How often do you stop?

I generally stop for a quick bathroom break (2-3 minutes) after about 400-450 miles. Then I'm usually good to go for the rest of the day.

 

Mister Ecton I noticed that some shippers also require the load to be checked after an X number miles for whatever reason. Driving to the local Kmart and driving a Semi are two totally different things. Comparing them is like comparing apples to oranges.

 

Everybody is in to big a hurry. Unless the load is real tight, get out every 3 or 4 hrs to stretch. When I first started I would stop everyday and take an hour nap. I don't nap much anymore but do like to stop about 3 times for 15 or 20 minutes each in a 11 hr driving shift.

 

I am paid to drive not stop at Avery wide spot in the road . That being said some days I stop at the end of my 11 and other days I stop several times a day it just depends on the day and how I feel .

 

This is EXACTLY the way I would drive when I was OTR. I'm not going to knock anyone who runs their 11 straight through, but for me, 2-3 quick stops kept me much more alert and refreshed during my driving day.

 

Utah is like that as well. It's best to go in a bottle if you can't get into a rest area. They are "looking for you," out here. . .

 

When I first started out I would only stop once during my shift and that was to fuel and do whatever. Now I find myself having to stop more and more to pee. Usually every 3 hours or so. I run team so I only drive around 9.5 hours anyway.

To the guy who said someone stopping every 2 hours is a liability, I disagree as long as they are quick stops and it's not a very hot load. My current co-driver does not stop and I consider THAT to be a liability. He doesn't stop to check the tires, lights or even the reefer now that we are running reefer. He gets into a "zone" which I don't like. Usually I'll come up front under the pretext of smoking a cigarette just to break him out of that zone.

 

Yup. Also different from the straight trucks I'm used to driving. That's why I was asking you experienced folks.

I didn't know about the possibility of company policy dictating load checks nor that you needed to check on reefer trucks. Good to know.

 

it is not possible, you have to stop and then privacy has to be accomplished somehow ~ in any event to do so into a bottle while driving with result in events that are not acceptable

 

When I say check the tires, I mean check the tires. Not to say I never "check the tires" but I'm pretty OCD about looking for unusual wear especially. Saved my butt quite a few times. If I see a suspect tire in my pre-trip that could be a potential problem later on, I'll stop more often through the day and check. Had a couple that were flat when I picked up the trailer and looked fine aired up, held air fine, and still wore away within a shift still holding air. Figure they probably had damage to the bands when whoever before me ran it flat.

Only had one flat so far driving and that was due to a defect, not negligence and I try to keep it that way.