Comments By Dennis R.

Dot bumper didnt help much..todays cars cant take much damage..all those safety Features are worthless.

Ive parked nose in a few times,only in spaces,at end of a row,with no spaces,behind the truck.usually at a truck stop,with limited spaces,where I don't want to blind side,or turn around,and lose a space.some times easier to back out in daylight.Dont find many spaces or opportunity,for nose in parking..but they are out there.

Nothing beats the smell of burning rubber,in the morning, except maybe diesel fuel.

Ask the tester,if you may assist. Some trucks have an idle adjustment,tied to the cruise control, hit resume,automatically, ups the idle.

Hydrogen peroxide mixed with water dissolves the bugs,in under a minute. Its cheap at Wal-Mart, Keep a sprayer handy,and spray on the window,wait one minute...no scrubbing required,

Percentage pay is great,as long as you actually get the full pay,without multiple brokers. I had a lousy 16 mile trip today,and burnt up 6 hours of drive and load time. Made $9,paid by the mile. Doesnt happen often,but just another example,of unpaid time.

Not a bad deal,wish for companies would offer benefits,for our vetetans. Thanks for your service..I salute you!

Celadon covers everything. One student came from Hawaii, they flew him to LA,then bused him to indy. cost the student $0.

Its easier to go to a company sponsored training program,in your home state. If you have a relative,in another state,where youd like to attend school...this would also work. Celadon pays for absolutely everything,not one penny is needed for food,lodging, classroom supplies,permits,etc. Banking some cash,and saving it for supplies,once on the road,would be a smart idea.Good Luck.

Team driving pays on the total miles the truck drives,split 50-50 with team mate. 1000 mile trip=$470 $235 each person. Even if you drive 800 miles,of the trip,each driver makes $235.

Expect 5-7k mileage for a good team truck. $1200-$1500 per week.

600 miles per day,per driver,is the max,you can run. Even running 1200 miles,per day, x7 =8400 Miles..I doubt many teams are going to run this hard, as it would include nearly no time waiting on a shipper ,all long runs,and 2 rolling 34's.

If you run hard,plan on grossing $1k per week. $52K per year. YMMV

Ive had loads,where the excesive weight,on the king pin,prevented,the pins,from unlocking, I had the wheels spinning,and no disengagement. Cranked a few more times,5th. Wheel slid finally.

Believe it or not,every truck isnt equipped with a jake..its an option. My school taught nothing about engine braking.

Low gear while cranking the landing gear down,makes it easier. To get weight off the kingpin. Using high gear,would take a body builder,if youve got 45k,in the box, and youd probably damage some parts.

When you're going to slide your 5th wheel you should wait until you're empty. Even then, put the trailer legs down and crank on the arm in low gear to get pretty much all of the weight off the 5th wheel. If you try to slide that thing with a lot of weight on it you'll have a heck of a time getting it to move.

I couldn't get it to slide, the pins wouldn't release for nothing. I was able to take everyone's advice and delivered 44,000 pounds of.... Nuts for Hershey to the forwarder in Laredo. That's gonna make alot of candy bars 😁 . I really appreciate everyone's responses, means alot to have somewhere to go and ask for help.

When sliding 5th wheel at scales,use low gear to take weight,off the kingpin,then lower suspension,and rock it gently, to get the pins,to release..same concept when sliding tandems. Another trick trainer showed me is to lubricate slide with soap and water,mixed in windex bottle. Doesnt leave any residue to contaminate any 5th wheel componants..works great!

Celadon has autos and more are coming in. I can only comment on the Kenworth 680 with mx 13 and automatic. Love the truck and the Paccar engine combination. If Im not in a hurry,Ill leave it in drive,and putt along. I mainly use manual mode, which some makes,dont let you run very long.My 10 speed is great,coming down most grades,shift at 80 mph to 9th gear,truck will purr at 65 mph and 1500 rpm.Really steep grades requires 8th gear,and 1700 rpm. Ive got the truck mastered after a few months,and would never go back,to a manual. I love the truck.

Just pulled 45k pounds of raisins,through the grape vine..I think

The secret to backing,is to know when to straighten your wheels,2 turns from lock,and pivot trailer. Master this and backs become much easier.

Why take the per-diem? If it just about wanting money in your check and getting less refund at the end of the year, why not just increase the number of exemptions you take. That way you still get the money in your check and you don't have to pay the 1 or 2 CPM to the company.

An account friend of mine told me a very long time ago to max out my exemptions. I said I would get no refund. He said, "That is correct." He said when you raise the exemptions and see more money in your check, "Take the extra and put it in an IRA or 401K like it was not there." At the very least put it in a money market account. That way the money is making interest instead of sitting in the government coffers until you get a refund. You get no interest on that money while the government is holding it.

So, again, I ask why would it ever be smart to take per-diem if the company charges a fee to do it? Why not just increase your exemptions?

What am I missing?

That shell game is going to come crashing down soon.

Whenever a company offers a benefit..be very afraid. Per diem gets paid up front,but company doesnt pay ss tax,on that income. At the end of the year,you can deduct $47.20 per day,for every day out,then subtract that amount,from your gross wages,pay less tax,with company paying full taxes into your ss benefits. Your tax refund will be higher,and you get the money,in a lump sum. Owner ops would be in a whole different battle..not subject to this reply.