Watching TV On The Road: How Truckers Do It

Truck Drivers

Mar 9, 2022

Life as a truck driver can be hard, but the long hours and being away from loved ones for days or weeks can be made easier by watching TV on the road.

It's no surprise that long hauls can be lonely and challenging overall. Separation from friends and family can feel isolating and like a solitary confinement sentence. With the intense loneliness coupled with the immense pressure to meet delivery deadlines while fighting traffic, it's no wonder your drivers are exhausted when they pull over to fulfill their mandatory rest time.

All drivers need to find a way to unwind and disconnect from the stresses of their days with a couple of enjoyable activities. One of the best ways to kick back and relax at home is to watch TV, so why not do that while you're on the road from the comfort of your cab?

Continue reading to learn more about watching television during your long hauls below.

 

 

Watching TV on the Road: Ways to Do It

 

There are many ways truck drivers can engage in watching content during their time on the road. In years past, some haulers preferred to watch shows and movies offline. Keep in mind this method requires the use of DVDs and a DVD player or a way to watch downloads. Over time, buying new movies to add to your collection can really start to add up, not to mention that many new releases are not easily or immediately available on DVD. 

For those who have graduated from the world of watching movies and shows on DVDs, streaming services are an excellent option for drivers hoping to watch shows on the road. While there's a wealth of movies and series options available, streaming services do not allow you to catch up on the news, sporting events, and current shows airing on TV in real-time (or recorded to watch later). Instead, you're left watching content that has been available for months and even years— stuff that you have surely already seen.

Not too many years ago, watching TV on the road from the cab seemed like it would never be a possibility. Thankfully, you can now watch your favorite programs from the comfort of your own truck. 

 

 

How Watching Satellite TV on the Road Works

 

Allow your truck drivers the opportunity to watch premium in-vehicle satellite TV while they're on the road by outfitting your fleet with satellite TV. Equipment packages typically include:

  • A satellite dome and receiver
  • 24" flat-screen TV
  • Cabling and mounting equipment
  • Local area antenna 

 

 

Owner/Operator or Not 

 

Watching TV on the road is an exciting potential where innovation and technology meet. Whether you own your own truck or are a part of a fleet, your truck can be outfitted with a satellite TV permanently or temporarily.

 

 

Satellite Mounting Options 

 

Finding a signal in even the most remote locations isn't a problem with these mounting options:

 

  • Rear Mount: A rear mount is permanently and securely attached to a slip bracket on the truck cab's rear.
  • Window Mount: A window mount attaches to a small, temporary bracket that hangs on the cab window. The mount and satellite dome are removed and stored inside the cab when the truck is in motion.
  • Roof Mount: A roof mount has three footings that are permanently attached to the top of the cab.

Most satellite mounting solutions should not impact the fuel mileage of your trucks. Today’s aerodynamic design of the satellite dome decreases wind resistance, thus eliminating any negative impact on your fleets' fuel mileage.

 

 

More on How Trucks Are Watching TV on the Road

 

The ability to watch TV on the road is an exciting concept for truck drivers. It wasn't too long ago that this would cost thousands and thousands of dollars. Now you can equip your fleet with satellite TV for a modest investment. Here's how the system works:

 

  • The truck must be stationary for obvious safety reasons with an unobstructed view of the southeastern sky.
  • The driver uses a switch to turn on the satellite dome.
  • After a few minutes, your dome will retrieve the signal.
  • Turn on your receiver and begin watching live or recorded television!
  • For those instances when truck drivers are working or sleeping, they can use the DVR to safely record shows, so they don't miss a thing.

 

 

Perks of Satellite Television

 

There are many perks of satellite TV. Here are a couple:

 

  • No Internet? No Problem — Satellite TV works anywhere at any time! You don't have to worry about dead spots or fighting for WiFi bandwidth at truck stops.
  • inMotion Availability — Never miss a thing with inMotion recording options. These features give you the opportunity to watch or record your favorite shows while the truck is moving — a great option for team drivers or for solo drivers that want to DVR their must-watch games, shows, or movies for later.

 

 

Interested in Watching TV on the Road? EpicVue Can Help!

 

Watching TV on the road can make certain aspects of life as a truck driver more enjoyable. 

Watching television during your long hauls can help counteract feelings of loneliness and isolation and is the perfect way for your drivers to relax during their mandatory rest and recovery time. Additionally, happy and healthy truck drivers are much more likely to stay on with your fleet, significantly reducing the tedious and expensive cycle of recruitment and retention. EpicVue specializes in outfitting your trucks with premium in-cab satellite televisions.

EpicVue offers your team members a tiny piece of home away from home. It allows them to kick back, unwind, and watch TV in the comfort of their own vehicle. This gesture is designed to create appreciation, loyalty, and commitment between drivers and their fleets. The benefits you and your drivers will experience make EpicVue well worth the investment! 

With over 180 premium channels, your truck drivers are sure to find something to watch, regardless of their preferences. Contact our team to learn more today!

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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.