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I do have to add a caveat to my previous post. I have driven several nose-mount reefers that required 2-3 start cycles to get the reefer running, because the unit had to draw fuel up from the tanks. That could certainly add wear/hours to the starter motor on stop/start mode. A check valve...

Yuppers. We just got knocked out of Cali runs because our truck and reefer do not meet the emission standards that just kicked in Jan 1, 2013. Any one else out there being affected? How is it changing your strategy, if at all? We depended on at least 1 Cali load every other week. Helped...

Most times I send in another load opp reply on the C-Link. That has always done the trick for me. Seems takes a while for the first response, not the second.

Yup. Been that way for a long time. I still use the stop/start mode. But, I use it for box conditioning about 3 hours before pickup, depending on outside temps and box set point. This saves fuel, keeps me from getting the "box out of temp" messages on the C-Link, and does not wear out the...

After reading all the responses to this thread, I really have to wonder. Does anyone really believe you can get something for nothing? Turtle, your answers are spot-on. I appreciate your technical accuracy. Prior to this career, I was a mechanical engineer, specializing in plant/facility...

Phil, the site went nuts when I was trying to respond a few minutes ago. Guess it overloaded when we were both posting. Yes, I would be up for it. No names mentioned, etc., and write objectively. For info purposes only, so to speak. As it turns out, I have archived all the owner...

And yes, if the prospective owner does not have phone numbers readily available of drivers for you to talk to, STAY AWAY! They are hiding things. The owners should offset your costs to go see, or pick up the truck--if they are honest, they will have no problems sharing the risk. Get copies of...

Sorry to say it, but I have had discussions with many dishonest fleet owners. Red flags go up somewhere during the early discussions. I have driven for 5 owners.......1 was honest. Most owners are worse than used car salesmen--they will say anything to get a driver(s) into that truck, and...

Yup. Had to deliver a load to a company where all access roads to them had signs posted "No trucks over 5 tons". We used both lift gates to drop the load on the pavement next to the sign. As if that weren't bad enough, on the next load a sign was posted that read "speed limit enforced by...

Seriously, Robin Gibb is in a coma. Now, those guys were talented. First, lost Andy Gibb. Then Maurice. Looks like Robin may go. Only BG left will be Barry. Truly sad.

The best place for good A/C repair that I have found is in my own toolbox. First, check the charge of 134a using a Wal-Mart kit/guage. If charged and won't cool, you have control problems. If it the charge is low, buy some cans of 134a and charge. If it cools and no strange noises from the...

More to this you don't say than what you do. Your qualifications and flags have a great deal to do with your worth to FedEx. The B vehicles are VERY easy to compete with by other companies. Not so much with the larger vehicles, as the FedEx brand is very well protected. Go where the money is.

Besides weight on axles, your box length is a limiting factor. D trucks are required to have 22' boxes. C trucks are assumed to have 12' boxes. I drive a C unit now, so I have run into this limit, even though my box is a 22' full-size. Dispatch screens show all C units as 12'-box units.

I don't use the GPS app on the new C-Link. It is not altogether accurate, the screen is small, the buttons are even smaller, and I have to take my eyes off the road If I need to look at it. Also, the Gps lacks many features, such as speed, Points of Interest, weigh stations, state border...

I want FedEx to send me a copy of the policy I am paying for/into. Then I can see for myself what the coverages are, what the exclusions are, etc. Now, don't you think that should be seen as a reasonable and prudent demand??? ......By EVERY independent contractor??? Stay tuned...

Well, I would like to see a "This Happened To Me" type of post, where one omits specific names, just to relate facts of the offense. There are so many pitfalls in this business. For example, my wife and I rented a car one-way, 700 miles, to pick up the truck from the owner. We were at a...

I don't know what you mean by "have more energy on". I should write down the names and initials of all the dispatchers, but I haven't as yet. There are Debbies and Debras. Hopefully Debbie has been one of the helpful ones my wife and I have talked to. She must have been good-20 years is a...

Hello, Jack! Me and my wife met you and Gracie in Barstow at the "J" a few months back. The latest update to the TND 500 allows you to use the touch screen to tell you miles from your truck GPS position to where ever you touch on the screen. Yes, it tells you miles to the next "segment"...

I have been using the TND 500 now for 45,000 miles. While I would not trade it for another brand, I have some real issues now. The unit has a tendancy to pick US Routes, or state roads (as "quickest routes") over interstates. This is frustrating, and means you have to really check the...

Mark, Thanks for all your help here. It is very much appreciated! My wife and I just completed a 2000 mile trip in our car up to Port Huron, MI, to get our FAST cards for Canada. Because we had been looking for a new truck owner, we decided that we would take the TND along and try to...