On the Road with Kurt Grote

a question was posed that i did’nt even think about. i quess it was one of those things that we just take for granted. the question was is there a diffrence in the ride loaded or empty? the answer is no, and i totaly missed that. the ride is very good loaded and empty. in my w900 there was a big diffrence. i would moan and groan when i would run with an empty trailer and even worse when i bob tailed. in my w900 you could almost feel the truck sit on the road. at that when empty i could feel every crack and bump on the road not until i was loaded could i get what i thought was a smooth ride. the ride in this cascadia is just as smooth loaded or empty or bob tailing. it seams to hold the road very well, it does’nt “float” on the road. i feel in control at all times. i dont worry about all my stuff falling off the shelves going down the road. i dont feel beat to death after a long day driving or fatiqued. i dont think i would have believed it unless i had drove it. thanks for a great question!!

i had one of those runs we all have had “a long way to go and a short time to get there”. as one of our other slice of life drivers said, henry albert, no fatique.  the dd-15 performed great, the way this engine performs is just amazing it acts like it is’nt even working hard. not when your in a hard pull or on flat ground there seems to be no differents what so ever. the comfort of the cascadia along with the quiteness of this truck is impressive to me. no fatique is an under statement!! i dont know if it’s the rack-n-pinoin steering or the ride of the cab. my gross wieght was 72,000 lbs. i set my cruise at 68- 72 mph. and my fuel mileage was still 6.27. i did have some issues last week. i had a loss of coolant which turned out to be an agr cooler no big deal, actually a fitting. also had an air leak this one was kind of tricky i was losing air only with the truck off and the ignition in the on position. turns out there was a fuse blown that caused a relay to remain open thus losing air thru the fan hub!! how about that one?  you all be safe and we’ll see you next time.

hello everyone, i hope everyone had a safe weekend. the truckshow over the weekend was great. it’s was’nt a midamer. or gats but none the less insight full for me and to our customers. they had a lot of old trucks there, you look at those and than the new ones and wonder how anyone could drive that thing, they must have been real men ha ha. i still had a lot of people looking at the casadia, some liked it, some cant seem to drive anything but a hood. but thats alright to free america. the high lite of the event in my opion was the life time acheivement award presented to john christner of john christner trucking. he was very surprised and greatful you tell it on his face. we had live music and free giveaways. it was a great time for all.

day 2 at charlotte was a lot different than day 1. much more excitement and people!! none the less still a great time. i have to say one thing that i saw not only on day 1 but also on day 2. there was a special needs youth there that was so excited and happy just to be there, it was all his dad could do to contain him. i think his favorite car was the napa # 55 michael waltrip. it was very touching when the crew came out of the garage with a signed napa hat. the look on that kids face was priceless!!! that is a memory that  will always stay with me. once again all the people that worked so hard to make this event special, margee and i could not thank you enough!!!!!!! i hope we will meet with all them again at another event. i’m on my way to the big rig expo in tulsa ok hope to see you there!!!!!!

hello everyone,

i’m writing this from charlotte nc., lowes motorspeed way. what a weekend. margee and i would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that made this an enjoyable weekend!!!!!!!! we had a real good time so thank you debbie, jamie, mellisa, and sonia. you girls did an absolutely fantastic job we thank you very much!!! now on to the races. margee and i have never been to a race before, seen them on t.v. but never at a track. the excitment in the air made it worth while to see all diffrent types, style, age groups in one place cheering their favorite driver is a real site to see. i guess i will be writing about this for weeks to come. one of the first pictures i got was one of the winner of the big truck competition. a series of maneuvers that put the driver into diffrent situations and they were graded on how they did. 1st place $35,000. and i beleive 2nd place was $20,000. and 3rd got $15,000 not to bad for knowing your stuff. i will sign off for now and check back  soon much more to talk about and more pics. to show. not to mention all the questions on the cascadia, and DD-15. be safe and check back soon.

hello everyone, i hope you all had a safe weekend. i had delivered in newcomerstown, oh on friday. it was a little breesy with the smell of coolness in the air which reminds me that snow will be flying before long. looking around newcomerstown, the trees will be turning colors real soon. and hope i can get back there to get some pictures of all the trees. spencer also likes ohio because of the grass for some reason he likes to roll around in the grass it’s very funny and i cant seem to keep him from doing that next time i’ll get a pic of him i’m sure you all will be very amused. i’m on my way back home now to get the wife (margee)and catch a load for charlotte n.c. for the races!!!! i cant wait:) it’ going to be a very fun weekend. i’m sure i will have plenty of pictures to share with you of the race and the drivers. you all be safe and see you again soon.