Category: otr trucking

5 Spring Cleaning Semi Truck Organization Ideas

Posted on April 12, 2021 by - otr trucking

It’s officially spring and that means it’s time to start cleaning up your home! And since your truck is probably your home most of the time, you need to be creative about how you manage that small space.

Here’s some great ways to start organizing your truck and some other long term goals for you to work towards to make your life over the road more comfortable. The possibilities for your truck are endless. 

Semi Truck Organization

1. Don’t Try To Take Everything

Truckers are the original owners of tiny homes! And if we know anything about tiny home living it’s that minimalism is the name of the game. So your spring cleaning efforts should start with eliminating everything you don’t need. But figuring out what you can eliminate is half the battle.

One place you can start is with kitchenware. Obviously if you don’t cook in your truck at all, you can get rid of pretty much everything related to kitchenware. If you do cook, you can probably cut down your cooking items down to two or three essentials items.

For instance, with a pressure cooker and a microwave you can cook pretty much everything you need. Then, just keep around disposable utensils and cups and plates.

2. Add Shelves to Your Cabinets

If you have cabinets in your truck, consider subdividing that space with shelves to make everything accessible. This will help make your life feel more organized.

3. Add Outside Semi Truck Storage For Nonessentials

For those items that you don’t need immediate access to, consider adding more outside truck storage boxes. This way you can organize tools, cleaning supplies, and other miscellaneous items outside your cab but still have them available to you whenever you need.

Source: https://800toolbox.com/step_toolboxes/step_toolboxes.htm

4. Spruce Up Your Decorations

Part of spring cleaning is making your home feel fresh and new. One easy way you can do that is with some new decorations. That could be as simple as a new sheet and comforter set, or as complex as replacing cabinetry or upholstery.

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/7459155618046718/

5. The Ultimate Rig

And finally as a source of inspiration for your new truck mods, check out this incredible custom sleeper. Mr. and Mrs. Snow of Snow Trucking have spent the last two decades kitting out their rig with everything they could possibly need. Their setup is certainly food for thought!

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The Best Crash Course On Bandit Racing

Posted on August 23, 2019 by - bandit big rig series, Bandit racing, bandit truck racing, bandit truck series, best trucker, big truck racing, hot shot trucking, minimizer, otr trucking, roadway trucking, Truck Driving, truck racing, Trucker

Need something to do down south next weekend?

Take a break from 2290 filing and explore the world of Bandit Truck Racing with the upcoming Bandit Truck Series race.

Saturday, August 31 is the Bandit Big Rig Series race in Pensacola, Florida!

New to Bandit Racing and have no idea what I’m talking about?

Here’s everything you need to know about Bandit Racing and the Bandit Big Rig Series in particular.

Let’s get started!

Everything You Need to Know About Bandit Truck Racing

What is Bandit Racing?

Bandit Racing is essentially truck racing for the trucking industry.

Each Bandit Truck Series offers a fun, family-oriented entertainment opportunity to watch the best truckers in action.

Who knew truck driving could be so exciting!?

Bandit Truck Racing is coined the “workin’ man’s race series”, with rules structured to make Bandit Racing trucks affordable and accessible. Essentially, you can’t buy a best trucker title.

What is the Bandit Big Rig Series?

The Bandit Big Rig Series runs from March 23rd to October 12th, with 12 truck racing events across the country.

Bandit truck racing brings day-long hot shot trucking entertainment to trucking professionals, their families, and trucking enthusiasts alike.

The Bandit Big Rig Series, in particular, focuses on big rig truck racing on short tracks across the United States. This series was designed to be affordable and accessible for anyone wishing to put together a race team.

Details on the Upcoming Bandit Big Rig Series Race

The Bandit Truck Series race coming up on August 31st will be held at the iconic Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

Kids 8 and under will get in free! VIP tickets, specialty seating, and discounts are available on the Bandit Truck Racing website.

Bring the whole family out for a fun night of big truck racing!

Each series race affects the competing truckers’ place amongst the competition. The previous race, held at Kalamazoo Speedway, saw Mark “The Wheelman” Noble capture his first 2019 victory.

Noble is now only 20 points behind current leader and two-time defending champion, Ricky Rude.

Big truck racing has been more exciting than ever this year, with 7 feature winners in 8 races. With only 3 races left in the season, the stakes are high!

Don’t let the excitement get to you just yet. 
Before you head into a great weekend of hot shot trucking, take care of business with ExpressTruckTax.

File your IRS Form 2290 in as little as 10 minutes and get the work out of the way before your big Bandit Truck Series weekend.

Not that you can even call it work! ExpressTruckTax makes filing easy with FREE VIN corrections, an easy-to-follow process, and an instant error check. You’ll be done with 2290 filing in no time.

Already finished? Great! We’ll see you out on the track.

Roaring Good Time at The Bandit Series Race

Posted on August 13, 2018 by - best trucker, big truck racing, driving jobs, flatbed truck, hot shot trucking, minimizer, otr trucking, roadway tracking, the bandit big rig series, the bandit series, truck driver, Truck Driving, truck racing

This past weekend the ExpressTruckTax team attended the Bandit Big Rig Series race at the Hickory Motor Speedway. We have to tell you that it far exceeded our expectations! In addition to the nail-biting races we got to see fireworks, see some awesome customized rigs, and meet some of our hard-working clients. Here are some pictures of the race we just had to share.

Click here for the Bandit Series 2018 Event Schedule. Trust us, you don’t wanna miss out!

 

Roaring Time at The Bandit Series Race
Hickory Motor Speedway at the Bandit Series Race August 11th, 2018


Having a blast handing out flyers and koozies before the race!
Having a blast handing out flyers and koozies before the race!
The Bandit Series even had a blow-up bounce house for the kids.
The Bandit Series even had a blow-up bounce house for the kids.


The green flag drops at Hickory Motor Speedway
The green flag drops at Hickory Motor Speedway
Victory lane with race champion Ricky Rude of the #14
Victory lane with race champion Ricky Rude of the #14

(Top Row left to right: Bryan Hinson (Transportation Product Manager), Ariel Black (yours truly, Content Marketing Manager/PR Coordinator), Meredith Dotson (Business Development Manager), Andreas Hollmers (Client Relations), Amber Tabb (ExpressAmber Personality/ Director of Transportation Products), and Little Express Team Members (Cuteness Coordinators)
(Top Row left to right: Bryan Hinson (Transportation Product Manager), Ariel Black (Yours Truly, Content Marketing Manager/PR Coordinator), Meredith Dotson (Business Development Manager), Andreas Hollmers (Client Relations), Amber Tabb (ExpressAmber Personality/ Director of Transportation Products), and Little Express Team Members (Cuteness Coordinators)

You Can Catch Us At The Bandit Race This Weekend

Posted on August 10, 2018 by - Bandit racing, best trucker, driving jobs, flatbed truck, hot shot trucking, otr trucking, roadway tracking, transporter, truck driver, Truck Driving, truck driving school, truck racing, Trucker

You Can Catch Us At The Bandit Race This Weekend

On Saturday, August 11th, 2018 the ExpressTruckTax team will be attending the Bandit Big Rig Series at the Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina. This series has brought big rig tractor trailer racing back to the short track. If you find yourself at the race please be sure to stop by and meet us!

About The Bandit Big Rig Series

The Minimizer Bandit Big Rig Series brings a day-long racing entertainment experience to trucking professionals, their families, and trucking enthusiasts alike. Since their inaugural season in 2017 with an Eastern Division, the series has continued to focus on delivering an affordable racing opportunity to local speedways.

The trucks are kept basic and simple, which limits costs and increases accessibility, The Minimizer Bandit Big Rig Series does whatever it takes to maximize competition and deliver an exciting product with world-class trucks & drivers.

Meet The ExpressTruckTax Team
If you are in attendance be sure to tweet us as #ETTGoesRacing or tag us on Facebook!

Let’s Go Racing!

Finding and Accepting the Right Trucking Job

Posted on October 20, 2017 by - CDL, heavy loads, otr trucking, Rate Per Mile, regional trucking, specialized loads, Trucker, trucking, trucking industry, Trucking Job

So, you have your CDL and now you need a trucking job. It’s time to look online, in the newspaper, and everywhere else! Load boards post new loads every day and companies are desperate for more drivers, providing you with a lot of job options, but make sure you find the right job.
It can be easy to jump at the first opportunity that offers money, but you may be neglecting a better opportunity. You may also accept a load for a company that doesn’t have your best interests in mind. Learn what questions to ask and what to look for when considering your trucking job options.

What To Look For In Trucking Jobs

Solid Pay & Benefits

You need to make sure that you make a profit per load, or that the rate per mile is high enough to cover your bills and provide you with the ability to build some savings. Sometimes when business is slow you may accept loads to break even, but on a salary, you will want to profit. Also, after gaining some reputable experience you may be offered hourly pay.

Before signing on with a company be sure to research the pay scale and ask about scheduled pay increases, accessorial pay, layover pay, and bonuses. It’s perfectly fine to ask about future opportunities before investing your time with a new company.

While you’re at it see what type of benefits the company has to offer. Will they offer you insurance coverage? Do they have a retirement plan? Will you be offered paid time off for vacations or holiday pay? These are all important things to consider for your personal needs and the needs of your family.

Look Past Face Value

Most trucking companies will have a professional looking website with images of happy truckers, but don’t let that sway your opinion. Read the text to learn about the company’s goals and how they work to achieve them.

Also, Google reviews of the company to see what the general public and previous workers think of them. This will give you a good idea about their reputation.

ExpressTruckTax shares how to find the right trucking job

Look at how the company values safety. Trucking is a dangerous job, so if they have safety regulations put in place and offer safety training, that’s a good sign that they actually care about their drivers.

Do The Policies Match Your Lifestyle?

Are the lanes in the routes that you like to travel? Will your loads be limited to a flatbed, tankers, and dry vans or will you get to gain experience with more specialized loads? Can you get your foot in the door by hauling dry vans and eventually work your way up to heavy loads?

Do you have a family that you would like to see as much as you can? Then look at the time off the company has to offer and try to find a terminal nearby. Some companies do offer drivers the ability to go home for weekends or every two weeks. You could also consider regional trucking instead of OTR.

Do you have pet you can’t imagine leaving behind? Then look at the company’s pet policy to see if they allow pets on trips. Some places may only allow smaller animals and others may only allow dogs. The rules and regulations for cats and dogs in the rig also vary between different carriers.

The Right Trucking Job Is Waiting For You

When looking for a trucking job it’s not important to find the perfect company or the perfect load. Instead, it’s important to find the right job for you that fits your needs and lifestyle. You may have to get out of your comfort zone a little in the beginning but as your reputation builds you will have access to bigger and better opportunities.

Please share your tips about finding the right trucking job in the comment section below and visit ExpressTruckTax.com for more trucking blogs.

The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation

Posted on February 15, 2016 by - 2290, healthy living, otr trucking, safety, sleep, sleep deprivation

Sleep is important. Yeah, you’ve heard it a billion times before. And from a safety standpoint, it’s a matter of life and death. Wait, what? Well, if you’re an OTR trucker, a decrease in sleep can lead to an increase in fatal trucking accidents. Add that to the health issues, and you have the perfect storm to bring a trucker down.

Does it take you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep? Do you wake several times during long sleep periods? Do you take frequent naps? Are you always tired? You probably have a sleep disorder. Now, you might think you’re indestructible, but let’s talk about how this affects you and what you can do.

18 Wheels of Safety

There are plenty of reasons why auto accidents happen – but we’re here to focus on sleep deprivation as a factor. Drowsy driving increases accidents and near misses for any driver on the road. The difference between you and a four-wheeler is you’re an 80,000 pound missile on wheels when you lose control. When you’re drowsy, your reaction time is slowed down, and you will rationalize bad decisions that endanger you and other truckers.

Most accidents occur during the hours of midnight to 2 a.m., 4 a.m. to 6 a.m., and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. How does this impact trucking? Well, this factor is huge for commercial drivers – especially long-haul drivers – because at least 15% of all heavy truck crashes involve driver fatigue.

Health on the Highway

We’ve talked about health and fitness many times, but sleep is just as important. When you lose sleep, your body’s defenses are weakened. This increases your risk for infections, high blood pressure, and diabetes. When you’re sleep deprived, your appetite increases, leading to overeating and obesity.

What’s the Best Way to Sleep?

How you approach sleep matters, so take extra precautions for your health. Use curtains, truck shades, or an eye mask to block out light. Cover noise with a fan or a white noise machine. Make sure your cab or bedroom is a comfortable, cool temperature. And make sure you have a comfy mattress, pillow, and bedding. Make sure you’re parked in a quiet, but safe area.

While you might be tempted to hydrate before bed, avoiding liquids will keep you from having to get up in the middle of the night. Keep your distance from stimulants like caffeine and nicotine. Avoid heavy and spicy foods, and stop eating 2-3 hours before bed. Don’t forget, exposure to blue light from electronics will trick your brain into thinking you’re awake.

What Should I Do Now?

Well, if you notice any of the symptoms of sleep apnea or insomnia, contact a doctor. Make sure you’re firm with family, friends, and dispatchers about your sleep issues, when you’ll be sleeping, and that you want to avoid interruptions.

Your health and safety are vital to your job, so don’t let sleep deprivation get the best of you! You have enough to worry about with wintery roads, 2290s, and IFTA deadlines! And If you need any help on your truck tax filings, contact us by phone or email.

How do you prepare for sleep when you’re on the road? Let us know in the comments and on Facebook!

Fitness Tips for Truckers

Posted on January 27, 2016 by - cardio, fitness, healthy living, otr trucking, owner operator, trucking nation, weight training


You hear it all the time – trucking is an unhealthy career choice. Sure, staples like all-you-can-eat buffets, truck stop junk food, and long hours planted in a seat give the job a bad reputation. But let’s be real, the trucking life is what you make of it. And honestly, it’s up to us in Trucking Nation to turn the tide on OTR health.

Think about it, you take the time to care for your rig, deliver your loads on time, and file your HVUT and IFTA returns. In the same way, you need to care for your health. We’ve talked about yoga and healthy eating before, but we know some of you want the high intensity release of weight training and cardio to balance out all that sitting time.

Some truckers might go with a national gym chain membership, but that limits your access depending on your route and location. Have some downtime coming up? Look for hotels with fitness centers and you can get in a nice, solid workout before hitting the road again. For Owner-Operators on the long haul with a sleeper cab, you can prepare for a fitness routine by bringing your own equipment and knowing some fitness routines.

Store Small Equipment in Your Truck

We know it’s a tight fit in plenty of cabs, but there are some compact and portable fitness options for your OTR lifestyle.

  • Weights: Keep some smaller weights in your cab. You don’t want to add a ton to your tare weight, but a couple of dumbbells for strength training inside your cab is a great start.
  • Resistance: Resistance bands are a great alternative for hauling weights. With different tension levels, you can knock out a killer workout without taking up much space in the cab.
  • Jump Rope: Hey, if Rocky Balboa could jump rope and look cool, so can you! If you’re already storing resistance bands or bungee cords, toss a jump rope into the mix. Plus, it’s a really effective way to burn the calories of an 8-minute mile without running one.
  • Cycling: We’ve even heard of some truckers storing bikes behind their cabs, which is a great way to stay fit while on the road. Plus, you can get around on a bicycle without having to drive the rig anywhere.

Train Anywhere With Bodyweight and Cardio

While storing equipment works for some, there are several alternatives to hauling a portable gym with you. If you are looking for a high intensity routine geared towards building muscle, consider body weight training. By using your own weight as your resistance, you can get a great workout anywhere for free!

  • Bodyweight Squats: Need an intense bodybuilding without an entire gym? Try bodyweight squats! With your legs and thighs inactive throughout the day, squats are a great way to increase muscles and keep your body active.
  • Push-ups: Everybody knows the push-up. You might even hate the push-up, but you can’t deny the effectiveness. Push-ups work your arms, chest, and shoulders. If you’re looking for a key workout, find space to knock out some push-ups. 
  • Burpees: For an exhausting, yet satisfying burn, try burpees. With a burpee, you get both strength training and aerobics. You’ll feel the burn mostly in your quadriceps, but you’ll also feel it in your chest, calves, and hamstrings. 
  • Cardio: Of course, keeping your heart rate and body active after a long haul is important for the trucking lifestyle. With a solid cardio routine, you’ll improve your heart and overall health. We already mentioned cycling, but there are plenty of body-only cardio workouts that will help you out between hauls. 

Use Your Resources

If you don’t have any equipment on hand, you can still start a fitness routine. Take advantage of your resources until you get the proper gear for your routine. 

  • Repurpose: For weight training, try using milk and water jugs as weights. Just keep the containers empty until you get to a stop, then fill them with water. They’re also a great way to stay hydrated after a workout!
  • Straps: If you’re interested in resistance training, repurpose bungee cords or flatbed tarp straps as resistance bands. 
  • Loading: For some truckers, just loading and unloading can give a great workout. I mean, if you’re lifting boxes day in and day out, it makes sense. Just make sure to follow proper lifting techniques, so you don’t injure your back in the process.

At the end of the day, your health is in your hands. Watching what you eat and implementing an exercise routine will make the difference between a long healthy career or future health complications.

And when you’re keeping up with your rig’s tax forms, ExpressTruckTax will be here to assist you with any HVUT matters. Reach us by phone at 704.234.6005, email at support@expresstrucktax.com, or live chat via our website.