Old timers, was it really better before technology?

I was told when I started if the outside temperature was 10F or colder to NEVER shut the engine off. It could be -15 outside and your nice and warm in sleeper. Today my company truck has the bunk heater it seems like it struggles to keep truck warm in extreme cold. Diesel was so cheap the company did not seem to worry about idle time but they also did not have another option.

lots of people probably forgot about the 55MPH national speed limit. They still had that when I started. Remember when JB Hunt and Schneider had nothing but those little International cab over trucks and for many years they had the slowest truck because they still limited their truck to 55mph

 

There are still uses for twin sticks in heavy haul and oilfield and other offroad hauling.

 

Heyyyy!

 

What's not to miss? Smooth riding Hendrickson walking beam suspension. The powerful 318 Detroit. And the 13 speed, which you used 10 of them pulling a hill with the previously mentioned 318.

 

I'm 62 been at this quite awhile actually this is my 2nd tour driving.
1st tour started in the early 80s. Paper maps and an atlas plus everyone ran CB radios. No cell phones you waited in line for pay phones. For directions I'd call the customer and or stop in town when close and ask people at a gas station or whatever was available. Quit in 95ish.
2nd tour began around 2010 and was so different to what I left before.
I love most of today conveniences namely cell phones and the GPS still use my rand mcnally atlas along with Google earth and the GPS. Still run a CB. And will still call the customer. Maybe it's just me but I liked it better my 1st time around. I enjoyed it more

Edit: I do not miss the old 238 Detroit that was governed at 55mph.

 

The famous dreadful 6-71….. , I had my share to drive that one, along with the 8v71, 12v71 and Silver 8v92.

 

45 here and trucking for 24 years. Learned from my uncle, using pay phones, table phones and reading the old atlas.

paper log books, ruler to make it look right. Chasing the produce trail, 2.5 3 days from Salinas to St Louis.

Jaw jacking with my fellow drivers in the restaurant, long hood with the cat purring under the hood.

Those were the days alright, 18 speed and wide open.

I’d take my day cab, 10spd and set routes now. My uncle drove for 45yrs and I hope I can make it that long.

 

49 years in here.
I liked steel trucks and 42/45 ft trailers.
I liked transmissions that made you work together and pay attention to the road.
I liked paper logs that allowed you to run how you wanted, and taking a break for dinner or a good nap didn't matter when or how long.
I liked restaurants in full service truck stops and bars across the lot.
I liked listening to and learning from the old hands. And they dressed the part.
I liked it was a profession and not just a job.
I liked barbecues on the back row.
I liked passing time on the CB on overnight drives.
I liked picking up a load and taking it to consignee with just a delivery day.
I like a GPS for eta and delays but believe I can drive to any major city without.
I liked discovering music from college stations and clear channel am stations overnight.
I liked a guy could own one truck and provide for a family.
I know it's cliche to talk or reminisce on the old days but for me trucking was simpler, less hectic and more rewarding in many ways.

 

Yeah the back row at the orange ball, lots of fun I just hated being laid over in the 80s for the weekend at The Truckers Inn in Jessup Md.