I got an unexpected day off

[Tobin S.]

I drive a truck for a living. It was bitterly cold yesterday and some of our older trucks wouldn't start even though we had their block heaters plugged in. Toward the end of the day I asked my boss about putting anti-gel fuel additive in the fuel tanks before I filled up. He said that the maintenance supervisor said that our fuel (we buy it in bulk) was already treated so the additive wasn't needed.

Last night it got even colder, down to about negative 15. I got into work this morning, fired my truck up, and it ran for a few minutes. Then it stalled and wouldn't start again. Can you guess what happened? That's right, the fuel gelled up on us. Only a handful of trucks were able to go this morning- those outfitted with fuel heaters.

Generally speaking, in this part of the country, the diesel you get at the pump is treated this time of year, but it's only effective down to about 10 below and that's pushing it. But it rarely gets that cold here. They sell fuel additives that protect your fuel down to 40 below, but I guess the management where I work weren't aware of that or they thought they might be alright for some reason. Wrong.

I don't like losing a day's pay, but on days like today it's worth it. It's so cold that it's dangerous to be outside for more than a few minutes. If we were to break down without the ability to heat the cab, we could be in for a world of hurt.

[denbot]

1. I had to go to the E.R. Xmas eve in NW Iowa

I did not get back to my to my truck till the 30th, and as expected my batteries were dead (multi sub zero days), but for the first time I could not run due to fuel jelling.

I had to call a service tech, who had a hell of a time charging me up, in -4 conditions.
After getting enough juice to crank over, there was obviously another issue, so he added a treatment and was able to get my rigg fired but she wouldn't do much more then idle. My on board diagnostics said replace fuel filters, which we did half (2), let it idle for another hour and still could not get the motor to run at operational rpm's until we replaced all 4 filters in the system. That truck did not shut down again till I got back to So Cal.

[Tobin S.]

2. Do you still drive thiose big red reefer trucks?

Last I spoke to you about it you were doing a lease purchase deal with them.

[denbot]

3. Still driving a 53' reefer, but for a better co from your neck of the world

I get .40 per mile and run almost exclusively between the L.A.-Chicago areas. I keep my own logs on my iPad, the truck is governed for western runs (75mph), and my rigg has a mini fridge to help with the food costs.

I'm not on a lease to own (BTW CR England's LTO was in name only), but technically I'm a lease, though I don't pay anything including operational costs. It's just a lease so the boss saves on employee costs.

I'm ok with it because I have good coverage from both the V.A. and my wife's insurance. The up/ downside of the deal is I'm solely responsible for my taxes which will be scary because I no longer have monstrous fuel costs to deduct..

[Tobin S.]

4. That sounds like a much better deal

You still have some costs that you can deduct as an independent contractor. I'd hire someone who does taxes for truckers and have them work it out for you.

The main drawback from that kind of set-up, seeing as how you have health insurance through your wife, is that you'll probably still have to pay the self-employment tax. That's one of the things your boss is probably saving on. But compared with England, you're probably coming out way ahead.