Perfectly Planned Trip THWARTED By A FLAT TIRE !

Parked 9 hours from my destination yesterday afternoon. Had 12 hrs on my 70 this morning, 11 driving. Was going to drop, park for my 34, and do it again. As I do every morning, prior to starting my clock, started my pre trip. I like to look for the obvious before I start my clock. I found the obvious. Called Road Service. Had to back track 60 miles to Loves. I Beat my CLOCK to death this week! I would have hit 2925 miles at my final, all in one pay period! Waiting at Loves for a new tire. Now I have to T call the load in San Antonio. I'll still hit the 2700 mark, but...........CRAP! I planned this trip to the TEE. OH WELL, I'll do my 34 in San Antonio and start again Monday. If I would have started my clock BEFORE my Pre Trip, i would have lost several more hours. ALWAYS check for leaks,flats,etc. before you log on duty for the day. That 14 hour clock stops for no one!

Parked 9 hours from my destination yesterday afternoon. Had 12 hrs on my 70 this morning, 11 driving. Was going to drop, park for my 34, and do it again. As I do every morning, prior to starting my clock, started my pre trip. I like to look for the obvious before I start my clock. I found the obvious. Called Road Service. Had to back track 60 miles to Loves. I Beat my CLOCK to death this week! I would have hit 2925 miles at my final, all in one pay period! Waiting at Loves for a new tire. Now I have to T call the load in San Antonio. I'll still hit the 2700 mark, but...........CRAP! I planned this trip to the TEE. OH WELL, I'll do my 34 in San Antonio and start again Monday. If I would have started my clock BEFORE my Pre Trip, i would have lost several more hours. ALWAYS check for leaks,flats,etc. before you log on duty for the day. That 14 hour clock stops for no one!

This is one reason I like to roll from late night to early morning whenever possible. At the end of my day, I can check my tires in daylight and have them serviced while I'm taking a shower or grabbing food. Then I park and go to bed. Since I'm parking in the late AM, early PM, there are plenty of spots in just about any truck stop.

It wasn't flat last night. Trailer has auto inflation. I thump my tires pre, post and any time I stop for a break. It takes a minute!

Same reason I drove at night also makes cities quicker at 2-3am very few 4 wheelers.

Parked 9 hours from my destination yesterday afternoon. Had 12 hrs on my 70 this morning, 11 driving. Was going to drop, park for my 34, and do it again. As I do every morning, prior to starting my clock, started my pre trip. I like to look for the obvious before I start my clock. I found the obvious. Called Road Service. Had to back track 60 miles to Loves. I Beat my CLOCK to death this week! I would have hit 2925 miles at my final, all in one pay period! Waiting at Loves for a new tire. Now I have to T call the load in San Antonio. I'll still hit the 2700 mark, but...........CRAP! I planned this trip to the TEE. OH WELL, I'll do my 34 in San Antonio and start again Monday. If I would have started my clock BEFORE my Pre Trip, i would have lost several more hours. ALWAYS check for leaks,flats,etc. before you log on duty for the day. That 14 hour clock stops for no one!

This is one reason I like to roll from late night to early morning whenever possible. At the end of my day, I can check my tires in daylight and have them serviced while I'm taking a shower or grabbing food. Then I park and go to bed. Since I'm parking in the late AM, early PM, there are plenty of spots in just about any truck stop.

You Guys can only check your tires when the sun is up???

So I guess it's normal to drive with one flat tire? One night I found a flat doing a post trip inspection, and when I called in the guy directed me to a repair shop an hour away, but when I asked "oh, so it's ok to drive with a flat" he said "no, I thought it was just worn out" and he sent a repair truck. Then the next time I had a flat the guy asked how I felt about driving to a repair shop 7 miles away and I said "I can do that", then it occurred to me that maybe that's what the guy wanted me to do the first time, but when I asked straight out he had to tell me no, it wasn't OK.

I think you have learned something new.

My Company asked which tire was flat. It was the Right Rear Inside on the trailer. Asked my weight. 15000 lbs. They said it would be OK to drive 60 miles to Loves. Makes sense to me. 3 other fully inflated tires on that side, plus a light load. My first flat. I learned something today.

Thanks for passing on the info. Tractor Man! I haven't made it to a CDL school yet, so all the Trucking Truth information is REALLY helpful. Trying to soak as much in as possible - wife tells me I'm hiding in our computer room.

So I guess it's normal to drive with one flat tire? One night I found a flat doing a post trip inspection, and when I called in the guy directed me to a repair shop an hour away, but when I asked "oh, so it's ok to drive with a flat" he said "no, I thought it was just worn out" and he sent a repair truck. Then the next time I had a flat the guy asked how I felt about driving to a repair shop 7 miles away and I said "I can do that", then it occurred to me that maybe that's what the guy wanted me to do the first time, but when I asked straight out he had to tell me no, it wasn't OK.

During training I picked up a trailer with a flat. My trainer just had us roll with it since it was on the inside. It wasn't totally flat but definitely not at the right pressure.

Technically, it's not ok to drive with a flat, but if it's just a little deflated many drivers won't have a problem driving it to a shop. OnRoad prefers to send you to a shop since it's cheaper and easier, but ultimately you are the driver and don't have to take the risk. They may be cool about it or get upset with you, but regardless you're not going to lose your job for refusing to drive with a flat.

Depending on how flat it is and how far, I might take it to a shop; but if it was going to mess up my whole plan, I might give them a hard time about driving with a flat and let them send someone to me. The key is that you can drive it but you don't have to.