why do companies spec trucks so stupidly?

Say it ain't so driver!

 

That is not a spec, it is just a change in the programming, which can be undone when they sell it. The shop probably has a license that has unlimited reprogramming of unlimited trucks, so the cost is next to nothing.

 

Ever try asking your company to change a few of the things like the clock and windows?

I have full menu access but my windows are the same. I just close them and get foggy

 

That kind of stuff just doesn't phase me. If I could not have a manual trans, I would be upset. I can live wth the othe stuff.

 

Right @Steel Dragon . Cheap crappy seats. Cabs that are bolted to the frame. AM/FM radios that won't scan. Fifth wheels that won't slide. Trucks with no catwalks. I drive a nice truck now, but have driven my fair share of poorly spec'd out new trucks. After I have received such a truck, I'm like is my old million mile truck still around?

 

Ok you can't change the time on the clock?

Seriously?

The window thing is wired that way.

To the other things, don't like it, can't tell you what to do, that's the way they make them.

 

If you ever wondered why some people buy their own trucks...if you ever wondered about whether or not the difference in income would be "worth" the headache and responsibilities, here's the reason why:

Being an owner operator instantly removes 90% of the STUPID from your job. No moron spec'd, fleet maintained BS. No stupid conversations on why the windows don't work. No requesting "hometime." You go 'to the house.' There is a difference. The truck runs the way that you want it to, not some deskjockeys whose never been in a truck and couldn't ever possibly do your job, but believes that all drivers are Neanderthals, wants the truck to run.

"What's the difference between "hometime" and 'going to the house', Six?"

Hometime is when your travel agent schedules you to be home and return to work. Going to the house is when you tell your travel agent when you will be returning to work.

"How long are you going to be home, Six?"

I will call you in a day or so and let you know.

Now, if you are leased on to a mega carrier, they will try to run you like a company schmuck. But you don't have to sing the company driver blues. (READ YOUR OPERATING CONTRACT BEFORE SIGNING, otherwise they will probably get away with porking you with your own truck.) How so? They will try to get you to take a load to the house. I don't take loads to the house. I may decide to sit at home for a few weeks. Can't do that with a load. It's not safe for the load and it's bad business.

 

I'm still tryin' to figure out if the OP is serious. I've never even heard of a lot of this stuff.

I have been in vehicles with a clock radio and had to figure out how to set it. There is always a way but sometimes takes some time to figure it out.


All the other stuff mentioned...... I dunno. I drive a '99 KW and I guess it's a marvel of invention cuz I don't have any of these issues.

Dark cabin mode is automatically activated every evening around sundown.

Transmission is always in manual mode.

Windows can be rolled up or down anytime as long as you can reach the crank.

I'm not tryin' to be a jerk. Just sayin.' Sometimes all this technology that folks rant and rave about just flat out sucks.

I can't count how many posts I've read over the years on TTR talkin' about those "POS pre-emissions trucks" blah blah blah. Man I'm sure glad the majority think that way. Keeps the prices low on the good stuff.

OP, if you are not into ownerin' and operatin', there are still companies that run older rigs that are simple and don't have a single one of the problems you speak of.