, put down whatever you have a hold of, stop all equipment you’re using, and take 5 minutes to have a smoke. (I was still smoking in those days) While having your smoke,

FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS, LOOKING FOR O/OPS TO HELP SUPPORT BUSINESS GROWTH IN WESTERN CANADA

West Coast Singles wanted for BC-CA lane and USA West Coast Teams for dedicated BC-ON lane We Offer • Paid Insurance, Plates & Licensing • Great Pay Package • Fuel Subsidy Program • Direct Deposit on the 15th & End Of Each Month Contact Dave Holyoke • 604-417-4403 dholyoke@sptrucklines.com www.sptrucklines.com PAGE 26

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PRO-TRUCKER MAGAZINEe

Don’t Miss These Exciting Features:

march 2016

• Professionally Judged Show & Shine • Safety Driven Educational Seminars • Live Entertainment

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 27

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

calm yourself down, take a look at the situation and figure out what needs to be done, how to go about it, and if it’s going to require help. When you’ve figured it all out, and you’ve finished your smoke, set about fixing the problem.

I worked there for little over a year before I started to get the itch for something different. I wound up going to work driving a cab over for Randy Meston, at Meston Livestock.

Despite my age and lack of knowledge with livestock, he took me on and took the time to teach me what I needed to know. I wound up working at Meston for about a year and a half before I got the itch again. This time I went to work for Hyndman for 7 months hauling cattle to Quebec, which I enjoyed, and hauling freight back west, which I despised.

Between the pace I was running and the frustration that came with the freight side of things, I knew it wasn’t for me.

It also taught me to never be paid by the mile. Since then I’ve always been paid percentage. I find it a lot less stressful and it keeps everyone honest.

About the time I figured out bumping docks wasn’t for me, Randy called me wanting to know if I’d like my old job back. After thinking about it for a week, I called him back and asked if the offer was still good, he said it was and I spent the next 4 years back at Mestons. I started back in the cab over (sometimes I miss that truck) before I moved into a classic XL with a “condo” bunk which was quite a change.

The following February, I was on my way out to Kamloops, BC, when at Three Valley Gap I came upon the

T r uc k Wes t C ollision ICBC Repairs • Sandblasting Full Truck Collision Services Frame Straightening Custom Painting Painting

Head Office Langley 604-888-8788 9737-197B Street

Abbotsford 604-854-8779 #8-31059 Peardonville Road

EMAIL: truckwest@shaw.ca WEBSITE: truckwestcollision.com PAGE 28

TRIDEM SERVICES LTD.

We are pleased to announce that we have opened a 2nd Truck & Trailer Repair and Designated Inspection Facility in Kelowna BC.

Kelowna 2659 Norris Road, Kelowna, BC 250-765-7622

Langley Unit 14, 19926-96 Ave., Langley, BC (Port Kells) 604-882-3877

We bring with us qualified employees and 20 years’ experience.

We offer everything from: Regular oil changes to full service, inspections on tractor and trailers and full truck and trailer repairs - big or small.

corner that leans the wrong way, to see break lights everywhere. I applied mine in time to hit the dip in the road and I felt the back end of the truck slip out. By the time I stopped across from the chateau, the trailer was facing west and the truck was facing east against the rock face. Fortunately I walked away with nothing more than a bruised ego. The truck however was a write off.

When this happened I had been considering buying the truck from Randy. With that no longer an option he gave me a deadline to find a replacement truck myself, or continue being a company driver. I found a 2003 Freightliner Classic with a 14-Litre Detroit, and began life as a lease op. Within six months I was doing an in-frame and learning all about the downside of owning your own truck. Fortunately that year we had an extremely busy fall run and I was able to get back on my feet.

The next 2 years were filled with the usual ups and downs that are part of the normal cycle of things, but in 2009 things dropped off and weren’t picking up. Too many trucks and not enough work had me looking for other pastures.

I wound up bumping docks again with a reefer until my paycheck bounced. At that point I was pretty deep in the hole, so I made the decision to stop digging and sell the truck. Over the last five years I’ve slowly filled that hole and by the time you read this my last bill will be paid in full and I’ll be completely debt free.

I’ve also learned a few lessons I’m not sure I would have learned any other way. Looking back at that chapter of my life from my current position, I think it’s allowed me to be in a much better place going forward.

After selling the Freightliner I went to work for a lease op at Gibson Energy, hauling sulphur from Ft. McMurry, AB to Fox Creek, AB. It was not the type of work that I personally enjoyed, but it was a paycheck.

In July of 2010, I was helping get things ready for my sister’s wedding when I got a phone call from Kirk Ammann.

His dad was looking for a driver and he wanted to know if I was interested. So the next chapter of my driving career began. I’ve now been at Stingray Express in Calgary (not related to any other company using the Stingray name) for the last 5 ½ years. In that time I’ve been able to go from a company driver to a lease-op with a truck that is paid for.

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

CALLING ALL

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

OWNER OPERATORS!

Monarch is now looking for Class 1 Owner Operators to run our Western Canada Van Division, US Van Division or AB Cartage Division!”

Owner Operators

• Competitive Rates • No Start Up Costs • Fuel Surcharge Adjusted Weekly • Paid Plates • Discounted Fuel Cards Supplied • Low Insurance Rates • Safety And Referral Bonus Programs • Paid Twice Per Month By Direct Deposit • Paid Loaded And Empty • Dry Van Freight Only • Health Benefits Plan Available • Paid Tolls, Bridges, Faxes • Cell Phone Allowance • Paid Border Crossing Transponder

Company Drivers

• Earn Up To .46¢ Per Mile • Operate In Western Canada Only • Newer Equipment • Benefits Package • Flexible Schedules • Paid Every Second Friday • Safety And Referral Bonus Programs • Cell Phone Allowance • Paid Vacation

We require your professional and positive attitude, a minimum of 2 years OTR experience.

Join our team today & ask us about our new sign on bonus!

Please contact recruiting@monarchtransport.com or call Michelle or Ken at 1-800-661-9937

Monarch Transport (1975) Ltd. mArch 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 29

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

I don’t think there is a perfect trucking job but this one is pretty close to being perfect for me. I feel pretty spoiled with it. Terry and Sandi have put together a nice crew to work with and I’ve got a run that has enough predictability so that I can plan things and still have enough change from week to week to keep it interesting.

The truck I have now is a 2007 Peterbilt 379 Legacy (#269) with a C15 engine and 18 speed transmission. Terry and Sandi made me an offer to buy the truck from them and I couldn’t say no. Killing two birds with one stone, they ensured I was going to stay at Stingray and I got to be a truck owner again, so it worked well for everyone involved.

I have shown the truck at several events in Canada and the US. It’s great to pull into a show, give the truck a final wipe down, then go look at the nice trucks and hangout with the people you normally only wave at on the highway.

A little over a year ago I met Christy and her daughter McKayla, and they’ve been a wonderful addition to my life.

McKayla has Angelman Syndrome, something that occurs in 1 in 20,000 births. Something that presents its own set of challenges, but the sweetest rewards.

I understand Colin black and his wife will be attending this year’s BC Big Rig Weekend, hopefully I will be able to as well, and maybe share a few memories of some of the places around Scotland he’s mentioned in some of his columns, and perhaps a few that have yet to be printed as well.

His column, as well as the late Frank Cox’s former columns

Custom Fabrication • Servicing Available Power Tailgate • Roll Doors Nothing too big or small. We can handle all your trailer needs!

# 1 0 3 - 2 0 0 8 6 9 2 A Ave. , L a n g l ey, B C

Tel: 604-371-4884

i n fo @ t i m s t r a i l e r re p a i r. c o m have brought back many memories of life in the old country, when I was a “wee loon” In closing, I’d like to say friends past, present, and future, lost and yet to be found, thank you for the memories and here’s to making more.

Note: Between submitting my first and final draft of my story, during one of our date nights, Christy, upsetting tradition, asked me to marry her. My reply was an immediate “Yes”. Plans for a ceremony will be made in due course. ***** A young executive was in terrible traffic accident where he head injuries but the only visible, permanent injury was that both of his ears were amputated. Since his remaining hearing was sufficient, he carried on with his career.

Experienced Owner Operators Required ...For Long Haul or Short Haul Flat deck freight and container chassis work available.

PAGE 30

To learn more call Bob Herbert 604-888-2928 www.shadow-group.com E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

Many years later he eventually rose to CEO of his own company. He was, however, very sensitive about his appearance. One day the he was interviewing three people who were applying for management jobs at his head office.

The first was an accountant and it was a great interview. At the end of the interview the CEO asked him “Do you notice anything different about me?” The young man answered, “Why yes Sir, I couldn’t help but notice that you have no ears.” The CEO was displeased with his lack of tact and threw him out.

The second interview was with a girl who had a degree in business management and she was even better. He then asked her the same question. “Do you notice anything different about me?” She replied sheepishly, “Well Sir, you have no ears.” The CEO threw her out also.

The third interview was with an old school executive who had worked his way up through the ranks. He was smart, articulate, fit, looked sharp and seemed to know more than the two previous people combined. The CEO liked this guy and went ahead with the same question. “Do you notice anything different about me?”

To his surprise the man said, “Yes Sir, you wear contact lenses.” The COE was very impressed and thought, “What an incredibly observant man and he didn’t mention my ears.” He asked him, “How do you know I wear contacts?”

“Well Sir”, the man replied, “It’s pretty hard to wear glasses with no ears.”

www.knwdiesel.com KNW Diesel Inc 19325 94 Avenue Unit C-1 Surrey, BC V4N 4E6

AERO HAS FOUND ITS EDGE.

Edges instead of curves. Fuel economy without sacrificing power.

Durable and lightweight. Introducing the all-new 5700XE. A perfect fusion of proven Daimler technology and innovation with the legendary durability and performance of Western Star. This is how we do AERO. Learn more at allnew5700.com

604-882-0902

mArch 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 31

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

IDLE TIME

By Scott Casey Scott, our Rig of The Month for May 2003 has written “In the Devil’s Courthouse” a book about his years as a gun toting truck driver while serving as a Canadian Peacekeeper in the former Yugoslavia

Life is a Highway Gloss black paint polished to a mesmerizing gleam.

Chrome that sparkles like a Rainbow Trout swimming just below the surface as you reel it to the boat. You just can’t take your eyes off of it. Adjusting the seat you slide your arm out the open window and enjoy the warm breeze. Looking down that long black hood out your front windshield as the dotted lines disappear under the left fender. The right pedal presses to the floor under your foot following the quiet meshing of a gear change and the diesel smoke belches lightly from the 8 inch chrome straight stacks that reach for the sky just behind the doors.

The deep rumble creates a smile on your face and you lean back for the miles ahead.

Like anything with wheels, men and many women, are compelled to drive our nation’s highways with passion.

A passion that comes from living a lifestyle of all things trucking, gear shifts, chrome, and eighteen wheels. These

NEW Extended Hours Mon-Fri 8 am- Midnight • Sat 8 am- 5pm double clutching mavericks are the hero’s of our highways. They are often the first ones on the scene of tragedy on our roads and as such are considered first responders.

I’ve been on the scene of far too many car wrecks where loss of life was inevitable for the occupants. Regardless of these traumatic moments truckers wouldn’t change the life they live, short of maybe some added sleep or better truck stop coffee.

Professional drivers for the most part are travellers by nature not just because they spend thousands of miles on the road. It’s in their blood to be on the go and settling down is a phrase found in other peoples vocabulary. That doesn’t mean they don’t like to hang their hats up for a weekend in a nice town and check out more than the load-

fuel your future Siemens Transportation Group Inc.

Inquire about our increased rates!

Hiring Company Drivers and Owner Operators for our U.S. and Domestic Fleet Ask about our Lease to Own Program and Driver Training Program Contact us at: driver.recruitment@edgetransport.com or 1.888.878.9585

PAGE 32

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

Pro-Trucker Magazine Online!

Past Issues and Rig of the Month Archives Read the magazine right from your smart phone!

www.facebook.com/groups/7374383222/ and www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

mArch 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 33

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

ing dock, but they won’t be there for much longer than that before the itch to move on gets to them.

Trucking comes with its own trials and tribulations like most anything in life. However it’s a bit different as a commercial tourist, as truckers will often call themselves.

There are traffic delays, critters that jump out in front of you, no parking areas, shippers and receivers who don’t understand that five inches on a map doesn’t mean it’s a short trip, and of course the D.O.T. who’s sole purpose in life is seemingly to inhibit truckers from doing anything without a friendly rubber glove inspection.

Many truckers are like classic car guys and do their best to schedule loads around truck shows across the country and even the continent. Drivers will be in Iowa at the Iowa 80 truck show one day and a couple weeks later they’ll be seen in the Pro-Trucker Big Rig Weekend in British Columbia, Canada. Some do it for the prizes but most do it for the brotherhood found behind the windshield. Coffee, beers, and a ton of trucker stories which usually start out with, “This is the truth, but yesterday I was trucking.....” are why these diesel cowboys and girls get together. Like magpies squawking over which tinfoil is the shiniest, truck shows bring the nation’s pavement pounders together. If you love shiny stuff and people with personality, take some time this summer and book yourself into a truck show in your area. You won’t be disappointed.

Open 6:00 am to 7:30 pm mon to Fri 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturdays

CANYON CABLE 1988 LTD. 930-6th Ave., hope, Bc 604-869-9036 Toll Free 1-800-588-8868

Tyres ACross The Pond Colin Black lives in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland and has been driving truck for over 40 years. His story shows us once again that the problems drivers face are universal.

E-Logs I’ve noticed a few postings on Facebook about the coming of the E-Logs across the pond, some guys are for it and some, mostly old timers like me, are against it. Well, maybe against it is a bit of an overstatement, things change all the time don’t they? Some you like and some you don’t. One

Company Drivers & Owner Operators It’s tough out there and business is slow.

Why spend THOUSANDS of dollars on tires?

Use Skiddd Wheel Indicators to save money!

We offer 2 sizes of Skiddd Wheel Indicators our Original & now our NEW MINI Skiddd Wheel Indicator Great for smaller Everyday trailers!

NEW

S K I DDD WHEEL ROTATION INDICATOR

Original Skiddd Wheel Indicator

S K I DDD WHEEL ROTATION INDICATOR

S K I DDD

New Mini Skiddd Wheel Indicator

WHEEL ROTATION INDICATOR

For your nearest dealer call Tim: 204-735-3029 or 204-735-2327 Email: skiddd@mymts.net • www.skiddd.com Limited time warranty Safety comes first so get your company to put on Skiddd Wheel Indicators PAGE 34

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

thing’s for sure, if the faceless desk jockeys decide it’s coming in, drivers are stuck with it whether they like it or not.

At the start of my forty odd years on the road over here in the UK we had log books with a sheet of carbon paper between the top and bottom copies, then the law came in that all trucks had to have a tachograph fitted. This machine took a wax covered paper disc the size of a CD that you put in for every 24 hour period. It showed speed and distance travelled, as well as break time and other work like loading and unloading, if you moved the switch to the correct place.

I was working for a company called Lep Transport when they fitted a Tachograph to the truck I was driving.

There was no such thing as instructing the driver in the use of the thing, the first day the depot manager came out at the start of my shift and unlocked the tacho and put a card in. He then closed and locked it, taking the key with him to prevent me tampering with it I suppose.

When I came back to the yard he came out, unlocked it and took out a card that was unmarked, he stood there looking at this new technology while muttering, blooming thing must be defective. But what he’d actually done was put the card in the wrong way round.

And now we’re onto the electronic tachograph, we’ve been using the E. Tachograph for quite a while now, it probably makes things easier for the company. All the drivers’ records are stored on a hard drive, so no bundles of paper

OWNER OPERATORS WANTED “Our Committment to Excellence” • Western Canada • No USA • Top Rates • Revenue Based • Over 40 years in business • Open Door Policy • Fuel Surcharge Program • Safe Driving Incentives • Company Fuel Cards • Dedicated Trailers • Home almost every weekend • Excellent Insurance Rates • Benefit Package

1•800•465•2193 craig@downtons.com

Britco Rentals and Sales Britco has the largest rental fleet of new and used buildings for delivery and installation anywhere in British Columbia.

• Containers • Field offices • First aid buildings • Kiosks • Mobile offices • Office complexes • Classrooms • Washroom buildings

britco.com 1.800.527.4826 mArch 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 35

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

records taking up space in a storeroom. At the end of every shift drivers download their card into the company system where the records can be checked and accessed at any time.

And the E-Logs, unlike the paper logs and tacho’ discs, are almost impossible to get round and drive over your allotted time. Most people would consider that a good thing, who wants a driver with a case of white line fever at the wheel of a 44 ton battering ram. It was normal back in the good ol’ bad ol’ days for some drivers to do whatever it took to keep the truck moving and get the job done. Loading all day and driving all night, doing running repairs and changing flat tyres. When new legislation came in it was almost like a challenge to some drivers to see how they could get round it and keep the wheels rolling and the money coming in.

Log books were easy to defeat, drivers could have a couple of spare blank books stowed in the cab, the tacho discs were the same as drivers were usually issued with a box of un-numbered discs whenever they needed them.

But the electronic tachograph is not the sole reason all the old cowboys like me are leaving the industry. I think it’s all the electronic wizardry in the cab that’s just sickened some of the old drivers. Men who were used to leaving the depot with a loaded truck, delivering the load and getting a return load before finding a call box to phone the depot to say they were on their way home.

Now they’re tracked every minute of their shift, how do

Hiring Qualified O/Ops & Drivers Drivers 70-80 CENTS PER MILE!

Super B & tridem step 2 yrs exp & acceptable abstract Western Canada & USA Some dedicated runs

Call Al 604-882-7623 those guys feel when they come into the office only to be asked why they stopped for ten minutes half an hour from the depot? Especially when it was just a quick toilet break and to maybe check the load security.

The trucks we drive now are miles ahead of the equipment we started out with, but unfortunately, the wages haven’t kept pace with the warm, quiet, technology filled cabs. ***** A Metric Measuring Quote: “You should make it two inches - or, if you’re working in centimeters, make sure you use enough centimeters for two inches.”

-Red Green

U.S. Gas and Oil Pipeline Network Dwarfs Keystone

The proposed 1,179 mile Keystone XL pipeline sounds significant until you put it in the context of the vast U.S. oil and natural gas pipeline system. At the end of 2013, the U.S. had 192,396 miles of pipeline carrying crude oil, natural gas liquids, and refined petroleum products. And the U.S. added 6,187 miles of oil and gas pipeline in 2013 alone.

PAGE 36

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PRO-TRUCKER MAGAZINEe

march 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

PAGE 37

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

Lost Tears Lightning strikes and thunder roars followed by the rain Washing away my teardrops and leaving behind the pain The many tears that I have shed, for daughters and for sons Killed by senseless violence, by knife, car, drugs or guns Broken bodies in the street struck down by speeding cars Drug addicts in the alley, behind some local bar A woman and a little child cut down in a heap Victims of a turf war, a drive-by in the street A bomb explodes and many die in some far and distant land Their blood and their dreams soaked up by the sand A child somehow gets a gun and goes on a killing spree A husband kills his wife and child because he wants to be free My tears for all the innocent are washed out by the rain The thunder and the lightning underscore the pain.

Dave Madill PAGE 38

Dave Madill was Pro-Trucker Magazine’s Rig of the Month in June of 2001 and he has been entertaining us with his poetry ever since. Dave has published three books of poems that are available by special order through Chapters Book Stores or amazon.com

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

mArch 2016

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

clean. quick. reliable.

chevron commercial cardlocks Call Us • 800 331 7353 • 604 668 5300 Find cardlock locations at Chevron.ca

Cardlocks now offering DEF at the pump: • Deltaport • Chilliwack • Langley North • Williams Lake

© 2016 Chevron Canada Limited. All rights reserved. CHEVRON and the Chevron Hallmark are registered trademarks of Chevron Intellectual Property LLC.

mArch 2016

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProTruckerMagazine

Chevron_ProTrucker_Jan2016.indd 1

PAGE 39

2/1/2016 1:35:34 PM

PrO-TrUcKEr mAGAZINEe

Call Now: 1 (877) 452-9414 x.8706 Email: recruiting@continentalcartage.com Visit: www.continentalcartage.com OWNER OPERATORS

Earn Up To 2.18/mile Inc. FSC September 2015, Paid Plates, Insurance, Permits & Tolls Paid Load, Unload & Wait Times at $50/hr, All Miles Paid at the Loaded Rate, Paid by Direct Deposit

COMPANY DRIVERS

Up to .53/mile To Start, Paid Load, Unload & Wait Time at $30/hr, Medical/Dental Benefits & RRSP Program, Safety + Performance Bonus up to .04/mile, Paid by Direct Deposit Call Now: 1 (877) 452-9414 x 8706 Email: recruiting@continentalcartage.com Visit: www.drivingsafety.ca

mArch 2016

E-magazine available at www.pro-truckermagazine.com

PAGE 40