I'm now doing virtual flatbed in American Truck Simulator game.

Six Words

Kerbal, while having a very strong science basis, cannot be used to plan space missions.

The Deadliest Catch video game will not prepare you to run a crab boat.

GTA will not teach you how to drive or be a criminal.

You don't have HOS, you don't have load securment, you don't have IFTA, etc. You show up with your "rig " to a jobsite and no one will care about the paint. If you start talking to other drivers they will ask about engines, securment, fuel, lanes, HOS.

The only people who run custom painted trucks are those who have a specific business need or those about to go broke. I can't ever remember seeing a custom painted trailer except on a show truck.

You know why OOs drive "classic" trucks - the engine. What engine is in your "truck"?

Daycabs work for local work, they do not as a rule work for regional.

 

Look dude we play this game 14 hours a day seven days a week.

 

Despite all the negativity around here....

@TomCougar, focus on the driving and backing aspects. If your simulator is anything close to Wheels of Steel, that portion of the game should give you a decent idea of how to maneuver in real world situations. Everything else is just fluff.

Game money and economics have nothing to do with real world markets. But game physics can help SOMEWHAT with real world maneuvers. You will still need real world, hands on training before you come out to play with the rest of us clowns.

Oh...and I hate lime green trucks. Go for a nice, deep blue!

 

If your simulator game was truly authentic your truck would be parked on the side of the road or in service at the dealership for months at a time.

 

Don't mind me, just doing a parked regen:

 

The lights on for safety in case someone doesn't see the truck is a nice touch.

 

You asked for an opinion, I gave you one. If a real world driver came and posted pictures of his rig saying look at how pretty I would ask "how does your balance sheet look?".

If you are not returning to the barn after every shift, yes a sleeper is necessary. A sleeper costs about $20,000 more than a day cab - pays for itself in a year. Even if a hotel is "calculated in shipping rates", you are spending money that could be better spent reinvesting in your company. Those day cabs you see at hotels are guys you need a day cab for a specific reason, are taking a one off load outside of their run area, got caught out with the HOS, or are running outlaw.

$8,000 represents a year's profits (versus the same work as a company driver) for most OOs running general freight. And yes, KW will charge extra for special paint. Schneider gave up it's signature orange colored trucks because of the cost.

CAT doesn't currently make an OTR engine, but yes Cummins is a much better engine. PACCAR is garbage - they are unreliable, heavy sobs. Would I pay $40k to swap out an engine? Heck no - I just wouldn't have bought the cruddy engine in the first place. If I had bought it, run it until it blows up. Should only take 3 to 4 weeks.

I play video games, and I enjoy them. However I don't go looking for praise about my high scores from people I don't know.