CRETE - A Year in Review

Evertruckerr- I must say that you provide excellent reading and insight. I would think that it is not easy to put up with a trainee. I remember when I first started driving a truck out on the interstate, I was so nervous driving that big ol' truck. Today it is second nature. I am zipping up and down the road (so to speak). Don't get me wrong I am probably one of the safest driver when I am on the road. Any way I just wanted to say I hope you keep up the your postings.

 

the bottom line doesn't lie you made some decent $ good for you. thank you for posting it

 

evertruckerr, enjoyed your posts. Very informative and detailed. Nice job.

 

The one positive (and possibly a negative) is all our new trucks are being equipped with Eaton transmissions... which in the case of a trainee who is learning how to time his shifts, could help...I've always hated these Meritor 'rock-boxes' because they are the most temperamental unforgiving transmissions to shift, especially if you're just learning...They're almost 'notchy', but if he's starting to get use to a Meritor...then the switch might set his progress back a bit...but it'll be a good learning experience... after all, learning how to drive all types of equipment will only be a positive for him in the long run. The only thing I wonder is, on the DD15...do the rpm's rev and drop like a Series60 or more like a Cat or Cummins. The last Cummins I drove the engine dropped off faster than any Detroit I ever drove...it was almost like a Mack. If a trainee in the middle of his training program suddenly had to switch...might be like starting all over.

 

That was one of the biggest gripes from my trainer to me during that hellish two month period. We drove a 2010 Prostar and the Eaton Fuller was very forgiving. He kept telling me that I would be getting a Freightliner with their crap transmission...so "rpms up or she'll die)

Anyway my truck is a 09 Prostar...so no big deal. I do like the Eaton Fuller transmission...a lot!

Met Redbeard today and talked with him about his new/old ride. I wish him well and hope everything works out.

 

cw the student/// Where is crete co?

 

where is crete co? thanks for the great message.

 

Lincoln, NE

 

Short time out this time. Was only out 24 days. Never got west of Dallas and only one trip on 95. Longest run was only 913 miles and got a bunch in the 350 to 500 mile range. Still managed to get 11,300 miles but man it was work. Probably had more run-ins with dispatch the last 3 weeks than the last couple of years put together. Maybe time to start looking elsewhere, I don't know.