Truck Woes

I just finished a 4 day home time. Back at my truck, I get everything situated, write down my pre plan, and log in, and do my pre trip. I took a little extra time, as other than starting it up a few times, the truck sat idle. Everything looked good, and she started up, and was purring like a giant kitten. I pushed in the brake knobs, and started to roll. I got maybe 5ft, if that, when my dash lit up, and the truck started swearing at me. After a call to the DC, cqnd then OnRoad, it turns out my Def system has given up the ghost. The truck will be towed to the dealership on Monday morning.

On the bright side, I get 2 more days home, but I would rather be on the road, right now, earning my check. I think my truck found out that I am switching to the flatbed fleet, and she is punishing me for leaving.

Was there anything more that could’ve been done instead of just warming it up? Not criticizing or blaming, just wanting to learn about preventative measures as much as possible.

Was there anything more that could’ve been done instead of just warming it up? Not criticizing or blaming, just wanting to learn about preventative measures as much as possible.

To be completely honest, I have no clue. I have wondered that, too. My DL seemed to think there was nothing else to try. But I wonder if I had run it a few minutes longer, yesterday, if it still would have happened.

I just finished a 4 day home time. Back at my truck, I get everything situated, write down my pre plan, and log in, and do my pre trip. I took a little extra time, as other than starting it up a few times, the truck sat idle. Everything looked good, and she started up, and was purring like a giant kitten. I pushed in the brake knobs, and started to roll. I got maybe 5ft, if that, when my dash lit up, and the truck started swearing at me. After a call to the DC, cqnd then OnRoad, it turns out my Def system has given up the ghost. The truck will be towed to the dealership on Monday morning.

On the bright side, I get 2 more days home, but I would rather be on the road, right now, earning my check. I think my truck found out that I am switching to the flatbed fleet, and she is punishing me for leaving.

I take it from the gauge cluster in the picture that you have an International ProStar? Please correct me if I am wrong. Mileage wise there you are probably close to a newer truck anyway. I dont know how your company does it. I take it from your avatar pic that you drive for Swift? If thats the case some Swift drivers will probably chime in here in a few if they have time and they can probably advise ya a little better.

I take it from the gauge cluster in the picture that you have an International ProStar?

Yes

Mileage wise there you are probably close to a newer truck anyway. I dont know how your company does it.

I believe it is 5 years or 500k miles. I have never really looked into it, but I vaguely remember over hearing a shop guy.

I take it from your avatar pic that you drive for Swift?

Yes, love this company 😊

If thats the case some Swift drivers will probably chime in here in a few if they have time and they can probably advise ya a little better.

Thanks, can't wait to hear about your first training experience. 😊

Chances are the sensors barfed, and there's nothing you could've done to prevent that. The Failstars are notorious for the DEF/regen sensors to all die simultaneously. Its one of the many maintenance-related reasons Central was weeding them out of the fleet in the year or so prior to the sale to Swift.

My truck is FINALLY in the shop being worked on. It will hopefully be finished today. They have to replace the entire DEF system. Sensors, lines, filter, and a few other things.

What I don't understand is, my Load Planner wanted me to come back and drive a Day Cab , and then wanted we to pay for the hotel, and be reimbursed. I thought Swift had hotels that they work with and just charge them on the Swift card. I might gross $1,100 on avg. But after all my deductions, I bring home $400ish. Barely enough to cover my bills. I am basically on the same situation I left. I made more in my previous job. I realize that this first year is mostly paying Swift back for training me, and I am perfectly fine with that. But I have also not been reimbursed for any of the authorized receipts I have submitted.

The Load Planner actually got mad at me for saying that I couldn't afford to pay for the room. Then he got belligerent when I asked about Swift covering the room. I simply mentioned, that Syracuse does it that way, and he snapped at me, to "go work out of that terminal , then!" I like this guy, he might have been having a bad day, and my situation was his boiling point, I don't know. He told me recently, that I was the best new driver (under 1yr) they have.

So here I sit waiting to get back in my truck.

Well, the Load Planner called me, and apologized for our previous conversation. Just as I figured, he was having a helluva day.

According to the dealership, I can pick up my truck tomorrow! Woo-hoo....

Man, kudos to you for keeping your cool and not making the situation worse with your planner. There are not a lot of stories about planners and dispatchers apologizing to rookie drivers, I can assure you. There are, however, lots of stories where a tiny little frustrating circumstance or rough personality was handled the wrong way and spiraled out of control.

So you must have handled it pretty well. Keep that lesson in mind for the future because handling tough situations and tough people are a big part of being successful out there as a driver. Believe me, we're all human and we'd all like to punch some people in the face sometimes. That's why they had to make it illegal, or it would happen too often.

Also keep in mind you're in this for the long term. Don't let yourself get all bent out of shape when a couple of days or a couple of weeks don't go the way you had hoped. You have the rest of your life to run all of the miles you can stand to run. You'll get your share in the end and it will all work out.

Before you know it you'll be running so hard you'll be begging for a break.

Man, kudos to you for keeping your cool and not making the situation worse with your planner. There are not a lot of stories about planners and dispatchers apologizing to rookie drivers, I can assure you. There are, however, lots of stories where a tiny little frustrating circumstance or rough personality was handled the wrong way and spiraled out of control.

So you must have handled it pretty well. Keep that lesson in mind for the future because handling tough situations and tough people are a big part of being successful out there as a driver. Believe me, we're all human and we'd all like to punch some people in the face sometimes. That's why they had to make it illegal, or it would happen too often.

Also keep in mind you're in this for the long term. Don't let yourself get all bent out of shape when a couple of days or a couple of weeks don't go the way you had hoped. You have the rest of your life to run all of the miles you can stand to run. You'll get your share in the end and it will all work out.

Before you know it you'll be running so hard you'll be begging for a break.

There is an interesting dynamic between Syracuse, and Johnstown, we are sort of, the "red headed step child," with a "Cool Kid" complex.

My response to the LP's comment, was a lighthearted "because I would miss you to much," followed by a tiny chuckle and a "Hey, I know you got a lot on your plate, just let me know when you think you will have some time, and I will call back then."

Both our Load Planners do a great job, and they bust their buts for us. I would not want their job.