Class starting 25 Oct 11

Discussion in 'Prime' started by silenteagle, Oct 24, 2011.

  1. silenteagle

    silenteagle Road Train Member

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    Oct 23, 2011
    Ozark, MO
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    Normally the windshield is a driver liability, but I asked them to consider where the crack was. The window guy backed me and said any reasonable person would not have seen the rock strike, as it was very small and right next to the seal. Success Leasing gave me the benefit of the doubt and charged of the window replacement.

    I now have a bunk heater installed and a new window, and my governor is turned back up to 80 :biggrin_2559: JK... 65... Got a load all of the way to joplin with a delivery time of tomorrow at 1600 :biggrin_25522:
     
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  3. OpenRoadDreamer

    OpenRoadDreamer Road Train Member

    6,225
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    Apr 26, 2011
    Alabama
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    Sure you can make it that far? lol
     
  4. silenteagle

    silenteagle Road Train Member

    1,491
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    Oct 23, 2011
    Ozark, MO
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    Just decided to update my experience as a new driver. Man the FREEDOM is overwhelming. I am on a tight delivery, but in the process have learned that there are not 24 hours in a truckers day, but 21. (if you use them all) Left Noel MO at 0900 on Thursday and have worked my 10/11 split back so that I left Ft Bridger at 0200 today, and will leave Mill City NV at midnight. If you run hard, you can work yourself back two hours a day at least.

    In forecasting fuel, I stopped and put $20 of fuel in just 20 miles from my night stop. Being a new truck, I wasn't sure how far I could push her when the needle was on "E" so I took precautions. Now I know when she is on "E" it only takes 165 gallons to fill up the tanks, which leaves a little more than I thought in there. Safety being the issue, I will forecast for 6.0 MPG from Lincoln to SLC next time. I have also discovered that I only get about 2000 miles from a tank of DEF. Now I can better plan my fuel stops and forecast my DEF usage.

    Being a lease operator, it matters where the fuel bill falls. If you buy too much fuel on this job, your check for this week will be small, as your $$$ is all in the tanks. If you forecast correctly, you pay for what you need, and use just what you pay for. The fuel for the next job should be purchased once you are on the next job. Momma will be very unhappy if her bill money is still in your fuel tanks :biggrin_25521:
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2012
  5. silenteagle

    silenteagle Road Train Member

    1,491
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    Oct 23, 2011
    Ozark, MO
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    Today was a big decision day. This freedom and independence is gonna give me grey hair. Here goes... I was in Wells, NV deciding whether to go north into idaho on the little road (us93) or go into SLC and then up I15. I really wanted to stop at SLC and get some fried rice and a truck wash. after thinking it out and checking out the extra mileage (about 100 miles) I decided to bypass SLC and head straight north. Good decision, as I got a good tailwind so far. pumped my MPG up to 7.15 and got 8.3 for that leg of the trip. The QC directions had me going up 191 and us20 through or near yellowstone park up some small roads. I did decide to swollow those 45 miles and go up I15 to I90.

    Now it is up to billings where I will have to decide how much fuel to buy. Weather, headwinds, and hills will have alot to do with that decision. More to follow.
     
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  6. U2Exit

    U2Exit Road Train Member

    2,353
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    Feb 22, 2008
    WA and VA
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    That Yellowstone/Bozeman route is beautiful! Ive done it both loaded and empty. Its a good road.

    However, I would skip it at this time of year depending on current and recent snowfall. Also, when it's your first time, you want to do it in the daytime for the great views and you'll see the turns and hills long before you get on top of them.
     
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  7. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

    17,502
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    Sep 23, 2007
    Ask my GPS...
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    Fuel... if its cheap (base price) fill up, especially if you're heading into an area of higher prices. Otherwise, whatever you need to get to cheap fuel, but 50 gallons will get you a shower credit. Don't play the short game... you're in it for 3 years, not until next Tuesday. If you happen by a low-price fuel stop and need some while on a trip that will be turned-in on Tuesday - fill it up.
     
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  8. silenteagle

    silenteagle Road Train Member

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    Oct 23, 2011
    Ozark, MO
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    It's been a few weeks since i posted here, so I will share my lastest experience with blind side backing. Now, I sometimes find a really challenging parking spot at these truck stops and attempt to get into them. Not always able to conquor the challenge and often pull out and find an easier spot, but it has improved my skills at the T/S. Tonight I pulled into the Petro Little Rock and there was only one spot left that the rest of the drivers kept passing by. It was a blind side backing spot with about 6 inches on each side of the yellow lines. I barely had enough room to set up (I slid the trl tandems forward all the way) for the backing and an idiot schneider guy parked on the end (not in a spot either) making it more challenging. I had to pull up three times and barely squeeked by the pete classic on the right side. Once I got it going in, I pulled up straight and got it in. I have about 12 inches on each side. Another driver spotted for me, but I still ended up getting out 5 times and moving 5-10 feet each time until I could see in the mirrors again. I would not normally do this, but desparation usually drives people to do challenging things.

    :biggrin_25513::biggrin_25513::biggrin_25513: For the newer folks that read this, I would recommend that you not try this until you are competent at alley docking in the tightest situations :biggrin_25513::biggrin_25513::biggrin_25513:
     
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  9. OpenRoadDreamer

    OpenRoadDreamer Road Train Member

    6,225
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    Apr 26, 2011
    Alabama
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    How long did this little adventure take? Blind side backing isnt a good idea, but if its what ya gotta do... Some of these truck stops are ridiculous.
     
  10. silenteagle

    silenteagle Road Train Member

    1,491
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    Oct 23, 2011
    Ozark, MO
    0
    About 25 minutes. In and out of the cab about 10 times.
     
  11. MONT74

    MONT74 Heavy Load Member

    722
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    Oct 29, 2011
    Boise, ID
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    I had a T/S Like that once, with split axle. Trainer was in one side of the truck spotting, plus all the super truckers on the CB. Not sure exactly how long it took me to do it, but my left leg was so sore from the clutch afterwards I could barely walk.
     
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