Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

The DM we had for CV was KoniD...

 

That would be her. phew what an experience with her. Lol. I'm glad I'll never do team nor cafe valley. And our DM is back Monday. So hopefully things will settle back to normal.

I don't like bad talking people. but if you want respect. you need to give respect. and she acts like respect isn't even in her dictionary.

 

I was going to work up a spreadsheet myself after my first settlement, but if you don't mind, I see no reason to recreate the wheel. Would you mind sending me yours? My email is watcher2@att.net .

 

I ran my first load as a lease op, but with a few problems. It seems the truck had a minor exhaust leak preventing a regen, so I had to stop for repairs in Rock City, WY. I let my DM know and that I'd contact her when I knew something. I guess she doesn't trust me yet since after a couple of hours she was trying to contact me and couldn't since I had no cell signal. Eventually she tracked me down and called the Detroit shop to contact me. She was upset but I told her that I was watching the time and that they had just told me 1 more hour and that if that held true, no problem.

The next day she contacts me saying that it was too far for a single to make 900 miles in one day. I told her that I could since I had 10 hours left to drive and that would leave a little over 300 miles left and that I could make my 99 before 10AM after my 10 hour break since I could drive again around 2 AM. She was still unsure and told me to stay in touch. At least she didn't just pull the load, I respect that. I made my delivery with a couple of hors to spare.

Now I'm on a Conway shuttle to Shelby, IA to 99 before 0200 7-1 then to a 2100 DDT pick up about 30 miles from there going to Salt Lake delivering at noon on the 3rd. Then back to the yard since the Detroit shop also found a small oil leak, I'm still having a regen issue, my 2000 watt inverter isn't working and I'm getting some kind of code relating to an HVAC problem. I wonder if I can find any more problems on the way?

Despite these issues I still feel good about this truck, I just want to clear everything up in my first 2 free weeks.Since I may still be in the yard the 4th, I wonder if I can find something to do? Anyone know of anything?

 

When I go back to the yard, I'm thinking about having wheel balancers added, at least to the steers. Has anyone done any calculations on how long it takes to save enough to earn back the $150/axel investment? Are there any other cost saving enhancements that you might suggest, perhaps even before the the balancers? I've heard air tabs are good, but I'm not sure how to go about getting them. I'm stopped at Walcott, Iowa 80. Maybe they can give me some advice?

 

We were thinking about those air tabs too.. I see them on other trucks, but haven't worked up the nerve to go ask them... If you get them, let us know how they work

 

I have nothing good to say about her. She was brought in to be in the Coors fleet when one of the dms had to have back surgery. We ended up leaving the Coors fleet because of her. We ended up on Walmart about a year later. She was dispatching for that. It's like we couldn't escape her.

 

Funny, I just talked to a guy last Thursday when I was offloading about the air tabs. He said he had had them for about three weeks now. It cost him about $150.00 for the air tabs. He wasn't sure on fuel mileage, but claimed the truck seems to run better down the road feeling more stable. I talked to another produce hauler earlier in the year and he said he does not see any improvements in fuel mileage on his truck, but he had an Volvo 880 with the D-16 engine. I think if you are running 600 horses down the road fuel mileage will suffer one way or another.

 

So I've only been out here for a month. but I'm starting to notice something that I thought I knee about from riding passenger otr with my aunt. And that's how much all these big companies really like to rip off the professional drivers. 4 dolkars for an atm fee. But Especially when it comes to food. there is no reason a burrito needs to be 2 bucks. or a sub needs to be 12 dollars!! When you can get it for half that price. for companies who praise on how much professional drivers mean to them. they sure know how to take advantage of their hard earned money. and then some!!

Sorry to bring up something that is obvious. But as a new driver. I had to vent. its plain ridiculous. Needless to say I will try a lot harder to buy a months worth of supplies while I'm at home. the less of my money i give these leech companies the better.

 

4 dollar atm? Last time i used an atm on the road it was $6 all told. The only reason I used it is because my comdata wouldn't give me an advance with fuel. Here's a tip: leave home with cash and don't spend it when you can use a credit card. I always leave with $300 and almost never go through it all in a 3 month trip. Dealing with no EZ pass wiped that out post-haste. You don't realize how expensive it is to go anywhere in OH or PA on toll roads until your EZpass dies, not to mention getting around chi-town (every booth is $4).

As far as food, I have no idea where you bought a $12 sub. The food I buy is usually about the same as it is at home. Plan better if you plan to stay solvant. I'm not trying to put you down or anything; it's just good advice.