CDL in hand... Now What ? Decision time, that's what...

Back in the truck after about 6 days off. Received a 1015 mile load assignment to pick up some aluminum in Baltimore tomorrow morning and deliver to the Michigan upper peninsula on Thursday.

 

Here is the conduit that was delivered at my last stop in Hanover, MD before the break.




And here is the load of aluminum 6" diameter 'logs' (just prior to tarping) that I picked up this morning in Baltimore; net weight ~45,000 pounds.



There are eight bundles of four each for a total of 32. The upper and lower pairs are each "belly" wrapped (taking a strap and wrapping it completely around the product before attaching it to the other side) with 2 straps each, plus 3 more over top of everything and one strap over the third level. Some drivers may throw 4 or 5 straps over the top and call it good, but I like to use extra securement and don't really trust the plastic banding to prevent lateral movement of the bars.

Comments about loading: The forklift operator told me that nearly all of the drivers getting this commodity have it loaded in this manner, which is called "belly" loaded, with everything stacked at the center/middle of the trailer. Another option would have been to have two stacks high, rather than four high, making the product more evenly distributed along the length of the trailer. There is a theory that belly loading may cause trailers to become weakened over time, due to the flexing that occurs. Additionally, the center of gravity (CG) is higher with belly loading, necessitating more care while going around curves. In any case I am comfortable with the way the trailer is loaded and with the way it handles while driving.


Currently at one of the Ohio Turnpike service areas near Amherst, OH (west of Cleveland). ~550 miles to go to the consignee, so can likely make the destination on Wednesday instead of Thursday. I called them and they are willing to receive the delivery early.

 

Excellent comments. Thanks

 

Made it to the consignee in Upper Peninsula Michigan this evening with about 30 minutes left on my 11 hour drive clock. Parked right next to the obvious outdoor unloading spot and figured I'd go ahead and untarp and remove all but 2 straps to be ready for the morning. Was just finishing up and a guy with a forklift comes over. He had been moving some stuff between buildings earlier; I thought maybe he was going to ask me to move or something. He said I was parked just fine and would I like to be unloaded now? Well heck yes go right ahead. That took all of about 10 minutes and then I sent an empty call.

Received a new load assignment within minutes - picking up a relay trailer preloaded and waiting at the Iron Mountain terminal, bound for 2 locations in New Jersey.

So after 435 miles on Monday and 568 miles today, I have a 1,248 mile trip to begin tomorrow morning. Delivery is scheduled for Friday at 09:45 (stop #1) and 13:30 (final stop). Then we'll see what happens over the weekend. Regardless, this outing is starting off quite well.

Now camped out next to the trees at the end of a dead-end street just outside the consignee's gate, having received that recommendation from the forklift guy. Nice and quiet here with no idling engines or cycling reefers nearby Earlier this afternoon I stopped for a load check along US-2 at one of the many small stores selling smoked fish, which I have been wanting to try for sometime. Got some smoked trout (they had whitefish and salmon also, but the lady in the store said trout is the best), and for dinner put it on top of a spinach and arugula salad with Gouda cheese from the cooler and oh my it was tasty!