I’m Back With Prime Inc

Dennis says

I’m only 16 miles from my delivery live unload (Dodge City TS’s we’re full per Trucker Path.

You can park at the Walmart in Dodge City.

Thanks Chief Brody. Drivers were parking at Walmart in Great Bend, too.

I need a shower during this long reset. This TS charges $12, no fee to park.

I could get a free shower at Love’s in Dodge City, but that wasn’t going to work out.

What do you mean you put antigel in your 3 tanks?

Two fuel tanks plus reefer tank

Two fuel tanks plus reefer tank

You don't put antigel in at 25°. Read the directions for that brand's temp. It's usually in the single digits when it's supposed to be added.

Laura

One PS. It was down to 25F overnight so I put anti-gel in my 3 tanks before bed. All ran well after. My first time to do that.

Does Prime want you to add anti-gel to your fuel? Or do you do that on your own? Seems to be a waste of money since all the fuel should be winter blend by now.

Thanks all for anti-gel feedback. I checked in with my Prime company driver mentor Kearsey. I asked her about winter blend diesel and when to add anti-gel. This is her response……

“.. I use the antigel any time below 32 freezing point and even more below 10. I put it in no matter where I fuel other than the terminal. Company driver I don't pay..”

In my situation I fueled at Prime terminal , so probably didn’t need it for 25F. Better safe than sorry because I didn’t know.

I’ll start asking if winter blend when I fuel at truck stops.

I-40 and northward it should be a blend at the major chain truck stops, including Sapp Brothers, TA/Petro, Love's, and Pilot. Don't expect those at the fuel desk to actually know the certainty of this.

The only time I would use antigel would be if the truck was parked for more than a day with nothing running. The APU and Optimized Idle circulate the fuel. Keeping the tanks as full as possible also helps to prevent gelling. Keep an eye on the water/fuel separator filter under the hood, too. If it starts getting a milky or waxy visual appearance, this will signify a potential problem.

Last winter I ran an experiment of using no antigel at all and encountered no problems. I had one stretch of four consecutive days of highs of no more than 5; low temperatures were bottomed out at -14.

The chemicals are blended to work the same at any temperature. More when it's colder is not a good idea, especially since these additives increase the drying of internal engine and fuel system rubber seals and associated components.

I carry one jug of standard antigel and one jug of the "911" emergency variety with me. I bought these more than five years ago and haven't needed them yet.

SAP:

Substance Abuse Professional

The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

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.

Thanks PackRat, good info.

Meanwhile, any recurring problems from your previous injury and operation?