Abilene Motor Express....A New Place To Call Home

There is one very huge reason why I would rather keep the truck I have instead of getting a new one, reliability. When I was assigned this truck and went over to the shop to get some supplies and get it signed off by a mechanic for the condition of it, I heard a remark from Joe Sr, the head of the shop. He told me that out of all the trucks in the fleet, this particular on xx18, has been one of the best ones in the fleet. Exactly 5 months have gone by and this is what has happen to this truck in 65,000 miles.

Left headlight bulb replaced.
Right front turn signal replaced.
Right front headlight wiring harness replaced in our shop.
Complete brake job while in for a 6 month inspection.
2 new steer tires.
Check engine light appeared showing a coolant sensor went bad. Replace in our shop.
A/C tube connecting front unit with rear unit under bunk developed a leak. Replaced in our shop.
2 new wipers replaced.

That's it. Never once was I on the side of the road broke down with triangles behind me like I was on a regular basis like I was at the other job, getting towed for a cost of $800 from my house just to have a $39 sensor replaced that took a total of 2 hours. I think sometimes that maybe it's just luck, then I see how the shop at Abilene takes care of the fleet, then I realize luck has nothing to do with it. This truck has been the most reliable truck I have ever driven, now granted, it might and probably will at one time break down. Bud I know this truck, there isn't a sound, rattle or issue going on with it, and if there was, I would get it addressed.

Another thing, over the last few months I have been asked to drive a few trucks over to assorted dealers we buy our new trucks from that are being traded in, they have between 375 and 425 thousand miles on them. Mine now has 301K on the clock, it will be going in for trade in about 5 months. I'd rather keep this one and wait until mine is traded then get a new one. It's not like we have a lull in new trucks arriving, hell we have 5 brand new Cascadias sitting in the yard that have never been driven.

This is what I mean.

 

It was. There is no difference between a solo truck and a team truck except for a sticker that is affixed to the side of the truck that says, "this is a team operation." Everything else is the same, including the color of the paint and that useless dining room set up they have in the sleeper.

 

I always said that as long as it doesn't leave me stranded with my thumb stuck in my ear I'd drive a little red wagon.