Running with JCT

Do y'all know what the chain laws are out West? I got lucky and I have a load going to British Columbia next week. We normally relay those to our IA or Denver terminals. Don't think anyone at our terminal even knows what chains are lol, let alone chain laws.

 

HERE is a link for all of the states DOT web sites... They should have that information there. Usually where the truck/CMV info is.

 

Nice app with chain laws:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...iUDtI36-gQJMtRZoy4tXoBg&bvm=bv.53537100,d.bGE

 

I ran into an issue last winter on I-80, going from Nevada into California. There were chain controls in effect after I left Winnemucca, and they were checking for chains between exits 5 and 2. I was using the cable chains that were supplied by JCT (that's all I had at the time), and they told me I needed both drive axles and both trailer axles chained if I was going to use cables. If I had used standard chains, I could have gotten by on minimum chains. I have since switched over to standard chains entirely, as I don't want to run into this problem again. For the most part, I try not to have to chain at all. If I have the time, I'd rather pull off and go to sleep. It just doesn't always work out that way though...sigh...LOL.

 

Got my preplan this morning. I'm picking up in Colton, CA headed to Ochelata, OK (again) for a little over 1,400 miles. The trailer that I brought into the Colton yard needed a tire replacement, so I called JCT yesterday and had the local shop take care of it. Some other driver snagged my clean and fueled trailer (you're welcome!) so this morning I had to find another empty. There were three candidates on they yard. ALL of them had 1/2 tank or less and were dirty! JCT threatens to bill you $75 when you drop a dirty and under-fueled trailer, so you new drivers be aware. I have to do someone else's job this morning and yes, I WILL be dropping a dime on them!

I ended up getting a 34-hour restart out of the deal and I got to meet up with TrukTuff and Rollin yesterday. With this load I'll still get just about 3,000 miles for the week AND I got to spend a day at the house. Not a bad week at all. . .

 

I agree that it sucks to have to clean up other peoples messes. Glad you got your preplan. I'm still here at Freightliner...funny how it only took 1.5 days to do a bunch of work that cost me almost $800, but it's taking them 3 days to do work that is mostly warranty (N/C) work. I've taken advantage of the down time to get caught up on alot of paperwork and other stuff, and I have good miles to turn in this week, so like you said, not all bad for the week.

 

Tim had the same thing yesterday, picked up a trailer that needed to be cleaned out and needed fuel. It slowed him down. Then he dropped it at Tyson and picked up another trailer and it has problems, he's in the shop bay at a truck stop right now. Flat tire, door open and had to be taped up, spraying ant-freeze on his catwalk and steps. His trip had to be changed, he lost his good FL trip because of all this. His first trip out the gate and it's not going well so far. If only everyone would do their job properly.

 

I agree with Sharpp about informing the company about dirty, damaged, and under-fueled trailers. If we keep each other don't keep accountable as fellow business owners, we will only hurt ourselves. The company (our main customer) needs to know the condition of the equipment they are asking us to use. In addition to this, JCT doesn't charge us for using their trailers (as some companies would), so there is no reason why we contractors shouldn't be responsible enough to take care of the equipment. I hope I made sense in this post, I'm typing while watching football. LOL.

 

As unfortunate as the current situation is, stay patient...it will get better. I have dealt with my share of poorly maintained equipment, but I always report the condition and needs of the equipment to JCT and breakdown so that they can make the decisions they need to make regarding them. Overall, the number of these occurrences has been relatively few.

 

That close to home? Heck, I woulda left FL my phone number and grabbed a rental home!



I used to live about a mile away from there in Fontucky, so it was easier for me back then, but that close to home and spending three days in the FL?? *shudder*