Adventures of a Flatbedder at Roehl

I did 4 active, 92-96 and then 4 Guard, 96-00. Almost went back in in 05, but thankfully some REMF Major was a PITA and I never finished all the required steps of reenlisting. Don't know where that guy is today, but I should thank him for his Battalion not making its recruiting goals.

 

So, did my reset and 36 hrs of Layover and delivered this morning no problem. Always funny watching these guys unload farm equipment when the people who loaded it had more tools at their disposal. They almost tipped the baler I had for them off the trailer trying to put the tires back on.

Next up was another preloaded trailer out of Charleston, IL. Funny thing, had a preplan canceled last week from the same spot. Anyway, headed home with this load (lunch plans already made with the wife and daughter) and then I already have the preplan for my load out of Minneapolis. CRAZY I know!

 

Delivered in Lester Prairie, MN. Had lunch with Wife and daughter at her favorite, Buffalo Wild wings. Then on to Owens Corning for a load to Fon Du Lac, WI and Menards.

Not sure if it's funny, sad, or a symptom of today's economy, but I watched (ok, really just noticed) two guys with a curtain side take longer than me to strap their load. They were loaded 20 minutes before me and I was long gone before they were done winching down the straps. Not sure if the one guy was training or what, but they both were VERY SLOW. And this is shingles which aren't very hard to do.

 

Made it to my delivery with ten mins to spare this morning. Unstrapped, put everything away, and was out of there in thirty minutes! Menards wasn't busy at 7 am.
Move to the local TS and sit for an hour. YAY, 250 miles empty to L'Anse, MI. Get there and load and on my way. So that's all the good news....
The bad, load is going to Omaha for Friday morning delivery. Uhm, that's not anywhere near Minneapolis. Suppose to be home and not in the mood to miss my home time twice in a row. Now to add to that, the truck would not pull a hill to save MY life. Was trying to make it to Marshfield before 14 were up. I was on track, then I couldn't climb any hill heading south on US 51 or WI29. Had to downshift to 8th a couple of times. Only have forty on so I shouldn't be having issues. So as I am driving knowing I am not gonna make Marsh, ten minutes short, I hit the only truck stop I can. And then what happens? Check engine light is now on... GRRRR

OH, and FM sent me a message when I got load, not going to make you go to Omaha, will work on relay. Asked about a relay at 5, he was already gone and nothing in the system yet.

Guess I get to hit dealer in morning and hopefully force a relay with "engine" troubles. And tell them to fix me 5th wheel sensor and the leak they caused on my PS fuel tank when they changed out my fuel sensor. Oh the fun!

 

Man, I should get a referral bonus for doing this on the website.
Anyone joining Roehl because of this thread... Message me!

 

Sitting at the Mothership! Got in, refueled and trailer inspected, BAM! Got a double whammy. Truck needs to be in shop for Engine light and other small issues, but trailer needs an inspection as well. Got the trailer in right of the fuel lane inspection and then talked to maint. about truck. Won't be for two hours or more.

Ok, talk to FM and BAM, relayed of the load. Now sitting in the lounge just waiting. FM did say he was gonna relay me in St. Paul. Could have been on my way home right now.