Running With Schneider!

All good! Good info DFO! Helps get a better perception about the business.

 

Thanks! True, I realize that.. I should of explained my point better. The set up is not a special order item that can only get it fixed at Freightliner. This is what I was told by the first mechanic (truck care got them on the phone with me) He said it was "probably" a special order fitting and that I would have to be towed to Freightliner.

Of course I didn't want to get towed and loose the load I was on. So after I hung up the phone I took a closer look at it and realized it was just 1" radiator hose but the clamps didn't appear to be what I was use to. I'm old school! But at that point I felt like it could at least be temporally fixed so I could drive it to FreightLiner and not get towed. Called Truck Care back and they had found another Mechanic that knew what it was and that he could fix it on the spot.

Point is the clamps may be from factory but they are not a special order item that has to be given in order to fix the problem.

 

After landing in Ohio now running an east coast tour for a while. Was in VA then went to PA then back to VA and now headed up to Mass.

Having some other small issues with the truck so after delivery in MA routing directly to Green Bay and get this rig in the shop. Cruise control and engine brake fail on and off..Windshield washer reservoir leaks bad, won't hold fluid more than ten minutes ... that metal box called Tri pac E... won't run more than 2 hours and.... in a heavy rain, water leaks into the back of the sleeper! Crazy I tell you! Just simple crazy sometimes!

Have stopped recently on 4 occasions to see if can get some things fixed but everybody is too busy! Imagine that!

Sooo.... Hopefully setting up an appointment in advance with the SFI dedicated shop will get some results. Maybe, just maybe I can get this stuff taken care of in a reasonable amount of time.. Will see!

Bit disappointed in the lack of customer service from repair shops, our OC's and dealers.. It's been like this many years probably won't change anytime soon. Probably just a matter of finding the right place to get your work done. Unfortunately it's not easy scheduling yourself around to get to a specific shop. That being said, have to say the mechanics at the Laredo OC have always been good. Have had several times as a company driver and IC with simple repairs needed and they got me in and out fairly quickly. They at least act like they want to get the work done for you. Most others don't seem to give a hoott! Will head that way if need be. They can't fix the Tri Pac but they could probably get the other stuff.

My goal is to find a good shop near where I live so when at home I can get this kind of stuff fixed there. Want to keep my time out for running and that only, not stopping every other week for this or that thing on the truck. If ya know what I mean! : )

Other than that all is well!

Will be ending this week with pretty good pay check and only ran about 2500 miles. All loads were high payers!

Drive On!

 

They don't have a lot of freight there but yes they do hire out of Florida. Met a few drivers working at SNI over last couple years that were out of FL.

 

It happened again! about 50 miles from my delivery here in Ohio and bada bing bada boom comes this message "load cancelled going to Green Bay"! Ahhhh Crapp!

So now what?! Change plans and picked a load going to Cali out of Michigan. Will check out the Freightliner near my house and see if I can get my truck fixed there. Oh the joys of being owner op! It is worth it though.. Better to get this work done at the house while taking some time off. Would do the same if was company driver anyway. Not going directly home but will be close enough to grab something to get me there.

Had a nice run from Massachusetts with second pick up in Plainview NY. It's out on Long Island. Direct shot in and out no fuss. Encase you get a load there it was pretty decent drive. Now getting out going over GW bridge would be a nightmare but this time (learned from previous trips) both going up to MA and coming back out of Plainview NY i took the I-287 and went across the Zappan Zee bridge. Out of route 20 to 30 miles depending on which way your coming from but well worth the extra miles .. Seriously! I-287 is much better ..low traffic and smooth roads. Last time I went over the GW bridge it beat the bajesus out of me! Never mine the narrow roads, construction zones and almost getting side swiped everytime a truck passes. Forget that! I-287 for now on!

Truck on!

 

Still in route to Cali. Here in the very cold Wyoming. Plugging along and should have no problem getting to my delivery by end of day Monday. By then will be short on hours so will have to plan accordingly to get down south and see if can schedule my truck to get fixed.

Holidays are here, so might be better to run loads out until the following week, then hit the shop and maybe spend some time with the wify at home. Will see how it goes depending on what loads come up and what the mechanics say about their hours and working on the truck during this coming weekend.

Have Great Holiday week!

 

Yes, I did~