Haulin Glass!

I got stuck in the Loves (Albert Lea, MN) parking lot last week...took my pry bar and dug down to the asphalt in front of the drives and got it out though...I was up there for the blizzard last week...loaded light (8,260 lbs), no traction, roads solid ice...thats the first time in 10 years that I've put tire chains on...ran the chains from Albert Lea, MN down I 35 to Clear Lake, IA...US18 was better, took the chains off a few miles down and made it to Walcott, IA for the weekend.

There are ways to get a truck unstruck...dig down to the asphalt...throw a chain under the drive wheels...put the tranny in manual and use 3rd gear in creep mode, the difference that makes is amazing....traction control works, if you use it right.

Our tires don't have the right tread for digging and slinging...if it needs to be dug out, you'll have to dig it yourself...but if it just needs the finesse that traction control offers...3rd gear, creep mode, and let it work its magic...it applies brake to the slipping tire, sending power to the other side...when that one slips, it goes back to the other side...side to side, inching forward the whole time...it does work...unless you're in a rut, in which case, its time to break out the pry bar and dig.

 

In regards to the miles some drivers claim...its very easy for me to know when its BS...because I am good friends with the Maverick driver that ALWAYS has the highest miles...we talk every day...I know his average...and I know it uses up ALL his hours...and this isn't based on his word, its based on the seniority list...but I've known for a few years now that he always has the highest miles at the end of the year...check out the seniority list next time you get to Gary, look for the driver with the most miles year to date...his name will be Mike.

He is a really good guy, super nice, doesn't usually speak unless spoken to if he don't know you...and is one hard working son of a gun...pretty good at working smarter not harder too.

I'm usually in the top 10 for miles myself...I was 2nd in the entire fleet in 2012 (Mike was first)...but this year just hasn't been good for me so far...I'm probably somewhere around 12-13,000 miles...Mike was at almost 14,000 two weeks ago (according to the seniority list), only one other person on that list was anywhere close to him, and he's probably around 18,000 or so now...

I hauled glass myself for a few years, I live about 1/2 mile from the AGC in Church Hill, TN....I know the guys there at AGC, have known them for years, some are family, some work for Moore, and have been around there since before Metler...I know how that crap works...and how much time it consumes...when they (Schneider) cracked down on us logging legal it put a stop to the really good money...and I tried to quit, actually I did quit...but before I left Laurinburg they talked me into trying heavy haul, LOL....and I agreed to try it, but not until after I took a 2 week vacation (cooling off period)....spent 2 weeks in Myrtle Beach...then went back to work, hauling machinery.

I'm not knocking hauling glass...somebody's gotta do it...my Dad did it for a few decades, so did my uncle who is still in that part of the industry (Moore), but is no longer a driver...and I have friends (O/O's that own their own truck and trailer) that won't pull anything but a double drop glass trailer...it just wasn't for me...too much downtime and Canada.

 

I heard from another driver (for what it's worth) that we are supposed to be getting new double drops soon. He said maverick just approved the prototype from Reitnouer.

I know they made some of our dedicated spread axle double drops that run out of De Witt to Viricon. I'm sure they run on other accounts as well.

 

Um...they're giving you miles...you said you weren't getting any...now you're complaining because you have to drive through Atlanta on a Monday...

 

By what I read...you were complaining...sorry for the misconception....I am going to Maverick too...no conflict here bro...nice to meet you...