High-Seas to Highways

[devildice]

Devildice made me do it.

And I appreciate you taking action Rev.

[tracer]

devildice, how do you like the 3:36 axle ratio on your Pete? Is it better than the 3.58 on your previous Western Star? I know you're rolling all over the country. Would be interesting to hear which one in your opinion is more suited for day to day driving. I know you had 24.5 tires, and wonder what size tires are on your Pete.

I'm in Canada and often have to run in the North-East.. My truck has 3.73s with 295 LP tires and I'm a bit slow. Have CAT C15 550 HP with a 13 speed. My Cat does 1350 RPM at 59 MPH

[devildice]

devildice, how do you like the 3:36 axle ratio on your Pete? Is it better than the 3.58 on your previous Western Star? I know you're rolling all over the country. Would be interesting to hear which one in your opinion is more suited for day to day driving. I know you had 24.5 tires, and wonder what size tires are on your Pete.

I'm in Canada and often have to run in the North-East.. My truck has 3.73s with 295 LP tires and I'm a bit slow. Have CAT C15 550 HP with a 13 speed. My Cat does 1350 RPM at 59 MPH

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond.......I don't really see much of a difference. Sometimes I think that the Star pulls the hills a little better but I am not sure if it's because it had 3:53 rears or was a 500hp and this Pete is set at 475hp.

[matcat]

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond.......I don't really see much of a difference. Sometimes I think that the Star pulls the hills a little better but I am not sure if it's because it had 3:53 rears or was a 500hp and this Pete is set at 475hp.

Sounds like your pete is spec'd nearly identical to mine.

[devildice]

Guess it's that time again......

Myself along with 4 other drivers loaded some Marine Harrier Aircraft support equipment at the Naval Air Facility in El Centro, CA on Monday the 29th of June headed to MCAS Cherry Point, NC. The Marines had told us that we could either deliver by 2pm eastern time on Thursday or wait until Tuesday as they were taking Friday thru Monday off when they returned to NC.

As I got got rolling down the road I started to calculate my time and distance to Cherry Point, I figured out that if I wanted to deliver Thursday I would have to run a little hard and do nothing less than about 750 miles a day. By the time I had reached the I-10/I-20 split in Texas, I decided to just swing by the house for a few days and deliver Tuesday. Talking with the other drivers, they too had all decided to do the same thing.

I spend the next few days at home relaxing and taking care of few things around the house. My son, who will be going off to college on a Navy ROTC scholarship this August wanted to come out one more time with me for a couple of weeks so him and I jumped in the truck Sunday morning and made our way to NC. I did not have any other loads lined up by the time I got empty so I bounce to the nearest TS to wait. Lucky for me the wait was about 30min. when I got a load of roofing shingles from Oxford, NC to Oklahoma City, OK that actually paid pretty decent.

We made the drop in OK City and headed over to the TA for the night. The following morning the same agent that I just delivered for called and asked if I would be interested in going from Catoosa, OK to Grand Junction, CO for a rather healthy rate. Even though the rate was tempting, normally I would have said no because CO can be hard to get out of for a flatbed, however, I jumped on the load board and there was a decent paying load coming out of Montrose, CO headed to Ennis, TX. Since I need to start heading towards the house to drop my son off, I decided to book both loads.

I am currently sitting at a TS in Grand Junction which happens to be across the street from my customer. I am letting my log book reset and the come Monday morning I will drop this load and bounce down to Montrose and pick up the other one.

I was looking over the map and the most practical route out of Montrose would be to take US 50 over to Lamar and then hwy 287. US 50 is not a restricted route but looks like it could be a little challenging. I talked to a couple of friends and one said don't take it and the other said it's not too bad but you just got to be on your "toes" in a few areas.

Since it is summer and the load is supposed to only weigh 20k I am thinking about taking it. If I was to back track up to Grand Junction and across I-70 it would add about 160 extra miles on. If anyone is familiar with that stretch of US 50 and can respond before I head out Monday morning, I would appreciate your input.

[ComfortablyNumb]

DD,

First post for me here... I've been lurking and doing my research like you did and have been enjoying this whole thread immensely, so I'm glad to be able to contribute something... Got laid off at 56 and looking into trucking now... hope I'm not too old...

I don't drive a truck (yet...) but do ride this route all the time on the motorcycle so can comment on it somewhat. It's a GREAT motorcycle route, BTW.

Coming right out of Montrose there is pass before Cimarron (can't remember the name) but it's not too bad. I've seen semis on that all the time. There is narrow 2 lane in the area between Cimarron and Sapinero where you will likely be holding up traffic. On second thought, this is tourist season so maybe not... Once to Sapinero there are stunning views of the canyons and Blue Mesa lake/reservoir before coming into Gunnison. This section is well worth the effort of driving this route since it's so beautiful.

If you're stopping for lunch in Gunnison, there is a great sandwich shop near the NE corner of Hwy 50 and Hwy 135 called Firebrand. Just saying...

After Gunnison you'll be driving over Monarch Pass. This is likely the most challenging part of the drive. I think it's up around 10-11,000 ft. Again I've seen semis on this so just take it easy coming down the other side into Poncha Springs. This also has some amazing scenery and is well worth the effort if you don't mind taking the time. Continuing on Hwy 50 past Salida, it runs along the Arkansas River and again some very nice scenery until Canon City where (for a motorcyclist at least...) it gets flat and boring again.

It's my guess that it will take about as much time to drive the Hwy 50 route as to do the extra miles to bypass it, but the scenery will be some of the nicest you'll ever run into. I'd say do it.

HTH, any questions, post 'em here I'll be glad to comment. I absolutely love these roads and take them all the time.

Greg

[matcat]

I did US 50 in the winter grossing 80,000, it isn't that bad.

[matcat]

As a matter of fact, I have pics of Monarch pass to prove my winter traverse over it

All of the following are US 50

[tootie04]

Beautiful ride....keep an eye out for elk!! We did that run in the Fall....no worries!

[devildice]

Thanks to all of you for the info. I love to run secondary roads especially when they have beautiful sights and based on matcat's pics, I think it will be a nice run.

Thanks again, I appreciate you all!!!

[devildice]

Well I ran across US 50 and all I can say is WOW . Although matcat's pics look nice, they don't do any justice as the scenery in person was breath taking!!! Those are the kind of secondary highways I enjoy running the most. There were a few curves, some long pulls (didn't phase me much as I am loaded pretty light), and I hit a lot of rain on Monarch Pass, but as everyone said it wasn't that bad and definitely worth the ride.

Thanks again to you all for the heads up!!

[Orangetxguy]

Well I ran across US 50 and all I can say is WOW . Although matcat's pics look nice, they don't do any justice as the scenery in person was breath taking!!! Those are the kind of secondary highways I enjoy running the most. There were a few curves, some long pulls (didn't phase me much as I am loaded pretty light), and I hit a lot of rain on Monarch Pass, but as everyone said it wasn't that bad and definitely worth the ride.

Thanks again to you all for the heads up!!

Were you able to breathe up there DD?? Sometimes "Flatlanders" find the air up there sorta on the thin side!!

Now that you have done it warm...go again in the winter! It is incredible to drive up through there with 7 to 8 inches of fresh powder on the road, just you and the truck rolling along! Awesomeness to the top!!

After that...you tackle Red Mountain. The first time over Red Mountain, you go up from the Durango side....just so you have a chance to get your feet wet. Then take a trip the other direction...running up and over from the Ouray side!! You won't regret it!

[devildice]

Were you able to breathe up there DD?? Sometimes "Flatlanders" find the air up there sorta on the thin side!!

Ha, ha....you're hilarious!! But yeah, I somehow managed to breathe just fine.

Now that you have done it warm...go again in the winter! It is incredible to drive up through there with 7 to 8 inches of fresh powder on the road, just you and the truck rolling along! Awesomeness to the top!!

hmmmmm .....not so sure I would want to run it in the winter. What's that old saying......"if ur scared say ur scared".......

After that...you tackle Red Mountain. The first time over Red Mountain, you go up from the Durango side....just so you have a chance to get your feet wet. Then take a trip the other direction...running up and over from the Ouray side!! You won't regret it!

hate to sound dumb, but I am not sure where that is.....

[danske]

Guess it's that time again......

Myself along with 4 other drivers loaded some Marine Harrier Aircraft support equipment at the Naval Air Facility in El Centro, CA on Monday the 29th of June headed to MCAS Cherry Point, NC. The Marines had told us that we could either deliver by 2pm eastern time on Thursday or wait until Tuesday as they were taking Friday thru Monday off when they returned to NC.

As I got got rolling down the road I started to calculate my time and distance to Cherry Point, I figured out that if I wanted to deliver Thursday I would have to run a little hard and do nothing less than about 750 miles a day. By the time I had reached the I-10/I-20 split in Texas, I decided to just swing by the house for a few days and deliver Tuesday. Talking with the other drivers, they too had all decided to do the same thing.

Hey Chief, Still hauling trash for Jarheads!! OoRah!!!!

[danske]

DD,

BTW, I got a call from my company's Operations Manager last Friday while I was off for the week. We are starting up a new dedicated run and he ask me to take the first turn on it. I think I am the guinea pig and maybe I won't get it(or want it) permanently, but it cool to be thought of. Anyhow, I picked up today in Renton, WA empty containers to deliver in Tucson, AZ where I will reload full containers for deliver back to Renton next Monday. It works out to be 3200 miles and I am paid for 2 extra stops even thou it just a drive around to the other side of the facility on both ends. I have family and friends in route which is icing on the deal. Sweet huh?!?

So the new ride is working out good? You have been coast to coast and the Rockies so you should know now what it can do.

Later

[ComfortablyNumb]

hmmmmm .....not so sure I would want to run it in the winter. What's that old saying......"if ur scared say ur scared".......

hate to sound dumb, but I am not sure where that is.....

If you're talking about what I think, that's a pretty tough drive even in a car... very narrow road, lots of tight 5 mph S-curves, steep grade. Just before coming down into Ouray the road is cut into the side of the mountain with a sheer drop off of a few thousand feet. Plus there is one section that is only 1-1/2 car widths wide. It's really a single lane in that part.

Packed with tourists in the summer wanting to scare themselves s**t-less on the most amazing road in the state. Heck, even the motorcyclists ride down the center of their lane...

[Orangetxguy]

If you're talking about what I think, that's a pretty tough drive even in a car... very narrow road, lots of tight 5 mph S-curves, steep grade. Just before coming down into Ouray the road is cut into the side of the mountain with a sheer drop off of a few thousand feet. Plus there is one section that is only 1-1/2 car widths wide. It's really a single lane in that part.

Packed with tourists in the summer wanting to scare themselves s**t-less on the most amazing road in the state. Heck, even the motorcyclists ride down the center of their lane...

That's the route!! My first time across there was in a ITH Paystar5000, with a 549 gas-hawg engine and a RR 13 speed, pulling a 5000 gallon acid transport! Awesome drive! Let's you know that you are living!! Silverton is one of the best spot's on earth...in my opinion!

[devildice]

Hey Chief, Still hauling trash for Jarheads!! OoRah!!!!

[devildice]

DD,

BTW, I got a call from my company's Operations Manager last Friday while I was off for the week. We are starting up a new dedicated run and he ask me to take the first turn on it. I think I am the guinea pig and maybe I won't get it(or want it) permanently, but it cool to be thought of. Anyhow, I picked up today in Renton, WA empty containers to deliver in Tucson, AZ where I will reload full containers for deliver back to Renton next Monday. It works out to be 3200 miles and I am paid for 2 extra stops even thou it just a drive around to the other side of the facility on both ends. I have family and friends in route which is icing on the deal. Sweet huh?!?

So the new ride is working out good? You have been coast to coast and the Rockies so you should know now what it can do.

Later

Sounds like a nice little run.....congrats!!! Yeah the ride is doing good. I think I will have it turned up to 550hp though.

[devildice]

Well I made my drop in Ennis, TX on time. I was originally going to bounce some 250 miles to the house to drop my son off and relax for a day or two when I got offered a load out of Gainesville, TX heading to Austin, TX. So instead of deadheading 250+ miles home, I deadheaded 100 miles north and picked up 42k of roofing paper/material that paid me $3.77 mile. It paid decent because it was a short run and it had 3,200lbs of hazmat on it. It was an easy load and easy run that put a few extra bucks in my pocket and left me only about 75 miles to deadhead home.

I am now at home and am waiting for an agent to call me back tomorrow (Friday) on a nice paying load. If all goes well I will head out in the morning, if not, I will more than likely be home throughout the weekend and get back on the road next week.