FullMetalJacket at Prime

As expected, ended up running NE for several days. NJ, MA & NY.Finally got out of NE with a run from PA to CO.Along way had window get stuck in down position. Could not leave truck unattended because unable to lock up. (Like fuel receipts, bathroom, etc.) Luckily happened between storms from one day to next. Right after fix, had storm with high winds & huge downpour.Took a couple of TS to find one that could get me in soon & had a switch. Freightliner would have been 3 day wait. First TS struck out & returned to truck to find hundreds of yellow jackets swarming front of the trailer. Of course, window stuck open & had to finish 1/2hr break to be able to drive. Luckily, escaped unscathed.Passed many huge Hwy signs twisted around & bent down to ground in western KS into eastern CO, apparently due to winds from storm I weathered the night before in Salina, KS.Good to be back out west, though. I like it the best and feel most at home out here.PEACE

 

Uneventfull & routine deliveries in Colorado Springs & Denver.

Jumped down to Pueblo to see some family & get a reset.

Haven't spent time here or mountains in quite some time, so nice....even if only day or two. Maybe next time I can get up to mountains again. I sure miss the Rockies, the horses & the hunting & fishing. Old stomping grounds & one of my favorite places of all time.

PEACE

 

Been a pretty good couple of solo weeks. Pretty darn good $, too.

Fair amount of running around in NE, but that was to be expected. Though I do not favor it at all, that's were the majority of the freight is. Plus, solo definately a whole different ball game. Only one set of hours to work with definately limits you & gotta use them wisely. Kinda like it, though. But.... I do really miss those coast to coast runs.

Did at least get to break out and run to Arkansas then back to NE, and Colorado & load from Kansas back to same. But, all trails eventually lead back to NE. Oh well..... "Say la vie". There are much worse things in life. Gimme a few days, and I'm sure I can come up with something!

Picked up an apparently haunted trailer w/last #'s 666! Had nothing but probs while I had it. Truck problems, engine shut downs out blue, oil leaks, a/c cutting out, swarms of bees on two occassions, ominous rotted meat smell that came & went that could not be found no matter washes and detailed search. Ooooooohhhhhh.......... LOL

Not a single #### problem & smooth cruisin' ever since I dumped that puppy! Go figure. Call it coincidence or whatever.......Least it makes a good story. But still, glad I got rid of that sucker! LOL

Now............If I can just find my co-driver & get back to the long runs.........


PEACE

 

Picked up my co-driver on way through PA. Was actually starting to miss the bugger. Nice to have him back & running 24/7 again. Would be hard pressed to find a better co-driver anywhere.

Finished out run to Indiana, then dispatched to WA state.

Discovered chunk out of drive tire tread down to belts that required required replacement, which now has us on nearly all new rubber. Will replace last two remaining older drives on eastbound trip when possible, making fresh all around.

Still have issue with shut down, which now believe is short or sensor problem. One more stop to Freighty & diagnostics will hopefully confirm. Starts right back up & runs great for couple days. Gages all read normal. Fluids all fine & no leaks. Only happens near end of whole shift, then fine for couple days.

Fingers are crossed hoping this is it.

Meanwhile, just rolling along......... Great to be back on the long runs.

Peace from WY

 

Stopped in ID at a Freightliner on route to WA for diagnostics.

They didn't get too far into it before close time came about. So, after overnight hotel stay, checked back with them at open time. Turns out computer systems were down & they couldn't do anything at all till they were back up. No idea as to when they would be back up. Come about noon gave up moved on, since pretty confident it is in wiring or sensors, considering the way everything is occuring.

Did not want to loose load, and high pay load came up at same time. Should be able to catch another Freighty along the way back east.

Love WA. What a beautifull state.

PEACE

 

Ran from WA state to Boston, MA. The market in daytime is an absolute nightmare, though not great at night either.

Next load was from MA to TN, then picked up a repower there to take to Philly. Now, that was a nice newer market.

Truck has been running great. Did have one lightshow coming into TN, but, just reinforcing my belief it is sensor problem. Turns out this one has air actuated sensors, not electrical.

Should be able to get it back to a Freightliner dealer to let them pick up from where they left off. Dispatches, then holiday weekend, did not provide chance to get it in. Hopefully, may get it in at end of this run. Due for PM service, anyway.

So far, mostly routine and uneventfull.

PEACE

 

Got back to Freightliner in Jacksonville, FL to let them pick up where they left off. Needed to get PM service done, anyway. Took 3 days due to them being busy, but that seems to be par for the course most of the time.

Had a fairly new exhaust filter replaced they said was clogged and wouldn't burn clean. That should still be under warranty from last replacement. They also replaced several faulty sensors, so was right on the money on that judgement call earlier.

So far running she's running like a champ, and no new light shows. She was running great before, but those warning lights & sporadic shutdowns were disconcerting at times. Kinda figured what was going on, but just could't be absolutely sure. Will have to see how it goes getting on out a few thousand miles, but I do believe they may have got it this time.

Peace out from MN.
(It's freakin' mid July & cold up here......beautifull, but cold. Get me outta here!)