DOT Raid in Texas!? when will it end?

Not everyone these days has the luxury to afford a new truck. But for those that come from Mexico i agree.

 

I am sure some of you will disagree with me--but personally I have no problem with this kind of enforcement--it isn't anything new--although it may be more prevalent from time to time.
Texas has always had roaming DOT officials and at least the ones I've dealt with are extremely professional--As for the East Coast(especially Jersey) it is about time they stepped up enforcement--anyone who runs across 80 or 78 in Jersey knows all to well the amount of JUNK we have to deal with every time--not to mention the absurd amount of devastating accidents caused on a regular basis by some of the people running equipment that has no business on the road.
As much as some of you may not want to hear this--I am all for even stricter enforcement! The only thing I ask--is for enforcement officials to be well trained--courteous and professional--which in my limited experience(LOL) I feel is the case for the most part.
IMHO the best way to solve a majority of the problems faced in this industry--Is for EVERYONE to run bone stock legal--make sure your equipment is in very good running order. Run legally--log legally--Just think if everyone no matter what ran legally--all the other posts about strikes etc.--could probably be eliminated--What would happen if EVERYONE actually started their 14 hour clock when they first moved--even if it is just to leave the T/S to go 10 miles to load and sit there 1/2 the day--then ride 4-5 hours and shut down--due to hours--I firmly believe the majority of shippers etc. would have to change the way they do business--lets see how all their JIT demands when they are forced to work in a timely manner.
I am sure many of you will scream about $ and lack of miles--but change has to start somewhere!
As for the roadside inspections--keep it up--along with the new cvsa ratings--maybe just maybe some things will change.
Just my $.02

 

I have nothing against that Only and ONLY if we get paid what we should get paid. You can't talk like that while gas and parts are going up. There are people that have to support their families and its their priority. And for them More repairs for the truck means less money for the family.

 

The company I was with last year paid you $100 for a good DOT inspection - guys WANTED to be inspected. You could go there now, but you'd have to run on e-logs...

 

Believe me Vadim I understand where you are coming from--but I am sorry to inform you your thinking is flawed--I can't think of any other way to put this that doesn't make me sound like and old pain in the ### know it all(which I am -LOL)--while I couldn't agree more that many drivers ARE NOT paid what they deserve--I am taking form your post that you are an O/O--therefor you spoke about repairs.
While I cannot discuss the rates you are receiving--or what you are doing--I can with great experience tell you that now doing proper repairs and taking care of your equipment is a surefire recipe for disaster. Please understand i have done this for a long long time--I am the 3rd generation of this family in this business--and--the 5th generation can run up thru the (18spd) gears on grandpas truck pretty good already(he is 12).
But the idea of not keeping your truck up vs feeding your family is one we have all faced--please understand I know where you are--but the day--you decide your only choice is to run bad tires on your truck versus feeding your kids--is the day (for everyones sake) you gotta park that thing and get a job! I'm sorry to sound harsh or mean--but think about it--what is your liability gonna be when that tire lets go and you kill someone elese's family? or when your loved ones get the call that Daddy isn't coming home? I pray it NEVER comes to this for anyone! I know how hard it can be out there--but you MUST prioritize and choices aren't always easy.
I wish you all the best--and continued success!
Just my $.02

 

Just because a person is running a new truck doesn't mean it will pass a inspection. I've seen and worked on many older rides that are better cared for than a truck less than a year old. It all depends on the person(s) owning, caring for, and driving the equipment. The whole idea is to have rates to support whatever bills a person has (personal and business) and to still have a profit to put away. If repairs to the truck are not being made due to lack of funds then its time to make drastic business or personal changes.

 

Very well said--and owning a truck is a personal choice--Personally there isn't a truck out there manufactured after early 04 I want to own!
But that's just me and even my 5 y/o grandson has learned to look up at me and say "You're weird!"
LMAO

 

You don't need to have a new truck. You need to keep the truck you DO HAVE WELL MAINTAINED.

Bottom line is, either it passes inspection, or it doesn't. I don't want you on the same road I'm driving, if your truck is not up to snuff. And I really don't give a #### if you come from Mexico, Canada or USA. You can kill people just as dead wherever you are from.

If you can't afford to keep your truck up to legal specs, then you can't afford to be an owner/operator. And if you are a company driver and don't keep it up to specs, then I have no sympathy for you either.

I have spent way too much of my time in shops or working on getting trailers up to legal so that I could pull them. All because some jackleg driver ahead of me was too #### lazy to do their job.

If your company refuses to maintain the truck, then get the hell out and go somewhere where they value your life.

 

I know the "fix the truck" or "feed the family" feeling. I also learned that "fix the truck" comes first. Hate to say it, but it's just a plain fact. If that truck isn't fixed and maintained you aren't gonna be able to feed your family! I spent many days at home checking brakes,hoses,fittings,nuts,bolts,tie-rod ends,tires, valve stems, lines, anyway you get the idea and I was never shut down by the DOT period. It's just part of being a good O/O and may well spell the difference between "feeding the family" and being broke. Pre-trips,post trips and stops in between I took the few minutes to look over both truck and trailer. It pays off. An old owner told me when I first started out' Take care of that truck AND that truck will take care of you". Best advice I ever got period.

 

I agree we all need to keep our trucks safe and in good shape, and I have no problem with the DOT, but, the problem is any thing controled by government is overboard, they always go past what needs to be done and get into something thats not going to make a differance.