Anti gel questions

As a rule of thumb, I advise all my drivers to idle when the ambient temperature falls below -10f. The cost of the extra fuel is worth it when you consider having to pay to ungel even one truck.
Fleet trucks are not equipped for cold weather like northern trucks. Their fuel lines and tanks are not heated or insulated.
I have had to have 9 trucks ungelled in the last two days that used double the antigel treatment, but were in areas colder than -10.

 

Theres not a single meat joint in Dodge city that doesnt check fuel level on inbound. If a trailer somehow gets by the gaurds inspection that's on them. Theyre responsible for keeping those things fueled and running while on their property. That's what the fuel truck is for. Those trailers sometimes sit for 3 days. Burn a lot of fuel in summer.

Everyone knows that there's a 99% chance of being turned away if you don't have the proper fuel level at inbound inspection.

so what was it, you fought to get the flying J opened for reefer. Or the shipper fueled the trailer? Which one? Where you the one trying to drop a trailer without the proper level? If it was someone else, I find it odd of them chewing you out for their inbound mistake.

you must of been asking for truck fuel too cause no one, no one, no one has EVER questioned a request for an open fuel stop for REEFER FUEL ONLY.

they start asking questions when it comes to truck fuel. If miss your stop, don't fuel what the computer tells you to, or come close to running out of fuel, they want to know what the problem is and why.

why don't you just lease a truck? It seems it will solve all your complaints. Most of us company drivers live with it. So minor when compared to some of the real problems out here.

 

Nope, I got it opened up, just still getting used to that fueling system, and no, I am not leasing a truck, besides this lease purchase trend the industry still sounds a bit too shady for my tastes, especially when it's advertised with " no credit or down payment". That alone signals a rip off in the making.

as for that trailer, the yard jockey went and got the fuel at the Tyson plant's own supply, and no it wasn't dodge city. I was able to handle the fuel situation on my fuel stops. What I was getting at was all the reefer companies I worked for, it was a well known policy to always fill the reefer up before dropping at ANY shipper, and I had a few times here when picking up a load, the tank was extremely low. And I was never told of any policy about filling up a reefer tank when dropping, and when I asked numerous people in dispatch about it, I had gotten no answer.


and btw, how is leasing a truck going to solve it? The problem I expressed was getting information about something so I can make sure I get my end of things done, and if there is a policy to be followed. I like to know about it up front so I don't get burned because people think just because I came in as an experience driver, that I'm some sort of mind reader, or I will just shut up and not question anything like the brainwashed lease purchase victim candidates out of the prime academy.

Obvious the point was missed. Yeah I know that some people on this board mentioned some policies like home time and all that, but I like to here it straight from the company, and preferably in writing, as to what a certain procedure or policy is, before I believe it from some message board.

 

Yes, Spyder..... 5000 lease operators a prime are all getting ripped off and nobody is the wiser. OR.... they are making good money and consider the lease just an operating expense that can be written off. They are, after all, running a business. A lease purchase at Success leasing requires a $13,000 down payment, plus $1500 if you want an APU.

 

I am shocked that everyone is talking about tanks of fuel and measuring additives without considering the amount of fuel IN GALLONS......

Rule of thumb #1: NEVER NEVER NEVER use more than twice the recommended dose of additive.

Rule of thumb #2: Measure the additive based on how much fuel you ADDED TO THE FUEL TANKS. Remember that fuel purchased above I40 is treated to 10-20 degrees. Fuel purchased in the south is NOT TREATED FOR gelling. You would behooved to remember where you fuel was purchased when you run in a northerly direction from the southern states.

 

Fuel in the reefers is often low at the shippers because they use the trailers to store product, or they load the trailer up to 24 hours early. The reefer runs and uses the fuel before you get there. Most shippers and receivers will refuse you if the reefer is below 3/4 tank.

 

That's really not the point I made. What my concern was the shipper getting pissed at me because a reefer tank was ALMOST EMPTY. The trailer was dropped there by someone else, and it was getting blamed on me. Excuse me if I dare criticize anything prime does since obviously I'm not supposed to think for myself according to the Robert E Low loyalists. I guess I'll be out of y'all's hair when I make the call to go back to making better money, good miles, better equipment and actually have a life at home with a smaller less bureaucratic company that actual has gone back to respecting experienced drivers , and prime can take their pathetic company driver-screw 'em-around-until-he-leases-a-truck-scheme and shove it... Along with their Pittston terminal and the leftover TRL crooks that run it.

 

Yep... folks do drop 'em near empty. Wouldn't be the first time I've pulled a trailer to the nearest fuel stop (in net or not) to fill the tank, 'n take it back. The standard they tell new drivers at the orientation in Springfield is 7/8's of a tank, or make a reefer fuel stop before dropping. Don't know what you're expecting pal, but it's not been my experience that Prime screws company drivers, nor tries to force them into leases. You really need to talk to management about your grievances.

 

Well, if the shippers/receivers were getting on you, I guess they were just upset and wanted to take it out on someone. You were the target of opportunity. happened to me more than once. I was polite and informed them that I was the solution, the answer, not the problem. When I told them that I would take care of it, they backed down. This is a human nature thing, Spyder. It was a POS driver that dropped the trailer. With that experience under your hat, I am hoping that you don't drop trailers without filling them first, as you know how it feels to be on the receiving end of shippers anger.

Also, notice how I separated the issues? I was just trying to be informative and helpful TO YOU!!! Not sure if you have noticed this, but the majority of my posts on here have that one purpose, to help other drivers. Information is power, and a lack of information in this industry could get you in big trouble at the least, or killed in some instances. I take this seriously. Go back and read most of my posts.........