Since we began truck driving we've noticed that there are quite a number of questions everybody asks us about trucking. It is an occupation that is the backbone of our consumptive culture, but we know very little about it. How often do you see big rigs driving past you and do you remember vigorously tugging on an imaginary rope hoping that a driver sees you to blow their horn? And the excitement you felt when they did?! We still get those inspiring kids from time to time and we are always thrilled to see their reaction. It's even better when it's a 'big kid'! We compiled a list of frequently asked questions, often asked by friends and family, to satisfy some of the common curiosities associated with driving.
What kind of truck do you drive?
We were in a 2004 383 Peterbilt but recently changed to a 2006 Century Classic Freightliner. Lease was up on the Pete.
Which truck do you like better?
The Pete is considered a 'real man's' truck. The Freightliner is alright, but it has less cab space and isn't called the 'Freight-shaker' for nothing. The ride definitely isn't as smooth as the Pete, but then again, the Pete isn't as smooth as a Volvo. If asked what truck we wish we were in, hands down a Volvo. Best ride, biggest most spacious cab, tons of storage with built in cleverness everywhere! You almost wouldn't even think you were in a truck, nor do you even feel like you're in a truck! There are cabinets, carpet and the back bottom bunk turns into a diner booth with table and banquettes! Insane, right? It's pretty amazing and ingenious, the 'Apple' of trucks in terms of simple yet clever design and comfort.
What do you have in your truck?
Fridge, microwave, tv (old school tv/vhs combo), playstation (for dvds only, we have no games), cb, our cameras, two tripods, tons of books, mags, laptop, mini oven toaster, and working towards a George Foreman grill!
Do you have gps?
Our Pete did, but we downgraded so now we don't. Back to good ol' map-reading which isn't such a bad thing.
Do you always know where you are going? How do you know where to pick-up/drop off loads? How do you get loads?
We have a small computer in the truck, almost like an old word processor with satellite communications. You can send and receive messages to and from your dispatcher, who dispatches loads to you. They give you information about each load such as where to pick up, drop off, when the load is due, how many miles away, where to fuel, and directions. There is gps tracking on this device, but thankfully ours isn't working so the 'man' can't track us. The computer/gps that was on the Pete was a huge touch screen device.... pretty sweet. We never really know where we're headed after we make a drop, we just wait for a message from dispatch, then we roll. It's pretty fun, always heading somewhere else and not knowing where you're headed.
How often do you fuel? How much? Do you have to pay for your own fuel?
We fuel about every other day if we're rolling pretty consistently and as company drivers so we don't have to pay for our own fuel. We spend more money in fuel than we make in a week! Pretty sad. Our truck, like most, has two fuel tanks. Total gallon capacity is 190 gallons, roughly 350 to fill up each time. Now that's because diesel is cheap again but when fuel was almost triple the amount, around when we first started driving, we were seeing sales close to 700-800 each time. Driving you get appx. 6mi/gallon unloaded, less when loaded.
Do you leave your truck on?
Yes, we do, our truck is constantly running! They are beginning to install generators on trucks so that you won't have to idle but can still use the electricity, heat/air, etc from your truck. They call it 'clean idle'. Unfortunately our company hasn't gotten around to installing them yet, so our truck never gets turned off unless we're home. With idling you burn about one gallon of diesel per hour.
What's the life of a truck?
Still trying to figure that one out ourselves. Spoke with a driver who said his father's truck has over 2 million miles on it. These vehicles are meant to last and take a beating!
Do you unload your own truck?
No, luckily we don't have to. Some driver do, and man we heard it sucks! We just back into the docks, and get unloaded pretty fast with mini forklifts.
How do you get paid for loads?
We get paid for every mile we drive. Now because we're rookies, we make very little per mile. But it's funding this project and buying film!
Where do you sleep, eat, shower, and use the restroom?
We sleep in the back of our truck. We have bunk beds but only use the bottom bunk as a bed. It's a twin so it's tight! We try to eat on the truck to save money. We grocery shop every week, and eat out as a treat about 1-2 times a week. Trust us, it's not the healthiest most nutritious of foods so sometimes you'd rather eat on the truck. We've been living off sandwiches, salads, fruit and water with the occasional necessary junk from time to time. Yep, the lack of exercise and sitting on your ass all day everyday is catching up with us. We try to do what little exercise we can in the truck and try and park far in the lot of the truck stop so we have to walk a little further. Sad huh? Truck stops have showers, so we get to use them for free everytime we fuel. Otherwise it's ten dollars a shower! Rip-off! They're cleaned after every use, so they're not as bad as you would think. They also provide you with towels and a bar of soap. Restrooms....truck stops, service areas, and rest areas. We don't stop nearly as often as we like. There's also always the empty bottles.
Are truck stops dangerous? Are you ever afraid of theft or robbery?
Truck stops are as safe as they can be and since the corporatization of them, they've become very safe. You have your seedy ones from place to place like outside of Chicago, Houston, Miami and Memphis which is full of lot lizards (truck stop prostitutes) and other characters. But generally truck drivers look out for one another. You can also stay at service and rest areas. But we keep hearing stories about late night encounters of all kinds at rest areas, so we avoid them. We prefer mom & pop truck stops over the corporate ones, but those are the ones where we fuel and get free showers so we're there often enough. Mom & pops usually have better food instead of the same old fast food chains.
What's the fastest your truck can go?
Well, would have been about 85 but again since we're company drivers and because we work for one of the biggest ones our truck is governed at 65, meaning our truck will not accelerate past 65. Though when we're loaded and heading down a serious mountain we have hit close to 85! Again we heard stories of drivers (usually owner operators who own their own truck) that they've gone as fast as 115.... in a big rig!
How many hours do you drive a day?
Depends on the load, where it's going, and when it's due. Legally you can only drive 11 hours/day but cannot exceed 70hrs/week. And you can work up to 14 hrs/day with driving, loading, unloading, waiting, etc.
How do you stay awake?
By not falling asleep! We try to keep one another up, plus we have satellite radio which is clutch! After too many hours of driving (some illegal) you begin to see silhouettes crossing before your truck. I see people, James sees dogs! So basically we try not to drive at night, plus the truck stops fill up as soon as it gets dark.
Is it hard driving in the snow/ice?
Very, but you just have to slow down and take your time, pull over if necessary. Some drivers chain up (put chains on their tires) to drive through snow especially going up and down mountains, but we heard it's more dangerous and not worth it.
Have you ever been in an accident?
Read our inaugural post! And yes we have hit inanimate objects before. The biggest dangers to tractor-trailers are 4-wheelers (truck slang for cars and anything on 4 wheels).
What kind of things have you hauled so far?
Everything from paper towels, flat screen tv's, snapple drinks, apple sauce, adult toys, psp's, engines, beer cans, scrap metal, clothes, keebler cookies, etc!
What is your favorite/most beautiful place that you've been to?
So far Minnesota, we were able to spend a few days there so we really got to enjoy it. Haven't made it out west and hear amazing things about Utah.....not the Mourmon part.
What was the craziest thing you've seen since you been on the road?
Lot lizards knocking on cabs and sleeper leaping from truck to truck. Being woken up at three in the morning by a lot lizard. Seeing a woman squat and piss on the catwalk (space between two parked tractor-trailers).
What do you do when you're not driving, or during downtime?
Read, watch movies, take pictures, walk around the truck stop store too many times, use the internet, talk to drivers.....
How often are you home?
We get one day off for every seven you work. Must be out at least two weeks and cannot exceed 4 consecutive days off. So we're averaging 3 days a month.
What do you like/hate most about driving?
like: freedom of the open road, nice people
hate: 4-wheelers, mean people
How has the current economy affected truck driving and how has it affected you?
That's easy..... no loads! We stopped building and consume and spend less. When we started we drove all over, and now are mainly around the north east through Ohio. We get less miles a week than before. We used to drive close to 3,000mi/wk but now are lucky to average around 2,000 miles.
Well these are our answers to these questions, where for every driver there would be different answers. Especially if you owned your own truck (owner-op) you incur all truck expenses but get paid way more per mile and/or per load! Then you have drivers who haul all different kinds of things which also pays truck loads more! Every trucker has a story to tell and we look forward to sharing ours.
