Month: November 2018

Driving on mountain roads can be a challenge for any driver, but it’s an especially critical skill for any commercial driver to master. If you aren’t cautious and alert at all times while you’re driving under these conditions, you run the risk of getting into an accident. Here are some things that all CDL drivers should know about mountain driving.

Pick an appropriate speed.

The steepness of a mountain road affects the speed of your vehicle, so it’s important to drive with that in mind. You should also take the size and weight of your vehicle into account, including the cargo you’re carrying. Always obey the speed limit, and slow down when you’re driving in difficult conditions such as snow-covered roads.

Use a lower gear.

You’ll want to shift into a lower gear as soon as you’re driving on a mountain road. You will need to make sure that you do this before your speed increases, or you could end up causing damage to your transmission system. In most cases, you’ll want to use a lower gear in driving downhill than you would in driving uphill. Older trucks, however, may be safe using the same gear.

Don’t overuse the brakes.

When you’re driving downhill on a mountain road, you’ll be using your brakes to keep your vehicle from speeding. However, you should make sure that you’re not relying too much on your brakes—overusing them in stressful conditions can cause them to be less effective, which can leave you and your truck more vulnerable to an accident.

Have you always dreamed of becoming a truck driver? If so, your journey begins with enrolling in Phoenix Truck Driving School at Ft. Bliss. Our eight-week CDL training program will fully prepare you for the challenges of the road. Are you ready to learn more about our courses? Call us at (877) 206-8344 with your questions!

When you’re on the road, it’s all too easy to fall into the habit of eating fast food, junk food, and other unhealthy meals. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution: Buy a hot plate. Hot plates are a convenient way to prepare meals for yourself no matter where you are, and you can cook more things than you might have imagined. Here are a few meals you can make with a hot plate:

Eggs

Instead of stopping at a greasy diner, why not make yourself a breakfast of scrambled eggs? You can prepare your eggs any way you like, as long as you have a spatula, a frying pan, and any extra ingredients you want to throw into the mix. You may even want to lightly toast some bread to go with your morning eggs.

Chicken

Cooking meat on the road may seem like a hassle, but chicken is a good, all-purpose meal that is surprisingly easy to prepare. Chicken cooks quickly, and you can chop it up and turn it into a sandwich, chicken salad, or even a chicken quesadilla. Be sure to stop at a grocery store first so you can pick up sauce, seasonings, and anything else you want to add.

Pasta

Pasta is one of the easiest types of food to cook, and having a hot plate means that you can prepare it easily even when you’re far from home. Just boil some water, cook some noodles, and mix in some sauce from a jar, and you’ve got the makings of a perfect dinner! Grated cheese is a good ingredient to keep on hand while you’re traveling.

Are you considering starting a new career as a professional truck driver? Your dream may be easier to achieve than you realize! Phoenix Truck Driving School at Ft. Bliss will provide you with the skills you need to become a truck driver. If you’d like to find out more about our program, give us a call today at (877) 206-8344.