Adventures of a Flatbedder at Roehl

Picked up my truck last night. Called dispatch and learned that I had a relay heading to Duluth. Picked up loaded trailer and then spent 30 minutes adding bungees and fixing the horrible tarp job. Not sure if the driver took bungees off or what, but it was flapping in the wind just sitting in the yard.

Made it up to Duluth, MN and untarped in 30+ MPH winds. 2 Lumber tarps flying everywhere. Getting them off was easy, rolling them wasn't. Bad part, I untarped and unstrapped then sat and watched the fork lift guy unloaded the curtain that came in after me and then reload him. Then he started loading the flat bed that came after both of us. Somewhere in that mess another fork lift driver came and started unloading me. Sat for an hour waiting before I was finally unloaded.
Next stop was a small town northwest of Duluth, Meadowland. Picked up some Organics. What are organics you ask? Looks like wood clippings mixed with dirt. That's my best guess. Now it's on to Waupaca, WI.
Oh, and after that a PM and DSE in either Neenah or Marshfield. Will find out in morning which place.

Drive Safe!!

 

Oh, forgot to add one thing. Super singles do not like MUD!

The place I picked up had about 4 inches of mud. Had it in 2nd gear and just slid around everywhere.

 

DSE over with, I still have a job.

Sitting in Marshfield now, PM time.

 

Oh the fun of having a PM. It's finished, YAAAYYYYY Now I have to wait for Mid state to do the warranty work. I hope they get it in early so I can get moving early tomorrow. Don't want to lose an entire day.

 

Sitting in S. Beloit at the Flying J. Don't have to deliver till Friday 0800 in Columbus. I can be there tomorrow by 1600. Preplan had me at 1615 tomorrow, but Load assignment says 0800 Friday. Guess I'll just have to complain tomorrow.

 

Decided not to complain, but instead took my time getting there. I had to fuel in Gary so I took advantage of the facilities for a shower and shave. Now I am sitting at the Pilot in Columbus, OH.

Word to the wise, don't go here if you don't have to. Looking around, maybe 4-6 trucks are company trucks (including mine and another Roehl driver) and the rest are POS. Nothing against locals or independents, but the trucks in here are at the bottom of the barrel if you know what I mean. I wouldn't get caught dead driving one of those trucks.

I have pride in my ride and it gets a shower whenever I can. The truck next to me, with the fender falling off, looks like it hasn't been washed since I was a baby.

So last bit of news... Driving along behind another truck, I finally get PO'd at having to get out of the throttle every 5 seconds so I pull around. As I go around I notice the ABS light is on the trailer. Just as I pass and pull back into the right lane, there is an Ohio State trooper in the center lane. Watching in my mirror he starts rolling. He passes a truck and then as he gets right up to the other trucks trailer he slows down. 30 seconds later he lights him up and pulls him over.
Moral of the story...... Don't drive a trailer with the ABS light on!!!! He wasn't speeding or breaking any other laws, but got nabbed for an ABS light.

 

Delivered in Columbus this morning. Braved getting back into the pilot so I could scan my paperwork and what do you know, another for bed pulls out so I can pull i n his spot. Skateboarders look out for each other!
Now I am sitting in Monroe, OH to pick up my California load and wouldn't you know it, can't pick up until after 3 PM. Might lose a days driving because they are behind. NOT GOOD! Will get some detention time, I hope. Two other Roehl trucks here with same issue.