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Yep, bought a Garmin dezl 700. Using it for 2 months now. Works great, not a single problem yet.

Have the same one. It's only sent me down a road it shouldn't have once. Luckily it wasn't too hard to get out of there. Couldn't tell it wasn't a truck road on Google maps either.

Only issues I've had with it are lately when there's lane closures for construction it likes to tell me the interstates completely closed. I just ignore it until it figures out it's open.

Did you call the shipper/receiver yourself?

At the time I was having issues with their website not loading to get the number from. They ended up taking me off that load because when dispatch finally got in touch with them tonight they were extremely rude to him on the phone. Can't say I'm too upset about it either, it was going to the king soopers dc in Denver. If you've ever been there you'll know why.

IMHO, if you just 'make this happen,' late or not, and quit trying to holler to somebody about it all, you'll get your planned hometime.

Anne is quite right. Just do what they're asking. You can remind them about your home time, but keep doing what they ask. Veteran drivers typically schedule their home time a day or two in advance of when they really want it to take place.

They may be planning on T-calling that second load, but they aren't going to tell you until they have the arrangement all put together. Roll with it. Don't keep putting yourself later and later by waiting to hear from them. They've seen your communications and they've indicated they still need you to follow through. Get on with it!

I'd be more than happy to get on with it if I knew what was happening and was able to get this load where it needs to be. I was correct and had no way to make the appt, and know from previous experience they refuse late loads and make you leave and reschedule. I've yet to flat out say I'm not taking it, just that I couldn't make that appt time. As of right now I've sent in a second message today like they asked stating that I wasn't able to make it and it will have to be rescheduled and am waiting to hear what the plan is.

At this point there's nothing more I can do than wait to get an updated appt time.

I was planning on making a post checking in with my progress so far over the past several months, but instead I'm having my first real issue with the company. I'm not even sure I'm looking for an answer or just need to rant a bit.

Supposedly, we're not forced dispatch. I was preplanned two loads the other day, a local run and the main one they're having me do. I accepted the longer one but declined the local run saying I didn't think I could make the 4 PM appt time based on how long it took to get unloaded at my stops last time I did this load. I also mentioned it would make me low on hours to get the other load there without having to stop somewhere for a reset.

The box for the reason for declining isn't very big so I also sent a message in with a little more info on why I couldn't make the appt and such. I then get a message back saying I'm being kept on both loads, and to let them know if I can't make the appt on time, which I already did when I declined it.

When I asked if they were getting the loads rescheduled or what the plan was, they'd already gone home for the day and night dispatch told me they thought that's what was happening but they weren't sure.

So, here I sit not knowing what the plan is for me, or if it will effect the hometime I have planned for next week as I've been out since Christmas.

To top it off my fleet manager is on vacation and the person covering for him will not talk on the phone about anything for any reason, instead sending vague answers over the qualcomm for anything you ask. Multiple people I've talked to have had the same communication issue with him and have been hung up on for not using the qualcomm, despite every other dispatcher being fine with either method.

A simple 'we're rescheduling both loads' or 'we need you to do this because there's no one else to cover it' would've sufficed.

The other issue is it can make it more difficult for the people on either side to exit. I've almost had to knock on a door a couple times at the smaller Loves that have curbs in each space because when you're nosed in your trailer overhangs into the lot rather than the space behind the curb. The instance that comes to mind is the one guy nosed in that was sticking out an extra five feet or so past everyone else in the row.

I also can't help but think of my dog every time I see someone nosed in.

You guys do know that you can turn off E-Coast on Freightliners??? Settings menu buried in there. Have to manually turn it off every time you start the truck other wise it defaults on.

Ironically, Wilson has that disabled, but still allows the use of manual mode. Now if only they'd set the cruise control over/under speed to less than 5 over set speed before it starts slowing you down.

Running at 65 it'll give you an overspeed before slowing you down if you try to let it work as intended.

GRS is upset:

The manual mode "switch" was put there by the manufacturer for a reason. By not having it available, it discourages the use of the Jake Brake because whenever you do use it, the truck wants to immediately downshift by 2 gears and there you are over RPMing. In manual mode, you simply put it in the gear you want and you work the Jakes all the way down the mountain and you maintain a steady speed and RPM. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like out in Wyoming going over Elk Mountain next winter.

The manual mode switch was put there, and the buyer (Prime, Inc.) ordered it and set it that way. That's the real reason. Why? Manual shift is better on MPG and maintenance. You do like the MPG bonus, don't you?

The engine retarders and the transmission work together and are linked in the computer system. "Over RPMing"? Maybe you should have set the Jakes sooner. The answer to the over-revving is to use the foot brakes to get to the slower speed. Then just as you like to, let the engine do the slowing.

"over Elk Mountain next winter" Do you use Jake brakes going down a grade covered in ice and snow? We'll see your action on Bonehead!

Don't be such a stranger! (3 posts in 5 years)

Can't say I'd be real happy about not having it either. While it hasn't 'over rpmd' yet, there's been a couple times where even turning the Jakes on at the top of the hill it drops gears and takes it right up to the redline, close enough to make me nervous. Doesn't do it all the time so it's not really something you can anticipate.

As for the winter thing, I wouldn't use the Jakes but manual mode is nice to get the damn thing to stay in gear. Assuming it's the same setup as Wilson's it'll go into E, which is freightliners fancy term for 'rocketing down the hill in neutral'. Not ideal in good conditions, let alone winter. You're left with the option of using the jakes or riding the brake the entire time to keep it in a gear.

You can also plan a 30 minute break, maybe a bit longer, pull into a Walmart, run in, shop and roll. If I need to and need a place to park, I park in the truck area. I make sure I'm out of the way. I put a note on my driver's side window with my phone number. I state that I'm shopping inside and will be gone as fast as I can. Please call if truck needs to be moved. Never had a problem.

If you're allowed to use the split sleeper option and have the time, I'd think about making it a 2 hour break at Walmart just so you're not feeling rushed.

I make a list, so I can shop quick. Not all Walmarts will allow you to park, so the quick in and out usually works. Some will let you stay overnight. It's all about trip planning.

Since Wilson lets us use PC, I usually try to find a nearby grocery store to where I'm doing my 34 at for the week and bobtail over there. Haven't had an issue with a truck stop not letting me drop the trailer if I tell the manager I'm staying there and will be gone a couple hours tops, even with occasional posted 'no drop trailer' signs. Gives me something to do and lets me get some walking in.

You can also plan a 30 minute break, maybe a bit longer, pull into a Walmart, run in, shop and roll. If I need to and need a place to park, I park in the truck area. I make sure I'm out of the way. I put a note on my driver's side window with my phone number. I state that I'm shopping inside and will be gone as fast as I can. Please call if truck needs to be moved. Never had a problem.

If you're allowed to use the split sleeper option and have the time, I'd think about making it a 2 hour break at Walmart just so you're not feeling rushed.

I've been sent to more than a few places Google couldn't find me a number for them, or it was disconnected. I'd say most of the loads we do are like that for whatever reason, annoying as it is. We do a lot of Coors loads out of Golden CO and even dispatch doesn't have a number for anyone there.

Have yet to top the paper place I went to that had a sign with a number to call for deliveries as there was no access to the building due to covid and getting a drunk person on the other end at 9AM on a Tuesday.