Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The seeing the country part is part of the sell. I had a long talk with a driver this summer and he said yeah you see things out your truck windows, but it’s not like you’re stopping to enjoy. This guy was in his 50’s and got out because his new truck had no APU and opti-idle. There’s nothing like sweating or freezing while the engine cycles on and off once an hour. The new truck is also part of the sell. The average age of class 8 trucks is 91 months Trucking might be the only profession where everyone wants a pound of flesh out of the driver.
Average age is 91 months? Don't know where you heard that bolony. The only old trucks on the road i see are O/O rigs. All the major fleets don't hold onto anything more then 4 years old. As far as not having time to enjoy the scenery but out of your window? That is part of the enjoyment just driving through the mountains etc. Also you can take your 34 reset and enjoy the area you are in. Then your days off you can request loads to go out to a certain state and take your days off there. Dispatch will find a load heading that way.
For heat the trucks have bunk heaters. The summer gets iffy but you can idle most trucks in most states.
Average age is 91 months? Don't know where you heard that bolony. The only old trucks on the road i see are O/O rigs. All the major fleets don't hold onto anything more then 4 years old. As far as not having time to enjoy the scenery but out of your window? That is part of the enjoyment just driving through the mountains etc. Also you can take your 34 reset and enjoy the area you are in. Then your days off you can request loads to go out to a certain state and take your days off there. Dispatch will find a load heading that way.
For heat the trucks have bunk heaters. The summer gets iffy but you can idle most trucks in most states.
Stop listening to what recruiters are telling you. If you’re lucky they’ll throw a clean mattress in the bunk and stick you in a truck that don’t smell like an un-wiped butt. There are a lot of shiny old trucks still in service.
Pre emissions trucks are more reliable, still tenable and all around better deal. Sure, fleets of large carriers change out every 48 months. They are resold to smaller companies or O/Os. Many companies rather not mess with newer trucks.
Once DEF is perfected then you'll see newer trucks. It is common to see trucks with 1 million miles with life left or 2 million miles still working. Trucks are expensive.
Stop listening to what recruiters are telling you. If you’re lucky they’ll throw a clean mattress in the bunk and stick you in a truck that don’t smell like an un-wiped butt. There are a lot of shiny old trucks still in service.
Never called a recruiter yet I see if for myself. I live in an area near a major interstate that has thousands of trucks drive through. I see the logos on the trucks and they are newer to new trucks. The old trucks like the long nose peterbilts i see are older and owner operators.
Sure the smaller local companies will have older trucks but it's not common for the large companies to have trucks over 4 years old.
Pre emissions trucks are more reliable, still tenable and all around better deal. Sure, fleets of large carriers change out every 48 months. They are resold to smaller companies or O/Os. Many companies rather not mess with newer trucks.
Once DEF is perfected then you'll see newer trucks. It is common to see trucks with 1 million miles with life left or 2 million miles still working. Trucks are expensive.
Yes older trucks are more reliable but not as fuel efficient as the new trucks. When you have thousands of trucks going all over the country fuel is more of a concern over longevity. A fleet of trucks getting just 1 gallon better mpg will save the company a fortune. Plus the newer trucks and trailers with the trailer side fairings and tractors with better aerodynamics are another way to save on fuel that the older trucks and trailers don't have.
Yes older trucks are more reliable but not as fuel efficient as the new trucks. When you have thousands of trucks going all over the country fuel is more of a concern over longevity. A fleet of trucks getting just 1 gallon better mpg will save the company a fortune. Plus the newer trucks and trailers with the trailer side fairings and tractors with better aerodynamics are another way to save on fuel that the older trucks and trailers don't have.
Actually, the older trucks are more fuel effiencent than the post 2010 trucks.
It takes fuel to run the regen and also DEF tends to tank enconomy.
A tale of two trucks belonging to a company that pulls bull racks. The 07 Pete with c15 cat was running 6 to 8 MPG and doing it reliably. They also ran a Pete with regen it was a 10 or 11.
Economy on the newer truck was 4 to 5 MPG. The newer truck at the time had been in the shop for repairs about 5 or 6 times at the owners expense. A truck that breaks down isn't making any money, is costing money in repairs and tow bills.
Most of the trucks being towed on wreckers are 2012 and newer. Usually for DEF, regen or something that would have previously been an issue.
It is "professional" in the sense a "professional" pet crap scooper is a professional, i.e. most people can do it, but only some do it for living.
Getting lost/making wrong turn is by far the most stressful situation a new (and old) truck driver can face. Many drivers make "stupid" decisions when lost, perhaps not this stupid, but newetherless stupid, just look at the parking lots in your town bearing the damage.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
