Life of a Owner Operator

What shop are you using in Farmington?

 

OP I give you credit for posting your week and the problems you had.
We all have had them.
The previous posted air dryer, I had that happen.
Several bungees and crossed fingers to get home 1000 miles to fix it myself at home. (To save money)

Plenty times I've ran home empty or partial load to fix problems at home. It's not always from neglect or not doing inspections.

I always wondered how someone could lose a brake drum, every time I seen one on the shoulder. Then it happened to me.
The brake drum wears thin inside, while the thicker rim looks ok. Drum cracks and let's loose. Yes improper inspection while changing the shoes.

I didn't know, what I didn't know.

I was lucky I was 1/2 mile from a trailer shop when I noticed the problem.
Friday morning near the port in Baltimore. They got me in changed all the drums. I had enough time to reload and get moving Friday.

Tires, I'm guessing the majority of drivers had flats noticed either loading or unloading. It's kinda hard to inspect while driving.
Coolant leak, I understand, you were trying to finish the loads you contracted for. Keep your name in good standing.

I look at it this way. Better to call broker and postpone or cancel a load for a repair, than to call to postpone a delivery because of a breakdown.
Especially with a coolant leak. They can go catastrophic so quickly.

OP to pay your truck off a year early. Excellent. You'll do just fine in this business, But you already know that!
Good luck

 

I've bough several used trailers... every single one of them came with new brakes shoes, every single one of them needed new drums due to tapered wear to the inside. It's tough to see if you run brake covers. If no brake covers, have an assistant apply the brakes while you watch the braking action. You will see the pads "roll" sideways if you have a tapered drum. You will also discover it when tires continue to roll even though your slack adjuster movement is in spec. After the first trailer I bought had this issue, I just included the price of new drums + labor in my negotiations to buy the trailer. Once I pointed the issue out the sellers had no problem giving me a discount. If you're buying at auction, include this cost into your bids. Changing trailer brake drums is pretty easy and quick, plus they're pretty cheap.

 

I just carry a spare radiator and set of ten tires


Just kidding, I neglected a ticking in the engine for 2 months and ended up with a 18k rebuild. Live learn and rebuild.

 

You should post all your numbers and day to day activities then. Then you know that all the clueless on lookers are clued in properly. Since your so worried about everyone else and all.

 

Keep ur head up brother . Better days are always ahead.