On the Road with Kurt Grote

Kurt Grote has completed his participation in the Slice of Life program. We thank Kurt for his participation and wish him the best in his future trucking endeavors.

Stay tuned for future announcements regarding Slice of Life driver additions!

Hello everyone, I told you last week that I was going to introduce you to the new member of the Slice of Trucker Life family. I want you all to meet Bogey, short for Humphrey Bogart. He is a miniature schnauzer, just like Spencer. So now I have Spencer Tracy and Humphrey Bogart in the house!! I have always been one of those drivers that like having a pet on the road. They are great companions! It does get lonely out on the road away from the family and friends, so I believe that’s pets help keep you grounded and sane!! If some of you are curious about Spencer, well he has become a mommas boy and would rather stay home than go on the road with me. So I decided to let him stay home! Enough about Bogey and Spencer. I have not posted any fuel mileage lately. So here is my latest fuel run. I had a light load coming out of California it weighted only 26,000 lbs. the load was going to New Albany MS. I also had a very strong tail wind all the way to MS. On that fuel run alone my mpg. was 7.50. As most of you know I don’t run slow, on this load I pushed it a little more, instead of 68 mph I was at 72. What a great testament for the Freightliner Cascadia and the Detroit DD-15. Yes I could have gotten better if I didn’t run so fast and slowed down to maybe 62 – 65 I could possibly have been in the low 8′s. As an Owner Operator that is great for any drivers bottom line!  Until the next truck stop!!!

Hello everyone, I’m sure most of you know by now that MATS 2011 is over! I must say this years MATS was the most unusual that I have seen. The place was packed Thursday and Friday. In the years past it has been the slowest days. This year Saturday was the slowest. However over all I think the attendance was up from last year. Before I go any further I must tip my hat the Jacksonville Freightliner shop that did my repairs for me, they did a great job! Thank You all in Jacksonville!! Second I need to give Tulsa Freightliner major props for their speed at getting my truck up and running in order to make the truck show. They had parts ordered just on pictures that was sent to them, I owe them a very big thank you!!!!

One of the things I like about the slice of life program is the fact that I have the opportunity to test new products and report back to you my readers. I have for several months been running the Doran 360 HDR tire pressure monitoring system. At this point I can’t say enough good things about this system. I have drove it through hard rain without fail. It has been through the winter we just had without fail. It even took a hit and landed 10 yards from where it started and it still works!! I have had two flats (broken valve stems) and was able to shut the truck down without any damage to the tire or the rims! That to me is worth the system in it’s self! Right now I am in the process of getting a Jensen radio and camera’s installed. The camera’s are blind spot camera’s. My hope is that these camera’s will help in heavy traffic like in L.A. and also when backing into a dock. I will keep you informed as the weeks go by. In my next blog I will introduce you to the new member of the slice of trucker life family.  Until the next truck stop!!!

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone, As I was talking with some of my non trucking friends, some of them thought that I was talking in an foreign language. They asked me, “what in heavens name was I talking about?” Sitting back and reflecting on the conversation, I noticed that most of us drivers do speak a different language. So in the spirit of Jeff Foxworthy, I thought of a few words or phrase’s that might be funny and amusing at the same time!

#1. If you fuel up instead of gas up…….you might be a truck driver!

#2. If you call the dotted line in the middle of the road a zipper….. you might be a truck driver!

#3. If you call a weight station a chicken coop…… you might be a truck driver!

#4. If you call a Highway Patrolmen a bear….. you might be a truck driver!

#5. If you refer to a lady of the night as a lot lizard….. you might be a truck driver!

#6. If you refer to a mile marker as a yard stick….. you might be a truck driver!

#7. If a handle is a nick name….. you might be a truck driver!

#8. If a highway patrolmen in a white auto is a Polar Bear…. you might be a truck driver!

#9. If a blown tire on the road is referred to as a Gator….. you might be a truck driver!

#10. If you refer to an automobile as a 4 wheeler….. you might be a truck driver!

And the list goes on and on. I’m sure you have a few that I did not mention. I would love to hear your phrases and post them along with the one’s here. I hope you have fun with this very short list. Until the next truck stop!

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone, What a busy week this has been for me. I don’t know if it’s because the weather is getting better or just that everyone is getting caught up on things because the weather was so terrible. What ever the case, Wednesday was my most busiest. I was fortunate enough to do a video for Freightliner Trucks that will be played at Mid America this year. The company that did the video was SNOBL Productions out of Springfield, MO. These guys were fun to work with, and made all the pictures and video very enjoyable. That took into the early afternoon. Then I raced home to get myself ready for the driver awards banquet. To be able to do this banquet the last three years has become very special to me. To be in the same room with these drivers is something special. As a JCT driver, we had numerous 1 Million Mile Drivers,  2 Million Mile Drivers, and 1, 3 Million Mile Driver, Robert Chandler. I can not imagine driving 3 million miles accident free that is truly a remarkable feat. My hat is off to all the drivers that received an award this year! Even though I did not receive the number 1 Driver of the year this time, to be 1 out of 12 for the state of Oklahoma is something I as a driver am proud of! The driver that did get the number 1 spot, John Hill, should be very proud of his accomplishments and is very deserving of this high honor! Until the next truck stop!!

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone, I know we have all been there. Stuck waiting in line for fuel at the fuel island. This is a case in point, which kind of goes along the post I just did. I had pulled into a fuel island, which was of course busy, so I had to wait my turn. Then this truck pulls next to me in line for the pump next to me. I thought no big deal. Until he starts to get out of his truck with his grip that holds his tooth paste, brush, and toiletries. Before he gets 2 steps away the driver ahead of him pulls forward to be courteous. The driver gets back in his truck and pulls into the fuel island, which I’m still thinking he is going to get fuel. As I look around the parking lot, I notice there is ample parking. The lines on the fuel island are starting to get longer. The driver jumps from his truck toiletries in hand and walks inside. Now it’s my turn to move forward, I pump my DEF fluid, and pump my fuel. As most of us know these pumps, pump approx., 60 gallons per minute. Not until I get ready to pull forward myself this driver comes out of the truck stop gets back in his truck and speeds away. Allowing the truck behind him to get his fuel. The old joke used to be that the reason the fuel islands were so slow was because drivers would park in the fuel island and go eat or shower or what ever. As long as I have been driving I will never understand how some people could be so rude and inconsiderate of others! Especially when there is plenty of parking. If someone could explain this to me I would be most grateful. I understand that we are all in a hurry but come on have a little respect for your fellow drivers and go park your truck and then go inside. Until the next truck stop!!

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone, Today’s state of the art truck stops, should have put an end to the dirty, nasty, old truck driver! I remember the days when there were only “community” showers. You had to have your own towels, and wash rag, and soap. You also didn’t have the clean showers of today either. I remember the showers being very dirty and dark, it would make you wonder who was in the shower before you were. The only thing that you could carry to the shower with you was your keys to your truck. Otherwise some one would steal your wallet and any money you had in your pockets. It was even worse for women. With”community” showers some of the guys would stand guard at the men’s bathroom so the women could take their showers without the fear of men walking in on them. The days of the “community” showers are long gone. They are replaced by private showers that have locking doors. They provide you with a towel, a wash rag, and soap. Most showers these days have toilets and a sink as well. It still takes some effort even with the new facilities. All  truck drivers like to be clean, so we can be presentable to our customers. To combat this problem I carry thermos’s with me. The thermos on the right is my coffee thermos and the thermos on the left is full of hot water. That way I can do all my teeth brushing and face washing in the truck. Some guys go in to the bathroom and use the sink to brush their teeth and wash their face’s. Even with today’s facilities the lines for showers could take up to an hour or more. Just imagine having to wait for a shower, when you are use to getting up from a good nights sleep and jumping straight into a shower. The last thing that I like to do is wait for a shower, it can be very irritating. But as I look back the line’s don’t seem so bad. In this case I will take the new over the old! Until the next truck stop!

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone, I have been reminded of a story that Spencer and I had encountered not long ago. It doesn’t really matter what city this took place in, just know  that it took place. We were picking up in a neighbourhood that was not of the utmost friendly or very safe for that matter. We wanted to be the first one in to the facility to pick up and the first one out the next day. Therefore, it just so happened that there was a truck stop right next door to our pick up facility. We had not eaten all day, and we were hungry and tired, just wanted something  on my stomach. I walked into the truck stop and the cashier was behind a glass window, and the truck stop closed at 10:00 p.m. Never a good sign! There was even a police officer that was on patrol! I struck up a conversation with him and had ask him about the neighbourhood and how safe it was. He proceeded to tell me that it was not a good area. I did ask him if he was on duty all night and he replied that yes he was and that he would keep an eye on my truck while I slept, he also said he would “put the word out” so my truck would not get “tagged” during the night. I thought this is “GREAT” I could actually get a pretty good nights sleep. As I finished my dinner and Spencer had his walk ,we proceeded to go to bed. Then it seemed like I had just laid down when I got a knock on the door. There stood a young lady wanting to know if I needed a “date” for the evening. I hope that you understand that I don’t like to be rude to these girls. For one, no matter what anyone might think, they are there for the money. If no one paid them they wouldn’t be there. At any rate, I told her that I was not interested but thanks anyway! I don’t know about you but if you are not polite to some of these people they could do some serious damage to your truck. All the while as you can imagine Spencer is barking his head off. We no sooner got settled down again and there it was, another knock on the door, Spencer doing his barking thing. I also told this one, no thanks and would she please put the word out to all the other girls that I was not interested in a “date” and to leave me alone. In the earlier years this would have worked and you would not be bothered again for the rest of the night. However not today, I guess they figure if they bother you long enough, you Will give in and say yes!! This went on ALL NIGHT, one after another, To say the least, Spencer and I didn’t get any sleep at all. What happened to my policeman that I thought had my back? Well all I can say is that my truck and my trailer did not get “tagged”. He must have figured that I might want some company, therefore letting the girls come on through. I also didn’t receive any damage to my truck. I even had some that came around twice. I don’t know if they forgot they were there once or just wanted to make sure I did say NO. Not all of us partake in the after hours activities, like some of you are led to believe. We are just hard working Americans out to do the best job possible. I often wonder what would happen if this would have been a female truck driver, would she get a parade of men knocking on her door? hmmm, I often wonder! Until the next truck stop!!

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone, For those of you that know me personally and through this website know that I don’t complain very much. However, I think it’s time that I say something. I don’t mind helping to establish a new way of doing things or at least putting in my efforts. I have been using DEF ( diesel exhaust fluids ) since I got this truck in June of 2010. I think I know by now how it works and how to dispense it into my truck and how to pay for it. As a norm, I like to buy my DEF in bulk, it is less expensive than buying it in the 2 1/2 gallon box at $12.99. At one truck stop the girl behind the counter told me that I could not have the bulk because she didn’t know how to do the fuel card and I would have to buy the box. I explained to her that I would buy the box if I could buy it for the same price as the bulk, she laughed at me like I was out of my rapid a_ _ ,mind! I must say some of the truck stops just seem to get it but others just don’t!! One place I’ll pull in take them all my information and by the time I get done and walk back inside they’re already done. Others I have waited on them for 2 hours to process it. Would it be better for me if I just pay for it out of my own pocket since I’m the one buying it anyway? By all means YES it would, but the system would not know how to process things if we don’t test and try and figure these types of things out! However, I think I’m almost at the end of my patients when it comes to this. Not all truck drivers are idiots there are some things that we DO know. Something about and paying for our fuel and additives just happen to be one of them. We as a whole know more than some( but not all) about our fuel cards than some of the people behind the counter. I understand that there are bad cashiers just as there are bad drivers, so I not picking on them. In some cases is not their fault, but it’s fuel card folks. Just as an example, I would put, let’s say, 189.442 gallons of fuel @ $3.429 a gallon for a total price of $649.60 and no one says a word, but try and put 17.823 gallons of DEF @ 2.799 for a total of $49.89 and you would think you had just robbed a bank or something. Now, the phone has to be used to call and make the necessary corrections so you can be on your way. Who’s shoulders does this fall on? As much as I would like to help I think in order to save my frustration and anger I will purchase the DEF myself and NOT on a fuel card. You drivers that have to purchase with a fuel card, I hate to bail on you, but I know you understand! Good luck and I hope you can get these  issues resolved! Until the next truck stop…

Kurt and Spencer

Hello everyone, I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, but not to happy! I must confess that I am one of those drivers that like to reflect on the previous year. I look but on the things I did poorly and the things that I did correct. One of the things I did do correct was to stay with the Cascadia. Driving this truck and putting the DD-15 thru it’s pace’s has proven to be clearly the right thing to do. The mistakes that I have made over the last year is just to numerous to mention. Now on to bigger and better issues. I did a test on my Cascadia earlier in the year. What I did was cut the horse power to 460 and cut the torque to 1650 foot pounds, and I limited my miles per hour to not over 65 under power. I had not informed anyone that i was doing this! Therefore my dispatch is my dispatch, I took whatever my dispatch sent to me and didn’t drive a special freight lane. I wanted to do this, just to see what kind of fuel mileage I would get over the next month. I didn’t do it for just a week I did put some effort behind it. If my calculations are correct, you can be the judge. I did the calculations based on today’s fuel price and 150,000 miles a year. That is working hard all year but not overly hard. I noticed that @ the price of fuel today it being $3.00 a gallon on average. The numbers say on average at my usual speed and horse power and torque, I get 6.68. Now at the lower speed and horse power and of course torque my average MPG. is 6.86. That is a 2 tenths per mile difference. Which is a savings of 590 gallons a year and $1770 dollars a year also. I now a lot of people will not agree with me, however I will gladly spend the extra money to either get home or grab a shower or even eat in a restaurant as opposed to eating out of the truck as I usually do. I am one of those who like to get up and over the hill and on my way, I have work to do! I guess it all comes down to a personal decision on what is more important to you. If I was home every week or at least through the house on a normal bases the savings I could enjoy, but I’m not home every week and sometimes not home for a month or more. That is why I like the bigger horse power and settings. Until the next truck stop!!

Kurt and Spencer