Hi Dan, first time commentor. I finally got done watching all your videos and really enjoyed them. I like the fact that you keep it clean, you are clean, you take care of your equipment and you also explain what you are doing and why. It's good to know that there are truckers on our roads that take pride in their job and are safe doing it. In 1979 I became a union sheet-metal apprentice and my shop shut down in the early 80s when the economy tanked. I got my class a license and drove dump truck for an asphalt company for one year. I was one day away from committing to a semi truck driving school when the phone rang to go back to sheet-metal work. I had an injury at home and became a quadriplegic back in 2000 but still work at the same company in a different capacity. Your videos show what could've been my career but I'm sure it was totally different back then. Keep up the great videos and be safe!
Thanks for reading my comment Dan! I was in Cleveland,Tn. waiting for a dock to become available (plus i was early) and i grabbed my tablet and a bag of Doritos and started watching your video. When you called my name i almost spit out my Doritos...lol. Thanks Dan for representing the truckers in the best light, let i be no doubt in your mind! I plan on switching to flatbed in the very near future. I'm in Atlanta since Hurricane Katrina and born in Los Angeles and grew up in Gardena, California so I've lived in 3 different time zones thats for sure. But i know im in a real good lane for flatbed freight and also that Midwest is really nice with good rates. I said all that to say this, i learn alot from watching you do your thing in the Midwest as well as now the west coast and i thank you for the beautiful visuals that you provide in your videos. Also keep telling us what hwys you use and alternative routes you've taken because I'll grab my maps and kinda follow along the route your going. Plus it helps me to become more familiar with those hwys and byways out there innthe Midwest and around your neck of the woods. Nevada and New Mexico and Utah have postcard scenery! The truck stops and rest areas that you announce is a big plus too. Thanks again Dan and keep doing what you're doing and how your doing it because you're doing it well. Very inspiring to the new flatbedders like myself. Safe travels Dan✌
Wow! Nice Intro, and Video. Would Love to See More Footage With The Camera Facing The Flatbed. This Would Give a Great Perspective of Backing into Difficult Spots. I Realize The Pain of Changing Out Batteries, weather Issues, and The Chance of Losing The Camera Itself. Dan, if I Had The Money I Would Send You a Go Pro Myself, you Deserve One!
I almost forgot. I like your installation of your fuel lines for your generatorn however, I do have a suggestion. I would be concerned of something knocking your lines off like a chunk of ice, wooden block, chains, binders an errant foot etc. I think it would be a wise idea to go to your local sheet metal shop or your machinist friend and have them make you a welded protective box/cover out of .125" aluminum to protect your fuel lines. They could make it to follow the radius of your fuel tank with a flange on the inside or out with some rubber glued to it to protect your fuel tank. It could be bolted to your frame unless they have a better idea. Just a friendly suggestion.
Hi Dan , I have an older Truck like you had . I'm still not brave enough to get a newer model .They are coming along and I'm just now thinking about getting a new one . The engine that has been the best so far as I can see is the Detroit . I'm a Pacar owner and I love the Truck but I think I might be going to get a Western Star . Times have changed , Still waiting to see how long you can get out of a motor that can't breath well . Good luck I like your videos , You work too hard !
National average diesel fuel price last week was $2.79/ gallon. At that price & driving 10,000 miles/month, the difference between 4.5 mpg and 5.7 mpg is $1,305 per month or $15,663 per year. Fuel consumption at 60 mph per hour is 2.6 gal/hr less. In dollars, that's $7.20 per hour. Nice pay increase! Fuel cost per mile goes from 62 cents down to 48 cents.
Did you forget the link to the girl who takes truck picture? Also, for anyone who has to drill their tank. Take a paper plate, smear some heavy grease on the plate (your tank needs to be empty or very low) roll the plate up, slip it in and it will unroll. Hold it under where you're going to drill and the grease will catch the shavings.
How do you like the seat in the new truck? Seems all the car manufacturers are going to real firm seats. Are the truck companies doing that, also? I prefer a softer seat.
Dan, Are you finding the right side "Blue Goo" DEF tank being a hassle? In the old days before the dual pumps, one would have to throw the nozzle across, under the truck to fill the right side diesel. I don't know if the DEF hoses are long enough to do that.
please talk a little about how you are having to drive the 13 L to get better mileage -- it seems the direction is to short shift and keep engine speed as low as possible -- any other tricks you have learned -- major driving differences versus the old truck - thanks
How did you keep the drill filings from falling into your fuel tank? Held your hand in the tank under where you were drilling? I guess the fuel filter would catch them, but.......
Can you put dates on some. Time frames get confused for me. I use to live 2 miles from Dexter truck stop in Mi and would go visit and have dinner with my truck driving family. When they came threw.
Sz, ur son does 55 in Calif? use to be, u could do 62 and the "chips" would pass u by. so long as your not weaving in and out of traffic, or changing lanes, in a dangerous manner, the chips won't bother u. Calif. 4 wheelers don't know what a turn signal is, so when they are changing lanes, that's when a trucker has to be alert. i never had any problems in Calif, except at the scales, in my rookie 1st yr.
I am on video binge on your page sorry asking a question. Do u need to add fuel filter on the generator side coming from tank. 2- Also how did you catch the metal filings when drilling the fuel tank? Thanks
Question from Construction Manager student @ California Polytechnic University. Would you recommend (logistic and financial) flat bet for transporting 8 ft. X 8 ft. Wood framed walls with one side of panel attached? We are building wood framed walls at school to deliver from our school in San Luis Obispo, CA to Weed, CA. That’s approx. 497 miles. Varies from two lanes to one lane highway. How would I locate 2 x 6 framed walls with plywood without damage?
I would like to know what was the 1st type of otr truck you drove and who was responsible for putting driving in your Blood .. your Father or Grand father.....or Who?
Can’t speak for Mercer but look at what all is going on this year with natural disasters. Houston area was shut down for a few weeks that along creates a back log along with the Florida and Carolina region. Not to mention the oil fields ramping back up!! I also think with everyone being forced to be elog compliant on the 17th things should stay this way for a while just one guys opinion
Hi Dan, first time commentor. I finally got done watching all your videos and really enjoyed them. I like the fact that you keep it clean, you are clean, you take care of your equipment and you also explain what you are doing and why. It's good to know that there are truckers on our roads that take pride in their job and are safe doing it.
In 1979 I became a union sheet-metal apprentice and my shop shut down in the early 80s when the economy tanked. I got my class a license and drove dump truck for an asphalt company for one year. I was one day away from committing to a semi truck driving school when the phone rang to go back to sheet-metal work. I had an injury at home and became a quadriplegic back in 2000 but still work at the same company in a different capacity. Your videos show what could've been my career but I'm sure it was totally different back then.
Keep up the great videos and be safe!
Thanks for reading my comment Dan! I was in Cleveland,Tn. waiting for a dock to become available (plus i was early) and i grabbed my tablet and a bag of Doritos and started watching your video. When you called my name i almost spit out my Doritos...lol. Thanks Dan for representing the truckers in the best light, let i be no doubt in your mind! I plan on switching to flatbed in the very near future. I'm in Atlanta since Hurricane Katrina and born in Los Angeles and grew up in Gardena, California so I've lived in 3 different time zones thats for sure. But i know im in a real good lane for flatbed freight and also that Midwest is really nice with good rates. I said all that to say this, i learn alot from watching you do your thing in the Midwest as well as now the west coast and i thank you for the beautiful visuals that you provide in your videos. Also keep telling us what hwys you use and alternative routes you've taken because I'll grab my maps and kinda follow along the route your going. Plus it helps me to become more familiar with those hwys and byways out there innthe Midwest and around your neck of the woods. Nevada and New Mexico and Utah have postcard scenery! The truck stops and rest areas that you announce is a big plus too. Thanks again Dan and keep doing what you're doing and how your doing it because you're doing it well. Very inspiring to the new flatbedders like myself. Safe travels Dan✌
I love the start of this video, thanks!
+Ron Paker
Thanks for watching
Great to see Kallie.......
Your welcome thanks for posting, always looking forward to watching your videos
Wow! Nice Intro, and Video. Would Love to See More Footage With The Camera Facing The Flatbed. This Would Give a Great Perspective of Backing into Difficult Spots. I Realize The Pain of Changing Out Batteries, weather Issues, and The Chance of Losing The Camera Itself. Dan, if I Had The Money I Would Send You a Go Pro Myself, you Deserve One!
+In The Wake of Night
I'll work on some more backing video's
Thanks for watching
Thanks for the videos always enjoy them.
Life marches along nicely. Great fuel mileage. This truck has proven to be a good 'buy'.
Hey Dan, Welcome to Michigan!
Your doing a great job on your video's! Keep up the good work... I look forward to seeing them!
+Skynet 1
Thanks for watching
Cool shot from under the truck!
+timothy gaeta
Thanks for watching
Have a great weekend Dan..
+billy huff
Thanks for watching
Love your videos.
+Miley Stone
Thanks for watching
I almost forgot. I like your installation of your fuel lines for your generatorn however, I do have a suggestion. I would be concerned of something knocking your lines off like a chunk of ice, wooden block, chains, binders an errant foot etc.
I think it would be a wise idea to go to your local sheet metal shop or your machinist friend and have them make you a welded protective box/cover out of .125" aluminum to protect your fuel lines. They could make it to follow the radius of your fuel tank with a flange on the inside or out with some rubber glued to it to protect your fuel tank. It could be bolted to your frame unless they have a better idea. Just a friendly suggestion.
+Jim Krocka
Good idea
Thanks for watching
Hi Dan , I have an older Truck like you had . I'm still not brave enough to get a newer model .They are coming along and I'm just now thinking about getting a new one . The engine that has been the best so far as I can see is the Detroit . I'm a Pacar owner and I love the Truck but I think I might be going to get a Western Star . Times have changed , Still waiting to see how long you can get out of a motor that can't breath well . Good luck I like your videos , You work too hard !
+Gerard Johns
Thanks for watching
Another great video
It was nice to meet you in Louisville.....great video
+Flatbed Trucker
I enjoyed talking to you too
Be safe out there
Thanks for watching
Looking forward to the 10000 sub video. Thanks for keeping the drama out of your videos and being a real pro.
Luv ur videos dan
+Wilberto Escalera
Thanks for watching
I liked the video intro, keep up the *good work Dan*
Dan, as a former Mercer driver, I did a lot of UPS. Do you?
Love your videos!!
Awesome video sir.. Greetings from Canada
National average diesel fuel price last week was $2.79/ gallon. At that price & driving 10,000 miles/month, the difference between 4.5 mpg and 5.7 mpg is $1,305 per month or $15,663 per year. Fuel consumption at 60 mph per hour is 2.6 gal/hr less. In dollars, that's $7.20 per hour. Nice pay increase! Fuel cost per mile goes from 62 cents down to 48 cents.
Thanks for sharing
+Battle born
Thanks for watching
Very nice i like!
+Borat Sagdyev
Thanks for watching
Did you forget the link to the girl who takes truck picture? Also, for anyone who has to drill their tank. Take a paper plate, smear some heavy grease on the plate (your tank needs to be empty or very low) roll the plate up, slip it in and it will unroll. Hold it under where you're going to drill and the grease will catch the shavings.
Great idea on keeping debri out of tank.
How do you like the seat in the new truck? Seems all the car manufacturers are going to real firm seats. Are the truck companies doing that, also? I prefer a softer seat.
Dan you don't look too happy in the new truck looks like you were happier in your old truck take care my friend say hi to Kelly dog
Dan, Are you finding the right side "Blue Goo" DEF tank being a hassle? In the old days before the dual pumps, one would have to throw the nozzle across, under the truck to fill the right side diesel. I don't know if the DEF hoses are long enough to do that.
please talk a little about how you are having to drive the 13 L to get better mileage -- it seems the direction is to short shift and keep engine speed as low as possible -- any other tricks you have learned -- major driving differences versus the old truck - thanks
Always enjoy seeing the dog. Nice riding with ya.. Nice fuel installation too. Do you have chips in your tank now from drilling? Stay Safe Dan..
I enjoy watching your videos. How is Cindy.
Do you anticipate putting your older Pete back in service with another trailer and driver? Could be some headaches,but could also mean more revenue.
How did you keep the drill filings from falling into your fuel tank? Held your hand in the tank under where you were drilling? I guess the fuel filter would catch them, but.......
I was wondering this as well. Plus, you said you drilled two 3/4-inch holes...in a thin wall convex metal surface? I'd like to know how you did it.
Can you put dates on some. Time frames get confused for me. I use to live 2 miles from Dexter truck stop in Mi and would go visit and have dinner with my truck driving family. When they came threw.
It would have been interesting but a pain, to put a separate tank for the generator to see what MPG you are really getting with the old truck.
Sz, ur son does 55 in Calif? use to be, u could do 62 and the "chips" would pass u by. so long as your not weaving in and out of traffic, or changing lanes, in a dangerous manner, the chips won't bother u. Calif. 4 wheelers don't know what a turn signal is, so when they are changing lanes, that's when a trucker has to be alert. i never had any problems in Calif, except at the scales, in my rookie 1st yr.
Hello Dan good video
Now if they could invent a tarping machine for the truck. Are you worried that somehow those fittings might get broken?
Man your vids let me know anything is possible
+gsupreme777
Thanks for watching
I am on video binge on your page sorry asking a question.
Do u need to add fuel filter on the generator side coming from tank. 2- Also how did you catch the metal filings when drilling the fuel tank? Thanks
How bout swappin sleepers for Cali-dog? That'll be an interesting video
+The Dude
I thought about it LOL
Thanks for watching
How is filling the DEF working out for you since it's not on the drivers side of the truck?
+Steve Reiner
Not too bad
I keep For getting to show the little system I worked out.
Thanks for watching
Why don't you put wide load lights on the truck
How did you keep the shavings from going in your fuel tank when you drilled the holes for the fuel lines?
Drilled it from the outside not the inside
How are you making out with the DEF tank on the right side?
I’m curious as to how difficult or how hard are the Mercer inspections on trucks
Question from Construction Manager student @ California Polytechnic University. Would you recommend (logistic and financial) flat bet for transporting 8 ft. X 8 ft. Wood framed walls with one side of panel attached? We are building wood framed walls at school to deliver from our school in San Luis Obispo, CA to Weed, CA. That’s approx. 497 miles. Varies from two lanes to one lane highway. How would I locate 2 x 6 framed walls with plywood without damage?
What type/brand of engine did the old truck have
I would like to know what was the 1st type of otr truck you drove and who was responsible for putting driving in your Blood .. your Father or Grand father.....or Who?
I think the model 16 and 17's they are finally getting the bugs out of the emmissions so that mileage is close to 8 mpg on the Detroits and cummings
How did you train cali to no go to the bathroom in your truck?
I loved your video by the way.
👍
Want a date I would love to meet you because your inspiration to me
TRUCK 16926 "rates coming up" weird time...
+Phanuel Laurent
I agree
Get it while you can
Can’t speak for Mercer but look at what all is going on this year with natural disasters. Houston area was shut down for a few weeks that along creates a back log along with the Florida and Carolina region. Not to mention the oil fields ramping back up!! I also think with everyone being forced to be elog compliant on the 17th things should stay this way for a while just one guys opinion
My son hated driving in California because of the ridiculous 55mph truck speed limit! CAN YOU SAY DANGEROUS with the cars going 20-30 mph faster.
where do you get good fright at as a owner operator flat bed driver am new to all of this
Kyle Duncan he doesn’t have to look for freight his company provides him with a company load board and a load coordinator to help him find loads
Like the music
+Kenneth Watson
Thank You and
Thanks For Watching
Jim K.
you are using the WRONG...clamps on fuel line.....special clamps are made for fuel lines....any parts store will have
Hey dan are you plan on hiring a driver
Morning or before shooting your video Pl clean your window's slightest d'art show big in filming ....
👍