Rookie Solo Adventure, Thoughts, Questions, Vent, And Ramble.

The last 2 days have been frustrating. I departed Gary, IN 2200 central time Thursday night. Did a hard push to PA I stopped to take a 10 and the company contacted me to repower my load.

Fine, cool, what’s my address? I’m at a rest stop. They need a specific address. Rather than wait I decided to move to an easier location. TA about 50 miles further East. I called, and called, and called.... every call was routed to a different location, not in PA.

Once parked at the TA I called my DM and explained the situation. He cancelled the Tcall at the rest area and updated it to the TA. He also removed my next load. My next load was fulfilling surge freight for Walmart. I’m trying to get back to the other coast. He said that I’d get stuck over here if I took that load.

I DC’d from my trailer, but stayed in front of it. The last message I received was that my Tcall was cancelled. I hit the rack. When my 10 hours were done I rehooked my trailer and hit the road. It was sleeting and foggy. I took it easy and made it to my exit. When I looked at the overpass it’s height was listed at 13’11”, that’s a no go for me. I turned right and parked. Called my dispatch to explain the situation. He was super cool and very helpful rerouting me. He also mentioned that my ETA was updated to Saturday (today) 0700-1400. I wish they had let me know...

I got back on I80 East for about 10 miles. Found a rest area and went back to bed to sort out the routing in the daylight. Sleep came quick!

My alarm went off around 7 (after sunrise, I looked it up). I hit the road. Got off on the next exit without height issues and headed back west. I made it to my delivery on time. Had to turn around in a rather tight area and go next door. I stopped and knocked on the receiving door. No response. I walked around the building and found the guys taking lunch. We all need to eat.

They gave me my door assignment and told me to wait until they cut the seal. It was cable and took much for wire cutters. He came back with a bolt cutter. It was janky and worn out. He got through most of the strands, but the last 2 were too small for the cutters. I grabbed my trusty multitool and cut the last ones.

Now to park. A fairly standard 90 sight side. I could not do it and my clutch alarm started getting annoying. After several attempts I took a breather and a full reset. That did the trick, I got it on my next attempt.

They came out and locked my airline. I was eating an orange and he came out and asked me to come inside. Apparently some of the bags were leaking. I listened to him sort it out and then he sent me back to the truck to wait. And here I am. I’m exhausted, hungry (I have food), too tired to be frustrated or nervous about getting my next load. I’ve got 2 hours left on my clock.

My relationship is suffering and that is causing extra stress. I’ve decided to run local and mix in some OTR when I get bored with the local stuff. I’m grateful that Swift is big enough that I can choose where I want to run.

My first OTR trip has been a serious learning experience. I’m generally enjoying it. But, holy cow the learning curve is steep!

Cheers,

G

Why is a 13'11" overpass or bridge a no-go for you?

Why is a 13'11" overpass or bridge a no-go for you?

14’ trailer.

G

Spoonerist wrote:

Fine, cool, what’s my address? I’m at a rest stop. They need a specific address. Rather than wait I decided to move to an easier location. TA about 50 miles further East. I called, and called, and called.... every call was routed to a different location, not in PA

14’ high trailers in PA? (Did I read that right?) There are only a handful of states that allow that height without a permit and PA has a maximum height of 13’ 6” for a trailer.

The location issue? If you go into your log tabs and press the “graph”, it time-stamps and marks the location where you changed status (driving to in-duty, etc.). Press the change of status point on the graph and the basic location will be displayed. At the least it will tell you state and town, use that to google the address of the truck stop or rest stop. For instance “Reststop on Rt 99, in Anytown PA”. You’ll get an exact address almost instantly.

I understand how frustrating this can be. I’ve learned over time to not give up so easily and try to work stuff out on your own before involving the DL on-duty. You have only yourself to worry about, they have up to 75-100 drivers they are worrying about.

Keep at it...you are doing just fine.

That's what I was wondering. When I was at Knight, I think there were only two states east of the Mississippi River where those high cube trailers were legal.

I thought 13’6 was the max allowed height for all vehicles outside of an oversize load, why is your trailer 14?

Also, if you dont mind, what is a clutch alarm? Why does it go off?

Sorry if these are silly questions, its just the 1st time I have heard about them

Thanks

Also, if you dont mind, what is a clutch alarm? Why does it go off?

A clutch alarm is a warning that will let you know if it overheats, or is beginning to fail.

Thank you PackRat. The learning never ends around here and I love it

Delco Dave asked...

I thought 13’6 was the max allowed height for all vehicles outside of an oversize load, why is your trailer 14?

Also, if you dont mind, what is a clutch alarm? Why does it go off?

Sorry if these are silly questions, its just the 1st time I have heard about them

Thanks

Neither dumb or silly but a relevant question.

The answer is PA trailer height maximum is 13’6” unless carrying an over height (size) permit.

Thanks G, I knew I read/know and answered practice test questions on that height restriction, thats what threw me off.