My RBX journey Strafford MO

Things have been going pretty well for me here at RBX. I've been here 15 months know and still enjoying it. Miles are still good and the people are great. Been all over the Midwest and the southeast. Trip planning is a piece of cake now for the most part. Most of the time I only need to write down the finial directions to the shippers or receivers I haven't ever been too. I'm working on posting some pictures soon.

I stated at the beginning of this thread, I would post updates to help out new drivers or those looking to make a move into the transportation world. This forum is were I received a lot of information and this is my way of helping others out. With that being said, I will post the following.

I do not want anyone reading this thread to assume I'm writing in order to receive a hiring bonus from my company. (I DO NOT NEED A HIRING BONUS,) so there is no need to provide my name or truck number to the company if anyone decides to call. Besides my truck number has changed. I'm driving because I enjoy the road. I do have a few other reasons for driving that I may get into at a latter date though.



Notice both my trucks have an oval emblem. Yes, Ford and Pete. Awesome right? And yes that's my business truck. I own a construction company. My wife drove it down to the yard and helped me organize my new truck.

39.1 miles when I was handed the keys.
84 inch sleeper.
Getting loaded in the caves.
Well that's it for know. More latter. Be safe and have fun.

 

The Pete is a great truck. I'm planning on writing about the two trucks this week.

 

My old freightliner was a great truck. Drove great and pulled hills with little downshifting. I'd drive it again if I had to. My Pete, awesome Truck. Smooth ride, quite and sound/air tight. Parked next to a Reefer all you may hear is a lite hum. Prior to pulling into a dirt or gravel lot I push the recycle air button and NO dust enters the cab. Very driver friendly as far as the setup in the cab and sleeper. Flat screen TV mount, refrigerator as well as a microwave shelf. I drove a 2014 KW last year. It was a great truck as well, but my Pete wins hands down as far as I'm concerned. Mirrors are better and have a wider view. The upper mirrors view two lanes out and the lower mirrors 3 lanes out and down to the side skirts. The spotter mirrors, I glance at every once in a while but the new design isn't really for looking way out to the sides or the rear. I called Peterbilt HQ about this issue. Spoke with someone in the design department, or so they said. The spotter mirrors enable you to see the entire front, left and right side of your truck. With the way I set up my mirrors I can see the ground 18 inch's out in front of the bumper as well as the sides. The purpose of this is to prevent any and all guess work when pulling forward in tight areas at shippers and receivers. If you notice out on the highway you will see numerous 2014 and 15 Peterbilts without spotter mirrors. The 2015 Pete is a little longer then the Freightliner by about 18 inch's or so. I believe the steers turn a little farther then the Freightliner, however being a little longer I think the Freightliner has it beat on the turning radius.
Well that's my take on the Peterbilt. Everyone be safe and enjoy the road.

 

Yes sir, still here. Been very busy running the roads. I plan on writing an update by the end of next week. Safe travels Sir.

 

Currently have 32,653 on my odometer.
Had my Peterbilt 85 days
Minus around 15 days HT
Equals 70 days out.
32,653 ÷ 70 = 466 average a day.
OR ÷ 10 weeks = 3,265 each week
Know I don't get 3,200 plus every week. Some weeks more some less. Either way it work's itself out. So as you can see they keep me moving fairly well. My fuel bonus has been adding 5 cents for every mile I run which makes for a decent bonus every month.

I was going home this afternoon but was asked if I would do 1 more run tomarrow. It's a multi-stop load. I told my Fleet Manager, of course I would. There and back in one day we'll add close to 500 miles for the week.

Everyone be safe and enjoy the road.

 

I run every weekend I'm out. I've had a few weekends where I'm able to slow down some and increase my mpg but not many. I have only sit for one weekend sense I've been here. I was a new driver, learning time management.
It was a load from central Missouri to south Florida. I hulled tail down there. Ended up doing a restart on my hours. If I'm doing a restart it's always at home.

Detention pay. Yes they pay it. Sometimes right away and sometimes 2 or 3 weeks down the road. I think it depends on paperwork being processed in a timely manner.

Story. I had a load given to me on a Thursday. It delivered Saturday morning at 0600. After trip planning I call my Fleet Manager, told him I won't make at by 0600. He asked me for an ETA. I told him 10 am. He said ok. I also called the Broker for this load and had appt changed to 10 am. He called me back and confirmed my 10 o'clock appt and told my they don't close until 11 am. I arrived at 09:45. Went inside and was told to come back Sunday night to get unloaded. I was respectful, took a deep breath and went back to my truck. Called weekend dispatch who called the load planner, who called the broker. The load planner told the broker to tell the receiver the following : Either you unload the truck at the agreed upon time, 10:00 o'clock or you will be charged lay over pay for my driver. This is what the broker told me. I don't know the amount the load planner stated but it must have been alot. Around 10 minutes later the receiver came out to the truck, I could tell he was pist. He told me to back it in and they would unload me. I thought that was very professional for RBX to do the right thing and keep me running.

I will tell you that if a have a load going to Tulsa, if I have the time I will get there as fast as I can. Reason you might ask. I'll do an hour or maybe even a 10 hour break at a place with a lake and pull out my lawn chair and fishing pole and just relax for a while.