BD69: The Owner Operator Chronicles

I agree ...I started using it in my 2000 pre emissions isx when it came out and got such good mileage on it the fuel tax people at cornhusker thought I was stealing fuel .

 

To quote Mr. Miyagi

Wax on, wax off.
Turttle wax hard shell is a good choice.

Back in my hot rod days, we used an aircraft wax called slipstream. It was wicked expensive. then it was extreamly good stuff. Twice a year is all you needed, so a can lasted a long time.

 

They used to sell b100 at exit 93 i80 Stuart Iowa but don't know if they still do or not .
I quit using it because it was sooting up my espar heater and liked to gell up when the truck was off in extreme cold .
When summer comes ill defiantly use it if I find it .

 

So, question from a silly broker here. I understand if you don’t want to answer this in a public forum, But I was curious with you owning the truck now, do you have any more freedom to pick and choose the loads you want? Or is your dispatch still fairly predetermined like when you were on the payroll. As a broker I come across what seems all kinds of different company/owner op arrangements when talking to dispatchers and drivers. Some times they take the load without issue, other time you get the “gotta run it by my guy since he’s an owner op.” I’m guessing your company may not run much brokered freight but was just interested in how the load selection process has changed for you as you are now on the owner side of things.

 

My 2 cents.

Most lease operator agreements have a no forced dispatch clause (written or oral) in it, or else it really wouldn't be a 1099 type of relationship.

From the carriers perspective, once you start dictating to the lease guy, you're now an employer.

I ran under that type of arrangement for a few months, and there were loads I refused to take. Whenever they started pressuring me, I reminded them that I was an independent contractor.

The dispatcher/planner didn't always like it, but that was just tough luck on their part.

 

Sounds good, I am always curious about what happens with owner ops and their carriers when the freight offered is not to your liking. I know the term “no forced dispatch” gets thrown around a lot, but I never knew what the options are as an owner op when the freight options presented by your carrier don’t look the best. I’ve been reading your threads for a while and it sounds like you have a good gig figured out, I wish you the best moving forward with your new ride, I look forward to hearing more about the BD 69 owner op chronicles.

 

Gelling was a minor problem several years ago, they tried using petrodiesel additives and it did’nt work so well.
Now they have a specific additive package for Biodiesel.

Used to get B100 direct, was dirt cheap like $1.45 a gallon. The only reason I used as much as I did.

It is good to run a 100 gallons or so every 3 or 4 months. keeps the fuel system front to back very clean.

I like B20, seems to be the best overall blend. The Detroits and cummins ran fine ot it and was mid to upper 7s on mpg. The cat was not happy on anything.