Comments By ButtonUp

Does a 23channel Cobra walkie talkie w/32 mile range serve the same purpose or is the CB radio still used for general comms by enough truckers (e.g. accident, construction, weather warnings) to justify the added cost and installation?

Thanks!

Ummm...

A 23 channel Cobra CB walkie talkie? I doubt that thing is going to have a 32 mile range, especially if you are transmitting from inside the cab. A CB walkie talkie can work but I would connect it to an external antenna.

Max legal power is 5 watts input, 3 watts out if I remember right. 32 mile range... you're gonna cook yourself with the wattage transmitting AM... at that's if the solar activity allowing that kind of propagation hasn't already killed everyone on Earth, lol.

A good legal CB will get you 5 miles or so in optimal conditions. A few miles is more accurate.

Bottom line, a hand held portable CB will work fine if you hook it to an external antenna, or stick the portable antenna out the window, but I wouldn't recommend that.

Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS!

Shifting on the tracks would have been an automatic fail anywhere I have tested. I failed a road test that way, actually. Luckily I was able to re-test the next day.

Also, am a little confused about the car having to back up being an automatic fail... unless they weren't over the stop line. If the car is already there when you approach the intersection then I will wait if I can't make the turn, but if you own the intersection and a car pulls up, they have to back up.

At least that's the way I understand it.

Having a CB doesn't mean it needs to be on all the time. It is invaluable at times when it comes to knowing what is going on ahead. Drivers will let you know if there's stopped traffic at the bottom of the next hill, which lane to be in ahead (even though the signs may say differently), and the best alternate route when things happen suddenly and you don't have the option of pulling over and looking at an atlas or making a phone call, or the time to get your gps to come up with an alternative before you are forced to choose to exit or get stuck in the thick of it. Drivers also let each other know what their intentions are sometimes. I usually listen to talk radio or something, but the CB has been a great asset to have in bad weather and tricky traffic situations. I drove over a year without one, and I won't go back to that. Turn it off at the truck stop, or even most of the time, but when it's time to find out what's going on ahead it's nice to have.

For new drivers, I think Freightliner, International, and Volvo is best. Bigger windshields and mirrors, easier navigation in tight spots, and overall easier to drive in my opinion. I think the Volvo has the best visibility and driveability. I am in a Volvo now, and love it. I am still not quite as competent in it as the Columbia I was in, but I am getting used to it. My biggest complaint on the Volvo is that I can't get the seat and steering wheel to adjust the way I prefer. I have to have the seat all the way down and still feel like I am riding too high. This being said, there are different seats that sit different ways in different trucks. I drove several Columbias that the seats didn't adjust the same way for me.

The Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks are nice, but take some getting used to for new drivers. I HATED driving them at first, but after I was forced to drive them for a few months, I don't mind it as much now. The mirrors and windshields are smaller, and it can be more cramped in the cab depending on the model. But, I really liked the way I could kick back and roll in the Kenworth, it felt like I was driving my Chevy. I liked the gauges and switch placements, etc. I am more a steering wheel in my lap kind of guy, and the Pete's and KW's the steering wheel is more up on the dash, so to speak, like a car. I'd have to lean up to see the end of the hood, whereas the Freightliner and Volvo, or International I have a good view around the truck at all times.

The storage space, or places you have to stash stuff, isn't as good on the Pete or KW, at least for me, I struggled to find just the right way to put my phone, gps, flashlight, and stuff. The other makes seem to have a lot more options for how you want to arrange your goodies, unless you are the type to just velcro stuff wherever you want it, which works.

I like to stick my head out the window and see the trailer when I am setting up to spot it. KW/PETE with the narrow cab this is a pain, kind of like driving a classic with the stacks on the side that you can't see around.

ENGINES ========

I like the Volvo D13 but it's a pain to get serviced. My preference is the Cummins, although I had good luck with Mercedes as long as it was properly cared for. My least favorite is the DD15. I have had a PACCAR a few times, but not enough to give a good opinion on it, other than I didn't seem to care much for it and preferred the Cummins. I liked the International Maxxforce 13, but not the 11 (less power). The Cummins has the best engine brake by far, in my opinion! International probably the worst.

Observations based on my limited experience.

I liked the KW, but needed a lot more time to really get used to it. I chose to keep the Volvo and hope to drive it for at least another year before they sell it. It doesn't FEEL like a REAL TRUCK like the KW, but I get around in it well, which is the most important thing, I suppose.

I recommend Freightliner, International, or Volvo for new drivers, based on how much easier it is to drive safely for the inexperienced.

The Pete seemed easier to maneuver and back than the KW, but I preferred driving the KW.

If you have the serial numbers recorded, and any anti-theft software installed, you can report them stolen with the details of when you last saw them and the serial numbers, etc., so if they ever show up at a pawn shop or something they'd be recorded as stolen property. As for the anti-theft software, if you had any installed, could track and disable the device, etc.

As for who to report to, I am not sure, an agency in the area you last saw it, or where you first noticed it missing, I don't know.

Also, if you haven't already, call your trainer up and say hey man I noticed my tablet is missing, have you noticed it stuck behind the bunk or anything? Maybe he'll feel guilty and "find" it.

When I was in school almost every day was a 100% improvement in my shifting. It wasn't until after I drove solo for a while that it really clicked. Maybe trying to focus on listening to the engine rev or drop 500 rpm or so instead of trying to be too technical by watching the tachometer will help. That's what helped me the most. There's a delay in when the tachometer responds and the actual target rpm has been reached. When you first let the clutch out to start rolling, where you feel it grab is the friction point. That's the target area you want to shoot for when you are pushing the clutch in. Not every clutch is the same. Some you barely have to push, others you are almost to the floor.

Kind of a rushed reply here, but my personal advice would be to just apply online to the company you're interested in. That's the only way to find out for sure. If that doesn't work out, try another. I would be more worried about the speeding ticket, and even that shouldn't be a problem, in my opinion. I had one ticket in 3 years when I started and it wasn't a problem. Companies want to get you into their program.

Welp, after turning the KW in every-other-day to the shop (they said there's no recall on it), they're sending it to the dealership. My fleet manager let me pick out a Volvo. I'll miss the KW, I was kind of getting used to it... but I get around better in the Volvo.

Try another company, let them know you want to start as a new graduate. It would seem the major companies would snatch you up!

I would let them know it's a jackknife. I jackknifed a truck and totaled it and kept my job with them. I got a warning for too fast for conditions, though, no citations. Better to let them know up front. I mean, it does sound like you told the truth, just not in the simplest of terms.