I had my first breakdown today. I was pulling into a driveway to make a delivery and all of a sudden my auto transmission started messing up. It was beeping at me, not going into gear, and the red service light on the shifter was flashing. I couldn't engage any gear and was stuck in the middle of the road. Luckily it wasn't a busy street or anything. Also luckily, they were able to pull me forward with their pickup and line me up along the curb. They were then able to bring out their forklift and take off their delivery. Plus 1 for me for customer service I guess. I still have 4 more drops though, and they will all be delayed.
My company called a wrecker to come take me to a shop in Cedar Rapids about 20 miles away. The guy hooked up and brought me down there with instructions to drop the trailer at the truck stop around the corner. When he was pulling the tractor out though, the trailer dropped too far and the kingpin caught on the tractor cross member. I honestly didn't think he would just pull out so fast without checking to make sure the tractor was clear, but he did. I guess that's my fault for assuming. Anyway, it dragged the trailer forward, bending the landing gear and the cross member in the process. I called my company and they had me write on the wrecker bill what had happened, and said they'd fix it when I got back and would most likely have to go after them for the damage.
Now I'm at the shop, waiting. They said it will be at least a couple of hours before they can get me in. I think it's a simple electrical issue which should hopefully be quick to fix. The fault codes on the display said "trans output speed" and "vehicle speed sensor." This puts all my plans behind schedule. Frustrating to say the least, but I know it's all part of the business. Luckily I'm on paper logs so I should be able to make up time tonight, but I probably won't get very far since my next stop is only about 2 hours away and they'll probably be closed for tonight by the time i get up there. I was so ready to get rolling today. After taking a restart yesterday, I could already feel the itch to get out on the road again, and then all this happens. Sigh.
I had my first breakdown today. I was pulling into a driveway to make a delivery and all of a sudden my auto transmission started messing up. It was beeping at me, not going into gear, and the red service light on the shifter was flashing. I couldn't engage any gear and was stuck in the middle of the road. Luckily it wasn't a busy street or anything. Also luckily, they were able to pull me forward with their pickup and line me up along the curb. They were then able to bring out their forklift and take off their delivery. Plus 1 for me for customer service I guess. I still have 4 more drops though, and they will all be delayed.
My company called a wrecker to come take me to a shop in Cedar Rapids about 20 miles away. The guy hooked up and brought me down there with instructions to drop the trailer at the truck stop around the corner. When he was pulling the tractor out though, the trailer dropped too far and the kingpin caught on the tractor cross member. I honestly didn't think he would just pull out so fast without checking to make sure the tractor was clear, but he did. I guess that's my fault for assuming. Anyway, it dragged the trailer forward, bending the landing gear and the cross member in the process. I called my company and they had me write on the wrecker bill what had happened, and said they'd fix it when I got back and would most likely have to go after them for the damage.
Now I'm at the shop, waiting. They said it will be at least a couple of hours before they can get me in. I think it's a simple electrical issue which should hopefully be quick to fix. The fault codes on the display said "trans output speed" and "vehicle speed sensor." This puts all my plans behind schedule. Frustrating to say the least, but I know it's all part of the business. Luckily I'm on paper logs so I should be able to make up time tonight, but I probably won't get very far since my next stop is only about 2 hours away and they'll probably be closed for tonight by the time i get up there. I was so ready to get rolling today. After taking a restart yesterday, I could already feel the itch to get out on the road again, and then all this happens. Sigh.