Went Solo Today, New Cascadia With Collision Avoidance System

I'm not a fan either, not in the slightest. When it comes to my truck I want 100% control, and there is something inherently unpredictable in the collision avoidance system. As stated, the system can apply the brakes, sometimes rather forcefully, for phantom reasons. Not that it happens often, but it does happen. Now imagine that happening during slick conditions, heavy traffic, or otherwise sticky situations. There's potential for hazard there.

However, with experience behind the wheel I've become quite adept at predicting the unpredictability, if that makes sense. The system, through its quirks, has forced to me to be hyper aware of potential triggers and plan accordingly. The resulting safety factor comes not from the system avoiding hazards, but rather from me being wary of the system.

Perhaps the net result is the same.

I feel ya, Turtle. I've learned to work with it but doesn't mean I have to like it. I've found changing the distance settings to seconds instead of feet, seemed to help.

In my truck, on feet it will not allow you to get closer than 300 feet to the vehicle in front of you.. really too much of a gap, causing cars to want to pass on the right and cut you off slowing the truck even more. I override it when passing, by turning on the cruise and keeping the accellerator floored to close up the gap before I move to the left lane to complete my pass. Crazy but it seems to work.

These systems can't be disabled on potentially slick roads unfortunately. We did a little test, deliberately blocking the sensors and it shuts the truck down completely.

There is a shutoff switch that will temporarily shut off the lane departure system, but only lasts about 15 minutes. It's handy for road construction and other screwed up roads that constantly set that off.

I miss the red night vision lights in my 16 Cascadia if I need to be able to glance at something when it's dark.

Oh there is also going to be a recall on the driver airbags in these trucks. Daimler will be notifying owners beginning January 9th. Apparently they can spontaneously deploy, so be very careful. It's some sort of wiring glitch and they'll be putting in a different wiring harness for the steering.

New Truck Recalls

Congratulations again.

Two, no three questions...

Which great company put you in this fine machine?

Plastic still on the seats / sleeper?

New truck smell???

Hahaha I'm very glad you like your truck. My other half likes his despite it already breaking down 7? times and having to be towed twice thus far.

Mine had 18 miles on it, New truck smell.. the plastic fumes burned my eyes and nose for a good 2 weeks, febreeze didn't help lol.

We've had so many experienced drivers at my company refuse to take a 2019 because of all the glitches and problems we've had with the 50 we received in late October/early November. I'm one of the lucky few that hasn't had to be towed, yet, at my company. I really think we ended up with a bad batch of trucks. Failed headlights, air dryer defects/failures galore, a 5th wheel recall requiring a shim, and weird electrical glitches and now the airbag recall.

Wow they are very pretty though.

Congrats on Graduating to Rookie Solo and on your new truck. I have a 2019 Cascadia fully loaded. I absolutely love it. Once again I am very happy for you

Congratulations again.

Two, no three questions...

Which great company put you in this fine machine?

Plastic still on the seats / sleeper?

New truck smell???

Swift is the great company. Bedrolls still rolled up in plastic, metal parts outside still have the protective white plastic on them, fuel tanks were still bone dry and the truck had 20 miles on it and yeah, gotta love that new truck smell, toxic or not!! lol

Jason, thanks. I dont know if mine is fully loaded but so far it seems pretty well equipped. I have a fridge, microwave slot w/holdown strap, inverter, radio, swivel TV mount, sleeper fan, bunk heater and the interior is really nice! Its probably not fully loaded but its really nice, I dont know what else could be put into it or where what options rank but I just love the truck and think it will make a nice comfy home.

Oddball question, so the inverter has two plug-ins on it and the rest of the truck has 12volt outlets everywhere else. So to run a 110 microwave, TV or other 110volt appliance I have to run extension cords to the appliance, anyone see any problems with this or is it just how its done? Should be fine with a good quality HD cord right? I have never used an inverter before, just want to be safe, not burn my truck down trying to heat a burrito up...lol

Mine has an APU with an 1800 watt inverter. I've got 110 outlets where the microwave goes and also by the fridge door/bottom bunk area, along with numerous 12v outlets.

Could you please take a picture of your swivel TV mount for me? I'd like to see it because my TV still rides on my bunk as I've not found a suitable mount for it yet.

I'd be Leary of extension cords for appliances that require more power. Maybe a high quality power strip?

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Congratulations on upgrading and getting that nice new truck. Yes, you can use heavy duty extention cords. You don't want long ones. 3 to 6 feet should be good. You may want to measure from your inverter to where you want to plug in. Also, you can get 12 volt extention cords. Good luck.

Best of luck to you Michael. Congratulations getting to where you are now. Be safe.