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A little reflection on the OTR life....

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by texasbbqbest, Aug 3, 2016.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Aug 3, 2016 #1
    texasbbqbest

    texasbbqbest Road Train Member

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    Dec 9, 2014
    Minneapolis, MN
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    Now that I run local, I've been reflecting some on my year with Prime and driving over the road.

    Things I don't miss:

    My awful bed in the Freightshaker. Yeah I tried to put mattress covers on it and all that but it just wasn't really all that comfy. I had a lightweight and those bunks are super narrow. I'm a pretty good sized dude. Can't turn over in them easily.

    I don't miss having to sleep with pants on. I realize some guys may sleep neckid in their trucks. I never did. I always feared I'd have to get up in the night quickly for something (trooper, CRE backed over me, etc).

    I don't miss parking at TS at night. That was always the worst part of my day OTR.

    I don't miss pissing in a bottle in the middle of the night because I had to go so bad and I'm in the back row (always disposed of correctly).

    I don't miss feeling like I don't really have a home to go to.


    Things I do miss:

    I do miss the open road. Sunrises, sunsets, the fact that it can be hot as hell when you wake then when you shut down for the night, your freezing your balls off.

    I miss open freeways. City traffic sucks sometimes. Loved the days where I'd just drive. No shipper or receiver to worry about. No tight arse docks. Now I hit docks at least 4 times a day.

    I could probably think of more.

    So far local is WAY better for me!

    What about you guys that went from OTR to local?
     
    texasbbqbest, Aug 3, 2016
    texasbbqbest, Aug 3, 2016
    #1
    pattyj, Bob Dobalina, LindaPV and 2 others Thank this.
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  3. Aug 3, 2016 #2
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    77,075
    180,224
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    I went from OTR to local and hated every day of it so went back OTR and stayed there. Go OTR with a decent company that has nice trucks that are full size trucks. Also, no idle restrictions or preferably has apu.
    Just one example is Keim TS with those huge studio sleepers. TransAm with all the driver comforts including free Direct TV with over 100 channels and Tripac Apu.
    Many companies around with similar ammenities.
     
    Chinatown, Aug 3, 2016
    Chinatown, Aug 3, 2016
    #2
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  4. Aug 3, 2016 #3
    sherlock510

    sherlock510 Road Train Member

    1,066
    1,058
    Jul 26, 2011
    Intercontinental.
    0
    What was your reason? Nagging wife, pay, kids, bought a house?

    I'm 4 years OTR, haven't made the jump yet...
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2016
    sherlock510, Aug 3, 2016
    sherlock510, Aug 3, 2016
    #3
    texasbbqbest Thanks this.
  5. Aug 3, 2016 #4
    Salad

    Salad Medium Load Member

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    Mar 1, 2015
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    I want to go local, and I live in one of the best areas to do it (Dallas TX) I just haven't found a company that fits me yet, and I've been happy where I'm at (reasonably).
     
    Salad, Aug 3, 2016
    Salad, Aug 3, 2016
    #4
    texasbbqbest Thanks this.
  7. Aug 3, 2016 #5
    texasbbqbest

    texasbbqbest Road Train Member

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    Dec 9, 2014
    Minneapolis, MN
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    Really wasn't looking but met a guy that needed a local driver up here. Pay was quite a bit more than I was making at Prime. I got to liking the idea of putting down roots. I'm not married and have no children, so I saw this as a good career move and on my off time I can do whatever I want without having to worry about parking a truck someplace.
     
    texasbbqbest, Aug 3, 2016
    texasbbqbest, Aug 3, 2016
    #5
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  8. Aug 3, 2016 #6
    HalpinUout

    HalpinUout Road Train Member

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    Oct 2, 2011
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    Sleeping with pants on? Lol.... I don't care who comes to my door, I'm sleeping comfortable Without pants.
     
    HalpinUout, Aug 3, 2016
    HalpinUout, Aug 3, 2016
    #6
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  9. Aug 3, 2016 #7
    texasbbqbest

    texasbbqbest Road Train Member

    1,088
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    Dec 9, 2014
    Minneapolis, MN
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    I know man. It's all psychological. I only had to jump out once when someone was banging on my door to get me to pull up a couple feet, but it was still a possibility in mind.
     
    texasbbqbest, Aug 3, 2016
    texasbbqbest, Aug 3, 2016
    #7
  10. Aug 3, 2016 #8
    HalpinUout

    HalpinUout Road Train Member

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    Oct 2, 2011
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    Ya man, I got no problem jumping out of bed with my boxer briefs on LOL... :salute:

    Good luck with your local gig!!!
     
    HalpinUout, Aug 3, 2016
    HalpinUout, Aug 3, 2016
    #8
    ncmickey, bzinger, MJ1657 and 1 other person Thank this.
  11. Aug 3, 2016 #9
    x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

    34,016
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    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
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    The bed? easy fix.

    Find a shop that sells body length pillows. Store those under the materess in the summer and over that in the winter making a nest of about 4 or 5 big man sized pillows. Stack same in the sleeper and boom you have a nest that will keep you.

    The next thing, those thin matersses are not that good, get a good big sleeping bag, unroll same under that materess. It is also your life boat in winter should you find yourself with a dead truck in -20, make sure that you are already facing the coming sunrise if possible before she died... Railroad lanterns provide heat for a period of time sufficient to keep you alive. Water believe it or not metabolizes into heat to keep you alive.

    Just remember to strip everything out of there and wash it all weekly because it will get really infectious if you don't

    Some drivers actually go for plush carpeting in the Arab Style. Throw a bunch of mini very plush carpets over the sleeper deck and spread yourself out on same. Next thing you know you are in dream land. Some people like that better than any old matress and blankets.

    The biggest thing I miss about sleeping is that the engine. At high idle is a perfect z generator. I sometimes replicate the same on the computer over a few hundred watts at night here at home. I have enough land so the neighbors don't care.

    Good luck!
     
    x1Heavy, Aug 3, 2016
    x1Heavy, Aug 3, 2016
    #9
    texasbbqbest Thanks this.
  12. Aug 3, 2016 #10
    Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    May 10, 2012
    Temple, TX
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    I sleep in shorts/tshirt.

    I have a Cascadia Company truck I think it's plenty comfortable.
    Now I don't work for Prime and it's not a Mini Cascadia.
     
    Balakov100, Aug 3, 2016
    Balakov100, Aug 3, 2016
    #10
    texasbbqbest Thanks this.
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