What An Exhausting Day

Started at midnight with a 4 stop load today , 2 stores in Rochester MN and 2 stops in south suburbs of Minneapolis. Didnt end up leaving the yard until 1am. Roads were TERRIBLE headed north this morning. We picked up 8-10 inches of snow and most fell overnight. Northern part of Iowa picked up about 6. I was able to maintain a speed of 40 mph on the way up but it sure dragged. A driver that's employed under the grocery chain name happened to come up on me quickly and even though I offered to slow down so he could pass he opted to hang out behind me and chat it up on the CB. Once we came up to a rest area I pulled thru to allow him by as I didnt want to hold him up as he was going to be racing his clock as well. 515 mile day, Made it back with 11 minutes left on my 11, and 13 minutes on my 14. Thought this ice formation on my lugnuts was pretty cool though.

Had a learning experience today that I hope I never deal with again. For the first time I high hooked the trailer. I was getting frustrated because the lot was covered in ice and snow and I couldn't get traction to hook up. The tractor I was assigned today was a single screw axle (drive tires only get power through the front axle of drives) and I wasnt able to get under my trailer. Single screws suck in winter conditions and although they're lighter and cheaper the company won't be buying them again. Asked the Shag driver to pull it out to a cleaner area. I backed in about 6 times and even though I slammed it in the locking jaws wouldn't close. Tried one more time harder and this time missed the pin. Had to crank 30k of weight up. After getting out from under it we lowered the trailer more even though it appeared low enough when I first tried. That time it hooked correctly. Also when I was done for the day I forgot to unhook my air lines! I always follow the same routine so I don't forget anything however this time it slipped my mind. Our handles for landing gear are on passenger side so it almost forces the driver to actually walk around the trailer. So I always walk around front of tractor and do landing gear, inspect trailer and pull fifth wheel then airlines. I started pulling out and just as my tractor came out from under the trailer I realized it as I look out the back window to ensure landing gear holds. Thankfully nothing was damaged today more than my pride.

A long day but at least you made it back to the yard safely.

And at least you cought the airlines before you ripped them off, I didnt lol

That's a really cool photo of the lugs. Ready to go OTR and get some rest, yet?

Ready to go OTR and get some rest, yet?

ain't that the truth Haha. Thankfully it's only a 4 day work week unless I want to work more. I get to sleep in until 530am when the kids wake me up!