The worst continuous headwind I had to deal with was going from Davenport, IA, to Worthington, MN, back in January 2004. It was strong out of the NW. The gusts were really buffeting the rig, even though I was pulling a feed hopper, and grossing over 79k#. I actually preferred the direct headwinds. It was the times it was hitting me at an angle that made it job to drive. Horrible mileage on that trip.
What made that run even more memorable was the fact that after I unloaded at Worthington, I was turning into the Pilot at Sioux Fall, when the engine ran out of fuel. I coasted to fuel island. Yanked the old filter off. Filled the spare, and put it on. The engine started right up, thank God.
“What made that run even more memorable was the fact that after I unloaded at Worthington, I was turning into the Pilot at Sioux Fall, when the engine ran out of fuel. I coasted to fuel island. Yanked the old filter off. Filled the spare, and put it on. The engine started right up, thank God.”
The one time I nearly ran out of fuel was in Nebraska.
I was headed east with a dry load and planned to stop at the first fuel stop in Nebraska to fill up.
Unfortunately both east and west exits were closed for construction.
I gritted my teeth and did some figuring.
I thought I could make it to Grand Island.
I thought wrong.
As soon as the engine sound changed I hit the breakdown lane and killed the engine. I was still 20 miles from Grand Island.
Luckily the 25 gal reefer tank was full.
Imagine yourself on the side of the interstate draining a reefer tank into a 2 liter soda bottle and pouring it into the tractor tanks.
Luck was with me because once I had put all the fuel into the tractor tanks it started right up.
My scariest load was a load of pillows I picked up in Cincinnati headed for Dallas.
Floor to ceiling, side to side 10,000 pounds of pillows.
I decided to drive the night through.
The wind was playing hell with my light load, shoving me all over the place. Wind coming from every direction.
Not another soul on the road.
While I was unloading in Dallas I used their break room. They had the weather channel on.
It seems I had driven right through the path of a swarm of 9 tornadoes.
Made my sammich hard to swallow.