High-Seas to Highways

[Orangetxguy]

I see loads out of Fernley all the time but to be honest I am not sure what they are.

DD, Johns Manville has a panelized insulation plant in Fernley, so does a company called R-Max, and there used to be a plant there that made plastic natural gas pipe. As well as a couple concrete manufacturer's. JM has a plastic pipe plant outside of Stockton as well.

[devildice]

Sorry for the long post

So I headed about 50 miles up the road and over to Dunnigan, CA off I-5. I am sitting at the Pilot here waiting to find a decent load and by the looks of it, I am gonna be here a while.

I said that on the 5th fully expecting to sit in Cali for a while as the load board didn't look to good. Well come mid morning of the 6th I got a call from an agent offering me a load from Sparks, NV to Tempe, AZ for $2.70 a mile on some 790 or so miles. That is a decent rate for these economical times so there was no way I could pass it up. Turns out that the original load was damaged in transit (not sure if it was a LS truck or not) and now the shipper needed to get the replacement load there ASAP. However.....this load came with a price (to me).

The load was some sort of acoustic boxes that are used to sound proof large industrial A/C units. They measured 4' wide x 4' tall x 8' long. I had a total of 14 stacked on the trailer and they weighed in at just under 16k and had to be tarped.

I bounce the 170 or so mile up to Sparks and get loaded. Because these things were made or aluminum they had some sharp edges and I needed to protect my tarps from them. now messing with 8' drop tarps is never fun but unfortunately sometimes it just the nature of the beast in flatbedding. Low and behold when its time for me to tarp the load the freaking wind kicks up. And it wasn't just a breeze. It got to the point that there was no way I was going to be able to tarp this alone, at least not where I was sitting with all that wind. So before I went to ask for help (I'm kinda stubborn that way) I decided to bump a dock in between to vans and see if that would help block the wind. It did a little but the wind still came up under the vans and was blowing the tarps around. 2hrs later I was all done and ready to roll. By now it was 3:30 local time and I knew I had to get as far as my log would let me in order to make my delivery on time.

the next morning I call the consignee to get my final directions and their receiving hours. The directions were simple enough but they said they stop receiving at 3pm. Based on my GPS, I was going to be arriving there right about 2:45pm, so I bumped up the cruise a little in an effort to make better time. The ride down went smooth and effortless and by the time I got to the Pheonix area I had made up some time and the GPS now said I would be arriving about 2:15pm.

As my luck usually goes, there was a roll over accident on I-10 (right at the exit I needed to get off on none the less) and traffic was at a dead stop. When I finally got to my exit, the GPS now said my arrival would be at 2:57pm.

I get there and thankfully it is a medium sized outfit and there were no trucks there. I could tell they were not to thrilled to see me so late and I can't blame them. By the time I get both tarps on the ground and all my straps off I am soaking wet in sweat. I grab my bottle of water and look at the outside temp. It says 106!!!! No way that can be right. It must be because I am sitting on blacktop in between some warehouses and I am not getting an accurate reading.

As they are unloading me, I start rolling up my tarps. When the 1st one is done I am absolutely exhausted. I go to use the restroom and as I am walking over I start to feel light headed. No sooner do I get there I vomit. Since I had not eaten all day all that was coming up was water. Uh oh, I know what this means. I am experiencing the signs of heat exhaustion and now I am thinking that the 106 temp is in deed accurate. I take a short break in the shade and know that I must be very careful. I work for about 5 min and then break in the shade for 10 while sipping (I know better than to chug) water.

I now have about 15min to stow my gear and back out of there yard before they need to lock the gates. I am so beat down that I can't even continue to work my 5/10min cycles anymore. I have both tarps rolled but still need to stow my bungees, roll my straps, and stow some other odds and ends. I say screw it and just grab hand fulls of bungees and straps and start shoving them in my side boxes. Now for those that know me, know that I am very anal about things including how I stow my gear and for me to just stuff them away things must be pretty bad.

I back out of their yard and sit there for the next 30min getting myself back. I am drenched in sweat (which is actually a good sign. If I was NOT sweating then I would be on the verge of a heat stroke) and light headed. Although still exhausted, I feel well enough to get rolling and all I can think of is getting to the Loves in Chandler where I can shut down, get a shower and really rest and recuperate. I'll stow my gear properly later.

After sitting there at the Loves relaxing for about an hour, I go do the dreaded but necessary task of untangling all my bungees and straps and stowing them away. 1 1/2 hours later I've got them all put away and am off to get a nice cool shower and a bite to eat.

That was the "price I had to pay" as I mentioned at the beginning of this post. For those that flatbed I am sure you know my pain, for those that are thinking of going into flatbedding, let this be a real lesson that you MUST always stay hydrated and never over exert yourself. Even though this was one of those time where at the moment I HATED this job, when it was all said and done I must be sick in the head because I still love this line of work......

[Fratsit]

DD,

Thanks for the kind words. I am with ya 100% on that 'Free Ride....ROAD Program" that too many of our Brothers and Sisters are members of. I enjoy the Navy and feel that I have alot to offer. I like working with a young sailor and watching him/her mature, prosper, and grow into a leader. I truely judge my success by the success of my Sailors. However, after 5 looks at SCPO I am starting to feel its time to move on. I am not going to be one of those guys who hangs on to 24 years hoping to make Eight then does'nt. 21 or 22 years is fine with me...if I retire a CPO that is fine, too. As you know there are plenty of great First Class's that wont pick up Chief for whatever reason...(mostly numbers) The FY10 SCPO results should be out this Friday/Monday....we shall see how it goes. 'Nuff of the Navy talk.

I have saved your most recent post to my "snippet" list. I mentioned many pages back that I save good info from this board for future reference. That there is a valuable piece of info. I am happy to read that you are OK.

Take care.

R/

Frat

[devildice]

DD,

Thanks for the kind words. I am with ya 100% on that 'Free Ride....ROAD Program" that too many of our Brothers and Sisters are members of. I enjoy the Navy and feel that I have alot to offer. I like working with a young sailor and watching him/her mature, prosper, and grow into a leader. I truely judge my success by the success of my Sailors. However, after 5 looks at SCPO I am starting to feel its time to move on. I am not going to be one of those guys who hangs on to 24 years hoping to make Eight then does'nt. 21 or 22 years is fine with me...if I retire a CPO that is fine, too. As you know there are plenty of great First Class's that wont pick up Chief for whatever reason...(mostly numbers) The FY10 SCPO results should be out this Friday/Monday....we shall see how it goes. 'Nuff of the Navy talk.

I have saved your most recent post to my "snippet" list. I mentioned many pages back that I save good info from this board for future reference. That there is a valuable piece of info. I am happy to read that you are OK.

Take care.

R/

Frat

Believe you me, I know EXACTLY where you're coming from. That is why I went and taught "A" school on my last tour. I too measured my success by my sailors. If they screwed up I would always look back and try to figure out where "I" went wrong with them.

Anyways, glad you can get some useful info out of my babbling thread

[devildice]

It's 8:20am local here in Chandler, AZ and my thermo says the outside temp is 109!! If that is accurate we are in store for one hot summer!

[Fratsit]

Damn.... 109...... Do you have an APU on that Hot Rod? It pretty sad when the Engine Room of the ship I was doing a DC Assessment on yesterday is cooler then the outside temp in AZ.

Be safe.

R/

Frat

[devildice]

Damn.... 109...... Do you have an APU on that Hot Rod? It pretty sad when the Engine Room of the ship I was doing a DC Assessment on yesterday is cooler then the outside temp in AZ.

Be safe.

R/

Frat

No I haven't got off my lazy you know what (not to mention I'm a little frugal with my money) and gotten one. I am on the verge of trading in this truck and I assure you my next truck will have one!

Oh, and 109 seemed cool compared to the now 122 temp!

[Orangetxguy]

No I haven't got off my lazy you know what (not to mention I'm a little frugal with my money) and gotten one. I am on the verge of trading in this truck and I assure you my next truck will have one!

Oh, and 109 seemed cool compared to the now 122 temp!

Yer jest tryin to make folks jealous!!

[devildice]

Yer jest tryin to make folks jealous!!

Of what? dying in the heat?

I just checked the internet for the temp in Chandler and it says high of 82 today......82 my azz!!!! the driver next to me said that when he was rolling in the bank sign said 107. So either the internet, the bank, and or my gage are wrong. by the feel of it, I am guessing the bank and my gage are closer to the truth than the internet.

[Orangetxguy]

Of what? dying in the heat?

I just checked the internet for the temp in Chandler and it says high of 82 today......82 my azz!!!! the driver next to me said that when he was rolling in the bank sign said 107. So either the internet, the bank, and or my gage are wrong. by the feel of it, I am guessing the bank and my gage are closer to the truth than the internet.

The warm weather son! The warm weather!!

[devildice]

The warm weather son! The warm weather!!

Warm would be pleasant....it's down right freaking scorching hot!

[mike3fan]

Warm would be pleasant....it's down right freaking scorching hot!

I've had to use my Espar heater everynight this week. Total BS.

[devildice]

I've had to use my Espar heater everynight this week. Total BS.

Well my next load is heading me in an easterly direction, so hopefully the temps will be milder because Arizona SUCKS big time right now.

[matcat]

Well my next load is heading me in an easterly direction, so hopefully the temps will be milder because Arizona SUCKS big time right now.

It got to 97 here in NC today! Don't think you will get lucky. I've had the truck idling all day with the air on full blast, nice and cool in here

[Fratsit]

No I haven't got off my lazy you know what (not to mention I'm a little frugal with my money) and gotten one. I am on the verge of trading in this truck and I assure you my next truck will have one!

Oh, and 109 seemed cool compared to the now 122 temp!

Whatcha lookin' at? Make, model, WB, trans, ect? Has that WS been good to you?

Also...is there a recommended wheel base, sleeper height, tranny, gearing for flatbedding?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

R/

Frat

[dewercs2]

Come on DD... Its a dry heat...

[Skywalker]

Ya know....for as long as this thread has been going.....I have never responded to it? Eeeeek! Can you believe that???? SO here is my reply:

[danske]

No I haven't got off my lazy you know what (not to mention I'm a little frugal with my money) and gotten one. I am on the verge of trading in this truck and I assure you my next truck will have one!

Oh, and 109 seemed cool compared to the now 122 temp!

DD,

Thanks for the warning. I am delivering in Mesa, AZ either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. Fortunately, I have a piece of heavy equipment with only 4 chains(no tarps, straps, or bungies). Making it there Tuesday afternoon depends on how fast I unload my stop in LA at 7am then drive 375 miles.

Oh wait! I have to drive across Phoenix at 3 or 4pm. Maybe, I best hold back until Wednesday. Where is a good place to stop on the westside of Phoenix? It has been a few years since I have been there.

[tootie04]

The truckstops are around the 130 something exit....cant remember off the top of my head.

I noticed a large circle K with truck parking on 51st ave. this morning. If you go to the flying J just remember you HAVE to be parked in a space or else you have to leave or be towed and they WILL tow you.

across the street from Flying J is a paid parking lot....that is where we used to always park.

Supposed to be 104 + all week in Phoenix....

[devildice]

Whatcha lookin' at? Make, model, WB, trans, ect? Has that WS been good to you?

Also...is there a recommended wheel base, sleeper height, tranny, gearing for flatbedding?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

R/

Frat

Not sure, been looking at just about everything. I have always liked the Pete's but that does not mean I'll buy one. I want something with a minimum of a 70" sleeper and 265wb, and something that gets the same or close to the mpg I'm getting now.

As for a "recommended" type of truck for flatbedding, there really isn't such a thing. It is more of a personal preference.

For me I prefer the above mentioned. I do not like a tall condo sleeper as I feel that you push more air with flatbed loads and do not benefit from the aerodynamics. Depending on the sleeper size (in my case I like the 70") will depend on your WB. One problem I have with this Western Star is that it has a 244wb and with the size of the sleeper it leaves me little room between the nose of the trailer and the headache rack. I currently have a straight 10 and 3:55 rears, with the straight 10, I think I would do better with at least 3:70 rears. Again it's personal preference.