Hanging it up after 42 years trucking

beastr123 · Apr 20, 2023

marmonman said: ↑

Thanks everyone!
I have plenty to keep me busy for at least 10 years LOL!
I am learning how to not be a nomad after a lifetime of being a traveling man.
There should be a class to teach you how to be "normal" lol.

I like the not filling out a logbook after having logged every day of my life for 42 years.
That is an easy thing to get into.

One thing that struck me as weird is not needing to keep a shaving bag ready to go.
Now all my clothes go into my dresser instead of my bag sitting ready to head out lol.

I will keep the old truck around until the boss lady says it's time to let it go or I am adjusted to the whole new life style.
Maybe I need to give it to the truck museum in Walcott Iowa that would be a hoot to see it in a museum!

Well that's enough blithering on from me for the daytime to go be normal for the day.
Click to expand...

Consider this as a way to sooth the savage "Boss Lady"
Building a removable deck that pins into the 5th wheel with a rv hitch over the rear axle and a set of ramps for a smart-car can be a winter project.

Jumpman · Apr 20, 2023

marmonman said: ↑

Well after 42 years of trucking and 36 as a owner op I have hung it up.
I made it without ever having used a ELD or driven a automatic.
Yes I know I sound like a grouchy old man!
I said my old Marmon would be my last truck and we made it to the end together .
I started with my last outfit in 1995 and said it was my last outfit and we made it to the end together.

I was planning on driving until I made 50 years.
I was looking at everything going on and I just don't think I have the will left to fight through another trucking crash and fuel spike.
I just decided enough is enough and I want to just kick back and enjoy the time I have left.

It is a lot harder than I thought it would be not going to lie. I must be getting soft because it brings a tear to eye when I think of not being out and about in my truck (I have had this same one for 21 years).
I have kept my CDL but did opt out of the whole physical thing so I can still drive intrastate if I want.
The most I will probably do is haul a load of corn or beans into town for a farmer once in awhile.

I have not been able to bring myself to clean out the truck yet.
I turned in my lease and took off the decals the last of March so it has only been a couple of weeks but man its more than I bargained for mentally.
Did I mention that I loved my job and trucking in general even after all these years.

I will still be on here even I don't have much to say. My old tuck will be for sale when I can get myself to clean her out.
When you see a 97 Marmon in the for-sale section you will know I got it done LOL.

With all that being said it has been a good ride allot of hard work and plenty of rough times but many more great times.
Click to expand...

I would love to hear about how many miles you have driven and what sort of record you have in terms of tickets/accidents/etc if you are open to sharing. Just curious. Thanks!

SmallPackage · Apr 20, 2023

Don’t sell it. After that long it’s family. You will regret that more then retirement. Just put a historic plate on her registered under the cdl requirement, get some cheap collector insurance on her and enjoy her in your leisure.

marmonman · Apr 22, 2023

Jumpman said: ↑

I would love to hear about how many miles you have driven and what sort of record you have in terms of tickets/accidents/etc if you are open to sharing. Just curious. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Well to answer your question I have 4.5 million miles no accidents a few tickets back in the day when it was 55mph 4 or 5 speeding tickets about 35 years ago a couple of logbook tickets before they were a big deal.

Back in the dark ages if you got caught speeding you pulled out a driver's license (some of us had a few back then) took your ticket and went on with your day.
You sent in a check for the fine or called the court and got a petty ticket instead of a speeding ticket paid it and went on it was just the cost of doing business.
Let's say you pulled on the scales just south of Waterloo Iowa one day and the scale master came out and asked to see your logbook but you didn't have one started for the month yet and it's the 22nd of the month.
The scale master would just tell you to pull around back and bring 38.50 and your untouched logbook.
You pay your fine and go out back "to fill out your book" while closes the scale and goes home for the day.
No out of service or anything like that that day.
Some days not so lucky put out if service for 8 hours (back the it was 10 on 8 off).

It was different world back then It was not us against them like it is today.
We ran hard and hung out and partied hard when the job was done.
The grills and lawn chairs were out if you got laid over for the weekend you might have 10 guys just drinking a cold one and grilling out telling stories laughing and having a good time.

Man that's what I miss the most in trucking the brotherhood was great.
Ok that's enough old man drivel for today I am starting sound like X1heavy rest his soul.

jamespmack · Apr 22, 2023

Thank you for doing your part in the industry @Marmon man. What ever you choose to do, make sure to sure to enjoy yourself.

bad-luck · Apr 22, 2023

marmonman said: ↑

Well after 42 years of trucking and 36 as a owner op I have hung it up.
I made it without ever having used a ELD or driven a automatic.
Yes I know I sound like a grouchy old man!
I said my old Marmon would be my last truck and we made it to the end together .
I started with my last outfit in 1995 and said it was my last outfit and we made it to the end together.

I was planning on driving until I made 50 years.
I was looking at everything going on and I just don't think I have the will left to fight through another trucking crash and fuel spike.
I just decided enough is enough and I want to just kick back and enjoy the time I have left.

It is a lot harder than I thought it would be not going to lie. I must be getting soft because it brings a tear to eye when I think of not being out and about in my truck (I have had this same one for 21 years).
I have kept my CDL but did opt out of the whole physical thing so I can still drive intrastate if I want.
The most I will probably do is haul a load of corn or beans into town for a farmer once in awhile.

I have not been able to bring myself to clean out the truck yet.
I turned in my lease and took off the decals the last of March so it has only been a couple of weeks but man its more than I bargained for mentally.
Did I mention that I loved my job and trucking in general even after all these years.

I will still be on here even I don't have much to say. My old tuck will be for sale when I can get myself to clean her out.
When you see a 97 Marmon in the for-sale section you will know I got it done LOL.

With all that being said it has been a good ride allot of hard work and plenty of rough times but many more great times.
Click to expand...

Enjoy your retirement! Marmon is a very well made truck!

Jumpman · Apr 22, 2023

marmonman said: ↑

Well to answer your question I have 4.5 million miles no accidents a few tickets back in the day when it was 55mph 4 or 5 speeding tickets about 35 years ago a couple of logbook tickets before they were a big deal.

Back in the dark ages if you got caught speeding you pulled out a driver's license (some of us had a few back then) took your ticket and went on with your day.
You sent in a check for the fine or called the court and got a petty ticket instead of a speeding ticket paid it and went on it was just the cost of doing business.
Let's say you pulled on the scales just south of Waterloo Iowa one day and the scale master came out and asked to see your logbook but you didn't have one started for the month yet and it's the 22nd of the month.
The scale master would just tell you to pull around back and bring 38.50 and your untouched logbook.
You pay your fine and go out back "to fill out your book" while closes the scale and goes home for the day.
No out of service or anything like that that day.
Some days not so lucky put out if service for 8 hours (back the it was 10 on 8 off).

It was different world back then It was not us against them like it is today.
We ran hard and hung out and partied hard when the job was done.
The grills and lawn chairs were out if you got laid over for the weekend you might have 10 guys just drinking a cold one and grilling out telling stories laughing and having a good time.

Man that's what I miss the most in trucking the brotherhood was great.
Ok that's enough old man drivel for today I am starting sound like X1heavy rest his soul.
Click to expand...

4.5 million miles is impressive. Thanks for taking the time to share.

Short Fuse EOD · Apr 22, 2023

marmonman said: ↑

Well to answer your question I have 4.5 million miles no accidents a few tickets back in the day when it was 55mph 4 or 5 speeding tickets about 35 years ago a couple of logbook tickets before they were a big deal.

Back in the dark ages if you got caught speeding you pulled out a driver's license (some of us had a few back then) took your ticket and went on with your day.
You sent in a check for the fine or called the court and got a petty ticket instead of a speeding ticket paid it and went on it was just the cost of doing business.
Let's say you pulled on the scales just south of Waterloo Iowa one day and the scale master came out and asked to see your logbook but you didn't have one started for the month yet and it's the 22nd of the month.
The scale master would just tell you to pull around back and bring 38.50 and your untouched logbook.
You pay your fine and go out back "to fill out your book" while closes the scale and goes home for the day.
No out of service or anything like that that day.
Some days not so lucky put out if service for 8 hours (back the it was 10 on 8 off).

It was different world back then It was not us against them like it is today.
We ran hard and hung out and partied hard when the job was done.
The grills and lawn chairs were out if you got laid over for the weekend you might have 10 guys just drinking a cold one and grilling out telling stories laughing and having a good time.

Man that's what I miss the most in trucking the brotherhood was great.
Ok that's enough old man drivel for today I am starting sound like X1heavy rest his soul.
Click to expand...

Nice story, enjoy your next endeavor.

201 · Apr 23, 2023

DON'T SELL THE TRUCK!!! I kick myself daily for selling my old Pete.

Elroythekid · Apr 23, 2023

marmonman said: ↑

One thing that struck me as weird is not needing to keep a shaving bag ready to go.
Now all my clothes go into my dresser instead of my bag sitting ready to head out lol.
Click to expand...

Congratulations!!! I'm about to cross the 60 threshold and had a pretty big health set back courtesy of covid. Been home since feburary and I am thinking of selling the truck and just working part time for somebody. The funny thing is, been home 2 m ok months.... ALL my clothes are still on top of and in my "truck bag" and I am working out of my shaving bag still... lol
Old habits.
Congrats again sir, job well done!

Log in or Sign up

Forums

Find Trucking Jobs

Hanging it up after 42 years trucking

beastr123 Road Train Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Jumpman Light Load Member

SmallPackage Road Train Member

marmonman Road Train Member

jamespmack Road Train Member

bad-luck Road Train Member

Jumpman Light Load Member

Short Fuse EOD Road Train Member

201 Road Train Member

Elroythekid Road Train Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Find Trucking Jobs

Hanging it up after 42 years trucking

beastr123 Road Train Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Jumpman Light Load Member

SmallPackage Road Train Member

marmonman Road Train Member

jamespmack Road Train Member

bad-luck Road Train Member

Jumpman Light Load Member

Short Fuse EOD Road Train Member

201 Road Train Member

Elroythekid Road Train Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!