had to take a longer route today.

To the OP, you absolutely did the right thing. If you are paid by the mile take the fastest and safest route. Company routes, as others have noted, are generated by a computer program. Use your head and trip plan. Compare the company route to what you see in the Atlas and Google Maps.

Then again, the longer you are at this the greater the chances you will need to get off the big road. No shoulders with an edge drop off? That's what it's like for a lot of bull haulers and oil patch workers on good roads. I completely understand that a newer driver pulling a van these roads are way out of normal. Next time research the route, but take the challenge at times. Concentrate on lane control. It will help you get better.

 

Here is a thought that is extreme crazy.

There is a railroad in the St Petersburg area that runs well enough. However some of the ground is bottomland and they drove telephone poles into the earth before laying roadbed and track/ties on top using the wood for a good foundation.

That was roughly 1862. That wood under the miles of current and modern railroads in service around that city n Virginia rides on today.

Here is another thought. The entire Tappan Zee bridge structure, the steel that we all see and love. That sits on treated wood driven into the river 50 years ago as a cheap stopgap to get the bridge built fast with the thought to replacing it all 50 years in the future. They are replacing it I think today. Finally.

There have been times Ive put a big truck onto a strange surface like that wood or some other material not apsalt or concrete and that poor thing would slip like someone on ball bearings in a expensive shop. It's interesting sometimes the steering wheel inputs and power adjustments that need to be made to keep her on the feet as it were.

 

I take it they stopped putting in side windows bottom of doors for drivers to use?

 

I'll accept that. Be it far from me to be stubborn.

 

You can go directly to the person's post in your case you are wanting and hit reply. Everything will generate and start typing. Done.

Welcome to Forum.

 

I think they took it for security reasons. To make it harder to break in the unit when no one's home. Those Cascadia model trucks are roomy compared to a Pete. So there is a tradeoff. I missed having it at first, but got used it. There are four mirrors on the passenger side, three on the drivers.

 

And that's the main thing... And doing it safely.

 

In daytime if you can't see around the corner honk the air horn. It might upset the residents, but gives warning to oncoming traffic. Sometimes you can get peekaboo looks through trees to see if there is oncoming traffic and won't need to do that.

Let's say you have a right turn and see oncoming traffic. Come to a stop with your left turn signal on well short of the turn. Once it is clear swing wide into the left lane. For a left turn stop short with your left turn signal on and hug the right edge of the road. Be especially aware and WELL short of the turns if another truck is approaching. Driving these roads at night is easier, since you can see oncoming headlights.