Going Over the Road with Knight

I've been wanting to live in the Mountain West, so I'm curious why you recommended the Idaho Falls terminal (above the others)...

Even with a 12v... I believe there are small fridges (I've seen other guys with fancy coolers) designed with 12v in mind. Not sure I've seen a working microwave for 12V. I think you're right on with needing something for your computer. What are the truck guys usually running for a 12v inverter? Is it the 300w?

 

Sounds like how I use to run!

My only change would be to get in the Reefer side as Knight dry side (esp W. Coast) will wear you out with short runs....

 

I was out of Idaho Falls, ID. Terminal for years and Jason (Terminal Manager) will take care of you there. He used to be my dispatcher years ago and was always about the driver, so much so it used to drive the boss at that time nuts. He now runs the place and I cant recommend a better terminal manager.

 

Wow. Sounds like a great place to be!... Do you know if they run "Western 11" (out 12-14, home 2-3) and if it has the same long average haul of about 750mi? How did you work it when you were there at "The Falls"? (I could see Western 11 or OTR)

 

I did 11 western, I would get loads down to phx (950) or so miles out the house and bounce around. Go to Tex from time to time. I got on a dedicated before I left and did well on that also. Those are few and far between and normally the senior drivers get those when they come up. Miles were always decent and if freight got slow i shot out to the east then came back until it picked up.

As for hometime, thats something you figure out with your dispatcher but its flexible. As they learn you they will figure out what you like and it goes from there. Just talk to your dispatcher no matter where you go, figure out his expectations of you and make sure he knows yours.

 

I have one of those smaller 150 watt inverters and that is enough for a 20" tv and power my laptop for DVDs and gaming. I don't use a microwave much a home so don't miss it on the road. For hot food I have a 12 volt skillet and lunchbox and for a fridge one of those smaller Kooltron. I found its actually less expensive to buy those things at the truck stop compared to buying on Amazon.

For heat the bunk heater gets warm enough for me to sleep in shorts and at shirt and when it's hot I leave the keys turned on in the ignition and run the fan in the sleeper. If you have been running all day the batteries will run both of those for around 8 to 10 hours without turning on the engine. This is in an International, I don't how their other trucks hold up in the heat or cold.

 

I need to get into a International dealer to get a code for the engine regen. I tried following protocol and do a parked regen but nothing happens so I called the shop and they said the dealer is the only one that has the codes I need to punch in to get the regen to work. I figured the shop should have that number already in their system but I guess not.

Luckily the only downside is I get a warning icon on the dash and the Bendix then the cruise control cuts out. Usually I can drive it for a few hours and do a passive regen and then turn off the engine and everything is cleared up and the cruise control works again. Kind of buggy and gives me second thoughts on ever buying a tractor that runs DEF and what the long term maintenance will be on these engines.