Comments By Dave D. (Armyman)

Earlier, I said that was the article. I was wrong, there is one that is more recent, in the August/September issue of Landline Magazine, titled...

"The odds are in favor of the house."

It basically is a rehash of the previous articles written about lease-operators.

Dave

Here is a topic I posted 6 months ago:

Lease-purchase: Sounds like a good deal, right?

This story was published by the Business Services Department of the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA). If they don't think well of Leasing you should take notice.

That was the article I was looking for.

Basically, it hasn't changed much over the years.

If you are going O/O or Lease-Operator, you need to make sure that you read the fine print, and make sure that you have as much control over that truck as possible.

My former trainer went lease-operator with a company, and the lease was terminated because of one speeding ticket. She has her own truck outright and hauls flatbed in the southwestern United States.

Dave

Here is an article from 2011....From Overdrive Online

I am looking for a more recent article. I have the magazine article at home, but can not find it online. Will post it when I find it.

Dave

He didn't want to put on chains because these chains absolutely destroy the super single tires. He would rather let it clear than reduce the life of his $5,000 tides.

I don't blame him.

Trainers for big companies have to buy their own tires?

Some companies push their drivers to be lease operators. Also he may be an owner operator moving that companies freight.

I hate to say it, unless you are training someone to be an owner/lease-operator, then I don't think you should be a trainer. It's too easy to think about the bottom line and not think about training a SAFE driver.

But, that's just me.

Dave

Today I backed up into a load out and the sign said 11' 7"

I kind of doubt it was 11' 7", but I took a picture of it, and I'll post it when I get a chance.

When I said "on sure," I meant unsure.

When it comes to "split sleeper" some companies take a dim view of it. So, if your DM says for you to do it, and you know your company has a policy against it, or are on sure. Have your DM send it to you on the QC.

Dave

Speaking of chains, I hear there is "something better" and legal...

I hear they're called auto socks.

Auto sock website

Has anyone used these before? I've seen them at the Iowa 80 truck stop.

Dave

There is a requirement in the rules that a driver must include TWO consecutive 1am - 5am periods. That part is also suspended.

It really didn't make sense for that rule to be in there in the first place, because the 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. rule was based on your home terminal or log book time and NOT the time zone you might be in at any given time.

Dave

My truck's clearance is 13' due to a shorter cab and shorter trailer.

Dave

That guy's clearance is now 11'4", for the same reason.

I think one thing I think people need to understand is MOST box/dry vans and reefers are 13'6". MOST tractors pulling said trailers are 13'6". Some flat bed trucks have a lower profile, and can drive under a 13' bridge EMPTY. Same with some grain hopper trailers. However, I don't know of any tractor that can clear a bridge lower than 12'.

Dave