Definition of "running hard"?

I would say it 3,800+ miles a week. Drivers that don't stop to eat and keep the doors closed and run the miles. Probably doing the speed limit out west 75MPH. Maybe 3,500+ miles kinda depends on ELDs today. No more paper log books to 4,200 miles every week after week. Unless they have basically 1999 or older truck today.

 

Number 1, it's not stopping all the time. Driving 1 hour 5 times is not the same as driving one stretch of 5 hours.

Number 2 running all your hours. Running 14 hours a day for 5 days, then doing a 34 hour reset is more productive than running 9.75 hours day in and day out.

3 start early. This does have the benefit of stopping early, which makes finding parking easier.

4 run where they send you. Don't be one of these guys who says "I don't go there"

That's a starting list. But to reiterate the number one rule of running hard is "keep the left door closed!"

 

For me it’s 650-715 miles a day back to back… with loads that don’t have too much time or open windows. Taking a reset on the end of the 6th day which is really efficient, keeps you on the same schedule.

 

To me running 'hard is simply being on a tight schedule where I only take a 10 hour break and get back on the road, minimizing my stops and limiting my 30 minute break to 30 minutes. Under 'normal' conditions I usually stop for about 12 to 14 hours, instead of just 10 and take around an hour for lunch. And, if I want/need to stop for whatever reason outside of my necessary breaks, I do.
It does not effect how fast I drive while driving.

 

Starting work Sunday night, and starting a log book Friday night.

 

Don't get us old hands started , we all have storys that would be self incriminating.

 

I define running hard as running one load after the other 500 or more miles daily, with very little down time. How fast you go means nothing. A truck governed at 60 to 62 can still turn 3000 plus miles weekly. If you don't feel drained by the time you get a 34, you didn't run that hard.

 

It means different things. Knowing my definition or Fred's definition doesn't change what you get from your company or how you should drive. What does heavy mean?

 

That’s a hard thing to pin down. It differs by generation really. I’ve got a couple guys that people say run hard. Those people should have seen those ####ers go 20 yrs ago. I used to have to reintroduce them to their wives when they got home. They’re out there just loping along now. But they have old habits, those guys started when a 335 Cummins was still a big engine. They HATE stopping if they don’t have to. Nobody makes any money profiling around truck stops 17 times a day. The E-Logs are going to force those old habits on people now. You can’t do anymore than max out your available hours. It’s all time management now. Try to use your hours on the road instead of parking lots and you’ll make as much as you’re legally allowed to. Can’t do any more than that.