Instant O/O and Load boards

This is my experience and opinions only.

You need to be able to haul at max 48,000lbs. A curtain side weighs more than a straight flat, so you need to make sure you know the weight of your tractor with 100 gals of fuel (random number)and then the tare weight of the curtain side (equipment included).

Most curtain sides are 45' , although I have rarely seen any loads that require over 45'.

With a curtain side you can't take any loads that over-hang the back of the trailer. In California you can get up 75' (tractor trailer and load overhang) without having to get a permit. I am 69' so I have 6' off the back with which to overhand. Again I have not seen or hauled a lot of overhanging freight that did not require a permit.

You would not be able to haul van freight (unless the load specifies a van or flat) because van freight utilizes the side walls to hold it in place. 99.9% of brokers will likely not let you even try to do it.

Before making a choice look at the lanes you want to run and see the type of freight that is available and factor that in as well. If you dont have a preferred lane, that it wont be an issue.

I would go with a 45' curtain side if your tractor weight would not be a problem.

The biggest benefit of the curtain side is NO TARPING but there is more maintenance.

If a a curtain side is not an option, then go with a 48' or 45' straight flat. Make sure you get a 102" (unless there is a weight issue then 96") regardless of your choice, makes it real easy to strap down and no side overhang to interfere with the curtain.

 

Finished my audit this afternoon, inspector said it would take 2 to 2.5 hours. He was gone in 45mins. Got a 100% (i think everyone does). I was fully prepared for him, I will elaborate later, and post as much helpfull (or insignificant) information as I can.

 

congrats jason!!!!!!! congrats

 

thanks jasontherock. Again, more info that i wasn't aware of. Is tarping that big of a deal? The only person i have for info is telling me to stay away from flatbeds. His reason is there is never good weather for tarping.,,, it's either too cold, too hot, too windy...ect!! Thanks again for all of your advice and info!

 

ya that's just an easy entry audit. usually they find little things like not having a proper driver file or a printed drug test policy etc etc.

 

what the hopper pullers need is one of them overhang mirrors. above the passenger door. so you can see what's under your stairs and the general area. and spot mirrors too. so the blind side is opened up more. pharm is new to trucking and probably not used to paying attention to what's in those mirrors. working construction, a lot of newbies have that problem.

((((not knocking you down pharm)))))))

everyone knows the right side is a big blindside, not everyone gets the hang of paying attention to the mirrors though.

it takes practice to be perfect, and practice takes time. some people require a little more time then others. it also takes patience.

judging from the pics posted it looks like pharm pretty much has the same obstacle conditions construction sights have. and with winter coming up. here's some tips. (my .02 cents anyways) specially for the newbies.

mirrors. you can stick your head out the left side, you need mirrors on the right side. watch the mirrors. and GO SLOW. lowest gear you have.

i've seen some hoppers driving in dirt. make sure it's not sand your driving in. just becuase it looks hard don't mean it is hard. get out and walk around if you have to. soft dirt will sink you faster then snot.

if your driving on some type of dirt looking material. is it wet? wet looks dark. if it's drying out you'll see dark and light texture. wet will sink you like sand. just like that grass pic with the right steer sank down. don't want to drive in wet dirt. and rain and snow are coming up.

now frozen dirt is all right. ground is hard. half thaw is ok too, but totally thawed by evening. no no no.

if you get stuck . as posted recently. both 4 wheel drive swiches kicked in and truck in lowest granny gear. hopefully the 4 wheel drive works. (as in all 8 tires locked in). i've seen some guys that don't have granny gear working so they use the higher gear. and end up losing there jobs. (busted rear ends, drive lines, etc.) i saw one rear end that COMPLETELY blew apart. casing and all. and i've seen trucks that don't have 4 wheel drive. they end up getting pulled out(hopefully with no damage).

if your sunk. towed out is your only option. your just beating up the truck if you try to get out yourself

we have loading areas that require going up a hill to get to the scales. and sometimes those scales get backed up. trucks are sitting on the uphill climb fully loaded. start off in granny gear. axles have popped trying to start up a hill in 1st gear.

a lot of problems are not paying attention to the mirrors and what's on the right hand side. or having enough mirrors.

hope this gives good advice for rookies and newbies.

 

I've got the "Mickey Mouse Ears" mirrors mounted on both front fenders and rely on them quite a bit. On the road and backing. I would have added them had they not been already installed on my truck. If things like that are available, why not have them and use them? Some don't like the look of them or bumper marker bars (some call rookie bars) on their trucks. My insurance cost, which has a direct impact on my bottom line is far more important to me.
Again...my opinion. Your mileage may vary

 

that's an idea too. bumper bars. the truck i drive used to have a pole on each corner of the bumper. with a led light on the top. still has right side one. the other lost it's bolt.

 

well pharm,,enjoy your new rebuilt truck!!!!!take some pics and and post them !!!!!!wana see if you truly finaly greases you owm truck!!!!

 

Hey Gears I am going tol put them on my truck,but mines will be mini mause type