Profile For ∆_Danielsahn_∆

Goodyear guy came and left.

Said he can't address the lights w/o removing the underbelly of the trailer which could take as much as 6 hours.

Said I need 4 trailer tires replaced and that one of them will let go at any time now.

While he was here I lost a 3rd marker light, which means the short is making its rounds around the trailer.

Also said he sees companies make bad decisions all the time every day and why we see so many retreads spread around the interstate.

Going forward, I'll, unfortunately, have to be reactive instead of proactive (which means screwing the guy behind me, but fully understanding why I get a bag of ****...the driver before me chose to make the same choice). That's what I've taken away from this particular situation.

Always do the right thing. I have lost time, because other people passed the buck. My company compensates me for my lost time, and they know me as a reliable and safe driver. Maintenence calls me regularly to thank me for addressing issues when I find them. Don't get your career started off wrong. Never pass the buck. Take care of your business, professionally, reliably, and safe.

My current load. A short 2 stop load up into West Virginia.

Cute little guys.

My current load:

Cousins!

So, no straps on the engine itself? Or does the engine go outward in the box so the straps are on the wood, but there is engine beneath them?

The box is built around the engine. It sits in the box, bolted securely to it. It was surprisingly very stable, but it is hard to really see, from the pictures.

No straps on the engine, because they could damage it, causing a GINORMOUS charge back, if it were rejected by the consignee.

Not sure how well you can see, but this is how I secured the load. Sorry for the delay, been a crazy week.

The small engine, I put 3 straps on it, but don't have a closeup of that one.

Hey Old School,

What about forward movement of the logs? Do you have some sort of barrier or fixture to keep the forward motion from happening if you have to brake super hard?

Did you build a bulkhead, off camera, maybe?

My very first Over Dimensional Load.

My current load.

Move that 5th wheel back one click, and you'll never have to touch it again!

I have contemplated that. It is currently in center.

My company pays 14cpm per diem. And it is optional.

My returns this year improved, but not by a lot.

My current load.

Very nice balance!

Long time no see. Hope you are well.

If I was younger I think I would want to flatbed and haul machinery. I grew up around mining and I always loved watching loads go into the mine.

I am 45...

We have a guy that's older than Old School, if you can believe that, driving local, at our Fargo yard. He tosses chains better than drivers 3/4 his age!

Looks like the center of gravity was pretty high.

It was. That's also why they built the frames like they did, to give them a wider and longer base. I could still feel them back there on exit ramps, and tight turns, though.

Why not a whole bunch of duct tape.

That would be an awesome sight!

How would you secure it? I opened my axles while securing it. Why did I do this?

I'm not a flatbedder but I'll take a guess at this one...

Does spreading the axles after you've secured everything loosen the straps/chains or cause the load to shift a little, making it less secure?

No, it doesn't. You can open or close the axles loaded or empty. Being loaded sometimes can make it more difficult, just like sliding tandems, with a 44k load in the box.

My reasons for opening my axles were twofold.

1. Securement placement. 2. Load stability.

The 2 big ones had the frames built around them. The small one bolted to its frame.

I recently had a load of Caterpillar Maritime Engines, and at first, I was confused about the best way to secure it. After taking with Rob (dragon), I was able to figure it out. So a big thank you for that. I was just looking through my pictures and noticed that I had a few of the load, before securement. So I figured we could make a "how to, quiz."

So here is the "quiz"

Both big engines weigh 12,000 lbs (rounded up) and the small one weighs 3,000, also rounded. There are 3 crates, weighing 150lbs total in front.

How would you secure it? I opened my axles while securing it. Why did I do this?

I will post my secured pictures, after a day or so.

What brand trailers do you primarily use? We are primarily all Retinaur, except for some of our more specialized trailers. We still have some Benson, and Wilson trailers, but they are being retired.

I prefer to keep my axles closed, if I can. Much easier to maneuver that way.

NY is not a closed axle state.

It is for our trailers.

CT, CA and FL are the only states requiring it.

Not true for everyone.

NY and WI (I mistakenly typed WY earlier) are also closed axle states for Prime because of the placement of our trailer axles. Both of the above states require no more than 43ft spacing between the kingpin and center of rear axle.

CT is the same.

CA is 40ft to center of rear axle.

FL is 41ft to center of of rear axle group.

With our axles open, the spacing is 45ft. The spacing when closed is 40ft. So yeah those 5 states are closed axle states for us at Prime. I should have noted that it's specific to our 53ft trailers. I know other trailers are configured differently.

NY is not a closed axle state.

But it looks like you will have fun playing the fuel game.

I start in 3rd when light or empty, I only start in 4th when bobtailing.

I agree with everyone else about the clutch, dont get too down on yourself I stalled the other day on flat ground at a light. I forgot to flip the switch down and tried to take off in 7th needless to say it didnt work.

That selector switch has bitten me a few times, too, lol. Especially when down shifting. I have gone from 6th to 10th a couple times. The truck definitely made her displeasure known!