How do you guys drive long distance 1500 mile loads

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Trukie, Apr 13, 2021.

  1. Trukie

    Trukie Bobtail Member

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    Dec 4, 2020
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    Want to ask the O/Os
    How do you guys drive the 1200-2000 mile trips
    What stops do you guys make .. like do you drive for a couple hours and stop 30 minutes to check out the truck or do you run with as little stops as possible
    Im a local driver thats going to start running interestate and want some advice
     
    austinmike Thanks this.
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  3. Baty Dispatch

    Baty Dispatch Light Load Member

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    You drive until your 11 hours are up and only stop for bathroom breaks and load/tire checks. Make sure you have a fridge and microwave in truck and that will help you stay out of truck stops wasting time. At first you might be only able to drive 8 hours or a bit more a day until you get used to driving long periods. Keep it legal to avoid tickets or accidents.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2021
  4. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    This was my mentors advice,,
     
  5. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    I go three to four hours then take a short break. Usually just enough to use bathroom, grab a coffee to go, then back on the road. Sometimes do a short walk if it’s a 30 minute break.
     
    Rideandrepair and Mattflat362 Thank this.
  6. rachi

    rachi Road Train Member

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    Usually OTR is balls to the wall running hard like a scalded dog to get to your pickups and deliveries on time, especially if your pulling a refer. Sometimes you hardly have time to grab a bite to eat. And you run like this for two or three weeks everyday untill you go home for a couple measly days. Then rinse and repeat. :(
     
    mwhjr1988 and Capacity Thank this.
  7. OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

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    Sounds about like running local. We don’t have to use elog only because they know you couldn’t survive if you had to. Your home every night, for a few hours anyway though.
     
    Brettj3876 and rachi Thank this.
  8. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Drive past the three-hour mark to knock out fuel and break in one shot. Fuel takes about 14 minutes. Then idle out of the way to keep from tripping myself back into driving mode. Then drive the next leg until I run out of hours. Regulate my fluid intake, and keep the left door shut. I can almost knock out 700 miles in a day. Came close several times, but never broke it. Then, let out a sigh of disappointment, knowing you're stuck there for ten hours before you get to drive again. Get out and put a hand on all your tires to see if any are running hot or cool. Make a peanut butter sandwich, and start hydrating for tomorrow.

    Wake up, check fifth wheel release. If there isn't a 60-quart puddle of coolant, or a 48-quart puddle of oil under the engine, then it must all still be in there. Do a burnout to heat your drives. Then boost-launch onto the interstate and get some.
     
  9. austinmike

    austinmike Road Train Member

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  10. Brettj3876

    Brettj3876 Road Train Member

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    To me that still beats OTR lifestyle by a mile imo. I'm usually home for 12-14 hours. I avg about 55 hours a week running local
     
    OldeSkool Thanks this.
  11. Baty Dispatch

    Baty Dispatch Light Load Member

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    I did this for about a year. Now I have a job where I don’t have appointments and they ask me what my eta is. Now I make more than I did when running hard.
     
    rachi, austinmike and Rideandrepair Thank this.
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