Profile For Duane C.

Well, Ms. Donna M and everyone else that may be wondering if or why I have been asking this question for 5 yrs or what's going on well here is my positon. I do drive a tractor-trailer. I drive locally. The company I drive for we hardly ever cross scales therefore, we rarely if ever have to slide tandems or worry about weight. When I asked the question before we had started going out of state pretty regular and you would have to cross a scale at one point and there was a possibility that you may run into portable scales at the destination. I did not make this trip all the time because different drivers went so since I did not go all the time and it has been 5yrs or so I had forgotten or it just didn't stick with me since I wasn't having to do it everyday or very often. Yes I could have asked my co-workers or referred back to the dialogue of 5yrs ago, but I didn't, therefore I asked again. Now I have never ran the road (OTR driver) so I will admit there are probably a lot of things I don't know or have not experienced since I have been a local driver all of my time in driving. We brakedown we have a shop that comes out to fix it. So you don't have to or try to fix/repair it yourself on the road. There are a lot of things that are different from local to OTR driving. The concept, rules, equipment inspections and etc are the same but like I mentioned earlier locally you don't really have to worry about weight, tandem sliding, bridge laws, etc. At least not where I am from in GA and if you do, I have not heard of it or experienced it. So, I hope this gives you a little insight into why I asked the weight question again and I may have some other questions later. I thought this was a good site to ask and get information from different and experienced drivers. Thanks again to the drivers out there that offered help and information. There is one thing that I caught that may always help me from now on the advice to slide towards the problem. I don't think I got that information 5yrs ago. Again thanks to all for the open forum and dialogue. It is really helpful and informative.

I want to thank you all for your help and knowledge, especially the diagrams. I will put all the information you have given me to use here in GA. Hopefully I will get the hang of it and it will come naturally as it does for you guys. Again, thank you and be safe out there. May God bless and ride with you all. If you have any other helpful hints please let me know. God Bless.... Dtrain from Dalton,GA

Thanks for the reply IDMtnGAL and DoctorWho_214

Hello fellow drivers. I would like a little help if you don't mind. I need a little lesson if you will on sliding the tandems at the scales so that I am not over weight on steers, drives, or truck/trailer. Here is my dilema below I have 2 scenerios: 1. I weighed in at Steer 10660, Drives 45560, Truck 72360. Which comes out to Steer 10660, Drives 34900, Truck 26800. I know I am over on the Drives 900lbs. My question which way should I slide my tandem forward (toward the tractor) or back (toward rear of trailer)?

2. I weighed in at Steer 10500, Drives 43200, Truck 78700. Which comes out to Steer 10500, Drives 32700, Truck 35500. I know I am over on the Truck 1500lbs. My question which way should I slide my tandems forward (toward the tractor) or back (toward rear of trailer)?

If it matters I have my 5th wheel sitting about middle ways to where the pin sits over the rear tandems on the tractor. Thanks for your help in advance.

Thank you for all the advice. I will take it all into consideration and weigh my options. However I did know about some of the overhead stuff like insurance, truck maintenance, fuel cost and etc. I knew I would have to put money back or in a special account for that stuff because I would likely be responsible for that. I had heard about (your own authority) but don't know how that works. All in all I appreciate all the comments it will take them all into consideration. Thank you, Dtrain

PJ Moderator,

Yes I have been driving for 16yrs. I will say I do not have OTR exp. but I have been local for 16yrs. I believe I would l haul flooring products such as carpet, backing, yarn, hard wood, etc. or maybe pull for Amazon or FedEx. Something like that. As of right now I am thinking I would just want a daycab to run locally or regional.

Hello Laura,

I must inform you that I do have some experience. I do not have OTR experience but I have been a company, local driver for 16yrs. I am aware of the cost of being an OO but in the long run I thought they make more money and you have a lot more say so over what you will and will not do.

Well I have always heard O/O make a lot more money than company drivers and you can pretty much call your own shots. If you don't want a run or be dispatched somewhere you can turn them down. Yes you still have a boss somewhat and dispatch, but you have a little more authority of what you will haul, places you will go, etc. So I thought it might be a good thing?????

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen of the roadways, I am looking to become an O/O but don't exactly know what to look for in a truck. I don't want to get taken or buy a lemon I spend most of my money and time fixing know what I mean? Anyway I had a conversation with a fellow co-worker about Road trucks (with sleepers) and Day cabs. Which is cheaper? What's the going rate between Road truck and Day cab? What is a good mileage that says the truck still has some life in it? Or better yet how many miles is too many or the hours? Oh I guess I should include this I am more so looking at Day cabs, running locally or regional as to be home most nights. I want something that will run and pull really well. What's a good powerful engine? Cat, Detroit, Cummings, etc.? Can you guys give me some suggestions that will put me on the road to a rewarding O/O career? Thanks and Stay Safe out there on the roads and masking up in public, Dtrain

Yes I have had everything checked out so I guess that's it the linear or they just don't want to answer

Hello fellow truckers, I am having a CB radio crisis. I am looking for a good radio that gets out pretty good. I currently have a cobra 29 which is ok I guess, but a lot of times I get no response from others or I get walked on. What makes for a pretty strong radio? Is it the radio itself or the antenna? I use a Wilson 3000 antenna. Can anyone help me with some suggestions without breaking my wallet? A lil humor there....... Thanks in advance......