While many businesses were forced to shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the trucking industry did not. However, that is not to say the trucking industry has not had to adjust to changes too. While deliveries for groceries, medical supplies, and other essential items continue or even rose, other supply chains for manufacturing and non-essential items declined.
Semi-truck drivers have also faced changes and adjust to spending more time in their trucks. With restaurants only offering take-out or delivery services, getting food to-go has been more challenging as many places don’t allow truckers to walk through their drive-thrus. However, many restaurants on trucking routes are making to help out.
Another challenge for truckers is finding rest areas that are open where they can use the bathroom and washup. While many rest stops are open so truckers can stop and sleep, the restrooms are not. So, truckers have had to buy camping/portable toilets to be able to use the bathroom while on the road.
Truck stops have also changed how they do business, only allowing a few truckers inside to shop, buy food, take showers, do laundry, etc. In some cases, it could take hours before the trucker is allowed inside depending on how many people are waiting to get inside.
In addition to these changes, many truckers have had to get used to wearing personal protection equipment (PPE) in the form of face masks and gloves when making deliveries. To ensure their safety, truckers also are stocking up on hand sanitizer since they do not always have access to soap and water to wash their hands.
Some trucking operations even changed to contactless delivery. These deliveries are where either the trucker unloads the truck onto the dock, then once safely back in his or her cab, informs the business so they can bring the delivery inside. Alternatively, the business unloads the truck while the trucker remains in the cab.
With truckers spending more time in their trucks, the sale of replacement truck seats has increased. Truckers are upgrading to better seats that offer more lumbar support, heat and cooling functions, and other features to make sitting for longer more comfortable.
COVID-19 has certainly changed trucking industry trends. Yet, semi-truck drivers have been quick to adapt and do their part to ensure people have access to food, medical supplies, and other essential items.
Here at Suburban Seating & Safety, we want to thank each and every truck driver for their dedication and commitment during these changing times.
If you are looking for replacement truck seats that are comfortable and have a wide range of features, please feel free to browse our online seats and call us at 844-727-7328 to order yours today!
