Truck & Driver Features 2008

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ISSUE DATE	THEME	FEATURES
January	ACCESSORIES ROUND-UP	Auxiliary air-con round-up: We look at those ‘add-on’ electric, roof-mounted air-con systems that can be fitted to your truck and provide air conditioning without you needing to keep the engine running. We review what’s available and talk to drivers who use add-on air-con to get their views. Fire prevention kit: A truck fire can quickly get out of hand threatening life and limb, never mind expensive vehicles. Where can you get fire extinguishers suitable for a truck? We also consider in-cab smoke detectors and other warning systems.
February	LEGAL FOCUS	Health and Safety Hazards: We look at the latest ‘Working at Height’ regs and how they are creating problems for drivers when it comes to loading and unloading and working with cranes, tippers and tail-lifts. What does the law say and what should your boss be doing to keep you safe from harm? Our special three-page report will provide all the answers. The London Low Emission Zone: What’s it all about and what do you need to do to avoid fines and penalties?
March	FUEL CARDS	What’s best for you when buying fuel? T&D’s comprehensive review will look at what fuel cards are available and in particular what security systems are in place if a driver’s card is lost or stolen. We’ll also list the other ‘add-on’ services the card providers offer, both for employed drivers and owner-drivers and small fleets, as well as offer security tips to avoid card fraud.
April	TRUCKFEST SPECIAL!	We preview the biggest trucking spectacular in Europe, providing sneak previews of the custom truck debutantes at Peterborough and a round-up of all the latest truck models you can examine over the May Bank Holiday weekend. PLUS our 2008 T&D/TruckNetUK Drivers’ Choice Awards.
May	ACCESSORIES ROUND-UP	Lighting-up time: Wherever there are custom trucks you’ll find extra spot lights and lighting bars! But who are the providers, what do they offer for which truck, and who offers the best deals for drivers? We talk to the buyers and suppliers in our exclusive round-up, which will also include reflective tape and strip-lighting to highlight a vehicle’s outline at night. Tanking-up: Need bigger tanks or special units for your truck? T&D looks at what’s available in custom fuel tanks.
June	GLOBAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES	Is the trucking life really better abroad? Fancy a change of scenery? Plenty of UK drivers have struck out for foreign shores, working in Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. So what’s been their experience and who can help you find a decent driving job in another part of the world? What are the immigration procedures you’ll face? T&D’s three-page feature will offer down-to-earth advice on where the best places are to look for work and tips on how to avoid disappointments.
July	ACCESSORIES ROUND-UP	Stacking it up! Beautifully-chromed vertical exhaust stacks are a ‘must-have’ on your custom rig. But how compatible are they with new emissions regulations? We talk to the custom-stack providers and see what they’re offering for the Euro 4 and 5 exhaust regs, as well as what they are doing to meet the challenge of the London Low Emission Zone. Are you sitting comfortably? Is your current truck seat as comfortable as it should be? Is it worn out and giving you a pain in the back? T&D looks at replacement truck seats and who’s got the best buys.
August	STARTING UP YOUR OWN BUSINESS	How to get started: Plenty of employed drivers dream about being their own boss. So what opportunities are there to begin your own business? In particular we’ll look at franchising and owner-driving in the tipper, cement mixer and parcels and courier sectors. Our three-page review will talk to operators who have taken the plunge, the pitfalls they encountered and what they’ve learnt along the way.
September	COUNTDOWN TO THE COMPULSORY TRAINING DIRECTIVE!	The clock’s ticking down on the CTD, which will affect every single driver in the UK. Our update will review the current law, what sort of syllabus will typically be offered, where to get training and what it will cost you. We’ll also talk to training schools to see what they’re doing to provide training that’s relevant to today’s HGV drivers. The Working Time Directive: The 10 things your boss needs to know about the WTD and how it works best for you!
October	VEHICLE PREPARATION	Wash that wagon! The days of giving a truck a quick blast with a jet wash and any old cleaner have long gone. There are new environmental regs covering vehicle washing, as well as tighter EU restrictions on the cleaning chemicals you can actually use to keep your machine clean. Keeping clean on the road: Where can you get a quick wash and brush-up away from home or when you haven’t got your own washing facility? And who can provide a quick in-cab makeover? T&D looks at mobile washing and valeting companies.
November	ACCESSORIES ROUND-UP	Living and eating in your cab: Check out T&D’s exclusive four-page review of in-cab microwaves, fridges and coffee-makers. Our four-page in-truck product test will select the best-value budget buys, best features and our own special choice.
December	CHRISTMAS ISSUE	Special seasonal issue! Sit back and relax with our Yuletide edition. After all your hard work, say goodbye to 2008 and welcome in 2009 with T&D, Britain’s best-selling truck magazine. We’ll have special Xmas giveaways, competitions and reader offers. Plus our traditional Shobba Christmas cartoon!

In addition to the above feature specials throughout 2008 you’ll find plenty more in Truck & Driver every month including our regular:

New product launches
Driving tests in our “Newcomers” section
Fleet Focus
T&D’s no-nonsense “Cab Kit” test
Plus our hard-hitting news sections.

Add to that T&D’s monthly coverage of the classic and vintage truck scene, our “Compulsory Break” and Junior Trucker sections, Readers’ Letters and Delivery Notes and of course T&D’s very own Cartoon Crusader “Shobba”, and you can see why our claim of being “100% for Drivers” is no idle boast!