Freightrain

Ok, here's the deal. Usually have my own doctor fill mine out. What a PITA, the girls in the office usually do most of the tests and really bomb it. Then they fail to fill it all out correctly. Last time I had to drop it back off due to Dr failing to sign it all correctly(another week wait). Ugh. Many years back I just used the Chiro at the one truck stop as it was easy. Walk in, pay and he did it all up. Now, with the new regs, is that possible? Unfortunately that truck stop was bought out and is being renovated(not open). I don't want to deal with my doctor, I've only got a couple weeks left on my card now. Reading the regs, it mentions "certification", which makes it looks like they have to send something into Feds to register to be able to do this? Or is this not correct? I googled and found a few variations. Did find a link that showed a local Chiro is "registered" for DOT physicals, so I was thinking of setting up appt. from FMCSA website: "Drivers operating in certain types of commerce will be required to submit a current medical examiner’s certificate to their SDLA to obtain a “certified” medical status as part of their driving record. CDL holders required to have a ”certified” medical status who fail to provide and keep up-to-date their medical examiner’s certificate with their SDLA will become ”not-certified” and they may lose their CDL." Then I saw ads for DOT physicals at Walgreens and CVS pharmacies. For "truckers", etc. Does that mean they are "registered"? They have "walk in" appts, for like $80. Just want to get this done "right". Granted, I don't really "need" my CDL, but don't want a letter coming from them telling me it's no good because I had the wrong doctor look at me. Just like any other guberment project, it's difficult and misleading and likely no one to call to get the correct answer. Just looking to see if anyone has dealt with it yet? My license is up in July.

How's the back/shoulder feelin' these days Mike? Haven't heard you mention much about it lately(or have I been slack'n?)

Stan's truck at Lakeside Sand and Gravel a few years back: http://youtu.be/9CNkXVykjI0 His B model behind it. I have a few other pics of his trucks from later shows(including his CL). Even one of his Blue Super when I passed him in town last summer. Just waiting from them to download from my phone. I got to "drive" the green Super about a year ago. Just out of the Cleveland IX building after the show was over. I got a video on my phone, but having issues getting it downloaded. Someday I'll get the chance to really drive it.

I think the wheelchock looks a bit "under rated" for it's applied purpose LOL!!! Nice truck!!!! What a beast.

Don't take the gun down to the station to show them!!! DOH!!!

Ex fire truck? what's with the big amber lights on the front? Anyone notice the lil blue B model wrecker in the line up behind the F?

Hi Joe. Hope the tank worked out for you. Been dreaming of a stainless visor myself. Did you see the one from a few years ago that fellow here fab'd up?

Have another friend that bought a decent one as a beat a round car. He mounted this HUGE pintle hitch on the bumper. Almost too heavy for the car itself. Made for good laughs. Same guy did a project for someone. They had a Geo Metro hatch they wanted converted to pickup truck> Ya, he did it. Moved the hatch forward for rear window. Then using Ranger bed floor and such was able to fab a "bed" inside the original quarter panels. It actually turned out pretty well for what he had to work with. Stupid waste of money, but the customer wanted it done.

Ya, would love to. Only problem is NOTHING else will fit in my short garage(10ft ceiling). So I'm kind stuck with what I got. Just looking for donations for upgrading the motor someday.

OMG....my buddy used to have a half dozen RED Festivas. He loved them. Had to keep a fleet to keep one running on Ohio. They rust to pieces.

Ya, I'm lucky enough to have the Akron store in my backyard, literally. Maybe a 12 min ride up the road. Have connections in sales, know the store manager, etc so I get pretty good treatment. Here's my wagon at Super Summit show a couple years ago:

I'm not into the monochrome look or the black "rat rod" look. But like already mentioned.............that looks GREAT!!! The color combo is perfect.

Ohhh man. Crooked pictures!!!! Watch out for Ken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!! Bummer on the foot. I stepped off my pickup years ago to the railroad ties along the driveway where I grew up. Twisted my left foot, but didn't damage it. I was limping for about a week. I only had two pickups and both were sticks. I thought of the tragedy of doing something really bad to myself and having to drive somewhere.

Ya, notice how smooth the Super rides compared to the B. Ya, I'd pick the Super anyday myself! After 12 yrs in my B model, I'd like to have something with a bit more power and comfort.

Broke the RR leaf spring on a trip a few years ago. Got to race track and noticed truck was leaning a bit. Tire was rubbing on fender, but with the rain I never noticed it/or make any noise. I jacked that side up, slipped a 4x4 inbetween the fifth wheel mount angle irons and the upper spring block. Couple rubber bungee cords to keep it in place just in case I hit a bad bump. Made it home that night(2 hrs) with no problems. You gotta do whatcha gotta do to get home.

Huh...what.......did someone call me??????????????? LOL!!! Looks like me about 9 yrs ago, going over to Indy on Rt. 70. I got out and was passing some line haulers and the radio was just chatter'n about a B model that was actually IN the passing lane AND passing someone.

Never seen so many10-15 yr old road truck with only 100K miles on them? Wow, is every truck in the south like that?? Rust free and never driven? Bought new and parked in the barn? Sadly, they don't do what "we" like them to do with Macks, but on the other hand everyone must have a job. I can't fault them for that. I know that is not what most would like to hear.

Better to find faster gears. To get enough OD to get it to even 55 comfortably that rear end will be sing'n.

Oh boy......Rob would need this for a set of TWINS!!

I was thinking the one I saw was the silver with green/yellow/black stripes(something like that).

Wasn't the PIE built by Freightliner? The CEO or such had it build fully to scale. I seem to remember pictures way back, or am I thinking of another one.

Since we have stepped into such a "grey" area, they just tend to lump us into "their normal" and let the courts deal with us. Easier on them, harder on us(since we have to pay the fines/tow bills/time, etc). It all falls into "walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it must be a duck".

The good thing with renting the truck from the test station, it was a lil DT466 Binder, single axle with a 5spd(synchro'd). 40ft flatbed. Really easy to drive, no worry about double clutching. They also had a dump with tag trailer if that was your preference. $150 for the test, but worth it for the lack of hassle. No worry about it passing the pretrip!!! They even only made me do the one side(she told me the other side was just duplicate and no sense in it). It made for ALOT of extra time to finish the test, since that was like 10 minutes saved outside. I remember back in the 80's taking my chauffers license test(written only). If I woulda kept up on it, I wouldn't have had to do the CDL thing. Oh well, who wooda thunk. That is why I waited like a month before setting appt for test. Didn't want them thinking I didn't have any driving time. I too had 10 yrs dragging my 40ft trailer around to races with my dually. Size was not the issue, just had to brush up on pretrip and air brakes. Personally I've always done pretrips everytime I drug my trailer even with my pickup. Tires, doors, etc. Just made sense to me.

"Most" new drivers use those types of firms to get a stephold into trucking. Get their year in(to pay for CDL school) and then go to a "better" place. Some never get to leave, but I think that is mostly their own fault(just my opinion). But I would guess that many think it's just pointing a steering wheel and get paid. It's more then that and they just dig a hole and never get out of it. Any large trucking firm will not hire a rookie with a CDL due to insurance, so you can't start at the top. It is fun to poke at the bottom feeders, but many have to start there.

I got mine about 10 yrs ago. Same thing, better safe then sorry. I've only been questioned once at a scale house I pass every weekend on way to track. Got red lighted and called in. She asked for license and registration. I throw everything on the desk, told her it was historical plated and she checked my GVW and said sorry to hold me up. I got the hell outta dodge. Since they changed the reading of the signs(to commercial trucks...not "all trucks), I don't stop anymore. I got the book, read it up real good, took my temp test. Waited about a month and called for test appt. Took the test(rented a truck from test station) and walked off with my CDL. No fancy school or crap. Just read the book and follow it. It's not rocket science.