The Good, The Bad, The Honest Truth of a New Roehl Lease Operator

I agree with you about buying a '12 ot '13 truck.

Unfortunately its not true about all '07s with the warranty. The warranty doesn't start counting down until the truck goes into service. With tractors its not like a car or pickup where the warranty starts the day you buy it, with tractors it starts from the in-service date. Roehl bought a ton of those trucks in '07, but most of the remaining ones that just got put into service last year and this year had the warranty start counting down then.

What I was told in marshfield was that Freightliner started seeing a bunch of '07s with new truck problems from back then and also saw the low mileage. They told roehl they won't honor the warranty unless the trucks are put into service asap. So that's why company drivers are now getting a few '07s that have been sitting.

Personally, id rather take my chances on a '12 truck with all the emissions junk rather than a truck that's been sitting for 5 years. The '07 I got had 160,000 miles on it, after driving it for a week the Turbo fins shattered and needed a new Turbo, the speed sensor went out, and the ECM needed to be replaced. Was told all that because it sat for so long that the parts in the ECM that seat from it being used and being heated came loose after sitting for so long and not being used.

I'm at Gary right now, hoping to get into a '12 or '13 truck after i do securement training for flatbed.

Ethan

 

Kudos go out to Appleton once again. I just had my truck in the Freightliner shop for a PM. Turns out that they missed three sets of cracked bake shoes and a bald spot on a steer tire. All of these would have been out of service. I check the tires all the time and I guess it was always in a spot I didn't see especially since it was on the inside.

Not only did Appleton find these issues, they needed to keep the truck overnight. Obviously they turned the apu off. The positive is that they plugged the fridge into an extension cord from the shop thus saving my food. They also laid cardboard down on my carpet in the sleeper rather than risk getting grease on it. They also pulled up the driver floor mats as well. Between the thorough inspection and attention to details I really appreciate how they took care of things.

 

I love Appleton. Awesome showers and bunk rooms.

Ethan

 

I really, really want my own truck....but Roehl has nothing but Leftover crap...I did see one blue cascadia in Marshfield....and I think they sold off 929s truck (I was seriously considering trying to get it)cause its not in the yard anymore....
but what Roehl wants for payments I can get a decent used truck...if I had the money up front...

 

Yeah I think 929's truck had a cat. He had it turned up to 515 or 550 I can't remember but it also had a 13 speed

Ethan

 

i am not sure but maybe he'll chime in...but I am sure it was a series 60 detriot...I know he had it turned up though...and the 13 was right...he took good care of that truck...its too bad Roehl didn't take good care of him...

 

I always have a great experience at Appleton. Those guys don't cut any corners and always ask at least twice if there are any other concerns they should address. I go out of my way to make sure everything is serviced at Appleton. Actually have a PM coming up and I've already been assured that I'll be in Appleton for it.

They run a tight ship!

 

I try to get my service done there as well. It is the only place that I have not had to clean the grease off the steering wheel or door panels. They are a definite asset to Roehl.

 

I wish I could be as complimentary to dispatch. Unfortunately it looks like this new dispatcher is going to be another one that thinks she can do no wrong. She can be as condescending as she wants, but can't handle it when you call her on her errors.

 

Since I started with Roehl, I have had very good dispatchers. The one I have now used to be a driver and has been here a long time. His advice and experience have been a Godsend to me.