I haven't been driving that long but I've seen at least 20 dead truckers. I haven't actually seen them but they were killed during an accident not involving anyone else. 1 died in that twister I was running from. I've searched and searched but I never see any news articles on these deaths.

If the accident involves anyone other than themselves it's front page in CNN.

Well, I'm off to Arapahoe Wyoming today with a load of steel. Not sure what kind of steel, could just be a metal house for all I know. I typed into the load boards to see what was around Arapahoe within 100 miles and 0 loads. Oh well, looks like about a 150 dead head out when I'm done then there seems to be plenty.

The broker and I went back and forth about the rate. First time I've done this. He said $2,600 and I said $3,100. My phone had been ringing in the mean time with other brokers calling about my truck so I felt OK to hold my ground and got the $3,100.

I had my truck in the shop yesterday getting my Jake reprogrammed which they didn't do right the last time I was in. They also fixed my cruise control. The last time I was in they set the limit to 70mph for some reason.

Ok, I wasn't going to tell this one but it happened the last time I was out. I'm Be-Bopping along with my cruise on at 65 and the road is very light with traffic. Every time I get to a hill this truck in back catches up but never is able to pass me and falls back behind me once we level out or head up a hill. I'm guessing the truck is governed for 63mph because they can't stay with me on the flats.

Now this goes on for over 45 minutes I would say and at some points this person gets like 10 cars in back of them holding up traffic because they can't pass.

We come to another down hill and this time they make it even with me. It's a young black girl driving. She stays just a cab ahead of me starting to creep back then all of a sudden runs me into the breakdown lane.

I get on the CB and call her a few choice words. She said she had her directional on. I say WTF, you can't just run someone off the road because you put your directional on. I see her looking at me in the mirror so of course I flip her off.

Well, that's it. She is just going mental on the CB. I set my cruise at 66mph and breeze past her and figure I will keep her well behind me from now on which is easy. She is so pissed mainly because I won't talk to her on the CB. She just goes mental as each minute passes. Another trucker is catching up to her and she's telling him big bad red owner operator has been keeping her in the left lane and speeds up and down. She said I was running 4-wheelers off the road. She's making up stories left and right just to get me to talk. I realize that if I don't say anything she gets even more pissed.

Now she gets on the CB and says she is going to find me at a truck stop and cut my liver out. Now really, who the heck says that. I mean, there are standard things like.

I'm gonna kick you azz.
I'm gonna rip your face off.

Ya know, the good old tried and true meaningless threats but cut your liver out? Do I need a liver?

So anyways, it's going to be a laid back day today. I pickup my load about an hour from home and I can be there any time. My drop off in Wyoming is the same, whenever I show up is fine.

Oh!!! I almost forgot. I hooked up the USB camera and did 3 video's yesterday of my rear end. No, not MY rear end, the truck. (you pigs).

I filmed the left and right set of tandems and then straight down the middle but didn't see anything out of the ordinary and my truck was bouncing pretty good. When it's bob tail it happens at a low speed pretty good. I was too tired yesterday to video the front end but will do that on this trip.

 

People are always gonna be pissed they can't pass ya. Fact of life. I try to get as far ahead of them other wise they try to get in front of you, just you can pass them again, and I hate playing that game.

Haven't heard the "I'll cut your liver out". That's a first. I would have asked her to be quick about it. I'm a busy guy :lol:

Not sure if the world is ready for a Steve Booth Rear End web cam site... the promiscuous kind. Especially when you self admit monkey butt... on them hot days lol. Good thing it was of your truck then :lol:

 

ROTFLMAO........ :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

:lol:

It's good set the bar high so you have a base to negotiate from in the future. Lots of times a broker will ask me "what do you need" and I'll say, well, we did a similar load last week in the same area for $2,000". If that broker calls you again, you know they're willing to pay you well or they wouldn't have called.

I have been getting repeat calls lately from brokers that gave me what I thought were expensive loads in the past. Guess the rate wasn't too high because they keep calling. One of them told me "tell me what you need but I MUST have that load delivered tomorrow because two trucks were late last week and I don't want to lose my shipper". Using the previous load as a base we were able to get $3.15/mile after permits (475 miles, double drop trailer, 11'-5" wide) and we delivered 24 hours later at 07:00. She was happy as a clam when I called her at 08:00 to say it was done. She's still calling.

The money is there.

 

I always negotiate with the broker. They most always have more they can pay than the first offer. I am getting calls for the first offer of $2/mile this week. I am still getting some for $1.50/mile. Even some of the brokers who are offering the low rates know that it is way too low for fuel prices. Many of these brokers are having a difficult time moving their cheaper loads. Some loads need to be moved, regardless of the rate. I LOVE those rates. I am never shy about asking for a good rate.

 

Don't encourage him and he'll go away!!! :lol:

 

I don't have any problems getting loads for over $2.00 per mile but they are all around 500 miles or less. I like the long hauls of 2,000+ miles and curious what you guys are getting for those. I seem to be averaging a little over $1.50 for them.

 

I can't help ya there. It will be less that's for sure.

 

Remember, it isn't the number of miles but the money you keep that is most important. :wink:

 

I prefer LOH to money. Up to a point. :wink: I'm not going to turn down double the wage for 1 day hauls. But not for 25% more. 50% more? Likely if the freight was simple. It's hard enough being away from family and all the other crap that comes with being OTR. Only making 8 pickup or delivery stops per month is MUCH more preferable to me than doing 25.

I've done both and I remember how much more fun the long LOH was.