barbaba704
Expert Expediter
I have come across several web sites and sources that I have found to be very useful and thought that they may be useful to other expediters.
Last year my Bentz supplies Norcold refrigerator quit after I had been using it for 2 years and 3 months. Of course the manufacturer's warranty is for 2 years and neither the local dealer or the manufacturer were willing to work with me in any way. Also the design of the refrigerator is such that it cannot be serviced in the field. Considering that the replacement cost for that model is $1,200, I couldn't believe that there was no interest in satisfying a customer. Apparently their products don't last very long and they don't care. Barb and I decided to take it out and try a Coleman 12 volt cooler and it worked ok until this summer but it just couldn't handle the hot temps. I found a website, www.TruckFridge.com and they sell a variety of 12 volt refrigerators that are specifically made for trucks. The different models are sized to fit into different trucks. We chose the largest one that is just a bit smaller than the Norcold it replaced, but designed better for more interior space. It fit into the same space with just one piece of trim that I made. It works beautifully and keeps the food better than the Norcold. The freezer compartment is larger and keeps Barb's ice cream treats hard frozen which the Norcold never did. The whole thing seems better built and the critical parts (compressor) are shock mounted. I think I will need to put in some better air ventilation to cool the compressor. The company does not take orders on the website, but you can buy over the phone to their 800 number. Delivery was within 1 week. The best part is that the model I bought was just $600; half the price of the Norcold. They also offer a 2 year warranty. Will let you know in 2 years how it is holding up.
Next item: For those of you who don't know what GPS unit to buy ( and we all should have one; I think our unit saved our marriage), here is a site that gives unbiased reviews of virtually all the GPS units out there. It is www.GPSinformation.net. These guys do real world field tests and cover every aspect of the different models. They talk about all the good points and the bad points. Check it out.
Next item: This spring we were on a run in Maryland and experienced some problems with the truck where it would just quit when idling. It would start up again, but with some reluctance. Once we were driving we had no problem. This certainly raised the adrenaline level and pucker factor. Fortunately we made our two drops ok, but I didn't know where to take it other than the KW dealer in Baltimore, but I knew they would be backed up. After some web surfing I found the following site: www.nttsbreakdown.com. This is the National Truck and Trailer Service Breakdown Directory. It is a listing of all types of truck and trailer services that can be searched by your location. They list repair shops as well as road service located near you. I found a shop near Laurel, MD that took my truck right in and got me going within 2 hours. They even had the parts that were needed. Since the listings are oriented to breakdown services it is really handy when you are out on the road and need some help and you aren't getting help from dispatch. Or at least you can pick who you want rather than take whoever they send out.
Hope this info is of some help out there.
Be safe out there.
George and Barbara
Last year my Bentz supplies Norcold refrigerator quit after I had been using it for 2 years and 3 months. Of course the manufacturer's warranty is for 2 years and neither the local dealer or the manufacturer were willing to work with me in any way. Also the design of the refrigerator is such that it cannot be serviced in the field. Considering that the replacement cost for that model is $1,200, I couldn't believe that there was no interest in satisfying a customer. Apparently their products don't last very long and they don't care. Barb and I decided to take it out and try a Coleman 12 volt cooler and it worked ok until this summer but it just couldn't handle the hot temps. I found a website, www.TruckFridge.com and they sell a variety of 12 volt refrigerators that are specifically made for trucks. The different models are sized to fit into different trucks. We chose the largest one that is just a bit smaller than the Norcold it replaced, but designed better for more interior space. It fit into the same space with just one piece of trim that I made. It works beautifully and keeps the food better than the Norcold. The freezer compartment is larger and keeps Barb's ice cream treats hard frozen which the Norcold never did. The whole thing seems better built and the critical parts (compressor) are shock mounted. I think I will need to put in some better air ventilation to cool the compressor. The company does not take orders on the website, but you can buy over the phone to their 800 number. Delivery was within 1 week. The best part is that the model I bought was just $600; half the price of the Norcold. They also offer a 2 year warranty. Will let you know in 2 years how it is holding up.
Next item: For those of you who don't know what GPS unit to buy ( and we all should have one; I think our unit saved our marriage), here is a site that gives unbiased reviews of virtually all the GPS units out there. It is www.GPSinformation.net. These guys do real world field tests and cover every aspect of the different models. They talk about all the good points and the bad points. Check it out.
Next item: This spring we were on a run in Maryland and experienced some problems with the truck where it would just quit when idling. It would start up again, but with some reluctance. Once we were driving we had no problem. This certainly raised the adrenaline level and pucker factor. Fortunately we made our two drops ok, but I didn't know where to take it other than the KW dealer in Baltimore, but I knew they would be backed up. After some web surfing I found the following site: www.nttsbreakdown.com. This is the National Truck and Trailer Service Breakdown Directory. It is a listing of all types of truck and trailer services that can be searched by your location. They list repair shops as well as road service located near you. I found a shop near Laurel, MD that took my truck right in and got me going within 2 hours. They even had the parts that were needed. Since the listings are oriented to breakdown services it is really handy when you are out on the road and need some help and you aren't getting help from dispatch. Or at least you can pick who you want rather than take whoever they send out.
Hope this info is of some help out there.
Be safe out there.
George and Barbara
