Hotel Expenses?

What is typical?....
Some O/O's have new trucks and don't break down....
Some O/O's can actually avoid major breakdowns because they pm their rigs...
Most breakdowns if they occur, are mainly auxiliary parts like alternators, starters, air compressors.....Those items can be replaced within a two hours if the rig can limp to a shop... or if the O/O can do the work themselves...

 

Let's take this another step......

A/C repairs.......I've spent more nights in a motel because my A/C went out than for anything else.

An A/C unit picks the absolutely wrong time to break for ANY trucker...I don't care how well maintained your truck is.

Late at night with no shop open for miles is the favorite time.

Running along the Gulf Coast...an A/C is a necessity.

 

What.....A big tough Texan like you needs A/C.????....


J/K......

Went through that with my other rig....and you're right...the A/C can't quit in winter.....no.....it has to stop working when it's 100*+ with 90% humidity......

 

I don't spend weekends in trucks. I get a hotel room. If I have had a rough few nights of sleep, I get a hotel room.

They go right in with food, travel and entertainment expenses. All of which we are entitled to take that deduction.

In other words, as often as you like. Save the receipt, and more importantly be able to "prove" you were away from home. If that's every single night, then its ok. The IRS is never going to ask to see if you have a day cab or a sleeper truck lol. You can even rent a room from a family member just as long as its away from home.

More importantly take the $59 a day deduction for every day you are out on the road. Again, just be able to prove you were actually away from home.

 

Well if it quit in the winter you wouldn't know it now would you unless your an eskimo

 

I spend the weekends at home and do a lot of my own maintenance. Bigger things get scheduled into the shop when at home. Only time I was broke down on the road was for a carrier bearing (just replaced 3 days earlier) that flew apart since it was defective. I carry such things as a spare alternator, starter, belts, filters, etc and replace them myself. Far cheaper to get these items on sale and replace yourself when the need arises. I stay in the upper midwest, so A/C going out is not a killer item that I can't deal without till I get home. Even then, I have the A/C serviced and checked out each spring when the dealer has a special on it to reduce possibility of it crapping out.