Unresolved Maintenance Issues

I'm a local driver doing dry bulk heavy haul. I've only worked for 2 other companies who were building materials companies who "also" had a very small fleet of trucks, so I'm not sure I have the right perspective. I now work for an actual trucking company with a medium fleet and seemingly healthy financially. The company has a lot of nice perks and I really like the people I work with.

The issue I'm having is that there is a growing list of unresolved maintenance issues. The major safety-critical issues have been resolved promptly, but the minor to medium ones have not. I'm also not receiving my DVIRs back to sign off on. The longest-standing ones are AC not working, a latch plate on my rear trailer's hatch that needs to be replaced, and an issue where my lights either don't respond to pushing the switch or only the right side of the trailers will indicate.

I would appreciate some general feedback regarding how concerned I should realistically be and any advice on how to escalate this issue without creating ill will with maintenance or my dispatcher.

I'm a local driver doing dry bulk heavy haul. I've only worked for 2 other companies who were building materials companies who "also" had a very small fleet of trucks, so I'm not sure I have the right perspective. I now work for an actual trucking company with a medium fleet and seemingly healthy financially. The company has a lot of nice perks and I really like the people I work with.

The issue I'm having is that there is a growing list of unresolved maintenance issues. The major safety-critical issues have been resolved promptly, but the minor to medium ones have not. I'm also not receiving my DVIRs back to sign off on. The longest-standing ones are AC not working, a latch plate on my rear trailer's hatch that needs to be replaced, and an issue where my lights either don't respond to pushing the switch or only the right side of the trailers will indicate.

I would appreciate some general feedback regarding how concerned I should realistically be and any advice on how to escalate this issue without creating ill will with maintenance or my dispatcher.

If my guy's A/C didn't work, he'd take a different tractor .... until it does. He drives for a 'medium,' local/intrastate company, as well.

Regarding your latch plate; I'm not exactly sure how your trailer is set up, but that DOES kinda sound important!!! ie: Safety/critical . . ?!?

The lights...just fix'em yourself. (We do simple stuff like that, with no repercussions.)

Best to ya!!!

~ Anne ~

ps: Just 'Don't ever sell your Saddle!' :)

As far as the A/C not working, I would locate the low pressure switch on or near the dryer (depending on system) unplug the 2 wire connector, put a paper clip in the 2 terminals.

If that turns on your compressor and a/c works, the switch is bad, easy fix. R&R the switch (you wont lose freon due to schrader valve) The switches go out 1st, a LOT (on cars anyway)

I’m not real up on the dry bulk trailers, I pull a regular sp407 or occassionally an iso. The compartment’s have to be secured completly. If the latch your talking about prevents the hatch from being secure, then it’s an issue. Lights are a problem for sure. A/C isn’t a safety issue in and of itself but I wouldn’t expect my drivers to operate without it.

Are you doing paper dvir’s for some reason. The electronic verisons are not signed you just type your name in a bix at the bottom. On peoplenet that is.

... any advice on how to escalate this issue without creating ill will with maintenance or my dispatcher.

That's not going to happen. While it's right to want serious issues repaired, it's unlikely that your local shop is a bunch of rogues ignoring the policies the rest of the company follows especially in a company that size. If you go over their heads you will probably find out that they're doing what management wants anyway and they will find out and they will not be happy about it. Bottom line, if you're called in for an inspection YOU are responsible for the condition of the truck - not your dispatcher , not your mechanic. The ticket will have your name on it, not theirs.

Becoming an amateur repair technician in your spare time may make things easier for a while, but without a shop, tools and some training there will still be a lot of things you have to deal with. It may not be easy to leave since you like the job and the people, but you will be leaving eventually. Whether you do it before you have tickets and/or an accident on your MVR or after is up to you. Trust me, there are good jobs and good people at companies who care about maintaining their equipment in the PNW too.

The first thing you must do may seem obvious to some, but is actually overlooked by many unhappy tenants. You must give your landlord notice of the defective condition.