EC's Going For It

[Electric Chicken]

Ontario is so brilliant they make them put license plates on the back of the tractor. I don't recall seeing that on a truck from any other state or province once I took notice.

One place I worked we would all play a bit of musical trucks between two tractors two straight trucks and a boom truck depending what needed done and who was around at the shop. One of the guys told the boss one of the tractors was missing a back plate and he absolutely would not believe that until the guy showed him the other tractor. To be fair though you could've stood there and stared at it all day and not see a sign it ever had one, or even a spot to mount one, never mind a light.

I dunno what ever came of that. Personally, I wouldn't have been so concerned about it long as it had a front one. The only time it was ever not under a trailer was to go across the road to get worked on.

Also, I know a guy that alleges that New York fucked him for those exact reflectors you just replaced. On one hand something something truckers' tall tales something something grain of salt. On the other hand given my experience with New York there could definitely be something to that one.

I think NJ also has front and rear plates for bobtails. Can't recall seeing any others but y'all know I don't get out much.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Speaking of rear plates. Since we don't have one, I finally ordered this.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Slapped another 3800 onto the principal of the truck note. It's only a few clicks since my business account is with the same bank as the truck loan. Its also instant so don't do it unless you're serious.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Finally got off my soft ass to replace the ring pad thing on the 5th wheel. It was a lot easier than expected. Functionally I knew it wasn't complicated but I thought it might fight me but it didn't. Bolts came out easy and it popped right out.

It was a nasty greasy mess so no pictures but the rubber was almost gone. I adjusted the latch all the way to default just in case. I don't want that impossibly tight on a trailer. I can always adjust it back again if it has play.

That rubber in the new one made the hole a LOT smaller compared to the almost non existent old one.

Anyway, planning to work tomorrow so I'll see how it feels soon enough.

 

[Electric Chicken]

So here's the new one installed. Usually you don't even see it because of all the grease. I didn't even know it was a thing until I looked up the rebuild kits.

The 4 bolts hold down a metal horseshoe which has a hard rubber u shaped bushing inserted into it. That's supposed to cushion the pin against the 5th wheel itself.

 

[Electric Chicken]

That extra play along with the old shocks could, in theory, maybe explain some of my strange tire wear. IMHO.

That bushing being worn out that much could introduce lateral movement in the trailer as well.

 

[Electric Chicken]

I need to adjust the 5th wheel a tiny bit more than I already have but it's already worlds better than it was. It's pretty much like a new truck, and that's with low fuel and a gimpy refurb.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Finally home and settled in. First complete day in the books since the repairs. I hadn't made any more adjustments since initially picking up my first load at the rail and feeling it a little loose. I had tightened it some but didn't want to go too crazy with it or risk getting it stuck together with no simple recourse. My second trailer was empty and on one of the new chassis. It felt okay but there was still a little adjustment I could have done. but I was well into my day and didn't want to delay much more knowing I'd be going around Washington DC twice.

I happened to see my box when I was leaving the rail and it's an older refurb like 2 of the three from today. I went ahead and zip tied it and checked the seal while I was at it. Also did a quick kick of the tires to make sure there weren't any obvious flats.

When I got home I put one turn on the rod to see what that does for tomorrow. Since it's not a constant tension like the Fontaine (or Holland, I forget what's on the day cab) it's hard to get a manual adjustment dialed in when you have different "qualities" of king pins in a fleet. I kind of miss the day cab for that. It would bite onto anything until it couldn't bite anymore. Still debating whether I want to swap them out. I just remember what a PITA it was in the winter because it would slam closed again every time I rocked the truck. The frozen grease would make the click not so clicky.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Also also. First working day with the new phone. Its the polar opposite of what I usually buy. Normally I'm the hoity toity who "needs" the flagship phone.

But I got to messing around with my dad's new phone to help him set it up and it wasn't too bad. So I got one.

I was having battery, screen, and rear cover separation issues with my old flagship but just didn't have it in me to spend $1300 for a phone. They weren't THAT much when I last purchased.

Anyway this one was $165 unlocked from Best Buy and the biggest problem so far is the keyboard is kinda laggy and crappy at fixing my errors.

Otherwise it's a hell yeah. The apps that I have to use for my work were A-OK.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Also also also 7.9 mpg on the day running 65 mph most of the time. I was at 8.6 mpg before the two hills on I70 between Frederick MD and Hagerstown MD.

 

[Rigjockey]

I need to adjust the 5th wheel a tiny bit more than I already have but it's already worlds better than it was. It's pretty much like a new truck, and that's with low fuel and a gimpy refurb.

I think there is a tool for that, like a Kingpin on a rod type thing. Probably not worth the expense or bother for a one truck/ three truck operation. Probably just adjust as you see fit.

 

[Electric Chicken]

I think there is a tool for that, like a Kingpin on a rod type thing. Probably not worth the expense or bother for a one truck/ three truck operation. Probably just adjust as you see fit.

I have a kingpin laying here but never got around to welding a handle to it. I figured I'd get a stick of rebar and bent it up on one end to grip it. Main reason I haven't done it is I didn't have a way to bend it. But now that I have the torch I can.