Comments By Rob S.

Some other details of local milk hauling;

We are required to chain up when necessary. Parking and waiting out the weather isn't an option. My company pays hourly though so that takes some sting out of it.

We use different log book rules than when I was OTR. The 11, 14 and 70 clocks are the same but we use the local option that lets us do 12 hours with no 30 minute break and up to one 16 hour shift per week. It took me awhile to get used to it but since most days are the same it doesn't take a lot of study.

A typical week for me is five days starting at 0300 and returning to the yard about 1430. Then three days off. Lather, rinse and repeat. Last year's gross pay was about $60k.

I can add my two cents about the milk hauling. What I do is almost entirely farm pick up of raw milk.

Our trucks are purpose built for this. We have a power-take-off pump and a 30' hose for loading. The trailers are doubles and are built to comply with the bridge laws and carry the maximum legal weight, 105,500 lbs. There is no adjusting of fifth wheels or axles, just fill the front trailer and put 28,500 or so in the rear trailer. There are charts and gauges at every farm to show us how much weight we are picking up. It is possible to overload the rear trailer. The milk can't simply be put back in the farm tank either. It has to be pumped into another trailer. This would take hours to arrange and might have the driver looking for a job at the end of it. I did some math wrong and put an extra 8000 lbs on once. I dodged the scales, made the delivery and apologized/explained myself to my boss before he heard about it from anyone else.

At the farm, the driver is responsible for several things that are minor but closely monitored by the state agricultural inspectors; nothing that can't be learned in a week of training. We have to pick up at the farm within a narrow time frame. The milk tanks have to be washed (usually daily) and that means they need to be emptied. Since they can't turn off the cow, we have to empty the storage tank to make room. Because we have double trailers, we can do a u-turn in a very small space, less than our overall length (about 80'). The farmers know this and expect us to pretty much do it the same way every time. It was a strange feeling the first time I looked out the passenger window at my own tail lights. However, that's the only way it can be done; as long as I'm not making any new ruts in the mud I'm fine.

At the creameries it's a similar situation. Each is unique as to their own procedures but those procedures rarely change. So what I did last year at Creamery X is the same thing I'll do next week and next year at Creamery X. Just as at the farm, there is a narrow time frame for delivery. Most plants will have us unloaded within an hour. If we are washing the tanks that's another hour.

With two trailers, the surge isn't as bad as a long single trailer. When loaded to 105,000 lbs the front trailer is full (no surge) and the rear trailer is about 2/3 full. So while it is sloshing around, the full front trailer dampens the effect quite a bit.

Something I haven't seen mentioned is transmissions. We have mostly 10 speeds. I think that because of the surge we could never have automatics as they would be constantly shifting back and forth. I'm not sure about this though. Does anyone with a smooth bore tank have an automatic? I know that baffled fuel tankers can use automatics.

Why was the trailer frame cut? That part above the tire isn't optional. That entire piece and all the rivets are important. It needs to be intact, not carved up with a smoke wrench. Although they did do a nice job of it.

I am pretty sure it's the good buddy part that is offensive. I would explain, but this is a family show.

If you know any Ex-Marines, ask them for the definition of a buddy. :)

The term Ex-Marine is what I find offensive. Lee Harvey Oswald is the only Ex-Marine. The rest of us are Marines. Although some of us are older, slower and fatter.

When there's a chance of freezing brakes at night, stop using the engine brake several miles before your shutdown spot. This means you'll use your service brakes more and heat them up. It's kinda like driving in the truck stop but when I see a space I can get into at the truck stop I'm grabbing it right now instead of driving around further. Also, backing up will sometimes loosen the brakes, we used this trick a lot when hostling at the DC.

Another tip, if the receiver is around, ask them how other drivers backed in. These folks work there and get to see every driver's technique.

I agree about hating thieves. As for the brush, a few bucks at a Walmart for a household brush, then some zipties to hold it on. It's not thief-proof but it doesn't cost mush either. Also, if it looks like it's only worth two dollars nobody would steal it.

That seat adjustment is called the pendulum. I'm not a fan of them unless I am using cruise control on a long stretch of dry pavement. Don't be afraid to ask the instructor how to correct it. One of the first things we were taught was how to adjust the seats. Having a properly adjusted seat may seem trivial but when you get to the CDL exam with the state tester you're going to need everything as right as you can get it. You're going to be nervous enough. With a swinging seat you're trying to work the throttle to match rpm's and double clutch too. My back hurts just thinking about it.

About the diary; keep one even if it's just for you. I used an app on my phone. It's pretty cool to read through it and think, "Wow, I really did that!"

Oooh I HATE you!!

Just kidding of course. I'm jealous. I talked with a guy doing that and it sounded like a blast. I only had a few months experience so I wasn't qualified anyway. Nowadays I'm home and my family likes that.

One of the things I dislike about my current gig is that we slipseat daily. I haven't seen an odometer reading with fewer digits than a phone number in two years.

If I send you a Mason jar will you fill it with New Truck Air for me?

One of these days I'll find some straps to throw over my tanker/take a picture and finally post in this thread.😁

Yes Sir, four wing nuts on the dome lid, 10 seals on all the openings and that load is secured. Tarps? Straps? Chains? I'll have to google these terms...

I did a few Walmart loads for Swift in Colorado. I used a Swift trailer with swinging doors. I'm not contradicting Gtown, just suggesting that your load might have some variables. The vast majority of Walmart folks I dealt with as a driver were very helpful too. Enjoy your day.

I had a similar experience once. A planner wanted my empty but didn't have a load for me. I politely asked my DM if she wanted me to give up my trailer without a pre plan to get rolling again. She was pretty unhappy with that planner. I kept my trailer and kept rolling. I wouldn't refuse the order or start freelancing but sometimes a respectful request for clarification is appropriate.

I'd like to strongly recommend that folks keep a journal or diary of the adventure of trucking. I went to school in my late 40's. For me, like many, this was not just a career change but the fulfillment of a childhood dream. That's when I bought my first modern phone too. One of the things I did right was to download an app for keeping a journal.

Another tactic, (learned from this site), is to use Google to recon every pick up and delivery. I'd save the address as I did my trip planning. On most runs I'd also map this out in my road atlas with a dry erase marker.

The third thing is a large (3'x4') laminated map of the United States with the interstates on it. When I came home every month or so I'd trace my trips on the large map with a sharpie.

So now I'm a local driver and don't have the adventure of travelling new roads every day. However, one of my most treasured trinkets is the map on my wall that shows all the roads I traveled in my 13 months of living like a Gypsy. I read through my old diary, look at the map and think back to my first time through Indianapolis. I planned so well but didn't know that I would be ejected from the company drop yard so I spent the night on the shoulder in a bad (to me) neighborhood curled up with a tire thumper. Or being assigned the mission of re-powering a load from another driver. His tractor broke down and I had to finish the delivery. He's a great guy and we've stayed in touch ever since. Oh, the good times...

So here's my advice/suggestion/recommendation. Keep a diary, make a map. When time fades the memories, the pictures will tell a fine story.

I pull double tanks. I doubt I would notice 400 pounds. Companies that hire right out of school seem like a better way to get the proper training.

I second the notion of waiting on the big purchase until your course is more stable. Also, do you really need a u-turn? Can you back in off the street or road in front? If it looks tight now, it probably won't after you're on the road doing it a couple times a day. Then you'll only need a parking pad the size of a Pilot parking space. Maybe a little wider in front. The larger base rock would only need to be under the tire tracks.

Hi all. I passed all the DMV tests!

This is all that matters. Congratulations. The next thing that matters is don't hit anything.

Terminals are ok but not great. I wouldn't let that influence your calculations when choosing a company. Repairs are not necessarily faster or better at a terminal. Parking can be just as tight and crowded. There is better security although you still need to lock your doors. Personally, I prefer a truckstop. I'm only going to be there for 10 hours anyway.

Paper towels. Windex or 409 in a spray bottle. Fabreeze for the bedding. Baby wipes for the driver. pine tree air fresheners for the cabinets. I taped a bottle of hand sanitizer to the gear shift so I could use it as soon as I got in the cab, just in case. Bleach wipes are handy too, I kept these where I could use them from the ground outside my door such as during a messy drop and hook. When you stock up at Walmart, double and triple bag everything. Or just take as many plastic bags as they let you have. Those bags fit over the passenger seat armrest and should be thrown out every evening at a minimum.

I miss being able to clean my truck. I slip-seat in day cabs now so every shift is a new adventure in germ warfare.

The best driving school in the world is just up the road from you. The Swift Academy in Lewiston, ID. That's where I went, that's how I know they're the best :) . Lodging was included. Swift had a great program for veterans. I'm sure those things are still true. If you're serious about this, cut to the chase. Study the High Road Program, call some recruiters and get after it. Your posts are entertaining but they aren't helping you move forward.

No shoes in the sleeper. An old paint brush works for a broom. Paper towels and 409 on the shelves and floors every few days. Fabreeze on the bedding daily. Pine tree air freshener hangs next to the laundry bag. Empty the trash at least once a day. Never hit the bunk with a stinky cab.