A few words on big trucks...

[dbeardslee]

I saw the aftermath of a wheel that came off a truck once, just a little north of Knoxville. A truck lost a wheel and it was bouncing around in the northbound lane. Another driver that was behind him swerved to avoid it, lost control of his truck, went across the median, through a tanker truck that burst into flame, through the guide rail, and down a really steep embankment that must have run for several hundred yards. Killed him deader than a mackerel.

By the time I got there the fire was out but there was a black burned spot on the road that must have been close to fifty yards in diameter. Found out later it took several days for them to get the buggy back up out of the ravine it had gone into. The wagon had come loose and it and the tanker had pretty much become one. That truck went right smack through the middle of the tank.

Sometimes it's better to just hit the bouncing wheel.

[tomcos67]

every action ...

Doesn't require over reaction...! Sometimes that easier said then done!!!.

[tomcos67]

Ran the split,Budd and Dayton wheels.Love watch a guy spray ether in side a tire,light it, to get the bead set
Had a steel flat bed blow atire beside me,sounded like a shot gun and then wham..tire hit the top of my hood then windshield and box.That was scarry.
Have seen a truck or two loose a wheel,a JB driver plowed into a stray wheel from the truck in front of me.Don't think any body got hurt.
I lost a wheel on my way to Chicago from Cincinnati just north of Indy,didn't know it,had a light load on the pig I was hauling and at night.Lots of cb chatter...it was me.So I turned around looking for it and heard it(on the cb) rolled into the truck stop so I went there and they had the torn up rim and tire.
So after the company( Haulmark,division of Mid West Emory) would not
haul any more Santa Fe pigs with that type of trailer.
Just glad no one was hurt,running as an o/o then.

Love those on the road stories... Drove cross country three times. Not like that's a lot.Some people never do..!You gotta love this country....

[STEPPENWOLF]

Tom, today I don't think I would wanna drive a truck today with all the crazy drivers and DOT that just want's money out of your wallet.There is a driver shortage now but the pay is low( what you are promised..and what you get) with terrible hours and I would steer anybody away from it unless you are young and wanna see the country and get paid for it and always being hounded by dispatchers and....you name them.A good life,a bad life and rewarding life....I have no regrets.

[STEPPENWOLF]

But if you love motorcycles,trucks and miles on the road..one way to go.

http://haulbikes.com/daily-direct-employment/

[tomcos67]

Tom, today I don't think I would wanna drive a truck today with all the crazy drivers and DOT that just want's money out of your wallet.There is a driver shortage now but the pay is low( what you are promised..and what you get) with terrible hours and I would steer anybody away from it unless you are young and wanna see the country and get paid for it and always being hounded by dispatchers and....you name them.A good life,a bad life and rewarding life....I have no regrets.

Always thought I would like to drive for a living...Then I got a job with local print company.Did some short trips one day things.Under 20.000 pound truck no special license. Forget about it.No way.To many bad drivers .Everybody trying to get around you or turning in front of you..Then sitting in that truck for 12 hrs.My back started acting up.Nope couldn't do it..Lot of Boston runs...Yep you got to be young...

[Pat Kelly]

I'm still truckin'.
Next May I'll hit 1,000,000 miles in 9 1/2 years.

[jetmechmarty]

I'm still truckin'.
Next May I'll hit 1,000,000 miles in 9 1/2 years.

If you're taking care of yourself, you should have another 1,000,000 miles left in you, and hopefully more.

[STEPPENWOLF]

The first million is fun but then after that it becomes work.
It still a wonderful achievement tho.I got a safe driving award,name in the companies newsletter.
Something to be proud of Pat...Drive and Ride safe my friend.

[STEPPENWOLF]

I could drive one of these.

[dbeardslee]

Holy Winnebago, Batman! I'll bet those things have bathrooms and fireplaces!

[BA80]

They are nice. I met a guy that had a huge sleeper like that. And, his wife and son that lived in it with him OTR. TV, fridge, bathroom, kitchen......basically a real nice camper.

[STEPPENWOLF]

Took those a couple of weeks ago at spot where I train watch.I never had a store bought truck like that. I was lucky to have an am radio.
My first big truck was a CL9000 with am radio and air,nice sleeper.
Just under powered with a 290 cum along and 10 speed.
This my last piece of junk...not a good pic but...

[dbeardslee]

My last truck was pretty nice. It was a black and shiny Pete 379 with a seven speaker stereo, all leather interior, mega-adjustable driver's seat, 63" stand-up sleeper, 13 speed transmission, 475 HP cat C15 under the hood, super singles on the drive wheels, and it only had 800 miles on it when they issued it to me. It had a little bit shorter nose than you usually think of on a 379, and some drivers call them 378's, but it was in fact a 379. It had the steering adjusted too so it would turn tighter. And I got it washed once a week whether I wanted to or not. That was a fun truck to drive, but it was no fun at all to load and tarp the wagon, and I'll bet most drivers can guess who owned it just by the description.

[tomcos67]

Tom, today I don't think I would wanna drive a truck today with all the crazy drivers and DOT that just want's money out of your wallet.There is a driver shortage now but the pay is low( what you are promised..and what you get) with terrible hours and I would steer anybody away from it unless you are young and wanna see the country and get paid for it and always being hounded by dispatchers and....you name them.A good life,a bad life and rewarding life....I have no regrets.

I'm still truckin'.
Next May I'll hit 1,000,000 miles in 9 1/2 years.

God Bless!!! Good Luck.......