2014 Prostar

I got one of the '13 Prostars last year just hit 162k and no major problems. Got my auto-start and no DEF to deal with. I just miss the APU from my old Columbia. Been on reefer since I signed on

 

Sounds to me like you need to be more assertive! It's your life on the line out there and if you find a problem with your equipment you need to make double #### sure it get handled ASAP. Don't be a milquetoast with your FM, be assertive and keep it professional, don't be an ### and you will get positive results. Just remember it's about safety!

 

what about the Refrigerated get to drive?

 

Refrigerated is a van with a cooling unit. Same stuff as everyone else. Whatever is available.

 

Swapping a 2013 for a 2014 is not going to make internationals quality go up. Your 2013 is not worn out. And seems the issues you are having are wide spread. It is not just your company having these issues.

 

I just moved into a 2012 Prostar and initially thought my jakes weren't working, having the same problem coming down into Phoenix (without the smoke ). I eventually got it into the Phoenix term and after waiting a day, the shop determined that nothing was wrong. The shop said they have the engine brakes turned way down to improve MPG. New Jakes don't have any effect on MPG and having them turned down is rather surprising from a company that seems to be very safety conscious.

Currently my jakes won't hold me coming down a hill (such as outside Yuma) while empty. Grapevine, Cabbage, etc. are going to be very interesting at 80,000#...

 

that doesn't make any sense to me, since no fuel at all is burned while jakes are in use. Sounds like a lie to me.

 

They're full of ####. Have it checked at one of the main terminals. I was told by a maint guy himself that some maint guys routinely BS drivers just to get rid of them. If you don't feel comfortable with the answer they gave you, have it checked again somewhere else. It's your life on the line.

 

My thoughts exactly. New design jakes don't waste fuel.

 

When I switched from a Freightliner to a Prostar, the maintenance tech who went over the truck with me told me that the jake on the Prostar is much weaker than what's on the Freightliner (just the way it's designed), and to be prepared for that. It's definitely a lot quieter. While it is not as strong, it still has a decent amount of braking action (when on its highest setting, anyway). Definitely get it checked at another terminal.