It's a Team's Life
Is home time a time to get away from our business?
Regular scheduled maintenance is one of the first things that needs to be taken care of. The DD13 in our Cascadia only requires an oil change at 50,000-mile intervals. We get them done when time allows and the mileage is close, usually a little early. Our engine work is done at our favorite Detroit Diesel shop, Clark Power Service in Wentzville Mo. near home.
I carry a grease gun and grease the chassis every 15,000 miles, even on the road. While under the truck I do an extra detailed inspection of the underside, looking for hoses rubbing, any developing leaks, I check the differential and transmission fluid levels, also looking for anything unusual.
The truck is equipped with automatic slack adjusters on the brakes, as these are mechanical things; I also check the adjustment of the brakes. A little training from your favorite shop, the right tools and anyone can do this themselves.
As for the rest of the truck, our local Freightliner dealer, Truck Centers, Inc. of St. Peters, MO. is the place to go for service and OE parts. I do as much as I can myself, but there are things I don't have the tools required to do. We make a detailed list and have the technicians look it over, if they find something I missed they give me a call and I decide if I want them to take care of it or I want to do it myself. They are very good to work with.
Once the truck is back home, my work really begins. First I clean out the cargo box, the floor is then swept, checked for nail holes and those are patched. The floor gets sealed once a year, so this will be done at this time. All the straps will be inspected and replaced if needed. The carts and two wheelers are inspected for wear and tire pressures checked. All other equipment will be cleaned inspected and restowed to keep it all handy and accessible. Once the floor is dry everything will be reloaded, ready for use.
The outside boxes need to be cleaned out, inventoried and winter items removed, including snow chains, fuel anti-gel, insulated coveralls and whatever else I find I don't think I will need during the spring/summer/fall seasons.
Once all the mandatory things are done, we install items that were purchased to be installed, a TST tire pressure monitoring system, new mud flaps, maybe some new chrome. A thorough wash and wax, touch up painting and the Caffcadia will be ready to go to work, on the outside. The cab and sleeper will get the same treatments on the inside, deep cleaning, cabinets cleaned out sorted and restocked, and winter clothing swapped for lighter summer clothing.
Of course this doesn't all happen at once, there are many fun things happening around all this. A great time is had every time we get home, friends and family are always ready to play games, go share a meal, or just sit relax and visit.
Before we know it our home time is up and we are ready to get back to work!
Bob & Linda Caffee
TeamCaffee

Saint Louis MO
Expediters 8 years been out here on the road 13 years
Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle; 

Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;

Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;

Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.