Gilco Transport Services

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Gilco Transport Services Gilco Transportation Services isn’t just a trucking school—it’s your path to becoming a skilled, confident driver.

We prepare you to pass your CDL test and thrive as an owner-operator, giving you the skills to master the roads of Hampton Roads and beyond. Gilco Transport Services provides federally mandated, entry level driver training for new Class A CDL drivers. Seeking men and women interested in starting their commercial driving career with a leg up. Their goal is to prepare commercial drivers to eventually become owner operators. They want to break the mold by training new commercial drivers. The students that come through this school not only learn the minimum federally mandated training, but they also learn the skills to individually maintain their tractor, the finances associated with being an owner operator, and other essential aspects of becoming a quality commercial driver. Students will also be given other unique learning opportunities, such as driving in other regions, outside of their locality, including up and down mountains. Each driver will also get the opportunity to take the truck on the road and get real time experience putting 150-200 miles in one day, so they can truly understand what it’s like to drive a tractor trailer.

08/04/2026

August is National Traffic Awareness Month, and TMTA wants to remind everyone that sharing the road safely keeps Virginia moving.

Commercial motor vehicles are part of everyday life in Hampton Roads. They move the freight that supports our homes, businesses, ports, stores, and supply chain. But driving around large trucks requires awareness, patience, and respect for the space they need to operate safely.

Here are a few important reminders:

• Do not ride beside a tractor-trailer. Pacing a truck on the left or right side is never a good idea. You may be sitting in a blind spot, and you limit the driver’s ability to react if traffic changes.

• Stay out of the blind spots. If you cannot see the truck driver’s mirrors, the driver likely cannot see you.

• Give trucks room to stop. A loaded tractor-trailer needs much more distance to slow down than a passenger vehicle. Cutting in front of a truck can put everyone at risk.

• Pass with purpose. When passing a truck, use the left lane, move steadily, and do not linger beside the trailer.

• Watch for wide turns. Trucks often need extra room to turn, especially in city streets, port corridors, and intersections. Never try to squeeze beside a truck that is turning.

• Do not tailgate. Following too closely behind a truck limits your view of the road ahead and gives you less time to react.

• Be aware of tire failures and road debris. Commercial truck tires are under heavy loads. If a tire fails, pieces of rubber can come off quickly, and the driver may need space to safely control the vehicle.

• Give professional drivers room to work. Truck drivers are trained professionals, but they cannot predict what every car around them is going to do. The safest place to be is not beside the truck, not tucked behind it, and not cutting in front of it.

A little patience around large trucks goes a long way.

Let’s keep Virginia highways, local roads, and port corridors safe for everyone.

Share the road. Respect the space. Keep freight moving.

WWW.TMTAVA.ORG

07/22/2026

Get to know Ryan Gilliland, Owner of Gilco Transport Services and a member of the LEAD757 Class of 2026!

Born and raised in Hampton Roads, Ryan has spent nearly four decades living, working, and building relationships throughout our region.

As a business owner, he’s always looking for ways to grow. Right now, he’s diving into the world of social media marketing. And if his career had taken a different turn? He says more than a few people have suggested he should have gone into politics!

When he's not working, you'll most likely find Ryan in his garage or taking in the view from the top floor of Hilton Norfolk THE MAIN overlooking the Elizabeth River.

We're grateful to have Ryan as part of LEAD757 and proud to spotlight another outstanding leader in the

Happy Birthday America!
07/04/2026

Happy Birthday America!

Yesterday in Chesapeake, a septic truck was struck by a train after reportedly running a stop sign at a railroad crossin...
05/15/2026

Yesterday in Chesapeake, a septic truck was struck by a train after reportedly running a stop sign at a railroad crossing.

Thankfully, this incident did not become a fatality, but it should still get the attention of anyone connected to commercial transportation.

These events are not as rare as people may think. According to Federal Railroad Administration statistics shared by Operation Lifesaver, there were 2,265 highway-rail grade crossing collisions in 2024, resulting in 263 fatalities and 779 injuries. Preliminary 2025 data shows 2,272 collisions, 288 fatalities, and 764 injuries across the United States. Virginia had 39 collisions, 3 deaths, and 12 injuries in 2025.

A train cannot swerve - A train cannot stop quickly.

And a commercial motor vehicle misjudging a railroad crossing can turn one bad decision into a catastrophic event.

Very early in our commercial driver training curriculum at Gilco Transport Services, railroad crossings are not treated like a quick talking point. They are drilled into the student’s mind because the margin for error is almost zero.

The procedure begins before the truck ever reaches the tracks.

There is usually ample warning, signage, pavement markings, crossbucks, lights, gates, stop bars, or other indicators that a railroad crossing is ahead. A professional driver should start processing that crossing early, not when the steer tires are already at the rail.

You decelerate to a safe speed.

You look.

You listen.

You check the warning devices, traffic conditions, available clearance on the other side, and anything that could trap your vehicle on the tracks.

If there is no stop bar or required stop, and the crossing is clear, the driver still approaches under control. In a manual transmission vehicle, we teach students to be ready, controlled, and deliberate. As they approach the crossing, they should be prepared to stop if necessary, but once committed to crossing, they need to continue forward with enough momentum to clear the tracks safely.

The worst place to hesitate, shift, stall, or second-guess yourself is on the railroad tracks.

Federal Entry-Level Driver Training standards reference railroad-highway grade crossings, but the federal standard is still a minimum. It identifies the topic, the dangers, signs, signals, clearance concerns, obstructed views, and emergency notification systems, but it does not replace hands-on instruction, repetition, judgment, and real-world coaching.

Checking a box is not the same as building a professional driver.

Knowing the answer on a test is not the same as recognizing the danger under pressure, in traffic, with weight behind you, and a split-second decision in front of you.

So maybe the bigger conversation is not just about one incident in Chesapeake.

Maybe it is about whether minimum training standards are enough, and whether we as an industry are doing enough to train drivers for the real world, not just the road test.

Drivers with a HAZMAT endorsement often make more money. Why? Because HAZMAT freight usually carries an added accessoria...
03/16/2026

Drivers with a HAZMAT endorsement often make more money. Why? Because HAZMAT freight usually carries an added accessorial charge, and that added value makes its way to the driver. In many cases, HAZMAT-endorsed drivers can earn an extra $250 to $500 more per week.

At Gilco Transport Services, we make it easy to get certified. Our FMCSA-approved Hazardous Materials course is fully online, easy to use, and built for working drivers who need flexibility.

Only $150.

If you want to increase your earning potential, make yourself more valuable, and qualify for higher-paying freight, now is the time to get your HAZMAT endorsement.

Start here: https://lnkd.in/eiPncenf

This week is all about air leveling valves!Air leveling valves may be small, but they play a big role in how a semi-truc...
03/16/2026

This week is all about air leveling valves!

Air leveling valves may be small, but they play a big role in how a semi-truck rides and performs.

These valves help control the amount of air going into and out of the suspension airbags so the truck maintains proper ride height. That matters for more than comfort. Correct ride height helps keep the frame level, protects suspension components, improves handling, and helps give the driver and cargo the smoothest ride possible.

When a leveling valve starts to fail, problems can show up fast. If it allows too much air into the bags, they can over-inflate and even rupture. If it does not maintain enough air, the frame can ride too low, which can change driveline angles and lead to excessive wear on driveshaft components and other suspension parts.

A good inspection should include checking for:

-damaged, loose, or leaking air lines

-slow response when the suspension height changes

-signs the truck is sitting uneven or too high or low

-worn linkage, bent brackets, or corrosion

-airbags that appear overextended or collapsed

Catching a bad leveling valve early can help prevent bigger repairs, protect your suspension system, and keep your truck riding the way it should.

Small part, big job.

The fifth wheel is the large coupling device mounted to the frame of the tractor. Its job is to connect the truck to the...
03/09/2026

The fifth wheel is the large coupling device mounted to the frame of the tractor. Its job is to connect the truck to the trailer by locking around the trailer’s kingpin and creating the secure pivot point that allows the trailer to turn, back, and move safely with the truck.

The name goes back to early wagon design, where an added pivot point helped connected equipment articulate. That same concept still applies today. In trucking, the fifth wheel is what allows controlled movement between the tractor and trailer while keeping the connection secure.

A modern fifth wheel is made up of several key parts, including the top plate, the throat where the kingpin enters, the locking jaws, the release handle, the mounting brackets, and the slider assembly if equipped.

When you back under a trailer properly, the kingpin enters the throat of the fifth wheel and the locking jaws close tightly around it. That is what secures the trailer to the truck. It is not just resting on the plate, it is mechanically locked in place. That is why visual inspection matters.

A proper inspection should include checking that the plate is greased, looking for cracks, inspecting the jaws for wear or damage, confirming the release handle is fully seated, checking for loose or missing mounting bolts, and inspecting slider pins and rails if the truck is equipped with a sliding fifth wheel. A tug test helps, but it should always be backed up by a visual check that the jaws are fully wrapped around the kingpin.

Grease is a major part of fifth wheel maintenance. There is a large amount of surface area between the trailer apron plate and the top plate of the fifth wheel. Every turn, bump, and backing movement creates friction between those two surfaces. Proper grease reduces that friction, helps the trailer articulate smoothly, reduces wear on both the fifth wheel and trailer plate, and helps extend the life of the entire coupling system.

A dry fifth wheel is not saving money, it is just creating wear and delaying the repair bill.

This week is all about preventative maintenance!A typical PM takes approx. 11 gallons of oil, a full tube of grease and ...
03/01/2026

This week is all about preventative maintenance!

A typical PM takes approx. 11 gallons of oil, a full tube of grease and a lot of filters!

Engine oil filter.
Fuel filter.
Fuel water separator.
Crankcase ventilation filter.
Coolant filter.
Air filter.
Cabin air filter.

All that need to be changed periodically!

A typical preventive maintenance interval might say every 20,000 miles.

But here’s what the book does not show you.

Over time, sediment and contaminants build up in oil. Those particles circulate through seals, O rings, and internal components like microscopic sandpaper. That slow wear shortens the life of your engine. I always recommend changing oil and doing a full every 10,000 miles

The average PM looks something like this:

Oil, about $160
Filters, about $200
Labor, about $300
Total, around $660 if a shop handles it.

Or…

For roughly half the cost of one shop labor cost, you can buy:

-15 gallon used oil container
-Filter wrench
-Grease gun
-Ratchet and wrench set
-Screwdriver set
-Hammer

Once you own the tools (which should be on every truck at all times) every PM after that saves you money.

Let’s assume:

5 PM services per year / Shop cost: $660 each / Annual shop total: $3,300
5 year total: $16,500
Now assume DIY after buying tools:
Initial tool investment: $500 to $700 / Parts per PM: about $360
Annual parts total: $1,800 / 5 year parts total: $9,000
Estimated 5 year savings:
Approximately $7,000 to $8,000
That is real money!!

More importantly, doing it yourself forces you to inspect the entire truck. You see leaks early. You notice worn hoses or belts. You notice brakes out of adjustment. You catch loose or broken hardware before it becomes a breakdown.

Owning and operating trucks is a full time job!!

If you neglect them, small problems turn into major repairs. And major repairs destroy profit.

At Gilco Transport Services, we teach future drivers that maintenance is not optional. It is the difference between surviving and thriving in this industry.

Professional drivers do not just drive. They understand the machine.

That small ring of oil around your hub might not look like much. But it could be the first warning sign before a wheel e...
02/23/2026

That small ring of oil around your hub might not look like much. But it could be the first warning sign before a wheel end failure.

-What a Wheel Seal Actually Does-

A wheel seal keeps lubricant inside the hub and contaminants out.
Inside that hub are your wheel bearings. Those bearings carry tens of thousands of pounds while spinning at highway speed.
They survive because they are properly lubricated.
Lose that lubrication, and you lose protection.

-How to Spot a Failing Wheel Seal

During your pre-trip, look for:
-Oil streaking on the inside of the rim
-Wetness around the hub cap
-Grease or oil on *inside* the tire sidewall
-Spatters of oil on the frame or cab flung off from the rotating tire.
-Burnt oil smell after stopping
-Excessive heat at the hub
A wheel seal is on the inside of the rim and tire. The outside might seem fine but if it looks or feels wet, Investigate it!

-What Happens When You Ignore It

When a hub runs dry:
-Bearings overheat
-Metal begins to pit and score
-Friction increases
-The hub can seize or the wheel can separate
At highway speed, a failed wheel end is not just downtime. It can cause fires, road debris, and serious accidents.
This is not a minor maintenance issue. It is a safety issue!!

-The Bigger Lesson

-Wheel seals fail slowly before they fail catastrophically.
-Most major breakdowns give you warning signs first.
-Professional drivers and disciplined fleets catch the problem early.
Maintenance is not about reacting.

It is about recognizing the small signs before they become big consequences.

Maintenance Monday: Tires!!Big truck tires run around 100 PSI.That’s enough stored pressure to launch a bowling ball hig...
02/16/2026

Maintenance Monday: Tires!!

Big truck tires run around 100 PSI.
That’s enough stored pressure to launch a bowling ball high into the air if it is released all at once!!
It is not just “air”, it’s stored energy.

That is why commercial truck tires are inflated inside a steel safety cage. Not for convenience. For protection!!

If a tire fails during inflation, that sudden release of pressure can destroy equipment, seriously injure a technician, and in the worst cases, take a life.
Now imagine that same tire rolling down the highway at 65 mph under 80,000 pounds.

We run higher tire pressure for a reason. Heavy loads demand higher PSI to carry the weight, control sidewall flex, and manage heat at speed.
But higher pressure means higher risk if neglected.
When a tire is even 10 to 15 PSI low:

• Sidewalls flex excessively
• Heat builds rapidly
• Internal belts weaken
• Failure becomes more likely
Most blowouts are not random.
They are the result of ignored maintenance.

Professionals know the difference:

• Check pressure cold
• Inspect tread and sidewalls every pre-trip
• Monitor during temperature swings
• Never trust “it looks fine”

A commercial tire is controlled energy.
Maintain it, and it safely carries what our communities need every day.
Ignore it, and it becomes a liability.

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Address

2413 Wesley Street Suite B
Portsmouth, VA
23707

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 9pm
Tuesday 6am - 9pm
Wednesday 6am - 9pm
Thursday 6am - 9pm
Friday 6am - 9pm
Saturday 6am - 9pm
Sunday 6am - 9pm

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