Stevens Transport aviary

Randall tells me there are no nonsmokers available right now, so I'm solo this week.
New crop coming out friday/saturday.
I'll be in Ft Worth, so any of you new guys in class this week that are non smokers, speak up now...

 

Finally got a load...candy from Hershey, PA to Ogden, UT. A good 2100 mile run and 4 days to do it in. It'll be tight, but it's definitely doable.

 

Question for you more experienced drivers: At what OAT do you start idling you engines as opposed to running the apu? It's supposed to go down to 11° here tonight, so I thought I'd ask.

 

Well, first of all, I can't idle due to the opti idle settings. (5 mins and you're out!)
But even if I could, the APU is always better.
I've used the bunk heater when it's -18 and still been toasty.
I do have to shut the curtins, tho. (instead of using the windshield drapes)

 

Of course you have to make sure you have anti-gel in your tanks!!!

 

The way the ecm is set you can't idle. The apu will keep you toasty. Spent last new years in Butte MT lows were - 30 highs were 0. Stayed warm and I treated the fuel.

Still no load they did not want to dispatch me due to the accue weather report saying high winds for Eastern WY. There were no high wind advisories or warnings from the NWS past 10 am today. It was a nice 15 to 25 mph wind. Just a calm january day in WY.

 

at what temp do you really need to use anti gel?

 

If the temp will not be above freezing for the whole day I do the minimum treatment. If the temp is going below 0 I do the strong treatment. $20 to 40 dollars is cheap as compared to a $600 road service call to attempt to thaw you out. First winter in WY I had first hand experience having the fuel gel.

 

As long as you keep it at a high idle (above 1,000rpms,) you can idle all night. I did it in Limon, CO when the temp got down to 5°.