Would appreciate advice from the Kings of the Road out there

To preface, my late father was an OTR truck driver for around 19 years. I won’t go into the tragic details of his death, but to get the point, I lost him young and have since lost touch with his trucker buddies which is why I would like some sound advice on this matter.

A good friend of mine has been offered a job with a non-profit hauling puppies and dogs to shelters in Minnesota and Wisconsin out of a Texas town close to the Oklahoma border.

He’s looking for me to join him. We are to leave at 6:00 AM sharp and cover “14” hours straight to two stops in both states-locations yet undetermined. We will be able to take it slower on the way back down, and will be covered in terms of low cost hotels to sleep and cheap eats.

I’m very familiar with the stretch through Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, and up into Madison, as outside of Madison is where I lived with my late father and where he is buried.

My friend is under the impression that we can quickly cover 1,000+ miles in a cargo van without cruise control, only stopping to feed, water, and let the dogs out to do their business. The pay is $500 each.

I stressed that we cannot speed and delays will in fact happen.

Is this a suicide mission? Is this even legal!?
Finally, I don’t have experience driving a cargo van. I used to ride with my father but of course, was too young to drive a big rig. I could handle my ex’s Dodge Ram 2500 just fine.

I believe the van in question is a 2500 with what I believe is a Wheelbase of 170″ Extended, with High Roof. Yikes!?

This sounds insane and I would really love to get some feedback from you gentlemen.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

A Truck Driver’s Daughter

 

If you leave at 6 am and have a 1000 miles to drive in 14 hours. Your not going to make it imho. If you assume your going to average 60 mph ( using 60 to alow for some down time along the way). That is 16.67 hours of drive time alone. Even at 70 thats 14.5 hours and that would be with 0 stops.


If you do it, dont let anyone try and pressure you into driving where your not comfortable. Jumping in a vehicle and driving for hours straight isnt easy. Your going to get tired, need to stretch your legs, bathroom, eat, ect.

 

Thank you, sir. My friend is a speed demon and thinks I have no idea of how long a journey that is. I might add that he is *not* nocturnal, either. He fell asleep on the phone a few hours ago.

I do know how to hover over a empty toilet baby wipe container in the sleeper *laughs* but this sounds incredibly cramped and super dangerous.

He is pressuring me and making me feel like I don’t have the “right stuff” because I’m feminine and “dainty”. Which only makes me determined to prove him wrong. That’s why I’m here, so anyone else out there reading, keep throwing facts at me, please!

P.S. He thinks he could jump into an 18-Wheeler and automatically conquer it

 

May you both rest in peace...

--Lual

 

Noooooo! If my father’s up there somewhere, I’d like to see him again, but not this way!!!

Please keep ‘em coming!

Ya’ll are both entertaining and wise

 

Tell him to call the people who setup the load and tell them to add more time on it. They know it’s not possible. One of u better get some sleep while the other drives

 

I see insanity here on so many levels.

Can you back out of this disaster waiting to happen?

Reading your description of the planned trip immediately reminded me of Amelia Earhart's last (and final) flight.

--Lual

 

The thing is, I don’t think the lady hiring has a freakin’ clue. And neither does he. But she sure jumped on him quickly and dismissed other possible candidates.

Could it be that they, too, understood the insanity of this? I suspect so.

I make no claims of being “The Best Driver Ever” but my driving record is squeaky clean and I’d like to keep it that way.

He is demanding that I either commit or just be a quitter. As much I enjoy his company, I’m not about to embark on this without adequate time.

He will have to get another driver and I really do hope that he doesn’t end up mangled or dead.

He’s acting like these puppies and dogs MUST be delivered on time, no matter what. He’s not air transporting organs, they’re freakin’ dogs for crying out loud!

I do appreciate all the responses and if anyone else has anymore to add, please do!

 

Honestly it sounds like your "friend" treats you like dirt. Tell him no and delete his number. Sounds like you will be better off.

 

With people and an offer like that, either:

a) Get out of the trip--completely, or....

b) Make sure your life insurance is all paid up.

--Lual