Dec 15, 2016 • Carriers

APU Weight Exemptions

APU Weight Exemptions

One of the most useful features the Trucker Path app offers to truck drivers is the ability to check the status of a weigh station but there are some trucks given special exemption at weigh stations but restrictions vary by state.There are some Weight Exemptions that truck drivers should be aware of.

APU Weight Exemption

APU (Auxiliary Power Units) are often used by truck drivers to limit fuel use since they reduce the need for trucks to run engines on idle while they’re parked. But seeing as they often weigh a couple hundred pounds, they may create a problem for drivers who regularly carry around the maximum weight limits. With the president’s latest expansion of the MAP-21 bill dealing with state-by-state APU regulations, this may be puzzling to drivers that cross state lines.

Below we’ve included am APU Weight Exemptions guide, put together by a GPS vehicle tracking company Track Your Truck, which informs drivers exactly how much weight is exempt in every state.

APU Exemption Guide courtesy of Track Your Truck.

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Best Truck Stops [p]With over 6,000 truck stops in the Trucker Path app determining the best truck stops in America is no small task. But hey, who doesn't love a challenge and a competition to see which is the best truck stop for 2017.[/p] [h2]Best Truck Stops[/h2] [p]The best truck stops are ranked thanks to you guys! There are over 600,000 truck drivers who update locations on Trucker Path with available parking at truck stops, travel centers and rest areas throughout America. Drivers also comment on their experiences at truck stops by leaving ratings and reviews for fellow users to view.[/p] [p] Whether you need diesel stations to fuel up, looking for a delicious homemade meal like grandma used to make or just looking for a place with truck parking to rest, these are the best truck stops perfect for truck drivers.[/p] [h2]Creek Travel Plaza[/h2] [android-img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2017/05/Creek-Travel-Plaza-1.png"] [p]The Creek Travel Plaza is the best truck stop for independently owned truck stops and is a must stop for truck drivers in the Southeast.[/p] [h2]What Makes It a Best Truck Stop?[/h2] [p]To determine what is the best truck stop, we analyzed a variety of criteria in order to award the best locations found [a href="https://app.appsflyer.com/com.sixdays.truckerpath?pid=Social Facebook"]in our app[/a]. Truck stops and travel centers with available truck parking, fantastic customer service and useful amenities like showers, repair services, laundry facilities and WiFi found themselves a cut above the competition.[/p] [p]It's no secret, truck drivers love to eat. That's why restaurant options and food quality were also included in our decision-making when ranking the best truck stops. The next time you are traveling through America, be sure to check out one of these nearby truck stops.[/p] [h2]Best Truck Stops - Top 10 Truck Stops: 0-5.0 Ratings scale[/h2] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2017/04/Screen-Shot-2017-04-25-at-12.56.11-PM-1.png" alt=""] [button-white href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2017/04/Top-truck-stops-Top-100-2017-PR.pdf"]Full List[/button-white] [h2]Best Truck Stops - Top 10 Independent Truck Stops[/h2] [ul] [li]Creek Travel Plaza – Atmore, AL[/li] [li]Karde’s 151 – Monticello, IA[/li] [li]Gore’s Travel Plaza – Seiling, OK[/li] [li]Association of Christian Truckers – Brownstown, IL[/li] [li]BJs Travel Center – New Madrid, MO[/li] [li]Hixton Travel Plaza – Hixton, WI[/li] [li]Kwik Trip Travel Center – Austin MN[/li] [li]Kwik Trip #202 – Plover, WI[/li] [li]Refugio Travel Center – Refugio, TX[/li] [li]Texas 87/ Tiger Truck Stop – Esperanza, TX[/li] [/ul] [h2]Look for the Decal in the Truck Stop Window[/h2] [p]Recognition of success goes beyond saying congrats. The best truck stops for this year will each receive a window decal honoring the location as [i]the Best Places for 2017[/i]. This recognition lets truck drivers know that they have come to the right truck stop.[/p] [images src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2017/04/best-places-decal-BLOG-1.png" alt="Cost of parking" width="250px" align="left" ] [h2]Which State Has the Best Truck Stops?[/h2] [p]They say in Texas, football is king. While that might be true, there's also room on the throne for the best truck stops. [b]Texas[/b] had three truck stops ranked in the top 15 along with nine in the top 100 overall, more than any other state. Meanwhile, [b]Wisconsin[/b] finished second with five ranked in the top 100 and [b]Alabama[/b] finishing third with four truck stops.[/p] [h2]Gore's Travel Plaza – a Historic Truck Stop Location[/h2] [p]Gore's Travel Plaza began in 1939 when Floyd Gore decided to open a service station next to his home in Seiling, Oklahoma. Currently, third-generation brothers Tony, Gary and Marty along with fourth-generation son and nephew Derrick continue the family business of serving the trucking community for over 78 years.[/p] [quote]“The best part of serving the truck driving community is finding new ways to make their days on the road a little easier. We are here to serve them and our goal is to always be above their expectations,” said Gore's General Manager Derrick Gore. “Our staff know that customers come first, before anything else. We want people to leave our facility feeling appreciated and respected. Serving the needs of our customers and going above and beyond their expectations is something that we are proud of and hope they recognize during their visit.”[/quote] [button-green href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=besttruckstops2017"]Learn More About Trucker Path[/button-green] [video id ="NSSOwFRJaQw"] If you're a truck driver but want to earn more and be your own boss, learn how you can<a href="https://truckerpath.com/blog/how-to-become-an-owner-operator/"> become an owner operator today.</a>

May 02, 2017 • Carriers

Truck Driver Weight Loss [p]Being a truck driver can make weight loss difficult. Sitting in a truck all day and night is not conducive to an active lifestyle. But there is hope that truck driver weight loss can be obtained. Just ask the Dancing Trucker.[/p] [h2]Truck Driver's Weight Loss Journey[/h2] [p]We reach for that second piece of pie staring back at us in all its sweet glory. It's a regrettable decision almost immediately. That feeling of overeating strikes and we are reduced to a food-induced coma. Fear not, there are ways you can stay active to improve your overall health and fitness lke the dancing truck driver “Big” John Drury.[/p] [p]Towering at 6 feet 7 inches tall, “[a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW0wnyHMIwmM-frmCjAvQw"]Big John[/a]” has spent 14 years as a truck driver and is probably the last person you would expect to be a dance instructor.[/p] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/91fEJqgdsnu4E" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [p]You heard that correctly, a larger than life truck driver with a passion for dance that aided in his weight loss as a truck driver.[/p] [p]In 2007, John weighed 386 pounds and was not pleased with his overall health and fitness. John's decision to lose weight came after his cousin lost his battle with cancer at 37, the same age as John.[/p] [p]“We all love food but we can't keep carrying extra weight especially with our lifestyle, sitting in a truck all day,” John said. “My cousin passing away was the first time I got serious about losing weight and seeing his young children at his funeral really hit home and was such a sad thing to see.”[/p] [h2]Reality Check Sparks Truck Drivers Weight Loss[/h2] [p]Motivated by the tragedy, John began his journey to a slimmer frame by walking on a treadmill daily to drop the extra weight he held. His hard work caused him to lose 50 pounds but soon, he gained it all back.[/p] [p]Four years passed and [a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW0wnyHMIwmM-frmCjAvQw"]Big John[/a] was determined to get back in shape. He discovered dancing as a way to lose weight in 2011.[/p] [p]“I found Zumba dance fitness at a local gym and it really worked for me,” John said. “I love music, I grew up with it and I'm a big fan of dance. It's just a big part of who I am regardless of my gender or being a truck driver. I grew up in poverty and dancing kept me out of trouble.”[/p] [p]Truck drivers often receive negative stereotypes for being overly tough and unfriendly but with Big John, that couldn't be more incorrect.[/p] [p]“The only downfall at first was that Zumba classes were 100 percent women, I was the only guy and not just any guy, but a tall, intimidating guy," John said. "It took a lot for me to stay in that Zumba room but in the long run it all worked out.”[/p] [p]Did it ever. After a year, Big John transcended to a modest-sized John, losing nearly 100 pounds and reaching his goal of weighing under 300 pounds thanks to his newfound love for Zumba dance fitness.[/p] [quote]“The motto that I live by is, start to feel comfortable being uncomfortable,” John said. “That is when we grow as individuals when we push ourselves and that is part of what I do to help others now.”[/quote] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/GoOk4HOs21CbC" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [h2]Tragedy Strikes Again[/h2] [p]Just as things seemed to fall into place, disaster struck John's family yet again. In April 2015, John's dear mother Sandy lost her life because of a reckless drunk driver. The shock and loss of his mother weighed heavy on John, causing him to slip back into an unhealthy state.[/p] [p]“It rocked my world, I guess God just wanted her home with him,” said John about his mother. “She was always in Weight Watchers and at the time of her death she was committed to losing weight and walking every day.”[/p] [p]It wasn't long before he was back to the [a href="https://twitter.com/BigJohnsTruckin"]Big John[/a] of the past, gaining most of the 100 pounds he lost just a few years prior.[/p] [p]Time went on and John was able to refocus his efforts on weight loss and used dance to propel him. He started Big John's Dance Fitness, sharing his dance routines with others in the hope of inspiring them to change their unhealthy ways.[/p] [p]“In the long run we are empowered by the weight loss, empowered by believing in ourselves again and the weight loss can go a long way because it affects your whole life,” John said.[/p] [h2]Family is Everything for a Truck Driver[/h2] [p]Currently, Big John is halfway to his goal of getting back under 300 pounds and continues to help enable others to be more active and make their health and fitness a priority.[/p] [p]“The most important thing is those around us; my wife and my two kids, they participate in some of my dance fitness classes and if I love myself I'm going to love those around me that much more,” said Big John.[/p] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/s6yGJEnadD5sc" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [p]John wants his fellow [a href="http://fb.me/truckerpath"]drivers[/a] to know that the best way to start losing weight is to take baby steps.[/p] [p]“We have to get the excuses out of our head that we don't have the time or are too busy as truck drivers on the road. I know better now," John said. “There’s nothing more empowering than losing weight.”[/p]

Dec 02, 2016 • Community

Truck Driver Tips [p]Whether you're a new driver or have logged over one million miles, we've compiled a list of truck driver tips from fellow truckers to ensure your time on the road is not only efficient but safe.[/p] [h2] Truck Driver Tips [/h2] [p] Whether you're starting your first week as a new truck driver or you've logged over one million miles on the road, driving an 18-wheeler presents many challenges. We've compiled a list of five truck driver tips from fellow truckers to ensure your time on the road is not only efficient but safe. [/p] [h2]1. Rest up[/h2] [p]As a [a href="http://m.onelink.me/cceb1f59"]truck driver[/a], being alert is one of the most critical parts of the job. Most of the time it isn't the things you do but rather what is going on around you that can cause a serious accident. Your life and safety comes first and getting the proper rest will ensure you are ready to take the day on in peak performance. While every person's sleep schedule is different, try for 7-8 hours of shut-eye each night.[/p] [h2]2. Stay hydrated[/h2] [p]Being alert isn't just about proper rest. Hydration is a key factor in maintaining proper brain function. [a href="http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00363/full"]Studies[/a] have shown that being dehydrated is directly correlated to a lack of focus and slowed reaction times. Both of these can be extremely detrimental to a truck driver. Doctors recommend a daily intake of 2 liters or eight 8-ounce glasses of water to remain hydrated. Just when you think you've had enough, fill up another cup! It could make all the difference.[/p] [h2]3. Lay a flashlight on dock lines when backing a trailer at night[/h2] [p]Some receiving docks are poorly lit, making it difficult for drivers to back a load in. Try laying a flashlight on the ground shining towards your truck to illuminate the lines and provide you with the necessary light to back in your trailer into the dock. (Credit: Jon Jones-Facebook).[/p] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2016/11/Backing-tip-FLashlight.jpg" alt=""] [h2]4. If you don't know, ask![/h2] [p]One truck driver trip you should never overlook is to not be afraid to not know. It's nearly impossible for anyone to know everything without some sort of assistance. Don't risk it to chance. If you are unsure of something, ask. There is a community of drivers who not only share the road but can share valuable lessons from experience too.[/p] [h2]5. Keep a bag of salt in your truck for snowy conditions[/h2] [p]Sure, [i]Ice Road Truckers[/i] on the History Channel makes traveling on icy roads look easy but it's not. Having a large bag of salt can help you get out of a bind during those winter month full of slick roads. Salt not only lowers the freezing point and melts snow, it also provides traction for your tires after the ice melts.[/p] [h2]6. Don't rush. Use common sense[/h2] [p]This truck driver tip should go without saying but we will anyway. Please do not rush yourself or drive recklessly. Keep your eyes on the road and give yourself plenty of distance to break or maneuver.[/p] [h2]7. Plan ahead with Trucker Path[/h2] [p][a href="https://truckerpath.com/truckerpath/"]Truck Path[/a] is an indispensable tool for drivers that is used and updated by over 450,000 truckers. Whether you want to find available truck parking to rest up, check to see if a weigh station is open or compare diesel fuel prices, we can help make your life easier on the road and get you back home quicker to the ones you care about most. [/p] [video id="NSSOwFRJaQw"] [button-green href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/"]Learn More About Trucker Path[/button-green]

Nov 07, 2016 • Community