trucking companies that do not govern trucks or can at least do 70 mph

Ronnie Dowdy of Batesville Arkansas had 72 on my FLD 120 (My small picture to left pulling grapevine southbound upgrade) He's out of business now for whatever reasons unknown to me. That particular truck had a 500 detroit and was very dependable when it came to filling with 300 gallons at Williamette Oregon and knowing there is no more fuel until Tuscon (Approx 1600 miles) You take it easy and work the big boy and stay thirsty all the way down coast and eastbound and down until you get there. It's a bit of a stressor once past Tuscon because there aint much left in those tanks I would let her settle at 62 or so for the last 100 miles.

Editing.

I come from a time prior to computers and anal dispatch managing speed and time. Dollar trucks were common in my day. I would pound my R model mack from the late 70s with that 350 turned upside down at 3100 across the American Legion in the far left at 90 to 100 early most mornings. Until they banned trucks at that time. Or take a 95 cabover with no limits until the fuel pump quit squirting at approx 116. If you can get it to stop feeding fuel at 116 and downgrade you were good to float it to 130 max. Gravity takes over and sort of applies a negative pressure at that point in the mountains.

Those days are over. Seriously. I hated dispatch and for what I had to become to make them think I will get across PA in 3 hours flat.

 

I got one of those emails for going 80 downhill in Utah and 78 in Wyoming. Told the company the posted limit was 80 and they dropped it but did say they don't want you going over 75. I can live with that....I guess

 

Luckily my company doesn't have any ELOG or GPS crap to tattle on us, and doesnt really care anyway if we're rolling hills. But there arent enough downhills in the world to make 65 tolerable..

 

Even for 100k/year (or whatever arbitrary number)? Just curious if you could put a price on driving for a company with restricted trucks? Not being malicious or anything, just interested.

Just to add - I couldn't put a price on driving a track with a camera that faces me. Won't ever happen.

 

I do currently drive a 65mph truck. I dont make near 100k but the money and the people are good enough that a slow truck is petty in the grand scheme of things. I just left a company that had fast trucks and I certainly miss being able to keep with traffic but it doesnt compensate for low miles and poor management lol. If not for Canadas limiter regulations I know we wouldn't be running 65 either...

Cameras are as you said a total deal breaker in my book. I have no problem with forward facing and usually run one of my own. However I refuse to have on aimed at me at all hours of the day. Before my current deal came together Abilene was one of the carriers I concerned, but I was really not keen on driver cameras. In hindsight i'm glad I hesitated on pulling the trigger.

 

So I guess to correct my prior post a 65mph truck is tolerable given the right circumstances, however it doesnt make it suck any less lol

 

Well I also a lot of Steer tires are not rated for higher than 75 miles an hour either

 

I can run 59 on a good day, not that big of a deal except the rare occasion I get stuck in the left lane.

 

Actually I don't know of any heavy truck tire w/a speed rating over 75mph

 

I run a truck that's not neutered. 550 cat, 13 speed, 3.36 rears. Yes it will go 100 mph. I've seen me do it. (1 am on I81 south of Carlisle with no traffic around)

Before you burn me at the stake for being a maniac, I generally don't go over 70, as there's no reason for me to go any faster. Do I make more money driving faster? Not a penny.

Bottom line is this: having a wide open truck is great if used properly. Will you make more money? Possibly, depending on your situation. But, I've made just as much driving a 65mph truck as I do now. But now I have the luxury of stopping when and where I want. And that to me is worth everything