J&R Schugel Trucking says it will partner with EpicVue to offer DirecTV to many of its drivers to enhance their time away from home.

“Providing services like DirecTV to our drivers is about being able to give them all the same comforts that they have at home,” said Clay Merches, the fleet’s vice president of safety and human resources.

“We listen to our drivers and take their suggestions to heart. We try to provide everything they want for comfort and lifestyle and we’re excited to offer this additional benefit to our drivers.”

The EpicVue package will be available for company drivers, lease-purchase drivers and owner-operators as a pass-along benefit for $60 per month. The service will be provided on a first come, first served, volunteer basis to 150 of J&R Schugel’s drivers.

The in-vehicle satellite TV package adds to other driver benefits, including APUs in all of the company’s trucks, push-button release valves for trailer sliding tandems, automatic tire air inflation and a full on-board recording system with Internet options, Merches said.

The company also recently announced a new pay raise for drivers. More information about job opportunities at J&R Schugel is at or visit www.jrschugel.com or call 800-359-0101.

J&R Schugel is an employee-owned truckload carrier of general commodities serving the lower 48 states, with regional and over-the-road operations in the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast and West Coast. It’s based in New Ulm, Minn., with terminals in Columbus, Ohio, and Tomah, Wis. It owns 600 power units and over 1,000 trailers.

EpicVue offers a satellite TV viewing package specifically designed for commercial fleets. It’s used as a tool to assist with recruiting and retention, and improving driver quality of life. More information is at www.epicvue.com