2 Weeks OTR With David

1/9

Good day today. I got up at 0330 as the load at lowe's was due to deliver at 0400. Guy came out cut my seals and signed my bills and I was ready with my next load in Great Falls. Since I was on site, I didnt bother starting my clock, just like Daniel does. As you get further into your driving career, you'll noticed different ways to keep your clock from messing you up. Such as parking on site at shiper or reciever, going to sleeper when being live loaded after backing to your door. Anything you can do to save that 70hr clock. =)

After I got the Lowes load off me, I decided to take a nap. I had been watching the weather for the Great Falls area, and I'm kind of glad I waited and took the nap as the roads where pretty bad. I'd rather see what Im doing rather then guess while not having the ability to see.

After I my nap, I got up about 630 made my coffee and started my pre-trip around 645, at 7 I was ready to roll up the road. One of the best things you get a driver is the views..

Get to see some great stuff.

Took me about 2hrs to go 90 miles. As I said before, the roads where bad, and of course the snow plows always seam to be on the other side.. Its almost like they know Im on the other side. By about 9, I arrived at General Mills, met up with another company driver and he gave me a good idea. A lot of times you'll find an empty trailer that needs to be swept out. Food shippers like General Mills or C&H Surgar, Western Surgar, Costco, all require clean trailers to transport dry bulk food, so its a good idea to make sure to sweep out you trailer as you could be denied. Now back to the idea, rather then sweep, he suggested a leaf blower. They make battery powered blowers and so long as you have an inverter, you can recharge the battery and store everything in the side cuby.

After getting my trailer swept out, I headed to the office to check in, didnt take long to get my door or get loaded. I was in and out in 30 min. By 10am I was heading out to our little drop yard at the local Pilot/Town Pump truck stop. I dropped the trailer, put the bills in the front lock box and got my next empty trailer. I took a little break to get a quick snack and by 11 I rolled down to General Mills again for my load to the house. Swept this trailer out and got my door, again in about 30min I was loaded and ready to go. I headed up the the Pilot again, got it weighed and fueled up. By 1200 I was done with everything, took another break to go potty and got my lunch for later.

Its funny how time goes so quick when you just piddle pattle around. What I thought was a quick break turned into about an hour. 1300 I rolled out and headed down the road. My GPS lined up pretty much with my Companies directions, so I headed down the road, did about 4.5hrs and made it to Billings, MT when I shut down at 1800.

It was a good day, tomorrow I plan to just drive so it may be a short update, but we shall see. Never know what you might see/find on the road.

I forgot to add in there, when I swapped trailers at Lowes, my trailer tandems wouldnt move with air supplied. What happened was it got so cold, the shoes froze to the drums, preventing the wheels from moving. I was struggling with them trying to get everything broke free. Another driver made a delivery to Lowes and helped my out by taking a hammer and hitting the break drum while air was supplied. Couple wacks and everything broke free. In 2 years of driving, Ive never heard of this, guess I learned something new =). Figured I'd share that with you all as well.

Really enjoy your OTR write ups kinda makes me miss OTR. Not really I couldnt stand it but you make it sound like a piece of cake good for you man be safe out there 2 YRS you know you could probably get any local job you want by now and make more than you do OTR especially with a Hazmat

Really enjoy your OTR write ups kinda makes me miss OTR. Not really I couldnt stand it but you make it sound like a piece of cake good for you man be safe out there 2 YRS you know you could probably get any local job you want by now and make more than you do OTR especially with a Hazmat

I have 2 years and 4 months under me. First 11 months I did OTR with Swift, then headed to a local position with The Salvation Army, which wasn't anything special. I pulled a 32ft trailer behind a single axle day cab 40 miles and also drove a 32ft straight truck. That last a full year, at which case I moved to MO and landed a job with Gordon who Ive been with for 4 months. I've thought of getting another local position, just trying to find the right fit for me. Thought about LTL , or pulling fuel tanks. Still not sure yet. Once I get another solid year of OTR i'll probably look into more local, I know my wife would like that.

1/10

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!! ahahaha figured I'd share. Im at the ripe old age of 26!! WooHoo. Its a bummer I had to spend my day driving. I was actually due home today, however that little "vacation" in Rawlins kind of screwed me. But thats trucking...

On to the day. It was pretty easy. I got up this morning in Billings, MT around 8. (I decided to let myself sleep in a little. Havent been feeling well the last few days, plus its my bday so why not.) Once I got my coffee brewed and poured in my cup, I got my self ready for the day a head. This generally means, making my bed as I can't stand it messy, which is wierd as when Im home i never make the bed.. dont understand.. I also get my snacks together and lunch prepared for my 30min break. Gives me more time to relax on the break.

For snacks, I like fresh fruit/veggies, trail mix without the chocolate, unsalted nuts, protein/energy bars and water. For lunch I do a ham sandwich or PB&J with a piece of fruit or a small bag of chips. Nothing special but it beats fast food and it saves me $$.

After I got everything ready, I proceeded to the fuel Island. I had some trash to throw away and my windows where so dirty I could hardly see. Before I hopped out of my truck, I started my clock on duty for pre-trip, figured it would be the best time. I got my windows clean, and proceed to do my pre trip, I got all the way around the truck and got to the front to check my lights when I noticed a dead bird in my grill.

I knew I hit it, I just wasnt aware it got stuck in my grill. When I was driving yesterday, there was a flock of them on the side of the road, when I come up to them they flew off, well this guy/girl flew right into my truck as I was going 60mph. Im thinking he/she was dead on impact, but if not, then it froze to death as temps in Billings, MT got down to 10 degrees last night. Felt bad for the poor thing. My first road kill ( I didn't want to just post the pic, so if you wish to see it, click the link.

After I get the bird out of the grill, i was ready to roll by about 915. I drove non stop for 6hrs to my fuel stop. After I got fuel, I took my break, ate my sandwich and just laid on my bed for 15 min. I actually fell asleep. Wasn't much just an extra 15 min. After my 45 min break, I figured it would be a good idea to think more on where I wanted to stop. I already had a place in mind, but since it was still early enough and I had 4hrs left, I could go further down the road. Thats what I did. I drove another 2 1/2 hrs to a pilot in Murdo, SD. Ending my day with 500Mi in 9hrs. It was a good day. Doing the math, I avg 55mph. I actually was doing 63 however there was a lot of rolling hills and Im grossing 79800.... Takes a little to climb a hill.

I also forgot to mention yesterday, this is my last load for this thread, after delivery on Monday, that will conclude the 2 weeks. =D just an FYI.

Happy B day David. Thank you for your time.

Hi David,

I've been enjoying your log. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I also enjoyed your posts on Daniel's log and your many other posts. It's already Sunday where you are, but still your birthday here, so Happy Birthday. Sorry you weren't able to make it home for today.

I've been looking into GTI because they are a Washington company and I see their trucks almost every time I get on the freeway. And you may be the first GTI driver to post here, at least since they moved from the old website. Thank you. I have wondered if you have any comments on GTI as it compares to Swift or what you hear from other drivers about their companies. And I know that drivers aren't usually affected too much when their company merges or is bought, but have also wondered if you have heard much from the other GTI drivers about how the Heartland purchase has affected them so far.

Anyway, Thanks and Good Luck on the rest of your trip home,

Paul

Hello David,

I have been reading this latest thread and find it very interesting. I just recently graduated from truck school with my CDL A, and signed on with Roehl for flatbed. I start my training in Gary Indiana on the 19th, next monday, and I'm looking forward to it. Not so much the could weather though as I'm from Myrtle Beach where we have occasional 8o degree days in December and January, which are nice to spend out on 2 wheels.

I am a coffee drinker as well, and was guessing from your posts that you have a coffee maker in your truck. I was told that when I get a truck, it'll have an inverter for plugging in things. I love my Keurig and plan on getting one to put in the truck, along with plenty of water. I usually only drink water and coffee, save for the occasional beer, root beer or sweet tea when we go out to eat.

Since I'm just starting out OTR , are there any items or equipment that you can recommend that will make things easier on the road?

Thanks for putting together such an informative thread and posts.

Joe

Hi David,

I've been enjoying your log. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I also enjoyed your posts on Daniel's log and your many other posts. It's already Sunday where you are, but still your birthday here, so Happy Birthday. Sorry you weren't able to make it home for today.

I've been looking into GTI because they are a Washington company and I see their trucks almost every time I get on the freeway. And you may be the first GTI driver to post here, at least since they moved from the old website. Thank you. I have wondered if you have any comments on GTI as it compares to Swift or what you hear from other drivers about their companies. And I know that drivers aren't usually affected too much when their company merges or is bought, but have also wondered if you have heard much from the other GTI drivers about how the Heartland purchase has affected them so far.

Anyway, Thanks and Good Luck on the rest of your trip home,

Paul

Paul, Sorry for the late response,

I have no major issues with GTI. I think they are a little better then Swift and I seam to see more miles. The buy out from HLE hasn't cause any problems, infact its been pretty good. All drivers got a 3-6CPM increase based on experience, our detention pay is now after an hour of appointment time vs 2 hrs, we got an increase in layover pay and breakdown pay, and now have access to truck washes at HLE terminals. GTI see's their drivers as humans not as just a steering wheel holder.

I am a coffee drinker as well, and was guessing from your posts that you have a coffee maker in your truck. I was told that when I get a truck, it'll have an inverter for plugging in things. I love my Keurig and plan on getting one to put in the truck, along with plenty of water. I usually only drink water and coffee, save for the occasional beer, root beer or sweet tea when we go out to eat.

Since I'm just starting out OTR , are there any items or equipment that you can recommend that will make things easier on the road?

Joe,

If you have a power inverter in your truck, I'd suggest a coffee pot (I got a 4 cup one from wally world for $15) as you can brew both coffee and tea in it, I'd also suggest a small foreman grill as you can cook chicken, steak, burgers, bacon, sausage on it and will ultimately save you from spending at restaurants. I'd also suggest a 12v cooler. There are many on the market, depending on the price will determine how well it works and lasts.. I've gone through Colmans, Igloo, Road Pro, Koolatrons. Each worked for about 5-6 months and then the fans would die, easy to fix but a small hassle. You could also get a normal mini fridge if you got a top bunk or are willing to sacrifice some space for one. I have an ARB Fridge/Freezer. I paid a little more then one should, however its built for 4X4 vehicles and since some roads in the USA kind of feel like being off road, I figured the investment would be worth it. I'm planning on writing a review on it here soon. I'd also recommend a little 12v skillet as you can make eggs or fried up Pototoes for breakfast/lunch or whatever?

1/11

Today was about as eventful as the day prior. I got up about 7, did some calulations to see where to stop for lunch when I noticed I had a little less fuel then I wanted. I had been idling the truck the last few nights as its been cold and I didnt want to take the chance of fuel gelling on me. I also haven't been able to put as much in as this load is almost maxed my gross with no fuel. So I sent a message saying I needed some extra fuel to make it to my fuel stop which was 300mi away, I had enough for 250mi.. After I sent it I got myself in the fuel lane and put in another 40gal putting me at a bit over 1/2. Thats about all I can take on. I never received a message back about the fuel so I guess everthing was good. Our fuel cards are open for any truck stop, unlike some companies that only allow you to fuel at whatever your fuel stop is assigned. Our way makes it easy to get emergency fuel..

Well getting fuel started my clock, so I did my pre-trip with it, took 20 mins all together. Only takes 5 mins to fuel 40gal. After all this It was about 830 when I rolled out. I drove 240miles before I stopped, took my 30 min break, had a grilled cheese and ham sandwich with a small bag of chips and a green tea. Was a good lunch.

I continued down the road got to my fuel stop 60miles down the road, by this time I had gone though most of the fuel, glad I put more on, all these hills up n down did not help. I checked my QC for my fuel percent, i was at 10%. Our tanks are roughly 100gal apiece so 200gal total. At 10% I had roughly 20gal. Not a lot for a rig. I could do another 100miles with my current MPG at 5. I ended up putting about another 120 gal on, which put me around 65% plenty to get to final and home with.

I finish fueling, and head down the road for the remainder of my drive. Another 4 hrs to go to Independence, MO. I got into Independence, MO around 1900, got some food as I had just used the last of what I had the night before and today for lunch, so I let myself splurge a little and got Panda Express. Got my food to go and headed to my final, its an underground cave. I stopped at the guard shack to make sure I was in the right location, the address didn't go in right on my GPS or on google maps, however when I googled the company's name, it gave me a different address then what was on my paperwork. Guard confirmed I was in the correct spot and to call in at 7, he showed me the number to call so I wrote it down and got back in my truck and parked on site for the night.