Truck Opinions at Swift

I don't think my leak is around the turbo as it definately leaks with the key off. It could possibly be the leveler valve (as my dm called it) because of the air bags deflating. I think it is under the cab because I've heard something from under there. Funny thing is that I can hear it, then turn the key on and off, and it will go away.

Just talked with my dm about the problems. I don't think he is real happy with me, but I'm sure he understands I'm still learning the processes. He told me, for the newies who don't know, that I should have told him or whoever is running the board (since he was on vacation last week, I couldn't tell him) before going on hometime that I needed to get the truck in the shop. That way, the planners won't be thinking they have an available truck to run a load when I come off hometime. Ok. Now I know how that works. So, he got me a load that picks up in Old Fort, OH, 113 miles away and T-calls in Columbus so I can get the truck looked at. BTW, for those with Volvo experience, the power outlet in the panel over the bunk doesn't work. I've looked at the fuse in the bottom of the panel and it looks ok. Is there another fuse for this outlet? Could there be another problem? Could Luke and Laura actually be brother and sister?

I'm still interested in opinions about the Swift trucks. Keep 'em coming guys!

 

Well, the truck is in the shop at Columbus. Looks like the coolant leak is the pipe attached to the lower radiator hose. I also pointed out another leak I had noticed with a green tinted fluid, but I didn't know what it was. I just knew it was coming from the radiator area, but the coolant we use is red/orange. The mechanic said the transmission cooler line connection is leaking at the radiator and the truck needs a new radiator, which will have to be ordered. If the warehouse has the parts in stock, I may actually get out of here tomorrow. If not, I could be sitting here for a couple days.

I also mentioned some minor issues, if they could look at them fine, if not, I wasn't worried about it. One of those was the rear power outlet. We'll see if they fix it. The other issues were the window curtains (the driver side curtain is missing half of it's slide clips), and the thermometer readout on the instrament panel. When ever I start the truck, I get a message that says "Freezing Conditions" with no temperature reading for the outside temp. I know it's not a big deal to know what the outside temp is, but it is annoying that this message pops up everytime I start the truck. Again, just a minor issue, if they fix it, fine, if not, fine.

 

Update, after a day in the shop, I finally got the truck back tonight. I'm not sure what all they did to it exactly other than the couple times I went to check on it. I guess it didn't need the radiator after all. I guess they just repaired the cooler lines going to it. And instead of needing the pipe to the lower radiator hose, it was the block heater leaking down on top of the pipe. I'm still going to keep an eye on these parts just to be sure.

Also I was told last night that the leveler valve was the air leak. I'm assuming they fixed that. Like I said, I really have no idea what was done since they didn't leave a repair form. I didn't bother asking the guy about it cuz he is a grumpy dude anyway and they were busy. I do know they fixed the rear power outlet socket and the ambient air temp sensor. Trust me, if I have any more problems with the rest of this stuff, I am definately going to let my dm know about it. I didn't waste an entire day here for nothing.

Hitting the road again in the morning. See you guys out there. I'm going to bed now.

 

I will admit the Pete's are a classy truck. I was in one for two weeks when I was training for that flatbed company. I'm sure glad that didn't work out.

The thing is, it doesn't matter about that "c15 550hp cat with 18 speed (or 13 sp in the case of the fb company)" when the trucks are governed down to granny speeds. The ONLY time that truck would pull a hill was when we were empty. And even though Swift trucks are governed at 62, I actually passed one of those purty black and chrome Pete's a couple weeks ago in my Cummins powered 9sp Volvo.

In case you hadn't noticed, the thread that you had commented in (that thread being this one) was posted in the Swift section of this fine forum. Also, the trucks that were in question are all trucks currently used by Swift Transportation. To the best of my knowledge, there are no Petes of any sort in the Swift company fleet, not including those owned by O/O's. This thread was only interested in these trucks in Swift's fleet as these are the trucks that would pertain to me as a Swift company driver.

If you are currently looking for a job with a long haul company, I wish you luck in getting on with a company that doesn't govern their trucks. You will certainly be dissappointed with anything else.