Central Oregon Truck Co...the fun begins

Dangit, I was running too hard to get it washed. The only beacon I can get to on a regular basis is at the Jubitz. However, here is proof that it's not a dream. Crowsnest Pass, AB.

 

Delivered this morning in Madras and then went over to Redmond to pick up my next load going to a golf course in Enterprise, OR for tomorrow morning. This will still be on the current week's check since payroll cutoff is Tuesday at noon so this will put me over 3k miles. Solid first week.

 

As far as I know, we have the same amount of chains as the rest of the fleet but we don't have to use the three railers because we don't go to California (the only state I know of that requires them). I talked to a driver who said he chains up like normal and puts drags on the center axle of the three on the trailer. It helps that we have the added weight as well plus lifting the tag axles to put more weight on the axles. I have a feeling, however, that there is going to be more chaining going on than the rest of the fleet based on where we run. I guess time will tell.

Well, I'm stuck on the side of the road. Went in last night for an oil change and chassis lube and a few minor write ups and they found a wheel seal that had gone bad and needed to be replaced. Problem is, they didn't replace it very well and smoke was pouring out of the wheel. Didn't really feel like putting a fire out at 4 in the morning so I pulled over and there is fluid all over the inside of the right rear drives. Looks like I'll get my first official tow truck ride! I'm still pre planned for the rest of the week, so hopefully I can still scrap together a solid week.

 

Where to begin with yesterday. Good lord. I ended finally getting back to the yard at 1630, 11 hours after I broke down. Needless to say, the shop was not pleased with how this was handled. Once taken into the dealer, it was determined that there was a catastrophic failure with the wheel seal. It broke in half and started pulling everything together creating the smoke I was seeing. The shop gave me kudos for stopping when I did because it was only a matter of time before a fire and/or the axle broke. I should be getting breakdown pay out of this as I only drove 91 miles yesterday.

So now I'm in a loaner for a week or so, and as long as she runs until then, I'll be happy. Delivered my load this morning to the enemy (ODor) and then went and picked up my current load from La Grande, OR going to Delta, BC. Looking to salvage this week anyway I can.

 

What a day today. Started at 0330, got fuel, and was on my merry way. Made it up to Delta, BC at 1345 and needed to be in Sumas, WA by no later than 1600 to pick up a load going to Bend so I can swap back in to my truck, thank the lord. Well, I finished unloading at 1515, barely enough time to make it. Wrong. Not even close. It took me two hours to get to the border crossing in Aldergrove. I didn't have the patience to try to get to the one at Sumas, I just wanted back in the states. Needless to say, I didn't make it. If I had, I would have been able to get up at 0230 and hustle down to Bend to deliver and swap back into my truck. Maybe pick something up to take home and deliver after the weekend.

Unfortunately, I didn't, and the place I'm picking up at doesn't reopen until 0800 making it real tough to even deliver this load before closing time, let alone getting my truck back or getting home this weekend.

This week needs to be over.