Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago
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I Found it
Lol. Yeah, I remember that trip. I spent a week there that day.
Harvest, look at this as just another learning experience and build off of that knowledge. Imagine how much easier it'll be the next time.
Also, learned how to drive from the best! When I had to get my CDL again, you should have seen how well I did on the pretrip this time š
Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago
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I Found it
Lol. Yeah, I remember that trip. I spent a week there that day.
Harvest, look at this as just another learning experience and build off of that knowledge. Imagine how much easier it'll be the next time.
I honestly hope the "next time" isn't for a long time š Or at least be able to drive through at night with less traffic.
Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago
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Wow, talk about baptism by fire!
Tough assignment for anyone, let alone for a driver right out of the gate. But now youāve been there, done that and survived the trip, I assume with your truck and trailer intact. Stand proud, man- thatās a great accomplishment in my opinion.
My company goes to Hunts Point, but itās our only voluntary location. I havenāt volunteered yet but Iāve been across the GWB several times on my way to Connecticut. Other company drivers say itās not too bad, but the ones who have told me this are all seasoned drivers. Kudos to you!
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I may of murdered a few curbs, and honestly did hit one of those tall thin cone type things that was on a curb. But it stood back up right away so it was fine š. Honestly a STUPID oversight on my end was going into the city, I forgot to slide my tandems all the way forward. They were still set in the middle. I had to jug handle a few turns to make em, and just make sure not to hit the driver speeding around when I was doing it.
Leaving the city was also stressful, I got kinda lost. Traffic was bumper to bumper in the city at one point. There was a lady selling fruit standing in the middle of the road that had me stressed.
Also a NYPD officer was directing traffic at an intersection, dude waved me to come through like a "hurry up" wave. Good thing I was paying attention because 2 people walked right into the middle of the road in front of me. I was so tired at the end of the day I ended up actually paying for reserved parking at a TA š
Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago
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Also, does anyone know why in NYC, on the truck route there will be signs saying overpass height is 12'8 but normal semi's can fit under it? I stopped when I first saw it, and then I saw another big sleeper truck just go through.
Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago
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This past week I got my first load, it was to the "Food Bank For New York City". At first, I said I was uncomfortable taking this load. Besides CDL school, I have not driven a truck in over 2 years. But they told me if I don't take it, it will be the only load until Monday... So hesitantly I took it, looking back in hindsight, I should have put my foot down on not going. Not worth the risk, I can go the rest of my life without seeing NYC ever again lol. People park in travel lanes, drive crazy, will go around you on the shoulder. Super tight turns where you have to force room, people trying to sell things standing in the middle of a crowded road where you gotta turn. GPS was going CRAZY, its a good GPS, Randy Mcnally that the company gave me. But it kept rerouting me constantly, or not knowing where I was at. I kept missing my turn, there is a tricky part on Food center drive where you turn into what looks like the oncoming lane on the other side of the median, but it isn't.
The worst part is, I was stuck on the George Washington Bridge over 2 hours. So even with running hard using all my hours, rarely stopping, the load was late. The receiver said it will be rescheduled for Tuesday, so the company had me bring the trailer back to the yard. I was worried I went through all that for nothing, but they told me I would still be paid for the miles I drove. Anyone else ever deliver here?
One thing is for sure, I will NEVER EVER accept any load going east of the George Washington Bridge ever again haha. But it was a confidence builder, I feel like if I can drive through that, I can handle any city. It was a dumb load to put me on, and I should of stuck with not going.
Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago
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Ok, I know Iām exposing my ignorance here, but what is SWR?
Standing Wave Ratio
There is a setting on the radio where you are able to see what the SWR is when keying the mic. This is a measure of the power output reaching destination in ratio to the power reflected back to the transmitter. The higher the number, the more potential there is to damage the radio. Get that number up to 3 or 4 and it will fry the radio before long.
I bought a fire stick still using factory coax. Could only afford to currently get one until I get my first paycheck. Took the antenna off the other side. I got the SWR down to 3.5, I assume I will get better performance once I get another antenna for the other mirror.
It was more frustrating of an operation than it should of been. I had to buy a adjustable wrench from Pilot, THEY WANTED 12$ for is š¤¬. Brought it out to the truck to take the factory antenna off. The base for the antenna came with it and it had me stumped for a minute. Didn't know how to put the firestick on since it was a male connector I was seeing on the mirror. But then I remembered that the base for the antenna was still on the factory antenna. I tried for 10 minutes to get it unscrewed with a single wrench but couldn't and I wasn't about to buy another 12$ wrench. So I walked into the Pilot with the wrench I bought and the factory antenna. Went to the tool wall and just *borrowed* another wrench to get leverage to unscrew š¤£nobody said anything. Add that to the list of things I need for the truck when I am home, a tool set.
I am wondering if having no antenna mounted on the other mirror is negatively affecting performance since a coax is still running to that mirror. Until I get more funds, 3.5 should be okay for now right?
I also bought another power cable for my CB so I didn't have to have the 12v plug coming down from the CB. The one that came with the radio wasn't working it seemed when I wired it. So I thought it was defective and bought another one. Only to realize it wasn't powering on because you need to have the key turned to accessory or on for it to power the CB š¤¬was a frustrating time lol
The question also about the firestick. I see the top is adjustable to tune it. However, I see that the lowest position of the firestick is what gets me the lowest SWR. Should I have gotten a smaller antenna? I think I got the Firestik 2 version.
Debating getting a Stryker 447HPC2 because it is easy to convert to a CB. But I need to do more research about powering the thing before going that route. I really do find the CB to be allot of fun and at times useful. Reminds me of game chat when playing Call of duty sometimes lol
Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago
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On both my kenworths, the 2020 and my present 2022, I've has Goodluck with the stock coax and antennas. I have a bearcat 880. I calibrated it per the instructions. It gets decent range, depending on terrain, factors etc.
I ended up having the stock antenna break on the 2020 randomly while driving and swapped them both out to 4' firesticks. Worked fine. I'm running the stock 4' kenworth antenna on mine and they get the job done.
Interesting, I wonder why I get such high SWR after calibrating. Truck has duel stock antennas. I wonder if using a 12v dash outlet has a negative effect on performance. I use the plug that like a gps plugs into.
Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago
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Back OTR, I got a 2020 Kenworth. Super happy with this truck, very comfortable. Sadly been sitting in the yard for a day waiting for my first load š atleast I have everything moved into the truck and some time to get things set up.
I got my Bearcat 880 installed that I kept from when I used to drive. Kenworth has a very nice CB installment location. However the power wires donāt seem to work. Not sure if itās the truck, or if a fuse is blown on my power wire cord. So I had to install with a 12v plug. Really ugly having that wire come down, but it will due for now. Not sure how it affects performance either.
Until my first paycheck, I just have the factory antennas installed. This truck has duel antennas on both mirrors. That is one question I had. How different is setting up 2 antennas vs one? I have a really high SWR right now. Channel 19 is 6.5. From my understanding to tune a CB, go to channel 1 in calibrate. Hold mic button and turn the calibration to the line. Then go to channel 40 and do the same thing.
Any advice on what antenna I should be using for duel setup? My last truck, I didnāt know much and got one of the big āterminatorā antennas, and always had pretty high SWR even with tuning. Is the factory coax really not that good? I know most people donāt use a CB anymore, but I do always find it pretty entertaining and occasionally useful info.
Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago
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Does anyone workout while on the road?
Yes, using the seats and arm rests for dips, squats, decline and incline push ups, top bunk for kneeling pull-ups, reverse pull-ups. To do the pushup, extend from feet on the bed, hands on the cushions of left and right seat, then one handed and lead change.
It's entirely possible to achieve progressive overload and failure on each set using creative body weight exercises. Adding bands to the workout helps, along with a weight vest.
I've picked up a bit over 10 pounds of lean muscle gains but reduced waistline at the same time.
Ill have to do some of those, pretty new to body weight exercises. Before I started going to the gym, I was never even able to do one push up. Even as a kid, since I was always fairly obese. Biggest worry going back OTR was my health. I just gotta take the time to get healthy foods and exercise. It's so easy to be in a rush and just get whatever fast food at a truck stop. Wish they had more delicious healthy options there.
Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago
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Anyone know if a 32 inch tv would fit in a 2020 Kenworth T680?
My truck has a decent inverter and a tv mount. Kenworth manual says it can support up to 27 inch, but I have a 32 inch tv at home and curious if it would fit. Anyone do this? I want to at least try to mount it on the built in tv swivel. But if not, I may just set the tv on the table and lay it down when its time to drive. This is obviously the least desirable way, what are ya'lls experience with this?
I know there isn't a ton of time to relax and watch tv. But dang, on some of those days when you are just waiting it would be a gamechanger. Plus I like to fall asleep watching something, so it will be more home like for me.
Kinda off topic to this, but I also purchased a T-mobile 5G gateway. So I am going to have high speed internet with me on the go! uncapped data, only 50$ a month!!!! I am going to post a review on it once I use it for awhile. I know allot of people like me, really would loved uncapped internet while trucking.