To stay in trucking or not and if so what direction do I go?

Yeah. I would exhaust all options at your current company before moving on. You have a good gig and moving onto another one is a major risk when things are good at the current job.

Sounds like you have a plan in action to talk to the terminal manager...hopefully that means they will work with you as your requests don't seem unreasonable. Unfortunately you will have to live with the governed truck but IMO that is a minor annoyance compared to your comfort while driving.

Hope it works out.

 

Also... is your fifth wheel properly positioned?

 

if you have a moveable 5th wheel, check its location.

if it's too far back it can cause the front to hop a bit.

 

What sort of "cons" have you heard about pulling your company's trailers with your own truck? I think you're at a similar point as I am...the initial novelty and excitement of truck driving wears off after a few years and you either want to wash your hands of it completely as an occupation and find something else to do, or you want the BS and nonsense to stop so you can have a little more control over everything to do things your way. No more e-logs or 67 mph trucks that can't make it up a hill with an empty trailer or begging 12 different people to get something fixed for weeks before anything happens. I hate all that.

 

I used to work as a company driver for a cement hauling company and they had Macks, they are very hard on your back and it does affect the rest of your body. There was a saying by the old timers, that drivers that used Macks, retire and come out of those trucks with a walking stick! I bought a Legacy seat and it helped a lot but I think that company has a lot more issues that have you in the brink of quitting so no need to buy a seat! Schneider in Atlanta GA was where I bought my used truck and they have Tankers with 2015 trucks as company driver.

 

Why should they buy you something that other drivers are fine with? Wow. Just wow.

 

seems the list of what you will do is short for any realistic chance of changing positions

 

Another thing you might want to consider about your back is a lack of stretching and exercise maybe. My brother was having some back pain and his rib kept slipping out of place. He moved trailers local for a bit at his job, and was driving long hours. He started back stretches and exercises to strengthen his back. Just after a few months his rib was back in place and all the pain was gone. The muscles in your back sort of keep all the bones in place. Try some back exercises and stretches.

I don't know how time critical your loads are, but I drive 58mph on average. Its a slow and smooth ride. Sure my truck can do the limit, but it gets really bumpy and just adds to the stress, wear and tear on my truck and body. When I was a company driver I hardly drove right up against the governor so I could quickly and safely pass oncoming slower traffic. You don't want to be "that guy" slow passing every one and cutting people off the second there is a foot between your bumpers....

My back used to hurt driving a company truck. When I got a longer wheel base truck of my own, there was a huge difference in ride quality. A good quality seat is well worth the investment as well. I'll be buying me one soon.

I've heard success stories from guys leased onto QC. I'd say go for it. It's their tank. All you have is one tractor to maintain. Do your homework and research and with a little luck and timing you can find a great truck at a reasonable price. Just buy a pre emmisions truck and a creeper. Get under that truck often and catch small issues before they become big problems. Do your own PM's, and take the time to do some research on your smart phone before taking a mechanics advice. Make your own informed decisions.

Good luck, sounds like you have a pretty decent gig and a fleet spec'd junker for a tractor. I'd buy a seat for it to start and see how you feel about the whole thing. Might want to install it yourself so you know you can yank it out yourself.

 

To think that the TM will go out and buy an $800 seat just to appease you is a bit unrealistic. Or are all the drivers complaining about the seats? The TM has a maintenance budget. He buys you a seat. Now the next guy wants one and the next...That aint happenin. Unless your seat is obviously broken.

Some companies spec out trucks based on cost alone. They are not concerned with your comfort. If you keep switching jobs based on the equipment you are going to be searching for a long time.

 

Yep. Best way to control comfort in equipment is to buy your own. Then, when a new $800 premium leather seat directly affects your bottom line, you quickly don't seem to have as much of a back ache as you thought you once did. lol.