Ladder Racks - How to Pick the Right One for Your Utility Vehicle

Looking forward to buying the best ladder rack for your pick-up truck? Why not read this article and avail yourself to different styles and models of these racks!

With so many options available in the market these days, it becomes more and more difficult for you to pick an ideal rack that perfectly suits your specific needs and requirements! Ladder Racks play a great part when it comes to carrying essential tools and equipment like ladders, pipes, boards, and other vital bulky items. Also, these accessories are highly durable, flexible, and lightweight, can easily be set up, easy to use, and are designed to bear the greatest possible load ever.

These vehicle accessories have successfully gained their rightful place and have become the most important aspect of different transportation services like carrier, courier, movers & packers, and even more. The most important feature of installing ladder racks is that it can increase the total load capacity of your utility truck and can easily be removed when not required as they come in different folding varieties.

When it comes to choosing the best rack for your utility vehicle, there are plenty of factors that come under consideration, which include:

Factor #1: Determine your needs first

It is important that you determine your needs first and then move further to the next big step, i.e. choosing the best rack for your vehicle. These racks are basically available in two types of materials such as aluminium and steel. Also, they are available in different designs and sizes custom-made to suit all your specific needs.

Factor #2: Explore your options and then choose the right one

Ladder racks are basically classified into three main categories, i.e. utility, lock down and drop-down. It is important that you make yourself familiar with the different styles of racks available along with their strengths and limitations. This will help you understand their basic specifications along with their pros and cons and suitable vehicle type with which they are most compatible.

Factor #3: Make comparisons on the basis of style and features

Once you have short-listed a few options, then comes the turn to compare the features and prices in order to select the right one for your vehicle. Aluminium and Steel racks are two of the most used and well renowned racks throughout the globe. If you are looking for a material that is highly durable, lightweight, good-looking and corrosion free, then you must install the racks made up of aluminium as it may turn out to be the perfect material for your vehicle. On the other hand, if you are looking for a strong and highly durable material for your vehicle, then you must install steel racks as they are the strongest of all.

Five Things To Consider Before Going To Truck Dealers

Trucks come in all shapes and sizes these days, with so many different advantages and disadvantages depending on your specific needs. Before you involve truck dealers in your search, ask yourself these five questions.

How Big of a Tow Capacity Do I Need?

How big do you need your truck to be? There are four sizes with different ranges of towing ability. A compact pickup can tow 3,000 to 7,000 pounds, a full-sized or mid-sized model can tow as much as 12,000 pounds, and a heavy-duty model can tow as much as 30,000 pounds when properly equipped.

What Size Bed Do I Need?

If you are moving heavy loads and are helped with a forklift, you may want to get a larger sized truck bed with more cabin space and pulling power. However, if you are manually loading and unloading cargo, like gravel or manure, then you may want to get a bed that is lower to the ground because it is more convenient for your back and knees.

What's the Fuel Efficiency?

Fuel efficiency has been a hot topic the past few years, with the prices at the pump fluctuating day by day. Fortunately, because of federal fuel-efficiency standards, trucks are being designed with more cabin space for families with a better overall fuel economy. Most full-size models use V8 or V10 engines that get decent gas economy. Though heavy-duty vehicles have quite the weight to them, they use diesel fuel, which is a more efficient fuel source. Diesel engines tend to be 25-30 percent more economical than regular gas. However, diesel fuel produces more emissions and tends to be a little more expensive.

How Much Cabin Space Do I Need?

If you are purchasing your vehicle from one of many reputable truck dealers, remember what exactly you are using the truck for. Are you buying it just for work, or do you have a sizable family commute as well? Maybe you have to bring several people to work or haul cargo that can't be exposed to the elements. A bench seat can comfortably fit three adults, though the person in the middle will have less legroom. There are also extended cab or four-door crew cab options that will carry many more people or perishable items.

How Much Power Do I Need?

There are two routes to take when deciding on the power of your engine. First, you may choose what comes standard if you are only towing or carrying light loads. These are specifically designed to be the most efficient for these situations. However, a more powerful engine may be more economical when heavier loads are involved, even though they use more gas when not towing items. The more power you have, the safer your engine will be. You will also have superior handling because the engine does not have to work as hard to build up momentum. There are many engine and transmission options for nearly every model, so it should be easy to find what is best for you.

Before you make the important decision to purchase a new vehicle, you must ask yourself these five questions. Truck dealers have so many alteration options and add-ons to fit your needs, so don't miss out on something that can save you time and money.

Leading Commercial Vehicle Manufacturers in India

The Indian automotive industry is one of the largest in the world. It is a leader in producing & exporting passenger and commercial vehicles. This industry is a major contributor to the country's manufacturing GDP (Gross Domestic Product). During the financial year 2013-14, 21.48 million vehicles were produced.

We take a look at the top three commercial vehicle manufacturers in the country.

Ashok Leyland: Headquartered in Chennai, Ashok Leyland was established in the year 1948. It ranks second among the commercial vehicle manufacturers of the country. It is the fourth largest producer of buses globally and ranks 16th in manufacturing trucks. With 8 plants producing a range of automobiles, engines, and spare parts, the organization boasts of catering to 70 million passengers daily worldwide. With over 700,000 trucks assisting various industries to transport materials, the ace automobile manufacturer supplies vehicles to the Indian Army too.

They have partnered with leading auto producers to make advanced vehicles. They are presently working in joint venture with Nissan Motor Company (Japan) to produce Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), John Deere (USA) for making Construction Equipment, and Continental AG (Germany) for producing Automotive Infotronics.

Mahindra and Mahindra: With its head office in Mumbai, Mahindra and Mahindra Limited (M&M) is another premier organization producing a range of commercial, as well as personal vehicles. It is the largest producer of tractors in the world. Established in the year 1945, the organization was initially a steel trading company. It entered the automobile industry two years after that, and it has the credit of bringing the popular Willys Jeep to the country. Since then there has been no looking back for the automobile giant. It has made its presence felt in various parts of the world, including Australia, South Africa, Europe, Latin America, South Korea, and Malaysia.

MAN Trucks Pvt. Ltd: Founded in the year 2006, MAN Trucks Pvt. Ltd produces automobiles for the Indian roads, as well as, for export to various parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, CIS, and more. In the year 2012, MAN Truck & Bus AG took over the company. Today, the organization is a leader in producing Haulage Tractors, Mining & Construction Tippers, Multi Axle Trucks, and much more. With its manufacturing unit in Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh, they have now entered the bus segment too.

Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are many other organizations, such as Volvo Buses India Private Limited, Tata Motors, Hindustan Motors, and Eicher Motors, which produce a gamut of commercial vehicles. Collectively they have contributed enormously to the growth of the Indian auto industry.

How to Determine the Load Capacity for a Trailer Axle

Driving a truck may seem like a simple task to most people but it is a very intense and complex experience. Truck driving presents itself with many challenges and as a driver or truck owner you have to be knowledgeable in terms of the capability of your truck and its trailer. One of the areas that you need to be aware of is how much cargo your trailer and axle can handle.

Before you set off on your journey, you need to determine the load capacity for your truck, trailer and trailer axle. It is imperative that you get this right as the consequences can be dire and you could damage your truck and trailer or you could cause an accident.

First of all you need find out what is the maximum gross vehicle weight rating. This is how much the truck weighs when it is fully loaded, which includes the passengers, fuel and the cargo. Next, you need to take the type and design of vehicle into account. Once you have this, find out what is the load rating of the axle.

The load rating of the axle must support the maximum gross vehicle weight rating. This includes the gross vehicle weight plus the gross trailer weight. When you add the two figures together you should never exceed this weight. When you have multiple axle trailers, divide the gross vehicle weight rating by the number of axles. This will determine the minimum load capacity of each axle. Before you purchase a trailer axle or any other truck and trailer parts, you need to consider how it will affect your truck's load capacity as well as driving ability.

Opting for the first affordable trailer axle without doing your homework could lead to further problems in the future. It is recommended that you opt for a quality trailer axle that is manufactured with the latest technical standards and precise production tolerances. Also, consider design features of the trailer axle such as the outboard brake drums, equal size and large diameter wheel bearings, dust-proofed seal bushing and self-aligned spherical camshaft bearings. These design features will tell you whether the axle you are buying is manufactured with your safety in mind. It is also suggested that you check that it is SABS approved so that you can be assured of its safety standard.

It is important that you get the weight rating correct as pulling a trailer that is too light or too heavy could be detrimental to the driver and the truck.

TSE Big Max cc manufactures a number of products such as trailer axles and trailer suspensions. Our engineering workshop also manufactures custom-made components related to the trailer industry.

We are able to supply you with the following: All trailer spares and equipment, JOST equipment, Electrical equipment, Safety and load equipment and All trailer accessories.

Hot Shot Trucking - What Time Is Class?

Hot Shot Trucking gets its name from the days of prohibition, back in those days there was "Hot Shots" who modified their cars or trucks to run illegal alcohol across state lines. They needed to be fast and get the job done quickly.

Many people have been introduced to Hot Shot Hauling by the US based television show "Shipping Wars" where the cast is booking loads using the online service called Uship.com. Most of the loads found on the site are placed there by retail customers that are looking to move items such as boats, cars, household furniture, pets and just about anything else you can think of.

Because of this exposure, there are many people out there who want to start up a Hot Shot business but just don't know where to start.

Many questions are;

What kind of truck do I need?

What size of a trailer should I get?

Do I need a commercial driver's license?

Where can I book my loads?

Doing a quick search about Uship reveals that there are many customers who are not getting what they expected. This should not reflect poorly on Uship as they provide their service as described, they are a matchmaking service of sorts and they don't do any vetting on the carriers. It seems the problem lies with the actual carriers performing the work. This means the customer needs to do the vetting but in most cases they don't

Because many people looking to get into the hot shot business don't realize the process is exactly the same as driving a full sized tractor trailer. They are left thinking that they do not need a Commercial Driving License "CDL", or need to register as a commercial operator. However, the only real difference is the trucks and trailers are a little smaller but smaller does not mean they operate under different rules.

It seems that there are some operators out there who think because they have a pickup truck and a trailer they can operate a trucking company. However, It is important that drivers get their ducks in a row and follow the proper steps when setting up their business. They need to make sure they follow Federal and State regulations and be properly insured before starting to haul cargo down the freeways.

As far as needing a commercial license goes the law is clear. "A driver needs a CDL if the vehicle meets one of the following definitions of a CMV: Class A truck. Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 26,001 or more pounds (11,793 kg) provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds (4536 kg)." (Source https://en.wikipedia.org/ )

The bottom line is if you are looking to get into the Hoshot business, make sure you do your research and get things set up properly.

For customers it is important to ask questions of the company hauling your freight. Get copies of Operating Authorities, and insurance documents. Don't be afraid to take an extra step and make a call to the company providing the insurance and make sure you are covered. After all it is your stuff, Keep it safe.

Tips for Getting Rid of Carpenter Ants Naturally

Is it possible to live without ants in our house? I think the answer is Impossible and most of the people of this universe will agree with me. Because, ants are everywhere in this world. But, no one like to live with ants. Because, sometimes they become aggressive, they destroy our property, food, and also bite us. We can not keep them away from our house forever. But, proper steps and effective techniques can keep them away from our house for the maximum time. Carpenter ant is one of the dangerous species of ant. They destroy our valuable wooden property. Now, I am describing how to get rid of carpenter ants naturally.

For getting rid of carpenter ants naturally, we have to know them and know their characteristic.

This types of ants are one of the largest member of ant species. They are black in color and sometimes reddish brown. Their length varies from ¾" to ½". They have round thorax and one node on their back. They have a pair of elbow angle antenna. Which make difference between termites and carpenter ants.

They do not eat wood like termites. They make tunnels inside woods because of making nest. They lay eggs into those tunnels and breed their babies. They like moist places for making nest. So, they find woods which are moist and warm. They also find places which are very near to the food and water sources and also safe for living.

They like to eat sugar and protein. Sugar, and substances produced using sugar greatly attract ants. Any type of sweet, fruit juice, honey, cake, milk, etc. greatly attract this type of ants. Also foods which contains protein like meat, fish, human foods made using protein greatly attract them.

Natural techniques of getting rid of carpenter ants

One of the good technique of getting rid of them naturally is to pour water into their hive. We have to identify their hive and then enlarge the opening of the hive and pour hot what or cold water into it. Make sure the entire hive is filled with the water. You can also mix some lemon juice with the water for better result. This will kill all the members of the hive and you will get rid of carpenter ants naturally.

Another way of getting rid of it is to remove entire rotten wood which is infected by carpenter ants. If the infected area is small and less important for our house then this technique is useful.

If we can remove all products which attract them to our house, then they will be discourage of making hive in our house. We will have to make all the food sources unreachable to them. And will have to try to keep our bathroom, and kitchen sink clean and dry after using. This will prevent carpenter ant infestation in our house.

Neem oil is a good bio oil, used for controlling house pests naturally. This is being a bio oil, is not toxic and can be used inside our house. Anyone can use neem oil for getting rid of any types of ants naturally.

Another natural product is corn products, used for controlling carpenter ant infestation. They can not digest corn. When they drink after eating corn, then the corn powder start expanding coming to the contact of water and as a result they die.

Boric acid is also very useful for getting rid of carpenter ants. A 1:10 mixture of boric acid and sugar is very effective for killing them. The worker ants carry that mixture to their hive and eat altogether and die. It helps killing all the members of the hive.

Important Note:

It is very important to kill the queen of the hive. One hive consist with one Queen, few male and remaining worker member. If the queen can escape while conducting any killing operation, then it will boost the breeding rate for recovering the lost members of the hive. And the infestation become very dangerous. So, we should be very careful about the queen.

Hope following those techniques mentioned above will help anybody to get rid of carpenter ants naturally.

What Are Bed Bugs? How to Kill Bed Bugs

Bed bugs, scientifically known as Cimex lectularius, are small wingless insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. The adult has an oval-shaped structure and is reddish-brown in colour.

The upper surface of its body has a crinkled appearance and it is about 1/4 to 3/8 inch long. Its body is covered with short golden hair and its head is broad with a pair a prominent compound cone-like eyes.

The insect has 2 antennae segmented into 4 parts. It has weak flexible beak-like piercing mouthparts. It has 6 well-developed legs and simple claws to climb up rough surfaces.

It is very difficult to kill bed bugs and so a range of treatments is used to treat an infestation one of which is steam and heat treatments.

Steam treatment

Steam treatment using a portable steam machine is effective, but time-consuming. You must place the nozzle directly over the infested surface and move it at a rate of 30cm every 1 to 15 seconds. The quality of the steam is crucial. The machine must produce steam of a low vapour flow and high temperature.

The recommended setting is dry steam with less than 5% humidity at 94°C applied at high pressure. Low vapour output prevents the treated surface from becoming very wet. The machine must produce a minimum temperature of 60°C (140°C).

The steamer should hold at least 50 ounces of water - enough to last for an hour of continual usage. After treatment, the treated surface should record at least 70°C - 80°C on the infrared digital thermometer.

Keep the steam flow rate at a minimum. Use a suitable nozzle to avoid distributing the bed bugs. Vacuum all bed bugs after applying the treatment. The surfaces you have to cover determine the length of time it takes.

It takes at least 1 hour to set up the machine and clean the mattress alone. Add extra time for plush furniture, carpets, rugs and other appropriate surfaces.

Benefits

a. Steam kills bed bugs at all stages in the life cycle when applied properly.

b. Steam flushes them out of the harbourage.

c. Steam combined with other treatments can reduce a significant amount of the population.

d. Steam can reach areas a vacuum cannot reach.

e. Steam treatment is a cheap effective way to kill bed bugs.

Drawbacks

a. Steam treatment requires patience.

b. Steam must be applied slowly and closely to the infested items for effective results.

c. Steam treatment is a continuous process. Taking breaks between treatment gives the pests time to escape.

d. Steam treatment on its own cannot eliminate the bed bug population.

e. The treatment has no residual effect and there is no guarantee against re-infestation.

f. Steam cannot penetrate the mattress and other materials.

g. The treatment is not suitable for every surface.

h. Steam can damage wood, electronic devices, paper and other items sensitive to water.

i. Sometimes the treatment has to be applied multiple times to get the required results.

j. If used inappropriately, the steam can blow away pesticide residue in the treated area. The towel over the nozzle may obstruct the release of steam pressure and prevents the steam escaping forcefully to kill bed bugs.

Steam is not the magic bullet to solve the bed bug problem. You must combine it with other treatments to kill the pests. If you choose to use a desiccant, wait until the treated surface dries before you apply the powder.

The use of mattress encasement after applying steam treatment is good.

Health and safety issues

Steam needs a minimum heat of 60°C. This exposes you to extreme heat. Moisture contributes to mould. And, using pesticide in an area that has just been treated with steam can be dangerous to occupants in the house.