Truck drivers sit a lot. That’s part of the job. In order to meet the FMCSA requirements you must be compliant with the regulations. If you work up to 70 hours in 8 days you can’t drive again until you have a full 34 hours off duty. This 70-hour limit can be achieved by working 14-hour days, however you can’t drive for more than 11 hours per day. A 10-hour break is required at the conclusion of your “Hours of Service.”

Driving equals sitting and sitting equals physical pain for some drivers. Most people (who don’t drive for a living) would consider sitting in a truck and driving a physically easy job. However, all drivers know that this sitting can take its toll on your body. One culprit that can cause you pain while driving is your psoas muscle.

Your psoas (“so-as”) are the main connectors between your legs and torso. The location and function of the psoas make it a possible reason why your back and hips may be hurting. The psoas affects both your posture and your spine.

Behaviors such as sitting for long periods of time and sleeping in a fetal position are common causes of back and hip flexor pain related to your psoas muscle. If you’re experiencing pain related to your psoas muscle there are a few things you can do to help alleviate and avoid the discomfort.

• Lay flat when sleeping
• Keep your feet on the floor when sitting
• Keep your jaw loose
• Try sitting with your hip sockets higher than your knees
• Maintain good posture

At Bulldog Truck Sales, we want to keep you on the road! Call us today to see how our experts can help you with all of your trucking needs.

Have you heard of a speed limiter yet? If not, you most likely will be hearing more about these devices if you’re in the trucking industry. Another name for a speed limiter is “governor.” These devices actually limit your vehicle’s speed using the engine’s computer and electronic sensors. When the designated top speed of the vehicle is reached a sensor detects it and a computer will prevent your vehicle from exceeding that top speed. It accomplishes this by regulating the airflow, gas and sparks necessary for combustion. Trucking companies use these devices for safety, fuel efficiency, insurance liability and pollution control.

There have been proposed rules that will affect you with regards to the speed limiters. The initial rule came in 2006. The NHTSA was considering implementing a mandatory law that heavy trucks must use them. Again in 2011 it was introduced, but most likely these will not be required until some time in 2018. There is a debate about what the top speed should be for trucks weighing 26,000 pounds or more. Some top speed considerations include: 60, 65 and 68 miles per hour.

Speed limiters placed on trucks will help save lives and help with safety on the roads. Regulating and lowering truck speed will help with this. Trucks need increased time to come to a complete stop. When traveling at high speeds, a stop is more difficult for larger vehicles. Lower speeds of larger vehicles will decrease the chances of a collision. The lower speeds also aid in fuel consumption, which benefits you and trucking companies.

Call us at Bulldog Truck Sales to discuss our leasing programs or purchasing a truck that is just right for your needs. We will help you keep informed and current on future trucking regulations that will affect your trucking business.

At Bulldog Truck Sales, we celebrate with you when you buy or lease one of our trucks. We know the pride that you take in your truck, and we’re happy to help you find the one that is just right for you and your needs. We know your truck can be a personal reflection of who you are as well. The different colors and styles of trucks usually reflect you, the owner.

Bulldog Truck Sales will take care of getting you safely on the road with all of our trucks being DOT ready and a one-year warranty that is included in the price of your truck. This gives you a peace of mind when you purchase or lease your truck with us.

After you decide which truck is right for you, it’s time to make it just right for you. The art of personalizing your truck takes time. Here are a few ways you can make your truck a great reflection of YOU!

• If your truck does not have a navigation, audio, or Bluetooth system, you may consider getting one of those installed if you own your truck.
• If you lease your truck you’ll need to consider personalizing with items that are not permanent such as fuzzy dice. If you have a sleeper, you can make your bed area your place to retreat at night after a long day on the road. Choose bedding that makes you feel comfortable and gives you a sense of home.
• Make your entry into your truck a clean one. Customize your floor mats, so your first step into your truck is a clean one!

Come in and see us at Bulldog Truck Sales to find the truck that is just right for you!

June 6-8 the authorities conducted approximately 17 Level 1 inspections per minutes across the United States, Canada and Mexico. They did this during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s 30th international Road check. This year the focus was on your cargo securement. Why is cargo securement so important?

It is your responsibility to ensure that the loads in your truck are properly restrained to prevent accidents. You could be held legally responsible if your cargo causes injury to someone else. You carry tens of thousands of pounds of goods every day at a high rate of speed on the highways. If your load is not properly secured within the truck the shifting weight or even loose items may cause very dangerous circumstances. You could lose control of your truck and your shipment could fall from your truck and cause serious accidents.

Loose and shifting items in a truck is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. The shifting of items causes an imbalance to the entire trailer. This is most common on curvy roads where turns are often and sometimes at high speeds. Slippery roads, due to rain or other spills on the road, can cause unexpected shifting as well.

Be sure to follow all of the federal regulations when carrying cargo in your truck. Properly secure all items so ensure a balanced and safe ride for you and for all those you share the roads with every day.

Call us at Bulldog Truck Sales to discover how we can offer you secure options for all of your trucking needs!

When it’s time to consider buying or leasing a truck, you will need to consider the tax impacts that you will encounter. You may want to consider consulting with your tax professional before determining if you should lease or buy a truck. There are many factors that will affect how much tax you will pay on your truck whether you are buying or leasing. A tax professional can help you know if your lease or purchase can be a tax write-off, or not. The most important thing to remember is to be informed when making a decision to lease or buy any commercial vehicle.

Here are some tax considerations you and your tax professional will need to keep in mind.

1. Maintaining your truck will always be something that will be taken into consideration with taxes.
2. You will need to know what deductions you can claim.
3. You can often use your truck purchase as a tax write-off.
4. Depreciation is a big item that will need to be considered when deciding to buy or lease. You are not able to deduct depreciation on a leased vehicle.
5. There is a deduction difference between purchasing and leasing. When purchasing, you normally pay your tax up-front. When leasing, you typically pay your tax as part of a monthly payment. Both are usually tax-deductible.

As with many of these considerations, you will need to take into account where you live. The laws are rules vary from state to state. That’s why Bulldog Truck Sales wants to help you get the most out of your lease or purchase. Visit us today to find the truck that is best for you.

A Natural Oil Both You And Your Truck Will Enjoy

No, we’re not talking about an oil for your truck engine, we’re talking about an oil for you while you are in the cab of your truck. Have you heard of essential oils? They’ve been used for thousands of years to for both medicinal and emotional reasons. Recently, there’s been a surge of people using them because they are looking for an alternative to filling their bodies with things not derived from nature.

Here are some essential oils you might consider using in the cab your truck to help you as you are on the road.

Peppermint

Peppermint is known to stimulate the consciousness of your mind. It may aid with memory and mental performance. If you’re feeling foggy, tired or sluggish on the road, peppermint may be the trick for you to help awaken you for the long haul.

Lavender

Lavender is known for its ability to promote consciousness, health, love, peace and a sense of calm. If you’re feeling the stress of life on the road, lavender might be a good choice for you.

Wild Orange

Wild orange is known for its punch against bacteria, fungus, depression, and germs. It’s a power disinfectant and really helps fight against your colds and flu. If you’re feeling sick, or about to be sick wild orange might be the choice for you.

You may either buy a car diffuser to diffuse the oils into the air to cleanse, calm, or awaken your nose, truck’s scent and your entire body! Or, you can put a few drops of the essential oil to any of your reflexive areas of your body, or the back of your neck.

At Bulldog Truck Sales we care about keeping you healthy and happy for your work and life.

Tips For Saving Money On Your Fuel Expenses

When your work involves driving many miles, you want to maximize every mile traveled to get the most bang for your buck. There are many ways you can squeeze the most out of every mile traveled. One such way to save money is by being a wise driver who knows how to save money on fuel expenses for your trips.

If you’re traveling in a regular vehicle, you can do things such as making fewer trips out and strategizing your travel. Avoid driving in rush hour. Keep your windows up and excess weight and wind resistant items off and out of your car. Be sure to accelerate smoothly, avoiding sudden spurts of gas guzzling accelerations.

If you’re in for the long haul in your 18-wheeler, fueling for your trip is expensive. There are ways to help you be a more economical driver. You can start by managing your speed well in your truck. You may be temped to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible to potentially earn more money, but there is a downside to that- you will spend more money on diesel. It’s also important to monitor your tire pressure carefully because improperly inflated tires decrease your fuel economy. Try to minimize your idling by turning your truck off at rest stops and long breaks on the road.

At Bulldog Truck Sales, we want to help you maximize your earning potential with your truck purchases and your on-the-road business adventures. Contact our office today to discover how we can help you save and make money!

Top Ten Reasons To Travel With “Man’s Best Friend”

If you’re on the fence about whether to travel with your pet here are some reasons to consider taking the plunge and letting your dog or other pet hop in your truck with you.

1. Your pet can reduce your stress on the road.
2. You won’t lose all sense of responsibility on the road because you have a VIP (Very Important Passenger) on board with you.
3. You pet can force you to get out and get exercise after a long day on the road.
4. Your pet is usually easily adaptable to any new environment or place. As long as they are by your side, they are happy.
5. Sharing your job and your passion with you pet can be rewarding.
6. One of the best ways to meet people in general is to have a puppy or a baby with you. If you want to make more friends on the road, have your furry friend hop out of your truck and they become a friend magnet.
7. You’ll end up doing more. It’s proven that with someone by your side you’re more likely to explore more and be braver, in general.
8. Your dog can help motivate you when you’re feeling lazy.
9. You’ll never be lonely!

At Bulldog Truck Sales, we want you to be happy with your truck purchase or lease. Finding the perfect truck for you is important to us. It’s also important to us that you’re happy while driving your truck. You may want to consider taking your furry friend with you.