How Do You Find Cheap Fuel? Which apps and sites do you use?

All of you are correct. There really isn't a textbook answer to things the elogs don't protect you from. If during the paper days, guys only borrowed a short stretch of time like you mentioned, things may bring different. The guys that were truly outlaw and didn't know when to stop really ruined it for everyone because they are going to be the scapegoats. The few guys running multiple log books, and the that killed some people, point the anger to them.

 

The outlaws are still outlaws they use technology to their benifit provided they get the elog they need

 

It’s sad they need to operate like that. Trucking isn’t too difficult to do legally.

They have their editable elogs and they loudly and constantly proclaim the only trucks that ever speed are governed trucks in construction zones.

 

I am gonna respectfully disagree. What ruined it was the self insured mega carriers who employed drivers that could not grasp the concept of a log book. Too many log tickets, CSA, an occasional lawsuit swung for the plaintiff due to ignorance. I dont mean to ignorant to juggle numbers to look right I'm saying had nothing to lie about but still couldn't keep a book right. E-logs was there answer dumb it down.

But only way that we will stay afloat is level the playing field.

 

Werner had elogs for yrs. The govt used them as an example of how companies need to micro manage for profits and productivity to lower shipping cost for profits. Had nothing to do with SAFETY imo. Also not every owner operator has drop hook accounts nor do we have accounts where you have open appointments. In order for elogs to work in favor of drivers we need to have open appointments ,even that isnt practical in most cases

 

We all will never know the real reason. At this point, it doesn't really matter. It didn't matter if you worked for a mega, small company, whoever. The people outside of trucking see things in the way of the described. They see one truck driver that falls asleep at the wheel or whatever, and they make a mandate. That's how it works in everything. The more I think about it, I don't blame megas. They just adopted it sooner. They went on ahead, and adopted what was in the future. If knocked off costs for insurance. Companies their size will take any discount. It makes sense for them. Werner started it, a couple decades back and it was only a matter of time. Level playing field? I'd say so. For owners? I can't say. I've seen some on here unphased by it. They are probably very good at managing costs in other areas in their business to remain profitable. They actually know how to work and adjust.

 

In order for elogs to work in favor of the drivers, the drivers need to learn how to plan, how to communicate, every aspect of HOS. Knowing how and WHEN to drive makes all the difference in maximizing your hrs. Many people had bad habits on paper and now it translates to elogs.

 

The effect of elogs is all about what you run and where you run. We ship our own stuff on known routes in the PNW. Elogs really make no difference, because there's camera;s and border crossings every 200 miles or so. You could fudge a little here and there on paper, but not a lot.

What has happened is that I have declined customers because we can't get there consistently on elogs. Drivers are fine with it, I don't get hit with stupid "form and manner" crap during inspections, and the back office part of logs takes much less time. Technically, I don't need to be on elogs (live cargo), but were just going to leave them on the trucks. But, that's our unique situation.

 

At my last company we had issues with DEF from high use stops. I ordered DEF in totes and after one bad winter with emissions issues out the rear, I forbid the drivers to fill up anaywhere but at the yard. At one point 4 of our 6 tractors were down due to DEF issues.

I was the only one that did an occasional long run to Texas. I would still take a jug of DEF from the yard. Not worth the risk buying on the road. Too bad everyone doesn’t have the option.

 

It always surprises me when people say they have had issues with DEF at the pumps. How do people come to the conclusion that the DEF issue was due to contaminated DEF? Was it tested with a test strip? DEF trucks definitely do have DEF issues, but there are several causes. Not once have I had a contaminated DEF issue. I did fuel mostly at major truck stops, but now I fuel less at major truck stops. Still I have had no issues with contaminated DEF, but as I said before, I do not pump DEF anywhere. The truck stop must look well-maintained and frequently-used. DEF actually expires and is more sensitive to temperature compared to diesel.