Category: Expresstrucktax.com

October Trucking Events: Big Engines, Even Bigger Prizes

Posted on October 6, 2014 by - Expresstrucktax.com, october events, trucking news

Got a bad case of the #MondayBlues? We’ve got just the thing to whip you into shape for the week!
Nothing raises your spirits and helps you persevere through the work week like the promise of a fun weekend on the horizon! 
And with October just beginning, there’s plenty of fun ahead–especially for truckers & trucking enthusiasts!

Brace yourselves, it’s time to take a thrill ride through the biggest Trucking Events of October!

And the first up is… *drum roll*

LargeCarMag Southern Classic Truck Show

East coasters, head over to Lexington, VA, this weekend for this 5th annual, non-judged event. Saturday, October 11th, spring out of bed extra early to get to this event at 8am. It’s free for spectators! And bring the kids along too, there’s plenty of fun for all!

Watch hundreds of tricked out, glimmering heavy haulers parade through the streets. And if you get tired of looking at trucks (is that even possible??), you can always enjoy the live DJ, scrumptious fried foods, and hundreds of vendors. For the kids–or for the children inside us all!–there’s goody bags, temp tattoos, games, and a Moonbounce!

Got a gorgeous truck? If you’re eager to enter your Big Rig in the parade, be sure to get there Friday afternoon. The first 125 truckers on site get a free bag o’ swag!

PDI Dyno Event & Truck Show

Also free for spectators, this event is a must if you love feeling the earth tremble from serious horsepower. October 17-18, head over to St. George, Utah, for this fourth annual Customer Appreciation Truck Show, hosted by Performance Diesel, Inc!

If you’ve got a shiny big rig and want to show her off, get there Thursday afternoon or early Friday to join the Truck Beauty Contest, judged by Overdrive. Cash & trophies will be awarded in multiple categories! And Spectators, be sure to arrive by Friday night for the light show at dusk! Plus, both day’s events are totally free for onlookers, and they throw in a free catered lunch!

On Saturday, get ready to show off what’s under the hood. Watch semi’s rev their engines to the limit on the dynamometer, “dyno” for short, to see who’s got the most horsepower & torque. You can brag to your buddies all you want, but if you enter this competition, you’ll have the stats to prove once and for all that she’s the most beastly demon on the road!

Thanks, Science!

75th Anniversary All-Peterbilt Truck Show

And this month, nay, this YEAR of trucking events wouldn’t be complete without this last one. Peterbilt fans, start your pilgrimage to Stockton, CA, now for this three-day event. October 24-26th marks the grand finale of Peterbilt’s 75th Anniversary Tour around the nation!

I was lucky enough to see the Museum-on-Wheels on it’s trip through Charlotte, NC. See the pretty pictures here! If you have yet to see this awesome exhibit, catch it before it’s too late! Perfect for the whole family, the Peterbilt Museum will satisfy enthusiasts of all ages! It features interactive kiosks, full size cabs & sleeper cutaways (yes, you can play with all of the gadgets!), and a History Wall with a scrolling TV.

But this event promises much more than a museum tour! All the staples of a successful truck event will be present: music, food, plenty of Peterbilt Trucks, and a Show n’ Shine competition! Plus the very first Peterbilt truck ever will be on display: the 1939 Peterbilt S100 Fire Truck!

Best of all….wait for it….they’re auctioning off a 1976 Peterbilt 359! You could leave the event as the proud owner of a piece of Peterbilt history, and even if you don’t win the truck, it’s still a win-win. The proceeds from the raffle tickets benefit charities!

I’d love to tell you more about this event, but I’m so excited I need to start packing–immediately. See you in Cali!

Been to any good trucking events lately? Let’s swap stories and pics. The ExpressTruckTax team loves to brag about our customers’ rides. Send us a pic, show us the trophy you won, and we’ll post it for all the world to see!

5 Tips for Travel with a Trucker’s Best Friend

Posted on September 29, 2014 by - Expresstrucktax.com, trucking lifestyle, trucking news

Leon, son of Sir Charles

Trucking has gone to the dogs…

And we love it! Around the ExpressTruckTax office, dogs are a part of the family. And we know that dogs are part of yours too! There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road with a furry companion by your side.

That’s why today, we’ve got an extra special blog, packed with plenty of tips for traveling with a pup. And as a bonus, you’ll feast your eyes on pictures of our puppies too!

Get ready to say “D’awwwwwwww” and shriek with girlish pleasure! The Support Heroes have some seriously adorable dogs.

*Disclaimer: We are not responsible for any heart attacks caused by a cuteness overload.*

Tip #1: Adopt a Pooch

Bella, Heather’s baby girl
“Is it play time yet?”

If you’ve already got a furry friend, then you’re ready to move to Tip 2. However, if you’re riding solo, you can pick up a pup through adoption! Across the country, millions of pets are up for grabs at a very low cost, or even for free.

So why not make a dog’s day and adopt from a local shelter. Or for a shorter-term commitment, become a puppy foster parent! You’ll take care of them until they find their Fur-ever Home. Whether you adopt or foster, be sure to choose a dog with the right personality for your lifestyle, one that is calm and collected. This shouldn’t be too difficult. Anyone who’s ever rescued a pet has seen the gratitude these pup’s have for their new families!

Tip #2: Check-up Time

Hurley, Bryan’s lovable mutt
“Dude, seriously. Where’d the ball go.”

Before you set out on your travels, especially on a long journey, schedule a vet appointment. Be sure your dog is up-to-date on all shots, has refills of any necessary prescriptions, like heartworm medication, and a clean bill of health. 

Spaying or neutering your pet is also beneficial as it results in calmer behavior. (And it reduces other risks too, if you know what I mean!) It’s also a good idea to get your pet microchipped, just in case they get away from you. Ask your vet if they have any advice for your pet in particular: remember, no two dogs are alike! And always bring the current vaccination records and tags with you, just in case.

Tip #3: Safety

Grizzly Bear, Misty’s Pomapoo
“I’m ready for my close-up.”

Now that you’ve got a puppy (or two!), and the check-ups are completed, it’s almost time to get truckin’!


But first, consider bringing along a crate, barrier, or doggy seat belt. These devices will keep you and your pet safe in the event of a hard stop or accident. Without them, you risk your pet being jolted around (or even out of) the cab, which is obviously no good. While crating a pet may seem cruel, they often feel safer in these confined spaces, especially in a moving vehicle. Be patient as your pet adjusts to the crate, and always speak positively about it. Never force them in or yell. 
As another safety precaution, find several emergency veterinary care facilities along your route before you leave. Keep their location and contact info nearby, better to be safe than sorry!

Tip #4: Supplies

Mika, Jason’s little Shih Tzu coming from
the groomer.
“I better get a treat for this…”
Aside from the basics, like food and water, bring along stuff that makes your cab feel more like home–for both of you!

If your pup has a favorite toy, treat, bed, or blanket, bring them all along! They’ll make life on the road more enjoyable for your fuzzy friend. To minimize messes, pick up a few cheap spill-proof bowls for food & water. Store dry food in a lock-top plastic container to keep it fresh and off the floor of your cab.

And don’t forget to bring jugs of bottled water along, in case you can’t find water elsewhere.

Finally, bring along small bags and a scoop for waste clean-up. After all, it’s not your backyard, so remember the others coming after you!

Tip#5: Road Rules

Now that you’re packed, planned and on the road, here are a few more things to consider.

  • Exercise! Your doggy needs to get out of the truck regularly (every couple hours at least), not just for bathroom use, but also to burn off energy. Take them for a long walk, or throw a ball around if you’ve got a large, safe area.
    Sylvia, another member of the Hardy pack
    “Look at me, I’m beautiful.”
  • “Car” Sickness. Dogs are very susceptible to motion sickness. Quivering, drooling, vomiting, and unusual posture are all signs of motion sickness. Avoid it by not feeding your pet during or right before driving. If this is a recurring issue, your vet may be able to prescribe medication to help. 
  • Finally, never ever (did I mention ever?) leave your dog unattended in a vehicle, especially in hot or cold weather. If you must leave your dog for a few moments, make sure the truck is on and heat or AC are flowing appropriately. In just 10 minutes, the inside of a vehicle can jump more than 20 degrees higher than the temperature outside. And that will continue to climb with each passing minute. Vehicles are like ovens. Don’t cook your dog! 
Hopefully, the more you travel, the more your dog will become accustomed to life on the road. Of course, some dogs just may not be cut out for that lifestyle. So take a hint, and be considerate of their needs. Some pups may be best left at home or with a friend.

The ExpressTruckTax heroes hope you enjoyed the Slideshow of Cuteness! Happy travels!

E-filing Form 8849: Refund for Excise Taxes

Posted on September 23, 2014 by - Expresstrucktax.com, Form 8849, Taxable gross vehicle weight, TruckTax

Alright, Trucking Nation. We talk a lot on this blog about paying taxes to the IRS.

Today, we’ll talk about the flipside– the IRS paying you!

That’s right, in some instances, you may claim a refund of your excise taxes by E-filing IRS Form 8849 with Schedule 6.

While this may sound like confusing mumbo-jumbo, ExpressTruckTax makes it super easy to E-file for a refund and get you your money back faster!

Before we talk about the how, let’s talk about the why. In what instances do you qualify for a refund of heavy vehicle use tax paid?

  • Your heavy vehicle was sold, stolen, or destroyed before June 1st (the end of the HVUT tax year). In any of these events, the tax will be prorated based on the date of the qualifying event. And it’s your lucky day because ExpressTruckTax does all the pro-rating math for you!
  • Your vehicle traveled too few miles during the tax year. If you traveled 5,000 miles or fewer on public highways during the tax year (7,500 if it’s an agricultural vehicle), then you qualify for a refund. This credit is not prorated; you simply receive a full refund of the taxes paid at the end of the tax year. (Yes, you have to wait until June 1st to E-file for this refund to prove that you did not hit the mileage limit after all.)
  • You overpaid your heavy vehicle use tax by either: filing for the incorrect number of trucks, selecting the wrong first-used month on your Form 2290, or you chose an incorrect, higher category weight for the vehicle. Pro-rated refunds are issued in all three of these cases. (Note: Refunds for lower gross vehicle weight will only be issued if the vehicle remains in that lower category for the entire tax year. There are no partial refunds for temporary reduced weight.)

However, refunds will not be issued for these cases:

  • You sometimes operate at a lower gross vehicle weight than initially reported. While occasional light or decreased loads might make you lose some weight (and save on gas mileage!), this does not warrant a refund of excise tax.
  • You used the vehicle for only part of the year. How often you used the vehicle or how many months it was in use do not matter if you exceeded the 5,000 mile limit (7,500 for agriculture). Refunds will only be issued if the vehicle drove less than the mileage limit during the tax year. 

If you fit into scenarios 1 through 3 above, then you may E-file your refund OR wait until next year and get a credit on your next Form 2290. The choice is yours! Either way, it’s always nice to get a little credit.

If you elect to E-file your Form 8849, here’s a quick how-to:

  • Once you’ve selected “Start a New Return,” choose start under “Form 8849 Schedule 6.” 
  • Then enter your tax year month end, which is typically December (unless the fiscal year for your business differs from the norm). 
  • First, upload any vehicles needing a sold/destroyed credit. You’ll need the VIN, first-used month, gross vehicle weight, and the date that the vehicle was sold, destroyed, or lost. Notice how the pro-rated tax is calculated for you, showing you a delightful sum of money the IRS owes you!
  • Second, enter the VIN, gross vehicle weight, and first-used month for any low mileage credit vehicles. 
  • Third, enter any overpayment credits by inputting the date of overpayment tax, VIN, the amount you are claiming back, and a short explanation for the IRS to review. 
  • Finally, review your information, and check out how much the IRS will be putting back in your pocket! 

Finally, sit back and wait for your pay day! The IRS typically issues the refund within 4-6 weeks. If they require additional information about your refund, they’ll notify you via postal mail, and you can fax them your reply.

And as always, if you need any assistance along the way, our Support Heroes are at the ready! Email them 24/7 at support@expresstrucktax.com. They’re also on live chat, or just a phone call away at 704.234.6005.

Enjoy that extra pay day! (And buy yourself just a little something special, you deserve it!)

#NTDAW2014: Warm Thanks & a Special Gift from the ExpressTruckTax Team!

Posted on September 17, 2014 by - Expresstrucktax.com, Truck Tax, trucking news

Dear Trucking Nation,

For National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, the ExpressTruckTax team would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to our beloved Trucking Nation.

Around our office, every day is truck driver appreciation day! We have the pleasure of speaking to hundreds of you daily, and it’s a privilege and an honor to provide a service for you–because without

your service, our lives wouldn’t be nearly as awesome!

Because of you, the millions of hard-working men & women of trucking, we have fresh food to eat every day. We have the clothes on our backs. And we have the jobs you’ve helped create by supporting our USA-based company.

We’re deeply grateful for all of your support and for the kind words you’ve sent our way this tax season. From telling our Support Heroes to run for president to suggesting that the Heroes should teach other companies how to provide proper customer support (very cheeky!), we’ve constantly been humbled and inspired to keep improving.

Your gratitude only makes us work harder. We won’t get comfortable, because you don’t either. We keep working with you, side by side. Day and night.

Our mission from day one has been to provide the highest quality, easiest to use E-filing service at the best price in the industry. With your support, we’ve been living this dream, and we want to give you something in return.

We know that managing a transportation business is complicated, convoluted, and expensive! We also know that other software companies haven’t met your needs, that you’ve had to use multiple pricey programs to manage your business, or none at all.

So consider this our #NTDAW thank you gift. We call it TruckLogics.

It’s available in beta now and officially launches Monday, September 22nd! We built it from the ground up based on all of your feedback. A single web-based business management program custom-created for transportation companies. And like all of our products, it’s slick, easy-to-use, and affordable! For the cost of a sandwich each month, TruckLogics will keep your business organized and running smoothly.

The core of TruckLogics is the Dashboard, which provides a snapshot of orders, dispatches, and maintenance, making it impossible to forget an oil change! The seemingly infinite number of moving parts in your business are all in one place and at your fingertips. I could blab about it’s exclusive features–like Truck Zone–for hours, but why not see for yourself!

Sign in to TruckLogics with your ExpressTruckTax account, and we’ll not only auto-fill the program with your info, but the first 30 days are on us! No credit card needed. Just sign up and enjoy 30 days of your business at its best!


If you have questions about signing up for the beta, call the TruckLogics Support Crew at 704. 234.6946 or email them at support@trucklogics.com. They’ll provide the same stellar support that our E-filers are accustomed to! (Big shoes to fill, I know, but they’re up to the task!)

TruckLogics is just one of the many ways we want to say thank you for your tireless efforts around the clock. Your commitment to safety keeps our highways safe & makes the American way of life possible. Thank you, Trucking Nation!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at ExpressTruckTax & TruckLogics

Exceeding the Mileage Limit: E-filing Form 2290 Amendments

Posted on September 12, 2014 by - 2290 Amendment, Expresstrucktax.com, Schedule 1

‘Tis the season to E-file Form 2290 Amendments! Everyone recently E-filed the 2290 yearly renewal, and now, some are noticing errors or changes that need to be made.

We’ve already covered how to speedily E-file an amendment for increased gross vehicle weight. Today, the saga continues!

The second kind of 2290 Amendment is for suspended vehicles that exceed the mileage use limit. Suspended vehicles (Filed as Category W) can only travel up to 5,000 miles during the tax year (7,500 miles or fewer for agricultural vehicles).

This limit applies to the total miles the vehicle drives on public highways during the tax year, regardless of the number of owners.

So what happens when that trip odometer reaches 5,001? Well, that means it’s time to pull over, whip out your tablet or laptop, and quickly E-file an amendment with ExpressTruckTax!

Here’s how to E-file a 2290 Amendment in 10 minutes or less:


*Note: Be sure to E-file your amendment by the last day of the month following the month in which you exceeded the mileage limit.

Step 1: Get Situated

-Returning users login or new users create an account.
-Click “Start” under Form 2290 Amendments.
-Choose the kind of amendment. Click start under “Mileage Exceeded.”

Step 2: Vehicle Info

-Choose to amend a return E-filed with us, or choose to amend a return that was paper-filed or E-filed elsewhere.
-Select the correct tax year, the vehicle’s first-used month, & the month the mileage limit was exceeded.
-Next choose the vehicle you are filing the amendment for, OR if you haven’t filed with us, enter the vehicle’s information like the VIN, taxable gross weight, and whether it’s used for logging.
-Finally, hit “save” or “save & add another” if you’re E-filing an amendment for more than one vehicle.

Step 3: Finish it!

-Voila! The prorated tax is calculated for you! And there was much rejoicing!
-Click “next,” and enter your method of payment. The IRS accepts Direct Debit (EFW), EFTPS, and check or money order. (No credit/debit cards.)
-Almost there, just review your info one last time while our system performs the Instant Audit to make sure everything is correct.
-Finally, securely transmit your amendment to the IRS & watch in amazement as your new stamped Schedule 1 is emailed to you in minutes!

There’s no easier, more affordable way to E-file Form 2290 Amendments! No scary IRS forms, no tax jargon, no calculators! Just 10 minutes of pure, E-filing bliss.

Tune in next time for our installment on E-filing free VIN corrections!

If you hit a roadblock, hit up the Support Heroes. They’re available via 24/7 email support at support@expresstrucktax.com. They’re also on live chat, or just a phone call away at 704.234.6005.

#WellnessWednesday Part 5: Eat, Drink, & Be Healthy!

Posted on September 10, 2014 by - #wellnesswednesday, Expresstrucktax.com, trucking news

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 2 months since we began our wellness journey, Trucking Nation.

In the very first installment, 5 Tips for Healthy Trucking, I said that wellness doesn’t begin with pumping iron or munching on a head of cabbage. While it may not start there, at some point, we need to consider healthier eating. (Notice how I’m not using the dreaded word “diet.” This isn’t an extreme 1 month program, this is a gradual lifestyle change!)

What I’m trying to say is…

It’s time to break out that head of cabbage! But we won’t stop there; there’s loads of power foods & tips for making better choices that we’ll discuss today in #WellnessWednesday Part 5: Eat, Drink, & Be Healthy! As always, we compiled these tips with trucking lifestyle in mind, meaning the foods are either readily available, not perishable, and/or easy to eat while driving.

Chew on these 5 tips for healthful eating. Open up wide!

1. Eat Whole Foods: 

  • A general rule of thumb you’ve likely heard by now. It simply means, the less processed your food is, the better. Processing foods not only decreases nutrient density, it also provides the opportunity for artificial flavors, preservatives, colors & even more unsavory things to be mixed into your food. Eat things that look like what they actually are. Whole grains, like brown rice, are preferable to bread, for example. And where might you get these whole foods? Well that leads me to tip #2!

2. Park with Care:  

  • Choices are certainly limited when you’re living out of a truck cab–don’t limit yourself further by stopping only at rest stops and fast-food joints. The limited (and what tends to be unhealthy & overly-processed) selection is just setting you up for failure.

    Instead, stop at grocery stores or farmer’s markets along the way. You’ll find a much wider selection of whole foods, and for better prices! If you absolutely HAVE to grab a snack at a rest stop, grab a pack of nuts or sunflower seeds instead of a bag of chips, unsalted is preferable. And grab water instead of soda, that’s a no-brainer!

3. Pack Smart, Snack Smart:

  • Bringing along healthy, delicious snacks is another way to set yourself up for success. Yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, hummus with veggies are all protein-packed, filling, and scrumptious–if you have a mini-fridge! If not, bring dry goods like unsalted nuts and seeds, nut butters with sprouted bread, fresh berries, fruit leather, seaweed or kale chips–I could go on forever, baby!

    Some of these may sound foreign, but they’re becoming readily available. They’ll wake-up your tastebuds (I can tell you from experience), and they’re INFINITELY HEALTHEIR than the same, boring snacks you’ve been eating your whole life! Be bold, try new things, & find what works for you!

    4. Start Juicin’:

    • The perfect way to consume a TON of fresh fruit, veggies, & herbs, right in the palm of your hand. Juicing works for truckers, it’s a fact. Google it, you’ll find truckers who’ve shed hundreds of pounds and beaten chronic illness by juicing on the road. If you’re trucking for a few days at a time, you can “pre-juice” at home and store it in air-tight jars in your mini-fridge. Just grab and chug–wheel in one hand, juice in the other.

      However, juicing on the spot is best, the fresher the juice the better! Juice recipes are easy to find online, and they’ll not only cover your 7-a-day, but they’ll detox your body while flooding it with the enzymes, minerals, and vitamins it craves.

      5. Fermented Foods:

      • Sounds gross, at first, until you consider that some of the finer (or should I say, winer!) things in life are fermented. Fermented foods are not only easy to bring on a road trip (because they’re preserved in jars!), but they have amazing health benefits too. The lacto-fermentation preserves nutrients and makes them more readily-digestible. You’re likely already eating these foods without realizing it!

        Pickles, for example, are a healthy fermented food, along with sauerkraut. Look for ones that have been lacto-fermented, rather than vinegar-based. Not as common is kimchi, a spicy fermented cabbage which is becoming more common in the US every day! You can also drink the benefits of fermentation with kefir, a yogurt drink, or drink kombucha! (Don’t worry, the alcohol content is non-existent.) Made from fermented oolong tea, kombucha is a fruity, delicious, gut-loving alternative to water. Droves of people swear by kombucha because it improves digestion and boosts your energy! 

        Take these 5 tips on your wellness journey, and use them to make better choices. Choice, being the keyword. No one can dictate what’s best for you. Break the grooves of routine, do some self-discovery, & reforge new, healthier habits that nourish your body!

        And if you feel like back-sliding, gather some inspiration from our former blogs & remember: if you don’t finish your broccoli, the ExpressTruckTax Support Heroes will send you to bed without dessert!

        5 Tips for Healthy Trucking

        5 More Tips for Healthy Trucking

        Even More Tips for Healthy Trucking: Ripped Edition

        Part 4: The Return of the Tips

        September Trucking Events!

        Posted on September 5, 2014 by - Expresstrucktax.com, september events, trucking news

        Now that the Form 2290 deadline is behind us, it’s time for a hefty dose of fun! You’ve earned it, Trucking Nation! 

        Fall is creeping up on us, and the beautiful month of September has just begun. Which means it’s time for another installment of this month’s best Trucking Events! September is full of some good

        ones, featuring wacky hijinks like mechanical bulls and forklift rodeos. Believe me, you will not want to miss these events. And one of them begins today!

        There’s no time to waste, so let’s dive right in…

        • The Big Iron Classic kicks off today in Kasson, Minnesota. But don’t worry, the fun extends to tomorrow also! This event is free of charge; however, donations are encouraged as this truck show is one of Minnesota’s biggest charitable contributors! (They collect toys for kids, so bring one along to drop in the collection box.)

          If you can make it tonight, check out the Light Show and watch hundreds of big rigs light up the night sky! Not only will you get to see over 600 semi-truck tractors and trailers on display, but there’s a truck-pull competition too. Feast your eyes on two diesel trucks kicking up dirt and vying to pull a weighted sled, which only digs deeper into the mud as time goes by! Tomorrow morning, watch the “Parade of Big Rigs” through Mantorville, and in your down time, enjoy the live music from local bands. There’s no better way to relax this weekend if you’re trucking through the Midwest!

        • If you’re in the Northeast this weekend, stop by the NFI Regional Truck and Forklift Rodeo this September 6th in Allentown, PA. They had me a “truck rodeo”! This is a national tradition for NFI employees and their families, providing the opportunity to come together and celebrate their most skilled, safe drivers! Watch forklift and truck drivers alike deftly maneuver an obstacle course. Those who demonstrate the greatest skill are attention to safety will be awarded trophies! Plus, the grand prize winner usually gets a monstrous prize, like a car or a Harley bike! Who knows what it will be this year! Bring the kids along, too. They’ll love the bouncy castle, tricycle-race course, and face painting. And everyone will love the food & live music!
        • Shout out to my home state of New Jersey (Holla!), hosting the U.S. Diesel Truckin’ Nationals September 13th at Raceway Park in Englishtown. This event truly has it all: drag racing, monster trucks, even TV stars from the show Ice Road Truckers! And it’s all packed into one adrenaline-pumping day. There will be over 1,500 diesel trucks in attendance both showing, AND racing! Plus a pack of wild monster trucks featuring names like “Iron Warrior,” “Overkill Evolution,” and “Black Stallion.” The names say it all. This Motorsports Spectacular is sure to live up to its title!
        • Rounding out the end of the month is the Guilty by Association Truck Show, a Chrome Shop Mafia official event in Joplin, Missouri on the 26th-27th. This event caters to the laid-back trucker, there’s no judging or awards given! Simply bring your truck as is, no matter the age or make, and shine it up & show it! They’ll have antiques to late model semi’s, and everything else inbetween. When you aren’t looking at all the big, shiny trucks, enjoy the live music and food, or have a go at the mechanical bull (probably not in that order!). They’re also slated to have a fireworks show, StrongMan Competition, and what trucking event would be complete without a Truck & Tractor Pull!

        These are some of the best events we’ve seen yet, Trucking Nation. If only we could go to them all! If you’re lucky enough to hit any of these hot spots this month, send us pictures! ExpressTruckTax is always looking for user photos of trucks & more. Your shiny beast of the road just might be featured on our Twitter & Facebook pages.

        #WellnessWednesday Part 4: The Return of the Tips

        Posted on August 20, 2014 by - #wellnesswednesday, Expresstrucktax.com, Trucker

        With just a week and a half until the Form 2290 filing deadline, we need some extra wellness in our lives now more than ever!

        ExpressTruckTax has already eliminated any dread you may have felt when filing taxes before (because we’re just awesome like that). And in today’s blog, we’re going to help eliminate another problem that plagues the Trucking Nation: back and neck pain!

        Stuck behind the wheel for hours on end, it’s not surprising that most truck drivers experience chronic stiffness and pain. That’s where we come in–the Heroes at ExpressTruckTax have always got your back! If we could reach through the phone and massage your aching spine, we would. But since the

        technology isn’t quite there yet, these tips will have to do instead!

        So for Part 4 of our #WellnessWednesday series, here are 5 quick tips for booting that pain in the neck (and back).

        • 1. Empty your Pockets: Cell phones, wallets, receipts, what’s in your pockets? The answer should be “nothing.” Stuffing your pockets, especially your back pockets, leads to lots of pain in the long run. It’s like the Princess and the Pea, if your phone and wallet were enormous peas. Sitting on those items for hours at a time throws off your alignment and puts pressure on your back. For immediate relief, try storing your gadgets in the glove box or any other cubby near by. 
        • 2. Sit at the Right Angle: You’ve had practice sitting your whole life, but are you doing it wrong? It sounds crazy, but there’s actually a right and a wrong way to sit. And good posture isn’t just for looking fancy! It’s far better for your spine. Adjust your driver’s seat so that your back is straight and your knees rest at a 90 degree angle for optimal alignment. Some seats also have a rocking function if you can’t sit still for that long.
        • 3. Float on Air: Your driver’s seat may not be the most comfortable chair in the world. While tearing it out with a sledgehammer may not be a viable option, there are ways to make it comfier! Why not try levitating…on a memory foam pillow! Memory foams puffs up with air and contours to your body, creating the perfect custom cushion for your backside. Gel seat cushions are also on the market. Try them out and see what you fancy!
        • 4. A Loose Dress Code: Tight-fitting clothes may be the fashion, but they aren’t suited for the trucking life! Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes are the way to go! Ill-fitting clothes, or undergarments, can lead to stiffness, stomach pain, and just general discomfort. Nobody’s got time for that!
        • 5. Take a Hike, Buddy!: Seriously, walking is a miracle worker. It’s easy & free, you can do it nearly anywhere, and the benefits are endless. It may be tempting to spend your breaks lounging in the sleeper catching up on Netflix, but doing a quick lap around the truck stop will increase circulation and give you a chance to stretch out!

        As always, these 5 hacks are just the beginning. Stretching, yoga, back support belts are all great ways to keep your spine in line.

        So how do you stay loose and limber while trucking? Let the ExpressTruckTax team know. We love hearing ideas straight from you, the pro’s! Remember, sharing is caring.

        New to the Series? Check out my previous posts:

        Five Tips for Healthy Trucking

        Five More Tips for Healthy Trucking

        Even More Tips for Healthy Trucking: Ripped Edition!

        #WellnessWednesday Part 5: Eat, Drink, & Be Healthy!

        Tips for a Cozier Cab

        Posted on August 14, 2014 by - Expresstrucktax.com, HVUT, trucking news

        You’ve made it to #ThursdayFunDay, Trucking Nation! The weekend is nearly here. (I can hear my bed calling my name!) As tempting as it may be, let’s not fritter the time away, lounging and watching TV.

        Come Saturday, put on your Weekend Warrior hat and spend a little time sprucing up your living space, the cab and sleeper of your truck!

        Your truck is your home away from home. With your seemingly endless hours of work, it’s crucial that you get some R&R and spend your downtime somewhere fit for royalty!

        So get ready for an extreme makeover—Trucker Edition!—with these 4 tips for a Cozier Cab.

        • 1. Curtains: Most trucks already have a curtain dividing the cab from the sleeper. But why cut your living space in half! By placing curtains around your cab windows and dash, you’ll have double the room to live and still maintain your privacy! As a bonus, if you use blackout curtains, you’ll sleep like a baby without all of that ambient light leaking through!

          I know what you’re thinking, “But how do I hang them?” With just velcro and fabric, you’ve got some inexpensive curtains that are easy to put up and take down at your leisure. Now you can roam around the cab without fear of others seeing your ninja turtles PJ’s. (Which I think are totally cool, by the way.)

        • 2. Throw Rug: This is both decorative and functional. A nice, soft little rug will not only make your feet feel at home, but it’s easier to clean too! A bathroom rug should fit perfectly. If crumbs start to collect, simply take the rug outside and shake it out! If you spill something ooey or gooey, cleaning your little throw rug will be much easier than trying to scrub the floor of the cab. Just hose it off! Plus it’s disposable if the spill is just too catastrophic to clean. 
        • 3. Mattress Topper: Truckers need to make the most of the few, precious hours of sleep they get between shifts. But the sleeper beds may not always be the comfiest place to catch zzz’s. For a quick, inexpensive fix, lay down a memory foam mattress topper. Those few inches of cushion can make a world of difference for your back! They also sell memory foam pillows, if you’re feeling extra fancy. Bonus points for tossing a few colorful throw pillows on top. 
        • 4. Keep it Spick & Span: Cleaning may not be your idea of “fun” (unless you’re Monica from Friends). But just a couple minutes can make a huge difference because thankfully, your space isn’t that big. When our living spaces are clean and organized, it gives us mental clarity and a positive mood boost. Conversely, a cluttered, junk-filled space can drag us down. No one wants to open the cab door and have an avalanche of fast food containers tumbling out! In addition to stashing a small trash can somewhere, invest in a hand-held vacuum. It’s just the right size for you space and takes 2 minutes to run around. 

        These 4 tips are just the jumping off point! There are infinite ways to customize your cab and make it feel like home sweet home. So how do you make your cab cozy: pics, fans, flat screens, string lights? The ExpressTruckTax Team is dying to know….

        Even More Tips for Healthy Trucking: Ripped Edition!

        Posted on August 6, 2014 by - #wellnesswednesday, Expresstrucktax.com, Trucker

        Are you ready…for the Third Installment of our series?

        Well–ready or not–it’s #WellnessWednesday, and that means we’ve got 5 more tips just for you, Trucking Nation! Or should I say, Traveling Health Guru Nation! You’ve already started your wellness journey and given yourself an inner tune-up, but now…

        It’s time to get pumped up! Tear the sleeves off that t-shirt! Call your friends and start selling tickets to the gun show. (I mean your biceps, of course!) Because you’re going to be a lean, mean truck-driving machine!

        We know truckers don’t have tons of time for exercise, nor extra space for toting bulky exercise equipment. So here are five ways to get ripped on the road with little equipment needed! You’ll mostly use yourself and your truck!

        • 1. Isometrics: Behind the wheel! For this first exercise, you won’t even need to leave the driver’s seat! (Although, the truck should be parked!) Isometrics are performed in a static position, so you aren’t performing any dynamic movements like you would with other exercises. That makes it perfect for those with limited space! To improve upper-body strength, grip the wheel with both hands and try to push them toward each other for 10 seconds. Then release. Believe me, after 10-20 reps, you’ll be feeling the burn! For improving core strength, sit up straight and pull your belly button back to your spine, hold for 5 seconds, and release. Repeat 20-30 times each day for wash-board abs!
        • 2. Jump Rope: Okay, this one may remind you of playing in the schoolyard, but there’s nothing childish about the results you can get! Jumping rope can be hardcore exercise, improving both cardio and muscle tone simultaneously. Plus, they cost $5 or less and take up no space in your cab! To hop to the next level, try jumping rope for 5 or 10 minutes straight, whatever you’re comfortable with, always landing on the balls of your feet. Your heels should never touch the ground, and your calves will thank you! If you’re feeling extreme, try mixing things up by hopping on one foot, alternating each jump, or you can jump holding one leg up, knee bent at a 90 degree angle. Improving your wellness is actually a hop, skip, or jump away!
        • 3. Resistance Bands: Yet another affordable, easy-to-store piece of equipment. Best of all, resistance bands are versatile. They’re sold in various sizes, lengths, and resistance levels so you can customize your workout, whether you’re a beginner or a buff babe! And the kinds of toning exercises you can do are nearly endless. To make your truck work for you, wrap a band around the door handle of your truck and do some bicep curls or leg lifts. Once you feel comfortable, invest in a tighter band to increase resistance. You’ll always be increasing your strength, and before you know it, you’ll be Arnold Schwarzenegger.
        • 4. Bodyweight: Use your own body for a workout, what could be cheaper or more convenient! Go back to the basics for some good, old fashioned sit-ups, push-ups, lunges, and squats. But why not do it trucker style! Using the step outside of your cab door, you can do these exercises at a new angle, increasing the challenge! For extreme push-ups, place your hands on the step and keep your feet on the ground. Do push-ups a normal, except now you can lower your head below the palms of your hands, increasing the difficulty of the push-up as well as the payoff!
        • 5. Run for Your Life! All you’ll need to get started are some supportive running shoes. Always stretch before running, and breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth. Start out slow, just running twice a week until your endurance increases. Your first day do short intervals, running for 30 seconds, then walking for 30 seconds. Once you’re comfortable, step up your intervals, running for 1 minute and walking for 1 minute. 15-30 minutes of heart-pumping action is ideal, and keep increasing your intervals as your cardio improves. To push it to the limit, (past the point of no return) set a mini-goal for yourself. Just choosing a sign–or sandwich–in the distance to run to will actually push your body further than running aimlessly. When the zombie apocalypse happens, you’ll thank me! 
        It’s important to keep things fresh and not get bored on your wellness journey. If your routine starts to feel stale, mix it up and broaden your horizons. YouTube is full of free exercise tutorials; why not try yoga, pilates, or zumba? You never know what will work for you until you try it!

        So break out those leg warmers, Trucking Nation! And let the ExpressTruckTax Team know how you’re staying fit on the road; your tips may be featured in our #WellnessWednesday series!

        Ready for More?

        5 Tips for Healthy Trucking

        5 More Tips for Healthy Trucking

        Part 4: The Return of the Tips

        #WellnessWednesday Part 5: Eat, Drink, & Be Healthy!