48 Year Old Rookie

Discussion in 'Roehl' started by MONGOOSE, Jul 2, 2011.

  1. MONGOOSE

    MONGOOSE Bobtail Member

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    Jul 2, 2011
    Smithville MO
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    Thanks for the info guys and gals.

    Buckman what should I expect to earn going 14/7 in dry van?

    I've been looking for ways to cook in a truck. You guys might try the Microwave Pasta Boat. I bought one at Walmart in the "as seen in tv" section. Really works well. It also allows you to steam veggies.

    I was really hopeful for the mini fridge but oh well. What about mattresses? Does the bunk come with a good mattress or can a guy put his own in the truck? I'm getting old so when I sleep I want to be comfortable. I'd put a pillow-top mattress in the truck if I could.
     
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  3. Zangief

    Zangief Medium Load Member

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    Feb 19, 2011
    Jags Fan in Viking Country
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    Welcome to the world of trucking, Mongoose. Roehl is a good company to get your start at.
     
  4. Matti_M80

    Matti_M80 Light Load Member

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    Aug 12, 2011
    Boston
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    Hey Mongoose-
    I may be a rookie in my mid 20's but I feel ya. Trucking is a far cry from what I went to college for, and now 2 years graduated it hasn't paid off yet. The economy isn't playing nice with anybody really.
    I've loosely wanted to drive one of those things since I was 7 when I went to the New England Truck Show for the first time. :)

    I've done several cross country road trips and found that I loved them, that in conjunction with months reading TTR and I'm about ready to ship off to RDTC to get my CDL. Once it's official I'll probably chronicle my experiences on here to pass on the insight, as many of you graciously have already. Best of luck to us both!

    Cheers to the open road- :Road:
     
  5. Rabbit_B

    Rabbit_B Light Load Member

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    May 2, 2011
    Washington state
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    48 is not old...I'm 58 and my DH is 60. In our Freightliner the top bunk is a little harder than the bottom bunk, but we still both sleep fine. Since I'm on the bottom when I'm with him I get both dogs and the duties that go with them in the middle of the night. :biggrin_25522: When he's alone he gets the bottom. Several years ago we had a used RV that the former owners put a Sealy posturepedic mattress in...best sleep we ever got, but that lower bunk gets a lot of abuse from sitting, standing on it, etc. If we can find a real sturdy deluxe mattress that will fit the bunk we still might go for it, but until then we will continue to probably sleep fine since we are so exhausted anyway.

    As for cooking, we use the Burton Lunch box oven and a microwave and run a coleman cooler. Fridge might be nice, but not in the budget at the moment. The cooler seems to keep what we need cool enough.
     
  6. paoldschool

    paoldschool Heavy Load Member

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    Aug 8, 2010
    Mount Jewett, PA
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    You can do alot with a lunch box oven, and a cooler. I also used to carry a small hot pot that would heat up 12oz of water to boiling in about 7 minutes. It was great to make instant soup, and oatmeal, or just a cup of coffee or tea. We are all spoiled by having apu's and inverters, but you can do quite well without them. I also took the plunge and bought a real 12v fridge, not a thermoelectric cooler. It is great, has a small freezer and everything. It works really well and fits right into the cabinet behind the drivers seat in a freightshaker... I guess I could still function okay without the apu, just with my small plug in inverter to charge my computer, I still have all my 12v stuff, just in case.
     
  7. Gypsy Pirate

    Gypsy Pirate Bobtail Member

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    Sep 5, 2011
    Moravia, New York
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    Heya Mongoose,

    I will be 54 in December. I haven't made the final call yet, but I expect to be starting by this October. The pension just isn't enough.

    I also want to say that this forum has been instrumental in my decision, and THANKS to all the folks out there for great info.

    Later,

    GP
     
  8. Unka_D

    Unka_D Light Load Member

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    Jan 19, 2008
    The Open Road, USA
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    :biggrin_25520:Only 48??? Shucks!!! You're just a young sprout!!!! Seriously, welcome aboard. If your health is up to it, then Flats is really the least boring of any of the fleets. It's also the most labor intensive!!!

    Take your time and find what makes you comfortable. I've run in every fleet ROEHL has except PDM and truthfully, I would rather be back on Flats or Curtains but I've gotten spoiled running Vans for the last two years.....
     
  9. paoldschool

    paoldschool Heavy Load Member

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    Aug 8, 2010
    Mount Jewett, PA
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    I got tired of the big tarps so I take the easy route, and just slide a curtain open and closed. I'm only 42, but after almost 10 years of flatbed, I figured I could start to slack off...
     
    Everett Thanks this.
  10. MayhemTrucking

    MayhemTrucking Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 23, 2010
    Denham Springs, La.
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    ill take being bored over slinging tarps any day of the week, cause even after you strap and tarp for an hour, you still gotta drive as far as i do. lmao..
     
    paoldschool Thanks this.
  11. paoldschool

    paoldschool Heavy Load Member

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    Aug 8, 2010
    Mount Jewett, PA
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    That is a very good point, but if it takes me an hour to strap and tarp, my student is moving to slow!!! LOL.:biggrin_25519:
     
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