CRETE - A Year in Review

If only it would have died near an AMS shop, they'd have you swap trucks...or at least that is what Deland would do. I am shocked that your Terminal Manager hasn't called and booked you a rental car to go to a terminal to get you a different truck.

I'm picking up in Memphis, but I am headed into Coryland (up by Albany NY)for Monday 8am. Hope it works out for ya'. Breakdown pay sucks, but it's at least something, plus you get a deluxe suite at the roach motel...just annoy the crap out of them for miles once they get it done...it seems to have helped over in the snackbar campground...for now.

I checked...my terminal manager is right, more loads, but shorter. For May's 11,500 miles I ran 21 loads(counting the TONU load) 22 if you count the one I delivered this morning, but was in W.Whorehouse(W.Memphis), AR on the 31st

 

Yeah....wishing I were closer to an AMS shop was Breakdown's feeling also. But I'm centrally located about as far from any one shop as I can be. So here I sit. Motel isn't too bad. Walking distance of a bunch of stuff, and the pool is now open. Room is clean, and the rate isn't too bad either considering it's the weekend.

Bad part of it is that I was off at home all last week, AND I've got paperwork from my last load languishing in my unit. Either way, I'm just trying to make the best of it. And after having spent a few days hanging around the dealership, I sort of feel for them too. Everyone is fighting an uphill battle for the failings of this new wonderful technology.

I'll have an empty trailer....got that when another driver came to pick up my load.....my 1000-mile load for which I'll get about 300 miles of it.

 

Hey all,

I browse the Crete forums every now and then to see how things are going here (since they are on my list).

Anyway, I just wanted to point out that things are changing in Texas in September. You will need to prove you live at your physical address here to use it. No more mail forwarding service for a permanent address on your CDL. You can still use a PO Box as a mailing address but you have to prove you actually live here.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/domicileReq.htm

 

At least there is a place to eat. When my old Century's turbo went, they towed me from southern TN to Decatur, AL. Then the towtruck driver dropped me at the Microtel. The only thing close was a KFC and a ma-pa BBQ that was only open for lunch and early dinner. There was no chinese deliver that came out. The only delivery place was Quaker Steak and Lube...but the cheapest delivery was $15. There was a mall down the street, but it looked closer than it really was. Almost 2 miles, and it was the weekend just before July 4th. I was in the same boat for location...so like you I had a mini paid (mini pay) vacation. They even screwed up the rubber flex hose between the solid line and the air-to-air. Got 30 miles down the road, and it sounded like a gazoo glued to a whistle. Thank god for electrical tape and duct tape.

 

what year is your truck, or should I say, how many miles do you have on it. They are suppose to be dumping the '09s by 400k...then starts the new headache of a Maxxfarce powered cornfield caddy.

Talked to another Crete that was picking up at the same place in Memphis. He's got a '13 Prostar...he said he is lucky to get back to 6 mpg, and his truck only holds 155 gallons from dead empty. He said he found out the hard way, the fuel gauge already broke, and he ran out of fuel as he was pulling into the fuel stop. And because it's an International...couldn't roll it in on the starter like a Freightliner since Prostars won't start w/o the clutch peddle being down. My '12 averages 6.5-7 mpg and holds 175 or so gallons...(or so because that is how much it took to fill it up when I got it brand new, I've never had it run out of fuel...close, but not out)

The fuel solution program did make me hold my breath last time. I filled in Wildwood, FL on my way to Davenport, FL. Then went to Deland for a shag load to Orlando, then up to Palatka to pick up and finally fueled in W. Memphis just before delivering. 1085 miles. It still only took 162 gallons...so I still had 75 or so miles of fuel left.

 

I can tell you that if you park tilted to the right with low fuel that the gauge register hi, but you cannot start. With some advice from a seasoned trucker that the fuel filter need to be primed if not showing fuel. The POS PS has the fuel filter quite accessible on the left side (funnel required). There is a plastic plug to unscrew. Fill with fuel, crank about 3 times for medium starter bursts and it will light off. Lesson learned. Fuel before you go home and watch the tilt.

 

I notice at Wilmer there was about 50 new internationals in the back corner. Not even numbered or lettered yet.

 

2010, about 247K miles on it. ISX engine has really been getting good fuel mileage. The fuel gauge must have come from Freightliner, because it's usually not even in the ballpark. But it registers high instead of low.

 

Do any of you guys have a fitness routine that you do while driving? I'm just curious because I'm a lot older now and paranoid that sitting for so long is going to cause major health problems. Somehow in the past it never bothered me and I didn't get fat, but now I think it might be a death sentence. I've seen various youtube videos about butt crunches and different isometric steering wheel presses online but wonder what you guys do. Thanks

 

The fuel gauge issue has always been one of the regular issues a lot of our Internationals have had for years. Sorta like water leaks on a Freightliner.