Truck Load Rates Halt 8 Week Slide 2.0

No. It ain't

Early bird got the worm... again. I am more like: A blind hen found a grain.

 

Hey, at least a grain isn’t all slimy like a worm.

 

All the "slow down" warnings were premature. The rates in Chicago today are on a surge. A broker called me this morning and proposed a load to York, PA - I did cover the load a few times before for him - today he was reayd to pay 5 dol per mile! From Elgin, Il - $3800. Not only not to shabby buy ####ing crazy good! Imagine when I was a noob I went that lane for $1500 thinking that life was good.
Unfortunately, as it often happens when my truck is in a repair shop, some other things required attention. I will end up replacing not only the whole clutch but also 5th wheel, and will restore and rebalance drive line...also decided to replace 4 tires on the rear axle. Will have to replace some rotten wires and this and that. The bill will be expected for more than 5 grand. I am ok to pay it now before the end of the year to offset the taxes. I hope to be up and ready to run tomorrow and plan to stay out there till Christmas week. Then of course will try to TRADITIONALLY score a good trophy over the New Years holiday. This week would have been another good week.
BTW: my maintenance/repair costs are never failing me. No matter what, it is always going to be more than 15 grand.

 

How much are you paying for the 5th wheel? I just got a reman Holland with new pins and bushing for $1000 installed. Curious what it costs in Chicago

 

Sssshhhh.

I think what Joe is trying to say here is that everybody should head west.

 

My home area in Detroit is dead today and I had a hard time getting good loads in MI-OH-KY all this week

 

I did not ask exactly for the price of the 5th wheel or what brand. From previous conversations I gathered that the replacement would cost up to $1500 - at least this much I expect to pay. I'll see tonight or tomorrow morning what is says on the bill. For the clutch (Eaton-Fuller) replacement and driveline overhaul I already paid $2650. The clutch was $1500..drivline overhaul $950, the rest was minor things, but I'll check on that bill which I left in the truck.

I am replacing the 5th wheel to have a peace of mind - I started noticing free play with a crow bar.
I'll be glad at long last to have a pull handle on the driver's side. This truck used be a Swift Fleet Truck and the pull handle was on the passenger side (What a stupid piece of engineering) and when temps were below 35F I had to use a bungie cord to have it released so it stayed in place.
Mine is Cummins ISX 2008. It has over 1250 000 and I hope to get at least 1 more year out of it. With all the bad reviews here I guess I lucked out but all the vital signs are still looking good. It keeps the oil pressure steady and does not consume much oil - I add 1 gal per 15 000 mile cycle. The seals are still holding up and the engine is relatively clean - I don't plan on doing any inframe or overhauls. If it breaks into pieces I'll ditch it. In the meantime I think I should spec a brand new truck, then perhaps consider a reefer. In that order. A reefer freight needs a reliable truck.
A friend of mine bought a paper log eligible Volvo 1999 with N14/ 2 million miles - 1 million after overhaul - $20K but he is at a shop overy other week. Each visit is like a payment for brand new. Question is how many more visits...