Trucks assigned to newbies?

Ive heard they cant do much about them 13 speeds because I believe they only have 3 or 4 of them in the fleet.

 

I've been told by a few mechanics over the last year that the new Prostars with the MaxForce motors cannot be turned down below 63mph or International will void the warranty. These motors are designed for the best mpgs at 63-70mph.

Actually International sued USA Truck a couple of years ago and won because of this issue.

 

When I finally completed training 2 weeks ago I got assigned a 2007 Columbia with 150k on her. 10 speed stick. Lucked out and got one with a Tripac unit, I'll miss that when I get reassigned. :/ Though I can clearly see why they're history.

The only issue I had is on day 2 the EGR valve crapped out on a mountain in Virginia. I got my load relayed and I limped to Triad Freightliner in Greensboro, NC. In and out with a new valve in 6 hours so I won't shed any tears. Also the batteries must be crap because I can't run the dome light for 10 minutes without the APU kicking on.

Despite all that, it's great to be out on my own, finally!

 

My Prostar says 64.5 on the floor and 63 on cruise. It's more like 60.5 cruise and 63.9 on the floor. Ran with another driver in a Freightliner a while back and he would pull away from me on cruise, but on the floor I ran from him. Each truck is different.

 

Why are you getting reassigned?

 

I think he means when it comes time for them to upgrade him to a newer truck. My 07 Columbia doesn't have an apu, just a bunk heater. Ill miss it. The internationals are too quite. I like to hear my engine rumble and the Turbo whine while I'm driving. I hated the pro star I was driving at first as a temp truck. Couldn't hear the engine.

 

Yep that's what gps says on this 2012 prostar, but on cruise she likes 60

 

You know if I really think about it too much, my 05 Freightliner was the same way. Looked more like 62 on cruise and 64 on floor. Wonder if Roehl play's games with the speedometers?

 

Same with mine. There was almost a constant a 4mph difference between the truck and my Garmin. The truck was always ahead of it. Given I've driven with it in 6 vehicles in its lifetime, I trust it. Usually its no more than 1-2 different.

Oh, and Danny, I was told not to get too comfy because she's in a flatbed configuration with the strobes and toolboxes. I'm doing van runs now but in a few weeks I'll be on reefer national. If a flatbed driver needs one somewhere and they have a regular unit up for grabs, they'll make the switch. Don't know when or where though, and I'm in no hurry.

 

If you get a new truck dont crash it until you leave the yard from what ive heard recently. Out of 3 trucks all being columbias with 650k plus miles 2/3 where junk all beat to hell from previous drivers. Got all my loads to and from and got home guess thats the important part. One with a engine issue where i sat for a couple days, the other the tractor abs light was on, dash lights for night time would randomly shut off while driving, all bent and beat up. Other than that peachy. Just would think it would look more professional to have nice trucks to show company pride not beat up pos's. Oh well