Another Watkins Shepard Thread

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by harley4life, Sep 16, 2008.

  1. boughtout

    boughtout Light Load Member

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    Jun 13, 2008
    Livonia, MI
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    It will be interesting. Good luck.
     
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  3. Hogster

    Hogster Light Load Member

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    Jul 30, 2008
    Oceanside, California
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    Hey keb I'm leaving on Sunday as well but for the 10 day in Missoula. Should be interesting to compare notes.
     
  4. boughtout

    boughtout Light Load Member

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    Jun 13, 2008
    Livonia, MI
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    When does the 10 day start? I am leaving on the 17th for the 30 day.
     
  5. Hogster

    Hogster Light Load Member

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    Jul 30, 2008
    Oceanside, California
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    The 10 day in Missoula starts Monday the 13th.
     
  6. boughtout

    boughtout Light Load Member

    94
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    Jun 13, 2008
    Livonia, MI
    0
    Ok. So we will overlap then. Cool. See you out there!
     
  7. keb1209

    keb1209 Light Load Member

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    Aug 17, 2008
    Decatur, GA
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    Made it to Sayreville, NJ a few hours ago. There are supposed to be four of us altogether, but right now it's just me and another guy. The two of us have separate rooms, but we're each supposed to end up with a roomate at some point today. The instructor is supposed to be picking us all up in the morning at 8:30.

    I was thinking that by 10 days, that we'd be here Mon-Fri for two weeks, but it's actually 10 calendar days. We're scheduled to check out next Wednesday the 22nd. Nice to know we'll be outta here a couple days earlier than I thought.
     
  8. harley4life

    harley4life Light Load Member

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    Jul 17, 2008
    Salt Lake City, Utah
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    Hey all. I finally made it home to update. Well, its been up and down as far as my experience has gone. Like Hogster said, my truck had some issues and still does. The APU doesn't charge my batteries to will so when I start in the morning I get an alarm saying low battery. So its still having issues. The Check Engine ECU warning keeps coming on eveytime I press the fuel pedal or turn on the Jake Brake, then a loud sqeaking noise, like scratching you finger nails across the chalk board, kind of noise. It gets real annoying. I was coming up I-15 in So Cal and my truck almost over heats, I had to keep it below 1500 rpms and I was going 30 mph at best. So that sucked. Then when I hit Ut I was able to climb the hills fine, the temp was a lot cooler outside as well so I am sure that helped.
    I did some local work in LA and of course got lost trying to find the on Ramp to the one of six different freeways there. Then got lost getting off the freeway looking for the terminal. Not a good time.
    My first load was a trailer of beer from Miller going to Ogden. I am still in route, taking a break while going throug SLC. My weight was over on my steers by 180lbs. I had to take off my tire chains and have another driver take them and I hoped to burn off enough fuel to take some weight off my steers. I was sweating it coming through the Port at St. George but got throug fine. Must have worked.
    I am going to call the shop and find out what to do about the truck, maybe call someone and see if I can get a different truck. I might even team drive with another guy out of my 10 day class. It seems to be a good idea, we can help each other and make more money as well. I will keep you updated as how that works out or if I get another truck. Wish me luck. Be safe.
     
    Baack Thanks this.
  9. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

    9,922
    3,713
    May 6, 2007
    Mississippi
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    Harley,

    You must be driving a Volvo. Considering the weight issues.

    Does manually running the fan help with the heat issues? Or is that no good either?
     
  10. keb1209

    keb1209 Light Load Member

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    Aug 17, 2008
    Decatur, GA
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    H4L, good to hear from you again. Sounds like you're having a bit of a rough start, I hope things get better for you real soon. Please keep us posted.
     
  11. B-rad

    B-rad Light Load Member

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    Jul 10, 2007
    Eugene, OR
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    Harley4life,

    Did you try to slide the tandems to get some of the weight off of the steers.
     
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