The Truckers Lair

Sitting up in High Level, Alberta waiting to unload some fencing material in the morning and there is roughly 5 inches of snow around.  I arrived in Dawson Creek on Saturday morning to unload a 20′ container and it was snowing pretty good.  So much for spring like weather in northern Alberta, lol.   Been hauling a lot of pipe into Alberta until recently when they started loading me with 12 meter lengths which put me over my gross weight for my tractor.  This happened four times out of five, so they are giving me LTL (less than load) loads now.  I can make more money if the dispatch can get a good rate and I don’t have to waste much time loading and unloading (which has been the case for the most part) at each end.  I won’t get two rounders a week doing things this way but it should even out or get me a little more revenue sometimes. 

My truck has been running really well lately and the fuel mileage is starting to improve also due to my keeping the cruise control on all the time and coasting down hills without the jake.  Of course, this will change with heavy loads.  I have some pictures but I’m too lazy to upload them for now so I will do it another time.

My laptop finally packed it in so I went to Staples in Calgary last week and bought a new one with Windows 7.  I’m not too thrilled with the new windows as it won’t allow you to install all your old software that you’ve paid money for previously.  So now I’m uploading open source software that accomplishes the same thing.  To hell with Microsoft and their paranoid tendencies towards loosing profits.  Discovered a new email client called Thunderbird that seems to work well.  Didn’t really like Outlook anyways.  I am seriously thinking about reformatting and installing a linux operating system now.  Might see if the old one can be salvaged and use it as the guinea pig until I learn how to use the system first.  Bye for now.

Well after a couple of weeks off I’m back on the road doing the same thing I was doing before.  I’m hauling pipe into Alberta and returning with crushed cars.  However, I got to go to the Yukon again and visit with Dan (see photo) while I was there.  It was very muddy on site at the mine, but the roads into the site were in good shape.  It is such a nice drive up to Wolverine Mine when the weather is good with all the lakes and rivers etc.  I’d hate to have to drive that road in the rain though as it would be very muddy I’m sure.  I drove to Fort St. John, BC to load some crushed cars for the trip home.  On the way I ran with a super b loaded with lumber and we talked on the radio about fuel consumption and drivers in general.  Then a blue Kenworth hauling a van came up on us and told us to pick up our speed or pull over.  I told the driver that I was doing the speed that the little white sign was telling me and if he was in such a hurry to pass on the next long stretch.   Well he didn’t wait for a long stretch instead he started passing on a small one so I assumed he would pull in behind me so I maintained my speed while the super b slowed to let him in.  The driver kept coming however trying to pass me as well so I shut off my cruise control and hit my jake and brake pedal as there wasn’t enough room before the corner for him to pass.  Around the corner came a small car who was forced onto the shoulder before the driver could cut in front of me.  Needless to say there were some short words expressed on the radio at which point he accused me of speeding up instead of slowing down.  I told him to pull over and we’d discuss this further but he declined and sped off.  The super b driver however let him know that it was drivers like him that give the rest of us a bad name and a black eye for our industry.  The driver told us to let it go and get over it.  I feel sorry for the small car as he/she must have freaked out for sure.  What if it had been another big rig?  I shudder to think about that.

Driving along crooked river to Bear Lake I took a couple of pictures of the beautiful reflections in the water of crooked river (see photo).  Wish I could have stopped and shot a few.  Got to 100 Mile House and slept.

After unloading the crushed cars in Richmond, I proceeded to load at the docks again before heading to Kal Tire to replace my drive tires.  Then off to Peterbilt to replace my windshield and load leveling valve.  While I was on days off I had my exhaust replaced and a few other items fixed that had been on my list of things to do.  Now when I get pulled in for a level one I will definately get my sticker for the windshield.

Sitting in Camrose, AB listening to game six of the Vancouver/LA playoffs.  Go Canucks!!  Bye for now.

Had the you know what scared out of me the other night while hauling another load of pipe to Alberta.  I was about 3-5 km from the BC/Alberta border and decided to stop for the night and get some sleep at the tourist info cairn by Yellow Lake.  I put my left turn signal on for the three trucks behind me to let them know I was turning.  Just before I turned, I checked my mirror and saw that the truck behind me had decided to pass me while I was trying to turn.  I straightened out and he hit the shoulder trying to avoid me.  I looked in the mirror again and the second truck was on his brakes trying to avoid hitting me in the trailer so I grabbed a gear and made my turn through all the dust raised by the moron in the first truck.  Luckily I hit the entrance to the small road to the info cairn and got on the radio right away to voice my displeasure to the two who almost cost me my life.  One driver responded by telling me to chill out because I was still alive wasn’t I?  The other driver ignored me and with an excited voice told the first truck that his heart was still racing and what a thrill that was.  I couldn’t believe my ears and didn’t know what to do as it all happened so fast that I didn’t get a name on the door only that it was a burgandy colored tractor with a step deck load of small diameter pipe.  Both drivers sounded young which would explain their poor choices and exitement in just about getting in an accident.  I couldn’t sleep for about an hour after that and must say that I haven’t been that scared since I was a teenager.  I for one can’t wait for the speed restriction law coming to BC similar to the one in Ontario.  I don’t drive over 100 km/hr anyways so it won’t affect me at all. 

After delivering the pipe I headed to Edmonton to load a fiberglass tank (see photo) for delivery to Salt Spring Island, BC.  Heading down Larsen Hill on the Coquihalla I came accross a fellow who left his foot on the brakes a little too long (see photo).   At least he got the truck away from the trailer before it burned up. 

I’m taking some time off after working four months straight and looking forward to it.  Had to put my truck in the shop to get some issues taken care of so when I return I won’t have to worry about the truck.  Bye for now. 

Since my last post I’ve driven through two snow storms, one between Valemount and Blue River and the other between Fort Nelson and Wonowon.   The one in Valemount wasn’t that bad however two truckers seemed to be afraid to drive very fast on the compact snow and were puttin along in first gear and wouldn’t you know it a convoy formed of angry truck drivers.  The funny thing is these two had heavy loads on an traction shouldn’t have been an issue with that kind of weight.  One trucker finally got frustrated and pulled out and passed then he got on the big radio and let the rest of us know when there was on coming traffic so we all could get by.  Funny feeling driving by a line of trucks in the wrong lane with visibility near 50 feet and relying on someone on the radio to keep you from hitting head on with another vehicle, but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes. 

The other snow storm was after delivering a load to the mines north of Watson Lake, Yukon and spending some time with Dan.  I was just leaving Fort Nelson after fueling up and didn’t like the look of the sky a head of me but had to get loaded the next day in the Peace River region.  After about two hours of driving in white out conditions with an empty trailer I’d had enough and pulled over at Bucking Horse River to wait it out.  The next morning it was still snowing but not as heavy and seeing how it was daylight, I chained up and drove to Wonowon before I could take off my chains.  That’s a long way to travel on a set of chains and I was worried for my rear diffs but they held up.  Finally got to the Peace River area and loaded some lumber to haul back to Richmond.  Funny how one of the truckers was talking on how the Valemount storm should be the last blast of winter.  Yeah right.   Bye for now.

Well since my last post I was hoping things were getting better with loads.  But alas I’ve now had two trips in the last two weeks without a back haul.  Last week I figured I’d just head home empty and get another load of pipe and be on my way to set up a two rounder week this week.  But instead I got a load of nails and barbed wire to drop in Grande Prairie and then off to Lloydminster.  Now I’m sitting in Edmonton waiting for a back haul.  Looks like I’ll be here overnight arrggh! So much for a second trip this week.  I hope this turns around soon so I can get back to making good money again.  I may have another load going up past Watson Lake, Yukon again I won’t know until tomorrow.  Might see you again there Dan ole buddy.

I got to watch the hockey game between the USA and Canada at the Greendale truck stop and it was a blast.  There were about five truckers sitting in the small room watching and going crazy.  When the US tied it up with seconds to go, you could have heard a pin drop.  Then when we won it in overtime, I could barely hear for the noise.  Best time I’ve had at a truck stop to date for sure.

Nothing exciting to talk about lately as all I’ve been hauling is pipe to Camrose, Alberta and crushed cars back to Richmond.  The crushed cars are something I don’t like doing but that is all that the company I’m working for is able to find for a back haul right now.  I have to tarp the pipe until the end of March which is a pain and hard on my $2500 tarps but that is why I had them made up.  Looks like I’ll be doing it for a while longer.  I have included some photos.  My truck is running good but there are a few small things to take care of like a new exhaust system, leaf spring pins, and some wiring issues.  Looks like I will get to watch the hockey game between USA and Canada tomorrow at the truck stop in Greendale, BC.  Bye for now.

Loaded an overhead crane (see photo) in Agassiz and delivered to Calgary.  From there I loaded a load of steel joists (see photo) and took off for Whitehorse, Yukon.  What a beautiful drive when the weather is nice which it was.  The road from Fort Nelson to Watson Lake was compact snow and icy in a few places but the drive went off without a hitch.  Got to spend a few hours visiting with Dan in Watson Lake before heading for Whitehorse.  Took lots of photos but not all will be posted here because of space.  After unloading in Whitehorse, I headed back towards Watson Lake to take highway 37 to Kitwanga, BC and then on to Prince George to load crushed cars.  The highway was in bad shape with more frost heaves than in Alberta.  There were cariboo all over the place for the first 30-50 km.  When I got to Dease Lake it started snowing and snowed all the way to Kitwanga.  At the Meziadin Junction it was very icy and I slid past the turn and had to back up.  I think next time I will stay on the highway to Fort Nelson and down that way as the drive will be better.  Yes Dan, I know you told me so.  The drive from Kitwanga to Prince George was slippery in spots and a Canadian Tire truck spun out on a corner and blocked most of the highway (see photo) but I was able to get around him before the road got blocked.  Kind of ironic that it says “Mastercraft” on the side of the trailer.  I’d have to say that he wasn’t a master of his craft today.  After loading in Prince George, I headed for Richmond to deliver my load on Monday morning.  Bye for now. 

Hauled a load of stainless steel drill pipe and an oxygen tank to Calgary for Monday delivery.  Along the way I was held up for about 12 hours because of a head on accident (see pics) between two big rigs just before the first snow shed in Rogers Pass.  I decided to stay in Sicamous to avoid the Indy 5oo that occurs after every road closure.  The accident was caused by a young drivers decision to travel too fast for road conditions when he crossed the center line and hit another truck head on.  Radio chatter was saying that he was driving eratically and passing when he shouldn’t.  Of course it was during a snow storm that this all took place.  He was only 29 years old and now he is dead.  The sad part is that he also killed his partner (30 years old) who was sleeping in the bunk and didn’t know what hit him.  Also two other trucks and drivers are traumatized and out of their livlihoods for now because of some bad choices.  The scarey part is this could happen to any one of us at any time without warning.  Hazzards of the job I guess, but shouldn’t happen. 

After unloading the tank in Calgary, I headed to Nisku to unload the drill pipe.  Then I headed to Edson to load some crushed cars and back to the lower mainland shortly thereafter.  Got into a bit of a beef with the forklift operator when he expected me to climb on top of the cars to wrap the plastic mesh required to haul the cars.  Little too dangerous for an old dog like me.  Bye for now.

Loaded a transformer on the kick and headed for Maple Ridge to load a 2000 T800 Kenworth Dump Truck. I dropped the transformer off in Edmonton and then headed for Sundre, AB to unload the dump truck. I then headed for Calgary to load an empty 40′ container to deliver back in Edmonton. After unloading the container and having a bit of a run in with the fork lift operator, I loaded a compressor, gear box and wooden crate along with another empty container and headed for the lower mainland. It seems like the industry has changed to the point where you are doing way more travelling just to make a buck when in fact you’re burning twice as much fuel so I’m not sure I’m making much. Going through Kamloops I ran into some heavy snowfall and decided to take the canyon, which turned out to be an easy drive. Unloading in North Vancouver this morning turned out to be an adventure as the chemical plant I was delivering to was starting their first day of tighter security due to the olympics. Everyone I had contact with was having a bad day and I couldn’t wait to get out of there. They were checking the lunch boxes of staff who had worked there for over thirty years and they were complaining loudly. Then I unloaded the container and here I sit waiting for a load out of here. Figures, I get here quick to try and get another load so I can possibly get two this week and I have to sit. That will screw me for two this week. Bye for now.

Loaded some pipe in Delta for delivery in Calgary.  The drive was great but when I got to the rest area in Jumping Pound to reset my log book I forgot to shut off my trailer lights when I shut off the motor to save fuel.  Well needless to say the next morning I couldn’t start my truck and had to pay a towing company 150 bucks for a boost.  Delivered my load on Monday morning and headed down to Cowlay, AB to load some crushed metal bales for delivery in Richmond.  Decided to take highway three back instead of going back to Calgary and taking highway one.  Big mistake as highway three is nothing but steady climbs and lots of winding curves.  Took me over an hour to get over Kootenay Pass because of compact snow and ice.  Burned as much fuel as I would have going from Van to Golden.  Didn’t make much money this trip.  Bye for now.