So, you need to move a full semi-trailer to the staging area for unloading, but no trucks are readily available. Precious time is lost as you hunt for a truck or some other option to fill in.

Does this scenario sound familiar? Turn these nightmares into a distant memory with the sturdy and efficient trailer dolly from DJ Products.

Why You Need a Trailer Dolly

Moving semi-trailers, boats, RVs and other large vehicles is a tedious and cumbersome job. In addition to a truck, the job frequently requires two or more employees handle the task safely.

Compare that to our trailer dollies, which come in eight different models and a wide range of configurations. Thanks to the compact size, smooth movement and ease of operation, these dollies allow a single employee to move loads from 1,000 to 100,000 pounds safely and effectively.

Features and Benefits

* All of our trailer dollies are battery-powered, making them quiet and eco-friendly. A full charge generally lasts for an entire eight-hour shift. Recharge simply by plugging the unit into a standard 120-volt outlet.

* The automatic safety brake engages when the dolly comes to a stop, holding tight even on an incline.

* Travel at speeds up to 3 MPH in both forward and reverse. Use the variable speed handlebar twist grip for smooth operation. The ergonomic design also cuts down on stress and strain that can cause repetitive motion injuries.

* The compact size and non-marking tires allow the trailer dolly to quickly and efficiently navigate tight spaces on any surface, including gravel, grass, snow and ice.

* We can adapt the hitch options to ball, pintle, gooseneck, kingpin, or whatever style of trailers you work with.

* No commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required for use. Any employee will be up and running with some basic training.

* Our trailer dollies aren’t just for trailers. Use them to move RVs and campers, boats and other heavy wheeled equipment.

Solutions for All Your Material Handling Needs

Whether you’re moving hospitality carts, dumpsters, carpet rolls or airplanes, DJ Products has the solution for your specific application. Call 800.686.2651 to learn more from our helpful Sales Engineers.

The post Trailer Dolly Makes Quick Work of Moving Trailers appeared first on DJ Products.

Sleep has no substitute, but coffee really does help you drive safely. Long-haul drivers can focus better and reduce errors with the help of caffeine. Those prone to swerving out of lane should consider a caffeinated chewing gum or cup of joe every few hours.

Worker safety in warehousing and transportation has become a publicized issue lately. Distribution companies should consider all their options for improvement, including motorized trailer dollies for the shunting yard and driver education to reduce accidents.

Coffee Fights Cognitive Fatigue

In addition to keeping you awake, caffeine also produces an adrenaline response that helps with focus. Brain fatigue makes hours of driving feel so tedious. Coffee counteracts that feeling so truckers can have an easier time maintaining a consistent speed, checking their mirrors, and staying in control of the vehicle.

Hit the Road with Caffeinated Chewing Gum

Studies have found the best results with caffeinated gum. The effect kicks in faster and lasts for a predictable 90 minutes. Drinking coffee has less reliable effects (not to mention the associated pit stops).

Trailer Dollies Also Improve Safety

With so much emphasis on driver fatigue and safety protocols, it’s easy to forget that safety starts at the terminal. Drivers and warehouse workers often get injured at the dock while loading or moving trailers.

Replace your shunt trucks with motorized trailer dollies for better sight lines and more precise steering. Any worker can operate a TrailerCaddy, so your truck drivers can save their physical and mental energy for the road—after they’ve caffeinated of course.

Read up on the safety features of our motorized trailer dollies and call 800-686-2651 to speak with a sales engineer about how DJ Products yard trucks can make it very inexpensive to increase workplace safety.

The post Coffee: The Long Haul Driver’s Friend for Safety appeared first on DJ Products.

With eCommerce becoming the preferred method of shopping, speed of order processing and shipping has become more important than ever. Equipment such as motorized trailer dollies helps streamline the process, but logistics technology is also growing more sophisticated.

What steps are you taking to upgrade your warehouse? Here are eCommerce logistics trends in the forefront for 2019.

Mobile Optimization

Smartphones are deeply entrenched in today’s society, making them a convenient tool for online shopping. Any retailer who hasn’t prioritized mobile-friendly sites is already behind the eight-ball, but they may fall further off the pace thanks to Google’s rollout of its mobile-first indexing.

Automation

Unfortunately, as the growth of eCommerce has put more demands on warehouses, the available pool of qualified workers has shrunk. Incorporating automation for basic tasks lets your warehouse operate with fewer employees who can be assigned to more skilled jobs.

Chatbots

The longer customers have to wait for assistance, the greater the chance they’ll simply abandon your site. Chatbots provide immediate communication to help customers through the buying process.

Delivery Options

For some time, next-day delivery was the ultimate service, but companies are now pushing the boundaries with same-day delivery. Unsurprisingly, Amazon is at the forefront of creative delivery methods with options such as drones and package lockers.

Upgraded Checkout Process

Slow or complicated checkout is the reason most often cited for cart abandonment on eCommerce sites. Retailers are turning to guest sign-ins, shorter forms and autofill fields to make checkout easier and quicker to navigate. Many companies are also beginning to accept cryptocurrency and other alternative payment options.

DIY Shunting with Motorized Trailer Dollies from DJ Products

Our Electric Yard Dog eliminates the cost and inefficiency of outside shunting services. Contact us for more information.

The post Important eCommerce Trends for 2019 that Warehouse Managers Should be Watching appeared first on DJ Products.

You manage your fleet well, and you know that your drivers are wise about working safely. You may have even purchased motorized trailer dollies for them to do their part. Still, it never hurts to offer them a refresher.

Maybe it’s been a while since you have talked with them about safety. If so, we’d like to offer you some helpful tips that will keep them safe while they’re on the road.

Top Safety Tips for Truck Drivers

Make sure to wear your seatbelt – We know that it’s easier to get in and out of your truck without it. But it’s the law. You need to wear it when you drive.

Don’t use your cell phone while you’re driving – Professionals are just as much at risk for accidents while driving distracted as anyone else. Stay safe and wait until you’re parked to use your phone.

Keep an eye on the speed limit – It can be easy to go faster than you should; especially on long hauls. But maintaining the speed limit can help you avoid potential accidents later.

Don’t drink or use drugs – It’s vital for you to be alert and aware at all times while you’re driving.

Plan your trip ahead of time – This can help you avoid possible problems with traffic or weather during your trip.

Remember your truck’s space cushion – that is, how tall and wide your truck is, and keep that in mind when you travel.

Go slow around curves and turns – This will help you maintain control.

Safety is What We do Best

At DJ Products, your fleet’s safety is our top priority. That’s why we offer products like motorized trailer dollies to help with that. We have many other products as well. Contact us!

The post Safety Tips to Review with Your Fleet Drivers appeared first on DJ Products.

The freight markets for for-hire carriers are expected to begin experiencing a significant decline in the near future. It’s important to understand the reasons behind this prediction and what you should do to protect your freight business.

Cost-Cutting Measures

With a decline expected, it’s important for for-hire carriers to look into cutting costs. Products such as a powered trailer mover can help many companies reduce their expenses in terms of manpower hours and a lower risk of injuries in the workplace. Reducing costs in these areas can make it easier for companies to adjust to any declines that may occur in the near future.

Reasons Behind the Expected Freight Market Decline

Why are the freight markets expected to have a decline? Experts cite competition from Amazon, changes in agricultural practices, and the automotive industry as the main reasons that are driving the markets toward this drop.

Amazon has been moving in the direction of building an internal freight network that they can rely on for transporting products to customers. Experts also warn that Amazon could make arrangements with an airport-to-airport owner-operator network rather than relying on for-hire carriers.

The move toward indoor agriculture in urban and suburban areas is expected to lead to less demand for for-hire carriers to bring produce to these areas from rural farms.

Lower demand and a growing trend of only purchasing one car per household could also impact the freight markets when it comes to transporting automobiles. This could end up resulting in a dramatic decline for for-hire carriers who transport vehicles.

If your warehouse needs a powered trailer mover or similar products, please contact DJ Products. Our company carries several high-quality products for warehouse owners.

The post For-Hire Truckload Freight Technology is Projected to Crash by 20% in the Next Decade appeared first on DJ Products.

Think your business’ supply chain logistics issues are overwhelming? In recent news, Amazon will be opening an Operations Center of Excellence in Nashville, Tennessee in efforts to optimize its ultra-complex supply chain – one that delivered 5-billion packages in 2017 through Prime alone.

Hello, Paycheck!

Announced alongside its HQ2 location on November 13th, the Nashville operations center is expected to add 5,000 white-collar jobs to the area, sourcing talent from the flourishing region. Considered an up-and-coming locale and hosting a booming job market, the city saw an influx of more Millennials from 2010-2015 than NYC, marking its illustrious reputation as a popular destination. With the potential for an Amazon job with a median salary of $158,000 these figures may continue to rise.

Hot Market

Already a hub for the healthcare industry, many supply chain gurus already call Nashville home, with companies like Dollar General and Tractor Supply likewise utilizing the area as the home-base of their (industry-lauded) supply chain operations. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that schools with leading logistics programs like Auburn and University of Tennessee are nearby. The area is simply in an ideal locale for sourcing and retaining talent.

Room-to-Grow

Could a mega-warehouse be next? Break out your motorized trailer dollies! While Nashville may not a perfect fit, there’s a chance that it may offer a decent market for future warehouses, with access to seaports in Georgia and the Carolina’s. But its not as ideal as the 80-acre warehouse location opening next year in Tucson, Arizona, or prospective locations in Louisville, Kentucky; Charlotte, North Carolina; or Reno, Nevada. Employing 1,500 people, fulfillment sites comprise 20% of Amazon’s workforce.

Location tapped-out? Streamline your operations, boosting efficiency and productivity with the help of motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products today.

The post Nashville Becomes a Hub for Amazon’s Growing Logistics Focus appeared first on DJ Products.

Help for Navigating the Tricky World of Compliance Requirements

Increasingly complicated and highly regulated meal and rest breaks suffer a lack of transparency with regard to how time is managed, accounted for and compensated. States like California, Washington, Oregon, and Massachusetts, which now require mandatory meal breaks and multiple rest periods, can be especially challenging when it comes to crafting employee schedules around these requirements while ensuring coverage.

How Does Deputy Software Solve Such Issues?

Compatible with a wide range of devices, Deputy’s Break Planning feature centers on compliance, helping businesses more easily manage, schedule, and track both paid and unpaid food and rest breaks, such as necessary driver breaks, providing tools to help employers more easily manage and account for breaks upstream. With an AI-driven (artificial intelligence) platform, devising schedules makes compliance easy, while the software provides employees the transparency often lacking surrounding entitled breaks and rest periods.

Break Planning Software Features:

Break scheduling
Schedule multiple paid/unpaid breaks within a shift, relying on pre-created shift templates in states with strict laws, or manage on-site with custom enforcement/attestation.

Break tracking
Logs all break details, providing easily-accessible records.

Employee visibility
Showcase eligible breaks via templates.

Enforcement
Software prevents early clock-in/return.

Risk management
Software proactively flags workers who short/miss breaks and pose compliance risks.

Hostler on break? Don’t get left hanging. With no need for a specialized operator, ensuring coverage is easy with motorized trailer dollies. Contact DJ Products to learn more today.

The post Software Proactively Controls Truck Driver Breaks and Planning appeared first on DJ Products.

Your motorized trailer dollies may soon be toting goods for haul by underage drivers. With an industry shortage on labor, officials are looking to up the ante with a bill aimed at expanding the labor pool to include drivers under 21 years old.

License to Drive

Currently, federal law prohibits drivers age 21 and younger from interstate operations. However, following the U.S. House, a recently introduced bill has now been filed in the U.S. Senate that could allow drivers under the age of 21 to hold a CDL license to cross state lines.

Summer School

The Drive-Safe Act, filed by the House in March, would require extra training tasks for 18 to 20 year old drivers before permitting them to operate on the interstate, including at least 400 hours of on-duty time and 240 hours of driving time, logging hundreds of hours behind the wheel riding along with more experienced CDL drivers before they can drive on the interstate.

Move Over

While backed by the American Trucking Associations, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and safety other groups have opposed expanding interstate hauling to under-21 drivers. Proponents of the bill, however, argue that in large states, underage operators are already taking trips hundreds of miles long, yet aren’t allowed to make shorter trips across state lines. They also point to the fact bringing in younger drivers could help address the industry’s driver shortage, expanding their ability to attract career drivers.

Tired of dealing with special licensing requirements? Skip the CDL. Safe and easy to operate, motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products require no CDL, certification, or health card. Reduce your training tasks and increase safety and productivity. Get things moving with the help of DJ Products today.

The post Pending Federal Drive-Safe Act Allows Under 21 Year Age CDL Licensing appeared first on DJ Products.

Are you being penny-wise and pound-foolish when it comes to an investment in cart caddies and motorized trailer dollies? While many shippers rely on eking the lowest possible transportation rates out of carriers, there are other more effective ways of cutting shipping expenses, especially when handling less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments.

Secrets to Cutting Shipping Costs

As the LTL segment increases, shipping logistics plays an integral role in cost. Focusing on process improvements sidesteps shipping dilemmas and safeguards rates. These can be accomplished by watching…

1. Pricing:

Avoid Surprises

Knowing true shipping weights is essential to avoiding admin correction fees and fees for overweight/overlarge shipments.

Looking to Net Cost

Don’t overlook fees that factor into total expenditures. Discount rates can be misleading.

Shopping for Simple Pricing

Pricing complexity leads to confusion and excess costs. Perhaps a simplified flat weight/space rate may be better.

Understanding Shipping Rules

Look to cost as a measure of what companies don’t like/specialize in. Choose the right carrier for your needs, looking to predictability in rate structure. Less variability reduces costs.

2. Packaging:

Protect Shipments from Stacking

Shipment condition at its destination is a prime concern in regards to expense. Mark packaged pallets as ‘FRAGILE’ to inform dock workers (not the bill-of-lading). Place a protective layer atop pallets devised to support stacked weight.

Shrink Wrap

To safeguard structural integrity.

Maximize Space

Pack to the maximum height requirement and pallet’s edge – but not beyond. This ensure maximum bang-for-the-buck and circumvent fees.

3. Carrier Choice:

Carrier Specialties

Selecting carriers that specialize in the services you need (national/regional/economy/commercial/residential) saves money.

Shipping Speed

Not everyone needs it yesterday.

Looking for ways to speed processes and reduce labor? Learn more about cart caddies and motorized trailer dollies from DJ Products today.

The post Cut Your Shipping Costs with Our LTL (Less-than-Truckload) Tips appeared first on DJ Products.

While Amazon has grown from a simple bookseller to a retailing behemoth, motorized trailer dollies have not been an item normally associated with the company. That may be changing as Amazon steadily works to fulfill its dream of becoming a package delivery service.

So what does this ambition mean for FedEx, UPS and other shipping mainstays? If Amazon’s track record of success is any indication, the news isn’t good.

A New Player in the Package Delivery Industry?

Amazon has continued to pay lip service to its partnership with FedEx and other delivery services, saying that its own shipping infrastructure is merely a supplement to handle excess demand. But as the online giant continues to build a network of warehouses, package sorting centers, airplanes and truck trailers, the endgame is hard to deny.

Securities filings show that in 2017, Amazon spent $13.2 billion on building its logistics networks. That amount is five times the comparable expenditures in 2015 and more than double the capital spending of both FedEx and UPS last year.

Meeting FedEx and UPS Head-On

If there was still any doubt about Amazon’s intentions, the company struck a direct blow earlier this year with the rollout of Shipping with Amazon in the Los Angeles area. While the service currently handles deliveries only for Amazon’s third-party vendors, it’s anticipated that the company will eventually move to include other cities and customers.

DJ Products Offers the Best in Motorized Trailer Dollies

Why rely on expensive outside shunting services? With our Electric Yard Dog, a single employee can easily and safely move trailers weighing up to 100,000 pounds.

Visit our website and let our friendly sales engineers help you discover which of our motorized trailer dollies is best suited for your applications.

The post Amazon’s Delivery Dream Becomes Your Nightmare appeared first on DJ Products.