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  1. davekc

    I could have woke up dead!

    Good thing you woke up. Great little device to have. Davekc
  2. davekc

    Engine preference??

    Any truck with 476,000 miles whether class 8 or not is going to need large reserves for repair and replacement. It is probably just about out of warranty at that milage. They may be giving that milage because it has a generator and limited milage? To know for sure, have it hooked up to a...
  3. davekc

    lease purchase program

    I tend to be a bit skeptical on this issue. There are many ways to purchase a truck prior to leasing. Terminology by some refer to it as "fleecing" If the deal is as good as some would have you believe, I would think they would be buying the trucks themselves and hiring drivers. As mentioned...
  4. davekc

    Real life reasons to be careful

    Your situation is not unique for someone with two trucks. I always have figured for every three trucks, one is unproductive. It could be for repairs, drivers time at home, or no drivers. If all three are running, bank every dime you can from that third truck. There will be a day when it rains...
  5. davekc

    Engine preference??

    If they are high milage I agree. Go with the cummins. If they are low milage, I don't think it matters too much. As mentioned, oil samples don't mean alot unless you have several, and know what milage a certain report represents. Davekc
  6. davekc

    *** Class 8's - Fuel Economy ***

    Weave I like the new Petes. I read somewhere during the mid year you will be able to go to some larger engine sizes. I know they will take a cat 330 but not sure on how much larger. You are correct, as an individual can look at these comparisons much differently than a fleet owner. Davekc
  7. davekc

    Good Team Truck?

    As you made aware, a 10 speed auto shift is a much easier sell. You are correct in saying that the clutch is used when starting and at a dead stop. As far as a tag or pusher axle, I think it would depend on the carrier and whether they consistantly have a use for it. If you are not sure, I...
  8. davekc

    Average % of empty miles in a week/month

    Only 2/3 of the puzzle is complete. I wouldn't know if either run is worth anything. The other 1/3 is the milage calculation in which you have to travel to the next potential load. There is considerable difference from a load going to Utah verses a load going to Michigan. Davekc
  9. davekc

    *** Class 8's - Fuel Economy ***

    You add up all the factors, and the class 8 >platform almost always comes out ahead during the period of >ownership. I am not quite on the same page with this. There were figures presented several months ago that had indicated the numbers between the two were very simular. The class 8 wins...
  10. davekc

    Good Team Truck?

    Another issue to consider is the 10 speed. Newer drivers will not have the experience to drive it without tearing it up. I learned the hard way many years ago on that. If you want a 10 speed, go auto shift or ultra shift. While not the case every time, larger sleeper trucks generally are easier...
  11. davekc

    Average % of empty miles in a week/month

    Industry average is roughly 30 percent. They are including solos and teams. Davekc
  12. davekc

    What is the standard practice?

    While I have made numerous references to how this is done with Panther it is pretty basic. They have their own backhaul dept that does nothing but these types of loads. They put you in contact with the brokers and you talk to them directly. You would negotiate your rate and anything else. It is...
  13. davekc

    xx freight

    Doesn't ring a bell, but it could be a fleet owner running under that name and has trucks leased to Panther? Davekc
  14. davekc

    BEGGARS

    I agree that it is mostly gut feeling. There are so many resources available to these folks if their plight is legit. There are county facilities,churches and the salvation army. Then again, there is McDonalds....free food and a little income, which is what they are seeking in the first place...
  15. davekc

    What is the standard practice?

    It is much more to your advantage to deal with someone like Panther in this regard. You can use brokers to get yourself out of slow or dead areas, thus eliminating large deadhead. In this scenerio, you are hauling under their authority ect. They collect 15% of the gross, which is well worth it...
  16. davekc

    Did anyone actually help Gypsy1 who is sinking fas

    RE: Did anyone actually help Gypsy1 who is sinking If there are no other factors involved and one is running only a handful of runs through the month, they need to move elsewhere. Even in the first quarter of the new year, a few runs offered is crazy. I certainly would be seeking some...
  17. davekc

    What is a good acceptance rate?

    I would be more concerned as to whether I was running profitably rather than any specific rate. You could be at 100 percent, but are you making any money? A contest is very profitable for the carrier, but it only has a value to the driver if he/she wins. Businessman first, driver second. Davekc
  18. davekc

    Generators * Cost / Installation

    Sounds like a glow plug or grounding issue. If real slow just in cold climates, switch to a synthetic oil. Read manual to ensure the break in period has been passed. You want to make sure the oil seals have seated prior to synthetic use. If it is doing it all the time, put a amp meter on it to...
  19. davekc

    Respect ~ Driver Turnover

    I would agree that an advanced copy of a contract is fine. That way both parties know what they are entering into. In addition, some items may be negotiable, and some may not. Davekc
  20. davekc

    Sinking Fast-Need Advice Desperately! Glen Rice, T

    RE: Sinking Fast-Need Advice Desperately! Glen Ric Seems to be a reoccuring theme lately with Express 1. Not sure why? Davekc
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