Just off a 10-day break (stayed out 54 days to earn it) and started off by going to Baltimore, MD this morning where I picked up a load of lumber. 2/3 of it went to another Baltimore location 10 miles away (an auction facility). The remainder (3 pallets) goes to Fayetteville, NC where I am now: at the consignee (a window manufacturer), ready for a promised 0600 unload in the morning. Made it here with 7 mins left on my 14.

The shipper told me this lumber has been sitting at their place for over 2 years and they are very happy to get rid of it. The warehouse was mostly full of an enormous quantity of beer kegs, bottles, and cans.

Already have a preplan to pickup in Bennettsville, SC tomorrow and deliver to Millersburg, OH (SW of Akron) on Thursday. I have been to Bennettsville one time before and was fortunate to not have a long wait. However, I hear horror stories from other drivers about waiting to be loaded. We'll see what happens...

Ok question for van drivers. I'm going to be pulling a van tomorrow. What are the requirements for in-route vehicle checks when pulling a van? Flatbed you have to stop every 150 miles or 3 hours whichever comes first. Is this required pulling vans?

Originally Posted by Treefork

Ok question for van drivers. I'm going to be pulling a van tomorrow. What are the requirements for in-route vehicle checks when pulling a van? Flatbed you have to stop every 150 miles or 3 hours whichever comes first. Is this required pulling vans?

I think with a van you van you can run 11 straight with no stops. When I was in van I went 4-5 hours between breaks

Ethan

Originally Posted by Treefork

Ok question for van drivers. I'm going to be pulling a van tomorrow. What are the requirements for in-route vehicle checks when pulling a van? Flatbed you have to stop every 150 miles or 3 hours whichever comes first. Is this required pulling vans?

If it is not sealed, you are required to check the cargo and securement.

392.9 Inspection of cargo, cargo securement devices and systems

(a) General. A driver may not operate a commercial motor vehicle and a motor carrier may not require or permit a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle unless—(1) The commercial motor vehicle's cargo is properly distributed and adequately secured as specified in§§393.100 through 393.136 of this subchapter.(2) The commercial motor vehicle's tailgate, tailboard, doors, tarpaulins, spare tire and other equipment used in its operation, and the means of fastening the commercial motor vehicle's cargo, are secured; and(3) The commercial motor vehicle's cargo or any other object does not obscure the driver's view ahead or to the right or left sides (except for drivers of self-steer dollies), interfere with the free movement of his/her arms or legs, prevent his/her free and ready access to accessories required for emergencies, or prevent the free and ready exit of any person from the commercial motor vehicle's cab or driver's compartment.(b) Drivers of trucks and truck tractors. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, the driver of a truck or truck tractor must—(1) Assure himself/herself that the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section have been complied with before he/she drives that commercial motor vehicle;(2) Inspect the cargo and the devices used to secure the cargo within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip and cause any adjustments to be made to the cargo or load securement devices as necessary, including adding more securement devices, to ensure that cargo cannot shift on or within, or fall from the commercial motor vehicle; and(3) Reexamine the commercial motor vehicle's cargo and its load securement devices during the course of transportation and make any necessary adjustment to the cargo or load securement devices, including adding more securement devices, to ensure that cargo cannot shift on or within, or fall from, the commercial motor vehicle. Reexamination and any necessary adjustments must be made whenever—(i) The driver makes a change of his/her duty status; or(ii) The commercial motor vehicle has been driven for 3 hours; or(iii) The commercial motor vehicle has been driven for 150 miles, whichever occurs first.(4) The rules in this paragraph (b) do not apply to the driver of a sealed commercial motor vehicle who has been ordered not to open it to inspect its cargo or to the driver of a commercial motor vehicle that has been loaded in a manner that makes inspection of its cargo impracticable. [67 FR 61224, Sept. 27, 2002, as amended at 72 FR 55703, Oct. 1, 2007]