Lease operator for act(american central transport)

**pete3871** · 04.25.2012

Well,here I sit in Lawton.Was empty 1000 and It looks like an ACT convention going on(LOL).Checked in and was told I was #5,and there are 5 trucks sitting here on the side of the street with no preplans.A new company truck t780 told me he had a preplan back to KC so they could take pictures of his truck(he unloaded an hour after me)and a O/O with a w900 went in and got a load here at goodyear(he unloaded 2 hrs after me).This is my last time on the paper shred load out of KC for me.There were also 2 bobtails sitting here this morning,waiting on trailers to get loaded,don't know how long they were here.This is going to wreck another attempt for a great week,now just hoping for a good week.I cant make any money on a 450 mile load that gets stretched into 2 day's.Preplan just came over for tommorow 1400 to DeKalb.Just what I thought or dreaded I should say.I'm trying real hard not to complain but it's the same frustration all of us face from time to time.

The 2011 ACT driver of the year had that new t680 and I talked to him for a minute,said the truck drove nice and not as loud as a t660,his had the paccar motor.He said running 65 from KC to Lawton,with 43k in the box,he got 5.6 mpg(no way for me jose),I'm thankful once again for having the bad boy Cummins.That t680 was alot nicer on the interior than mine.Had both preimum seats, storage and a built in fridge.He said that all the brand new first production trucks were equiped that way because they were not ordered.He said ACT will not have that real nice stuff ordered on future trucks.It's kind of a test truck,but a good looking rig.I was in the shop yesterday to wash my truck,and checked on my 1st quarter fuel mileage.I was happy to see that I came in 17th with 7.47mpg's.That Cummins in the 2010 model has been out for a few yrs and I think most of the kink's have been worked out.I just don't trust first year engine's,way to many issue's for what one of these rigs cost.

**Kujo** · 04.25.2012

Pete I feel your frustrations. I had 2 low weeks right after home time now this week look like I'm going to need a 34 they ran me so hard. As for the paccar motor they aren't as bad as people say. I have that motor and although I would have rather had the cummins I do average mid to high 7's with the occasional 8mpg. And that's running 60-61 mph. But I also have the 3.36 rears.

**pete3871** · 04.26.2012

Originally Posted by Kujo

Pete I feel your frustrations. I had 2 low weeks right after home time now this week look like I'm going to need a 34 they ran me so hard. As for the paccar motor they aren't as bad as people say. I have that motor and although I would have rather had the cummins I do average mid to high 7's with the occasional 8mpg. And that's running 60-61 mph. But I also have the 3.36 rears.

Just hoping when I get to DeKalb friday that I might catch one of those petsmart loads back down to TX.I will have 1800 miles on friday,so it's not a disaster or anything.I would like to have a few weeks of 3k plus miles this time of year.I'm glad you like your motor,I've heard both good and bad,sounds like you got a good one.That truck t680 might have had no telling what kind of gears,since it was some kind of a test truck.I know as a lease guy,which you do to,that if we got 5 or 6 mpg it would kill your pay check.Alot of those 07 KW's that guy's have leased,have that cat motor and can't get them over 7,but alot of them are paying them off,so I guess they made it work.

**pete3871** · 04.26.2012

Week 22

Empty Miles 441
Loaded Miles 2209

Total Miles 2650

Total Revenue 1248.04 -- This is after all expenses and also putting .07/mile in my maint. acct.

**pete3871** · 04.26.2012

22 Week Totals

Empty Miles 6414
Loaded Miles 45614

Total Miles 52,028

Total Revenue 22,553.06
Avg.Miles/Week 2364
Avg.Income /Week 1025.13
Avg.Income/Mile .43
I figure I have taken off about 4 weeks hometime and off day's during this period.Only 162 more weeks,and this KW is all mine (Oh Lord).

**Kujo** · 04.26.2012

Originally Posted by pete3871

Just hoping when I get to DeKalb friday that I might catch one of those petsmart loads back down to TX.I will have 1800 miles on friday,so it's not a disaster or anything.I would like to have a few weeks of 3k plus miles this time of year.I'm glad you like your motor,I've heard both good and bad,sounds like you got a good one.That truck t680 might have had no telling what kind of gears,since it was some kind of a test truck.I know as a lease guy,which you do to,that if we got 5 or 6 mpg it would kill your pay check.Alot of those 07 KW's that guy's have leased,have that cat motor and can't get them over 7,but alot of them are paying them off,so I guess they made it work.

You are very correct on that. Funny thing is I run 59-60 mph because thats where the best mileage comes with my truck and I had a LO with a T-600 pass me earlier. Worst yet we loaded same place he drove fast enough to completely lose me and yet I still beat him here? So I guess some guys have found a way to make it work but I am to greedy to give my hard earned money away especially to a truck stop. lol

**pete3871** · 04.27.2012

Got a preplan from Rockford,IL to Witchita,KS for sun delivery.Sure not what I wanted,but will end up with 2500 for the week.700 miles total on this load.I know I won't get anything Sun,so at least I should get a load early on Mon.Spending 2 days on that 450 mile Lawton,OK load screwed me for the week.

**pete3871** · 04.29.2012

Got my load delivered here in Wichita 1400,Went next door to Longhorn steakhouse and had a nice meal.Checked in and no load till tommorow.There's a walmart across the street and I need to re-stock on supplies.

**pete3871** · 04.30.2012

Got a preplan from Mcpherson,KS to Indy for 0600 delivery wed morning.Nice light(21k) load for 725 miles total,been running 58 and getting 9.1 mpg so far.Stopped at Midway MO.for the night,interesting group of drivers to shoot the bull with here tonight,some happy some sad.I seem to be happy,as some drivers are going through bad times and ACT seems to be a solid company,compared to many others.