Dollar General

Thank you to you all who responded means a lot guys. That's what I'm into something that you can get a ok work out from doing. I'm not sure if you mention it but do you still drive for werner & do you train new drivers? Make it a safe day

No, I don't drive for them anymore. I liked working for Werner and the Dollar General gig. It was my first trucking job. The hardest part was being in training for 2 months ( fresh out of driving school ). Once I got out there on my own, I loved it. I learned a lot along the way, but could never find enough info on it online, so I am happy to share what I learned.

Here's one where you gotta get the lift gate on a concrete slab. the gate extends about 7 feet.

Indiana Buck, (love that avatar you got there) these jobs are special jobs for special people. The work involved can be pretty grueling, but I've found that there are some people who just like to work hard. I'm not sure it has a whole lot to do with age. I used to have guys that were much younger than me working for me that were simply amazed at how much work I could do. Then I had others who were happy to work just as hard as I did. For some reason people seem to think that the older you get the lazier you get. Work ethic is something that doesn't necessarily decrease as the years increase. I find the same thing to be true in the flat-bed work that I do. There are some younger guys that I've seen that don't like the work involved and still plenty of us more "seasoned veterans" that just tackle the job day in and day out without even thinking about how comfortable we might be at home on the couch. When you enjoy what you are doing, and take a little pride in your work, even the most strenuous tasks can be enjoyable.

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You're preaching to the choir here, but I know that I can't work at the same rate and with the same endurance I had when I was in my twenties, but still probably better than the average truck driver...

Oh boy, LOL. It depends, I usually got a shower every 2 to 3 days. So about 3 a week. I would shower at the Distribution Center. You will have your next trailer waiting on you when you get back. I would drop my empty, get a shower, pick up new one and take off. Depending on when my 11/14 ran out, determined where I was going to stop. Sometimes a rest stop down the road or stay at DC. Best thing to do is, make it to the store and sleep there, so you can unload in the morning with a fresh 14 hr clock. If you get a loyalty card at a truck stop, you can rack up free showers and merchandise when you fuel. I found it not very time efficient to shower at truck stops, due to not enough parking and long waiting for a shower.

I worked as a lumper while in college, so I know how dirty/dusty it can get in a trailer... that combined with the heat in the summer ... would be hard for me to sleep without a shower. Would take some getting used to. Thanks again!

Hey IndianaBuck - US Xpress also has contracts with dollar stores. It was Dollar Tree back in the day but I'm not sure what their setup is now. I ran that division for a year and it's really hard work but pays well. Generally it's not a long term job for most people. After a while most people get sick of it.

Here's one where you gotta get the lift gate on a concrete slab. the gate extends about 7 feet.

Nice looks good! Who do you drive for now if you don't mind me asking?

Sometimes at front store deliveries (Made around 4 or 5 AM) you gotta remember how to parrallel park

Were those dollar general trailers well maintained? Like if there was a issue with the trailer you have to call dollar general??? Hows that work?

Hey IndianaBuck - US Xpress also has contracts with dollar stores. It was Dollar Tree back in the day but I'm not sure what their setup is now. I ran that division for a year and it's really hard work but pays well. Generally it's not a long term job for most people. After a while most people get sick of it.

Thanks Brett! Do you (or anyone else) know if there are any Dollar store distribution centers near indianapolis? I've been searching but havnt been able to figure out where they're located.

The Dollar General trailers are fairly maintained. When you pick up the trailer, there is an inspection sheet to fill out. You want to list every scratch, you don't want to be responsible for damage someone else caused. Sometimes lights and lift gates don't work, or you have flat tires. There is a shop on site. You drive to it and have them fix it. You want to check the charger, don't want a dead lift gate. Some trailers have the charger in front of the tandems and some have the chargers behind the lift gate. You want to fully operate the lift gate before you leave, to make sure it works. Especially the kick plates that stop the rolltainers from going off the edge. Now FAMILY DOLLAR and DOLLAR TREE, use rollers. They touch every package by hand.

Hey Coby, Great job on this topic! and the pics are super. There have been so many wondering about these runs and now there is a great post thanks to you. Take care.