Ok, slow down here, you are trying to compare 2 distinctly different time periods in a truck drivers life. Of course, all you say is true, computer this, and computer that, and it's easy for you to say all those things, but we had nothing to compare it to, this, my friend, was as good as it got, and we were proud to drive one. A truckers life was a lot different, yeah, you got off you fat tush, and became part of the truck. The truck sang to you, and a good driver could tell when something was wrong. Things could happen overnight, and to ensure a proper delivery, you HAD to make sure all that was right. Coolant, oil, air lines, electrical ( that was a biggie) you didn't have modern gadgets to do your thinking for you. And guess what, somehow we STILL made our deliveries on time,,GASP! You, as a driver of modern equipment, should thank trucks like this, and the drivers that drove them. Newer drivers couldn't make a go of this truck, while trying to relax in that little sleeper ( we called the "coffin" and we were mighty glad to have that) all they could think about would be their condo sleeper, watching cable , making a snack in the micro wave. These trucks, and their drivers, help run America, and there was no computer to help us out. The computer was ( supposed) to be in your head.
The point is that not everyone thinks it's music. Somebody out there is trying to get rest for their shift at any time of the day. It's just a tool, no need to make a religion out of it. And it's a useful tool. If jakes had always been quiet then there wouldn't be all those signs out there prohibiting using them because most people wouldn't even know they exist, so we could use them everywhere. We just ran into this is a certain state, idiot that had loud jake used it in a quiet community and we all had extra police scrutiny for a while when his usage was unnecessary in the first place, level streets and empty trailer. Imagine if your splitter making a loud noise every time you used it, and eventually you'd see signs preventing the use of a splitter in that municipality. As it is, most people have no idea a splitter exists. Do you want some idiot to put a loud horn on their splitter that lets everyone know he's using it? Because he thinks it's kewl? Stealth is better every time for the long run. What they don't know about they won't get mad at or legislate against. Cool truck, I'd drive one. No matter what I'm driving it gets checked every day. I'd also like to know more about the shifting, is that an 8-speed?
Just something about a truck that is a tool that knows what it's meant to do. Not designed to interfere with the operator. An A to B type of truck. You can feel and hear what the truck has to say. No unnecessary bells and whistles. @wore out
I started trucking in 95. I have worked as a mechanic, and been deployed with my guard unit since but have always had a truck. We always have been paid on net weight with a cow wagon, end dump or hopper so Pete has always been our choice. Always ran straights, though haven't always been responsible I will admit. I have always thought if I'm away from home I need to be workin or sleepin or prepping to work. I.E shower, meals, laundry etc. The whole point in leaving is to make money. So a bunk with all the amenities doesn't appeal to me. I have never been afraid to bounce home no matter the distance, when it's time it's time. I bought a new Pete in November of 98 it almost didn't feel like a Pete. Newer stuff doesn't have the feel of old iron, that immediate response when you roll into it. Maybe its pride, or simple vanity possible stupidity but I will keep my old iron. I agree a 100 percent a truck is just a tool. A tool that I rely on to give my family any and every thing they want need or desire. The right tool for the job is essential in my opinion.
Youre right a truck is just a tool, and a nice Pete or KW is snap on while freightliners are some cheap thing you bought at Wal-Mart or something.
@"semi" retired I think you misunderstood me. I'm not a driver of anything modern at all. In fact I hate anything electronic. I myself don't want to be in anything except for something mechanical 100%. That is what I learned to drive with and that is what I feel is superior to to everything else. I agree with you the drivers of that era were a different kinds of driver. I think that it is kind of sad what has happened with trucks nowadays. It's not the new driver's fault, it's just that the computer does so much for the driver that it prevents them from ever really developing certain skills that the older drivers never thought twice about. I guess that's progress. But a truck like this requires more of you to drive it safely without blowing it up. If a newer driver or younger driver could be taught to do that that would be okay.. But I would never just cut a new driver loose in a truck like that because they would destroy it. Myself, I would enjoy it and laugh as I passed all the silly electronic nonsense broken down on the side of the road...
I apologize,( not sure what for) but I see your point now. The modern trucks are culmination of everything we learned about trucks, and this was just one stage. Like I say, to us, this was a s good as it got. And that's ok, don't kid yourself, at times, these trucks were no fun at all. If you didn't have an old coat with you that smelled of diesel fuel, something was wrong. And nobody going to kill these old gals. The abuse I've seen these take at "truckstop follies", you really can't kill them. I'd love to gloat too, but these were not the most reliable, and we've come a long way in trucks and that's ok too. These were broke down at the side more than I've ever seen today.
