Lets start with staying physically cool.

Staying at a comfortable temperature in your truck is a must.  Nothing is worse than being outside in 90+ degrees weather with matching humidity.  All your clothes stick to you and it’s just plain uncomfortable.   Your truck air conditioner is working extra hard to keep you cool but here are a few other tips to help keep you cool with or without air conditioning.

• Have a fan mounted to the inside of your cab and let it run in low to keep the air moving around.  Having air moving across your skin makes you feel cooler even in warmer temperatures and allows you to turn the truck air conditioner a little higher to help on mpg.  Air circulating also helps keep you more alert.
• Wet a bandana in cold water and wrap it over the back of your neck.  It helps cool your head and makes you feel cooler.
• The body radiates heat from the hands, feet, face and ears, so cooling any of these will efficiently cool the body.
• Use a spray bottle of water and give your face a quick spritz.  Ahhhhh I feel cooler already!
• When you make a stop, hold your wrists under cold running water or use a cold beverage bottle on your wrists, face and neck.

Keeping a cool head helps keep your body healthy.  Losing your temper and getting all worked up over something raises your blood pressure.  And lets face it, none of us need this!  Here are a few tips to help to keep a cool head.

• Think before reacting.  Everyone makes mistakes, no exceptions.  A slip of the tongue at the wrong time can hurt business relationships.  Not Cool!
• Check your blood pressure when you can.  Use either your own portable unit or free-standing blood pressure stations when you find them.  Almost any Wal-Mart with a pharmacy will have one.  If you get more than a couple readings that are on the high side, see your doctor or healthcare professional for their opinion.
• Drink your water.  If you are waiting until you become thirsty to get a drink of water, you are already dehydrated.  Bottoms up with a tall glass of cool crisp refreshing water!
• Thirsty????  Go get yourself a refreshing bottle/glass of water!
  

Just like taking care of yourself, you also need to take care of your business.  Using Easy Trucking Software helps you do just that.  The Easy Trucking Software program is designed for truckers just like you.  Here is what Easy Trucking Software can do for you:

• Track all your income
• Track all your expenses
• Create invoices
• Track fuel purchases and miles in state for IFTA reporting
• Reports galore – Totals Report for IFTA, IRP, Profit & Loss, Statements, plus much more

Click here to get a Free Trial Download of the Easy Trucking Software program.  Check it out and see for yourself.  We have thousands of customers using Easy Trucking Software every day.

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You know, I was reading an article the other day that stated during the summer and when it is particularly hot, that fuel expands.  A 1.5% fuel expansion during the summer could amount to an annual cost of $1,200 per truck for fuel that you never receive.  So pumping fuel at night when the temperature cools down could prove beneficial to you.  Something to think about.

Easy Truckin is brought to you by Easy Trucking Software. We hope you enjoy it.

Okay, first lets talk about the term Operating System and exactly what it means.

Operating System – Also abbreviated as OS.  This is referring to Windows Vista or XP, or Mac OS X, or Linux Distributions such as Ubuntu and SUSE.  This is what all your programs operate in, your operating system or OS.

If you are like most truckers and have your laptop with you in the truck, you will want to set up an OS password on your computer.  This will protect anyone from being able to enter your computer without the correct password including you.  Also be sure to change this password from time to time.  Don’t just create the password and then never change it.  To protect your information, you should be changing your password at least once every 6 months unless you are paranoid.

To set your password in the OS

As your computer is booting or starting up, begin mashing F8 very quickly.  This should gain you access the Admin account in Windows.  This is also booting into safe mode.  Set your password and be sure to pick a password that you will remember or jot it down someplace safe in case you forget it.

Now that you have your password set, train yourself to lock the computer every time you are away.  For those of you running Windows, it would be the Windows key + L (selected at the same time).  This prevents anyone from messing with your laptop while you are at the buffet getting yourself something to eat.

There are also physical measures you can implement to keep your computer safe such as locking cable tethers or computer safes that would be mounded to your truck.

A cable lock will cost you about $40.  Locking your computer with a cable that attaches to your truck seat or something permanently part of your truck insures your computer isn’t going to grow legs if left in your truck.  Unless the thief really wants your computer and comes prepared with bolt cutters, the cable can pose as an obstacle to a quickie grab-and-run thief.

Then again a computer safe that is mounted to your truck protects your computer and is out of sight of would-be thieves.  These can cost you about $100 plus time to install.

There are also vehicle laptop mounts that hold your computer in place, provide access to your computer while you are behind the wheel, help cushion the motion of your truck for your computer, and mount to your seat bolts.  Something bolted to your truck is again less likely to walk off.   There is also added security in having your computer attached to this type of system, locked tight and bolted to the floor of your truck. Cost will depend on the style, your computer brand and security features you want.

Any measure you decide on will help safe guard your computer from growing legs is better than nothing.  

And remember, your laptop can always be replaced and your programs reinstalled on the next computer.  Your data that you have on your laptop concerning your business is sometimes a little harder to reproduce unless you faithfully back up your data.  There are several methods to backing up your data.  One is an external hard drive with enough capacity to handle all your data.  Another method is to a flash drive, again large enough to handle your data.  These can be found anywhere electronics are sold and will vary in price.

Do yourself a favor and do something, anything you are able, to safeguard your computer and your data.  After all, this is your business data you are protection and your livelihood.

Easy Truckin is brought to you by Easy Trucking Software. We hope you enjoy it.

But what if something does happen, regardless of what kind of shape you are in?  Would your traveling companion, if you have one that can talk, know whether or not you are allergic to anything?  What about your primary doctor’s name and phone number.  I know my blood type is red and that’s about it, but what about yours?

Worse case scenario is you are unconscious for whatever reason, have allergies, are on medications that if not taken could be life threatening and you are alone.  Do you want to leave it to chance that the EMT is going to know all your information by ESP?   Or what about being serious ill and you need to be hospitalized.  Most of us in this situation will be pretty worked up about needing hospitalization that not all the questions asked will get an accurate answer.

Having your medical records and medical care directives on hand in your truck with you would sure help the EMT’s, doctors and nurses treat you according to your wishes.  Not everyone wants to be revived and live on life support indefinitely and not everyone wants to be an organ donor.  And unless you have something in writing stating your wishes, no one will know.

There are websites that have forms to create medical records and advance directives.  One such site is nim.nih.gov/medlineplus/advancedirectives.html

This website is a joint venture of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (nim) and National Institutes of Health (nih).

Your medical records should include the following and feel free to copy the list and create your own:

• Name, birth date and social security number
• Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts
• Blood type
• Contact information for physicians, dentists and pharmacies you have recently used
• Health insurance information
• Health conditions, including dates of past surgeries and whether you have artificial joints, heart valve replacements, etc.
• Vision or dental problems, including whether you wear glasses, contacts, or dentures
• Current medications and dosages
• Allergies to drugs and/or foods
• Recent DOT physical findings
• Immunizations
• Organ donor information
• Family health history
• Tobacco or alcohol use
• Dates of any recent viruses, colds toothaches, etc.

Having this in your truck with you at all times will help in the event of any health emergency you may have.  Even if you don’t have absolutely everything completed in the above list, something is always better than nothing in cases of emergency.

Health ID tags are also a good choice for anyone having diabetes or blood thinners.  An ID tag is hard to miss by an EMT or doctor doing an examination of you.  Help make it easier for a doctor/nurse/EMT to care for you in a safe manner having life-saving information readily available.

Finding a physician or hospital away from home can be as easy as connecting to WebMD.com or call your insurance carrier, if you have insurance.  The WEbMD website also has a secure place for your medical information.  Any medical provider can also log-in at WebMD and if they know your user name are able to access your records.

Having fuel for your truck or drugs for your body should have to be a choice you are faced with.  Most drug companies have prescription assistance on their websites if you need it or call toll-free 1.888.477.2669 to Partnership for Prescription Assistance.  

Several pharmacies such as Walgreens, Target & Wal Mart have a flat $4 fee for common medications.  Visit their websites for their $4 drug list.  A prescription that I personally take is $4 a month or 3 months for $10 at Wal Mart.  And I get my prescription in a breakable tablet so my doctor wrote my prescription for twice the dosage and I can get a 3 month supply for only $7 because I cut my tablets in half for the correct dosage for me.  Yes I have prescription coverage but with a high deductible, so I’m saving money anywhere I can.  Always ask your doctor about generic drugs, FREE samples if they have them and for alternative medications that would fall into the $4 category.   Don’t forget to take your bottles of medication with you on the road in case you need a refill or for any medical emergencies.   Be smart and travel safe.

 Easy Truckin is brought to you by Easy Trucking Software. We hope you enjoy it.

Summer is winding down and before you know it Winter will be here with cold weather.

Just when you think you are getting a break from having to run the air conditioner in your truck it will be time to begin running the heater.  

Some states are getting really tough with their idle laws and running your truck to keep cool or stay warm may be an issue you’ll need to address.  Here are a couple things to consider to help yourself.

For keeping yourself warm you may want to install thermal curtains in the cab and sleeper to keep the heat in and the cold out.  Putting a little more insulation in the cab and sleeper can’t hurt either.

Bunk heaters are also very popular and run on auxiliary power.  Using auxiliary power for heating in the Winter or cooling in the Summer saves on your fuel consumption and keeps you comfortable.  But we are talking Winter here and before going out and buying a heater, you’ll first need to decide how long you idle your truck engine to heat your cab or sleeper.  

There are two types of fuel-fired auxiliary heaters; coolant and air.  The diesel-fired coolant heater circulates truck engine coolant through a heat exchanger and helps reduce wear and tear on your truck engine.  Coolant heaters generally come in two different capacities:  light-duty and heavy-duty.  You will need to decide your heating needs depending on what part of the country you are running in the Winter months along with the heater’s capacity.  A general rule of thumb is when the outside temperature is 32 degrees, you’ll need 20 Btu’s for every cubic foot of space for a comfortable interior.  If you want things heated up quickly, you’ll want to consider a unit with a high Btu rating.

Diesel-fired air heaters draw air over a heat exchanger.  This method can preheat your cab or sleeper or provide supplemental heating when needed but NOT heat your engine block.  Air heaters burn from a half cup to full cup of fuel per hour of use and are good in cold weather but not extreme sub zero temperatures.

Heaters also have three types of controls: manual automatic timer or full-temperature.  A manual controller is just that, manual.  You control when the heater starts and stops.  The automatic timer enables you to warm up the truck and defrost windows all before you even open your cab door.  The full-temperature control is exclusive to air heaters and provides you with the greatest control over your cab and/or sleeper conditions.  You control the heaters’ fan speed and are able to regulate the temperature more accurately.  

Installation of an air heater is about 4 hours and a coolant heater is about 6 hours.  An authorized technician should also be used to avoid any warranty issues. 

So after all is said and done, you decide what is right for you and your budget. 

Easy Truckin is brought to you by Easy Trucking Software. We hope you enjoy it.

For a trucker, a GPS receiver can be a real time saver with finding where you are going and pinpointing a delivery point.  It will even calculate your miles of your trip.  

Of course you can buy any model you want, it just depends on how much you want to spend.  Remember, you get what you pay for, so go middle of the road on cost unless you can afford more.

Cost for a receiver is anywhere from $150 to $800.  Add another $100 for color.   A good middle of the road price for a good handheld is around the $450 range. 

The GPS runs off at least 4 satellites of a string of 24 GPS satellites that orbit the earth twice a day, so it needs direct access to the sky.  The satellites are positioned so that a GPS receiver anywhere in the world can receive signals from at least 4 of the satellites.  

Having the receiver on your dashboard is the best location and there are various ways of securing it.    Some can be mounted with suction cuts onto your windshield where others come with a holder for your dashboard.  The handheld model is the most versatile.

A GPS receiver is also used for hunting, fishing, vacationing, and surveying farm land for crops.

Okay, let’s talk some features of the GPS.

Common brand names are Garmin, TomTom, Lowrance and Magellan.

The more you spend on your device the larger your viewing screen.  These also come in black/white versions but you will probably prefer something in color to look at.

The largest viewing screen I’ve seen is approximately 7” with a base price tag of around $800.  You can also add on traffic, weather and radio to this one.   Again, everything has a price.  It just depends on what you will or won’t use.

All devices run on batteries and some will include a vehicle adapter or AC power cord.

Your GPS receiver can give you sunrise and sunset times as well as your bearing, and distance to destination, even velocity.

Mapping capability will give you general direction or street-level details depending on your path.  Map data can include streets, restaurants, etc.

When a destination has been entered into your receiver, it alerts you when you have arrived at your destination.

You can buy a GPS almost anywhere they sell electronics and be sure to buy from a reputable store.

Remember, all GPS devices are portable and an easy mark for thieves.  If you have this located in your truck or car, be sure to put it out of site in a glove box or under the seat when not in use and remove, if you can, the holder.  This is always a dead giveaway to thieves that you have a GPS device in your vehicle.  

There is GPS software for your computer out there too in Windows and Mac versions.  Again you get what you pay for so shop around to find what will work for you and fit into your budget.

So, bottom line….. when you are in the market to buy a GPS receiver, shop around and do your homework first on what you want and how much you want to spend.  Ask other truckers that use GPS for what brand they have and how they like it.  Getting more information can only help you in making a better decision for you and your business. 

Easy Truckin is brought to you by Easy Trucking Software. We hope you enjoy it.

To figure your own BMI number visit any of these or other websites and know where you are on the chart.

http://www.caloriecontrol.org/bmi.html

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/index.htm

http://health.discovery.com/tools/calculators/bmi/bmi.html

Everyone has heard the term BMI at some point in time.  Whether your doctor has mentioned it to you or a significant other or just saw an article while flipping through a magazine.  The body mass index is one of the most accurate ways to key into any potential health risks you may be heading for.  Being aware of your family health history is always a good idea too.  Genetics plays into your weight and physical health.

Starting at the lower end, someone with a BMI of 24 or less is considered of healthy weight.  Having a BMI of 26 to 27 is about 20% overweight with moderate health risks.  A BMI of 30+ is considered obese and increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.  Having a BMI of 30+ also increases the risk of death from any cause by 50-150%. 

A waist size of over 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women is considered at especially high risk for health problems.  Being overweight slows you down and adds extra strain to your heart and joints.  And the older you get the harder it is to lose weight and the more taxing on your joints and heart.

Those people having a 26+ BMI need to be looking at getting healthier.  I know, eating healthier and getting some exercise can also be a challenge for the truck driver.  You are mostly at the mercy of where you can part your rig to eat.   Eating lean meat, some eggs, peanut butter or certain beans will help keep you full longer because protein burns slower in your body.  Carbohydrates on the other hand burn very quickly and give you a quick rush of energy and then the crash.  Fiber is also a good choice to help keep you full.  Fiber soaks up liquid and gives you a full feeling.  Having some fresh fruit and vegetables not needing refrigeration in your truck makes for a great snack along with high fiber snack bars.  Thinking about food and how hungry you are interferes with your concentration.

Be aware of what you are drinking and how many calories are in those drinks.  Sometimes you just don’t realize that that sweetened ice tea in the handy pop-top can is 86 calories for 8 oz. And I’m sure the can has more than 8 oz of ice tea, probably more like 12 oz which now brings the calorie count to 129 for the entire can.  I think you see where I’m going here.  Check labels on your favorite drinks and snacks you bring into your truck and you decide what changes you do or do not want to make.

Artificial stimulants like coffee/tea (caffein) or over the counter pills are not a healthy choice either.  Too much caffein can jack up your blood pressure and if you don’t know what your blood pressure is to begin with it could be a lethal combination.  

Getting out of the truck and moving around to get some exercise and get your blood pumping to all your extremities is important and wakes you up.  Before climbing back into your truck, take a walk around the parking lot once or twice.  Stretch your arms out over your head and bend from side to side.  You can do sit-ups in your sleeper, truck twists in your seat.  The point is to get the blood moving and help keep your body healthy and increase your rate of breathing from time to time. 

Now don’t go nuts here with starting to run around parking lots when you never did anything like this before.  Start out easy and build endurance.  

The medical website that is one of my favorites is www.webmd.com.  It has loads of info and you can run some diagnostics on yourself if you aren’t feeling the best.   Some truck stops may even have blood pressure testing machines just sitting there that you can use.  Drug stores are also a good source along with Wal-Mart’s across the country.  Every store I have been in has one sitting near their Pharmacy that is FREE to use.

The bottom line is being a trucker doesn’t have to mean you are overweight and inactive.  Taking better care of yourself for you and your family is a good investment.

Easy Truckin is brought to you by Easy Trucking Software. We hope you enjoy it.

In Luck or Unlucky 13 – Part 1 I talked about maintaining steer tires, lug nuts, wheel bearings,  steering components, suspension components, brakes, and fifth wheels.  If you missed it, look for Part 1 in the articles list.

Like I said in Part 1, having a brand new truck with warranty does not protect you from things going wrong.  Spending a little time and money now to fix things as they come up or spend more time and lots more money for repairs later.  It’s your choice and your money and time

With that said, let me continue on……

Wheel seals – Getting oil on the brake shoe lining reduces your braking power and if the brake lining gets too hot it could catch fire.  Not a good thing!  If you see a shiny layer of oil on on your brake shoes, you have a leaking wheel seal and time to get it fixed.

Lights and reflectors – Everyone wants to be seen on the road, especially in bad weather.  Check all your truck and trailer lights and reflectors to be sure they are not broken and working.  Replace burned out bulbs as needed along with broken / damaged reflectors.  The DOT required a certain number of working lights and reflectors on your truck and trailer and could cost you if you are in violation.

Wheel Bearings – If wheel bearings run dry or are out of adjustment a couple things could occur; they could catch fire resulting in serious damage to the axle spindle, or worse case scenario is the wheel comes completely off in traffic.  We’ve all seen the news reports and film footage of these accidents.  Some with minor to no damage and some resulting in a fatality.  Check the wheel bearing by jacking up the axles and release the brake.  If there is any play in the tire when you lift up on the outside of the wheel with a heel bar.  If there is play, your truck needs to be fixed before you go anywhere.  If you have hub oilers, check the oil level daily and pay attention to any metal shavings or debris that could be problem indicators.  If your hub oiler has a plastic window and it’s bulging outward, this may be caused by wheel bearings getting overly hot.  This should be checked now.

Seat belts – It’s the law to wear them.  If stopped by a law enforcer and you are not wearing one while a driver or passenger, you’ll get a ticket.  Every vehicle has them and you should be using them.  Pretty basic and simple.  Same goes for bunk restraints.  They are there for a purpose.  Nothing like the feeling of flying as you are jolted from your peaceful sleep by your team driver jamming on the brakes to avoid an accident.  The flying doesn’t hurt, it’s the stopping.  Ouch!

Fifth wheels – Sometimes overlooked until too late.  If you have problems connecting to a trailer or if after connecting to the trailer there is free play, get your vehicle in to a good shop to get checked out.  You wouldn’t want to be responsible for your trailer disconnecting on a highway.

And last but not least…..

Mirrors – Not just something to check out the really hot car coming up on your left.  You rely on these all day every day out on the road, when making turns and backing up.  Having cracked mirrors can distort what you see and what is actually there.  Replace broken mirrors and clean off the ones you have to see clearly.  If you are like most truckers, your cab mirrors are also heated for keep off the sleet and snow.  Check the heating elements to make sure your heaters are doing their job before you get into the nasty weather.  Stay safe and see clearly.

Like I said earlier, the list of things in Part 1 & 2 can be minor fixes if done as they occur.  Save yourself some money in the long run by fixing as you go.

Taking care of your paperwork as you go is another fix for paperwork headaches and I just happen to have the solution for that.  Get your FREE download of Easy Trucking Software.  Try it and see for yourself if this isn’t the easiest trucking software you have ever used plus no hidden fees.  

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Starting today, make it your goal to take care of those little things that come up for repair on your truck instead of letting them go until they become major repairs. Spend a little money now or a lot later, your decision. I know times are tough and you may be tempted to put off some repairs until later. This decision could be serious and lead to more problems.

Even if you have a brand spanking new truck, this does not guarantee you will be problem free. Heed the advice of the truck manufacturer regarding maintenance and care of your new truck. They should know best, they are the ones that built your truck.

When you see some older trucks out there still in service you can bet they are well cared for. Paying attention to the little things can stretch the life of your vehicle, and keep you and those around you on the road safe.

You have a huge liability exposure driving your rig day after day on the highways. Having a fatal accident that leads to an investigation that shows a failed part because of neglect could be disastrous to your business. Putting the words disastrous and business together in the same sentence does not conjure up a good image of what could happen to you and your livelihood. Here is a random list of things that could get ugly if left unattended.

• Steer tires – These should be checked regularly for air pressure and wear and tear. One of these blowing could cause you to lose control of your truck and you can pretty much visualize the result of that. It’s not going to be pretty either. Best case scenario is no one gets hurt and the truck is not damaged. I don’t need to paint you a picture of the worse case scenario, you already know and maybe have seen it first hand.
• Lug Nuts – Check every nut by hand before each trip, especially important if a tire was just removed and reinstalled. Can you imagine what kind of problems a lug nut could cause if it were to come off while rolling down the road. Picture the nut sailing through the air and hitting another object. A vehicle can be fixed, but that nut flying through an open window into a driver or passenger is something that can be and needs to be avoided.
• ICC trailer bumpers – You know you have one on your trailer but have you checked it lately for cracks or damage. Rear end hits to your trailer are generally not your fault unless you are found negligent of your trailer bumper being cracked or damaged.
• Steering components – A little too much play in your steering wheel needs to be checked right away. This could mean worn U-joints between the steering wheel and the gearbox.  With the engine running, lift the engine hood and twist the steering shaft slightly, both directions. Watch the pitman arm and tie rod end for any play there. If these parts are worn they could fail at any time.
• Suspension Components – Your life and your load depend on u-bolts, leaf springs, torque arms, stabilizer bars and trailing arms. Failure of any of these could possibly be fatal. Check them all every pre-trip inspection just to be sure.
• Brakes – Regularly grease the automatic slack adjusters. These are the first to get checked during an inspection of your truck if involved in a wreck. If any one of these are clack adjusters is out of adjustment, you could e looking at a possible conviction by a jury indicating you were at fault.
• Air Lines – If trailer lines end up dragging across the road the eventually will wear through until they finally rupture. Keep a close eye on the lines and the springs that support them. Ice buildup can also cause your air lines to get weighted down and begin to drag. Take care of your air lines like your life depends on it, because it does.

This message is brought to you by Easy Trucking Software. Get your FREE download by clicking on the Download button. Try Easy Trucking Software FREE and see for yourself if this isn’t the easiest trucking program you’ve ever used.

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One trucking company around the Green Bay, WI area said a pick-up truck with a fuel tank in back pulled up to a semi that was in the shop for repairs and dropped a syphon hose into the fuel tank and syphoned out the fuel.  This was all done while the shop was busy and people around.  Now that is what I call ballsy!

Another rancher out West had a large reserve fuel tank in a field for fueling equipment on his land and had been robbed.  Even after installing a fence and tire spikes the thieves still found a way around to get at the fuel tank.   Persistent little buggers.

Thieves are likely selling the stolen fuel at a discount to truckers, farmers or even to their neighbors.   A year ago fuel was $2.70 a gallon and now the cost is anywhere from $4.50 and up.  Times are getting desperate.

The likely time for thieves to hit is in the dead of night when you sleep.  Some thieves have even been so bold as to pull in with a van over the top of a ground tank and through a hole cut in the floor of the van, opened the ground tank, dropped in a hose and using a pumping device, loaded up stored tanks inside the van.  A  very elaborate system and the thieves were also caught this time.

It is hard enough out there to make a living without having to also watch over your shoulder for another trucker to rip you off.  Be cautious and do what you can to safeguard your fuel tanks.

Locking fuel caps can be a pain.  However, when you look at the cost of that tank of fuel and weigh that against the cost of the locking fuel cap or even your time to unlock the tank to refuel, it seems like a pretty small price to pay.

Be aware of your surroundings when you park your truck.  Park at reputable lots that may even have surveillance  cameras and are well lit to help deter thieves.  Any measures you can take to keep your fuel tank safe is time well spent.

And if you see a thief, turn them in to local authorities.  If it’s a trucker out there stealing from another trucker, it gives you a bad name as well.  I know you are honest and are trying to make a living.  But keeping your mouth shut and looking the other way does not stop the thief.  Some people are more desperate than others and the thief may have a gun, so don’t be a hero.   Use your cell phone and call in the crime and let the professionals take care of the thief.  That is what law enforcement is being paid to do. 

Watch out for each other.  

Eliminate the feeling of being robbed at year end by by taking every legitimate deduction you can.  If you don’t track it, those details on deductions seems to fade with time and by year end forgotten.  Easy Trucking Software is a great trucking program designed just for you.  Check it out at www.easytruckingsoftware.com and get your FREE trial download.  Try it before you buy it!

Easy Truckin is brought to you by Easy Trucking Software. We hope you enjoy it.

You are driving down the road and can’t remember when you last ate and have run out of food in the truck to eat.  Your stomach is growling and loudly telling you it’s time to get fed.  It’s like your stomach is telling you your throat has been cut.

Hey, up ahead is an All You Can Eat Buffet sign.  You probably see these signs on a pretty regular basis and may even frequent a few.  This one is different.  It looks like all the others, but it is different.  This is going to be a night you’ll never forget in more than one way.

This too sounds familiar doesn’t it.

Not all buffets are a stomach hazard, it just depends.  It depends on how clean everything looks when you first walk into the restaurant.  Take a good look around!  Does it look dirty?  Are the employees that are replenishing the buffet wearing gloves and hairnets?  

The hot food should be hot and the cold food should be cold.  Period!

The buffet should also have a hood over the top of the food.  This makes filling your plate a little more difficult but helps cut down on germs from coughing and sneezing over the food.  

The problematic foods to watch for could include, eggs, cheeses, sushi, shrimp and dressings that are mayonnaise-based or dairy-based.  Be very aware of your food choices.  Room temperature food is NOT an option.

Check over the salad bar to make sure everything looks freshly washed.  When in doubt, take a pass.  There are lots of other selections to choose from.

Always go for the well cooked meats.  And if you get a container of food to go, don’t let it sit around your cab at room temperature for more than two hours.  

Worse case is you get a the “gut rot”.  Not a pleasant thing to experience but we’ve all been there.  Some experiences are worse than others.

Some common symptoms includes:

• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea and eventually dehydration

Since most cases of gastroenteritis (gut rot) are viral, they will eventually run their course without antibiotics.  Vomiting and diarrhea are your bodies way of getting rid of the virus, so try to ride it out.  Taking an anti-diarrheal medication will slow things down but can also prolong that “sick” feeling. 

Be sure to stay hydrated.  Increase your fluid intake to two or three quarts a day avoiding caffeine and diet soda.  If vomiting is a problem, don’t eat solid food until you are feeling better, sip clear liquids / broth instead.

You should be seeking medical help if you have:

• Severe abdominal pain
• A temperature of 102 or higher
• Bloody stools
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heart rate
• Persistent dizziness or
• Vomiting and / or diarrhea for more than three days

Keep some antibacterial hand wash in the truck to help keep your hands clean.  Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating.  

Pack a few things in your truck for the “just in case”.  Brand names are not necessary, it’s the active ingredients that really count.

Pepto Bismol (active ingredient: bismuth) – good for heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, nausea and mild diarrhea.  No refrigeration necessary.

Imodium (active ingredient: loperamide) – This is the “big gun” for serious diarrhea.  Be aware that it slows down the intestinal contractions and can cause constipation.

Milk of Magnesia – This is for when Imodium does its job too well.  This comes in tablets too.

Maalox and / or Mylanta – Great for instantly soothing heartburn.  No refrigeration necessary and come in liquid and tablets.

Zantac (active ingredient: ranitidine) or Pepcid (active ingredient: famotidine) – Both reduce the amount of acid that is being produced by your stomach.  If you love spicy food but your stomach doesn’t, take one before you eat.  This is also good for after a round of “gut rot” to help sooth the stomach.

Gas-X (active ingredient: simethicone) – Helps relieve bloat, gas buildup and gas related cramps.

Preparation H Cooling Gel or Vaseline –   This will help sooth rectal burn from having diarrhea.  Also helps for a more comfortable ride rolling down the road.

And like a food buffet, there is a buffet of trucking software to choose from too.  If you haven’t already tries Easy Trucking Software, we invite you to give us a try.  We promise  no viruses or “gut rot”.

Easy Truckin is brought to you by Easy Trucking Software. We hope you enjoy it.