CRETE - A Year in Review

Actually that policy about idling is changed. I was in the Indy shop and they have a notice posted, and there were several drivers getting their software updated. Perhaps your truck hasn't been updated yet because they tend to do it only when the driver is in for service.

I ended up getting a load, out of the Prime Distr. center in Plainfield, IN...even though they told me my truck and APU were due for service and I was to head to the shop, they still gave me a load... The load didn't pick up until 1500 on Friday, going to within 10 minutes of home so I didn't argue. Headed to the shop for an A service...I mean how long could it take? But when it came to speedy service, they weren't in any hurry at Indy. So, I ended up grabbing an empty truck while they finished my truck, but then ended up sitting at the customer 8 hours waiting for them to load me. To make a long story short, I got the load, I got home (even though I didn't want to get home right now, I have vacation planned for 2 weeks from now, but it gives me a chance to pick up my air card anyway) and I'll be heading right back out on the road.

 

SS, you are absolutely right. After I read ET's post I went downstairs and asked them and they confirmed it. They are updating my truck right now. My apologies, ET.

 

How does it work? do u need to have the key on? i thought i was just doing something wrong...some mornings been rough waiting for the truck to warm up

 

I think that you just start it and the computer senses the battery voltage and keeps the truck running until the batteries are recharged. I also talked to a Shaffer driver who says they told him to idle the truck for the 1st 3 hrs of your break, then use the battery system for the rest...not sure how that'll work if you just shut down, the batteries should be charged...but that's what he said they told him.

Even though I have an APU, they upgraded mine as well. I was in milder temps lately, and only had to use my heater (TK APU systems don't need the APU to provide heat like the Carrier) But after a night of just the bunk heater running, I started the next morning, and it kept running beyond the usual 3 minutes.

I did see some of the new Cascadia's in Columbus. It looks the same, except...under the cab, right under the drivers door, there is a big intake grill and ducting that goes up through the floor where the fridge would be on a Century(in the cabinet behind drivers seat) and then another little duct that comes back out. Plus they have the fuel fired water heater like the Prostars running right next to this duct. But instead of the little flexible exhaust pipe like on the Prostar, this thing has an actual solid exhaust pipe running all the way back to the other side of the truck coming out behind the sleeper. I couldn't see inside to see if this was the way Freightliner is doing their battery A/C system instead of having the sidebox grill like the Prostars, but that would make sense. I'm not sure if the 1st batch of Cascadia's had the aux plug on the stereo's, but like the Prostars, this Cascadia did. I just hope Freightliner learned to seal the roof and windshields better on these new ones, because it does indeed look as though we are going back to Freightliner. Just my luck...I liked the look of the Prostars, so when it comes to trade time, we'll probably be in Cascadia's.

After I got through the house for a day, I had one of the most problem filled day I've had in quite a while. I was suppose to pick up a water load out of High Springs. The Q/C said that I could p/u before 10 on Monday(MLK holiday)and deliver it in SC the next morning, but when I got to the pickup, they were closed. 2 hours later they deadheaded me all the way up to Cedar Springs, GA(200+ miles). Called in my pickup number... then was told that my load was canceled...the day before. After 4 hours, dispatch found out that along with the paperwork for the upcoming loads, the paperwork for the cancellation was mixed in. So they had me drop my good trailer, and pick up a rejected trailer and take it to Albany, GA to a repair shop. Well, the trailer they told me about, wasn't there, and the spotter said none of his trailer lists had that number on it, but there was a rejected one with the same numbers, but in different order (213610 instead of 216310) so I took it. But dispatch gave me the wrong repair shop. Then, because I was mild mannered and patient about this whole day, and because we had to figure out how to pay me for all this deadhead, I got a repower from Tifton to Douglas GA. And then preplanned on a load out of S. GA to Zanesville, OH. When I got to Tifton, the trailer they told me to pick up, still had an Enforcer lock on the back, the door seal/latch's were cut, and no seal was on it. Turns out, the previous driver had the trailer broken into, and when it got to Tifton, Leo put a company issued Enforcer on it to keep it safe. I kept msg'g dispatch to find out what they wanted me to do, and the only message I got was one "ok"...and decided to wait until the next morning, that's when I found out about the break-in and locking of the trailer. Except for getting to kiss my wife, daughter and new grand daughter goodbye in the morning, and going to sleep in the evening, nothing went right...well except that no one was injured or killed because of my existence on the planet...

Now I'm stuck in Columbus. Enroute to Zanesville, I started smelling coolant, and there was a drip coming out of my sleeper drain. Turns out the heater core was leaking in the sleeper, and like every other major part that needs replaced on a Century class, it's on national back order. Columbus found one and had me drive all the way to Dayton(in the company pick-up) to pick one up, but by the time they got it apart, found somewhere that had the part, and got the part back to the shop, it was too late to get it in before closing...and they didn't want me to roll without having it fixed...and didn't want me to just run with it shut off because the APU is hooked into those coolant lines. So now I'm in a motel, hoping they get it done...plus when I was in Indy getting an A service the other day, I forgot that my A/C was out...I was reminded when I was in S. GA picking up my load and needed it. So once they get my heat fixed, they have to find out where the leak is on my A/C system...and they're out of freight in this area right now...So I may be here for a while.

L8tr

 

I think the driver you talked to is mistaken.

 

Hey everybody. I am starting at Crete on Monday with the first part of orientation at the KC terminal. Can anybody shed a little light on the trucks for me? Do they have APU units or Inverters installed on them? If not, will they allow you to put in an inverter? Do they have bunk heaters, like the Wabsco heater or like that? Also, how are miles running now if you are the type of driver who likes to run? Sorry for all the questions but Crete seems like a good company, or at least better than some out there. I have been driving for over 20 years, the last 10 years as an owner operator so this will be a bit of an adjustment for me, going back to being a company driver. I have read the blog and you guys have really put out a lot of useful information, thanks and maybe I will run up on some of you out there. Stay safe.

 

You will probably end up with a 2007 Freightliner or a newer Prostar. There are a few newer cascadias but few and far between. A few of the 2007 freightliners have APU but not too many. If your lucky enough to get a freightliner with a APU then u will have a inverter but if not Crete does not allow inverters that are hard wired to battery in trucks. The new Prostsars have AC/Heat from a battery pack .. well The 2010s do I think there are a few 2009s that dont .. the cascadia have a heater but you have to Idle for AC and the older Freightliners with no APU you have to idle .. there are a few that had a "test" bunk heater installed but there are not too many of them as well .. as for miles they have picked up Im averaging about 2500 with some weeks up to 3000. Hope this helped .. good luck

 

All you need to do is turn on the truck and it will run for 3 hours regardless of whether the batteries are charged or not. If your truck has not had the software update it will shut off after 3 minutes.

 

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the info. I hope that I get a truck with an inverter at least because I practically live out of my truck with my microwave and coffee pot, to reduce expenses. Glad to hear the miles are picking up. Just out of curiosity, do they offer you a choice of loads when available or just send you a QC with load info that you have no choice but to get? I guess I am asking if they are forced dispatched or not.

 

ET Come Home