Category: trucking news

It’s Deadline Day: E-file Your Form 2290 Before Midnight, Here’s How!

Posted on September 2, 2014 by - 2290 deadline, Form 2290, trucking news

We’ve come to it at last; the great Deadline of our time.

Today, dear Trucking Nation, is the last day to file HVUT Form 2290 on time. The new tax year for heavy vehicles began back on July 1st (seems like just yesterday!), and it runs through June 30th of next year. The deadline for all renewals, vehicles already on the road, is September 2nd, which happens to be today!

Sure, the deadline seems scary–the word even has “dead” in it! But don’t be intimidated!

If you’ve been busy or just plain forgot, it’s not too late to get your form in under the buzzer! Luckily, E-filing with ExpressTruckTax will only take 10 minutes, or even less if you’re a returning guest! 

And if you don’t have a computer nearby, just use our mobile site or download our free tablet apps for iPad or Android! 
No matter how you E-file, if it’s with ExpressTruckTax, you’ll follow the same simple steps below. Check out our quick video, featuring none other than Sir Charles the Great, for a quick crash course on E-filing!

*Note: Don’t forget that if you’re E-filing your renewal today, your first-used month is still July!



  • Step 1: Create an Account with an email and password of your choice.
  • Step 2: Enter your EIN and Business name & address.
  • Step 3: Start a new Return by selecting your first-used month (July for renewals) and by entering your vehicle information, VIN # & gross vehicle weight.
  • Step 4: Enter payment information. The IRS does not accept credit cards, but we do! Enter your credit card info for our fee (just $9.90 for a single truck!) and elect to pay the IRS by either Direct Debit, EFTPS, or Check or Money Order.
  • Step 5: Check your return for errors (we check it with our Instant Audit Feature!), then securely transmit your return, and receive your stamped Schedule 1 from the IRS upon acceptance!
We’ll even send you email, text, fax, or postal mail notifications if you choose, so you’ll always know the status of your return and payment.

If you’re a returning user, you can skip most every step up there by logging back into your account and either uploading trucks to your return that are saved in the exclusive Truck Zone, or by copying a return from a previous year! When you begin a new 2290, you will be prompted to copy a previous year’s return. Don’t worry; you’ll still be able to make alterations if necessary! Either way, you’ll save yourself needless data entry and get E-filed even quicker!

Whether you’re a new or returning user, ExpressTruckTax will do what it takes to get you E-filed today!

Reach out to our Support Heroes, and they’ll help you avoid the dreaded late penalties! Call 704.234.6005, start a live online chat, or get 24/7 email assistance at support@expresstrucktax.com. Our elite team is standing by, ready to swoop in and get your 2290 E-filed in a flash!

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….

#ThrowbackThursday with our New Partner: Jones Motor!

Posted on August 7, 2014 by - Form 2290, throwback Thursday, trucking news

*Click, Clack*…*Click, Clack*…*Clickety, Clack*

As the dim streaks of morning light creep over the horizon, the night fog lazily rolls away. This sound in the distance, *click clack,* moves ever-closer, but you cannot yet see what it is.

Could it be the sound of coconut shells, clapped together rhythmically? No.
It’s a horse and cart, plodding down the cobblestone path on its way to deliver sugar to the town bakery.
This is the dawn of the trucking industry, which began not with trucks, of course, but with literal

horsepower!

So for another very special #ThrowbackThursday, we’re rewinding all the way back to the 1800’s to the birth of the trucking industry! And believe it or not, the oldest major common carrier in the United States is still alive and kicking today, and they’re now one of ExpressTruckTax’s partners!
Jones Motor began in 1894 with just one sturdy horse. Flash forward to 2014, Jones Motor is a multi-million dollar group of transportation companies. But they haven’t forgotten their roots!
Founded in the late 1800’s by John Jones, an immigrant from Birkenhead, Wales, it was then just a small local hauling business in Spring City, Pennsylvania. This one-horse operation went by the name of Jones Drayage Company. Now in their second century of business, a lot has changed, but their core values have not. Jones Motor is defined by their ability to evolve and set-apart by their respect for the owner-operators that keep their business thriving. In fact, their core company is still an exclusively owner-operator driven carrier with flatbeds and vans.

It takes a special kind of business to keep growing over the course of a century. It isn’t accomplished by being content with the old-way of doing things. A progressive company, Jones is always looking for ways to innovate the trucking industry while helping their owner-operators, and that’s why they’ve partnered with ExpressTruckTax!

We use our expertise–building user-friendly, affordable software–to revolutionize filing Truck Taxes. We’ve streamlined the process through online E-filing, eliminating hours spent in the IRS office. E-filers are proven to make fewer mistakes on returns than paper filers. Plus there’s zero risk of paper cuts!

With our forces combined, the Jones Motor owner-operators will now have access to our premier HVUT Form 2290 E-filing solutions through Jones2290.com. With a discounted rate of just $8.91 for a single truck, there’s no better value on the market. As the industry leader in E-filing, ExpressTruckTax also comes with a slew of additional perks, like our Support Heroes! They’re available 24/7, offering assistance in English, Spanish, and Russian! Impressive, I know, but just wait until you see our program’s features.

    • E-file in just Three Easy Steps, it takes less than 10 minutes!
    • All of the taxes owed or credits due are automatically calculated for you. 
    • We also offer E-filing for Form 2290 Amendments, Form 8849 for credits, and more!
    • Store all of your vehicle info in Truck Zone, your personal digital garage, whether it’s 1 or 1,000 trucks! Makes E-filing year after year a breeze!
    • Our Instant Audit feature checks your return for errors before transmitting it. Our users have a 98% acceptance rate with the IRS!
    • FREE VIN corrections
    • Receive your Stamped Schedule I within minutes of E-filing.
    • We automatically notify your company that you’ve E-filed, and we send them a copy of your Schedule I.
    • Get alerts by email, text or fax, so you always know the status of your return and payment.

We’re honored to bring our world-class services to the owner-operators of Jones Motor! ExpressTruckTax offers these benefits and so much more! You have to see it to believe it! So head over to Jones2290.com and try it for free today!

If you’re new to E-filing, call our Support Heroes at 704.234.6005. They’re also available by online chat or via 24/7 email assistance at support@expresstrucktax.com. With less than a month until HVUT is due, you’ll be E-filing just in the nick of time!

August Trucking Events: Contests and Giveaways Galore!

Posted on August 5, 2014 by - august events, Expresstrucktax.com, trucking news

We’re back, Trucking Nation, showcasing August’s most thrilling Trucking Events!

Summer isn’t over yet! So pack the kids in the van; there’s still time to sneak in some last minute fun before school is back in session. Let’s enjoy these long, sunny days with some long, shiny trucks!

First up this weekend, August 8-9, The Waupun Truck-n-Show in Waupun, Wisconsin! They’re celebrating their Chrome Anniversary after 25 years of fun for the whole family. Proceeds from the event

benefit the Make-A-Wish foundation and Special Olympics, making it doubly sweet! Friday night features the spectacular “Lights of the Night” convoy illuminating the darkened main street! And that’s just the beginning of the action! Saturday is stuffed with activities ranging from motorcycle rides to a parade through town ending in a catered lunch! Climb into the cabs of polished-up big rigs, peruse the many vendors, and chat with fellow truckers. There’s something for everybody this weekend in Waupun!

August 14-16 kicks off the Great Salt Lake Truck Show! Get there Thursday to register if you’d like to compete in the show. And who wouldn’t want to? They’re giving away more than $10,000 in cash and prizes this year! Start polishing, baby! Friday, there’s a Light Show at dusk after the judging. And Saturday has no shortage of fun, either– enter a Silent Auction, compete in the Truck Pull competition, and then attend the awards ceremony!

Swing by Dallas, Texas, August 21-23 for The Great American Trucking Show! This three-day indoor event is the culmination of Overdrive’s Pride & Polish contests held all over the nation. These trucks will be white-glove clean, even under the hood! If competing in a beauty contest isn’t your speed, there’s guaranteed to be something for you here. GATS has free educational seminars with hands-on demonstrations to help you prepare for safety audits. And there’s loads of opportunities to network with other industry professionals, some even find jobs here!

To finish out this month-of-fun head over to Brooks, Oregon, for The American Truck Historical Society’s Brooks Truck Show! It kicks off Friday night the 22nd, with a truck light-up “Night Glow.” Stick around for Saturday’s festivities, and you’ll get to see loads of antique and vintage trucks in fine, working condition! You’ll even see international trucks too, not your typical truck show! And it’s non-competitive, so everyone can sit back and relax! It’s the laid-back trucker’s dream destination!

Wherever you’re trucking this month, there’s an event just for you! And all of us at ExpressTruckTax love to know what you’re getting up to. So let us know, Trucking Nation! Which of August’s trucking events will you be attending? Or better yet, which competitions will you be winning?

ExpressTruckTax Partners with OOIDA: Now Launching Tablet Apps & More!

Posted on July 31, 2014 by - Form 2290, throwback Thursday, trucking news

For a very special #ThrowbackThursday, Trucking Nation, we’re going to be time traveling in all directions! First, taking a peek into the trucking industry’s past, then blasting into its bright future!

So hop into my DeLorean, and let’s see where it takes us!

ExpressTruckTax is now partners with OOIDA, The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association! If you haven’t heard about these champions of the trucking industry, look at a few of their shining accomplishments over the past 41 years!

Since 1973, OOIDA has been fighting for the rights of truckers, one initiative at a time. It has been said, “Necessity is the mother of invention,” and there was a desperate need for someone to defend the small, hardworking truckers of America from unfair legislation.

Enter OOIDA.

The organization was first founded by a small, but feisty, group of owner-operators! The Arab oil embargoes of the early 1970’s were crippling the trucking industry, so the founders of OOIDA marched to Washington, DC to voice the interests of owner-operators to lawmakers. And they haven’t stopped since! OOIDA has continued influencing policy-makers and has sued to revoke–and get drivers refunds for–unconstitutional taxes, fees, and more.
OOIDA’s first long-term victory came in 1979 when Congress, at the urging of OOIDA, held a series of hearings to explore the plight of small transportation businesses. Congress sided with OOIDA, concluding that the Interstate Commerce Commission needed to regulate abuses in leasing agreements. OOIDA was not only instrumental in this Truth-in-Leasing regulation, but more recently they also helped overturn funding for EORB’s, electronic on-board recorders. In 2011, courts agreed with OOIDA that EORB’s were a form of driver harassment, much like the driver fatigue tests they also helped to eliminate.

Thanks to the efforts of OOIDA, lawmakers now know that owner-operators are a force to be reckoned with, not taken advantage of with excessive fuel decals!

For these reasons and more, ExpressTruckTax is thrilled to be partnered with OOIDA. We too employ our talents to help owner-operators. By developing streamlined E-filing solutions for the many truck taxes out there, we are empowering drivers, keeping them on the road and out of the long lines at the IRS office!

The future of the trucking industry is here. 

With partners like OOIDA, ExpressTruckTax continues to innovate the age-old tradition of filing taxes, making it quick, economical–and dare I say–fun! We first developed OOIDA2290.com, a portal exclusively for OOIDA members to E-file their HVUT Form 2290 in a matter of minutes! 
Using our Bulk Upload option, E-file even faster by importing all of your vehicle information from an Excel file. We’ll then store these vehicles in Truck Zone, your own digital garage that simplifies finding and E-filing for a select group of vehicles. As always, we offer the best value in the industry, just $9.90 for a single truck, and we throw in 24/7 USA-based support for free! Best of all, drivers receive their Stamped Schedule I within minutes of E-filing, and all of their information is saved securely for extra-speedy E-filing each year after!
E-filing for Form 2290 will take 10 minutes or less and just three easy steps. See how easy it is in our video below!
But we didn’t stop there. To supplement OOIDA2290.com, we are excited to announce our new OOIDA2290 Tablets Apps for iPad & Android devices! With so many OOIDA members out on the road, it only made sense to make E-filing accessible when computers are not! With the same three easy steps, OOIDA members can securely transmit their returns to the IRS–anywhere, anytime!

  • Step 1: Create an account, and enter your business and vehicle information. 
  • Step 2: With this data, all of the taxes due or credits owed are instantly calculated for you. If there are credits, Form 8849 is automatically generated, so you can get your money back faster! 
  • Step 3: After choosing from three payment methods, Check, Direct Debit, or EFTPS, the Instant Audit feature scans the return for errors. Once it’s fit to be filed, safely transmit your return to the IRS. 
Oh, and I almost forgot Step 4, receiving your Stamped Schedule 1 immediately and getting back on your merry way! So break out that tablet and get E-filing!
No matter where you’re trucking, OOIDA members, ExpressTruckTax has got you covered with our portal and tablet apps! To start E-filing today, give our Support Heroes a call at 704.234.6005. You can also chat with us online or get 24/7 email support at support@expresstrucktax.com.

ExpressTruckTax: Now Proud Partners with Women in Trucking

Posted on July 16, 2014 by - Expresstrucktax.com, Truck Tax, trucking news

Breaking news, Trucking Nation! ExpressTruckTax is thrilled to be joining forces with Women in Trucking! 

A coalition of both men and women, Women in Trucking encourages women to seek careers in all areas of the trucking industry, which has tended to be predominantly male. But since 2007, WIT has been changing that– one dispatcher, driver, and safety director at a time! WIT not only connects women with the career opportunities they deserve, but empowers them by promoting their accomplishments and creating scholarship funds for professional development. Another integral part of WIT’s mission is removing the obstacles that many women face in the industry. One of the obstacles they seek to dismantle is the commonly held misconception that women are not “strong” enough to be part of the trucking industry.

We at ExpressTruckTax know how silly that notion is! Our Support Heroes have the privilege of speaking with skilled female truckers every day.

As part of our commitment to advancing women in the trucking industry, ExpressTruckTax has created an E-filing portal for HVUT Form 2290, available exclusively for members of Women in Trucking. Members will not only enjoy a discounted rate to E-file (only $9.41 for a single truck!), but they will enjoy the convenience and security that comes with our premier service.

Express Truck Zone is just one of these exclusives, wherein filers can store all of their fleet’s vehicle and tax information, year after year. Truck Zone makes it easy to find and E-file for a select group of vehicles. Alternatively, we now have a feature that lets you conveniently transfer last year’s return to the current year’s, while still making small amendments where needed. These two features combined will save hours, even days, of data entry!

And since we know that filing truck taxes can be stressful, we offer 24/7 support from our headquarters in Rock Hill, SC. Women in Trucking members can call, chat or email, day and night, and receive assistance from our Support Heroes in English, Spanish or Russian.

Women have always been and will continue to be a vital part of the trucking industry, whether they’re hauling on the road or in a leadership role. But until everyone understands this, WIT will continue its diligent efforts to educate members of the trucking industry and general public alike. That’s why we are proud to be part of WIT’s mission to redefine the road!

Just take a look at all of our smiling faces!

 

Smile & Say, “Gender Equality!”

Women of the trucking industry, we salute you! Many thanks for your hard work, from everyone at ExpressTruckTax.

To find out more about our Form 2290 Portal for WIT members, give our Support Heroes a shout at 704.234.6005. You can also chat with us online or get 24/7 email support at support@expresstrucktax.com.

Our Visit to Peterbilt’s 75th Anniversary Tour

Posted on July 15, 2014 by - Expresstrucktax.com, trucking news

Oh, the places we have gone! We’ve got something special for your Trucker Tuesday.

Yesterday, the SPAN Enterprises blogging team (Misty & I) took a mini field trip to Peterbilt’s 75th Anniversary Tour in Charlotte, NC!

If you didn’t get a chance to swing by Rush Peterbilt yesterday, then have no fear! Here’s a recap of all the cool gadgets we got to play with, pics included!

Paccar MX-13 Engine

When you first step into their 53 foot, double-expandable museum on wheels, a glistening monster of an engine stands in its full glory! Weighing in at 2,600 lbs (when empty!), this is the beast that pulls the Model 579, Peterbilt’s Anniversary Edition Truck. The engine block and cylinder head are made from compacted graphite iron, and it features an encapsulated wiring harness. And talk about power, this baby boasts anywhere from 1,450-1,850 lbs of torque! Vroom, vroom, indeed.

Air Disc Breaks

With all that go-power, there’s only one way to slow it down, their state-of-the-art Air Disc Breaks. These efficiency-optimizers reduce stopping distances and lower maintenance costs. And just look at the size of them! Not the break pads you’ll see on my wee-little car!

Interactive Kiosks

After learning about the bits under the hood, we hopped onto one of their interactive kiosks and designed our own Model 579! We got to select the engine type, axels, cab-size, even the chrome detailing and headlights! The best part was the color selection. Ultimately, we had to go with “Hawaiian Orchid.” Tough call, but just look how gorgeous! Who wouldn’t want to ride that bad boy around town?

Cab of Model 579


Then, we got behind the wheel and played with all of the gadgets in the 579 cab and sleeper cut-aways, for the authentic trucking experience! And it wasn’t hard to tell that this design is the latest and greatest in trucking technology. Every nook and cranny has been optimized for comfort and utilized for storage. The Evolution LX seats in the cab were unbelievably comfortable and automatically adjusted for each person’s height. In the sleeper, there were cup-holders, cubbies, and closets galore! Even a mini fridge with a drink-cooling drawer below to store one’s favorite beverages! Oh, and did I mention the wall-mounted flat screen TV? It really was an incredibly high-tech, and ultra-cozy home on wheels!


“Let’s punch it.”

And of course, it wouldn’t be an authentic trucking experience if we didn’t get to honk the horn and talk on the radio! Good thing they didn’t give us the keys, or we would’ve been out on the open road! Look out, Carolinas!

The ExpressTruckTax Team thanks Rush Peterbilt of Charlotte, NC, for hosting this event! It was informative and inspiring, the perfect place for truck enthusiasts of all ages to come and play! If you haven’t yet visited the Peterbilt Anniversary Tour, no worries! They’ve still got plenty of stops left all over the country. But the tour wraps up in November, so don’t wait too long! Everyone needs to experience the power you feel behind the wheel of this fine machinery. Have a joyous Trucker Tuesday, all!

Trucking Events: July Expos, Jamborees, and Contests

Posted on July 4, 2014 by - expresstrucktax, July events, trucking news

July EventsHappy 4th, everybody! It’s a beautiful day to celebrate America with friends and family, and of
course, with some ice cold lemonade, sunshine, and fireworks! But after the fireworks fade away, the fun doesn’t have to. No matter where you’re trucking this month, there are some spectacular events, from sea to shining sea!

Best part-they’re mostly FREE!

Peterbilt 75th Anniversary Tour
Starting our tour on the East coast, The Peterbilt 75th Anniversary Tour rolls into Rush Truck Center of Charlotte, NC, July 14th. Step into the 53 foot, double-expandable trailer, and you’ll get an eye-full of the latest and greatest in trucking innovation. Experience the state-of-the-art Cab and Sleeper Cutaways–maybe sneak in a nap, I won’t tell–or jump on an interactive kiosk to design your own Model 579! Feeling nostalgic? Travel back in time to 1939 with their History Wall, sure to please you antique truck buffs. Peterbilt novices and avid followers alike are bound to experience something new in this hands-on museum on wheels!

Ohio’s Expedite Expo
If you’re craving a mixture of entertainment and information, Ohio’s Expedite Expo’s got it! July 25th-26th, mingle with thousands of people from the general public, to owner operators, to fleet owners. When you aren’t networking, pop into one of their 10 helpful Workshops where you’ll learn how to grow your business or even pick up tips for being a healthy trucker. As if that wasn’t enough excitement, you can go “all in” at Casino Night (are you feeling lucky, punk?), enter the Antique Truck Show, and maybe even win THOUSANDS in giveaways! Yes, please!

Iowa80 Truckers Jamboree
Ever competed in a high-stakes game of Steering Wheel Ring Toss? Swing by the 35th annual Iowa 80 Truckers Jamboree and you just might become a Trucker Olympics Gold Medalist! Kicking off July 10th, this three-day event is packed with fun for the whole family. Relax with live music, carnival games, and fireworks. Stroll through the Antique Truck Show while devouring some famous Iowa Pork Chops. Or if you’re feeling feisty, compete in the Trucker Olympics (open to both ladies and gents) and see how far you can pull a semi! Best of all, you can enter your pride and joy in the Truck Beauty Contest. Shine that baby up and prove to your friends once and for all that she really is the best looking gal on the road!

2nd Annual Truck Function in Junction
For the laid-back trucker whose idea of a good time is “no trophies-just cruisin’,” the 2nd Annual Truck Function in Junction is just your speed! They’re looking for trucks of all kinds to gather for a day of trucker talk, a hot meal, and a cruise down “The Strip” of Junction City, OR. You’ll even snag a beauty shot of your big rig, courtesy of Fueled Photography! So stop by July 19th and enjoy a good ole’ coffee break and conversation.

Whether you’re on the East Coast or West Coast, ridin’ solo or having quality family time, the perfect event is waiting for you! Spend your well-deserved down time soaking up the sun and fun, or amp it up with some friendly competition. Either way, you’re bound to have a blast! The ExpressTruckTax Team wishes you a safe, fun-filled 4th! And be sure to tell us about your event experiences! Which ones will you be attending?

#TruckerTuesday: Roadcheck 2014

Posted on June 3, 2014 by - safety and compliance, truckertuesday, trucking news

It’s #TruckerTuesday, and the ExpressTruckTax team has a very important update for today! The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has begun their annual Roadcheck 2014. The Roadcheck will be from June 3-5.

What is Roadcheck?
2014 will be the 27th year of CVSA’s Road Check. This is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world. Every minute nearly 17 trucks/buses are inspected from Canada to Mexico within a 72-hour period. There are approximately 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial and federal inspectors in every jurisdiction across North America to perform the inspections.

During the three-day event CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle, driver and cargo safety and security.

Roadcheck has made a difference since its start in 1988, with over 1 million inspections conducted, resulting in more than 301 lives saved and 5,530 injuries avoided.

This Year’s Roadcheck
According the CVSA website, Roadcheck 2014 will include primarily North American Standard Level I Inspections – the most thorough inspection. This type of inspection includes a 37-step procedure that looks at both the driver and vehicle. Drivers will need to present these items when being inspected:

  • Driver license
  • Endorsements
  • medical card
  • hours-of-service documentation
Inspectors will also be checking for seat belt usage and the use of alcohol and/or drugs. When it comes to the vehicle check, inspectors will be looking at things like: braking system, coupling devices, exhaust system, frame, fuel system, lights, safe loading, steering mechanism, suspension, tires, van and open-top trailers bodies, wheels and rims, windshield wipers, and emergency exits on buses. 
This year, Roadcheck Inspections will be focusing on hazardous materials regulatory compliance. Hazmat-certified inspectors will be extremely vigilant about potential hazardous materials/dangerous goods compliance issues. Make sure to have all your documentation together in one place so you can just grab it and hand it over.

ThrowBack Thursday: Trucking in the 1950s

Posted on May 8, 2014 by - throwback Thursday, trucking history, trucking news

Are you ready for a Triple Throwback Thursday? I’ve been touring the history of the trucking industry and when I got to the 1950s, I was surprised at how significant the era was for heavy hauling manufacturing. So join me in an ExpressTruckTax Special Edition Throwback Thursday as we look at the unique history of Kenworth, Freightliner, and Mack.

In 1955, Kenworth launched a radical new design – the Cab-Beside-Engine. This half-cab jewel was a driving innovation, providing better visibility for the driver, vehicle weight reduction and increased capacity. The design saved 700 pounds of dead weight compared to the Cab-Over-Engine construction. The use of Alcoa aluminum alloys is what what shed the pounds for this truck.

                                                                                                       photo credit: trucksplanet.com

In the 1950s, Freightliner was ahead of its time when it comes to alternative-fuel use. They not only optimized long-haul applications while meeting restrictive length laws with the introduction of the WF64, but this truck could run off 3 different fuel types – gasoline, diesel or liquefied propane. The WF64 was a unique innovation that proved alternative-fuel was possible for heavy-haulers. What an amazing achievement for the time.

                                                             photo credit: commercialmotor.com

Last stop on our scenic tour of the 1950s Trucking Industry is Mack. This American Legend manufacturer has been around a long time and in the 50s they out did themselves by launching not 1, but 3 new models of trucks. The G, H and B models  were the epitome of product advancements when Mack introduced them to the trucking industry. The G series featured an all-aluminum cab and could haul big payloads. The H series, or the “Cherry Pickers” were designed with a short bumper-to-back of cab dimension to accommodate 35 ft. trailers within 45 overall legal limits. The shining star of Mack’s new designs was the B series (pictured below). It had a trend setting rounded appearance, which set the new standard for trucks, as with a wide range of model variations to choose from. From it’s introduction in 1953 to it’s discontinuation in 1966 127,786 B models were produced, and many are still in active service today.

                                                                                            photo credit: dieselpoweringmag.com

Who knew there were so many advancements in truck design in such a short amount of time. Thanks for riding along on this tour of 1950s Trucking History, you’re welcome back any time.