My Experience as a Line Haul Driver

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by American-Trucker, Apr 14, 2012.

  1. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Wow, really? Most 'american' cars' parts and components are imported. And most 'imports' are built in plants right here in the USA.
     
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  3. vikingswen

    vikingswen Road Train Member

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    That is true in some sense. I bought a 2012 VW Passat TDI with a manual 6 speed transmission that is build in TN, but all the engineering development is done in Germany. Also engine and tranny are built in Germany and installed here. Looks like it is cheaper to assemble the cars here than in Germany or Japan for other brands and than ship them.

    @AT if you are looking for a roomy car with great fuel mileage check out the Passat TDI. Seats 5 people and I averaged 47.4mpg over the last 8500 miles. The other day I went from Wenatchee to Pasco in Washington State and I averaged almost 56mpg:biggrin_25520: on the two lane roads running 3 miles over the speed limit. The tail wind did help and dropped it to 51mpg on the way back.
     
  4. potterHSE

    potterHSE Bobtail Member

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    Ford is American also and they did not have to borrow money from the fed's. my old F250 power stroke gets 26mpg highway and 17mpg with load hay on the goose neck.
     
  5. ACH1130

    ACH1130 Road Train Member

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    Think of it this way, yes american cars may have imported parts but the money goes to the company and that money stays here in america. I would buy a ford truck but Im not so crazy about the newer designs and with the they had the old 7.3 diesels. Now that was a GREAT truck.
     
  6. Speedemon1084

    Speedemon1084 Medium Load Member

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    The two major American car makers are still the only way to go.
     
  7. potterHSE

    potterHSE Bobtail Member

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    mine is 03 model pull's everything dozer, horses,hay. its 2wd is the only down fall but fuel mpg is good. been great truck American only way to go , i am sure others might be good trucks just an AMERICAN thing to me.
     
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  8. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    well today sucked...

    Got to work, got my truck n fueled and then went inside to get my paper work. Then they ask if i'll "run over the top" which means run all the way on a run...i said NO! so did eveyone else so the load never moved lol.

    Anyway then im told i have to train a new driver today...no biggie. So we go out and i teach him how to hook a set, we were all ready to go at 8am but the equipment wasnt on the same shedual. Only half of the rear trailers lights were working, took them until 930am to get them working and we headed out.


    I woke up this morning with a soar throat. Took my vitamin and went to work. I felt like sheet but ok enough to work, the further n further we go the worse n worse i felt. I barly made it to Dandridge, TN. I would have let him drive but he doesnt have doubles.

    We get there and there were 2 trucks from nashville, 1 van and 1 set, so even though the set got there first i told them i was taking the van so the new guy could drive back. So i went inside to go to the bathroom and ended up throwing up..yay. And i had to buy a logbook for the new guy since he is a city driver he doesnt have to "log" like we do he's going to be within 100 miles so he only needs a daily log page.


    Anyway he drove all the way back, then when we got back i went inside got the address for the Urgent Care and left.


    $140 just to be looked at (no insurance for 5 months) then $20 for 2 perscriptions....and a note saying i need 1-3 days off, im hopeing to return to work on friday, i really dont wanna go 3 days without pay.





    American Trucker
     
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  9. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    and more bad news on my truck too. The sending unit was the reason it had rusted out broke off and fell inside the tank, tank was fine since its PLASTIC, BUT the sending unit has been discontinued and they cant find one. Although my dad found them at JCWhiteney so i'm going to call the shop n let them know where they can get one.

    American Trucker
     
  10. the flying scotsman

    the flying scotsman Medium Load Member

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    Arent you teamsters? didnt your bennies start immediately?

    anyways, I had a 2007 range rover sport, if your looking at them ask about the S, supercharged, it comes with the dynamic response package, which really tightens it up to handle like a car that size shouldnt! :)
     
  11. American-Trucker

    American-Trucker Road Train Member

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    union? haha not here lol


    i'm looking at 2008 and newer range rovers theyre just so exspensive.





    American Trucker
     
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