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Decided to stay home until after New Year's. The boards aren't moving that well, so even if I got a load from here I would most likely sit for a couple of days waiting for the next load. It's much more comfortable here and I'm not burning diesel to stay warm.

Christmas was great and sad at the same time. First one without my father-in-law. Don't have any plans for New Year's and since we are supposed to get a couple of inches of snow on New Year's Eve, I'm glad we didn't make any.

Started getting the truck ready to roll yesterday afternoon, and the laundry is working it's way through right now.

I plan to get back on the board on the 2nd, but may not get a load right away. We'll see how it goes.

Happy New Year to all!!!!!

WI-IL-OH

Arrived in Plattesville, WI at 0100 Friday morning. Load wasn't ready so I backed up to the door and waited. Finally got loaded and left at 0210.

Trip took longer than it should have due to the dense fog. Visibility was only about 50 yards. The pavement was about the same color as the fog, so it made for an interesting drive. Took 61 through Dubuque and Davenport IA and then to 80 and finally 74 into Peoria. There was hardly anyone on 61 so it made for a lonely drive. Kept waiting for a deer or other critter to materialize out of the fog, but apparently they had the good sense to stay away thank goodness.

Dropped in Peoria at 0610 and headed for a truckstop in Bloomington, IL for some eats and sack. Dispatch woke me up at 1000 with a load from Chicago to Willard, OH. Pick up was 1300.

Arrived in Chicago at 1302. It was a cartage company and they had not found the skid I needed. Sat there for 2 and 1/2 hours before they found it. Left at 1540.

Drive to Willard was uneventful with the exception of all the holiday traffic. Dropped at 2155 and headed home from there. Arrived home at 0100 Saturday morning. Advised dispatch that I would be down for the holiday.

Haven't decided yet whether to go back in service Wednesday or wait until after New Year's. I'll watch the board and see what happens.

OH-OH-IL-WI-IL

Well, things picked up. Got a load yesterday morning from Dayton,OH to Toledo, OH. No sooner dropped that when dispatch called with another load from Wadsworth, OH to Loves Park, IL. I didn't have to be in Loves Park until 0930 this morning so I picked the load up at 1830 and drove to one of the travel plazas on the Ohio Turnpike, ate and slept until 0100. Left the plaza at 0200 and arrived in Loves Park at 0830 even after playing around with the Chicago traffic.

Went to a truckstop just south of the WI border to eat and sleep. Dispatch called with a load from Plattesville, WI that picks up at 0100 tomorrow going to CAT in Peoria, IL. Will leave here about 2300 to make the pick up.

Since things are winding down and I doubt that I will get a load out of Peoria, I'll most likely deadhead home for the holidays from there.

Sit, Sit, and Sit Somemore

Still no load. Only one van got a load today. My other truck was idle as well. Looks like the Christmas slows are upon us.

What we have to be careful about now is as we get closer to Christmas is not to take a load that is far from home like Texas or New England. It will be hard to get a load back, and what money is made will be cut by the deadhead home.

Not much else going on, just waiting. At least it warmed up around here so I don't have to run the inside heaters on the truck so the water won't freeze.

Sitting and waiting for a load is probably the worst part of expedite freight.

Electricity 101

No load today, but it wasn't dispatch's fault. The culprit was the outside Christmas lights.

Wife put them up Sunday, plugs them into the outlet in the garage. No problem, right? Wrong.

I was up this morning when she yelled that she heard a couple of "pops" and now her curling iron won't work. Went downstairs into the basement and sure enough the circuit breaker was tripped. Thing was I could have sworn I saw a wisp of smoke. Tried to reset the breaker. Bad move. Huge spark, LARGE wisp of smoke. Great, I thought, a wire fried somewhere. I go into the garage to get some tools and on my way back in I notice that the garage door opener buttons are dark. Sure enough, garage doors have no power, but the overhead light works. WTF. Went out to the truck, it's heaters aren't running either. Back to the breaker box. Yep, only one breaker tripped. Up to the bathroom. Pulled the GCI outlet and yep, power wire and wire nut completely melted, plug reset switch had fused. It's the original and the house is 30 years old, so I suppose it was due. I'm standing there trying to figure out what the upstairs bathroom has in common with the garage.

First, call dispatch and have them put me on an 8 hour break. Second, repair the damaged wiring and replace the GCI plug. Third, see what works. Everything back on. Breaker and GCI plug trip. Whomever wired this house is an idiot.

Believe it or not, this circuit has three outlets in the garage and the one outlet in the upstairs bathroom on it. I unplug everything and reset the outlet and breaker. Then plug everything back in one by one. Garage doors, fine. Truck heaters, fine. Christmas lights, POP

Soooo, solution is easy. Don't run the truck heaters while the Christmas lights are on as together they draw too many amps for the circuit. Go back out into the garage to put tools away. Overhead light is out. NOW WHAT!!!!!!!!

Blown bulb. BAH HUMBUG

OH-IL-OH

Started Thursday at #4 on the board. Things got crazy from then on. I got up at 0630 to clean up, get the truck ready, and eat an unhurried breakfast.

Nothing happened until 1545 when dispatch called with a load offer from Perrysburg, OH to Lexington, NC. It was a good load, but a 14 to 15 hour drive given it was almost 200 miles to the pickup and 561 miles to the drop or 761 total miles. I asked if there was a break built into the load and was told no that it was direct. That meant I would have be up for almost 24 hours straight. I refused the load since I couldn't do it safely. She hangs up in a huff. When I checked the board a few minutes later, I noticed I had been put on 8 hour refusal. Now it gets dicey.

Since Friday is trash day around here, I gathered up the trash and took it out to the curb. A neighbor from across the street came over and we talked for 20 minutes or so before I went back into the house. I checked the QC message log to see what they had sent concerning the load I refused and found that they had sent TWO other load offers. One was a transfer and was doable and the other didn't pay enough. However, both had additional messages saying refused for no contact within 10 minutes. They knew that I wasn't in the truck where the QC is and they knew the truck wasn't running since the QC registers the ignition being on. Contacting them would serve no purpose as the loads were gone and all the calls are recorded. If you blow up at them they have a record of it. Funny thing was that I was no longer on 8 hour refusal, and was #1 on the board.

I figured there was no reason to cry over spilled milk and went to get some rest. Dispatch called at 0000 with a load from Bucyrus, OH to CAT in Peoria, IL. Pick up was at 0300 direct delivery. Ran the load and dropped at CAT at 1315.

Went to a truckstop in Bloomington, IL and had just laid down when they called with a load offer from Decatur, IL to Evansville, IN. ready now, direct delivery. Told them that I needed a couple of hours sleep first and she said she would put me on a 10 hour break and hung up before I could say anything. I sent a QC message saying that I didn't want to be on a 10 break that 2 would do. No response. Since a 10 break would keep me from getting any loads out of Peoria until Monday, I decided to get some sleep first and then head home and avoid the snow storm that was due to hit the area. Arrived home at 0045 this morning and am #2 on the board. Should get a load Monday provided the dispatchers have recovered from their brain disease.

The moral of this story is simple. Dispatchers sole purpose is to get a load covered. They do not concern themselves with how much sleep or food you've had. It is you're responsibility to determine if you can run a load safely. The dispatcher will not ask you anything about that. If you put your truck in a ditch because you fell asleep at the wheel, the first thing they will say is that if you could not run the load safely, you should have refused it. Their sometimes crappy attitude towards you is one of those job benefits that you don't have to pay for.

WI-OH

Dispatch called yesterday at 0945 with a load from Milwaukee to Sunbury, OH. Didn't pick up until 1300, so I spent some time trip planning trying to find a good way around Chicago. Couldn't really find a way that didn't add too much mileage to the route. I wish now that I would have taken it hang the additional mileage.

Picture a 6 lane highway. That's I 94 going into IL. Just after you cross the IL line on 94 there is a toll booth. Three lanes are for I Zoom, the automated toll system and three lanes are for cash payment. Just after the toll booth, construction workers had closed all but one lane of 94. So, three lanes of I Zoom vehicles coming from the left and three lanes of vehicles that paid cash coming from the right are all trying to shrink into that one lane. It took over an hour to travel one mile. What are the cw's doing?? Drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, and waving at traffic. They are so lucky that someone didn't blow their heads off.

Finally delivered at Showa at 2130. All I had was a 9lb box of springs. When I got to Showa, I was looking around for the receiving dock because it wasn't marked. I hear this strange horn and look in my left mirror to see a fork lift chasing me. Turns out that they were looking for me since these little springs were HOT, HOT,HOT. I wasn't scheduled to be there until 2330, and this guy acted like it was Christmas and I was Santa bringing his toys. So, he signed for the box right there in the parking lot and took off on his fork lift. I still don't know where receiving is though.

Since Sunbury is only about 15 miles north of the house, I came home arriving about 2200. Wife has a bad cold, so I waved to her and got mobbed by the pups. Currently sitting #4 on the Columbus board.

OH-MI-WI

I was standing in the Tri-State building when dispatch called with a load offer at 1045. I didn't expect one so soon since I was #3 on the board. Turns out that the other two ahead of me didn't want the load due to the bad weather. Why are they doing this then????

Deadheaded from Millbury, OH to Belleville, MI to pick up at 1300. Load was 128 engine fuel lines going to Bombadier in Sturtevant, WI for their snowmobile engines. They didn't expect me to get there until 2300, but I dropped it at 1945. I didn't even have any trouble going through Chicago on I 94. Cold and snowy up here, but didn't have any major problems. 94 was closed near Battle Creek due to a tanker that overturned and the reroute slowed me down quite a bit. You just have to be careful and be aware of what goes on around you.

To TT: Not everyone uses the FAST program. You can get into Canada using a passport or birth certificate but it takes quite a bit longer. Since the FAST program has express lanes at the ports of entry and the info they need is encoded on the card you're issued, it speeds everything up. It's actually harder to get back into the US than it is to get into Canada. Glad you like the blog and let me know if you have any other questions.

OH-MI-OH

Dispatch called with a load offer from Sidney, OH to Taylor, MI. Not a huge paying load, but something is better than nothing. It was 1145 and #1 and #2 turned it down. Turns out it was a good decision since #2 is still sitting in Columbus.


P/U was at 1600 so I had gobs of time. Pulled into the shippers lot at 1545 just as they were opening the door and bringing the pallet out. Timing is everything. Had to hang around for 20 minutes waiting for faxed paperwork though.


Ran into some fog and drizzle south of Toledo on I 75 on my way north. The temp was hovering around freezing so everyone was backing it down in case the bridges froze. I should say that when I say "everyone" I mean all the trucks. The cars were doing their normal 70 and above oblivious to the danger. STUPID.


Ran out of the mess just south of the MI/OH line. Made the drop at 1915 and the consignee was opening his door just as I backed in. Timing is everything. Did I say that before???


Decided to run back down to Tri-State's yard in Millbury, OH rather than sit in Detroit since it's a slow board. Besides, I want to try and get a face to face with the people that have not answered my e-mails and phone messages regarding Canadian shipments. I've received provisional approval for my FAST card from the Canadian Customs people and I need to find out from T/S what port of entry they use the most so I can schedule an interview. As I understand it, the Canadian officials will talk to me, fingerprint me, and take my picture. All of this goes on a credit card type of deal that take the place of a passport or birth certificate. I will also be able to use the fast lanes to enter Canada and return to the US with this card.

Currently #3 on the Toledo board, so I hope I'll have time to talk to everyone I need to. More on that tomorrow.

Truck Ready, I'm Ready, Freight Ready????

Truck started normally Sunday and it was WET around here. Tugged on the repaired wiring harness and got no reaction from the engine. Sent a Mac 9 over the QC to put myself back in service. Currently #3 on the board.

If the articles I've read hold true, expedite freight will be soft for the rest of the month. Don't know how they decide on how freight will be, but we'll see how accurate they are.

Truck Fixed - Ready to Roll

Wasn't a fuel problem after all. The trouble code set in the computer was a loss of buss data. Translated that means that the various computer modules were not talking to the central computer. That's a basic description.

The central computer is located under the dash. The various modules, (ABS, Airbags, Instrument Cluster, et al) are located under the driver's seat. The computer, modules, and various sensors on the engine are connected by two wires called the PCI Buss. One wire is 2.5 Volt positive and the other wire is 2.5 Volt negative. The voltage pulses constantly. This is how the central computer "talks" to the modules. Each sensor is connected to its respective module by individual wires. The sensors function at a voltage rate of .5 volts. If there is a problem the voltage of a sensor will increase or decrease. This variance is picked up by the module which in turn increases or decreases the PCI buss voltage to the central computer and it will test the voltage of the sensors governed by that module. Whatever sensor does not have the proper voltage will be located and a code is set. The computer does not know what the problem is, only that the sensor voltage is outside of the voltage range indicated in the computers programming.

Since I had a total loss of communication, I knew that the problem was with the buss wires themselves, or at least it was the place to start. I also knew that I was most likely looking for a chafed wire where the insulation had been worn through by something.

First order of business was to locate the main wiring harness connectors on the engine. Schematics told me there were two. One attached to the cylinder head and the other behind the battery. Next, with the engine running you perform a very difficult procedure, you gently tug on the harness to see if there is a reaction.
When I tugged on the harness behind the battery, the engine died. BINGO.

Sure enough, the positive PCI buss wire insulation had been chafed through exposing the wire and it would touch the retaining clamp grounding it out. The clamp was missing its rubber lining that was supposed to protect the harness. A factory mistake. I disconnected the battery to prevent any voltage spikes during the repair, and disconnected the harness connector. I repaired the wire, retaped the harness, and lined the clamp with piece of rubber hose. Reconnected everything and started the engine. Tugged on the harness again and did not get any reaction as the engine continued to run normally. FIXED. I'm letting the truck sit overnight to see if there is any further reaction to water as it is raining here since it was water that collected on the bare metal of the clamp that grounded the positive wire that started all this in the first place.

Now, anyone reading this should know that I spent 25 years working on electrical systems of cars, trucks, buses and such, so as they say "don't try this at home". You could damage the central computer or one or all the modules. You don't even want to know what that could cost to repair.

Anyway, if the engine starts and runs without any problems today, I'll be satisfied that the problem is repaired and go back in service.

OH-MN Almost

Got all the laundry done, restocked the truck, and was ready to roll by the end of my 8 hour break at 2300 Wednesday night. Dispatch called at 0545 Thursday with a load offer from Bucyrus, OH to Detroit, MI. Turned that one down as it did not pay well enough. Went back to sleep and got up about 0700.

Dispatch called again at 1045 with a load offer from Sydney, OH to Faribault, MN which is south of Minneapolis. Paid over $700 to the truck. Jumped all over that load. Went out and started the truck to let it warm up while I made some coffee and got ready. Went out into the garage staging the items I load into the truck last like my laptop, duffel bags, and etc. Noticed that I didn't hear the truck running. Opened the garage door and sure enough it wasn't running. Tried to start it and it started and the check engine light came on and the computer shut it down. It wouldn't restart.

Did some quick diagnostics and confirmed that it was not getting fuel to the engine. Given that it was around 5 degrees the night before, I figured I had a icing problem or the fuel gelled. I went into the sleeper to see if the Buster would start. It started fine, so that eliminated the gel problem as well as any problem with the fuel pump. I had run out of time and had to notify dispatch that I had a breakdown, so they had to repower the load.

Went back out and turned on the pre-heater and let it run for 30 minutes to bring the coolant up to operating temp. You don't normally have to do this prior to starting the engine as it is equipped with glow plugs. After 30 minutes, the engine fired and remained running. Bear in mind that the sun was out and the temp had risen to about 25 degrees. With the engine now warm, whatever was frozen had thawed, but would most likely reoccur.

I suspect that there is water in the fuel filter. Just enough to freeze and restrict the fuel, but not enough to set the water in fuel sensor off. The engine computer will shut the engine down and set a hard code if it does not read the proper fuel pressure level in the data stream. So now, I get to make a trip over to the dealer today and have the fuel filter changed, and a diagnostic run to identify and eliminate any other problems.

This is frustrating but it's just part of trucking. Even though the truck has been properly maintained, you can't prevent picking up water in diesel fuel and it will stop you in your tracks like it did here. If there is a bright side, it happened in my driveway and not in the middle of nowhere and it doesn't need to be towed.

To Gary B: Thanks for your comment. Let's hear from all you other readers as well.

IN-OH-HOME

Dispatch called at 0800 with a load to Chillicothe, OH. Two Allison transmissions for Kenworth.

The snow that fell last night wasn't deep, but with all the traffic accidents on I465, it took me 45 minutes to get to the shipper. 23 miles.

Took another hour and a half to get to I70 as careless drivers continued to have a meeting of the minds on 465. 35 miles.

I70 was clear but icy in spots and full of big rigs that had gotten jammed up coming through Indy. The wind was blowing us all over, so it made for interesting passing. Left shipper at 0900, arrived Kenworth at 1430 ON TIME. Stopped only once for fuel, coffee, and restroom.

Left Kenworth at 1500 and told dispatch to put me on an 8 hour break since I was listed as #1 on the Columbus board. Allowed me time to stop here at home to do some laundry and restock the truck. Not to mention seeing the better half and the pups. I expect to get out early in the morning since Columbus seems to be busy right now. I actually hope that I don't get out until after the morning rush hour as it's dropped into the teens here and black ice will be a problem.

IL-IN

When I went to bed last night I was #5 on the Chicago board shown by the QC to be in Henpeck, IL. This morning when I got up and checked my postition, I was listed as #2 on the Rockford board. I looked outside to see if the truck has decided to go farther west when I wasn't looking. Nope, still at the truckstop I was at last night.

I queried dispatch over the QC what the deal was. Answer: You're on the Rockford board. I pointed out that I was told the location was on the Chicago board. Answer: You're on the Rockford board.

OK, moving on. I spent the next hour or so checking other boards and watching their activity. At 1000, I decided to move. I asked dispatch where I should go to see what they would say and if they would pay bonus mileage. Answer: Stay where you are for now. Sorry, I'm on my way to Indy.

Arrived in the Indy area at 1630 and was #3 on the board. I had no sooner finished dinner than I noticed that the #1 van had gotten a load. (He was parked next to me) So now, I'm #2

I checked the Rockford and Chicago boards and I wouldn't have moved in Rockford, and would have only moved two spots in Chicago. Add to that there is a snow advisory out for that area to the tune of 5 to 7 inches. I made the right decision to move.

My other truck was still #2 in St. Louis, but managed to get a good load to Temple, TX. His luck came back, but with the way mine runs I'll get a load to Rockford in the morning.

To Bruce: Thanks for the comments. Glad you like the blog. Don't know where you are, but if you look out your office window tomorrow morning and it's white, think twice about getting back into trucking. Think twice anyway. Even though I'm an Owner Operator, I'm still at the mercy of dispatchers and the quirks of slow freight periods.

If there are any other readers out there, make some comments and ask any questions you have about life over the road. I always give straight answers.

IL-IL

Left at 0600 to run the load into Peoria. No problems as the wind had died down quite a bit, just cold. Delivered on time and showed available at 0845. #5 on the Peoria board.

Ran over to a Pilot in Bloomington, IL so I could drop off my paperwork in the TriPak box to get the load on this week's check. Stopped on the way at a MickeyD's for a big breakfast. Laid down about 1000 for a few hours sleep.

Got up at 1330 and at 1400 I was still #5 on the board. Was just about to ask dispatch to bonus me somwhere when they called with a load offer. It was a crappy little load from the CAT plant in Peoria to Addison, IL., only 141 paid miles. Since they were offering it to me, I knew the 4 vans ahead of me had turned it down. I figured it was better than sitting there or deadheading somewhere else, so I took it. Made the pick up and delivery with no problems and showed available at 1945.

Made the same decision and ran over to a truckstop in Henpeck, IL to drop my paperwork off. I was pleased to see that it will be picked up at 1100 tomorrow, so it might make this week's check also.

Had dinner, and checked the boards. I am #5 on the Chicago board which is normally a decent spot but the #1 van has been here since Friday. I checked the surrounding boards and they are all in the same shape. Vans backing up for lack of freight. The 4 vans that were ahead of me in Peoria are still there so I guess I made the right decision by taking that load crappy or not. Oddly enough, the hottest board right now is Columbus. When I was home last week, it took until Thursday to get a load. Now, the #1 van has only been there a few hours. That's how my luck runs.

My other truck didn't get a load today, so it looks like we are entering the SLOW period. Will probably ask to be moved somewhere in the morning, or I'll move myself. I hate Chicago, and they are calling for 2 to 4 inches of that white stuff tomorrow night. Time to get out of Dodge and head south.

MO-IL

Left Hayti, MO at about 1000 this morning. GPS said it was a 4 hour drive at average speed, 302 total miles. It was 55 when I left, winds were calm, cloudy but dry. That didn't last.

Before I left, I went in to the truckstop to get some coffee in my new Official Pilot Travel Center Thermos. It holds 44 ounces of whatever liquid you prefer. I prefer COFFEE. I'm fond of their house blend. Anyway, I paid $7.99 for the thermos when I was out last and this is the first time I've used it. So, I fill it up to the brim with the juice of life and went to pay for it. The cashier looks at me and I said it's full of coffee. She says: "That will be $1.50". Now I've stopped at many a Pilot over the last year and I always bought the smallest cup. The price ranged from $1.09 to $1.39 for a 16 oz. cup. I asked her why so cheap and she said that it's part of Pilot's deal. Fill their thermos with their coffee and you get it at the one cup price. Merry Christmas to me.

Now back to the trip. Had no problems for 250 miles or so went through a few rain showers but no big deal. I took the outerbelt around St.Louis and swung north on I55. When I got onto 55 I noticed a HUGE black cloud in front of me. It wasn't but a few minutes and it began to pour, but only lasted for a few miles and slowed to a steady rain. I was thinking that boy I'm glad that didn't last when I noticed the semi in front of me suddenly lurch to the right. I was planning my move in case he had swerved to miss something when it hit me broadside. WIND. We're not talking a mild breeze, we're talking gale force. It moved me clear into the berm and I've got over a 1000 lbs. in the back. I was doing 68 MPH and had to slow down to around 60 to keep the truck on the road. I had the steering wheel turned to the left slightly to keep straight on the road. This lasted the rest of the way with the only respite being when I went through Springfield. Oh, the temp dropped from 53 to 35 in 20 minutes.

I made it to the truckstop in Williamsville around 1500 and the wind is rocking me back and forth as I write this. I have the Buster running and my space heater is on the floor keeping my feet warm. Hopefully, the storm will blow through without dropping any of that white stuff.

To Kimzoid: Thanks for your positive comments. I'm glad you like the blog and my tribute to Dad. He was actually my wife's father, but we got along like father and son as we were a lot alike. My father passed in 1986. I understand when you say that you miss trucking, but the wanderlust that drives me can be a hard mistress at times. Being away from family and friends this time of year is tough. That's one reason I started this blog. It helps pass the time in this 60" sleeper that will rock me to sleep tonight. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and keep commenting when you have the time.

MO

I decided to stay here in MO for tonight since I am only 360 miles from Peoria and I would have to stay for two nights there anyway.

Turns out that was a good decision as there was an ice storm north of here in IL right along I55 so I would have run right into it before I got to the truckstop. It was 60 and sunny here today. What a difference a few miles make.