Mercer

Thanks Redd...

Didn't know that about the DOT inspection being counted also.

The Mercer inspection is fairly thorough, and they have their list of things they seem to target as common problems. There were things I saw on trucks that I would have pointed out and they ignored. Yeah, a Mercer approved shop might be more in tune with the program, so that would be a good idea if Katz could work it into his schedule.

I heard that about you from a driver that talked to somebody who met you, about not liking hearsay

Technically those super singles are good but they're still not available easily out on the road. And I am 99.9% sure they told us Mercer will not allow them. Dealing with a flat tire running a US Hwy across the desert will show you real quick how expensive those tires can be! Had that happen to a friend (not a friend of a friend) and he had to buy two rims and two tires. Of course the shop only had two rims available, brand new top of the line Alcoas polished both sides with the expensive finish. Tires, rims, mounting, and road-service call (150 miles one way) out in BFE (Cali of course) cost him $2700. Like all the vendors tell us - "we don't take advantage of truckers, we just have to pass on our cost of the products and services we provide."


Only adjustment you need to make to adjust speedo in to set the proper tire size in the ECM. Big fine in Canada if you have the wrong tire size in the ECM I've heard. From a guy who knows a guy who went there and was told by a guy ..........

 

Not to many Mercer driver's have met me! In fact, I generally keep to myself! Especially around the Mercer crew! Lil Blue Mule knows that story!

I'm not sure if they would accept Super Singles or not! I thought I saw them on a few trucks, but I'm not quite sure now that I think about it. I had them on the last truck I drove. 2007 International 9400i. Got em brand new with the truck & ran them for 348 thousand miles until they reached 3/32.... That is when the company changed them out for Super Single re-caps! Within a month I blew 3 caps & had virgins back on the truck!

Tire life regardless of conventional duals or Super Singles really depends on the driver! They can last the expected life line if the driver does his job properly. Trying not to curb them & checking tire pressure plays a key roll.

I've heard so much crap about the singles & was highly against them when they put them on my truck. Apparently from hearsay, they don't hold to the ground in rainy or winter conditions. I personally never had a issue until I reached the 3/32 mark... In which is practically a bald tire anyhow!

Of course, I had tread on my tires! Not these slick low rolling resistant highway tires! Those may slip & slide a little.

 

Another good thing is any of the tire equalizers that makes sure you have the same air pressure in adjacent dual tires. That's one of the biggest causes of uneven wear. Also makes it easier to check and adjust pressure. A lot easier to only deal with one valve stem that is open an accessible compared to dealing with the valve for the outside tire. If it's easier there's a better chance it will get done.

I'm looking at a set (four pair) in a month or two. Found a shop online that has better prices than any shops I've found them in.

 

...my girlfriend at Mercer has SS on her truck she pulls a van so ask the question again......

 

Please do. My planned route is... CA-65 (or I can take CA-99 from Tulare area), CA-99, CA-58, I-40, I-44, then I-64. I'm leaving the house before noon today.

There's a few things wrong with my truck. A chunk of fan clutch friction material is missing, oil is seeping out from the oil pan rail, and there's a sign of slight exhaust leak after the muffler.

I'll try to tighten the pan bolts and exhaust clamp to see what it does. I'm not sure what to do with the fan clutch. I'll try to find a rebuild kit or something and try to fix it along the way.

On the trailer, there's one bad tire, which I probably will get a pair replaced and keep the good one as a spare.

I'm one of those poor truckers! LOL. I wish I didn't have to replace the aforementioend trailer tire - I was hoping they'll last me a couple of months so I can at least replace them with steel 22.5 rims and low pro tires. Oh well.

 

You will need to get that oil & exhaust leak fixed! I wouldn't worry about the fan just yet unless it is obstructing your cooling process. I don't remember having anyone pay close attention to the fan. They just looked at the belt to get for fraying.

That bad tire will need to be replaced as well. Call around on your trip & see if you can find a used tire to slap on there to get you by...

Use this website to find some hidden places other then the big nationwide chains.

http://www.nttsbreakdown.com/ntts/programs/main/home.php


Why replace your wheels with steel wheels? If your going to replace them down the road a ways, then replace them with aluminum & lighten the weight up some.

Here are the inspection stations your going to be near! These people are familiar with what Mercer is looking for.

 

I hoped he meant aluminum instead of steel if not I'll sell him my steel wheels and I'll go buy aluminum wheels.

 

Thanks for the link, Redd.

I did mean steel wheels, for time being. I see them stacked up and rusting away at many tire places, so I figured they must be dime a dozen. I'd like to have the same size tire all way around. Buying 8 22.5 lowpro tires and aluminum wheels at the same time gets pretty expensive.

I'm sitting in Holbrook, AZ. I was worried about Flagstaff, but it turned out to be the least of my problems. I-40 is closed almost all way through Moriarty, NM to OK City. Guess I'll have to make a detour.

 

I would check prices on some good used aluminum wheels before I bought steel wheels. I have a new trailer with steel wheels not only are they heavy but also rusting already.

 

Hello Mercer drivers, I live just south of Louisville and have always been a company driver pulling van. I have been thinking of buying a truck and leasing to Mercer as they have a great rep. I am just wondering if I need to have some flatbed experience first? Should I hire on at Maverick or someother flatbed outfit get trained on securement and tarping and try that for a year or does Mercer give some instruction? Thanks for the great read.