What's the biggest P.O.S you've had to drive?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Logan76, Jul 23, 2010.

  1. Logan76

    Logan76 Crusty In Training

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    Alrighty here guys, I noticed in a different thread we were talking about not having A/C, so that sparks my intrest. To this date, what is the biggest hunk of junk you've had to drive, to make a living with? tell us a little about the truck and your experiences in it, be them good or bad.
     
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  3. Logan76

    Logan76 Crusty In Training

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    I'll make the first post by saying, a 1982 R model mack, tandem dump truck. I drive in a mine, all off road driving on haul roads all day, so the truck doesnt have to be inspected. balding tires, beat up suspension, solid mount seat, old 6 speed low hole, twin stick, 300 measly hp (we fill them with 15 to 18 tons, pretty much the most you can fit in the bed without it spilling over the sides.) No heat or A/C, the only good part is that it has an air tailgate and a jake brake where some of our other trucks don't even have that. So you all ask why would I leave driving a nice 2010 mack granite tri-axle to this heap or crap, simply put, money talks and b.s. walks.
     
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  4. Freebird135

    Freebird135 Road Train Member

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    In the air conditioning
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    im a local driver, i drive a different tractor every day and i would say i get a truck with AC an average of once a week at the most
     
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  5. Rollover the Original

    Rollover the Original Road Train Member

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    The biggest POS truck I drove was a White Freightliner COE with a 6V92 Detroit, whats A/C? no brakes on the steer axle as it was built before the law went into effect I think in 79 that all trucks had to have them on the steer axle, it was a "well known fact" that the steering axle brakes on wet roads made you jack knife! Armstrong steering, sprung seat, foam mattress did I mention no A/C running west coast and a 6V92 can't get out of it's own way going down hill! It also had air start but it always leaked down when shut off! You don't "jump off an air start unit and another thing when you start an air start truck in a truck stop at night you are lucky if you get out of there with your life as drivers have been known to hit the roof when those things start! There was no carpet or covering on the doghouse so jumping on it or putting your arm on it in hot weather or several hours of running down the road would guarantee that your skin would be left on the thing! Yep, that was the worst POS I ever drove! Glad I was only in it till it died in Colorado and I got to visit my sister at CSU during the 4th of July until the wrecker got there to tow it back to Ga and the junk yard!
     
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  6. Ridgerunner665

    Ridgerunner665 Road Train Member

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    A 1976 International Loadstar dump truck...It was my first driving job, I didn't even have a CDL.

    That was 1991.
     
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  7. Texas Wheelman

    Texas Wheelman Light Load Member

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    Dallas, TX
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    1982 Mack R-model tractor. Spring ride, seat bolted down only with the 2 right side bolts, no ac, daycab, in Jersey. Hauled flatbed loads for Home Depot. Brakes would fade on a regular basis, making me pray I got stopped before the toll booths on the turnpike.
     
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  8. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    This clunk O junk
    [​IMG]
     
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  9. oldedge

    oldedge Light Load Member

    1974 Ih transtar II, 318 detroit Every one who ever drove one of them would tell you how bad they rode. Well this one was special. It had a set of Mack rears on walking beams, and the 5th wheel slid all the way to the front and you couldn't slide it at all. I drove it to Chicago and back on the last trip I took in it,parked it in front of the shop and told them I would never get in it again. Oh yes the doors would not lock. Made it fun for the 3 days that I spent at the Calumet truckstop in Chicago.
     
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  10. johnday

    johnday Road Train Member

    Werner 2002 Century, HANDS DOWN!!
    Right front fender was cracked so badly, the good ol boys took an aluminum plate and riveted it behind the crack.
    It took 2 days for me to get this truck running, the batteries were shot. The good ol boys wouldn't replace them because, get this, "The truck was too old". I'd be home every ten days, and every time for 4 TAH's, T/A had to come out and jump it. Finally some rocket scientist in Ohaha decided the batteries needed a change out. Ya think?
    The starter went.
    The aircompressor went.
    Clutch brake never did work.
    Opened the hood when I first got it, the grill fell off.
    Doors had to be slammed closed.
    City horn blew itself.
    1/2 of the dash was busted out. Yeah I know, Fr8tshakers do that, but never like this one.
    My first encounter with the "Incredible Manpig"
    Oh yeah, hit 8th gear and you'd drive the shifter into the console.
    All this in 11 weeks. :biggrin_25510::biggrin_25510::biggrin_25510:

    Oh, and the truck had less than 400k on it!!!:biggrin_2555:

    The pathetic thing is that it could have been a nice truck, but I was, "Only" a Canadian driver. Was called that at Unsprungfield terminal when I came on .
    It did have a decent engine, IMO, C15 Cat.
     
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  11. Wargames

    Wargames Captain Crusty

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    Drove many local trucks for 37 years, but remember one, back in 90`, day shift went home, so I come in, jump up on the steps, and What the heck, smelled ####? The day driver had a problelm with his digestive system, had to wear one of the depends diaper, well, during the day, the diaper broke, and leaked through, all over the seat. I told them Im not driving that, they got all pissed off, so had to put cardboard down. And away we go. One of my worst days in a POS truck. I felt sorry for the guy, having the medical problem.
     
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