On the Road with Dick McCorkle

In talking to several drivers at the truck show, I have found it is up to the indidual drivers what tire he runs, whether a single or double…there are pros and cons on both.  There is a liquid substance that you can put in a single so the tire will not go flat.  Most heavy haulers prefer singles.

I saw alot of old friends, made alot of new friends.  Freightliner corporate personel from Ft. Mill, SC.and Detroit Deisel, Warren,MI. are the greatest people in the world.  I have never been treated better. I felt like a celebrity. A special “thanks” to Richard Petty and Kevin Rutherford for making our booth special. Eric from “Midnight radio” for the food and music.  Last but not least, a very special thanks to Jamie and Melissa.  And, Melissa, I really enjoyed Aaron Tippin.

I’ve always been fortunate in that my family’s always been a part in my adventures. Whether it be an auction, truck driving championships, a flea-market, or getting the Cascadia ready for Louisville.  My kids always took part, and now my grandkids (and hopefully my great-grandkids) are too.

This is my first experience being involved in the Mid-American truck show. 

I hope to see everybody there.

The Gas America truck stop at the 115 MM on I -70 is a great place to eat.  The restaurant, called the Gas Grill, is operated by Dimitrios Andriopoulos.  With great food in abundance, and friendly service, it is truly a great experience.

A typical meal consists of an entree big enough for two (if not three), you get soup, salad, a potato, bread, and dessert. I appreciate the friendly, efficient waitresses.

On a trip from Belleville, MI, to Bowie, MD, I delivered to the Comfort Inn.  Job site deliveries are a specialty of Perkins Specialized, and it gets us into places trucks don’t normally go.  The crew met me there promptly at 8:00 a.m.  I started maneuvering the truck to the front door.  The main reason for job site delivery is so that the freight will not need to be handled numerous times and will not be damaged.  The delivery went well, with no damage or shortages.

I am running Michelin tires xza3 on steering hda-ht on drive duals on the CASCADIA,  average load weight 34000lbs. Ive been told you should have singles on your truck. Well ive never had them so i dont know much about singles. I do know if you have a flat you will sit untill  a serviceman can gets you going again You tell me what is the best way to go.

Driving in all weather conditions the CASCADIA has did a great job I think Freightliner has a winner with the CASCADIA . With the rack and pinion steering  the driver has complete control ,there isnt any play in the steering wheel . This is a big help in avoiding jack knifes .

On Monday 3/9 going to pick up my load in Noblesville In. I was stopped by the D.O.T. She informed me I had done nothing wrong, just a level one inspection.So she was doing her job with lettle talk so I started talking to her a little .Telling her about the program with Freightliner,Slice of Trucker Life.She thought it was a goog idea, Giving me a clean report ,I went on to pick up my load.

I had the CASCADIA in  the shop ,checked over and nothing wrong was found . That was a g ood thing tires were rotated normal ware. Air pressure was the same in all ten tires that supprised me as I run south in warmer weather north in the colder weather.