Owner Operators Forums - From desk to own authority

From desk to own authority

I figured I would start another thread to mark my progress for all you wannabies. I’m 52 and have been an engineer since I graduated college in the 70’s. I worked for Digital for 11 years then went out onto my own as a consultant doing embedded systems programming with a specialty in device drivers and operating systems. For the past 2 years I’ve held a full time job working in a laboratory aiding scientists with there experiments by creating custom programs running on various platforms to collect data or control there test. The past 10 years has not been real fun like the old days when the phone rang off the hook with recruiters trying to buy me away from my current job. Now it seems that every contract or job is just temporary and you can’t count on anything other than being employed day by day and planning on the future with your current job is just plain non existent.

I’ve always loved trucks and figured now was the time to take the plunge. I was sick of always waiting for the axe to fall. I found a local school here in New England and got my CDL/A doing part time at nights and weekends at a cost of $3,600.

Over the years I’ve saved some money and enough to buy a good used tractor and flatbed trailer. I got my own authority which wasn’t a big deal but the insurance was a pain in the neck. I was able to get liability through Progressive at a cost of $4,200 and Cargo through a local agent for $1,100. After that I spent most of my time fixing little things here and there with the truck and pretty much just riding around on the weekends. I was told by my boss at work that the company was being sold and they wanted me to stay on to finish a few things that should take 3 weeks. Well, it’s been over 3 months and no end in site so I handed in my resignation and started full time trucking on November 17th. All in all it cost me about $100,000 for the truck, trailer, authority, lettering and outfitting the inside with all the goodies.

I signed on with The Internet Truckstop load board and immediately got my first load from Mass to Utah. I’ve been this route before and it’s pretty much a straight shot out west on Rt 80. The trip was about 2,200 miles and the rate I quoted was $1.40 per mile plus $100 for tarping and tolls. The load was advertised as crane parts and only straps were required. When I arrived at 7am I found out it was the whole freaking crane I was pulling, just in parts with huge 45’ steel beams. I needed both straps and 10 chains to secure the load. The load wasn’t ready so I’m in my bunk reading my book on load securement even though it seemed like a no brainer. I chained and straped the load no problem and the shipper had no problem with what I had done. They put my 2 tarps onto the top of the load and left me on my own. Well, 4 hours later and all 100 of my bungee cords and I was done. Now it was 7 at night and I could hardly walk and shut down for the night in the parking lot. I woke up about 1am and all my arms and legs were cramping up to a point I thought I was going to die. It took about an hour and it finally went away. I drank a whole gallon of water. I figured I was dehydrated. So, on the road at 4am with 39,000 pounds. Nothing like right into the fire. I stopped at every truck stop, truck pull off and rest area I could find for the first day checking everything under the sun. Just the sound of my air tanks releasing excess air sent me though the roof freaking out. I shut down the first day not far from leaving. I think I made it 350 miles and was just exhausted from the stress. I had 6 days to make the rest of the 1,700 miles so I was in no rush.

I ended up stopping early around 2 or 3 in the afternoon at the truckstops and usually had my pick of where to park without having 2 inches on either side as it was near 5 or 6 at night when the lots filled up.

The ride was great through Iowa and Nebraska and easy driving with no problems. I was pretty comfortable at that point with driving and the load was secure. If I was tired I would pull off into a rest area or off the highway into some small gas station with lots of room, turn on the TV and take a snooze for an hour or two. I made it to Wyoming and stopped for the night at a piece of crap Flying J. In the morning I would take the next exit off Rt 80 to route 191 into Vernal UT. Well, that was it for civilization as I knew it. Holy crap, nothing but desert and big ass mountains off in the distance. There was a sign that the road was only plowed on the weekends and to watch out for free grazing game. They weren’t kidding, wild horses, wild antelope, big rabbits and I’m sure I saw big foot. I had over 100 miles to go on this road and no cars, no nothing. No cell coverage but I did have a signal on my Verizon wireless internet so I was good to go.


Everything was pretty cool for a while, nice and flat and then started the up hill climbs and I’m starting to see snow on the sides of the road and ice patches. Now I’m getting nervous. I go to light a cigarette and the lighter doesn’t work then I realize it’s due to the altitude. I’m climbing hills now that stretch for miles in 3rd gear then all of a sudden the fan kicks in and I just about hit the ceiling till I realize what it is. The temp was climbing in the coolant but the fan brought it back pretty quick. I make it to the top of the mountain with a sign that says to check your brakes, 9% grade coming up for the next 20 miles with switchbacks. You got to be kidding, talk about into the fire. I pull out a printout from this forum by Rocky something, I think he’s an instructor who wrote about the jake brake and how to descend. I first start out and get into 5th with the jake on low. That got used up pretty quick. Now into med them full on jakes and the truck is picking up speed real quick so I brake enough to downshift to 4th and now I’m using the stab technique but that needs to be done about every 3 seconds and I remember Rocky saying I should be able to have my feet on the floor and do nothing so I brake hard and come to a stop, put it in 2nd and start rolling with the jake on full and it works. I’m crawling along at like 15mph switching between full on jake and med and everything is cool. It took about an hour to make it down and I was deaf from the sound of the jake. I roll into the little town of Vernal UT about 4 in the afternoon, find the customer site and shut down for the night and watch TV.

The guy that bought the crane is in his early 30’s and supplies the drilling companies with pipe and other stuff. He said he has 38 trucks but had to sell a bunch because he can’t get anyone to drive them.

They unload me and he says there is a big snow storm headed our way and for me to get my chains ready. I say WHAT? He said it’s a law that I have to have chains but I don’t have to put them on. I tell him I don’t have any and does he know where I can get some. We hop in his pickup and he takes me to lunch then to an auto parts store where he obviously has a good relationship with the owner. The owner tells me to go back and get my truck and he will custom fit the chains so I do. He takes a few links out here and there and shows me how to put them on. I got a full set of chains for all 8 tires on the drives and a single set for the trailer and he charged me $390.00. I know he gave me a deal and it must have been his cost.

So now I’m off to to a lumber place to pick up a full load of 2x4’s headed for Colorado. I roll into a real small town around noon and park on the side of the road downtown across from a laundry place. I do my laundry and walk to a Mexican restaurant and have dinner then shut down for the night right there. I show up at the lumber mill the next morning and get loaded (with lumber). I can’t get the straps over the top so I get my ladder and it’s pretty dicey up there as they are covered in plastic and it’s snowing out so I’m pretty nervous. This is a short trip about 170 miles and pays $600. I put the address into my GPS and it gives me a route which about 75 miles is on a secondary road. I check the Atlas and if I don’t take this road the trip will be about 400 miles so I head out. I turn onto the road and once again I’m in the middle of nowhere, lots of snow but at least it’s plowed.

I drive for about 25 miles then come to a sign that chains are required. I get out and get ready to put them on and 2 trucks go by without chains so I head out also. I go around the first corner and all I see is straight up and a hair pin corner at the first turn. I say, holy crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m committed now and keep on the gas. There is no way I could back up around the corners and I would probably start skidding backwards if I tried. My leg is shaking so bad it’s making the engine sound like it’s skipping. I have no idea what the grade was but it was off the scale. There were signs that just showed trucks falling off the mountain instead of listing the grade (kidding). I’m coming to the first corner and now I’m laying on the air horn warning anyone coming the other way. I am completely ****ting a brick. I make it around the first corner and it levels out and I think I’m home free but all I see is that I’m heading around a sort of bowl and I can see a 90 degree corner then straight up again. At this point I start talking to God. I see another truck heading down and it looks like we are both going to be at the corner at the same time. I can’t afford to lose any speed as I would probably lose traction so I slow down so he just gets around the corner as I’m heading into it. It’s a long stretch and I’m not going to fast and trying to get my speed up and I feel myself losing traction. I let off the pedal and press like I’m on egg shells feeling the truck and being ever so easy trying to balance getting my speed without losing it. This goes on for about ½ an hour and I finally make it to the top and now it’s time to go down. I have the jakes on full and the truck in 1st gear and it takes me probably an hour to get down. One mistake and it’s over the side and about a 9,000 foot drop and no side rails or anything to stop up.

I make it to the customer site and deliver the lumber then look back on the ordeal and realize I probably made a lot less than what I though due to all the fuel and time it cost me. I check out the truckstop directory and there isn’t anything around and figure I’ll head for Denver and a real truckstop. I pull into a T/A and just about melt from the experience.

I figure it’s time to start heading home so I check out the load boards and not much leaving Denver at all. I sit for a day and a half and then the phone rings. It’s a hot load going from a place 5 minutes from where I am to Texas which is about 700 miles and the rate is $2.00 per mile. The load is a 27’ pole and 3 small crates that all add up to about 500 pounds. The pole is aluminum. They called UPS but didn’t realize they couldn’t fit the pole in the truck.

The load had to be there at 8 in the morning the next day. I told the shipper I could not guarantee that due to the weather and they said ok. I head out and try and do as much as I could the rest of the day. It’s a blizzard and only one lane on the highway and it’s getting covered over with snow and no plows out my way. I’m doing maybe 20 miles an hour on a 70 road and I have a line of cars in back of me so I pull over and let them go by. Nobody moves. I realize they want to follow me as 2 cars are flashing there lights and want me to continue on so I do. I can’t see more than 100 feet in front of me and it’s real bad out then all of a sudden I lose traction and the tractor skids a little side ways but I recover. Keep in mind I’m real light this time and not like the lumber load which gives you a lot more stability. In about another 10 miles I lose it again and this time the trailer skids sideways a little and I say, that’s it. I see a sign for a rest area coming up and I pull in. It’s a small place with maybe 5 parking spots for trucks and I’m the 3rd one in. Across the street is a gas station and Subway. I call the customer and tell them and they tell me to sit tight and that my safety is more important than the load. I was VERY happy to hear that. I get something to eat then hop into bed and watch a few movies. The temp outside is -14 and the sign says no overnight parking. Yea, right….JUST WATCH ME!!!

I wake up the next morning and the whole truck and trailer is a giant ice ball. It’s about 1am and the snow stopped. I have a few cups of coffee and once again, thank God for crappin in the cab. No restrooms and talk about freezing your ass off, I don’t think so. Let me say that little bucket with the clip on seat saved me more than 25 times in my 3 weeks out.

The drive was nice and starting to get a lot warmer as I get closer to Texas. Now I’m on the original Rt 66 in New Mexico and all of a sudden there’s a rabbit sitting on the side of the road. I’m not talking a little bunny rabbit, this thing is the size of a German Shepard dog with ears about 1 ½ feet tall and standing straight up, HOLY CRAPOLA I say. I’ve heard about them but never seen them. Now I’m playing dodge with the deer also. I figured I must have just missed at least 20 of them. They stand at the side and must say, ok, get ready, here comes a truck……wait, wait, wait, ok, JUMP.

So I make it to the customer site which is a small town in Texas and I find out I’m carrying a Dopler Radar system for there little airport. It’s probably 70 out and my truck is just caked with ice so I use my winch bar and start banging huge chunks of ice off so big that I have to drag them from under the truck and trailer as I wouldn’t have been able to drive over them. Took me more than an hour to do that.

Yet another ordeal and I’m looking forward to just taking some time off so I look at the truckstop directory and decide to head to San Antonio where there are plenty of truckstops. Once again I do laundry. I realize I need a one piece coverall suite. I end up sitting there for 2 days and nothing coming out that will get me closer to home. Don’t get me wrong, there are tons of loads I could take but all going back to either Utah or Colorado. I didn’t plan as well as I thought and there were some bills and a doctors appointment that I needed to get home to take care of.

I send email to Gman and crab at him and he pretty much says to make a big pot of shut the F up ya big baby. Not really. By the way. This time and the time before when I sat without a load the phone rang 3 times with a load that I missed because I wasn’t carrying my cell phone when I took a walk or went inside the truckstop place. Each time when I called back the load was already gone. I found out when they call you it’s do or die on the spot. I had one call when I was driving and asked if they could call back, they never did. Now I carry my cell phone everywhere and have a pen and a little pad of paper with me at all times.

Finally I get a call with a load and guess where it’s going. Less than 100 yards from my house in Merrimack NH !!!!!!!!!!! There was also a stop in Boston. They ask me for a rate and I don’t want to lose out so I say $1.40 per mile and they say ok. They fax me the agreement to sign and they give me the $1.40 plus $200 for the tarping and a drop off and a FSC which totals to $1.85 per mile which was a real pleasant surprise!!! I load up and I’m off and have plenty of time. The loads don’t deliver until Monday and I will be home late Friday plus I have a secure place to park my truck with the load.

So, back off into Colorado and the snow. I’ve been doing between 400 and 500 miles a day with one day at 650. I stop maybe every 100 to 150 miles and take a break, walk around, make coffee and check my email. My phone doesn’t work all the time but it seems my Verizon wireless is always able to get a signal. It’s getting late for me and it’s around 8pm. I tend to stop early and drive half my day at night. I’m in a small town with huge parking on either side of the road. No truckstops for 200 miles so I pull over in the center of town and call the police and ask if it’s ok to shut down. They say no. I ask if there’s a parking ban and they don’t answer and tell me not to park in there town. A-HOLES!

I start driving again and once again in the middle of nowhere, snowing and I’m tired and out of hours for a while. I look down at the oil pressure and it’s like 25 pounds and my heart stops. I feel like I have no power and think I’ve toasted the engine from all the Jake breaking I was doing or something. I see a sign for a port of entry 2 miles up the road and try and make it there. I let off the pedal and try and take it easy. The more I let off the gas the lower the oil pressure goes. I coast into the port of entry and the oil pressure is 0. All sorts of things are going through my head like where am I going to get the engine rebuilt and how to get home and how to deliver the load. I get out of the truck and lift the hood and all seems fine, no smoke or smell. I check the oil and it seems like I’m almost empty!!!! I then figure I’ll call a cab or something to get back to that little town and maybe get some oil and that will help. I just checked the oil yesterday and it was fine, how could this happen to me and out here!!!!!!! I sit in the cab and it’s starting to get cold and realize I have to do something. I have an electric heater but that would only last so long and without the engine I wouldn’t have any heat. I go back outside and check the oil again and it’s perfect. I realize I checked it too soon after shutting the engine off and it all didn’t drain down and it was perfect. I get back in the truck and start the engine and the oil pressure is 0 but the engine sounds fine. I sat there with my head hung down in my hands saying wo is me. I look at the gauges again and then it dawns on me. The oil pressure is 45 pounds. I was looking at the turbo temp gauge the whole time!!!!!!!!!! The slower I went the lower the turbo temp got. What an idiot…..I was SO happy!!!!!!!!!!

I shut down for the night in yet another place that says no parking. I wake up early the next morning and go out side to check things out with my flashlight. I look down and there are fresh foot prints all around my truck and tire tracks from a car. I figure it was the police but no ticket or note anywhere. I wonder if he tried to wake me?

So, I’m off and running fine once again and heading into Colorado and the snow is coming down hard but I’m so use to it now it doesn’t phase me at all. I keep my distance from everyone else and do the speed limit and I’ve been fine. I don’t see how lots of these truckers can follow so close within 20 feet on snow covered roads edging the people in front of them to go faster. I’ve been keeping at least 300 feet.

Coming up on the Rockies and flashing signs that say chains are mandatory and a chain up area on the side of the road. Ok, here we go, first time chaining up. I stop and get out and see lots of trucks going by without chains and I consider it but figure I have plenty of time and I have to learn sometime. It’s cold, wet, windy and probably couldn’t get any worse. I get my shovel and clear the snow away from the front and back of the drive wheel and lay the chain down on the ground then drive onto it. It seems to be about 3” too short and I’m trying to stretch it, YA RIGHT. I finally get one end hooked then drive a little forward then back and I’m able to get it hooked up after about an hour. I’m real tired, sore, wet, cold and filthy dirty once again, got to get those coveralls!!! I go inside where it’s warm and change clothes and make some coffee. Back outside again and someone is just pulling up in back of me. I go back and ask if I can watch and he tells me how he does it. He laid the chains over the top of the tires then drove forward a little. His chains had little half moons that gave him like 2” of slack then a little tool that rotated the moons and took up the slack and he was done. I’m going to have those put on mine for sure. I go back to my truck and do the same and I’m done in 10 minutes.

I take off and there’s probably 4 to 6 inches of snow on the road but with the chains it was unbelievable. I could freaking roll over SUV’s with these bad boys on. I was doing maybe 40 and it was awesome. All of a sudden I’m passing tons of trucks stuck on the side of the road without chains on. Some are getting tickets from the police for no chains and others are being towed. I realize a little later there is a herd or Rams on the side of the road licking the salt from what I was told. This caused people to slow down and they trucks without chains lost traction and got stuck. I figure I passed at least 50 to 100 trucks stuck. It was a parking lot.

Oh yea…I forgot…..In New Mexico I was doing about 70 and out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw something come at the front of my truck at like 200 miles an hour. I didn’t hear anything and didn’t think much of it. When I stopped later I saw a big black bird stuck to my grill. He hit so fast his heart came out of his chest and was stuck to my radiator. There were some fins bent over and my bug screen was toast.

So anyways, I continue on at a relaxed pace and make my way back towards home. Going through NY is once again the worst road conditions I have experienced and to top it off, you have to pay a lot!!!!! I make it home late Friday and walk around with my coat on for 2 hours waiting for the house to heat up from 45 degrees. The hot water heater is going to beat the band and also takes 2 or 3 hours before I can take a shower.

I spend the weekend catching up on bills and all the mail that I got. Monday morning I take off for Boston to make my delivery. It’s right in down town at a construction site where they are building a new hotel. I get there early and park on the side of a side street and I’m out of the way so I’m feeling pretty good. I walk maybe 100 yards to where I’m going to deliver and they tell me to pull my truck around and come in. I come down the street and realize there is no way I can make the turn. I’m in the left lane with my right hand directional on and people are still squeezing by and ignoring the fact I’m trying to turn until someone flashes there lights but it’s no good, it’s too tight. I end up having to go around the block so I can enter in from the other direction. I had to make 5 right hand turns blocking all lanes of traffic on each turn so I could make it. This was probably my worst fear that I always dreamed about and I did it. I pull into the job site with inches on either side. I get unloaded by a huge crane which was pretty cool. I have to buy a hard hat!!! There was scrap lumber on my flatbed and I started to pick it up and walk over to a dumpster 50 feet away. I was stopped by a union boss who told me I couldn’t do that because it was someone else job. I was told to get on top of the flatbed and drop every piece of waste onto the ground wherever it was closest to the edge of the trailer! They guys were great who unloaded my trailer and the boss told them to take down the 10 foot high fence in front of me so I could drive straight out which was very cool.

By this time I am happier than a pig in slop. I figure I have survived some of the worst things I will have to encounter. I’m heading to the highway which isn’t too far away and I’m in the far left lane to make a tight turn to the left on a 2 lane left turn. Big mistake, can’t do it and have to wait until all the traffic in the right lane stops so I can swing all the way out. The light is red by this time but I put my nose out already and people realized what was going on so everything turned out ok. I make it home and all is well.

I’ve survived my first 3 week trip out on the road!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve been home for a week now and getting ready to head out again in a few days. For the past week I’ve been very busy fixing little things on the truck like a new bug screen, new TV, cleaning, IFTA sticker, PM, buying coveralls and a million other things. I had a CB installed in my truck and a KILLER stereo system.

I got a call the other day from the same people I hauled the crane out to Utah. They wanted me to haul another crane from close by up to Maine about 170 miles away for $3.00 per mile. I said ok and loaded up on Thursday. I get up to Maine and it’s going to a boat builder in a real upscale small town. There is no way I can make the turn into a small street right in the middle of the small town. I call the customer and tell him and he drives up from the site. This small town is VERY busy on Rt 1 with tons of traffic. The only way I could see doing it was getting across the street and then coming across at an angle and entering the street to the left of an island in the middle of the road. The customer walks over to the police station and they bring all the cops out and stop traffic in all directions and I make it in.

So, to sum it up as a newbie.

It’s easy to do it. The tarping, chaining, loading, unloading is a lot of work but the general idea of a new person doing this seems to be straight forward. I’ve had no problem getting loads. The problem would be for someone trying to get home at a predetermined time which would be difficult. In my case I had no deadlines so I could go wherever the loads were.

I left home with $4,000 in cash and it all pretty much went in 3 weeks. I spent about $1,000 buying tire chains and a CB (which I couldn’t install myself). The rest went for fuel and food.

I lost 6 pounds. I found myself only eating one big meal a day. The rest of the time I ate fruit and granola bars and gorp. Most of the time I didn’t want to go through the hassle of getting into a truckstop then eating so it was easier to stop at the rest areas and eat what I had. I also bought tons of canned tuna, chicken, pickles, carrots, cauliflower and other stuff that keeps for a long time.

I hit it right on the head with everything I had in the truck. I never once wanted to stay in a hotel and my truck was extremely comfortable.

I always stopped around 3 in the afternoon and had my pick of places to park. I still suck at trying to back into a spot with a truck on either side so this worked out great for me. I would take a shower, eat a big meal, walk around, watch a movie and the news, send email, surf the web, look for a new load and just plain relax. Get yourself a privacy curtain that covers the windshield instead of the built in privacy curtain. You have a lot more room and you don’t have to expose yourself to anyone outside when starting your truck in the morning still in your under ware.

Never once got pulled in for a check at the weigh stations when other people did, not sure why? I always did the speed limit and kept a big clearance between me and the person in front of me.

Found that everyone I met was VERY friendly and in the same boat as me. Did no know anyone and was more than happy to talk. Lots of new people driving trucks having a hard time backing into a spot and EVEYONE on the CB helping them and not a single person busting there chops. COOL!!!!

My new name is DRIVER. It’s not Steve any more!

Everyone loves to see and unload a flatbed and they are all waiting just for you!

Always make sure your tanks are full before heading out in the winter.

Nobody does pre trips, they walk around once and drive away.

Nuts and bolts on truck and trailer need to be checked and tightened.

EZPass and Pre-Pass are the only way to go!

My average so far has been about $1.65 per mile

If you don’t think you can make it into a spot then DON’T try. Ask the customer for a recommendation or ask the police for help!

You must have fax ability in your truck, wireless internet and a cell phone or your up the creek trying to get your next load when your out in the middle of bum F*** no place.

When all else fails, call GMAN.

Here are some pictures.

ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/1.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/2.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/3.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/4.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/5.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/6.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/7.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/8.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/9.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/10.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/11.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/12.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/13.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/14.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/15.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/16.jpg
ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/17.jpg

I am glad you made it back in one piece, Steve. 8)

Steve, this is a fantastic read. Some pretty scary moments. Now I know what's waiting for me someday.

Glad you got home safely.

Nice pics.

Steve, Great to hear about your trip out west. We all start out as newbies and learn as we go. Just be careful and think about what you are doing.
I have read your story from the start and I am glad you did not stop posting your story warts and all.

Good Luck
David
22 Years Driving with lots of stories like Steve's

how`d you get progressive to write you a policy without a 300 mile restriction?

lookin good there steve, I actually prefer to stay out west and run in this stuff, my rates seem to increase 15-60 cents a mile when the weather gets bad.

how`d you get progressive to write you a policy without a 300 mile restriction?

lookin good there steve, I actually prefer to stay out west and run in this stuff, my rates seem to increase 15-60 cents a mile when the weather gets bad.

The insurance company I have my cargo with asked me to sign on with them and also my car, motorcycle and home. I have a feeling they just looked the other way as far as my experience goes. They are a small company and very personal service so they knew where I was and what I was going through so maybe that counted. Don't know. I'll just keep quiet and take it!

I also want to add that keeping your hair really short helps. I didn't take a shower every day and would hang my head over the trash can and wet my hair and comb it. My LCD TV went south and I had to buy a new one. This time I bought the cheapest as I figure they don't last too long in such a harsh conditions. If you travel through towns and come across a K-Mart, Walmart or Mall STOP!!! This truly can make you feel like a normal human again instead of truck stop stores

Great read, Steve, you gotta break stuff into paragraphs so it will be an easier read. Keep up the good work.

CONGRATULATION STEVE!!!.........everyone here at work is pulling for ya!

ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/4.jpg

Strapped wrong. Just sayin'. :wink:

ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/4.jpg

Strapped wrong. Just sayin'. :wink:

Sometimes you will strap lightly over tarp for weird sized freight to help hold the tarp in place. From his pic, that's what it looks like to me. Just my 2 cents.

Hey Steve:
Here's something for you to consider, get about 8 or 10 furniture pads to put on the sharp edges under tarps. This will save you money on fixing your tarps from rips and tears, also duct tape to hold them in place. Duct tape has millions of uses on a flat!

How about some pargraph spacing? all you havew to do is hit the enter button a few times, it probably interesting reading, BUT it is too hard for these old eyes

Steve you have THE best posts ever. Cracks me up...

How much do you figure you made in those 3 weeks?

There are 10 3/8" chains and binders under the tarp plus 100 bungee cords. I did end up ripping the tarp on some sharp edges and got some diapers like Gman said when I hauled that other crane up to Maine. These odd loads will be the death of me. I stopped a total of probably 25 times adjusting the straps because I could see the tarp filling up with air and bulging out. The load up to Maine was a LOT tighter and I'm sure I'll get better.

I typed all that in using my Emacs editor and did have paragraph spacing but it was removed when I cut and pasted it into this forum. I'll go back and fix it after this post.

I have no idea how much I made yet, it's still a blur but I have over $10,000 in invoices that's I've sent out. I'm hoping to get the bid on another crane load heading to Carlsbad CA for Tuesday then I'm off.

Hmm... running chains at 40 mph? I thought the max was 30 or 25? Using the Jake at full power down a snowed over road - I thought you weren't supposed to use the Jake at all (or maybe on low if you're brave) when the road is slippery? Anyways great story - keep 'em coming. I have a similar background to you and have been driving for a couple years now as a company driver mostly local in New England. Good Luck!

I've heard you're not supposed to run them, but I have run them before, and been with my cousin when he's run them in his truck.

I believe that if you are running the jake on level ground and then begin a descent that it's okay, b/c there is no "shock" to the tires. I'll agree I wouldn't run 40mph with chains, I've heard it's 30mph recommended...I don't run 40mph on ice w/o chains, I keep it around 30 myself.

Anyways-congrats Steve it's good to see you're doing well so far. Must say I'm pretty impressed so far, and hope to see more from you in the future.

-Jason

I hear you about the jakes but I guess I learned from first hand experience. When I was carrying the full load of lumber the jakes worked great. With 8,000 pounds, forget it!!!! You need to have a good load on your back to get a good bite or your going to lose it with the jakes on.

Maybe I'm not sure how fast I was going with the chains on. I figured it was 40. The owner of the company told me you will feel how fast you can go with them on. I did see a few trucks with there chains flying around in all directions that must have come un done.

When I bought my chains the guy sold me these really heavy duty star shaped rubber chain tighteners. I got a few comments from other truckers that were like, DUDE, where did you get those awesome bungee cords!!! lol

I hear you about the jakes but I guess I learned from first hand experience. When I was carrying the full load of lumber the jakes worked great. With 8,000 pounds, forget it!!!! You need to have a good load on your back to get a good bite or your going to lose it with the jakes on.
We've all gotten away with it - you won't hear from the folks that did it for years and didn't that one last time. At the least keep one foot over the clutch ready to tap it down to get the jake off if you start to slide out. I started to lose it once when I had to suddenly brake on snow when I forgot to shut it off. The highway had been clear and turned to crap without me backing it off enough to blip the jake so I forgot it was on :sad: . I've got a brake for my new truck but I'll hold off installing it until the spring 8) .

OK, thanks for fixing it.

Welcome to the REAL world of trucking 8)

Ya done good 8)

So since I never worked in an office...........how does this compare to office work?

Personally I wouldn't do anything else but drive, but thats just me :wink:

Also Steve, I carry these

http://www.gemplers.com/a/shop/product.asp?T1=TC-S&UID=200612171636589532367108

they are cheap, easy to put on, and when they get real bad I throw them away.

So since I never worked in an office...........how does this compare to office work?


It's a lot better so far except it's hard to relax now that I'm home for a while. It seems there is always something I can do on the truck so I feel guilty just lounging around. I don't miss the office and so far this has been great. I know I'll work much more than I did in the office.

I went out today to a store that specializes in working gear and bought a winter one piece jump suit and a light weight one to cover my clothes. I've found that anything dealing with tarps gets you absolutely filthy.

I'm hoping to hear back about the Carlsbad load in the morning and I'm pretty sure I'll get it so I should be back in the road on Tuesday.

I checked my engine compartment today and found my blow by pipe just hanging there. Both the clamps that hold it in place are broken so I'll be fixing that in the morning. I already took the bolts off, just need to get some new ones. They look the same as what a plumber would use to hold a galvanized pipe in place.

Great story Steve!

Way to go :!:

Way to go Steve!!!

You have BALLS!!!

It is nice to see that there are guys out here that still do!!!!

Going from a desk jockey to a full blown flat bedding truck driver!!!

Only in America! You gotta love it!!

Welcome to the club!

Sometimes you will strap lightly over tarp for weird sized freight to help hold the tarp in place. From his pic, that's what it looks like to me. Just my 2 cents.

I was moreso referring to the two straps in the front that are on the outside of the rub rails.

Great job "Driver" :D ,
Great write up, it took me back to my first few weeks,...when every stinking new noise sent me into a panic.
I envisioned major breakdowns on an hourly basis.

Good post! Too bad the pics don't work!

Sometimes you will strap lightly over tarp for weird sized freight to help hold the tarp in place. From his pic, that's what it looks like to me. Just my 2 cents.

I was moreso referring to the two straps in the front that are on the outside of the rub rails.

You might be right, even with my glasses on I cant tell from the 2 pics...lol
Your eyes are better than mine...lol
So a note to you Steve Booth: always keep the strap inside the rub rail!!
Tip for you also Steve: if you put the strap through the eye on the wench, then roll the strap and fold it between the trailer deck and the strap, your straps will last longer and you wont have to tighten the strap as much. When you roll the strap in the winch, it will loosen easier.

Good post! Too bad the pics don't work!

The pics are there, just takes a little while for them to load. The server I have them on is slow.

No such luck. Are you over your allotted bandwidth?

I tried both mozilla and IE. Both latest versions.

No such luck. Are you over your allotted bandwidth?

I tried both mozilla and IE. Both latest versions.

No bandwidth restriction. Not sure why your having the problem. Everyone else can see them. I just went into the server with FTP and hand loaded the picture and it's fine.

You can try this link. The pics are 1 through 17.

http://www.btiserver.com/steve/1.jpg

OMG I haven't laughed so hard in ages! I was literally in tears. :lol:

Your story reminds me of when I first started driving with Arrow Trucking right out of school a few years ago. It's a lot of hard work doing flatbed and I've got to hand it to you for taking the bull by the horns and going for it. Jumping in with both feet in flatbed as an independent O/O with your own authority and no experience! DAMN that takes a set! I salute you and wish you nothing but continued success. :D

Based on what you said in your story, you spent the night in my hometown of Rock Springs, WY and yes the Flying J there is a dump at best. Next time I suggest you continue west on I-80 to exit 99 and stay at Cruel Jacks. Good food there and two decent steak houses, Ted's and The Log Inn, bordering the property. :wink:

I'm not sure, but it looks like you have a pic of the Flaming Gorge Dam and a few of the reservoir . Gotta love that road to Vernal in a BIG truck eh? :lol:

I've always wanted to try my hand at being an O/O and have been considering buying a truck and leasing it on with Crete, but keep chickening out. Reading your story makes me want to just go for it like you did. No balls, no blue chips! :lol:

Thanks for the story. It was full of laughs and smiles as I read it. Hell, I'm still grinning and chuckling. :D

Yes, it was Rock Springs Flying J, I just went through my receipts. You are also correct on Flaming Gorge Dam. I stopped there for an hour or so because it was soooooo nice. That road to Vernal made my whole trip worth it. It was great scenery, wild horses and the views were awesome. It was also probably the best first experience for using my Jake's. It was a 9% grade but most of the time it was straight down and a good road so I got my chance before I hit all those switchbacks later on down the road.

I just noticed your reply and was thinking about your comments on chaining and wanted to give you a tip that will help you with chaining. Carry a couple one to two foot long 4X4's on your truck with you. When you need to chain up, place them behind the inside drive tires and back onto them. This will raise your outside tires up off the ground and you will be able to simply drape your chains over the tires and connect them. :wink:

That's interesting. I do in fact carry 8 4x4x8 beams but my chains are the double ones that go around 2 tires at once.

definately got balls

nice job

good luck to you

Good job. I was hoping you'd be posting about your trip. Cool pics.

Hmm... running chains at 40 mph? I thought the max was 30 or 25? Using the Jake at full power down a snowed over road - I thought you weren't supposed to use the Jake at all (or maybe on low if you're brave) when the road is slippery? Anyways great story - keep 'em coming. I have a similar background to you and have been driving for a couple years now as a company driver mostly local in New England. Good Luck!

A lot depends on the quality of your chains and if they are on tight.

I was told that you can do 35-40mph with quality chains by one of the veteran drivers at my terminal here in Reno.

Part of my bid is to maintain the chain inventory for our shop. Some of our good chains have lasted 15+ years (they say"Made in W. Germany")

You can use the Jake in winter at lower speeds you just have to be VERY aware that it can make you jackknife, especially when you have doubles.

Hey Steve,

I assume you never dealt with any of those brokers before and they made your insurance company provide proof of liability and cargo before you could take the load. How did you get your ins. co to do that so quick? Markell always makes me wait a couple of days at least. I think they are ready to cancel my policy because I've signed up with so many brokers.

Thanks all for the well wishes.

I was in hard packed snow with probably 3 or 4 inches on the ground and going up hill when I was doing my fastest. I was keeping pace with either a FedEx or UPS truck at the time. Boy, does it feel good having those chains on!!! I wish I had them going up that wicked mountain I talked about before.

My insurance company faxes out my insurance on the spot when I call. The only problem is they don't work on the weekends but the brokers have taken a faxed copy of my insurance that I sent them and give me the load but still want to be named as insured when my agent comes in on Monday. When I had Progressive they fax on the spot with there computer the instant you give them a phone number.

Using the Jake when it was slippery out I had my finger on the button the whole time. When I was carrying a light load I didn't use it at all.

I just got the word and leave from New Hampshire to Carlsbad CA on Wed for a 3,000 mile trip at $1.60 per mile. 20,000 pounds. I'll probably stop at that Iowa 80 truck stop again. It has to be the biggest truck store in the world and pretty nice too. I'll get my truck washed there, they do a great job.

I really hope you're trying to negotiate rates. I would try to get in the $2.00 a mile range for a trip like that. Frieght in California isn't that great half the time, coupled with fuel out west, and you're going to need a little more to make up the difference. Are you asking for a fuel surcharge, or are they saying it's included in the rate?

The world famous LaCosta Resort & Spa is in Carlsbad. If freight is slow hang there and live it up. I only live 45 minutes from there. It's the place to be in that area.

The world famous LaCosta Resort & Spa is in Carlsbad. If freight is slow hang there and live it up. I only live 45 minutes from there. It's the place to be in that area.

I just checked it out. At $275 to $1,500 per night I think I'll stay at LaFlyingJ Roach & Spit. lol

Looks like I'll be chaining up again going over the mountains in Colorado. At least no secondary off road on this trip!!!

Well done Steve! One of the better reads I’ve had for a while on this board. I usually just scan over most posts. This one I took word-for-word. I was vicariously getting "white knuckles". You were brutally honest, so the read was even more insightful. As you said, you got hammered right off the bat (thrown into the proverbial fire). So you have many reference points for the future. It’s as if you were practicing with a 16 pound shot put for those 3 weeks and now you are throwing 12 pounders (great achievement/confidence builder). Hence things should get easier.

The most impressive thing is you only lost 6 pounds (applaud, applaud). I was actually wondering how much weight you may have lost before you shared that info.

Anyway, congrats, you are a bigger man than me.

Also, did you ever visit the DIGITAL/SCI building in Augusta Maine during your stint with Digital? That is where I am working. The building has been reclaimed and renamed.

Ya, everyone is concerned about my weight loss. It's 8 pounds total now and I have no idea why. I'm 6'1" and 192 pounds and like my weight the way it is so I've been pigging out on Chinese food and nachos this week which I normally don't eat. Getting use to the afternoon naps too!!

I just got a FedEx delivery of 10 hams from the customer for delivering that crane to Maine and being there on time!!! I guess the construction company who buys a lot of these cranes to install has bad luck with transportation companies in the past. If the company can't get an independent they hire one of the big firms which don't seem to meet the commitments. I understand it's the company and not the drivers. They say yes to anything but the drivers are still 500 miles away on another job.

I've never worked in any of the Digital plants. I started in Software Services right out of college and worked out of small satellite offices.

The world famous LaCosta Resort & Spa is in Carlsbad. If freight is slow hang there and live it up. I only live 45 minutes from there. It's the place to be in that area.

I just checked it out. At $275 to $1,500 per night I think I'll stay at LaFlyingJ Roach & Spit. lol

Looks like I'll be chaining up again going over the mountains in Colorado. At least no secondary off road on this trip!!!

Try and get to a In - N- Out Burger when you get in SoCal.

Steve,
You might look at routing yourself the southern route using I40...may be longer mileage but no up and over the "fuel-sucking/time robbing/chain adding" Colo Rockies.

Steve,
You might look at routing yourself the southern route using I40...may be longer mileage but no up and over the "fuel-sucking/time robbing/chain adding" Colo Rockies.

Ya know, I think I will go that way. I just checked it out and 81 to 40 will be something different. Thanks!

Hey $1.60 is too cheap Steve. I don't know about the long haul stuff but we do 400-500 miles from the NEast into Ontario and it's $2.00 MINIMUM. That's no tarps and no mountains.

I did some quick math based on your epic novel. If your 3 week odyssey grossed you $10,000 and you spent $4,000, you're left with $6,000 ($2,000/wk). Don't forget:

$300/wk to pay for the depreciation on the truck ($75,000/5 years)
$50/wk for the trailer dep. ($25,000/10 years)
$200/wk for maitenance ($10,000/yr)
$100/wk for insurance ($5,000/yr don't know how you got that rate!)

Take all this from the $2,000 and you're down to $1,250/wk. And you got $3/mile on parts of the last trip. $1.60 on the way out....what are you going to take to get back home? And dead miles?

Not criticizing or playing God......just my opinion.

-Rank

Hey $1.60 is too cheap Steve. I don't know about the long haul stuff but we do 400-500 miles from the NEast into Ontario and it's $2.00 MINIMUM. That's no tarps and no mountains.

I did some quick math based on your epic novel. If your 3 week odyssey grossed you $10,000 and you spent $4,000, you're left with $6,000 ($2,000/wk). Don't forget:

$300/wk to pay for the depreciation on the truck ($75,000/5 years)
$50/wk for the trailer dep. ($25,000/10 years)
$200/wk for maitenance ($10,000/yr)
$100/wk for insurance ($5,000/yr don't know how you got that rate!)

Take all this from the $2,000 and you're down to $1,250/wk. And you got $3/mile on parts of the last trip. $1.60 on the way out....what are you going to take to get back home? And dead miles?

Not criticizing or playing God......just my opinion.

-Rank

Kind of what I was saying in my post.

Well put both of you, and well ignored by Steve. :wink:

Even if he made $1250 like you calculated it's still more than a rookie company driver would have got. BTW...I think his truck was 45k, not 75

No, he wants to run I-80 to I-15 and down. That way he can revisit his favorite Flying J. Right Steve? :wink: :lol:

Steve said his invoices were over 10k, not 10k. His truck didn't cost 75k. It was around 45K and trailer was about 18k not 25k. He doesn't have to buy chains every trip. Even if he made 1250 like you calculated it's still more than a rookie company driver would have got.

Comparing an owner operator to a company driver is like comparing a the owner of a family restaurant to a McDonalds line worker.

Way to go Steve, nice job. Always nice to see people making money for themselves. I was starting to wonder if you had the cajones to go through with it and sure enough you did.

Comparing an owner operator to a company driver is like comparing a the owner of a family restaurant to a McDonalds line worker.

I don't know, look at it this way......Steve, in his first three weeks has started to put HIS name and reputation for good business (hopefully)out there and making contacts. Also made about 1250.00 per week. Multiply that by 45 weeks....about 56M ( 8) that's for G). For a first year business that's not bad. This is all assuming he doesn't get any better than his first three weeks.

What does a company driver have after a year? His paycheck which would be less than 56 thousand. Provided he did his job the best he could he still only makes his company look good.

TF Motors wrote:
Try and get to a In - N- Out Burger when you get in SoCal.

NOW you're talkin....back in my SoCal / bicycle racing days 5 or 6 of us roadies would end a training ride at one of those. I tell ya...we'd go thru there like Sherman went thru Georgia.... :D A double/double, two orders of fries and a shake...now that sticks with ya a while.

Off topic, but tasty memories...

I don't know, look at it this way......Steve, in his first three weeks has started to put HIS name and reputation for good business (hopefully)out there and making contacts. Also made about 1250.00 per week. Multiply that by 45 weeks....about 56M ( 8) that's for G). For a first year business that's not bad. This is all assuming he doesn't get any better than his first three weeks.

That is also assuming that it doesn't get any worse.

[/quote]What does a company driver have after a year? His paycheck which would be less than 56 thousand. Provided he did his job the best he could he still only makes his company look good.[/quote]

He still has to pay taxes on that money, as nothing has been paid, unlike a company driver. :wink:

No, he wants to run I-80 to I-15 and down. That way he can revisit his favorite Flying J. Right Steve? :wink: :lol:

I don't think so. lol I think I'll try that southern route as suggested above. Sounds like a nice ride and something different this time.

I forgot to post above but my truck has been getting between 6.2 and 6.4 MPG except for that short run over the mountain from Hell and that ended up being 5.2. I idled the truck all night also when it was -14.

My heating bill was $80 this past month instead of $300. There is a note on my bill asking if something is malfunctioning in my house. Ya right, like they really give a crap about me!! My gas bill for my car went from $350 to $45 and no weekly $200 food bill (I like to cook).

Not looking forward to tarping the crane tomorrow. So many odd shapes. I'll chain it up like before but I'll use all 15 of my straps to hold it down this time. I didn't spread the straps out last time so I couldn't slide them once the chains were in place.

I'll probably stay out for 3 weeks like I did before and then spend a week at home. I need to also run through a good hard rain. I still have red dirt stuck on my truck and trailer frame from running through New Mexico.

Alrighty then Steve, but I will warn you about the T/S with the Burger King in it on the north side of I-40 in Holbrook, AZ. I believe it's exit 292. It'll make that Flying J in Rock Springs seem like a Hyatt. :lol: Although they have been fixing it up some, so it may not be as dumpy as it was when I started driving. Last time I was there they had repaved the parking lot. :shock:

Alrighty then Steve, but I will warn you about the T/S with the Burger King in it on the north side of I-40 in Holbrook, AZ. I believe it's exit 292. It'll make that Flying J in Rock Springs seem like a Hyatt. :lol: Although they have been fixing it up some, so it may not be as dumpy as it was when I started driving. Last time I was there they had repaved the parking lot. :shock:

No more dirt there, but the bathrooms sure leave alot to be desired. Not that they aren't big and nice, just the clean part seems to be lacking :sad:

Awww...you ruined the 'surprise' for him. Whatever you do, don't mention that they get their store help from the local morgue. :wink:

Steve said his invoices were over 10k, not 10k. His truck didn't cost 75k. It was around 45K and trailer was about 18k not 25k. He doesn't have to buy chains every trip. Even if he made 1250 like you calculated it's still more than a rookie company driver would have got.
Sure if he keeps up the good rates. Don't forget I think he had a load in there for $3 and only averaged $1.40 for the whole trip. Now he's headed out again for $1.60. Coming home again in 3 weeks time for $1.30 with a trip average for all miles at $1.10? We'll see but I doubt it...Steve seems like a pretty smart guy.

I don't know what Steve paid for all his stuff. I simply remember that he estimated a $100,000 investment for everything. To keep it simple, I allocated $75 to the truck. If you really want if get into it go for it, but the point I was trying to make was that he could/should do better than $1.60 to leave home and head into the freakin' Rockies at Christmas time.

But it's his business and he can run it as he pleases.

I'm happy that Steve's happy, but I suspect that some people are cheering from the sidelines with independant trucker envy.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

I just took a look at all Ranks previous posts and he seems to be the forums unoffocial accountant giving everyone advise. Do you actually own a truck, have your own authority? I see you run for .33 per mile in one of your posts.

I just took a look at all Ranks previous posts and he seems to be the forums unoffocial accountant giving everyone advise. Do you actually own a truck, have your own authority? I see you run for .33 per mile in one of your posts.
LOL big mouth super trucker now are ya? My what a difference three weeks makes. Maybe not for you, but like it or not accounting is a part of most other owners business. I was just trying to help. I hope all my posts reflect that. Sorry if you think I was too critical.

Even at $1/mile for all miles you can probably afford to live your childhood fantasy (easy on the air horn big guy). Don't let it bother you that you're cutting other people's throats in the process. Don't let it bother you that not everybody can turn off the heat and forget all when they leave the house. It is a free market and the low cost supplier wins so hats off to ya. You should get a fleet and hire only divorced retirees to drive your trucks for $.20 a mile because they don't have any expenses.

By the way, not that it's any of your business but I DO NOT own any trucks. However, the 1.5 million dollar/year corp currently holds 3 trucks and 5 trailers that do 200,000 miles/year, all from a 25,000 sq. ft warehouse and I don't recall ever doing anything for $.33/mile.

Wal-Mart greeter driving a truck instead of a shopping cart.

lol, good one.


Your post Rank from October. Guess you have become a complete expert since then. Thank you for your valuable advise oh super trucker!!! lol

[quote]
I'm new at this. Doing local stuff part time for a three truck flatbed outfit. $.33/mile + $12/hr for work so things are cool but I have some questions about the business end of trucking. Maybe it should be in the O/O forum....I dunno. Here goes.

-What does a broker do exactly?
-What is an agent?
-Why can't a person be a broker and an operator?
-How do you make sure you get paid for a load?
-Is there a way to check out brokers?

thanks

I'm sorry but if someone can't survive on 1.60 a mile, my god their expenses are high! I'm talking about truck expenses, not home expenses.

lol, good one.


Your post Rank from October. Guess you have become a complete expert since then. Thank you for your valuable advise oh super trucker!!! lol


I'm new at this. Doing local stuff part time for a three truck flatbed outfit. $.33/mile + $12/hr for work so things are cool but I have some questions about the business end of trucking. Maybe it should be in the O/O forum....I dunno. Here goes.

-What does a broker do exactly?
-What is an agent?
-Why can't a person be a broker and an operator?
-How do you make sure you get paid for a load?
-Is there a way to check out brokers?

thanks

lol, good one.


Your post Rank from October. Guess you have become a complete expert since then. Thank you for your valuable advise oh super trucker!!! lol


I'm new at this. Doing local stuff part time for a three truck flatbed outfit. $.33/mile + $12/hr for work so things are cool but I have some questions about the business end of trucking. Maybe it should be in the O/O forum....I dunno. Here goes.

-What does a broker do exactly?
-What is an agent?
-Why can't a person be a broker and an operator?
-How do you make sure you get paid for a load?
-Is there a way to check out brokers?

thanks

A broker finds loads and posts them for profit, usually 10%.

You could be a broker, but you'd be wasting alot of time trying to find loads when you could be making money.

Usually a broker will send over his packet to you, which includes the contract, insurance, refs, ETC.

You can ask for Refs, and most have a credit rating on the load boards. Internet Truck Stop has a rating system.

That wasn't my post Kintama, that was Ranks I was quoting.

You're confusing driver pay with trucking company pay.

We've been a private carrier since '92, which allows me to understand some aspects of the costs of trucking, but not neccessarily the broker side of the business.

wait a second, I just re read your posts

you are going out again?

ARE YOU CRAZY? :o :o :o

wait a second, I just re read your posts

you are going out again?

ARE YOU CRAZY? :o :o :o

Yup, just finished packing the truck and off to Carlsbad in the morning. Well, probably in the afternoon, it takes 4 to 5 hours to load and tarp the truck.

Hey congrats Steve and my compliments on IMHO an excellent post!

A quick "I told you so" here....betcha wished now you had bought more than 100 straps, eh??

My advice is to not tempt the fates with I-70 through the CO rockies in winter unless you absolutely MUST. I've done it and NEVER enjoyed it!
My last trip over on 70 I was 14'6" high...couldn't do the Ike tunnel and had to crawl up (and DOWN!!!) "loveless Loveland"....scared the bejesus out of me in late August and I just imagined if one were to try THAT pass in winter @#$%$#@!!!!!

81 down to 40 might not be your best bet either....dogleg it a bit more and avoid those VA and TN hills.....80-79-70-57-55-40 might be better.
You'll have much more level running which is better for fuel mileage (=$$$) and wear and tear (mainly on YOUR posterior!)

If you're ever passing through where 70 & 79 meet give me a holler..I'll buy you a cup of joe (and bring a few straps if you need them :wink: )

Hey congrats Steve and my compliments on IMHO an excellent post!

A quick "I told you so" here....betcha wished now you had bought more than 100 straps, eh??

My advice is to not tempt the fates with I-70 through the CO rockies in winter unless you absolutely MUST. I've done it and NEVER enjoyed it!
My last trip over on 70 I was 14'6" high...couldn't do the Ike tunnel and had to crawl up (and DOWN!!!) "loveless Loveland"....scared the bejesus out of me in late August and I just imagined if one were to try THAT pass in winter @#$%$#@!!!!!

81 down to 40 might not be your best bet either....dogleg it a bit more and avoid those VA and TN hills.....80-79-70-57-55-40 might be better.
You'll have much more level running which is better for fuel mileage (=$$$) and wear and tear (mainly on YOUR posterior!)

If you're ever passing through where 70 & 79 meet give me a holler..I'll buy you a cup of joe (and bring a few straps if you need them :wink: )

Ya ya ya, your right. I now have 150. I am going to do 81 to 40. This load has to be there next Wed so I won't be relaxing like I've done in the past. I filled up on my way home from my last 3 week trip at $2.44 and still have more than 1/2 a tank left so should be enough to get me out of expensive New England.

Not sure where I'll go after CA, maybe Reno for a few days. I lived there for 6 months while doing a project and have a few friends. There seems to be a lot of loads close to Carlsbad, 81 at the moment so it shouldn't be a problem getting out.

Steve congrats it was definitely a great read! Good luck on the next adventure.
The route through Virgina and Tennessee is over 100 miles farther than going 80-71-70-44-40,and you will use a lot more fuel IMO going that way.

do you pay attention to fuel tax in different states you run steve? just because the sign is cheaper doesn`t mean your not actually paying more when it comes to tax.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

I just took a look at all Ranks previous posts and he seems to be the forums unoffocial accountant giving everyone advise. Do you actually own a truck, have your own authority? I see you run for .33 per mile in one of your posts.

Typical Steve response to someone who might actually know something. :roll:

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

I just took a look at all Ranks previous posts and he seems to be the forums unoffocial accountant giving everyone advise. Do you actually own a truck, have your own authority? I see you run for .33 per mile in one of your posts.

Typical Steve response to someone who might actually know something. :roll:

I really am rootin for this guy to pull it off, but he needs to suck it up and maybe listen to a few of us. I've been driving for 13 years, I've dispatched, and I've been fooling around in a Brokerage since I was 17.

Steeve seems to listen to GMAN, maybe he needs to come in and tell him why $1.60 a mile really isn't that great.

I really am rootin for this guy to pull it off, but he needs to suck it up and maybe listen to a few of us. I've been driving for 13 years, I've dispatched, and I've been fooling around in a Brokerage since I was 17.

If Steve fails or succeeds will by by his own doing. I, just like many others, attempted to help him in his journey along the way, only to be met with sarcasm and insults. I could care less if he "pulls it off", hence the fact that he ignores me (as if he did anything else).

Steeve seems to listen to GMAN, maybe he needs to come in and tell him why $1.60 a mile really isn't that great.

I'm sure GMAN has better things to do than help a "know it all" newbie trucker. :wink:

Wait til Winter really comes-It's winding up out west and will be here around Friday.

Was gonna keep out of this but I don't advise running 40mph on Chains-If they flip off at that speed it's gonna do some major damage to your trailer. With Cable Chains it's ok though. Not many people use them nowadays though. For me it was the Cat's Meow.

Geez, I don't know what to say. I'm getting an average of $1.60 per mile, my bills are paid, I have a good start to my maintenance fund and money left over. I think something is seriously wrong if someone can't make it on that unless I'm missing something. I've been told freight is slow but I don't see it. If it's going to pick up in March or whatever and my average goes up to $2.25 that would be great but for now at $1.60 I'm doing fine. I actually don't think there is a rate that would make some of you happy. If I was getting $2.50 per mile you would say $3.00 and so on. I will continue to post about my travels but as far as splitting hairs with all you back seat accountants, forget it.

You said I couldn't do it, I did. You said I wouldn't make, I am, AND I'M HAVING FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Off to Carlsbad now and the sun.

I really am rootin for this guy to pull it off, but he needs to suck it up and maybe listen to a few of us. I've been driving for 13 years, I've dispatched, and I've been fooling around in a Brokerage since I was 17.

If Steve fails or succeeds will by by his own doing. I, just like many others, attempted to help him in his journey along the way, only to be met with sarcasm and insults. I could care less if he "pulls it off", hence the fact that he ignores me (as if he did anything else).

Steeve seems to listen to GMAN, maybe he needs to come in and tell him why $1.60 a mile really isn't that great.

I'm sure GMAN has better things to do than help a "know it all" newbie trucker. :wink:


I don't mind helping Steve or anyone else who asks. While I would not want to go to California for $1.60/mile, it isn't my business. Everyone needs to decide for themselves what they are willing to run for and where. I haven't run his numbers, but if he can consistently average $1.60/mile with deadhead and have the miles to go with it, he can probably come out on the money. He won't be getting rich, but he can survive. Keep in mind that rates are down right now. In Steve's case, he doesn't have big equipment payments to worry about. That in itself enables him to haul some loads others could not do, if you look at the expenses. I am sure that Steve will get better rates with time. There are a lot of more experienced owners who are hauling for much less.

You said I couldn't do it, I did. You said I wouldn't make, I am, AND I'M HAVING FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't remember anyone stating that. :roll:

He won't be getting rich, but he can survive.

What is the point of doing it just to "survive"?

In Steve's case, he doesn't have big equipment payments to worry about. That in itself enables him to haul some loads others could not do, if you look at the expenses.

Not having large equipment payments is no excuse for hauling cheap freight.

I am sure that Steve will get better rates with time. There are a lot of more experienced owners who are hauling for much less.

That doesn't make it right.

>>He won't be getting rich, but he can survive.
>What is the point of doing it just to "survive?
He's livin' the dream, Rev.

De Ja Vue,

Steve is still pissing off the locals. I hope he keeps posting though. The way I see it he is gaining valuable experience. It might be coming at a cost, but that is his choice. The thing that I keep scratching my head about (De Ja Vue) is the pettiness of the bashing. Reminds me of some of those bad marriages where the only winners are the Lawyers. This is what happens when Egos, Vengence, Pride and Personalities are in the mix.

Best of Luck Steve, I hope you don't have to start yet another thread -- a bit of humility might help?

I hate to admit it but Steve and I have one thing in common, our hard heads.. lol!

Steve - do what makes you happy. If you can pay your bills at the rates your pulling for and your happy doing it, by all means keep on truckin'. Liked reading your first post and seeing your pictures very much, I hope you continue to post up updates as you go along.

Everyone else - I can see that you are just trying to help. For what its worth I bet Steve reads everything you have to say and keeps it in the back of his mind. I'm sure if the going gets tough he'll fall back on your words of wisdom. But for now I'm betting he's like me, one of those people who hell or highwater they are going to do it their way first. Think of it this way, its his party so let him host it as he pleases.

On the subject of cheap freight. You got to get your start somewhere, and this is how he is doing it. Just like a company driver, when you are new you don't get the .40+ cpm rates right off the bat. As time goes on he will learn how to get the higher paying loads. And if it wasn't him, it be someone else hauling cheap. Cheap freight won't go away, there are too many hungry drivers (and big companies) out there willing to haul for a buck (and even less!). And many on here who get the higher rates will tell you how "your hauling for too cheap", but refuse to share how they got there because this business is so cut throat (and I understand why you wouldn't want to share, believe me).

I don't know Steve at all, nor do I know any of you. But I've gotten my fair share of warnings on here, so I guess all I'm saying is I can relate on Steve's side and how he's going about doing things. Don't get butthurt if he "ingores you", some people just have to do it their way.
;)

do you pay attention to fuel tax in different states you run steve? just because the sign is cheaper doesn`t mean your not actually paying more when it comes to tax.

"It is much better to take Idaho fuel than phony-assed Oregon fuel. The Idaho fuel includes all the taxes. The Oregon fuel did not. Oregon feints with an attractive price at the pump, but then shoots an uppercut into the ton-mileage."

From the chapter where he rides along with a Chemical Tanker O/O in Uncommon Carriers by John McFee

I know CRE has a poster that color codes states by fuel tax friendliness.
OR is the worse.

Yup, oregon is the most expensive fuel in north america.

Where I'm from, when you figure out fuel tax, it's one of the cheapest. The problem is our fuel tax is so high. It's best getting fuel here, but driving in the states.

Aswego Trucking hauls freight from Fresno to Fontana for .79 cpm and and lives a really good life. New house, new Mercedes etc. If you think Steve is bringing rates down go talk to this guy and see how he puts you in your place.

If this guy is hauling freight driving someone else truck for $0.79, he is doing very well. If he is hauling freight in his own truck for that rate, the guy must be hauling other things in the truck to afford the lifestyle you are talking about. Anyone who hauls freight for that amount of money should be ashamed of themselves. :oops: I don't do partials for that little. At that rate, he won't even cover his expenses.

If this guy is hauling freight driving someone else truck for $0.79, he is doing very well. If he is hauling freight in his own truck for that rate, the guy must be hauling other things in the truck to afford the lifestyle you are talking about. Anyone who hauls freight for that amount of money should be ashamed of themselves. :oops: I don't do partials for that little. At that rate, he won't even cover his expenses.

I would bet there is something illegal going on in that company. :wink:

Perhaps what he meant was that he gets $0.79/mile per head hauling illegals. :wink: Put 100 illegals in a trailer and that comes out to $79/mile. :shock:

I doubt if he's driving somebody elses truck and making .79cpm and if he's a O/O making .79cpm he's not going to last long.

Here's what they told me. They are Indians and get special tax and fuel deals from the Government. They live in the boonies and do their own repairs. The guy said these were backhaul rates. They hauled 4k lb. for a friend of mine and the price was $150 for a 190 mile haul.

He said they make really good money going North so they like to go cheap on the way back and piss off the O/O's that haul for .85-.90. These are also partial loads in the 4-5k lb. range and they have a 3 day window to deliver this way they can do it when they feel like it.

Right or wrong, this is what they do.

Yes, there may be a demographic out there that can make a living by using the rules to their advantage. We know that already. Steve's demographic is living proof of that. Whether it's a retiree cutting rates or a native north american makes no difference to me.

Vans are one thing, but NOBODY tarps a loads in sub zero temps for $1.60/mile for long (head haul rate by the way). Especially a 52 year old retired computer programmer. He'll be getting better rates soon enough.

Well, I'm off and running once again with yet another crane destined for CA. I'm stuck in some piece of junk Pilot off 84 in NY. It's got to be the smallest truckstop I've ever seen. I can't sleep and only had about 4 hours, not sure why. It's 12:00am and the CB is a buzz with ladies looking for company.

Not sure if anyone else is seeing this but as I type this message the spell checker or Firefox is flagging misspelled words. I upgraded my Firefox browser yesterday so I suspect it.

NY really blows I tell ya. It takes a whole day just to get out of this neck of the woods. I'm not going the Rt 80 but taking the southern route this time.

I wanted to take a break yesterday after leaving with my load and tried to get into 5 service plazas but no luck, everyone was full with trucks parked in the car parking area and all lanes at the fuel pumps blocked but nobody fueling up.

The truck is running well and I'm loaded kind of light. The papers say 20,000 but I think it's much less than that. My cruise control can hold any speed up the hills so far.

Speaking of hard heads floored, I need to get that hardhat. Once again I was in a place that required one. I keep trying to buy someone else's instead of getting a brand new one. I tried getting one at that job site in Boston but those hats are like religious to those guys.

I just looked out the window and I think it's going to be a little tough to get out of my spot. We are so packed in here I don't think there is enough room for me to pull out and make the 90 degree turn without backing up and forward a few times. Busy busy place even now.

There are people here talking on the CB about getting discount fuel???? I assume they are looking to pay someone with cash for there company credit card fuel like $50 bucks for 50 gallons???

And, by the way. The tarping I did today was inside a nice warm building with a very relaxed environment. Bagels and coffee to boot.

Time for more coffee. A Mr. Coffee in the truck is a must!!!!

I dont see the problem with steve hauling for 1.60 a mile considering he just started out, hell when I first went out I was closer to a buck a mile and I did VERY well my first year.

Steve, I have seen new hard hats for less than $10. If you can find a Northern Tool, they carry them. I don't know if WalMart carries them, but you could check. There is one on your route in Wytheville, VA. I am not sure the exit number, but it should be somewhere around exit 72. It is on the East side of the freeway. You may even find them at Sears. I don't recall if whether you have steel toe shoes, but some plants require them, as well. Long sleeves and long pants are also required by some plants, regardless of the weather. One other thing you may want to pick up is a pair of safety glasses. That is another thing required by some manufacturing facilities.

I already have the safety glasses and a safety vest. There are plenty of hard hats around. I just really wanted one that looks like it's been through the mill and those union guys had some pretty cool ones. I didn't realize it but it was sort of a status thing. I was told most of them were not approved safety ones and were worn by people long past away who worked on sky scrapers. They modified them with new inside plastic head retainers. Looks like I'll have to buy a new one and stick Power Ranger decals all over it or something.

Steve,

If I read it correctly(maybe I didnt) on your 1st run you were shifting on the hills. I would very heavily consider against that in any condition. If by chance you miss a gear, youll have no jake and chances are wont be able to get it back into a gear the faster you start moving. Hotter brakes=more youll have to press on them to slow=no brakes.

This is me personally, I have never switched the jake. When your loaded low or medium is about useless. When is icy/snowy I turn it off, empty and wet/icy/snowy I turn it off.

If you switch the jake in the wrong conditions, it can be enough to lock the rear wheels, and spell trouble.

Also, thats why you cant sleep :D Turn that trash filled CB off..LOL

Good luck Steve, The thrill of being able to do what you want when you want to do it, you cant compare it.

Good luck and have fun. Just remember about the shifting on a hill-its not a good idea. On a hill, or on train tracks.

Also stay out of Pilots....all of them the same, one way in and one way out.

Pilot caters to the big fleets with large discounts on the fuel prices, the do NOTHING for the O/O, I don't go in them if I can help it.

I think this Pilot was popular because there was a bar and strip club close by. I'm making up for it tonight. I'm at a truckstop in Virginia off 81 at exit 101. It's a Shell station with an XL lot and an omelet restaurant. I just had dinner and going to watch a movie. My GPS kept telling me I had only driven 255 miles today so I kept going. When I finally stopped I checked my odometer and it said 578. I either reset the GPS or I've been driving around in a circle. Nice ride and glad I took the southern route, I hear Denver is getting pounded. A pretty uneventful day, took a 2 hour nap, saw some dead stuff on the road and 2 guys racing to the state line. One was governed at 62 and the other 63 but loaded differently, that was the highlight of my day. The speed limit was 65 by the way, not very exciting.

Hey Steve, if you want DRAMA and Excitement -- WATCH TNT! 8)


I will take a boring and uneventful outing everytime-- Ok, maybe not boring :lol:

Have a safe Trip!

Damn Steve, you're missing all the 'fun' out here. :roll: It only got down to -12 last night, not counting the wind chill of course. I even saved your spot at the J for you. :P

Steve,

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it, but if you could pick up a copy of the "National Truck Stop Directory" from the store in one of the larger truck stops, it will give you lots of info on what facilities are available in the area where you intend to end your day.( Parking lot size, restaurant, showers, motels, internet access, repairs, scales, etc.) You can then adjust the length of your day's run to take advantage of the better facilities.

This should help you avoid the worst of the worst until you know from experience where you like to stop. Later, you may find that some of the smaller places are some of the better ones. Ask other drivers for info about good places along your route.

I still have the 2004 edition and they advertise over 6,700 U.S. & Canadian diesel locations. They probably have a lot more listings by now.

NFRay

Steve,

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it, but if you could pick up a copy of the "National Truck Stop Directory" from the store in one of the larger truck stops, it will give you lots of info on what facilities are available in the area where you intend to end your day.( Parking lot size, restaurant, showers, motels, internet access, repairs, scales, etc.) You can then adjust the length of your day's run to take advantage of the better facilities.

This should help you avoid the worst of the worst until you know from experience where you like to stop. Later, you may find that some of the smaller places are some of the better ones. Ask other drivers for info about good places along your route.

I still have the 2004 edition and they advertise over 6,700 U.S. & Canadian diesel locations. They probably have a lot more listings by now.

NFRay

good point-I forgot about the Directory

The Trucker's Friend (http://rvbookstore.com/shop/detail.aspx?m=2&p=356)

good trucking atlas will show Truck stops and a bit of info on them but not as good as the directory

Steve, I'm glad to see that you hit the road, made some cash, and made it home in one piece. $1.60 all miles aint too shabby for a newb. Good Luck and Congrats!!!

-14 and wind chill, I don't think so this run. I'm in Virginia and it's not too bad out. I have a Truck Stop Directory, that's how I picked that Pilot in NY. They don't list Hookers, Bars Nearby or Strip Clubs so I figured it would be just like the rest of them. I don't know what day it is anymore. I guess it doesn't matter just as long as I do my 500 a day or so which seems to be pretty easy. I'm sure that will be harder and harder to do as time goes on but for now it's ok. Time for a shower, get the Dustbuster out and clean, take the trash out. Damn, not enough hours in the day!! lol

If you run the same interstates enough, you'll know where to stop.

I hated the T/A at Wytheville, VA because the spots were blind side back up. feh. Not fun when you're the last one to arrive.

I did like the mom & pop place at Raphine. Lots of parking and they spell funny. "Meatloaf sammich wif termaters. $3.95" Eh? :P Used to be (2003) free showers if you said you worked for JB Hunt.

I'm past Roanoke off exit 101 at a Shell. Nice place and very clean showers and they didn't charge me. I told the lady there was something wrong with the shower handle. She was surprised and asked what?!?!?!?! I said, you turn it to the left and real hot water came out. Took her a minute to realize what I said and cracked up.

Just crossed over into Tennessee, there was a big huge statue of a man in a blue mask holding a welcome sign!!!

Past a cool Christmas display in someones back yard. It was Christmas lights laid out to look like 2 semi trucks. The wheels were blinking so it looked like they were moving.

I've been driving for a few hours with the cruise control on then a lot of us got bunched up and someone hit there brakes. When I put mine on I had to really push harder than normal. It's been raining pretty good since I left the truckstop. Do you guys hit your brakes every so often or do you just have to be aware of the fact that they don't respond good in the rain?

Oh yea, once again....Thank God for Mr. Coffee and an inverter!!!

good trucking atlas will show Truck stops and a bit of info on them but not as good as the directory

What trucking atlas shows info on truck stops? Rand McNally sure as heck doesn't, and that is the standard.

Absolutely excellent post Steve. Glad to see you are doing well and wish you the best of luck. I hope you keep updating this thread with your experiences and pictures.

I did like the mom & pop place at Raphine

You talking about Whites?
that place is pretty awesome with all the antique Motorcycles and weapons.
Monster Crocodile in the Restaurant.

I've been driving for a few hours with the cruise control on then a lot of us got bunched up and someone hit there brakes. When I put mine on I had to really push harder than normal. It's been raining pretty good since I left the truckstop. Do you guys hit your brakes every so often or do you just have to be aware of the fact that they don't respond good in the rain?

Your drums glazed up a bit, rust. Yes you need to be aware of this, because the first stab they wont work too well, so you'll overreact and hit them harder. Then they'll come on full force.

It's much worse in winter when you have a steady side wind with snow. Snow gets in the drums, maybe even turns to ice. Not very fun!

I stopped shortly after that and looked at all the drums and they were all rust colored. Before I got back on the highways I laid on the brakes for a bit and they seemed to be better. I was afraid to apply the brakes too much thinking the trailer would lock up so I kept a big distance from the cars in front of me. The rain stopped and I'm parked now for the night. I just looked and all the drums are nice and shinny and the brakes work good. I think I've come to the conclusion that during rain I shouldn't use the jake so much and instead keep on the brakes to keep them working better.

Tennessee has been pretty nice on 81 and 40. The weather is getting warmer and I'm in a T-Shirt. I only made it 400 miles today and I've had it. The traffic has been heavy but moving but requires you to really pay attention and that has taken it's toll on me.

Rubber straps need to be checked all the time that hold down the tarp. Going from one climate to another they change there size and get loose.

I need to stop more often instead of eating something for breakfast then waiting 13 hours later to eat again. I feel sick every night when I stop from being to hungry.

I got to knock on wood with regards to my truck, trailer and tires. Everything is working well and no problems. I know of 2 people on here who had many things go wrong for weeks at a time. I think it's just a luck of the draw and not much you can do about it and just have to hope for the best.

Been out of town working, boy has this thread heated up.

I don't know, look at it this way......Steve, in his first three weeks has started to put HIS name and reputation for good business (hopefully)out there and making contacts. Also made about 1250.00 per week. Multiply that by 45 weeks....about 56M ( 8) that's for G). For a first year business that's not bad. This is all assuming he doesn't get any better than his first three weeks.

That is also assuming that it doesn't get any worse.

What does a company driver have after a year? His paycheck which would be less than 56 thousand. Provided he did his job the best he could he still only makes his company look good.[/quote]

He still has to pay taxes on that money, as nothing has been paid, unlike a company driver. :wink:[/quote]



Rev, everybody pays taxes. If you are in control of your own future and can make your own decisions than 56k isn't bad for a start up business IMO. What ya think?

Oh yeah one more thing, in response to this...
That is also assuming that it doesn't get any worse.
I say....What could possibly go wrong? :lol: :lol: :lol:

I was going to compare Steve's post to the book/movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but it was a bit of a stretch. However, if you remove all the drugs and alcohol it's spot on! :lol:

I looked up that movie but I've never seen it, looks scary.

I'm in a good size Pilot in Tennessee with a decent store and it's funny to watch all the truckers. I honestly think they are buying gifts but I must say the store did good. There's a lot of stuff that I don't normally see and I can tell they have stocked up on good stuff to buy as presents or at least this store. I want one of those big 4x4 radio controlled SUV's.

Went to bed early after a hectic 400 mile day in heavy traffic. It's 1am and I'll probably watch the news, drink coffee and hit the road around 2:30 or so. Drive until maybe 7 and take a snooze. No lot lizards tonight, I guess they made enough to do there shopping. I realize I have no idea what day it is anymore. When I initially started out I figured 400 miles per day and if I do at least that I don't have to think so what day it is means nothing.

It was pouring rain yesterday so I figured it was a good time to take a break. I checked the truck and trailer and all that rain finally got all that red sand from New Mexico off the frame. It was a really nice rest area and felt good to take a snooze listening to the rain beating down on the cab. Had the same effect as watching golf on me Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

I was finally able to pull into a pump yesterday for the first time in one shot. Most fuel pumps are at a 90 degree angle when you come down the driveway. I finally figured out that you need to drive by the pump you want, cut hard to the left, go past it, cut hard to the right then back into it. This is stuff they should teach in school and also how to pull into a parking spot with a trailer on either side. I guess these are things that would have been taught to me with a trainer. The other experiences I think come with just having to do it like the snow, ice, mountains, heavy rain, traffic, blocking lanes and everything else. I figure you can be with a trainer and go your whole 3 weeks or whatever and never experience any of that and that makes you qualified???? No, you learn on the job, learn from your experiences. Sure, they can tell you a bunch of stuff from books and school but once you actually live it, you don't forget it. Like the wet brakes, that's imprinted on my brain forever!

Did I mention, thank God for Mr. Coffee???? ha...Electric razor commercials are BS. I've been taking a shower every other day and using one of those razors that claim to be as close as a real razor. That's crapolo. I could work in an auto body shop right after shaving and they could use my face to wet sand a Pinto.

I'm guessing you stopped somewhere near Nashville, had I known I would have bought you a cup.

Steve, I must have missed it in a previous post. How did you obtain your CDL? Did you test using someone else's truck before you bought yours?

I'm guessing you stopped somewhere near Nashville, had I known I would have bought you a cup.

Steve, I must have missed it in a previous post. How did you obtain your CDL? Did you test using someone else's truck before you bought yours?

Thanks for the offer. Yes, I was near Nashville. I just stopped at a rest area that resembles an operating room in a hospital. This place is cleaner than anything I've ever seen. I just did 130 miles and stopped to make coffee and stretch my legs.

I ended up going to a school here in New England. I called one early Saturday morning expecting to get the answering machine and the owner of the school answered. I ended up meeting him that morning around 6am. I told him I was still working and wanted to do this part time. We both hit it off and he offered to teach me himself when it suited us both and it worked out well.

Thanks steve, for posting your story. It is an inspiration to me and my hubby. We are thinking long and hard about buying our own truck and trailer. He is a lease driver and we just feel like our wheels are tuning and we are getting nowhere sometimes.

We want to get a 02 or newer truck and a stepdeck. We want to haul LTL since this is where his niche is. We want our own authority too.

Please keep us up on your travels. Be safe out there....Merry Christmas wherever you are!! 8)

tootie

Well, the end of my 3100 mile destination is in sight and will get within 50 to 100 miles of the customer site and shut down for the night. I could probably make it this afternoon but would rather get up early and be there when they show up in the morning. It's Carlsbad CA so I'm expecting a lot of traffic and would rather beat the morning rush.

The trip has been pretty good the Southern route was a good choice for sure. Thanks to all who suggested it.

I'm on my 100 mile coffee break right now in Arizona about 450 miles from LA. My schedule has worked pretty good.

Get up 1am
Fool around on the net, coffee, laundry and shower
On the road at 3am
stop after 100 miles and have coffee and take a walk
stop after 250 miles, eat breakfast and take a 2 hour snooze!!!
stop at 350 miles and have coffee and take a walk
stop for night at 500 miles around 3pm. Walk around the truck store, why, I don't know, same old stuff, different state! Play video games, watch 50 year veterans pull into spots with inches on either side and like 2.3 seconds!!!

Getting into the truck stops at 3 has been good as you have your pick of spots to park and usually straight in parking. Sometimes I practice backing into a spot with a truck on either side cause I'm not holding up the crowd coming in.

Two times already I've parked at a non chain truck stop and they are the cats meow for sure!!! They usually don't have a sign on the highway but are listed in the truck stop directory. Loves is good for nothing. Tiny lots and usually just a subway. The private owned truck stops have great stores and the restaurant is very good.

I was pulled into the weigh station entering Oregon when my prepass red light went on. I have an Oregon number so I wasn't sure what was up. They told me to park the truck. I went in and they said I had a safety violation. Come to find out, it meant I didn't have my safety audit yet and that was OK. Not sure when that's happening, I got a call months ago asking if I was ready but they haven't called back yet.

My schedule that I'm keeping has it's ups and downs. You always get a great parking spot and easy to get into. Never wait for a shower or the laundry machines and the pumps are empty. Passing through big cities is easy even at 2 or 3 in the afternoon. I make some good time from 3am to 7am. You do miss some great scenery during the morning hours, rest areas are all filled to the max so don't think your going to stop for a pee break for at least 2 hours when they start heading out and freeing up some spots. Weigh stations are closed.

I never know what day it is anymore and measure time by how close I am to the customer and if I do 500 miles a day, I'm happy. I could do probably 600 but that would get old real quick.

I don't have heartburn anymore from wondering if I'm going to have to back up in a spot or if I'm going to have to pull out in the morning with trucks on either side of me with 2" clearance or driving through NY construction at 8am in the left lane with barriers 1" on the left and 2" from the cars on my right. I don't think any trainer can help with this, it's something you just have to deal with yourself and it's taken me I would say 5 weeks to feel confident about my skills in those situations.

I haven't seen any trouble at all and most have been real nice to me except for Georgia. Not sure what truck stop but a major one. There was a guard shack to get in. The guy comes out and hands me a ticket. I ask what it's for and he goes back inside and slams the door. He's black by the way. I go inside to the restaurant and up to the buffet. I say to another guy, nice day out today. He ignores me. He's black. I notice when I'm eating that if a white person come in, a white waitress waits on them and visa verse. WTF!!!!! I'm from New Hampshire and this stuff just plain does not happen. I felt like I was back in the 70's and watching TV and what happens in the South. Not a good experience. The CB at that truck stop was going non stop talking about black people and it was bad. I left, broke my hours of service and ran for another 100 miles and parked at a rest stop instead.

Last night I stopped at a Conoco in Arizona. As soon as I parked a guy came up and asked if I would like to come up stairs to the church for a free Christmas turkey dinner. I asked what strings? He said, non. I was hesitant. I'm somewhat religious but don't want to be preached too. What an awesome feast it was!! It was put on my the church for truck drivers and it was great. Nobody said boo to me and when I left they gave me two Christmas presents. I got back to the truck and the boxes were filled with all sorts of goodies. Work gloves, home made cookies, ruler, flag pin, pens, little pad of paper, candy, peanuts and tons of other stuff. Made my day.

There was 2 Jamaican guys who pulled up next to me in an old Freightliner pulling an old refer. The refer motor did not sound too good and the truck was held together with duct tape. The radiator had a leak and they had to put a gallon in every day they figured. They had temp plates on both and had were just bringing it home. They pooled there money and got there authority. They were pretty funny. Talk about starting out on a shoe string. I'll bet those suckers run there ass off and make it. Good for them!

Well, that's about it for now. Coffee break over. 150 more miles and happy time is nap time!

It seems that you have found a routine that works for you, Steve. I prefer the mom and pop or independent truck stops, too. The food is nearly always better than the chains and prices are usually lower. One of the best benefits is that they always seem to appreciate your business. Most of them have been around for many years, some longer than the chains. You will find more seasoned drivers stopping at the mom and pop truck stops. I like the idea of keeping them in business. Parking is usually much easier at them, too. :D

The Georgia truckstop you describe sounds like the Petro on the west side of Atlanta. Fits the description anyway.

I'm sitting in the middle of the Mohave Desert right now on Rt 40. Been driving for a long time and nothing in site. You best have enough fuel if your on this road. Pretty cool watching the trains off in the distance out there in nomans land. I would go outside for a walk but there are things crawling out there that want to suck my brains out, I just know it.

I would go outside for a walk but there are things crawling out there that want to suck my brains out, I just know it.

:shock:

The Georgia truckstop you describe sounds like the Petro on the west side of Atlanta. Fits the description anyway.

That place is f'n crazy!! Been there once, and will not make that mistake again.

Steve, In your last narrative you mentioned going through Oregon (?). Did you mean Oklahoma ? In my mind, I'm trying to figure out how to go the southern route, thru Oregon, to Ca. You must be mentally exhausted.

have you gotten a settlement yet steve? any problems with payment etc.

when I first started out I did alot of factoring just to make sure I got paid, then i`d wait to see how long it took them to pay the factoring company and use my best judgement regarding if i`d haul for them again.

Steve, In your last narrative you mentioned going through Oregon (?). Did you mean Oklahoma ? In my mind, I'm trying to figure out how to go the southern route, thru Oregon, to Ca. You must be mentally exhausted.

LOL-that's what I was wondering my self when he says he's going to California :P

I liked running across 40 in the Mojave except for the damned speed limit.

Steve, In your last narrative you mentioned going through Oregon (?). Did you mean Oklahoma ? In my mind, I'm trying to figure out how to go the southern route, thru Oregon, to Ca. You must be mentally exhausted.

New Hampshire to Carlsbad, CA via Oregon.... Hmmmmm...... Interesting...... :shock:

Oops, I meant to say New Mexico. I knew it was one of those states I applied for a permanent permit for.

I did get my first check yesterday. Of course, it's for the short load I hauled for $600 but they all should start coming in soon. It's been close to 30 days.

I don't understand why the speed limit is only 55 through the desert for trucks. I sit there with the cruise control on and my legs stretched out going la la la la la. I'm sitting in a Dairy Queen parking lot for trucks. I ran out of hours and I'm only about 125 miles from the customer site. Yesterday afternoon after I pulled in a guy with a diesel Dodge Ram pulled in and was out of fuel and couldn't make it the 30 miles or so to the next gas station. There is a station here but they don't sell diesel. He bought a 2 gallon gas can for $20 and a siphon hose for $20. He said they shelves were lined with them. I gave him 4 gallons and he was on his way. After that a tour bus coming back from the Hover Damn stopped filled with Russian tourists. Half the bus took a turn sitting in the drivers seat of my cab and getting there picture taken.

Here's a picture of either a car or tractor trailer burned to the ground. None of us could figure what it was. It was long enough to be a tractor but it pretty much melted. My guess is that it took hours for the fire department to get there. You can see on the sides of the road where MANY cars have burned. I can't figure out why? Not like it's 200 degrees out there.

ftp://ftp.btiserver.com/steve/fire.jpg

I liked running across 40 in the Mojave except for the damned speed limit.

Man,I hated crossing over into California. :evil: Went from 75,to 55 in a matter of a road sign. :shock: :P

Steve, what kind of fuel mileage are you getting? You have a cummins in that truck right?

Steve, what kind of fuel mileage are you getting? You have a cummins in that truck right?

I'm getting an average of 6.2 although I think this trip it's going to be much higher due to the 55mph limit for the past 300 miles or so. The engine is a detroit diesel series 60 at 550hp. It's a 10 speed and not sure what the gearing is but it's been perfect for me. I can do 75 at about 1700 RPM's and it loves 9th at 55.

I'm at the customer site now but they don't get in for another 3 hours. What a ride through CA so far. 1am 2am 3am, doesn't matter, there is traffic. Thank God for my GPS telling me to get ready and be in the left lane or right a mile before I'm suppose to. Big traffic jam going in the other direction. There was a truck carrying a missile going about 1mph with a police and military escort.

I swear I had less than 1/4 tank yesterday when I gave that guy some fuel out of my tank. This morning I started driving and I noticed I have a little less than 1/2 tank now. I would not be surprised if he had his crew come back and put fuel in my tank. He was some audio person for the movie industry. Maybe Divine intervention, who know but I plan to fill up after dropping my load off. Then it's time to get out of Dodge and head for a truck stop and chill out for a day or 2. Maybe get a cab and off to Play Place or something...lol

Just wait till summer time....it will feel like 200 degrees out there!! 8)

tootie

It's fun to read, still couldn't get rid of impression, that I'm reading some "cartoon" story....no offence! :D

over 6000 hits!

It's the first thread I check when I log in every day. Really enjoy reading about your adventure Steve.

After that a tour bus coming back from the Hover Damn stopped filled with Russian tourists. Half the bus took a turn sitting in the drivers seat of my cab and getting there picture taken.
OMG. Did anybody else bust up on that line?
You must be a fun guy Steve. They will have alot to show the folks back home. If you get any email from them be sure and share it.

I remember having a group of tourists get all giggly when I let them get in the drivers seat. Since it's all cabovers across the pond. I told them my truck is a baby compared to some of the trucks in the states. Damn 244" max wheelbase.

Here's a picture of either a car or tractor trailer burned to the ground. None of us could figure what it was. It was long enough to be a tractor but it pretty much melted. My guess is that it took hours for the fire department to get there. You can see on the sides of the road where MANY cars have burned. I can't figure out why? Not like it's 200 degrees out there.


coulda been a motorhome...they have a habit of doin that.... :?

It's fun to read, still couldn't get rid of impression, that I'm reading some "cartoon" story....no offense! :D

No offense taken. :P

When those Russian people came over to me, my truck was parked at the very back of this dirt parking lot across from Dairy Queen in the desert. It was parked in a way that made it a nice picture with the desert and mountains in the background. I at least remembered a little Russian and was able to say goodbye, "Das Vedonea". Not sure the spelling.

I dropped my load off yesterday and the customer was very nice but did not like the state that the crane parts showed up in. It was all cosmetic but they expected there not to be a single scratch on the nice yellow painted parts. Not easy when 10 chains are holding it down and many beams up against one another. It was dirty too from dust getting under the tarp and some parts were already rusting from the condensation that came from the hot and cold. Both wooden skids were crushed from the weight of the hoist motors. I did hit two dips in the road there were unbelievable and no warning and I'm sure that's what did it. The hoist motors are about 500 pounds a piece and should have been on 4x4's and not little skids. One of the motors slid into a steel girder and dented the side panel. When the motor crushed the skid the strap that was holding it down now had enough play that it was able to move. This is my 3rd crane for these people and the last thing to unload is to pick up all the loose pieces laying around. The shipped load a large crate with like 1000 pieces of odds and ends which should be shrink wrapped so everything flys out. I've mentioned this to the shipper but his response is always that it's tarped so it's fine. After dropping the load off I called the management and told them about the customer complaints and the next time a truck is loaded that they should look at it before the tarp is put on and common sense will tell them it's not right. We'll see.

I'm sitting in a Pilot somewhere off Rt 15 about 80 miles north of Carlsbad. I beat feet to the nearest truckstop I could find. It took about 4 hours to get here. 2pm and the traffic was incredible. 4 lanes of stop and go for hours and these people deal with this every day. I can only imagine what it's like at rush hour. All the truckers were telling jokes and being pretty good.

My truck is posted as available for today and we'll see what happens. If I don't get a load today chances are I'll be stuck here for the weekend. There was one load going from here to NY which is close to home so I bid $1.80 a mile. I got an email back with a "ha ha ha, not even close".

I have to tell you, there are a lot of OTR people out there with there own authority driving some of the biggest pieces of crap I've ever seen. I'm talking oil leaking left and right, engine making really bad sounds, smoke coming from the engine and all sorts of other stuff. So, you don't have to have a nice truck to be in this business.

My prepass has been great, get a green light on every weigh station and blow by. It blinks for 20 minutes after I go past and I mentioned it before and found out why. If for some reason the weigh station thinks I didn't get a green light and comes after me they will see that I did indeed get the green.

Not much else to report. It was a good trip all in all and enjoying my down time right now waiting for my next load. Time to clean, tighten, check, wash the truck and all that happy stuff. Had a mean Pepper Steak last night!!!

My truck is posted as available for today and we'll see what happens. If I don't get a load today chances are I'll be stuck here for the weekend. There was one load going from here to NY which is close to home so I bid $1.80 a mile. I got an email back with a "ha ha ha, not even close".




That was a real professional response they gave you there. :roll: I can't stand brokers with that attitude. They'd be the one to get po'd at you if they made a lowball offer and you laughed at them.

I thought today was Friday instead of Thursday so I may have a chance at getting out of here today or tomorrow. I don't really mind, there's a cafe here and I just had probably the best breakfast I've ever eaten!!!

I forgot to mention about last night. I shut off the TV and was going to go to sleep and cracked the window a little. I could hear what sounded like Indian music played on a flute or whatever you call them. Since I was in an area with lots of Indian stores and such I thought the Pilot played this at night for everyone. I was like, this is cool and went to sleep. I woke a few times during the night and it was still playing. Well, this morning I woke up and I'm listening and think, geeze, it really isn't that good whoever is playing it and I think I could do better than that. When I got out of my truck this morning I could here it coming from the tanker next to me. When I looked closer it was the wicked wind blowing over pipes that was making the sound all night...DUH

I see a lot of loads going to Colorado so I'm guessing I may get something there at a good rate maybe since there getting whacked again. I'm up for a snow storm again and chaining up. The desert run was pretty boring and I need a little more excitement.

Back again to edit this post.

Phone just rang and I got a load to Aspen Colorado leaving on Saturday. I could have had the load for tomorrow but they said it didn't matter and it needed to be there on Wed. It's concert equipment. I wonder who's playing next week there after Wed??? I'm guessing it's Aerosmith and he's going to ask me to take his daughter Liv with me because she's always wanted to ride in a truck. lol

Better get the chains ready!!!

I dropped my load off yesterday and the customer was very nice but did not like the state that the crane parts showed up in. It was all cosmetic but they expected there not to be a single scratch on the nice yellow painted parts. Not easy when 10 chains are holding it down and many beams up against one another. It was dirty too from dust getting under the tarp and some parts were already rusting from the condensation that came from the hot and cold. Both wooden skids were crushed from the weight of the hoist motors. I did hit two dips in the road there were unbelievable and no warning and I'm sure that's what did it. The hoist motors are about 500 pounds a piece and should have been on 4x4's and not little skids. One of the motors slid into a steel girder and dented the side panel. When the motor crushed the skid the strap that was holding it down now had enough play that it was able to move. This is my 3rd crane for these people and the last thing to unload is to pick up all the loose pieces laying around. The shipped load a large crate with like 1000 pieces of odds and ends which should be shrink wrapped so everything flys out. I've mentioned this to the shipper but his response is always that it's tarped so it's fine. After dropping the load off I called the management and told them about the customer complaints and the next time a truck is loaded that they should look at it before the tarp is put on and common sense will tell them it's not right. We'll see.

You accepted the load the way they had it skidded and secured. It is your responsibility, not theirs.

You accepted the load the way they had it skidded and secured. It is your responsibility, not theirs.

Not my problem, this is the way the shipper wants it. I already spoke to management and they want it this way also. They say it would cost way more to crate and shrink wrap then it would for the field rep to touch up after putting it together. This is the 3rd crane so far that arrived like this. I'm just a little upset that I have to listen to the customer as I pretty much represent the manufacturer in there eyes. I get paid and no blame. I just wanted to make sure the management knew about this and they do.

Hey Steve...Glad to hear you made it o.k.
What did that load to Aspen pay?

You accepted the load the way they had it skidded and secured. It is your responsibility, not theirs.

Not my problem, this is the way the shipper wants it. I already spoke to management and they want it this way also. They say it would cost way more to crate and shrink wrap then it would for the field rep to touch up after putting it together. This is the 3rd crane so far that arrived like this. I'm just a little upset that I have to listen to the customer as I pretty much represent the manufacturer in there eyes. I get paid and no blame. I just wanted to make sure the management knew about this and they do.

Isn't there something you can put UNDER the chain to prevent this?

Isn't there something you can put UNDER the chain to prevent this?

I could but all the other beams rest up against one another. The paint on the beams isn't that big a deal but open crates with parts flying out and laying all over the floor of the bed just doesn't seem right. I just got off the phone with the shipper again and nothing will change, thanks for the input and tell us when your back in town for another load. Oh well.

The load for Colorado is paying $2.10 per mile. I pick up on Saturday noon and deliver by Wed noon. Plenty of time and could be done in 2 days no problem but I don't mind. I have my ski gear and may take a day or 2 and go skiing.

Isn't there something you can put UNDER the chain to prevent this?

I could but all the other beams rest up against one another. The paint on the beams isn't that big a deal but open crates with parts flying out and laying all over the floor of the bed just doesn't seem right. I just got off the phone with the shipper again and nothing will change, thanks for the input and tell us when your back in town for another load. Oh well.

The load for Colorado is paying $2.10 per mile. I pick up on Saturday noon and deliver by Wed noon. Plenty of time and could be done in 2 days no problem but I don't mind. I have my ski gear and may take a day or 2 and go skiing.

Better watch out for the storm that is brewing in CO tonight. They are predicting another 2 feet.

Isn't there something you can put UNDER the chain to prevent this?

I could but all the other beams rest up against one another. The paint on the beams isn't that big a deal but open crates with parts flying out and laying all over the floor of the bed just doesn't seem right. I just got off the phone with the shipper again and nothing will change, thanks for the input and tell us when your back in town for another load. Oh well.

The load for Colorado is paying $2.10 per mile. I pick up on Saturday noon and deliver by Wed noon. Plenty of time and could be done in 2 days no problem but I don't mind. I have my ski gear and may take a day or 2 and go skiing.

You might want to check the Wx, as Colorado is expecting a repeat of last weeks blizzard.

I'm sitting in a Pilot somewhere off Rt 15 about 80 miles north of Carlsbad.

quote]

Steve,

Sounds like you're in Hesperia,CA. Keep going North and you end up in Vegas.

Yup, I hear the weather may not be good but no problem. Got my chains, plenty of coffee and a full tank of fuel and I'm all set. I don't mind the snow and rather enjoy it.

Yes, I'm in Hesperia at the Pilot. Just had my truck washed, tires balanced and an oil change and lube. There are all these little private businesses within a few hundred yards. It's like your one stop shopping needs!!

Yup, I hear the weather may not be good but no problem. Got my chains, plenty of coffee and a full tank of fuel and I'm all set. I don't mind the snow and rather enjoy it.

Yes, I'm in Hesperia at the Pilot. Just had my truck washed, tires balanced and an oil change and lube. There are all these little private businesses within a few hundred yards. It's like your one stop shopping needs!!


Its just a tad different out here in the West... especially the Rockies. What was described in your earlier trip out here does not come close to a " good ol' Colorado blizzard ". But what do I know... I have run the mountains here in the West the past 7 years, and I have to get over some pretty big passes in all kinds of weather just to get home.

You accepted the load the way they had it skidded and secured. It is your responsibility, not theirs.

Whenever I feel uncomfortable with the way a shipper has loaded, and they refuse to load any other way, I put "shippers load and count"( NOT SLC) on the BOL. Never had any problems.

Hey steve,

Neat story so far....We are headed to CO too. We have to be in Rifle on Tuesday. We are coming from NY so this should be an interesting trip...

tootie

Its just a tad different out here in the West... especially the Rockies. What was described in your earlier trip out here does not come close to a " good ol' Colorado blizzard ". But what do I know... I have run the mountains here in the West the past 7 years, and I have to get over some pretty big passes in all kinds of weather just to get home.

I spent 2 winters in Frazer Colorado at Winter Park. From what I understand it's the coldest place in the U.S. Spent 1 year in Lake Tahoe where it would snow 10 feet in one day. I had a Mustang GT with 4 studded snow tires and I swear it was meaner than an 4 wheel drive. It use to throw up a rooster tail 10 feet in the air. The cops use to wave me on going up Mt. Rose. The GT is one heavy car and it was a convertible to boot.

I crack up every time I see your Avitar TF.

Lake Tahoe where it would snow 10 feet in one day

BS

I can't believe those clowns said you were "not even close" with a bid of $1.80/mile on a flatbed load. And into NY no less. I mean it's not exactly sunny Tucson. Was that $1.80 + FSC?

I honestly don't understand flatbed rates at less than $2/mile. I hate to beat this rate thing to death nor am I trying to be a know it all but........

Not a slam. Just can't figure it out is all.

I gotta give it to ya there Steve, taking a Mustang GT out in that kinda weather. I traded in my lifted z71 on my new silverado and it's two wheel drive and I HATE taking that thing out in bad weather. I took my foxbody Mustang GT (92 5.0) out in the snow one day, and let's say a car with the potential to run 9's and drag radials was enough to make me cry like a little girl as I limped him idling lol.


30 minutes to go 5 miles!!!!! :lol:

I gotta give it to ya there Steve, taking a Mustang GT out in that kinda weather. I traded in my lifted z71 on my new silverado and it's two wheel drive and I HATE taking that thing out in bad weather. I took my foxbody Mustang GT (92 5.0) out in the snow one day, and let's say a car with the potential to run 9's and drag radials was enough to make me cry like a little girl as I limped him idling lol.


30 minutes to go 5 miles!!!!! :lol:

Same as me driving my Stealth in the Winter up here :P

well time for my 2 cents

if the customer made no notations on the BOL you dodged a bullet

but if he did you are he still may file a claim against you.

once its on your truck and you signed for it you pretty much your responsibilty to get it there damage free or else.

if the shipper makes good...........fine

at some point the claim could be too big for the shipper to say "don't worry about it"

and you will get burnt especially if the customer gets to keep the "damaged" product........there are plenty of scammers out there

ok

the next thing is a bit hard to explain but let me just say that you want to experience a challenge and then the felling of accomplishment when its over.
You have to ask yourself is it really a wise decision to take a load into the belly of the beast? for any price? Are you heading to a snow stormed Denver for the big bucks or "the challenge?" Why risk your truck and life for a challenge? There are 52 weeks in a year to make money. So many things can go wrong with an 18 in winter especially at night. You may be a good driver in the snow but there are white outs, abandoned cars in the middle of the road and cars going the wrong way on the hwy and sharing the road with bad snow drivers.
as soon as the road is snow covered
there is big trouble and not to be taken lightly
sunrise should tell you
not all the trucks make it through a snowstorm

Please start a thread titled "not all the trucks make it through a snowstorm." The stories should be good.

well time for my 2 cents

if the customer made no notations on the BOL you dodged a bullet

but if he did you are he still may file a claim against you.

once its on your truck and you signed for it you pretty much your responsibilty to get it there damage free or else.

if the shipper makes good...........fine

at some point the claim could be too big for the shipper to say "don't worry about it"

and you will get burnt especially if the customer gets to keep the "damaged" product........there are plenty of scammers out there

ok

the next thing is a bit hard to explain but let me just say that you want to experience a challenge and then the felling of accomplishment when its over.
You have to ask yourself is it really a wise decision to take a load into the belly of the beast? for any price? Are you heading to a snow stormed Denver for the big bucks or "the challenge?" Why risk your truck and life for a challenge? There are 52 weeks in a year to make money. So many things can go wrong with an 18 in winter especially at night. You may be a good driver in the snow but there are white outs, abandoned cars in the middle of the road and cars going the wrong way on the hwy and sharing the road with bad snow drivers.
as soon as the road is snow covered
there is big trouble and not to be taken lightly
sunrise should tell you
not all the trucks make it through a snowstorm

I will add that freight sucks coming out of Colorado.

I will add that freight sucks coming out of Colorado

If you can find it and pays for more than fuel costs.

My truck is posted as available for today and we'll see what happens. If I don't get a load today chances are I'll be stuck here for the weekend. There was one load going from here to NY which is close to home so I bid $1.80 a mile. I got an email back with a "ha ha ha, not even close".





At that point, I think I would have sent him a note back and apologized for sending the wrong quote. You really meant $2.80. :wink:

By the way, Steve. Victorville is one or two exits north on I-15. If you get tired of eating at the restaurant at the Pilot, there are other restaurants only a couple of miles from you. You may check to see if you can drop the trailer, though. It would be difficult to get the truck and trailer in some of the lots. If you get off and go West at Victorville there is an Applebee's, I believe and some other restaurants where you could probably get the truck and trailer near the restaurants. There is also a shopping center at that exit. If you go East, there is a WalMart if you need to pick up some supplies. If you go to that WalMart, you may want to go around back to the truck entrance and park. As long as you don't stay too long, they should not bother you.

By the way, are you bidding for most of your loads or picking them up off the boards?

why and the world would he even be near Victorville?

Lake Tahoe where it would snow 10 feet in one day

BS
The 24-hour snowfall record at Lake Tahoe is 67 inches in 1982. That of course is in just that one place. Any build up is possible because of the blowing and the crazy terrain.

Lake Tahoe where it would snow 10 feet in one day

BS
The 24-hour snowfall record at Lake Tahoe is 67 inches in 1982. That of course is in just that one place. Any build up is possible because of the blowing and the crazy terrain.

we get more than that up here and we're not even in the Mountains.

67" isn't even close to 10'

Thanks for the Walmart tip GMAN, I am out of supplies. I'm going to unhook and restock today. I want to see if I can make some metal cable hangers to hang my chains on the short support beams on my flatbed today also. Does anyone have any other suggestions as to how to hang my chains? I don't have space near the bunk because of my big tanks and tool boxes on both sides and would like to mount something today.

The 10' in Tahoe was with drifting too. The house I was in was completely buried to the roof. Thank God I didn't have to dig myself out. On a side note. I was hired by the gaming commission in Reno and given a huge program that ran in a million dollar slot machine. This slot machine was hit for the jackpot in less than a month at 2 different locations and the record showed the same sequence of quarters inserted. The program was modified in many different locations to modify itself after getting a certain sequence of quarters inserted. At different levels of quarter insertion a byte of code was stored in Malloc memory. When the sequence of quarters was complete the code did a jump to RAM and modified the RNG to hit then erased itself. It took me 6 months to find it and 2 programmers were convicted.

My Mustang won't move an inch with my regular tires but believe me, put 4 studded snows on and watch out.

As far as heading into a possible storm, well, it doesn't bother me. You guys can stay in Florida for $1.10 and for me, I'll chain up and head up!

All the loads I've been getting are off the load boards. Half the time I post my truck and end up getting a call from either a shipper as in this case or a broker with a load that was not posted. Most of the better paying loads that I see are for areas like what I'm about to head into or last minute stuff. I'm pretty sure if I tried for over $2.00 on most loads I would sit forever. I think most of you talk BS about what your getting unless your hooked up with a shipper but as far as load boards are concerned I think your lucky to get $1.60 to $1.80 at the most. I've bid on tons of loads and never hear back so I'm sure they are getting a cheaper price. If you think a handful of us here on the load boards are going to change the industry by not taking loads for less than $2.00 your F%^%& crazy and will sit and starve. I don't think my average is bad at all and this month should be about $1.80.

The load I'm taking is going to Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen and the band equipment is in special containers with there own power source for heat and dehumidifier and AC. Why a flatbed you ask. Because where I'm going is not a place a truck can get into so they will be off loading me close by with a forklift and driving the crates to the stage.

I'm still on Eastern time and it's 5:17am for me but really 2:17am here in CA. Pretty quiet I must say. Going to punch in Walmart on my GPS and call around and see if there are any 24 superstores in the area.

I believe the WalMart I mentioned in Victorville is open 24 hours. I believe it at the second exit heading north on I-15. Come off the freeway and head east. It is a few blocks on the left. There is an auto parts store across the street. I think it is an Autozone. Anyone who works at the Pilot or restaurant should be able to tell you.

I believe the WalMart I mentioned in Victorville is open 24 hours. I believe it at the second exit heading north on I-15. Come off the freeway and head east. It is a few blocks on the left. There is an auto parts store across the street. I think it is an Autozone. Anyone who works at the Pilot or restaurant should be able to tell you.

Thanks, I just called and they open at 5am. I can type in WalMart on my GPS and it tells me everyone starting with the closest one and the one you mentioned will do. I don't think it's a superstore with food so I'm hoping they at least carry coffee.

I don't recall whether that WalMart has a grocery department or not. I do remember a grocery store at that exit. If you are bobtailing, you should not have a problem parking.

Yup, I'm bob tailing so I'll find something. I need to buy a new printer/scanner since mine broke. I spent about $30 yesterday faxing stuff at $2.00 per page.

I need to grease up my 5th wheel although I'm not sure which one is my fifth. I've looked at all 18 wheels but they don't number them. I'll pick up more grease at WalMart and do all of them so that should cover it.

Perhaps they should call them 19 wheelers rather than 18 wheelers. :lol: :wink:

oh boy......... that ought to generate some replies LOL

All the loads I've been getting are off the load boards. Half the time I post my truck and end up getting a call from either a shipper as in this case or a broker with a load that was not posted. Most of the better paying loads that I see are for areas like what I'm about to head into or last minute stuff. I'm pretty sure if I tried for over $2.00 on most loads I would sit forever. I think most of you talk BS about what your getting unless your hooked up with a shipper but as far as load boards are concerned I think your lucky to get $1.60 to $1.80 at the most. I've bid on tons of loads and never hear back so I'm sure they are getting a cheaper price. If you think a handful of us here on the load boards are going to change the industry by not taking loads for less than $2.00 your F%^%& crazy and will sit and starve. I don't think my average is bad at all and this month should be about $1.80.




Rates have been suppressed for at least a couple of months. They tend to drop in the winter months along with the amount of freight available. You don't necessarily have to sit forever to find the $2/mile loads, but may do more sitting than if you booked the first load offered. It has been more of a challenge to find the $2/mile freight the last couple of months. If your average is $1.80 and includes ALL miles driven, then you are doing much better than many out here. Everyone has to do what they feel is best for them. But if everyone would refuse to haul the cheap loads, then all rates would come up. The only reason rates are so cheap in some area's is because there are so many hungry owner operators who are trying to operate off of a shoe string. They take the cheap loads in hopes of keeping the bill collectors at bay for a little while longer. Supply and demand are what control rates. Not long ago I saw rates on one shipment go up about $0.50/mile in one day because they could not get it moved for the cheaper rate. The rate kept going up until someone took it. It went from about $1.08/mile to $1.51. Some people are either afraid or cannot afford to sit for a day to find a better paying load. While you seem to be doing well, others are not. It isn't usually difficult to find a rate for around $2/mile that originate and stay in the West, unless you try to move east of Denver. Then rates tend to be lower because of an abundance of trucks in Colorado wanting to head east, compared to the level of freight. I have gotten a legal load out of Colorado for $3/mile, but that was a fluke. I usually deadhead out, since I won't haul freight less than a certain rate. If I can't make money on a load, I either wait a day or deadhead out. There are still some who will haul a load out of Denver for less than $1/mile. It will be interesting to see how you do once you get to the area, especially with all the new snow.

I did ok coming out of Colorado the last time although I headed to Texas from there. I don't remember the rate but it was a little over $2.00. The only reason I think I got that was because it was a rush delivery. UPS showed up and said, ya right, a 30' beam, I don't think so. I checked the load boards and there does seem to be a lot of loads going out from a 50 mile radius from Aspen.

I just got back from Walmart and stocked up. What a zoo early in the morning with skids everywhere! There was a Home Depot next door and I got some big C clamps that I'm going to clamp to my horizontal beams under the bed on my flatbed. Then I got some big huge D-Rings that I'll hang on the C clamps and through the chains and hang them that way.

I don't think I would use the C-clamps and D-rings to secure anything on the deck. I would not think they would be secure enough to hold anything of substance. I doubt whether they would remain tight with the flexing of and stress of the trailer and load. DOT might frown on using them. There are certain ways in which you are supposed to secure your load. I don't recall C-clamps being mentioned. :shock:

I believe Steve was talking about how he was going to hang his chains from the beams of his trailer. I apologize if I'm out of line with stating this, but I think you might have mis-understood him.

-Jason

If you guys want an awesome 5th wheel lube, come up to canada and head to a petro-canada bulk oil station. The stuff is called "barimol heavy" and it's about $110 CDN for a 5 gallon drum.

The stuff is SUPER thick, it feels almost exactly like fibreglass. This stuff sticks like crazy. The trick to it is that the surface is super slick.

Steve, you say $1.80 a mile, is this all miles or loaded miles?

Depending on the quality of the c-clamps that may work to hang your chains from. I would try it with one chain or two, and run a 4 inch strap also through the chains underneath the trailer to the other side as a backup. You may not notice for a few hundred miles if your system breaks, but with a 4 inch strap you will at least still drag the chains along.

It wouldn't take a good welding shop long to make you a set of hangers for the chains. Take a look around the truckstop at some others that look easy to use.

Yes Teal, you are correct. I did buy the C clamps but not happy with the setup. I just can't crank them down enough. I'm considering drilling some holes and putting eye bolts in then hang the D ring from that then hang the chains through the D ring.

I apologize if I misunderstood, Steve. They have a shop where Steve is hanging out. It is around behind the Pilot. I don't know if they do welding. If not, they could probably direct himto someone who could help. Chains are heavy and I would doubt whether C-clamps would hold chains for very long.

The $1.80 is for loaded only.

The place I'm at is like a giant flea market for truckers. You name and they have someone here to do it. People on the CB selling everything and every shop you can imagine.

I think I'll wait and have someone weld some hangers on. Those chains I have are for both wheels and real heavy and I'm having second thoughts doing it myself.

"Not afraid of snow ....will chain up and head out....."
now that's funny :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
how long have you been driving? :lol: :lol: :lol:
be safe

I think most of you talk BS about what your getting ....
whatever. :roll:

Last 10 loads averaged about 2.25 US/mile I guess (incl FSC, that's everything). I actually think this is a bit low and I'm going to batten down the hatches and try to average 2.30 - 2.40 in the new year.

6 of those loads came from one broker that kinda screwed up the first load we did for them but we followed through so we made a deal.....I settle for only $150 detention but you give us the next 5 loads. They agreed so there's 6 loads at $2.10 right there. Originally the load paid $2.01/mile but they changed the drop off point (closer) and honoured the same rate for a shorter distance so it came to $2.10/mile. Nice folks to deal and they are on my +++ list. They pay fast too.
:)

Another one was being offered at $1.82/mile and they eventually paid $2.42 after they sat on it for a week (10' wide).

These are all SD loads going in to Canada. Maybe that's the difference I don't know.

Have a P/U next week that pays $2.50 a mile. Does require a DD though. Load was originally offered at $1.85/mile. They counter offered my $2.50 (bless their hearts for trying) but I explained how I couldn't do it for any less. They saw my point and agreed to the $2.50. It took only 3 hours to come to an agreement.

Hope this BS helps.

SD loads? wassat?

SD=Step Deck.

Before it's asked; DD = double drop flatbed.

I think most of you talk BS about what your getting ....
whatever. :roll:

Last 10 loads averaged about 2.25 US/mile I guess (incl FSC, that's everything). I actually think this is a bit low and I'm going to batten down the hatches and try to average 2.30 - 2.40 in the new year.

6 of those loads came from one broker that kinda screwed up the first load we did for them but we followed through so we made a deal.....I settle for only $150 detention but you give us the next 5 loads. They agreed so there's 6 loads at $2.10 right there. Originally the load paid $2.01/mile but they changed the drop off point (closer) and honoured the same rate for a shorter distance so it came to $2.10/mile. Nice folks to deal and they are on my +++ list. They pay fast too.
:)

Another one was being offered at $1.82/mile and they eventually paid $2.42 after they sat on it for a week (10' wide).

These are all SD loads going in to Canada. Maybe that's the difference I don't know.

Have a P/U next week that pays $2.50 a mile. Does require a DD though. Load was originally offered at $1.85/mile. They counter offered my $2.50 (bless their hearts for trying) but I explained how I couldn't do it for any less. They saw my point and agreed to the $2.50. It took only 3 hours to come to an agreement.

Hope this BS helps. Are those Canadian Dollars?? :lol: :lol: :lol:

The loads that I've been doing are at least 2,200 miles at an average of $1.80 now. I did do some loads at $3.00 that were under 500 miles but those still took 2 days and not enough time to get to the next one and load until the 3rd day. Some of these loads take up to 4 hours to load up. Myself, I would rather do the long hauls for under $2.00 per mile and take it easy.

I have a feeling I'm going to be in the same boat as last time. I'll end up in Colorado then off to Texas again. I'm trying to stay out for 3 weeks so that gives me another 2 weeks to get home. I would like to head to Florida and feel some heat. California is nice during the day where I am but windy as Hell and night gets pretty cold.

Hey Steve, don't forget about all of the post about how it is very hard to get a back haul out of Florida. You get a decent rate going in to Florida, but terrible rate coming out.

Keep posting Steve, it really is interesting to see how your doing. I am glad that you are making it and enjoying it. If a person can do what they enjoy and get paid for it, there is nothing like it.

I'm sitting outside the gates at my next pickup in Irwindale, CA. Talk about traffic but not bad at all with the streets. They are all pretty wide and easy to negotiate. One month ago I would have looked at the map and **** a brick at all the streets, buildings and freeways. I was still quit nervous coming here not knowing what to expect. I punched in the address to my GPS and went off driving. It told me to take the next exit but a sign said NO TRUCKS! Oh crap, I'll let the GPS recalculate for the next exit, wrong again....NO TRUCKS. This went on for a while until I was like 10 miles down the road and finally found an exit that was OK for me to pull off and bring up Microsoft Streets. I got directions from that and realized it's route was 10 times better and easier than what my GPS was going to take. So, I guess from now on I'll check the maps about my destination before I head out. Don't get me wrong, GPS is the greatest thing since sliced bread especially when your on Rt xxx then all of a sudden the signs say your on Rt yyy but it's really still xxx. Sort of like Rt 128/95 near Boston. One second your going south and the next your going north. One second it's 128 then next it's 95. Go up Rt 3 to New Hampshire and all of a sudden Rt 3 is a back road if you follow the signs. The GPS will keep you on Daniel Webster Highway instead which really is the new Rt3. GEEZ OH MAN!!!!

The place I'm at is a dead end street with a gate at the end. There were houses on the street coming down and the road is pretty bad from all the trucks I'm guessing. Not sure what's behind the gates so I brought up Google Maps and typed in the address and then asked for a satellite view. I was able to zoom in all the way and it looks like a HUGE terminal with hundreds and hundreds of trucks. I can see the elevated highway about 3/4 of a mile away and from the satellite image this place goes from this fence to there and all trucks.

There are a few loads going from CO to FL and I'll see about getting one of those if I can instead of heading to Texas again. The loads I see coming out of FL are paying around $1.10 that I've seen so far and they are short runs enough to get you out of FL and into a better lane. I know a lot of you would say you would rather dead head out than accept $1.10 for 300 miles to get you out. Sounds stupid. If your going to dead head out why not at least get your truck paid for instead of it coming out of your own pocket. SHOOT ME, I'm the sole cause of cheap freight!!! lol

So, I don't have to be at my destination until Wed and it's only 880 miles. Not sure what I'll do yet but I'll probably head straight there in case the weather turns bad, at least I'll be close. Looks like there is a small truck stop about 20 miles from Aspen in Glenwood Springs. Since it's small I think it would be better that I show up early in case it's full I can wait then park myself until Wed. I'll take a cab or shuttle into Aspen and futz around. I can tell you one thing, it's going to be nap city all the way there!!!!! Turn on some golf and it's good night Irene!

There are a few loads going from CO to FL and I'll see about getting one of those if I can instead of heading to Texas again. The loads I see coming out of FL are paying around $1.10 that I've seen so far and they are short runs enough to get you out of FL and into a better lane. I know a lot of you would say you would rather dead head out than accept $1.10 for 300 miles to get you out. Sounds stupid. If your going to dead head out why not at least get your truck paid for instead of it coming out of your own pocket. SHOOT ME, I'm the sole cause of cheap freight!!! lol



There are some who look at cheap loads much the same as you are. As long as people continue to haul them, the rates won't go up. Personally, I won't haul anything for less than my costs plus a fair profit. You tie your truck up for a day or two on a load which will not make any money. You waste time loading and unloading and spend additional money on fuel for a load that makes no money, when you could have deadheaded out and gotten a load that does pay something. It doesn't make sense to put something on the truck where I will only pay for my fuel. If you like the cheap loads coming out of Florida, check out anything in Plant City. Most will run from $0.90-1.20/mile. The majority of them are usually on the lower end of that scale. They are heavy and many of them go as far as Texas and New Jersey. They have plenty of them because most people won't haul them for those rates. Everyone must do what they feel is best for them and their business. I just get a high enough rate going in to Florida where I can afford to deadhead out to a better area and still make a fair profit. If the shipper or broker doesn't want to pay what I need, then I don't take their load.

I think most of you talk BS about what your getting unless your hooked up with a shipper but as far as load boards are concerned I think your lucky to get $1.60 to $1.80 at the most. I've bid on tons of loads and never hear back so I'm sure they are getting a cheaper price. If you think a handful of us here on the load boards are going to change the industry by not taking loads for less than $2.00 your F%^%& crazy and will sit and starve. I don't think my average is bad at all and this month should be about $1.80.

And therein lies the downfall of getting all your loads from a loadboard, where everybody and their mother has access to them, and everybody and their mother has their hand in them. I used to work for a guy who did nothing but get his loads off a load board. Needless to say, he isn't in that business anymore.

The $1.80 is for loaded only.

Other than to skew your numbers to make them look better, what is the point of even calculating what you are making for loaded miles only? It isn't a true representation of what you are pulling in.

The loads that I've been doing are at least 2,200 miles at an average of $1.80 now. I did do some loads at $3.00 that were under 500 miles but those still took 2 days and not enough time to get to the next one and load until the 3rd day. Some of these loads take up to 4 hours to load up. Myself, I would rather do the long hauls for under $2.00 per mile and take it easy.

C.R. England, Swift, J.B. Hunt, etc. would love you. The trick to making it in this business is to put AS FEW miles on as you can, while running THE HIGHEST rate possible. I would certainly rather put 5000 miles a month or less on, and pull in $20,000, than put 12,000 miles a month on to get that same $20,000. My variable costs are lower, my equipment will last longer, and I won't end up as tired from running my butt off.

Steve,

Because of he holidays over 1 million peole have left town so you're getting a break on the traffic.

As you noticed the Irwindale area is big for trucking so the streets are wider and more beat up. The first load I ever pulled, race cars, went to the Irwindale Race Track. Not far from where you are.

The area you stayed in, Hesperia, is the part of the high desert which gets more wind than Los Angeles.

If you want to go to Florida, try to LTL out of there. If you spend a little time and line some things up, you'll make more in the long run, or deadhead out as Gman suggested. Florida is a black hole for freight.

Well, I'm back at the Pilot in Hesperia for the night and will get an early start to Aspen in the morning. I was at the shipper before 7 when they opened so I was the first one in. Since I was the first they gave me the lighter load at 20,000. I'm hauling the stage that will be used at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen for the upcoming X Games. I have 4 big concrete blocks up front and 4 in back then some of the stage in the middle. This is the first time my steers feel heaving so I plan to scale in the morning and adjust my 5th wheel. I may move it anyways and scale again to see the difference. Maybe ride around the block then do a comparison. At slow speeds it almost feels like I have only 1/2 my power steering. I have a feeling this load is much more than 20,000. I was down to 35mph coming over the mountain into Hesperia.

There was another guy loading also heading to Aspen who had his own authority and has been on his own for 4 years and is doing very well. We compared notes and he's getting about the same as me. The only difference is that he's renting his trailer for $700 per month and has a truck payment but he's doing OK. This guy was one of the Chip and Dale dancers and traveled around the world doing shows. He was always around trucks when they unloaded the stage props and stuff so when he reached 40 which was too old to be in the show, he started driving. Cool guy, we're going to grab a cab and head for Aspen town one night.

Rev.Vassago
Ignore

There was also a driver there picking up some other stuff in a van. He was in his late 60's and retired. Lives in Port Orange Florida and has been here in California for the past few weeks visiting his children and was taking a load back close to Florida. I had my suspicions about this and he confirmed it. There are 8 bazzilion retired truckers with there own authority living in Florida. They haul quite a bit of freight from there and plan to run there trucks into the ground then hang it up. He said he does short runs around 350 miles or so. When I was looking for a truck there was plenty in Florida for sale by retired truckers.

I'm sure going to miss the Outpost restaurant close to the Pilot here. I got up at 2am this morning and just had my first meal of the day around 4pm. The waitress asked if I was OK. I said, I want to leave, I just can't get up and need a wheelbarrow to bring me back to my truck. I'm full, fat, dumb and happy right now and will melt into bed shortly.

This is FUN!!! 6 weeks and NO regrets.

Rev.Vassago
Ignore

:roll:

Rev i would just give up and let him sink his own ship.

This is FUN!!! 6 weeks and NO regrets.


Damnit Steve! This is business, NOT pleasure! :wink:

I couldn't help but think of you when I saw an ad for Landstar in one of the trucking magazines. It has a picture of a truck with mountains in the background and another picture of a guy skiing and the caption reads...

See the mountains.
Ski the mountains.

This is freedom. This is Landstar.

This -FBN- being envious. :lol:

Glad things are going well for you my friend. Keep on truckin'! :)

Steve, if you are writing a book, I've got a good title;-

"Trucking for Gentlemen" :D

No charge! :P

US dollars LOL!

And the loads I mentioned are only 250-500 mile deals so you may have something there.

Steve, if you are writing a book, I've got a good title;-

"Trucking for Gentlemen" :D

No charge! :P

He already wrote one:

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k15/revvassago1/dummies.jpg

Steve, if you are writing a book, I've got a good title;-

"Trucking for Gentlemen" :D

No charge! :P

lol, no books for me although a good title, I use to be a Gentlemen Host on cruise ships at one time.

I forgot to mention yesterday. It's a good thing I stopped back at the Pilot to spend the night instead of making a little progress. Every highway out of here was shut down either because of high winds or accidents. I've never seen so many trucks laying on there sides and car accidents.

This is the highest load I've ever carried also, 13'6" but I'm all set. All the states I'll be going through are at least 14'. I'm sure I'll still duck a few times until I get use to it.

I may stop in Vegas tonight if the weather is good, have something to eat and walk around a bit.

The checks have started to roll in and I'm in the black now with a few thousand in the account.

Damnit Steve! This is business, NOT pleasure! :wink:


Sorry there Fly, I'll try and be like the other professionals in here. Lets see, were did I put those doom and gloom pills.

The board has been down for a while. Well, I loaded up and stopped at Vegas for New Years. I only dove about 200 miles. I was on the road to Vegas about 2am and it was just jam packed with car loads of teenagers also headed for Vegas. I guess it's the thing to do or something. When I crossed over into Nevada the weigh station was more than fully staffed and no PrePass this time. They were pulling everyone in. The guy talked to me for a bit, probably to see if I was drinking. He then did a walk around and checked all my chains, straps and air lines. He then let me go. The pull off area for people that didn't pass was stacked to the max with trucks parked on the side and everywhere.

I parked at the new Petro on the outskirts of town and took a shower, did laundry, washed my windows, checked the oil and did a real good inspection. After that I grabbed a cab into town, walked around, had dinner then headed back around 8pm. The place was insane and not a fun place to walk around, just too many people.

I got up early again and headed off and made it to Salina and decided to stop there for the night, another easy day since I'm ahead of schedule. I stopped at a small place with a Denny's right there and a Mexican restaurant and had some great hot food and went to bed early.

I started out early again this morning and it was freezing cold. I had only driven about 50 miles and realized I didn't fill in my log book so I stopped at the next rest stop. It was full so I did a U-turn in the parking lot and was going to park on the side for a minute and all of a sudden the warning sound came on for the brakes and then the trailer valve kicked on and to a stop a came....FAST!

I got out and could see the red emergency line was leaking and didn't have a hole but looked like it just blew up. I called out on the CB to see if anyone was awake that may have a spare hose I could buy but everyone was asleep. So, I unhook the trailer which was real hard cranking when you have a 20,000 right over the 5th wheel. So off I go back to Salina because there is nothing for over 100 miles in the other direction. I get there and the little shop has nothing. Drive another 20 miles to a small Flying-J and buy 2 hoses and drive back.

I get out my tool and start to put a wrench on the nut and the air hose is so stiff it keeps turning the nut back when I take the wrench off. No big deal, I'll just get my big wire cutters and cut the hose. When I do it just shatters. I grab the hose in different places and crush it with my hands and it falls to pieces!!!! Now that country song is going through my head...."I fall to pieces...na na na". When I did that inspection the other day the hose was perfect. I think now, I'll check to make sure it is somewhat pliable also instead of rock hard like it was.

I get the hose fixed and I'm on my way through the mountain passes. I'm up over 8,000 feet then start down and I notice there isn't a sign telling me about a steep grade. I can see another truck coming up the mountain at least 1,000 feet below me. I start going down and realize I'm pushing on the pedal to keep my speed up. I put the cruise on for 55 and the computer says I'm getting 3.2MPG. There is a MAJOR wind tunnel coming up the mountain. WOW!!!!

I keep going then I see the signs for 6% for the next 6 miles and they weren't kidding. I was in 7th with the Jake's on full and still stabbing the brakes the whole way. No big deal but you need to stay on top of it for sure.

Stopped for my nap a while ago and it's daylight now and in an awesome rest stop somewhere in either Utah or Colorado, not sure but there's moo cows or something all around me.

On to Aspen!

At least it happened before you hit the long steep grades. Today, most hoses are made of plastic. After a while they tend to become brittle and can break. I wish they still made them out of rubber. They seem to stay pliable longer and are easier to repair. I used to keep fittings in the truck so that I could make a repair if the hose started leaking. I think you enjoy running the left coast. :D

I think you enjoy running the left coast. :D
:D

I actually bought 4 new hoses. I'm going to replace the other one also and 2 spares just in case. I bought 4 new glad hand connectors too, may as well do the whole 9 yards.

It is a good idea to keep a few spares of some things. You can't always rely on something going out at a convenient time. :wink: By the way, Steve, did the Nevada DOT check your tire chains or securement chains?

Steve, keep it up man! I love reading about your adventures. I'm envious as are alot of folks, but you had the sense to make your money first then plunge in and just have fun. And despite the Rev's crab-like demeanor, he is right about something: keep your straps on the inside of the rub-rail. A good read through the current FMSCR book would do you good. BOL! 8)

Yup I have a longass spare hose. Right now I can use it to fill up any tire, it has the right fittings. If I need it, it will be used for a trailer line.

It is a good idea to keep a few spares of some things. You can't always rely on something going out at a convenient time. :wink: By the way, Steve, did the Nevada DOT check your tire chains or securement chains?

He check my securement chains. Grabbed every chain and strap, walked around the whole truck looking at everything. He seemed OK and didn't have an attitude.

Steve, keep it up man! I love reading about your adventures. I'm envious as are alot of folks, but you had the sense to make your money first then plunge in and just have fun. And despite the Rev's crab-like demeanor, he is right about something: keep your straps on the inside of the rub-rail. A good read through the current FMSCR book would do you good. BOL! 8)

Thanks. Yes, I do have the FMSCR book, I read it at night to put me to sleep. Kidding. I know about the rub rails and I did it again on this load by mistake. I'm all done chaining and strapping then I step back and say, OH CRAP. At least I got one side under the rail. The DOT guy didn't say anything about it but I'll try and do it right the next time!

I'm sitting at a rest stop about 40 miles from my destination and going to spend the night here. I can't get my pressure above 90 psi and noticed on the service line going to the truck there is a device that looks like an air restrict-er or something and it's leaking like a sieve. There are 2 round rubber things on either side and both are blowing air big time. I'm waiting for the service guy to show up any minute from the local town down the street. I'm lucky on this one for sure!!! When I got here I replaced the other air line and all 4 glad hands so everything is brand new now. That DOT guy grabbed all of my lines in Nevada, I'm surprised it didn't let go then!!

I'm sitting at a rest stop about 40 miles from my destination and going to spend the night here. I can't get my pressure above 90 psi and noticed on the service line going to the truck there is a device that looks like an air restrict-er or something and it's leaking like a sieve. There are 2 round rubber things on either side and both are blowing air big time. I'm waiting for the service guy to show up any minute from the local town down the street. I'm lucky on this one for sure!!! When I got here I replaced the other air line and all 4 glad hands so everything is brand new now. That DOT guy grabbed all of my lines in Nevada, I'm surprised it didn't let go then!!

Better say a nice prayer before bed tonight, bad airlines and big hills can kill you! I'm glad you made it :)

And despite the Rev's crab-like demeanor,

Who's crabby? I think Steve the know-it-all is a laugh a minute!

You know what, this isn't a Jerry Springer episode.

This comment is pointed at both of you, you know who you are.

You know what, this isn't a Jerry Springer episode.

This comment is pointed at both of you, you know who you are.

Yeah, both of you - knock it off! :wink:

Now that I think about, you are kinda crabby Rev. :lol:

And despite the Rev's crab-like demeanor,

Who's crabby? I think Steve the know-it-all is a laugh a minute!

He's hanging on by the skin of his teeth and going through the school of hard knocks. I'm not so sure it's the best way of getting started, especially with a flatbed, but somehow he's making it work. I do find his tales entertaining, though. And your witty remarks are amusing so all-in-all it's a good thread! :lol:

He's hanging on by the skin of his teeth and going through the school of hard knocks. I'm not so sure it's the best way of getting started, especially with a flatbed, but somehow he's making it work.

I've seen nothing to indicate that he is "making it work". He posts numbers that he later admits are skewed (by not including any deadhead miles in his calculations), and he pulls all his loads off of load boards, even though he claimed prior to buying his truck that he had "connections" for loads (which have mysteriously vanished, as he admits that he pulls all his loads off of load boards). He is a bad influence on newbies, as he paints a too-rosy picture. He gives the impression that anyone with a CDL and a C.R.E. lease could do what he is doing.

I do find his tales entertaining, though. And your witty remarks are amusing so all-in-all it's a good thread! :lol:

Entertaining? Sure. Informative and educational? Nope.

Keep it coming steve :P ....I just love reading your posts.

Rev....I like your comments too.... 8)

DH has many years of flatbed experience and we will be on our own hopefully by summer!!
So you are an inspiration!!
tootie

Well, I reply to this just once. I do have connections back home hauling lumber and granite but at this point, I'm not interested. I'm having too much fun roaming around the U.S. at the moment!!!

All the loads I've gotten so far are off the load boards and it was a piece of cake. If you average all my loads it comes out to $1.80 per mile. I'm getting an average of 6.2 mpg. Sometimes 6.6, sometimes 5.2 but overall, 6.2.

I know it's just killing SOME people in here that I find it easy and fun. I found most all the information I needed to get started in here and a lot of help from GMAN.

I'm sure I haven't witnessed the worst but I know I have more experience now than some new person driving with a trainer for 3 weeks who does nothing but deliver groceries in Nebraska backing into food warehouses the size of the White House. Does that make them qualified after 3 weeks.

When I graduated college I knew nothing but the talent to learn.

When I graduated CDL school I knew nothing but the talent to learn.

I'm careful, cautious, afraid and not scared to ask for help when I need it.

I don't give advise in this forum but plan to some day. For now, I'll keep driving, having fun and posting my experiences at least until I find them not interesting.

I've posted nothing but the truth and being very up front with the loads I'm getting and the cost per mile. I know when I was reading this forum before I got my CDL this was a HUGE secret for some reason and they ones who did post what they were getting, well.....

Well, it's time for bed off to the side next to the Colorado River then up the mountain to Aspen tomorrow.

I'm careful, cautious, afraid and not scared to ask for help when I need it.

Steve, that is the #1 reason why I think you will succeed. There will be bumps, but even the most seasoned veterans have bumps(read up on the mighty rev not knowing how to put tire chains on).

Well, I reply to this just once. I do have connections back home hauling lumber and granite but at this point, I'm not interested. I'm having too much fun roaming around the U.S. at the moment!!!

I wonder if those loads will exist when you decide to stop "roaming".

All the loads I've gotten so far are off the load boards and it was a piece of cake. If you average all my loads it comes out to $1.80 per mile. I'm getting an average of 6.2 mpg. Sometimes 6.6, sometimes 5.2 but overall, 6.2.

As you stated earlier, your "$1.80 per mile" didn't include ANY deadhead. Put in the REAL miles, and it won't equal $1.80 anymore.

I know it's just killing SOME people in here that I find it easy and fun. I found most all the information I needed to get started in here and a lot of help from GMAN.

That is where you are dead wrong. I (and I'm sure many others here) could care less if you succeed or not. But your know-it-all demeanor is pathetic.

I'm sure I haven't witnessed the worst but I know I have more experience now than some new person driving with a trainer for 3 weeks who does nothing but deliver groceries in Nebraska backing into food warehouses the size of the White House. Does that make them qualified after 3 weeks.

I would never call ANYONE "qualified" after three weeks. Three years? Maybe.

When I graduated college I knew nothing but the talent to learn.

You knew nothing AFTER college? You musn't have been paying attention. :lol:

When I graduated CDL school I knew nothing but the talent to learn.

And you didn't even know how to shift your truck. :roll:

I'm careful, cautious, afraid and not scared to ask for help when I need it.

And you aren't afraid to ignore help just because it puts your enormous ego in check.

I don't give advise in this forum but plan to some day.

Thanks for the warning.

I've posted nothing but the truth and being very up front with the loads I'm getting and the cost per mile.

But you aren't being up front with the profit you are making when you exclude all your deadhead miles from the equation.

It's only a matter of time before you throw another hissy fit and delete all your posts from this thread as well, just like the last one. So much for being "up front". :roll:

I know when I was reading this forum before I got my CDL this was a HUGE secret for some reason and they ones who did post what they were getting, well.....

Well what?

I'm careful, cautious, afraid and not scared to ask for help when I need it.

Steve, that is the #1 reason why I think you will succeed. There will be bumps, but even the most seasoned veterans have bumps(read up on the mighty rev not knowing how to put tire chains on).

Damn straight - 11 years in, and I don't know how to put tire chains on, nor do I want to know. I just turned down a load to California today for that reason. :wink:

I'm sure I haven't witnessed the worst but I know I have more experience now than some new person driving with a trainer for 3 weeks who does nothing but deliver groceries in Nebraska backing into food warehouses the size of the White House.

what a egotistical comment but coming from you it's not surprising.
You haven't experienced anything yet-after a few years let us know.
Plus you've never pulled a reefer and don't have a clue what is involved yet you know all about that too right?

I'm sure I haven't witnessed the worst but I know I have more experience now than some new person driving with a trainer for 3 weeks who does nothing but deliver groceries in Nebraska backing into food warehouses the size of the White House.

what a egotistical comment but coming from you it's not surprising.
You haven't experienced anything yet-after a few years let us know.

Everyone needs to hit a grocery warehouse one time or another :lol:

I'm sure I haven't witnessed the worst but I know I have more experience now than some new person driving with a trainer for 3 weeks who does nothing but deliver groceries in Nebraska backing into food warehouses the size of the White House.

what a egotistical comment but coming from you it's not surprising.
You haven't experienced anything yet-after a few years let us know.

Everyone needs to hit a grocery warehouse one time or another :lol:

That is true :P
You'll either gain humility or go crazy and go Postal

Well, I reply to this just once. I do have connections back home hauling lumber and granite but at this point, I'm not interested. I'm having too much fun roaming around the U.S. at the moment!!!

All the loads I've gotten so far are off the load boards and it was a piece of cake. If you average all my loads it comes out to $1.80 per mile. I'm getting an average of 6.2 mpg. Sometimes 6.6, sometimes 5.2 but overall, 6.2.

I know it's just killing SOME people in here that I find it easy and fun. I found most all the information I needed to get started in here and a lot of help from GMAN.

I'm sure I haven't witnessed the worst but I know I have more experience now than some new person driving with a trainer for 3 weeks who does nothing but deliver groceries in Nebraska backing into food warehouses the size of the White House. Does that make them qualified after 3 weeks.
When I graduated college I knew nothing but the talent to learn.

When I graduated CDL school I knew nothing but the talent to learn.

I'm careful, cautious, afraid and not scared to ask for help when I need it.

I don't give advise in this forum but plan to some day. For now, I'll keep driving, having fun and posting my experiences at least until I find them not interesting.

I've posted nothing but the truth and being very up front with the loads I'm getting and the cost per mile. I know when I was reading this forum before I got my CDL this was a HUGE secret for some reason and they ones who did post what they were getting, well.....

Well, it's time for bed off to the side next to the Colorado River then up the mountain to Aspen tomorrow.



A ballzy statement from someone who does not know their azz from a papersack.

I find this " I want to be a Twuck Dwiver " experiment entertaining. Does Stevie Big Rigger really know what his P&L really is ?????? :roll: :roll:

I find this " I want to be a Twuck Dwiver " experiment entertaining. Does Stevie Big Rigger really know what his P&L really is ?????? :roll: :roll:
Nope. Nor does he care. Probably doesn't need to care because he'll be gone when the novelty wears off. Same reason dead miles don't matter. His adventure is all about driving a truck and nothing about making money driving a truck. I think that's why it appeals to so many people.

Everyone you see creeping through these forums seems like they're making so much money is ridicuolous, I couldnt find maybe just a couple of post where people made reasonble amount of money for this buisiness.

I know of 4 different companies who are claiming that rates had fallen down a bunch, broker firm that am leased to here in Chicago is confirming the same so I might be out of line, crazy or whatever if i think that about 98% of bull**** thats spilled here is exacly that. People who are claiming that they are haulin 2.50 freight in and out all day long are i think just plain telling untruth. same goes regarding this cheap freight disscution that been floating around here, everyone is deadheading and refusing but theres so much of it out there that it makes you think twice of even reading through some of these posts here and there....


If you haul 2.50-3.00 freight right NOW what did you haul couple of years ago, 5.00$ maybe and if you're doing so well what the hell are you doing driving a truck 20-30 years straight, you should have at least a million stacked up in the bank and enjoying your life....

please, just like a CB, turn it off !

Damnit Steve! This is business, NOT pleasure! :wink:


Sorry there Fly, I'll try and be like the other professionals in here. Lets see, were did I put those doom and gloom pills.

Don't forget the lobotomy! :borg:

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy. :party:

Denjah-AS with all things, it depends on what field you are in. I don't see how freight guys can survive...I have HONESTLY never turned my engine over in the morning for $2.50 freight. When I pulled a flat, I got $2.25 a mile out of my area, and ~$1.25-ish coming back...it kinda evened itself out. In household now, I usually run for about $4.00 a mile, my last "run" was from my agent in Denver, down to Central Texas, and I'd re-load here and run back up there...My linehauls ran in the $7k range....figure in my percentage, all of my accessorials, I would do about $3,500 a week. That's not factoring labor etc., but my paychecks (keeping in mind this is the slow season) were between $4,200-$4,600 every two weeks. One thousand miles each way, that pay was after fuel, labor, insurance etc...my truck is paid for and I'm 25, single, no kids...I live MORE than comfortable.

If you haul 2.50-3.00 freight right NOW what did you haul couple of years ago, 5.00$ maybe and if you're doing so well what the hell are you doing driving a truck 20-30 years straight, you should have at least a million stacked up in the bank and enjoying your life....

please, just like a CB, turn it off !

That's exactly what I'm thinking. They must've blown it all on hookers, booze, and drugs!

My truck will be paid for when I'm 25(next year) as well. I don't know whether I'm going to throttle back the miles, or plow the extra money into investments.

That is where you are dead wrong. I (and I'm sure many others here) could care less if you succeed or not. But your know-it-all demeanor is patheti[quote]


If you guys don't care you sure spend a lot of time looking over everything he does.


BTW...while this site was down I saw another board where a O/O is getting .89 cpm plus 100% FSC and many were telling him he's doing good. Rawlco and a few others from here weren't flaming the guy like you do here.

People who are claiming that they are haulin 2.50 freight in and out all day long are i think just plain telling untruth. same goes regarding this cheap freight disscution that been floating around here, everyone is deadheading and refusing but theres so much of it out there that it makes you think twice of even reading through some of these posts here and there....

If you haul 2.50-3.00 freight right NOW what did you haul couple of years ago, 5.00$ maybe and if you're doing so well what the hell are you doing driving a truck 20-30 years straight, you should have at least a million stacked up in the bank and enjoying your life....
Did I mention those were back haul rates?

You guys make me laugh. You sure are an ungrateful bunch for all the good advice you've been given. :wink:

Teal and Rev have it right. If the .89/mile guys would get off their collective ***** and actually do some work they might actually make some money. I have no problem with Steve's 1.80, I'm just sayin' that FOR A FLAT BED, WITH TARPS, IN THE SNOW, I thought he could do a little better than that on the HEAD HAUL. He's working hard and risking alot for the rate he's getting IMO. He figures he can make more by touching less (ie longer runs, more miles, fewer drops)....maybe he's right and that's up to him, isn't it? But with Steve, it a'int about the money anyway.

I'm cool with it until I see a red star car hauling cheap FB freight in my lanes then he'll wish he bought more air hoses :twisted: :twisted:

I'm learming from his posts too. For example, I'm glad I don't have a flatbed cuz they're only good for cheap freight.

As far as retiring with a million....the next gen has to earn their stripes. Besides, the goal is not to make a million. The goal is to make the NEXT million.

Oh BTW, I was offered $5.25/mile the week before Xmas (OD, double drop, tarp and yes it was through a broker). It really hurt me to turn it down but I couldn't get a load in there (actually there were loads but they either had too many dead miles or they paid under $2...and we all know that stepdeckers don't pull for less than $2) so my average for all miles would have been only $2.62.

There I go again...more BS.

Let me know when you want to get back home Steve. I'll book a load at $2.25 and double broker it to you for $1.40. Just kidding LOL. Good luck be safe.

I thhink the point Steve is making is that it's only 3-6 weeks that most major companies have you with a trainer before they toss you out on your own. And it seems like some of those so called trainers are running you as a team from the git-go. That's not much different from the "self training" period Steve has put himself thru.

If you guys don't care you sure spend a lot of time looking over everything he does.

He misrepresents the state of owning your own truck in this day and age. Rank said it quite well:

But with Steve, it a'int about the money anyway.

Nope. Nor does he care. Probably doesn't need to care because he'll be gone when the novelty wears off. Same reason dead miles don't matter. His adventure is all about driving a truck and nothing about making money driving a truck. I think that's why it appeals to so many people.

When you have nothing to lose, and the whole thing is an "adventure", as Steve puts it, then your motives are different from a LEGITIMATE businessman, and anyone looking at this as a TRUE representation of how to purchase and operate an OTR trucking business is in for a shock. I don't complain for Steve's benefit - I complain for everyone else's benefit, so they don't think this is the way to operate.

BTW...while this site was down I saw another board where a O/O is getting .89 cpm plus 100% FSC and many were telling him he's doing good. Rawlco and a few others from here weren't flaming the guy like you do here.

Please provide a link to that, and I will be GLAD to set it straight. I can guarantee that I never said anything like that.

I thhink the point Steve is making is that it's only 3-6 weeks that most major companies have you with a trainer before they toss you out on your own. And it seems like some of those so called trainers are running you as a team from the git-go. That's not much different from the "self training" period Steve has put himself thru.
I agree except that Steve could have trained with a flatbed company and learned alot too. For example, I'd pay for the opportunity to train with TMC if they'd let me. Even training in a van, the trainer might have told him not to be glib nor express himself in such a way that people may be insulted and not to demean other drivers or what they do for a living, which is what brought on this latest round of Steve bashing.

[quote]
Did I mention those were back haul rates?

You guys make me laugh. You sure are an ungrateful bunch for all the good advice you've been given. :wink:

Teal and Rev have it right. If the .89/mile guys would get off their collective ***** and actually do some work they might actually make some money.quote]

Dont say that and quote my post, make it sound like am working for 89cpm..

And, flat guys shouls charge more than regular dry van since more work is involved, and expecialy driving a double drop or some special equipment like that.

Here's some more BS for anybody near Syracuse.

FB (or SD) paying $2.56/mile.
Shipper loads 24 hours.
49,000lbs of steel.
40' long.
Tarps.
Auburn NY - Trenton ON
215 miles.
Call Perry at (319)443-2015

We're kinda busy and can take it or leave it. I haven't jumped on it because of the short miles, weight, tarping 40' but mostly because we haven't got a truck close.

Only 30 dead miles off I81. Heck, I'll even reload you for the Philly or NYC area (you choose) if you deadhead 40 miles to the yard. No touch (we load ya...we aint afraid of work). Lemme see...what will I pay.....$1.00 a mile for a SD. That should be about 1.30/mile for all miles. Seems to be good rate around here. I better be careful...somebody may jump at this.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: