The Heyl Truck Lines Experience

Elecronic logs are slowly being implemented. A handful of drivers are now testing them before full implemention into the fleet. It should be completed by the end of 2011. I can't say how time at a shipper is logged electronically, however, I usually just log 15 minutes of on duty time at a shipper/receiver.

The tractors are Freightliner, Volvo, and a handful of Internationals. Due to weight issues I believe the Internationals are being phased out. I talked to a driver the other day who had an International and he is not allowed to go into certain shippers because of the weight of the truck.

There are two different brands of apu; carrier and rigmaster. They are going away from the rigmaster. My truck has a rigmaster and I can't say I am the happiest with it. Maybee my opinion of it will change when it is repaired. One benefit of the rigmaster is that it comes standard with a power inverter, however it will only work when the apu is running. With the carrier apu, there is no inverter, however, it heats and cools very well.

The company is strict when it comes to logging. They take their safety rating and the CSA 2010 seriously. As an example, not too long ago I made a misake on my logbook and ended a 10 hour break 15 minutes too soon. I was notified of it by the company and just told to be more careful when I do my logs. They understand the difference between a simple mistake and a willful violation. As long as you are honest with them there is usually not much of a problem.

 

After enjoying some time at home I am back on the road. As soon as I got back on the truck there was a nice message waiting for me. It said I made the two cent fuel bonus for the previous two weeks I was out which equated to over $139.00.

Since 11/01 is tomorrow, the requirement for me to make the two cent fuel bonus will go down from 6.9 to 6.7 mpg. (6.6 to 6.4 for one cent) It will stay that way until either March or April when it will go back to 6.9 mpg.

While my truck was in the shop it received a new shock absorber, cab airbag, and the issue with the rigmaster apu was repaired.

I picked up a load of juice in Umatilla, FL going to Pottsville, PA. I don't know what happened with the trailer I picked up but enroute to get it I was sent a qualcomm telling me to get there ASAP because the refer was out of fuel. (I think the less knowledge I have of that situation the better.) Sure enough, when I arrived the trailer was still at the dock with the doors open so the warehouse could keep the product cool. I dropped my trailer and hooked up to the one that was at the dock. I closed the doors as fast as I could and proceeded to the nearest fuel site on my route and filled the refer. Thankfully, it was not a hot summer day and the product remained cool.

I drove the first day to Columbia, SC where I took my 10 hour break. In the middle of my break my slumber was disturbed by the apu abruptly quitting and the alarm on the control module sounding. It gave a reading of "error code 19 - please register". I shut the power off and went back to sleep.

When I woke up I inspected the unit and nothing appeared to be wrong. I looked at the owner's manual and the error codes only go up to number 16. Getting nowhere I looked up the service directory and called about 30 different service centers on the list. Not one place could tell me what the code was. I do have a short list of places to call on Monday, but until then, I am again without an apu. I called the shop and I was placed back on the list of trucks that are allowed to idle during a break.

Mechanically, this truck runs fine, however, I think this particular apu is doing this truck a disservice. In my opinion this apu would better serve the company in the capacity of a paper weight back in IA instead of trying to keep a driver comfortable during a break.

Once I make my delivery later today, I will proceed to Salem, NJ picking up a load going to Alberta, Canada. I will meet the Canada driver somewhere between Minneapolis and Fargo to swap trailers. They are keeping this truck moving.

 

The apu issue has been resolved. I called the makers of the fine high quality product and told them of the issue. They said the error 19 code was that the computer was not recognizing the controller. I was talked through the code procedure and now the apu is working. It will be nice to have heat at night because I am headed for Minnesota.

 

They do let you idle, however, I should clarify. They really don't want you going over 30 percent of idle time. My last time out I did not go over 20 percent and that was with spending a few nights in Texas. Another idle policy they have is during cold weather. If the temprature drops below 20 degrees then they don't want the truck shut off.

 

I made my delivery in Pottsville and went to Salem. I spent the night at the shipper. I hope I can get back to that shipper because I got to sleep in absolute silence that night. I was the only truck on the lot and the place is closed on the weekends.

I woke up the next morning and went to the Flying J to fax my bills to the company because it was a Canada load. I called my DM to confirm he received it. While on the phone he asked me if I needed an advance for tolls. I thanked him and declined. That will be the LAST time I ever do that. The tolls from Salem to my final destination totaled up to $240.00. $112.00 of it was just to cross PA. Next time I will use their money instead of waiting to get reimbursed.

Originally I was supposed to head for Minneapolis but somewhere in OH I was told to go to the Pilot in Elk Run Heights, IA instead. Along the way I was able to stop and eat lunch with my Dad. We had a nice visit.

When I made it to IA I met the Canada driver there. He took my trailer and I was left with a bobtail. Initially I was a bit uneasy about not having a trailer and getting stuck there for a few days. Those fears went away first thing in the morning when the QC goes off with a load assignment. I picked up an empty at Tyson and headed over to Cedar Falls and picked up my load heading to San Antonio. I ran just over 500 miles off it after getting loaded. The drive on US 20 going to I-35 was not fun. The wind was blowing out of the north at 30 plus mph hitting my trailer broadside. It became a job just to hold the truck in the lane. I-35 was a welcome sight as I could turn south and make that wind a tail wind. I ran all the way to the southern service area on the KS turnpike.

Today was a great drive. I was able to go 65 all day with the wind at my back. It is a rare day when you can run downhill practically all day and have a tail wind. When I stopped here in San Antonio my average mpg for the day was 8.02. That will really help because I am sure my next load will take me uphill and into the wind.

Tomorrow will be a slow day. The company burned up my logbook this week and I only have an hour and a half left on my 70. That will mean I will have just enough time to make my two drops and head back to the truck stop until the following day when I will start to get my hours back.

For this past week I will have over 3100 paid miles. Not a bad week.

 

I made my delivery in San Antonio. If you ever find yourself there I highly suggest the Bar-B-Q at the Flying J. It is very good.

As soon as the empty call was received in Akron I was given my next load which was picking up in Waco and going to Des Plaines, IL.

For the past few days the Rigmaster APU has been performing well. I should have known that was not going to last long. Last night the coolant boiled over again. In the middle of the night it shut down giving me the all too familiar low coolant level code. I put coolant back in it and it ran fine again...... Then it really started vibrating. I shut it down, took off the cover, and visually investigated. It did not take long to figure out what was wrong. The main belt pulley on the flywheel had seperated causing the drive belt to come off. Again, I am stuck without an APU. I really have to wonder if there is any class action lawsuit against Rigmaster because this is truly a poor quality product.