Here’s Why Truckers Watch TV During Their Travels

Truck Drivers

Jan 4, 2023

Interested in streaming services or TV for Truckers? Here’s why truck drivers watch during their mandatory downtime.

The life of a truck driver is much different than most other occupations. Drivers spend countless hours behind the wheel and on the road, but what do they do when they aren’t actively driving?

There are many things drivers can do during their downtime. Between getting in touch with loved ones, playing tourist wherever they’re visiting, doing their favorite hobbies, and more, there’s a lot to do during their mandatory rest and recovery time. However, the most common thing they do is enjoy TV in a truck. 

Not sure why truckers watch TV while they’re on the road? We’re filling you in on everything you need to know. Continue reading to learn more below.

 

 

3 Reasons Why Truckers Watch TV During Their Downtime

 

Have you ever wondered why truckers watch TV during their downtime? Here are just a few reasons why:

 

  1. Improved Work-Life Balance — The life of a truck driver is pretty surprising to a lot of people. Their schedules can be filled with deadlines that require driving through the night or waking up early to avoid traffic.

    This, coupled with countless hours away from loved ones and their regular routines, affects their sleep patterns and often results in excessive fatigue. Having tired drivers behind the wheel is an obvious hazard and a huge risk to themselves and anyone else sharing the road. 

Did you know that truck drivers are at the highest risk of overwork-related cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease? Because truckers are already at a heightened disadvantage both mentally and physically due to the nature of their occupation and work schedule, this fact is especially concerning!

Providing truckers with a decent way to balance their work and personal lives is crucial and directly impacts their levels of happiness and contentment. 

Drivers are much less likely to feel as though they are only living to work if there is some sort of balance. A balanced life means better, happier, more productive employees. A decent work-life balance means drivers are more positive and have a helpful, can-do attitude, and are more willing to provide quality work. 

But how does a fleet manager offer their drivers a balanced life in terms of work and personal life? A great way to do it is by offering their crew members perks like the ability to watch their go-to TV shows, regardless of where they are on the road. 

If truck drivers want to improve their work-life balance, watching TV during downtime is a great place to start.

 

  1. An Ideal Time to Catch Up — As you can imagine, truckers can spend days and, in some cases, weeks away from their loved ones. So, when they’re home, that time with their friends and family members is incredibly valuable. For some truck drivers, the last thing they want to fill their time with while they are home is watching TV or movies. 

Sure, there are some people who love doing that together, but for others, the time at home is filled with things they cannot do on the road. 

Things like tending family gatherings, going to dinner, playing games, catching up with friends, and more tend to fill up the calendar, and watching shows takes the back seat. Being present with loved ones wins!

When drivers are on the road, there is mandatory rest and recovery time, and the perfect way to fill that downtime is by watching their favorite TV shows and movies and catching up on anything they missed while focusing on those they love. 

Once the text messages have been sent and video calls are done, drivers can kick back, relax, and catch up on all their favorite on-demand shows. 

 

  1. Counteract Lonely and Isolating Feelings — It’s no secret that life on the road and behind the wheel can be incredibly isolating for truck drivers. Loneliness as a trucker during those long hauls (and even short ones!) is a real thing.

    These feelings of isolation can be shockingly overwhelming and can result in serious mental health issues. TV for truckers is a great way to counteract these negative emotions.

Being alone is not only about a lack of physical presence. It certainly is that; however, it is also a mental state. Having a TV in a truck can help fulfill the human need for personal connection and interaction.

Despite a driver being physically alone, the people on the screen can help counteract lonely feelings, keeping them company and feeling like they are a part of something.

Sure, there may be some people on long hauls truck drivers see periodically, like a fellow truck driver or a server or store clerk at their favorite truck stop, but, for the vast majority, the faces tuckers see on the road are not familiar ones. But the faces on their screens are familiar.

 

Want TV for Truckers? Get EpicVue!

 

Are you looking to get TV for truckers right from the comforts of their own cabs? EpicVue can help!

EpicVue allows truck drivers to kick back, relax and enjoy TV in a truck. Watching your favorite shows or catching up on the latest games or news on the road has never been easier! The comforts of home are available regardless of where you are with EpicVue, which allows you to stay connected.

Watching EpicVue during lonely long hauls can help counteract feelings of isolation. It is the perfect way for truck drivers to relax during mandatory downtime. Moreover, happy, healthy drivers are much more likely to stay with your fleet, significantly reducing the tedious and costly cycle of recruitment. 

EpicVue specializes in outfitting semi trucks with premium in-cab streaming services.

We offer your team members a tiny piece of home, comfort, and familiarity. EpicVUe allows them to unwind while watching TV from their own vehicle. This gesture is designed to create appreciation, commitment, and loyalty between drivers and their fleets. 

The benefits managers and drivers will experience make EpicVue well worth the small investment! Whether you are a part of a fleet or own your rig, EpicVue is a great addition to any truck.

Contact our team today to learn more!

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5 Steps to Developing a Truck Fleet Management Strategy

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Quality truck fleet management with a good strategy is a vital element for success in the trucking industry. These systems are necessary for communication, and processes are sure to succeed. There’s no doubt that the best semi-truck fleet teams are those that are effectively and efficiently managed, making a great fleet manager worth their weight in gold — and then some!  But what is it exactly that makes a fleet manager great? It all comes down to a solid fleet management strategy and reliable semi-fleet processes. In fact, these are essential to finding both short- and long-term success. If you’re in charge of a semi-truck fleet and are looking to build a fail-proof truck fleet management strategy, you’re in the right place. We’re here to give you some tried-and-true tips and tricks for developing a solid plan. With a little hard work and the right strategy, you will surely see increased profits, fleet growth, and a happier, healthier, and more productive crew. Keep scrolling to learn more.

5 Things to Consider When Developing Your Truck Fleet Management Strategy

If you want to develop a quality truck fleet management strategy, make sure to consider the following:
  1. Invest in a Fleet Management System — You could be the most experienced and focused manager, but you will still have difficulties staying organized and productive without a quality truck fleet management system in place. Managers of old used to rely on elaborate systems involving paper spreadsheets, filing cabinets, and more to run their business, but there are simpler ways to get the job done. Join the digital age by digitizing your workflow and operations; you’ll find that processes are optimized, and your team’s performance is improved! A good system will allow you to keep track of the best routes, maintenance schedules, driver and vehicle efficiency, automating various tasks (such as routing and scheduling deliveries, billing and invoicing, sending jobs to drivers, etc.) and more so you can maximize the potential of your fleet.
  2. Find Ways to Cut Maintenance Costs — It’s no secret that the economy is in an exciting place right now. Inflation is on the rise, and maintenance costs are not exempt. A solid semi-truck fleet manager must prioritize finding ways to reduce costs. Taking a defensive, preventive approach to maintenance is key. Improving fleet efficiency and ensuring that your rigs and necessary equipment are in tip-top shape and ready to go can help you stay ahead of maintenance issues. Consider utilizing a good fleet management system that can tell you about the vehicles’ engines and other diagnostic features to help extend the life of your trucks. These tools can help you quickly identify any problems with your trucks and avoid issues down the road when they become more serious, thus cutting maintenance costs. Another way to reduce maintenance costs is to base your trucks’ service schedule on accurate engine usage hours instead of an arbitrary calendar. This helps to eliminate unnecessary repairs and potential hours and revenue lost, allowing you to make the most of your fleet while still taking great care of them.
  3. Find Ways to Save Money on Fuel — As a fleet manager, it almost always comes down to budget. And one of the biggest portions (we’re talking between 50% and 65%) of overall operating costs is dedicated to fueling costs. As mentioned above, having a good management system and GPS tracking in place can help you develop an excellent management strategy. You’ll be able to monitor your drivers’ driving performance, habits, and behavior and monitor fuel usage, which directly affects fuel consumption. By tracking and analyzing this information, you’ll be alerted to issues sooner than you may have been otherwise. Moreover, tracking this info will keep you apprised of any safety concerns, such as aggressive driving. Addressing these issues will help you reduce operational costs associated with your fuel budget.
  4. Perfect and Optimize Your Drivers’ Routes — Customers and clients demand quick and on-time deliveries, so taking the perfect and optimal route is absolutely crucial. Your business’ reputation counts on it! Inaccurate arrival time estimates, delays, and inefficient routes will only lead to frustration. Hiccups and issues along the way are bound to happen and are an inevitable part of any industry, including trucking. But, by automating customer notifications and other processes, fleet managers can experience a lot less stress, allowing them to spend time and put their focus elsewhere.
  5. Prioritize Your Drivers’ Health and Wellness — One of the biggest parts of developing a good truck fleet management strategy is prioritizing your team’s health and wellness. Feeling isolated on the road comes with being a truck driver; it’s part of the territory. So fleet managers who promote a healthy work-life balance and positive mental health are typically much more successful.

Here are some ways managers can prioritize employees’ health:

Include EpicVue in Your Truck Fleet Management Strategy

Developing a truck fleet management strategy is essential to the success of your business, and EpicVue is here to help make it happen. EpicVue will outfit your fleet with premium in-cab television so your drivers can enjoy a bit of home on the road and catch up on their favorite shows. Contact EpicVue today to learn more.