So bad .... My buddy just got a 2005 Kenworth, I don't know what model, but it has the sleeper, a 10 speed trans, and a Detroit Diesel. The ride was very comfortable with the air ride suspension and that motor is LOUD just standing beside it with the hood open. I drove it around the neighborhood and felt like the king of the world. I think I'm gonna quit engineering and start a career as a trucker now...

 

If a Kwhopper got you that excited.....Just imagine how hard your nips would get if it were a Petercar. I know many people that have given up their previous jobs to take to the open road. Just be careful most companies can care less about you or your health an family.

 

Was it quick at all? I mean did it meet your expectations on what a big rig should do?

 

I rode in a freightliner a few days ago. It also makes me want to become a trucker, however my driving record is too bad

 

There is very little money in transportation. It is a hard way to make a living and stay within the legal boundaries. And those stupid trucks are worse than some of the hard drugs,once your hooked your hooked for life.Get away from them now while you still can.

 

haha, clayton might be right. i don't know what else i'd even want to do now. did your buddy have you using the clutch? clutches are for rookies.

 

I used to drive OTR. I wish I still did it. Its in my blood, one might say.

And these guys are right, when your in a truck you are nothing but a number to them. They dont care sbout your health nor family as stated above. A guy/gal could make money in it however you will wear your body out so fast its unreal.

If someone was in a "company truck" I wouldnt expect to bring home over more than 500-600USD a week running your taill off and going 4 days without sleeping....

 

Not to mention the 40+ hours a week you put in for free, waiting to load/unload and throwing freight...I had my own authority for over 20 years.
Now the good side.....a office view like none other....If I was laid over on a Friday, I would drop my trailer at one of my regulars, then get some steaks and grub, had a grill on the step deck I could take down, then head out to some nice lake or national park for the weekend. Commercial tourist...I got paid to see the country

 

I was being a little facetious about switching careers, I just graduate in May, so 5 years of work getting an engineering degree and going to trucking won't happen right now. It was just a cool experience. It would be fun to buy a truck one day and do "local" runs. The truck pulled pretty well. I didn't ever really get out of 6th or 7th gear b/c I was in the back of a neighborhood where they were doing construction. And yes, I only used the clutch for the initial start, I'm not gonna let my buddy one up me. I did alright except for the 4-5 shift would grind everytime. All others (including the flip from 5-6) was nice and smooth. It was like driving a Cadillac, steering was easy, air brakes were nice and smooth (not like the old crappy sing axle dump trucks I drive at air force drill that are all or nothing) and the air ride was nice.

How's the trucking business as far as owning a fleet? Any money in it assuming you build your name up as a reputable company, work hard, and do what the customer wants. Or is it kinda dominated by the big trucking companies?

 

There is more money in selling trucks, and ya get to drive them. Ya stay clean go for a little drive come back talk to the customer, drink coffee, and go home at the end of the day. There I just saved you from yourself. Now get out there and sell a truck or your fired!!!

 

u gotta love them kw's

 

you can make your money in trucking if you want to. you just have to find the right place to work. theyre out there

 

No question they are out there, and every one wants one. So it is a battle to get the good job, and keep it.
What is really unfortunate is that with so much scrutiny of the drivers, and responsibility, the pay does not always reflect what is expected.
IMO a trucker is just as important as a DR., without truckers no one eats, drinks, drives, gets operated on. These guys are the glue in the web of the country. Ok I will stop now time for a coconut rum.

 

Man did you ever hit the nail on the head! I've been trying for years now to get away from trucks but somehow always seem to end up in one on my time off from my regular job...

 

check out the new driver forum at classadrivers.com, good info if you want to get into trucking.