A Question for Van Drivers?

[jjoerger]

I'm probably gonna get slammed for asking this, but I am asking because I feel naive and want to learn more about the vanner lifestyle as I am considering the pros and cons of adding on a van to my fleet of one S/T.
I have the utmost respect for all pro drivers and realize that we all have to run the same roads and put up with the same conditions and hazards and reckless drivers out here.
So my question is:
How do you do 1000 plus mile solo runs safely?
My S/T has an auto shift transmission, air ride seat, air ride suspension and most of the comforts of home. 658 miles in 11 hours is my record and I was totally beat.
I have a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 pick up at home that is fully loaded and comfortable. I had to drive it 480 miles a few weeks ago and when I was done I felt worse than 11 hours in the S/T.
So what's the trick? How do you stay alert and safe on a run of that many miles?
Where do you get a few hours of shut eye if your cargo area is full?
How often do you take a break to stay alert?
Is there a secret energy drink to help keep you going?
Again this is not meant to cause any bad feelings. I would just like to know how you do it, because I can't.

 

[greg334]

How?

You don't.

Any reasonable fleet owner would not allow straight runs more than 750 miles (14 hours of drive time) because one simple thing - everyone is different and you have no control over what they do.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Assuming for easy calculation of 50 mph...1,000 miles = 20hrs

again assuming one leaves the shipper on time and is close to the interstate...and at 65 mph...you gain 1 hour for every 4 hours driven....better yet if you do 70 mph you pick up 1 hour every 3 driven....in 9 hours straight you pick up 3 extra hours...you can see the math...and some good planning...fuel stop and personal time in combination to conserve time...it all works out...

I personally have no problem catching a couple hours in the drivers seat..one should be able to get about 2hrs nap every 6 hrs or so...

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Greg sorry buddy but I have to say it..you are a whimp...

I guess you've never worked double shifts at a factory either?

 

[jjoerger]

Thanks Greg and OVM. I knew you 2 would answer as you are both members of the 10k club. And not suprisingly I got answers as far apart as possible.
I would like to hear some other peoples tips and secrets.
My wife got in 707 miles in 11 hours. Her secret was listening to womens talk shows on the Sirius network. Hey, it works for her.
Just glad I can turn off the speakers in the sleeper.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Thanks Greg and OVM. I knew you 2 would answer as you are both members of the 10k club. And not suprisingly I got answers as far apart as possible.
I would like to hear some other peoples tips and secrets.
My wife got in 707 miles in 11 hours. Her secret was listening to womens talk shows on the Sirius network. Hey, it works for her.
Just glad I can turn off the peakers in the sleeper.

Thanks, I tried but Greg's pendulum always swings in the other direction...

 

[CharlesD]

My rule is 24 hours for every 1000 miles. Going 65 mph and keeping the fuel stops and potty stops to a minimum I can usually manage 5 or 6 hours of sleep.

 

[gsmacker]

I tend to stay away from "secret" energy drinks and stick to the old faithful bottle ol water. I listen to the radio while drivin or sleepin. Comedy gets me laughin and seems to make me more awake. I listens to old country or classical while sleepin. As far as sleep space I have a permanent bunk so freight never gets in the way. I routinely did 650 miles in a straight truck. Best milage was like 670 something. I think it all has to do with conditions. I've done 300 mile loads in 45mph drivin conditions that kicked my butt and have done 1900 mile loads that were easy due to nice clean roads. The rest is just pacing yourself, as OVM pointed out. You take your breaks as needed when needed. I don't know where greg gets off sayin that any reasonable owner wouldn't do over 750 miles in a 14hr window. Heck you can do 800 miles in that time frame with a 2hr "break" in there. That's with ideal driving conditions of course. Then again I grew up on a farm and 14-16hr work days was nuttin new. LOL go try and tell an old farmer that its not feasable or smart to work past an "8hr day". They'll tell ya when its gotta get done its gonna get done. That's after they tell ya where to go.......

 

[Turtle]

I have an Oregon Aero Softseat, which is a memory foam seat cushion that was designed, and still primarily used, for pilots. It enables me to drive long distances without getting stiff or fatigued. The stock Sprinter seat can be just brutal on long hauls. I generally take a few minutes for a break whenever I find I need to shift my sitting position, since that's the first indicator of fatigue (depending on your seat comfort, of course). If you find you need to shift your sitting position frequently, you need another seat, because the one you have is wearing you out prematurely and making you more tired and fatigued sooner that should happen. I find that whenever I need to shift my position, it's also just about the time I need fuel, anyway, which works out to be somewhere in the 7-9 hour range.

I have a permanent bunk that allows me to sleep while loaded, whether that's over a weekend or a nap while running. I listen to XM radio, sometimes the CB. Talking on the cell phone to other drivers who are also loaded and running can help a great deal in keeping alert and awake.

A lot of you handle a 1000 mile load (or even if you accept it) is your current state of rest, and whether the load provides you with the ability to get the necessary rest along the way. If it's 1000 mile straight through with no breaks other than fuel, that's not a smart load to take, regardless of how much is pays. But one in which you can make up several hours along the way to use for rest periods is very easily doable.

It also depends on the routing and time of day you'll be hitting certain locations, as the differing levels of stress encountered while driving can have a big impact in alertness. For example, a 1000 mile run from Chicago to Georgia can be a piece of cake if it's picking up in Chicago on Friday afternoon for Saturday afternoon delivery, but it's a whole 'nuther type of run when it picks up Monday afternoon for Tuesday afternoon delivery. The number of vehicles on the road adds to stress, as does passing through different cities at rush hour versus passing through them in the middle of the night. A run that takes you through Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Louisville and Nashville can wear you out by the time you get through Nashville if you're driving through all those during the day, but the same run at night or even on a weekend can be easy.

A 1000 mile run down the eat coast is a lot more stressful than one that goes across Texas. It all depends on the run.

I don't to energy drinks, since the only sure for sleepy is sleep. Eating something, regardless of what it is, can keep you awake. But like energy drinks, once that stops you tend to crash and be even more tired than if you did nothing. As for when to take a break to stay alert, some people take a 15-20 minute break every 4 hours, but that doesn't always work out.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Like Turtle said...everything depends on everything..the right set of circumstances..every load is different and so is the driver,
Common sense and responsibility...

you can not legislate and regulate stupid....

 

[LDB]

There have been many many studies of workers in numerous fields that conclude working 12 hour shifts are less productive than working 8 hour shifts. Some believe van drivers are immune to fatigue, unlike anyone else in any other profession. One could drive 3000 miles cross country if enough time for adequate breaks was built in. The question is, what are adequate breaks? The Super Vanners will tell you a 20 minute power nap for every 1000 miles driven is plenty. That's probably not enough if you are a normal vanner and not a Super Vanner though.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

There have been many many studies of workers in numerous fields that conclude working 12 hour shifts are less productive than working 8 hour shifts. Some believe van drivers are immune to fatigue, unlike anyone else in any other profession. One could drive 3000 miles cross country if enough time for adequate breaks was built in. The question is, what are adequate breaks? The Super Vanners will tell you a 20 minute power nap for every 1000 miles driven is plenty. That's probably not enough if you are a normal vanner and not a Super Vanner though.

Good question ..and you'll get a 1000 different answers...what is an adequate break? For you or me? Turtle? Or we going to leave that up to some study?

How bout RV'ers? Huge weights there...

for every 200 vanners there might be 1 super vanner..so lets regulate the other 199?

I am not a super vanner by any stretch, I know my limitations on ANY GIVEN day...some days are better then others....

 

[gsmacker]

LMAO when I heard the term "super vanner" I had this pic in my head of some dude ontop his sprinter. He's all decked out with cape, mask and "unique shorts". The funny thing he was singing "here I come to save the day". I'm not right am I?

 

[OntarioVanMan]

LMAO when I heard the term "super vanner" I had this pic in my head of some dude ontop his sprinter. He's all decked out with cape, mask and "unique shorts". The funny thing he was singing "here I come to save the day". I'm not right am I?

That is funny there..*lol*

you must be thinking of our buddy Rlent!

 

[Steady Eddie]

LMAO when I heard the term "super vanner" I had this pic in my head of some dude ontop his sprinter. He's all decked out with cape, mask and "unique shorts". The funny thing he was singing "here I come to save the day". I'm not right am I?

You were almost correct....OVM failed to let you in on his, huh.....what really keeps him going......I mean, he is always complain'in about "Drivers Butt"

 

[OntarioVanMan]

You were almost correct....OVM failed to let you in on his, huh.....what really keeps him going......I mean, he is always complaing about "Drivers Butt"

Yup..That I do too....

 

[Steady Eddie]

Yup..That I do too....

Ok I guess you didn't see the pic.....

 

[skyraider]

Dont forget the MONKEY BUTT POWDER FOR CHAFFING AND ITCHING, LOL,,,ITS AT WALLY WORLD, OMY.

 

[guido4475]

Everybody is different, especially in how they manage time on a load and stay awake.Some can only do 500 a day, others can do 3 times that much.It all depends on the person and their body,and mindset.And how a person manges his time while waiting for a load, also plays an important part in this. I usually will grab a nap after 12 noon if not loaded,in case an all-nighter comes up.And staying clean and fresh is another thing, you feel better and more energized when clean and smelling good.Plus, if you get pulled in for a DOT the funnybook is alot easier to believe if the driver standing before the dot man is clean and freshly shaven, instead of ripe and wrinkly.Sometimes I will take a shower 1/2 way through a run, and that will wake me up, kinda like turning on a switch of energy.My dad was from the old school of trucking, while never doing drugs or having a ticket or accident in over 44 years of on the road,he mainly operated on 4 hours of sleep a day.Keeping the left door shut is the key to making time, and good time at that. Some drivers need to stop every 2 hours, which will put you behind in a heartbeat. once you train youre body to do that,it all seems normal.Just think how many people are working 2 full-time jobs out there, or double shifts, such as doctors.And LDB is worried about a van driver? I'd be much more worried about someone actually operating on someone and their level of sharpness than a van driver..LDB, you honestly need to get a life, buddy.LOL.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

The 2 main proponents of van regulation:

One is an EX van driver now straight, guess he didn't like the freedom and needed to be regulated...some poor people need more guidance then others ya know eh?

The other is an EX straight who has been so regulated by both DOT and carrier..seems to be having problems being free from his HOS bondage....