Team rest

flattop40 · Apr 25, 2009

This thread is intended mostly for teams that are van or sprinters, but others can comment too.

When running as a team on a long run what is better? To switch drivers often or for longer periods of time? We are talking about runs that don't have ample time either, Runs that are hot and you have to say drive for 20+ hours straight.

I guess my question is is it better to switch every 3-5 hours or 7-10? or do you just play it by ear? Every run different?

highway star · Apr 25, 2009

I'm not a team, but since no one's jumped in I'll give you my $.02. I think it would vary. How rested is the team at the start of the load? How does that particular team like to run? Did the load pick up in the AM or late PM? Lots of variables.

teamjdw · Apr 25, 2009

If your required to run a log book,you have a 14 hour window to drive 11 hours per driver.Team drivers can run 22hrs .

flattop40 · Apr 25, 2009

teamjdw said:
If your required to run a log book,you have a 14 hour window to drive 11 hours per driver.Team drivers can run 22hrs .

Thats why I started out by saying this is mostly for van and sprinter teams. In other words...... no log book requirements.

I try to spell things out yet some just don't get it.

teamjdw · Apr 25, 2009

but others can coment 2? guess not!

flattop40 · Apr 25, 2009

teamjdw said:
but others can coment 2? guess not!

By stating the obvious? And does not pertain to the question? sure thats how most of these threads turn out anyway. Lets talk about how well the wings are doing or what about the nfl draft? yeah thats it.

Humble2drive · Apr 25, 2009

I believe this is a question about safety.

If driver one feels that fatigue is affecting the safe performance of their driving abilities and driver two feels refreshed and ready to drive. Switch, regardless of hours.

Keeping the most alert and safe driver behind the wheel at all times is the most important consideration for us, eventhough, the DOT HOS rules are often contrary to that goal.

OntarioVanMan · Apr 25, 2009

wife and I do about 2-3 hours depending on a lot of different scenerios....

teamjdw · Apr 25, 2009

LOL,if your not required to run a log book what does it matter how you run a load.You can driver as long as you want,but why would you take a load you couldn't make on time?

Turtle · Apr 25, 2009

teamjdw said:
LOL,if your not required to run a log book what does it matter how you run a load.

You're missing the point of the question. It was to find out how others do it, so he could compare how others do it to how he's currently doing it. If he's currently switching out every 4 hours, and he finds that almost everyone else is switching after 8 hours, it might make him rethink how he's doing things. Then again, it might not. He knows HOS is not an issue, but he's curious how others do it, regardless.

You can driver as long as you want,but why would you take a load you couldn't make on time?

For the same reason dispatch offered you a load that they knew could not be delivered on time.

highway star · Apr 25, 2009

teamjdw said:
If your required to run a log book,you have a 14 hour window to drive 11 hours per driver.Team drivers can run 22hrs .

The 14 hour rule is irrelevant in a team operation. Driver 1 is behind wheel for 10 while driver 2 is in the bunk. They switch and keep going.

teamjdw · Apr 25, 2009

We run 12 hour shifts .What falls on your shift is that drivers responsibilty.Saftey first.you must stay on your 12 hour schedule to stay rested.I didn't miss the point,just confussed as to why a team can't run as a team.I guess it's the HOS thing.Sorry used to runin t/t and straight trucks.Didn't mean to get him upset.Are you new to running as a team?Driver 1 run's 6am to 6pm, driver 2 run's 6pm to 6am.H/W team you can adjust your time's to fit yor need's,but 12 on 12 off work's for us.

nightcreacher · Apr 25, 2009

let me say this,and im a tractor team.back in the day when we could split the bunk 5 on 5 off,we use to use it as stay awake 5 hrs then split the next 5 hours.I once had a co driver ask,(we were doing some short loads) when he got to drive,my answer was when i was tired,his was,oh im a relief driver,and doing short loads that would be right.
Its up to each person,when there are 2 of you,why run yourself into the ground when you can split the time with a partner

flattop40 · Apr 25, 2009

Not running as a team yet but getting very close and this was one of the questions I was curious about. I am sure there will be many different situations that will effect how long someone drives but was looking for a general rule or guide.

To me the DOT regs would be too long. If for instance you have been sitting all day and get a run at 5pm and both have been up for hours it would not be fair to have one drive for 10 hours straight.

wellarmed · Apr 25, 2009

flattop40 said:
Not running as a team yet but getting very close and this was one of the questions I was curious about. I am sure there will be many different situations that will effect how long someone drives but was looking for a general rule or guide.

To me the DOT regs would be too long. If for instance you have been sitting all day and get a run at 5pm and both have been up for hours it would not be fair to have one drive for 10 hours straight.

Just my 2cents,everyone does it different,my wife does what we call the daylight shift from 12 to 12 and yes you guessed it I do the night shift from 12 to 12. If we get a late day load as you mentioned she might drive until 1 or 2am to allow me to get some sleep before I drive. Most of the time when we are sitting I will stay up untill the wee hours of the morning and just sleep 4 or five hours so if the late day load happens I'm tired enough to get some good sleep. The way freight has been lately it's hard to stay in the swing. the most important thing is safty,make sure who ever you team with knows there limit and not afraid to admit they have reached it. You need to respect there limit as they need to respect yours. In other words never joke about what amount of time your partener can or can't drive because that would start the "I'll show him" and you might wake up in the ditch. If you are going to team with a stranger you need to take the night shift until your sure this person is willing to admit there limit and not want to be the tuff guy or gal. It's good if you have someone you can call if you do get tired,you would be surprised how a conversation will wake you up,so keep tabs on other drivers so you know who is going to be driving thru the night and both of you will appreciate the wake up call.....Not bad for 2cents in these days and times.

LDB · Apr 25, 2009

Well, I don't run team and haven't since the joke of "trainer truck" in the OTR segment. That was during the time when split logs were 2 hours minimum so we did 5/5 shifts. I knew a 10-12 hour shift was too long to be safe if another option was available. That said, now the option is to either have 12 hour shifts or run "creatively" for logbook purposes. Yes, I know, your question was van/Sprinter and I'm getting to that. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk places. If you can find a dollar somewhere then combined with my opinion here it will be worth coffee.

I believe it is imperative to manage basically 24/7/365 for team operation if that is what you run. By that I mean setting up a schedule and sticking to it. Sleep time has to be structured and adhered to whether running or sitting between runs. You can't afford to be up all day and then get a great run that keeps you up all night running "your shift". Each partner has to respect the other's sleep time and need for quiet. The one who's "off duty" has to acknowledge their upcoming shift and be rested well enough to carry their load.

You can't drive most of the night and then spend the following day all day at the Pro (insert sport here) Hall of Fame Museum or whatever and then expect to accept a late offer that requires you to drive your shift that night. You can't expect your partner who maybe did get to sleep all night the night before while you drove to swap and drive since they've only been awake 12 hours to your 24. I don't know if that's any help but those are my mental ramblings on the question.

nightcreacher · Apr 25, 2009

Great answer Leo

iceroadtrucker · Apr 26, 2009

LDB said:
Well, I don't run team and haven't since the joke of "trainer truck" in the OTR segment. That was during the time when split logs were 2 hours minimum so we did 5/5 shifts. I knew a 10-12 hour shift was too long to be safe if another option was available. That said, now the option is to either have 12 hour shifts or run "creatively" for logbook purposes. Yes, I know, your question was van/Sprinter and I'm getting to that. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk places. If you can find a dollar somewhere then combined with my opinion here it will be worth coffee.

I believe it is imperative to manage basically 24/7/365 for team operation if that is what you run. By that I mean setting up a schedule and sticking to it. Sleep time has to be structured and adhered to whether running or sitting between runs. You can't afford to be up all day and then get a great run that keeps you up all night running "your shift". Each partner has to respect the other's sleep time and need for quiet. The one who's "off duty" has to acknowledge their upcoming shift and be rested well enough to carry their load.

You can't drive most of the night and then spend the following day all day at the Pro (insert sport here) Hall of Fame Museum or whatever and then expect to accept a late offer that requires you to drive your shift that night. You can't expect your partner who maybe did get to sleep all night the night before while you drove to swap and drive since they've only been awake 12 hours to your 24. I don't know if that's any help but those are my mental ramblings on the question.

In an ideal world that is outstanding, But when reality hits and you wake up hey you were dreaming.

FIS53 · Apr 26, 2009

I don't run team all that often (especially lately) but in the van my normal team ops is I take the first shift. What I like to do is run for 7-8 hrs to the first fuel stop. Stop, fuel, eat, hit the john, switch drivers until the next fuel stop. I try to plan those every 7-8 hrs regardless of tank level. This has worked rather well for the most part but we have had sometimes where someone gets tired earlier in their shift (usually 4 hrs in) and we'll swap duties. Happened to me running to Edmonton, started falling asleep behind the wheel. Co-driver took over for 4 hrs so I could rest more. Worked out great. So for us it's 7-8 hrs running, swap at the stop and if someone feels tired swap earlier.
Rob

BEARTRUCKER · Apr 26, 2009

I'll add my 2 cents worth...
We are a ST team.
I'm the "day" driver, he's the "night driver". Its 09:47 Eastern. He's in the bunk, I'm off duty. We showered this Am, I had my cherios and vitamins and made a pot of coffee. I'm sitting here playin on the 'puter.
Lets ay we get a run NOW and take it. I trip plan, do the paperwork, don my purlple cape, hat and ID badge. Select my Cd's. And off I got.
I drive till dusk or about 7, and then we switch drivers. At the switch, He makes a pot of coffe, gets his music out, we discusss whatever, he looks at the routing and off he goes and into the bunk.
He stops when he is trashed or hen his 10 hours are up.
Yes, we have driven 10 1/2 hrs each at a time. And yes there are days when he doesn't drive much and I do alot of it.
But the main thing is that we are ready to go at any time.