trucking products - US Cargo Control Blog

4 Important Nighttime Driving Tips for Truck Drivers

With the days getting shorter, it can be challenging and dangerous driving at night. Read these 4 nighttime truck driving tips to stay safe.

Short winter days increase the challenge of driving at night.

With the days getting shorter, chances are you’ll be doing a lot of your driving after the sun sets and visibility lowers. Most everyone will agree that nighttime driving can be trying and increases the potential dangers of the road. To help you drive your best at night and arrive at your destination safely, we have 4 important tips for nighttime semi-truck driving.

1. Keep a Clean Windshield

Night time driving — Photo Courtesy: Adobe Stock

Driving at night doesn’t get any easier with insects and dirt stuck to your windshield. If you ignore the mess, it will build up and get worse. A dirty windshield can actually cause light to reflect in the wrong way and limit your visibility at night. Be sure to clean your windshield whenever you can, and consider replacing your wiper blades soon to keep your windshield clean.

2. Feeling Drowsy? Pull Over

Night car driving — Photo Courtesy of Adobe Stock

A good night’s sleep is important for everybody, but for truck drivers, the right amount of rest is critical for safety. If you try to fight drowsiness, it can be dangerous not only for other drivers sharing the road with you but for yourself as well. When you start to feel drowsy, pull over and call it a night.

Want some tips for how to sleep soundly in your rig? Read 5 Tips for How to Sleep Better at Night.

3. Don’t Look into the Light

driving at night headlights — Photo Courtesy: Adobe Stock

Staring at the headlights of oncoming traffic can be distracting, especially when they shine directly at you or any of your mirrors. When you don’t look away, it can affect your night vision, cause damage to your retina, and slow down your reaction time. You could become a deer in the headlights!

When this occurs, try to look down and off to the right side until traffic passes. As long as you can see the white line on the shoulder, your truck will be fine while your vision adjusts to the passing line. If a car with high beams is coming towards you, adjust your mirrors to block the glare away from your eyes.

4. Avoid Distracted Driving

driving at night time — Photo Courtesy: Adobe Stock

How many times have you been told not to use your phone while driving? It might get old hearing it, but that rule exists for a reason. And even though it applies during all times of the day, being on your phone is especially dangerous at night given the fact that you already can’t see much of the road. Resist the temptation to use your phone and other devices while driving, and call your friends and loved ones when you are on a break or done driving for the day. They’ll be glad you waited!

Be Prepared for Winter with Vehicle Safety Supplies

If you need to pull over or stop during hazardous driving conditions this winter, make sure you’re prepared with supplies to alert others of your surroundings. We have vehicle safety supplies to help you in these situations. Make sure you have LED warnings lights, safety vests and hard hats, flags and signs, and more for safe transport. Our team is here to help you get what you want, when you need it.

At US Cargo Control, we want all truck drivers to be safe. Let us know what trucking equipment you need to be prepared this winter. Give our team of experts a call at 800-969-6543.

How We Make Long-Lasting Custom Tarps that Stand Out [video]

Our team that produces our tarps here in-house is focused on making sure that every single tarp they send out is made to the exact specifications and quality that our customers expect.

Video Transcript:

At US Cargo Control we have a team that’s dedicated to making sure that our customers get quality products at all times.

Our team that produces our tarps here in-house is focused on making sure that every single tarp they send out is made to the exact specifications and quality that our customers expect.

When we send things out to customers, we don’t send out anything that we wouldn’t want to use ourselves when we’re on the road.

So, know that when the team is making your tarp that it would be something that they would be using themselves.

Ordering Your Custom Tarp

So, when a customer calls in to make a custom tarp, we’ll ask a variety of different questions.

The application the tarp is going to be used in
The type of material they want to use
The number of D-rings they want and the number of grommets

Colors & Stenciling

We also carry a number of colors, so we have more than just black that we can make, and we can also do stenciling as well in-house. So, if you’re wanting to get your name or a company name on a tarp we can definitely do that to help with branding and make sure you stand out when using your tarp over the road.

We carry a large variety of tarps on our website, but obviously, we don’t carry every single tarp in the industry. So if you don’t see what you’re looking for, call in and talk to our sales team. We have a team that’s dedicated to making sure you get the exact tarp you’re looking for and all of our sales team members are experts within the industry.

So, when you call in, if you don’t have all the answers, that’s fine. We’re here to help you and uncover the exact needs that you have. Our sales team is here to get you what you want when you need it, and we’ll get you the exact tarp that fits the needs that you’re looking for.

To inquire about custom tarps call: 800-969-6543

Corner Protector Comparison Video: What’s Best for Your Cargo?

Some of the different corner protectors we offer include plastic, steel, rubber, fabric, felt, and sleeves. What are the differences?

Corner protectors are an inexpensive way to protect not only your cargo but your straps, chains, tarps, and other tie-down equipment.

Some of the types of corner protectors that we offer include plastic, steel, rubber, fabric, felt, and sleeves.

Plastic Corner Protectors

Plastic corner protectors, or V boards, are flexible, lightweight, stackable, and weather resistant. We sell many different types of plastic corner protectors including corner protectors for bricks, flexible tarp corner protectors, and long and narrow edge protectors that are great for large sheets of drywall and plywood.

red plastic corner protector for ratchet straps — Plastic Corner Guard w/ Slot for Strap

yellow plastic corner protector for tarp and flatbeds — Corner Protector for Tarps

red plastic corner protector for bricks and other cargo — Corner Protector for Brick

red long and narrow plastic corner protector 48" — 48″ Corner Protector

Steel Corner Protectors

Steel corner protectors are excellent for heavy-duty uses involving transport chain and for larger, heavier cargo like coils. The durable galvanized steel is protected from premature rust and allows these metal edge protectors to last a long time. We also sell steel corner protectors with rubber lining.

galvanized steel corner protector for transport chain — Steel Corner Protector for Chain

steel flatbed corner protector with 3" slot — Slotted 3″ Steel Corner Protector

Felt Corner Protectors

Felt corner protectors are durable and tear resistant, great for protecting sensitive cargo and tie down straps. They’re made of industrial grade felt material and are commonly used as lifting sling pads and coil padding as well as for edge protection.

heavy duty felt corner protector — Felt Corner Protector (8″x12″x1/4″)

Protective Sleeves

We also have two different types of sleeves: the Cordura wear sleeve and the fleece sleeve protector. Both sleeves wrap around your tie down straps and provide abrasion resistance. The fleece sleeve also adds a level of padding and is great if you’re hauling vehicles with nice paint or chrome that you want to protect.

Cordura wear sleeve for ratchet strap abrasion resistance — Cordura Wear Sleeve

fleece ratchet strap sleeve protector — Fleece Sleeve Protector

Extension Handle for Corner Protectors

Using corner protectors is easier than ever with our 8-foot extension handle, specifically designed to make it easier to place corner protectors, brick guards, and veeboards without having to climb onto the trailer. It extends to approximately 8 feet and then easily retracts to approximately 4 feet for easy storage.

eight foot corner protector handle — 8′ Extension Handle for Corner Protectors

3 Popular Heavy-Duty Cargo Nets for Pickup Truck Beds

These truck bed cargo nets have all received high ratings from our customers, so we thought we’d share the different options available to you

Quick & Easy Ways to Secure a Load in the Back of Your Truck

If you’re looking for a convenient way to secure lots of different cargo in your pickup truck bed, and want something a little heavier duty than our bungee cargo nets, we have three heavy-duty cargo nets to choose from. These truck bed cargo nets have all received high ratings from our customers, so we thought we’d share the different options available to you, including custom cargo nets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qUoffwtoVg?rel=0

1. Extra Short Bed Truck Cargo Net – 42” x 50”

The smallest of our heavy-duty truck bed cargo nets, these versatile nets have four straps that each have a vinyl S-hook for attachment and a 2” cam buckle for securement. They’re manufactured with industrial grade 2” black polyester webbing for a strong and durable hold on your cargo. Each hole opening is 6” x 6” and the straps are attached to the net with a D-ring.

2. Short Bed Truck Cargo Net – 66” x 50”

Other than overall size, this popular mid-size truck bed cargo net offers all the same features found on the extra short truck bed net: four vinyl S-hooks, 2” cam buckles, 2” industrial grade polyester webbing, 6”x6” hole openings and D-rings.

Customer Review

Product was exactly as described and made from heavy duty webbing. I was surprised on how well made it was and fits my 2016 Ford F-150 Lariat properly. Shipping was fast and the order processed as requested. Great product and very good customer service.
Kevin, 2018

3. Long Bed Truck Cargo Net – 82” x 50”

Get over 6-feet of coverage with these long truck bed cargo nets. Perfect for covering cargo on full-size truck beds. Other than the additional coverage area, hardware and other construction specs are identical to the shorter nets listed above.

Customer Review

Used this purchase yesterday to drive 290 miles covering a load of children’s rockers and swings…very pleased with sturdy hold down in wind.
Doug, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3oRDUJA8a8?rel=0

Custom Truck Bed Cargo Nets

Looking for a different heavy-duty cargo net? Let us know what your ideal net would include and we’ll mock up a design for you to look at. Once you give us the green light, our in-house manufacturing team gets to work creating your custom cargo net masterpiece to your exact specifications.

Custom Cargo Net Options

With our custom cargo nets, you have the power to choose the webbing width, color, hardware, hole sizes, and of course the overall size.

Color Options

Choose between 1” or 2” polyester webbing pieces, then select a color from the color palette below.

Hardware Options

There are many different hardware options to choose from, including your choice of securement hardware like ratchets or cam buckles, plus end fitting options like vinyl coated hooks, flat snap hooks, D-rings, E-track, and more. You can also choose how many grommets you want included.

cam buckle or ratchet strap options and end fittings for custom cargo nets

Size Options

Finally, get your tape measure out and determine your ideal net length and height, plus the overall length (end fittings included). Then choose the hole size you want depending on the cargo you will typically be hauling.

choosing your custom cargo net size chart

Get started on your custom cargo net today.

Everything You Need to Know About US Cargo Control

Check out our updated “About Us” video and read more about everything we have to offer below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55QIogFp7X0?rel=0

Video Transcript

At US Cargo Control, “what you want, when you need” is more than just a slogan or philosophy. It’s the foundation on which we were built. With humble beginnings in our founder’s garage, it was always our goal to make our customers feel understood and taken care of. Even now, more than 10 years later, with in-house manufacturing, thousands of cargo control products, and a 133,000 square-foot facility; our goal remains the same. To understand our customers better than anybody, and to get you what you want, when you need it.

In the trucking, rigging, and moving industries- product and service needs are time-sensitive. Getting you what you want, when you need it looks a little different for every customer. Our dedicated teams allow us to be highly responsive in finding the right solutions for all of our customers.

Whether visiting us at uscargocontrol.com or speaking to your dedicated service representative over the phone – we always strive to get you what you want, when you need it.

What’s important to you?

Here are more details on how we can help deliver the cargo control products you want when you need them.

Dedicated Teams of Cargo Control Experts

Throughout the years, we have carefully assembled a dedicated staff that thrives on being product and industry experts. Every last one of them seeks to make your job safer and easier, and your equipment allocation more efficient. We are always happy to take your calls and promptly answer any questions about product, price, shipping, or custom order needs. Let us know what’s important to you, and we’ll do everything we can to make it happen.

Quality Products with Custom Capabilities

We offer thousands of cargo control products, both foreign and domestic. From quality moving supplies to lifting and rigging gear, and of course a huge selection of heavy-duty trucking and transportation equipment– more variety means more choice for you. In addition, we manufacture custom tie-downs, cargo nets, tarps and more in our 23,000 square-foot manufacturing facility. Don’t see what you’re looking for on our website? Just ask and we’ll do everything we can to get you what you want.

Custom-Pricing Programs

We understand your business and its goals are unique and believe our pricing should reflect this reality. Bulk orders, special shipping requests, and payment plans. Partner with us and together we can create pricing programs that work for your individual needs.

Swift Delivery

Our central Midwest location means delivery time is just 1-3 days to most of the United States. With thousands of items in-stock and to ready to ship, orders placed before 4:00pm Central time ship out the same day. Plus, you get free shipping on orders of $199 or more.

Your Single-Source Cargo Control Supplier

At the end of the day, actions speak louder than words. So what are you waiting for? Put us to the test and challenge us to deliver on all your cargo control needs.

Shop our website anytime, or call us at 866-444-9990.

7:00am – 6:00pm Monday through Thursday (Central time)

7:00am – 5:00pm Friday (Central time)

US Cargo Control Employees Experience Hands-On Training

Flatbed training on products from uscargocontrol.com — *Instructor Freddie Jones (left) leads an interactive hands-on training session with employees of US Cargo Control.*

Sixty employees of US Cargo Control were recently treated to a Continuing Education opportunity at their offices in Urbana, IA. Instructors from nearby Kirkwood Community College’s Professional Truck Driving program led four separate two-hour training sessions featuring hands-on experience with a variety of tools and equipment drivers use to secure cargo on a flatbed trailer.

Freddie Jones, operations manager for Kirkwood’s Truck Driving program, and Dennis Carson, instructor for Kirkwood’s Truck Driving program, were the presenters for Friday’s training sessions. Both men have many years of real-life experience driving trucks.

The training began with a short video detailing some of the cargo securement laws that drivers must abide by, what a driver’s CSA (compliance, safety, accountability) score is and different ways it can be affected, as well as how to calculate Working Load Limit weights and the number of tie-downs necessary for a particular load.

The group then headed outside where a flatbed trailer was waiting with a skid loader and stack of pallets, both ready to be properly secured.

Hands-on items

Some of the equipment US Cargo Control employees learned to use included ratchet straps, tie down straps, winches, winch bars, chain, chain binders, corner protectors, tarps and tarp straps. Best-practices stories were also shared with the group.

Jones and Carson learned a few things from the US Cargo Control employees, as well. They were excited to discover tools offered by uscargocontrol.com like the Peerless QuikBinder™ Plus Ratchet Loadbinder that is easier to use than a more traditional ratchet chain binder; and the VeeBoards® Extension Handle that helps position corner protectors atop tall loads while the driver remains standing on the ground.

Ongoing Education

David Urlaub, US Cargo Control’s training coordinator, says the benefits of this type of training to the company’s employees are immeasurable. “Giving USCC employees the chance to use the products so they can take that back to their jobs and pass along correct information to the drivers who use our products is extremely important,” Urlaub said. He added, “We can better understand what a truck driver goes through on a daily basis to tie down their loads, and see how physical this job is for the drivers. Any products that make their life easier could be good additions to our site.”

While employees of US Cargo Control have ongoing product training throughout the year, this is the first hands-on training session. This training was funded by 260E dollars. The goal, according to Urlaub, is to have this type of training on an annual basis going forward.