My 2nd revised wish list:

It's really getting about that time. So, please take this seriously and try to
suggest any companies that come close to meeting all/most of my requirements.
NOTE: i may be adding/modifiying requirements and additional info at any time.

1) EQUIPMENT:

a) Tractors

a(i) preferred:

COE'S
Freightliner fld 120/112 with flattop sleepers
Freightliner classic 120" not 132" and must have flattop 48 or 72 sleeper
KW w-900 NOT W-900L, k-100
Pete 378/9 388/9 NO EXTENDED HOODS, 362
International 9300/9200
Sterling
Mack ch-600, pinnacle axle foward

a(ii) acceptable:
Freightliner century/columbia. Coronado/ cascadia Condo sleeper ok, midroof
would be better
KW w-900L
Pete 379/389 extended hood
international 9000 and paystar ONLY

a(iii) NOT acceptable:
KW t-600, t-700, t-800
Peterbilt 578, 386
international prostar
ANY VOLVO

b) Engine/drivetrain

b(i) prefer Detroit under 500hp will accept cat or cummins

b(ii) Prefer super 10 trans, will accept roadranger 10sp or allison automatic.

b(iii) unacceptable: automated transmissions, no urea or "regeneration" type
systems on engines.

b(iiii) tires/rims/wheels: steeldisc rims ok, prefer X-tra wide type tires in
lieu of conventional duals but will accept conventional duals. Would prefer
ribbed vs. lugged on the duals. NO RECAPS Prefer michelin, goodyear.

c) misc.
Wheelbase should not exceed 210inches, however upto 260 inches is acceptable provide the company meets most if not all of my other requirements.

Should have quiet apu device capable of heat and cooling. Webasto type would be best for heat.

tractors governed to at least 70 mph. More would be better.

trailers should have l.e.d. lighting, air ride suspension, NO RECAPS, automated air inflation systems for tires and air slider system for the tandems. Prefer trailmobile, great dane, utility, strick and hyundai.

2) SERVICE AREA/CUSTOMERS/AND GENERAL OPERATIONS:

a) Preferred running area: i would prefer, at this point, to run out west,
i.e., generally the following states---california, nevada, new mexico, arizona, texas, colorado, utah. In other words the southwest. If i can obtain maximum mileage by running only in this region, this would generally be preferred.

However, if maximum mileage can only be achieved by running "back east, " and then running west again, or, even if maximum mileage can only be obtained by running in the east, then that is no problem.

Generally, i can and will run anywhere including all Canadian provinces
bordering the U.S. and also new jersey, new york(including all 5 bouroughs of NYC), and new england cheerfully provided that i get maximum mileage.

Note: i am not opposed to local regional work provided the money is there; At least $1600 per week steady and consistent.

a(i) maximum mileage defined: i would say at least 2919 miles average per
week. This is based on at least 417 miles average per day. These estimates
are based on realistic expectations and observations.


Remember, i'm saying AT LEAST this amount on an everyday consistent average
basis. i'm not saying i want only that amount. What i really want is more
miles than i can physically, legally, spiritually and mentally handle. That
would be ideal. i do not mind working 7 days a week all day provided i am well
rested and not too tired.


Very little to no sitting.
P.S. running to alaska, if this is possible, would be awesome and welcomed.

Essentially, what i want is a smorgasbord of miles----So many miles on my plate
i can't eat them all.

b) Hometime requirements: i don't have specific hometime requirements or
family responsibilites therefore i can stay out for extended periods. i would,
however, like to pass by the apartment at least once or twice a month to check
up on things and to pay bills. 8-24hours free/off time during each "pass by"
would be ideal, however i can probably get what i need to get done at home in
approx 4-5 hours and then roll again. NOTE: i can relocate almost anywhere on
a temporary basis.

c) customers
Not too picky as far as type of freight, locations etc. However, the more drop and hook the better. If live unloading/loading then the customer should be fast and hassle free.

i would prefer not to do grocery warehouses unless maximum mileage can be consistently achieved.

i am not opposed to food service type hauling provided maximum mileage can be achieved.

Customers should be the type that only accept deliveries between the hours of 9am to 1-2 am ish. And have reasonable delivery expectation hours with respect to scheduling. See subpart "d" below:

d) General running hours
i would prefer to only run during daytime/daylight hours specifically "1st" and "2nd" shift----between 9am and up to 2:30 am the next day. So, generally i'm looking for customer who only ship and receive during the those hours. 24 hour operations are generally shunned by me.

IF a company runs during 3rd shift, then i would want it consistently 3rd shift. The switching around constantly isn't going to work.

e) benefits
Not picky on this. However, the more the better. For example R+L has a vacation resort free just for it's employees. Do i want this? No, not really but i'm giving an example of a benefit that is good.

f) managment/employee relations etc.
Obviously, i just want people who have their Stuff together. No Psychos or Sociopaths. Is the sales team doing their job---if they are that means an overflowing river of miles.

Is it a decent place to work would be the bottom line.



Alright, i can't think of anything else at the moment. Though, rest assured i will probably add more requirements.

Before you start laughing and or making wise cracks, if you read carefully and analyize very carefully what i've written, you'll see that i'm not really asking all that much.

Can you recommend a company that meets most if not all my requirements? i believe there are companies out there that do meet them. You may know a few.

If you know of a company that meets some of my requirements that is fine; Try to recommend a company that meets as many of the requirements as possible.

Thanks for helping.

 

KS, thank you for your consideration, concern and questions:

1) Has volvo eliminated their loose steering problem? If not volvos are still on the unnacceptable list. Even if they have taken care of the problem, they are still on the unnacceptable list because i personally don't like them.

EXCEPTION!!! Volvo whites are acceptable (with the emphasis on white)

2) Don't knock a freightliner until you've tried one. The newer ones have really improved quality. i will admit that paccar still has the best quality and freight still trails but they've improved.

a) Actually the w-9 is on my preferred list, but not the w-9L. The w-9 "short" nose is on the list.

b) i don't like the t-800's hood. Yes, i know a t-800 is essentially a w-9 with setback axle........

3) i think a 10sp is actually more durable than a 13. i've grossed 80K with a 10sp and it got the job done, maybe not as fast as a 13. i think 13 spds are unnessesary.


This is not a joke---if you'll read carefully i didn't mention jack s about pay; My approach is that if the miles are spilling off the plate everything else will take care of itself--especially pay.

b) i mentioned that i have no real specific hometime requirements; i don't have a family or any other outstanding resposibilites which would require me to be at home.

c) i've driven upto 16 yr old trucks and to me if they are well maintained that is the important thing; i've driven 2 yr old trucks that were crap and undependable because the previous driver flogged em. Especially these days newer isn't nessesarily better.

d) i did mention APU and i think it's important; i would be willing to settle with just at least a webasto type system.

 

Kid? i'm 1 yr younger than you and i've got at least 640K miles in freightliners.

17 yrs experience clean dac and driving record.

i think everyone here is missing the point. The real joke is if you don't have any requirements and just blindly go to any company.......